'They know that, and I doubt if any of them other than General Briggs will stand trial. That is my unofficial opinion, but I know that the people on the top feel the same way. It was piracy. You are a ships officer and were in command of this ship. You still are for that matter, since a new commander has not been appointed yet. So -1 don't know whether to call you doctor or captain - but in either case you are going to sleep now.'
Don did go to sleep, smiling.
The following morning after he had eaten, the nurse rubbed on depilatory cream to remove his whiskers and propped him up with extra pillows.
'What's this for?' he asked, suspiciously.
'You're having guests. You have to look your best.'
'So it's guests now. I thought I was too sick for visitors? At least that's what you have been telling me. While I have been telling you...'
'A doctor who prescribes for himself has a fool for a patient,' she said, and flounced out. Don smiled after her.
'Permission to enter, sir,' Chief Kurikka said from the doorway.
'What? Chief - of course, come in. But why...'
He broke off when he saw that the Chief was wearing his dress greys, the formal uniform of the spaceman. His hash marks were picked out in gold braid, and his high collar cut into his neck. Don realized he must have borrowed the greys from another spacer, since all his own gear had been jettisoned. He came in, walking stiffly at attention - and behind him came the others.
They were all there, all in greys. Rama Kusum, Engine-room Mate and sometime doctor. Purser Jonquet and Com-puterman Boyd. Sparks and the engineer, Tyblewski, and Air Tender Hansen. And behind them, in formal dress, head high and as stiff as the others, was Dr Ugalde. He put his hand over his heart when they stopped and the others saluted.
'They couldn't all be here, the crew that is, Captain. But we represent them. And Dr Ugalde, he's here because he is sure a part of the crew now.'
'He certainly is that,' Don said firmly, remembering what had happened, the course corrections and the matter of the counter-rebellion.
'We felt the same, sir. So he is here now when I, that is we, are here representing the crew. That is your crew, Captain.'
Kurikka unbent from his stiff attention and looked down at Don. Tm good at the proper ceremony, sir, when there is a proper ceremony, that is with the book and everything. Not that this isn't proper, it just isn't in the book. What I am trying to say is that the quarantine will be lifted in a few days and they want to take you to the hospital at Mars Central. Commander Doprava, there at the base, is going to con the Big Joe back to Earth orbit for repairs. But until he takes command you are still the Captain.' He snapped his fingers and a box was produced and handed to him.
'They can never take that away from you. Spacemen feel that there is nothing much higher than a captain of a ship. Not very many men make it. You did, sir, and you got us through and that is what counts.' He opened the box and took out a peaked cap with a golden rocket on the front.
'This is a captains hat. Yours now, because we bought it from the commander of the orbiter. It's from the crew, Captain. Every man chipped in.'
Don took the cap in both hands, turning it around and could find nothing to say. The men saluted. With emotion that he had never experienced before he returned the salute.
There were no words that could express how he felt, and they saw it on his face. This was their moment too, and they were united by a tie that would never be broken. In silence, one by one, they left. Chief Kurikka was last and he hesitated in the doorway, then forced himself to speak.
'Captain, sir, could you tell me what you plan? I mean when you are out of hospital. Most doctors serve a hitch in the space service, then practise dirtside. Nothing much to keep them in space, I guess. I wonder, your own plans, I mean
Don had planned to practise on one of the planets, there had never been any doubt about that. Yet, in that single instant, he realized what an impossible thing that would be to do. Dirtside - that was the only word for it. What did the globes of dust have to offer after the clear sharp world of space? There were deep-spacers to serve in, satellite research stations - endless opportunities once you thought about it. Yet, even as the thoughts were forming, he spoke.
'Don't believe any of that old scuttlebutt, Chief. I have no more intention of working dirtside than, well, than you do.'
'Can't be more certain than that!' the Chief said, smiling broadly. He snapped a salute and left.
The door closed and he was alone.
Don turned the cap over in his hands and ran his finger along the sleek gold cylinder of the emblem. Almost sorry that the voyage was ended. It was going to be a little tame, just being a doctor again.
'A rough voyage, and I'm glad it is over,' he said softly to himself. 'Very glad we are in a safe harbour at last. But I have this cap, and the memory of what it means. They can't ever take that away from me.'