ll me what you think."

He busied himself with a bottle and glasses.

* * * * *

INFORMAL MEMO

130-263
From: Explorations Officer, Sector Nine
To: Ecological Officer
Subject: Incident Report

Enclosed is the file on that recent occurrence on Planet 3-G3-9/4871,
consisting of the certificates and statements of the various officers
and guardsmen concerned, together with a digest of the interrogation of
Elwar Forell, a young planetary native, who appears to have been the
instigator.

It seems to me that something is seriously wrong with our system of
operation, at least on the subject planet. After all, our operations
have the purpose of research and observation, with a view to protection
and development. Certainly, we cannot create chaos. And knowledge of our
existence by very young cultures would certainly cause just that. We've
got to clear this up in a hurry. The Elder Galactics are most certain to
be unhappy about it in any event, and I don't like to make them unhappy.

Obviously, there was a chain of errors, and some of our people concerned
will have to be reassigned for further training, but that's just the
beginning. I've recalled all the observers from this planet, pending
reorganization, and we've got to come up with an answer that'll prevent
further occurrences of this nature, as well as covering this affair on
the planet concerned.

I realize that the situation has some of the elements of comedy, and I
presume that it will eventually be regarded with considerable amusement,
but right at the moment, my sense of humor is working very poorly.

I have a few ideas of my own, but would like to have your
recommendations and those of other section officers before I make any
final decision or report. I am calling a conference on this incident at
280.1000, so make a full investigation on this, and give me some
practical recommendation as soon as possible.

CIJORN
6 enclosures

STATEMENT

I, Florand Anremdor, am assigned to the Communications Branch,
Exploratory Section, Sector Nine.

At 261.0196, I was on duty in the emergency communications room at
Increment Four. A call came in from Resident Station number fourteen,
Planet 3-G3-9/4871, requesting emergency condensation over the immediate
station area. Co-ordinates were not given and I checked the planetary
co-ordin