we no permanent allegiance to, nor
acknowledge the authority of, any national sovereignty or any
combination of nations. We deal with national governments as with
equals. In consequence, we must make and enforce our own laws.

"You must understand that we enjoy this status only on sufferance. The
nations of the world tolerate the Free Scientists only because they need
us, and because they know they can trust us. Now, no responsible
government official is going to be deceived for a moment by this suicide
story we've confected. It will be fully understood that Lowiewski was a
traitor, and that we found him out and put him to death. And, as a
corollary, it will be understood that this Team, as a Team, is fully
trustworthy, and that when any individual Team member is found to be
untrustworthy, he will be dealt with promptly and without public
scandal. In other words, it will be understood, from this time on, that
the MacLeod Team is worthy of the status it enjoys and the
responsibilities concomitant with it."

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