the square. For a time, they milled about, wading through
the ebbing flood. They examined the damage, then they gathered in
groups, talking earnestly.

The dry wind came up at 0510, and by 0550, the entire village was on the
march toward my station. Their intentions were quite easy to determine.
They were armed with pitchforks, scythes, axes, and other tools which
could be converted to offensive use. I established a protective screen,
but realized that to set up a permanent defense would be impractical and
even harmful. I therefore called the cruiser, requesting evacuation for
myself and for young Forell. Prior to evacuation, I demolished all my
fixed equipment, so that the only things left for the villagers to find
when they entered the station were damaged remains of those things
normal for a recluse scholar of their era.

Franz Jaeger
Observer 2/c

INFORMAL MEMO

130-265

From: Evaluations Officer
To: Explorations Officer
Subject: Interrogation

Enclosed is a digest of the interrogation of one, Elwar Forell, who was
evacuated from forty-eight seventy-one, in company with Guardsman
Jaeger. This boy was abjectly terrified and had to be calmed several
times during questioning. He was pitiably hysterical when recalling his
conversation with Captain Klorantel, who, you will remember, is a
capriform humanoid.

The subject appears to be an intelligent specimen of his race, and when
he had conquered his hysteria, was extremely co-operative, showing
active interest in his surroundings. I believe he would be able to
assimilate training, and would make a valuable addition to the Stellar
Guard. I recommend his retention and training.

If Elwar is a typical "son of a simple peasant," and if the planet from
which he comes has any considerable number of "simple peasants" with
sons like him, I can foresee some strangely interesting problems in
connection with further dealings on that planet.

FONZEC
1 enclosure

DIGEST

Interrogation of Elwar Forell, native of Planet 3-G3-9/4871.

"My Masters, I did mean no harm, but only good. I have long known that
my master was possessed of power denied to most men. When I was
apprenticed to him five years ago, I thought I would one day learn some
of the dark secrets of the hidden worlds, but ne