Planet Of No Return

“With a planet named Arao in orbit around it! Aren’t the Cultural Relationships people going to have a fine time designing a social structure that is a little more responsible to the people than the present one.”

“Anything would be an improvement. I want to volunteer for this assignment. This is one I am going to enjoy!”

“Say we. It may be years before it is done, but I promise to be patient. Because at the end of all that waiting I’ll be able to see the expression on Hegedus’s face when we walk into the room.”

The sun hung over the valley, reflecting bright glints from the small tracked vehicle standing there. As they walked over to it the engine started and it vibrated gently, waiting for them to enter

“The last machine,” Brion said as they closed the door and the vehicle started forward.

There was a box on the seat with all of their equipment still intact inside of it, Lea took out the radio and handed it to Brion. “Please call the life ship. Give it urgent instructions so it will be waiting for us when we get out of this place. I’ve had enough of this planet — as well as the last one.”

When the canyon emerged onto the grassy plain the silver needle of the spacecraft was standing there before them. The robot car stopped — and the engine died away into silence.

After all the centuries of destruction, the war was finally done.