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We reported to the council at once by cosmic-radio and were ordered back to Rio de Janeiro. The commandante was hard as an Andean boulder
"Command's wiped out, sim?" he barked. "One survivor out of 250, sim? Neither of you there at the time, sim? Fine commanders you are! Consider yourselves under arrest. It's court-martial for yours!"
Alda and I felt like outcasts during the days that followed. Day after day we listened to the news broadcasts.
Alda was becoming restless. "Deus mio! How much longer can this inactivity go on?" she said.
I was worried. I rode down the great traveling "sidewalk" of the Avenida Rodrigues Alves. Suddenly, I looked up into the eyes of one of the worst criminals of the 36th century.
"Larissa!" I exclaimed. "But you're supposed to be in prison with O Brainiac!"
I leaped to my feet, but Larissa had an explanation. "I just---er---pulled a few wires, and they let me out on suspended sentence," she explained.
"Oh---claro," I returned weakly.
That night, I found Alda in a determined mood. "Listen, Nick," she announced. "I'm going to duck this stupid court martial and find those Asternoids!"
"I say you won't," I returned hotly.
A hot argument ensued. Alda was highly excited.
"Rather than disobey an order, you'd let me go alone to face---I don't know what kind of dangers!" she ranted.
"Alda!" I commanded. "You're out of control. Get a hold of yourself!" But it was no use.
"You're a coward," she came back. "You don't care for me anymore."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoIYNCGqh8
"If that's the way you feel about it," I said, "menina adeus!"
After I had gone, Aldad hurriedly changed into her campaign suit and moto-belt. "When he comes back, he'll find me gone!" she thought. "What will I do for food! Well, I'll be A.W.O.L anyhow. I'll be a deserter, a criminal. I might as well be a bandido too, and swipe it!
Suddenly there was a loud knocking at the door.
347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipBOlNlA22
