His Share of Glory The Complete Short Science Fiction

With the most natural gesture in the world he extended his hand. In turn Yancey and Will gripped it. He stepped through the hull with a farewell wave.

"Commons room—ready ship!"

"Yes, Officer!"

"One hundred eighty degrees!"

"Yes, Officer!"

"And full speed—cut!"

"Cut!"

Close together they contemplated the golden-skinned Madame Tung.

"Everything has its cost," said Will.

Yancey said nothing.

Unrelieved blackness alternated with dazzling star-clusters; from rim to rim of the universe stretched the thin line that marked the hero's way.