o
you think we are? As stupid as your Essjay bosses? By heaven, we're
staying! Then see if you have the nerve to murder a hundred people!"

"Mike ... Mike--" Avis caught his arm.

Hulse turned to Chung. "I'll overlook that unseemly outburst," he
said. "But in light of my responsibilities and under the provisions of
the Constitution, I am hereby putting this asteroid under martial law.
You will have all personnel aboard the _Pallas Castle_ and at a
minimum distance of a thousand kilometers within four hours of this
moment, or be subject to arrest and trial. Now I have to get back and
commence operations. The _Altair_ will maintain radio contact with
you. Good day." He bowed curtly, spun on his heel, and clacked from
the room.

Blades started to charge after him. Chung caught his free arm.
Together he and Avis dragged him to a stop. He stood cursing the air
ultraviolet until Ellen entered.

"I couldn't keep up with you," she panted. "What's happened, Mike?"

The strength drained from Blades. He slumped into a chair and covered
his face.

* * * * *

Chung explained in a few harsh words. "Oh-h-h," Ellen gasped. She went
to Blades and laid her hands on his shoulders. "My poor Mike!"

After a moment she looked at the others. "I should report back, of
course," she said, "but I won't be able to before the ship
accelerates. So I'll have to stay with you till afterward. Miss Page,
we left about half a bottle of wine on the verandah. I think it would
be a good idea if you went and got it."

Avis bridled. "And why not you?"

"This is no time for personalities," Chung said. "Go on, Avis. You can
be thinking what records and other paper we should take, while you're
on your way. I've got to organize the evacuation. As for Miss Ziska,
well, Mike needs somebody to pull him out of his dive."

"Her?" Avis wailed, and fled.

Chung sat down and flipped his intercom to Phone Central. "Get me
Captain Janichevski aboard the _Pallas_," he ordered. "Hello, Adam?
About that general alarm--"

Blades raised a haggard countenance toward Ellen's. "You better clear
out, along with the women and any men who don't want to stay," he
said. "But I think most of them will take the chance. They're on a
profit-sharing scheme, they stand to lose too much if the place is
ruined."

"What do you mean?"

"It's a gamble, but I don't believe Hulse's sealed orders extend to
murder. If enough of us stay put, he'll ha