It’s already history.”
“A splendid estate, John.”
With admiration, Jay Kalam’s glance roved the richly green, curving landscape.
“The finest, I think, in the System.”
John Star’s face clouded.
“A responsibility I had to assume.”
His voice was almost bitter.
“But I wish I were back in the Legion, Jay.
With Hal and Giles.
I wish I were back in the guard of Aladoree.”
Jay Kalam smiled.
“You’re—fond of her, John?”
He nodded, simply.
“I was—am.
I hoped—until that night, when she used AKKA.
I realized then what a fool I was.
She’s a goddess, Jay.
With the secret she has a power—a responsibility.
I saw that night that she had no time for—for love.”
Jay Kalam was still gravely smiling.
“Did it ever occur to you, John, that she’s just a girl?
Even though it may be interesting to destroy a planet, she can’t be doing it all the time.
She’s apt to get lonesome.”
“Of course,” John Star admitted wearily, “she must have other interests.
But she was—simply a goddess!
I couldn’t ask her.
Anyhow, it could never be me!”
“Why do you think that, John?”
“For one thing, my name.
Ulnar.
I couldn’t ask her to forgive that.”
“But the name needn’t worry you, John.
The Green Hall, recognizing your distinguished service, has officially changed your name to John Star.
That’s one thing we came to tell you.”
“Eh?” he gasped.
Then Aladoree came through the air-lock, Hal Samdu and Giles Habibula behind her.
Her face sedate, gray eyes cool and grave, the clear sunlight working miracles of red and brown and gold in her hair, she looked at John Star in demure inquiry.
“Since the Purple Hall is now the strongest fortress in the System,” Jay Kalam explained hastily, “the Green Hall requests you to assume the responsibility of guarding Aladoree Anthar.”
“If you are willing, John Ulnar,” added the girl, eyes twinkling.
His throat was dry.
He searched in a golden mist for words, uttered them with an effort.
“I’m willing.
But my name, it seems, is John Star.”
Still grave, but for her eyes, she said:
“I shall call you John Ulnar.”
“But you said———”
“I’ve changed my mind.
I trust one Ulnar.
More than that, I———”
She was suddenly too busy to finish the sentence.