Toal said, "The Hog is in the swamp. Kinlock wounded him. Kinlock
should see a doctor. We've walked seventeen miles. Throw us a rope, if
you won't open the gate."
Then a voice that I recognized spoke. "Let them climb up," ordered the
shuttle pilot, Olaf Ypsilanti. "Want to discuss this matter with them."
A mesh of wooden slats and plastic ropes clattered against the logs.
"Let me help you, Kinlock," Toal said.
"I'm all right. You first," I said.
Toal slung her weapon and climbed up the net as if she had had no
exercise for days. Ypsilanti's fleshy face appeared in the light.
Roughly, he helped Toal over the sawtoothed parapet.
Slowly, I followed. No one assisted me at the top. I tore two new
gashes in my ragged oversuit, and my ankles turned under me when I
dropped down to the walk.
Someone turned a searchlight and illuminated the six men and one woman
standing on the planks. Ypsilanti gripped Toal's wrists in his big
hands. "Why treat me this way, Betty?" he asked, "Were to marry next
week. Am a strong, handsome Dominant. Any female Minimum should be
proud Controls Council selected me for her."
"Turn loose, Ypsilanti!" Toal said.
Ypsilanti said, "You imitate the alien's ugly accent. Have schemed to
be deported rather than marry me."