"You're temporarily overcome by surprise," he went on. "You haven't had a chance to think. I know you inside out--too well to believe I could fool you for very long. And," he added ruefully; "you know me the same way. There's the rub. But I need you--and you need me." The girl was silent. "Yes," she agreed finally; "that's true. You're a man. A strange man. But you're not the Wanderer. You plan to use us to help you escape back to your ship, then desert us. But I don't think you will. Desert us, I mean." It was Jupiter's turn to look disconcerted. "Why not?" "Because--" she began and started to smile. "You won't like this, but you're too soft. Deep down on the inside you're too fine, too idealistic to pull a trick like that. Your conscience wouldn't let you. "You've been hurt. Many times. When I looked inside your mind, I could see the scars. I could feel how you'd armored yourself with a harsh shell to hide your true feelings. You have a saying among your own people: 'Scratch a cynic and you'll find an idealist!'" "Well, I'll be damned," said Jupiter. Then almost hesitantly, "But you'll help. I need someone I can trust." He wiped the sweat off his forehead. "Someone I can trust with my life to take the Anolyn from my own neck." "You'll trust me," she said; "because you must. You're really not self-sufficient. No one is." Jupiter regarded her silently, coldly. Then he picked up the hypodermic, sterilized it, filled the barrel with exsrocain. "This is a damned ticklish trick. The needle must be inserted between the vertebrae so that it doesn't injure the spinal cord and yet--" "Lie down," she interrupted. "I know as well as you how it must be done." "But--" "Don't be alarmed. I'm in possession of all your experience, just as you are of mine!" Jupiter swallowed, laid face-down on the stained table. "For Heaven's sake, be careful!" Tabak ran her fingertips along his backbone, locating the spot to insert the needle. It sent cold chills prickling through his skin. "And you're sure you know exactly what to do?" She laughed. "Of course, I know. Don't tell me you've forgotten the girl on Betelgeuse XI--the one you used to put into a state of suspended animation whenever you had to ship out so that she couldn't be unfaithful between voyages." Jupiter made a choking sound. Before he could think of anything to say, he felt the needle prick his flesh. He winced, heard Tabak begin to count: "One ... two...." * * * * * Slowly Jupiter became conscious of a smart in the nape of his neck like a bee sting. He opened his eyes, sat up, touched the base of his skull. The hard little lump was gone. Relief left him weak. He caught Tabak's eye, felt his face grow warm. "About that girl on Betelgeuse XI--" he began uncomfortably. "You don't need to explain. Under the circumstances you were entirely justified."