Part 11 (1/2)

”Sure, Cap'n; but are you sure you want to let them boys in here after the way they jumped you an' all?”

I opened my mouth to answer, but he beat me to it. ”Fergit I asked ya that, Cap'n, pleasir. You ain't been wrong yet.”

”It's O.K., Thomas,” I said. ”There won't be any more trouble.”

EPILOGUE

On the eve of the twentieth anniversary of Reunion Day, a throng of well-heeled celebrants filled the dining room and overflowed onto the terraces of the Star Tower Dining Room, from whose 5,700 foot height above the beaches, the Florida Keys, a hundred miles to the south, were visible on clear days.

The _Era_ reporter stood beside the vast gla.s.s entry way surveying the crowd, searching for celebrities from whom he might elicit bits of color to spice the day's transmission.

At the far side of the room, surrounded by chattering admirers, stood the Amba.s.sador from the New Terran Federation; a portly, graying, jolly ex-Naval officer. A minor actress pa.s.sed at close range, looking the other way. A cabinet member stood at the bar talking earnestly to a ball player, ignoring a group of hopeful reporters and fans.

The _Era_ stringer, an experienced hand, pa.s.sed over the hard pressed VIP's near the center of the room and started a face-by-face check of the less gregarious diners seated at obscure tables along the sides of the room.

He was in luck; the straight-backed gray-haired figure in the dark civilian suit, sitting alone at a tiny table in an alcove, caught his eye. He moved closer, straining for a clear glimpse through the crowd.

Then he was sure. He had the biggest possible catch of the day in his sights; Admiral of Fleets Frederick Greylorn.

The reporter hesitated; he was well aware of the Admiral's reputation for near-absolute silence on the subject of his already legendary cruise, the fabulous voyage of the _Galahad_. He couldn't just barge in on the Admiral and demand answers, as was usual with publicity-hungry politicians and show people. He could score the biggest story of the century today; but he had to hit him right.

You couldn't hope to snow a man like the Admiral; he wasn't somebody you could push around. You could sense the solid iron of him from here.

n.o.body else had noticed the solitary diner. The _Era_ man drifted closer, moving unhurriedly, thinking furiously. It was no good trying some tricky approach; his best bet was the straight-from-the-shoulder bit. No point in hesitating. He stopped beside the table.

The Admiral was looking out across the Gulf. He turned and glanced up at the reporter.

The news man looked him squarely in the eye. ”I'm a reporter, Admiral,”

he said. ”Will you talk to me?”

The Admiral nodded to the seat across from him. ”Sit down,” he said. He glanced around the room.

The reporter caught the look. ”I'll keep it light, sir,” he said. ”I don't want company either.” That was being frank.

”You want the answers to some questions, don't you?” the Admiral said.

”Why, yes, sir,” the reporter said. He started to inconspicuously key his pocket recorder, but caught himself. ”May I record your remarks, Admiral?” he said. Frankness all the way.

”Go ahead,” said the Admiral.

”Now, Admiral,” the reporter began, ”the Terran public has of course ...”

”Never mind the patter, son,” the Admiral said mildly. ”I know what the questions are. I've read all the memoirs of the crew. They've been coming out at the rate of about two a year for some time now. I had my own reasons for not wanting to add anything to my official statement.”

The Admiral poured wine into his gla.s.s. ”Excuse me,” he said. ”Will you join me?” He signalled the waiter.