The scientist was unchanged, as irascible as ever. He demanded, “What is going on here, Commander Grimes? A dawn attack on our world by a Federation warship—” “Our world, Doctor?” “Yes. I’m married now, and I resigned my commission, and applied for citizenship.” “You resigned your commission?” “Must you parrot every word, Commander Grimes? Commander Brabham was the senior officer of the Survey Service on Botany Bay, so I handed my resignation in to him. He accepted it. I got tired of waiting for that chum of yours, Captain Davinas.” “Did you tell Brabham about Davinas?” asked Grimes. “Of course not. I knew that it was some private deal between you and him, so I kept my mouth shut.” “Just as well,” said Grimes. “If Brabham and his crowd had been expecting Sundowner they’d have been more alert.” “What do you mean, just as well? If they’d been alert, they’d have stood a fighting chance.” “But they’re mutineers, Doctor.” “Mutineers, shmutineers .
