--and the others would be
inefficient for most farm work. So disposal by sale is a logical and
profitable way of culling. But now the Boss-man is being pressured into
breeding an export type. And this I don't like. It's too commercial.
Smells like slavery."

"You're a Mystic, aren't you?" Kennon asked.

"Sure--but that doesn't mean I like slavery. Oh, I know some of those
fatheaded Brotherhood economists call our system economic slavery--and
I'll admit that it's pretty hard to crack out of a spherical trust.
But that doesn't mean that we have to stay where we are. Mystics aren't
owned by their entrepreneurs. Sure, it's a tough haul to beat the
boss, but it can be done. I did it, and others do it all the time. The
situation isn't hopeless."

"But it is with the Lani," Kennon added.

"Of course. That's why they should be protected. What chance does a
Lani have? Without us they can't even keep going as a race. They're
technological morons. They don't live long enough to understand modern
civilization. To turn those poor helpless humanoids out into human
society would be criminal. It's our duty to protect them even while
we're using them."

"Man's burden?' Kennon said, repeating the old cliche.

"Exactly." Blalok scowled. "I wish I had guts enough to give the
Boss-man the facts--but I can't get nerve enough to try. I've a good job
here--a wife and two kids--and I don't want to jeopardize my future."
Blalok glanced over the side. "Well, here we are," he said, and began
descending into the center of a spokelike mass of buildings radiating
outward from a central hub.

"Hmm--big place," Kennon murmured.

"It should be," Blalok replied. "It furnishes all of our Lani for
replacement and export. It can turn out over a thousand a year at
full capacity. Of course we don't run at that rate, or Flora would be
overpopulated. But this is a big layout, like you said. It can maintain
a population of at least forty thousand. Old Alexander had big ideas."

"I wonder what he planned to do with them?" Kennon said.

"I wouldn't know. The Old Man never took anyone into his confidence."

Jordan came up as the jeep settled to the ground. "Been expecting you
for the past half hour," he said. "Your office said you were on your
way.--Good to see you, too, Doc. I've been going over the records with
Hank Allworth--the stationmaster here." Jordan held out his hand.

"You're an Earthman, eh?" Kennon asked as he grasped the outstretched
ha