ls except in the line of duty. There is a severe penalty for those
who disobey this rule._

_It must also be pointed out, sternly to the Sanctuary girls and
respectfully to the Vogarians, that flight into the uninhabited
Sanctuary mountains would result in execution for the fleeing couples
if Commander Y'Nor should ever find them._

"What's this?" Kane demanded, pointing to the last paragraph.

"Why--a warning, sir."

"Warning ... it's a suggestion!"

"A suggestion?" Brenn lifted his hands in shocked protest. "But, sir,
how could anyone think--"

"I, personally, wouldn't give a damn if the entire crew was too
love-sick to eat. But the commander does and my future welfare,
including the privilege of breathing, depends upon my retaining what
passes for his good will."

"Good heavens--I shall have this edict removed from the bulletin
boards at once!"

"A great idea. It should fix up everything to lock the stable door
now that the horse is stolen."

* * * * *

He went to the plant and felt the air of resentment as soon as he
stepped inside. Dalon was patrolling among his men, his haggard face
becoming more haggard each time the red-haired personnel supervisor
went by with her hips swinging and her head held high in hurt, aloof
silence. The guards were pacing their beats in wordless quiet,
Graver's technicians were speaking only in the line of duty. The girls
were not talking even to one another but in the soft, melting glances
they gave the Vogarians they said _We understand_ in a manner more
eloquent than any words.

In fact, far too eloquent. He considered the plan of having Brenn
forbid the girls to look at the guards, discarded that as impractical,
for a moment wildly considered ordering the guards not to look at the
girls, discarded that as even more impractical, and went, muttering,
to Larue's office.

Larue was at his desk, his face lined with fatigue.

"It's been a difficult job," he said, "but we'll meet the deadline."

"Good," Kane answered. "Did Brenn phone you about having that edict
removed?"

"Ah--which one?"

"Which one? You mean...."

He turned and ran from the office.

A girl was removing the offending edict from the nearest bulletin
board. Another, later, one proclaimed:

_We must abandon as hopeless the suggestion of some that if there must
be an Occupation force, we would like for it to be these men whom we
have come to respect, and many of us to