Director Barrow spoke coldly, as Mart stepped back, still covering the Venusian with the blaster. "Tar Norn, you speak of 'our discussion.' There is nothing to discuss. You will be sent to Earth." The pirate's face became vicious. "I do not think so," he snapped. "I have taken a hostage. It was quite dark--your tiny Callisto in eclipse of its huge primary--when I was forced down. But darkness means nothing to a Venusian. You Earthmen play a strange game with cardboard rectangles. To use its language, Director Barrow, I have an ace in the hole." Tar Norn sat down again and folded his six-fingered hands quite calmly. Light from the ceiling overhead seemed to cast a malignant glow on his dead-white scalp. "Your daughter, Director," he continued. "If you wish to see her again, you will give me a ship, your _fastest_ ship." * * * * * There was a moment of dead, utter silence. Then Director Barrow leaned over the desk and flicked the key of the communicator. "Control? Get my--get Leah Barrow at once. Ring her room. If no answer there, get my housekeeper. This is Director Barrow." "Your fastest ship," repeated the Venusian. "Well stocked with supplies. Enough to take me to--to a place in the Asteroid belt. I shall be too late now to carry out my original plans on Ganymede." The office door opened and Captain Wayne came in, followed by Roger Corey. Their eyes widened as they saw the Venusian. Wayne's hand darted toward his holster, then relaxed as he saw Mart's blaster trained on the pirate. He faced Director Barrow and saluted. "Captain," Barrow ordered, "you will form a search party at once--every available man and means. We must search all of Callisto within--" he made a rapid mental calculation "--about fifty miles. You will be searching for my daughter." The captain stiffened. Before he could reply the carrier wave hummed and a feminine voice, that of an elderly woman, came over the communicator. "Director Barrow? Leah isn't here. I looked in her room and her bed is disarranged as though she left suddenly. She always makes it herself as soon as she gets up." "Anything to point to when she left, Mrs. Andrews?" "Not exactly, sir. The alarm was set for six and it was still buzzing. Her bed isn't very mussed; it looks like she got up again almost right after she retired. I don't understand." Director Barrow's face was bleak. His voice sounded like the drip of water from melting ice. "Clothing?" he asked. "Her lightweight spacesuit is gone. Apparently she put it on over her sleeping pajamas, for they aren't here. Is there anything I can do, sir? I'm worried; she hasn't ever--" "That will be all, Mrs. Andrews," Barrow replied. "I'll let you know if there is anything." He turned to Captain Wayne. "Use this set, Captain. Get Communications to send out a general alarm and assembly. You can make all necessary arrangements right here." Wayne crossed to the communicator, and began to issue rapid instructions.