sleep.

When Rhena arrived the next morning Joe announced that he had a statement to make. "I realize,” he said, "that your leaders will not force me to reveal the location of my planet; but it is also true that it could take your ships a lifetime to find that location. I've come to the conclusion that the sooner the people of Earth get to know your people, the sooner there will be an end to war and hatred. Therefore, if your government is willing to take on the task of helping to improve life on Earth, and if your space fleet can get me back to the point of our initial encounter, I will lead the way back to my planet."

Rhena threw her arms around his neck and Joe held her tightly. "That is just what I hoped you would say," she said, "and I really would like to see the Earth myself someday, provided you will give me a deluxe tour." Joe promised that he would do just that, as soon as things are safe enough for you to have an enjoyable trip. He then continued, "The matter of safety, for you and for all the people of Verna, motivates me to place one restriction on my willingness to co-operate; and unless your government agrees to one stipulation, I will be forced to withdraw my offer."

She presented his proposal to the leadership council and all parts of it were accepted without serious question. Joe continued to live on Verna for the remainder of his tour of duty as it was feared that his early return might inadvertently cause the death of more people if the Earth responded as they had in the past. The time went by all too rapidly and Joe and Rhena happily announced their engagement just before he left to lead the way back to Earth.

He sat in the cabin of his ship and thought once again of the decision that he had made. The navigational data was all programmed and all that was left to do now was to put the ship into hyper-drive for the final jump that would reveal the location of Earth. The ships of Verna would accompany him on that jump and they would handle things from that point on. One of his earrings dropped into his lap and he reached to replace it automatically. Some on Earth would consider him as a traitor and by a strict interpretation that was probably true; but the results of his actions would make the Earth a better world.

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