"The old one about changing horses in mid-stream," the archeologist answered. "Also the old one about not jumping to conclusions before all the evidence is in." "What evidence isn't in?" "We don't know why Ron Val joined Sarkoff," the archeologist answered. "What difference does that make? We don't even know that Ron Val was still himself. The thing that looked like Ron Val might have been another monstrosity like Sarkoff." "So it might," the archeologist shrugged. "Anyhow my vote is not important. I'm just putting it in for the sake of the record, if there ever is a record. I would also like to mention that if ever we needed discipline and unity, now is the time." "We will have discipline, I promise you," Nielson said. "Hargraves, you are removed from command, understand?" "Yes," said Hargraves steadily. Only one ballot was needed to put Nielson in charge. "All right," said Ushur to the new captain. "You're the boss now. We're all behind you. What are you going to do?" "Do? I--" Nielson looked startled. He glanced at Hargraves. The former captain sighed. It was easy enough to elect a new leader. Vehemently he wished that all problems could be solved so easily. "I suggest," he said, "--and this is only a suggestion--that we attempt to find the ship, and if possible, to regain possession of her. She is the only tool we have to work with." "That is exactly what I was going to say," Nielson said emphatically. "Find the ship." To give him credit, he set about the job in a workmanlike manner, sending two scouts ahead of the main group, throwing out a scout on each flank. The only way they could hope to find the ship was by following the course it had taken through the air. Since Sarkoff, in taking over the vessel, had not disarmed them, each possessed a vibration pistol. In a fight against ordinary enemies they would be able to give a good account of themselves. But would any enemy they met likely be ordinary? Hargraves drew Usher aside. "I would like to talk to you," he said. "What actually happened when the ship was taken?" "I don't know, Jed," the archeologist ruefully answered. "I was in my cabin. The first thing I knew I heard a hell of a hullabaloo going on up in the control room. I dashed up there to see what was going on." "What was happening?" "Nielson, Rodney, Turner, and a couple of others were there. So were--well, they looked like Sarkoff and Ron Val. Nielson was getting up off the floor. Sarkoff and Ron Val had both drawn their guns and were covering the group. When I came charging in, Sarkoff covered me. Before I could recover from my surprise, he and Ron Val had kicked every one of us out of the ship. Then they took off." The archeologist shook his shaggy head. "Ron Val was helping?" "No question about it. Which means, of course, that he was either under some subtle form of hypnosis, or _it_ wasn't Ron Val. I would bet my life on his loyalty." * * * * *