way. Our cops would be
tough with you if they found you operating the thing, and Federation
Securitymen would be even tougher. Take it as a warning: don't do it
again."

She turned to go, but Farmer held on. "What's this about a Galactic
Federation? And if they've banned all communication with Earth, why
haven't they just blasted the planet out of existence and gotten rid of
it? Of course, I know we're thoroughly uncivilized and too warlike for
any other race to trust, and all that. I can see how Earth might be
considered the plague spot of the universe...."

Dor gawked, and saw that he was very serious. Then she threw back her
head and laughed a merry laugh. "Listen, friend," she said at last. "The
only real trouble with you Earth people is that you have a tremendous
inferiority complex, collectively and individually--as you've just
illustrated. Get over that and you'll eliminate most of your trouble. As
for the Federation, they let _us_ in, and most member-races have wars
occasionally; they'll undoubtedly accept you, once you develop space
travel.

"Just at the moment, of course, you're at a crossroads. You could jump
in either direction, blowing yourself up or taking the big step into
space. I think you'll turn out okay, but not everybody agrees--and the
Federation can't take even small chances. So you can't be allowed to set
off your atom bombs, or worse, where they might get through to another
planet. We can't actually interfere with you, so we've closed the gates;
that's all."

John Andrew, thinking it over, said "Oh," and let go of her wrist. She
turned and went back to the rail again, after flashing him the most de
luxe smile so far. Farmer came out of a philosophic haze to notice she
was leaving. He said, "Hey!"

She looked over her shoulder. Farmer didn't know what to say, but he
wanted to delay her. Finally, he pointed to the nonapus, and said, "What
about that monster? You're not going to leave it here?"

She laughed again. "Oh, the robot? It'll follow me. It's designed to....
Oh damn!"

The damn was for something she saw in the water as she looked back over
the rail again. John Andrew rushed to her side and looked as she got set
for a dive. Garf, he saw immediately, had returned, and was picking up
the Judge's invention.

"Put that down!" Dor's yell was high-pitched. Garf faced them, and
Farmer could just make out his lazy, contemptuous smile through the
murky water. The fishman raised his arm in