* * * * *
We were received as heroes by our gang. Even the inaccuracies in the
news story contributed to our glory--the Ios being ashamed to admit all
the havoc was the result of only one solitary girl ship. Our hussies
and aides greeted us in the First Hall with a wild cheer, crowding
around us to beg for details.
"Later," said Naomi, flushed with triumph, "we'll call a formation
later. We'll tell our story to the entire gang."
"Back to your posts, now!" I shouted. "You hussies get your girls ready
for battle. We can expect the boys to counterattack at any time."
The First Hall cleared rapidly of all except a few of our top officers.
"Confidentially," I said, "I won't go for any more of this shared
leadership stuff. This gang can only be run by one boss at a time. It's
going to be either me or Naomi, but not both of us."
"Those are my sentiments exactly," said Naomi. "Let's get this fight
over with once and for all."
Jeanette, always the reasonable one, stepped forth quietly. "Look, this
is a very bad time to hold a duel, just when we're waiting for the Ios
to appear."
"Yeah, you two, you're spoiling our victory celebration."
"Put it off until tomorrow."
"Until after the next meeting."
"Besides," added Jeanette, "Naomi and Vera worked well enough together
during their raid on Io."
"Yes! That's right! We'll need you!"
The sentiment for postponement of our duel was irresistible. We both
bowed to it as gracefully as we could.
"I'll work with you, Naomi, but I'll hate you every minute of it."
"Likewise!" she snarled, "and twice as much."
Fat, fog-throated Ginger edged next to me. "Well, now that that's
settled for the time being, maybe you two can agree on what to do with
this spy we caught.
"Shoot him!" said Naomi. "He's a man."
"Let's first determine whether or not he's a spy," I said.
"There you two go disagreeing again," Ginger complained. "Now just what
do you want me to do with him?"
"I've worked out a test we can give him. We can tell whether he's lying
or telling the truth when he says he's a professor."
"Oh, this is all so much nonsense," said Naomi impatiently. She
withdrew a piece of paper from her belt wallet, handed it to me.
"Here," she said sarcastically, "here is that research you had me do
at the library. I authorize you to handle this matter for both of us."
She stalked out of the hall with a short, scornful laugh.
* * * * *
Ginger had locked him in the nuclear torch storeroom, a none too
healthy place. We escorted him to the communications office. I began
the interrogation.
"You say your name is--?"
"Lewis Worth."
"And your occupation is a professor?"
"Assistant professor of sociology, Mars University." He clipped his
words with deliberate over-formality. His expression was faintly amused.
"So you say, and so your papers say, but those could be forgeries, you
admit?"
"Yes, that's possible," he replied softly, "but it's so easy for you to
check with my department."
"Undoubtedly there is someone there by that name," Ginger interjected.
"But that doesn't prove your identity."
"I have here a list of members of your alleged department. If you
actually belong to it you should be able to give me their names."