Tunnel in the Sky

Eww. The Jubal Harshaw of this book is Deacon Matson. He's annoying enough with the endless stream of epigrams and the world-weary condescending attitude. But at least he doesn't have that squicky harem swarming around him, which is a relief. Then young Rod mentions his sister and old Deacon's ears perk up. "I must meet your sister sometime," he rumbles, as poor Rod scampers up the ramp to his close encounter with gruesome death. Please tell me that Rod doesn't come back from his adventure to find the creaky old Deacon engaged to his sister!