I picked up sealed orders at the Routing Desk of Space Service. They were addressed to Captain Johnny Martin of the spaceship 13-XV-1, which is my name and my ship. They said: Proceed to Aldebaran VII at once. You are to pick up an Aldebaranian ambassador and transfer him to Earth for high-level diplomatic talks. You are to treat him with utmost courtesy. Relations between Earth and Aldebaran VII are in a very delicate state at this time. The ambassador informs us he plans to bring a pet with hi