There would be all kinds of risks and, if he failed in the thing, he might have to pay with his life. If he managed to accomplish it, he would get nothing as a reward, except perhaps the hand of the Commander's daughter. That wasn't such a bad reward, though. He kissed her and the fires began to burn again. CHAPTER FIFTEEN Lors finished dressing himself, buckling the black belt about his waist; then he looked down at the still form of Zark's daughter, Jela, golden in the light of the overhead bulb. She slept like a baby. He blew a kiss to her and let his breath out in a rush. "If everything goes right," he whispered, "I'll be back before you know I'm gone. If not..." He let it hang there and checked the loads in the auto-pistol. Then he went out into the bright light of the corridor. * * * * * The guard merely accepted his auto-pistol when he stopped at the door to Danson's prison. Lors gave it to him and the spacer opened the door. Nick Danson rubbed the beard on his face and grinned at him. "Forget something, Firstspacer?" He asked. When the door closed, Lors said: "Shut up." Danson blinked. "Sit down." Danson sat. "How badly do you want to get off this ship, Danson?" "How badly do you want to make Commander?" Danson countered and lit a cigarette. "You willing to risk your life?" "Why not? It isn't worth a hell of a lot anyhow." Lors reached into Danson's shirt pocket, found the pack of cigarettes and filched one. Nick touched a match to it and Lors dragged the smoke into his lungs. He could see the Terran regarding him suspiciously. "What's the play, Firstspacer?" Danson asked. "You're dead, Nick," Lors said softly, "if you stay on this ship. That can be either literally, or figuratively speaking, I don't know. It all depends on Zark's plans for you." Nick snorted, "Hell, Lors, it can't be any worse than whatever Imry had cooked up for me." "It'll be better. That I can assure you. Zark is a just man, but he hasn't much feeling for Terrans..." "Yeah, I know. The "god" theory." Lors nodded. "Well, look, Firstspacer," Danson said, snubbing out his cigarette. "Your concern for my welfare touches me deeply, but I don't get it. How come?" Lors grinned. "I've been asking myself that same question, and while I can get answers that make sense to me, I sincerely doubt if they'd make sense to you. "Why don't we just say I like you." "That's rich, but I'll buy it. All I've got to lose is my chains..." "And your memory." "Come again?" Lors sucked on the cigarette. "You can't talk about this thing to anyone except your wife." "Who'd believe me anyhow?" "It's bigger than that, Danson. If you talk to anyone, I'll kill you." "You don't make sense. Why not kill me now?"