ere to settle
things before you took this case to court. You obviously do not
understand what has happened. I suppose Douglas has double-crossed you.
It would be characteristic of him. But before we go any further I think
we should clear the air and let each other know where we stand. I
don't want to make trouble if it's not necessary. You'll notice I'm not
wearing a thought screen, so you'll be able to check everything I say,
and know I'm telling the truth."

"It had better be good," Alexander said grimly. "I've been looking for
you for ten years. I intend to throw the book at you."

"I don't know whether my reason is good or not. Technically I'm guilty
of breach of contract and larceny of corporation property, but there are
extenuating circumstances."

Alexander chuckled mirthlessly. "There are a few other charges. And
quite probably I can think of more if you beat these. I'm going to make
an example of you, Kennon. I'm going to drag you down and stamp on you.
You're going to be a horrible example to all smart operators who think
they can break contracts. It's taken a million credits and ten years'
time to hunt you down, but it's going to be worth it."

"Copper's child is a boy," Kennon said mildly. "My son."

Alexander froze. "You can prove that?" he asked in a half-strangled
voice.

Kennon nodded. "You see the extenuating circumstance?" he asked.
"Suppression of human slavery!"

Alexander sat down. It was as though some unseen hand had pulled his
legs from under him. "You believe it," he said. "--No--you've proved
it! Why--why didn't you tell me? What sort of a man do you think I am?"

"I didn't know. I couldn't take the chance until Copper was protected.
You see, sir, I love her."

"That isn't hard to do with Lani," Alexander said. He sank back in his
chair, his face clouded, his expression troubled. It was obvious that
the realization shocked him.

Kennon felt an odd sympathy for the entrepreneur. It wasn't a nice
feeling, he suspected, to have the beliefs of a lifetime ripped apart
and sent to the disposal chute.

"So the Lani are a human variant," Alexander said dully.

"The proof is here," Kennon said, "and the supporting evidence is
conclusive."

"Which makes me--what? A murderer? A slaver? A tyrant?" Alexander
clutched his head with lean-fingered hands. "What am I?"

"An innocent victim of circumstances," Kennon said. "You didn't know.
None of us knew. And we still wouldn't know if the Lani