A small, weakened voice said in his ear, "I'm here, Pink. Jerry too. But he's out cold. I don't feel so hot myself." "Daley!" he roared. "Where are you?" "Big cave, about size of Texas. Came across it trying to find our way out. Lot of giants here. One of them saw us and picked us up and banged us together. I think he must be saving us for a hearty lunch. He's sitting ten feet off watching us." "Your guns, boy!" "No good. All the slugs are gone. Pink," said the weak, worried voice, "do you know what time it is? You better hightail it for the ship." "I'm coming after you," said Pink. "Don't be a heroic son of a space cook, Pink!" "Shut up and lie still." He switched his radio to close quarters. "Honey, you make for the _Child_. I'll pick up the boys and be right with you." "You're crazy," she said flatly. "I wouldn't leave you if--" He had switched on his chest lamp and drawn out a pen and paper from his pocket kit. "I'm going to write Jackson a note countermanding the order. Take it to him." "You're wasting your time," she said grimly. "If you're going into the cave, I'm going too." "You fathead, you can save the ship by taking this note." "You're doing it to save me. I won't. What happens to you happens to me." "My God the whole damn ship--" "Doesn't matter to me if you're gone, Pink." Her voice was strange, half-hysterical and oddly loving. "I don't know why I feel this way about you, Pink. I've never been in love before. If I hadn't been stranded, I'd be old enough to be your mother. You're a big cold dedicated spaceman, but I love you. Lead the way, if you're going to make a fool of yourself." * * * * * In that moment Pink learned wisdom, for he gave up his attempt at a note and bounded to his feet. Some well-spring of instinct had told him that a man could never argue a woman out of anything. "Got your automatic?" "And a full clip left." "Come on, baby." They ran down the cavernous corridor, grotesque tiny fleas making unbelievable leaps. In seconds they had entered the grotto. Many, too many giants were still there. Some of them seemed not to have seen anything of the hectic occurrences, others were standing in small groups (if anything formed of thousand-foot beings could be called small, thought Pink as he rocketed along) motioning hugely to one another. "Stay close," he called to Circe. She was moving as fast as he, her light frame an asset. They ran down one side of the cavern, ignoring giants who did not at first notice them. Pink beamed out his radio and said, "Daley! Locate yourself." "I'm in the cavern." "You ape," said Daley, "why'd you come? We're in front of an entrance that's the middle one of three. Spot it?" "I see four sets of three," said Pink, heading for the nearest as his heart sank. "Sorry, I can't see any more than these. Be careful, old boy." There was a pause. "We have twelve minutes left," said the senior lieutenant calmly.