"I demand the
right to return to duty--"
"If and when they surrender they shall all be accorded necessary aid,"
that was the officer. But he made no impression on the Medic from the
frontier. Dane, by chance, had chosen better support than he had guessed.
"Pro Bono Publico--" Hovan invoked the battle cry of his own Service.
"For the Public Good--"
"A plague ship--" the officer was beginning. Hovan waved that aside
impatiently.
"Nonsense!" His voice scaled up across the field. "There is no plague
aboard. I am willing to certify that before the Council. And if you
refuse these men medical attention--which they need--I shall cite the
case all the way to my Board!"
Dane drew a deep breath. That _was_ taking off on their orbit! Not being
one of the Queen's crew, in fact having good reason to be angry over his
treatment at their hands, Hovan's present attitude would or should carry
weight.
The Patrol officer who was not yet ready to concede all points had an
answer: "If you are able to get on board--go."
Hovan snatched the mike from the astonished officer. "Weeks!" His voice
was imperative.
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