e human race--and then we can tell the Brotherhood."

Kennon looked inquiringly at Copper. She smiled and nodded. "It would
cause less trouble that way," she said. "It would be more sure--and
there are never too many old ones."

Kennon shuddered, thinking of the euthanasia chambers on Otpen One.
"There will be more from now on," he said.

"Outworld can afford it. It'll bend us a little but we won't break--and
besides, the Lani will need our help for some time to come." Alexander
looked at Kennon. "Can we make an agreement that all parties will
respect?" he asked.

"I think so--providing there are no sleeper clauses in it," Kennon said.

"There won't be," Alexander said.

And there weren't.

* * *

It was a private ceremony. The Family, sulky and unwilling, faced with
a choice of drastically reduced income or outright confiscation and
preferring a portion of a loaf to none. Alexander--grim but oddly
peaceful of expression. Brainard--pink-cheeked and emotionless. Kennon
and Copper--happily conscious that it was at last finished. It was an
oddly assorted group of conspirators who planned to restore a segment of
humanity to the human race.

Kennon signed last, and as he did, Alexander looked at him with a sly
grin distorting the smooth pallor of his face.

"You forgot something," he said.

"What?" Kennon said--aware suddenly that something was wrong.

"What do you plan to do, now that this is over?"

"Join the Medical Center here and practice veterinary medicine."

"You wouldn't care to work for me--to help rebuild the wreckage you've
helped create? I'll need a manager on Kardon to phase out the island
while we phase in Phoebe."

"No, thank you. I've had enough of that."

"You just think you have," Alexander said gleefully. "That's what you
have forgotten. You've gotten your agreement--now you will satisfy me.
As I see it you have breached your contract by leaving Flora without
authorization."

"That is right," Kennon said. A small lump of lead began to grow rapidly
larger in his stomach. Brainard was grinning and Copper's eyes were
shining. "You've been jobbed!" his mind told him. He sighed. He knew
what was coming next.

"The punitive clause for breach of contract," Alexander went on
inexorably, "is very broad. Discretion is vested in the entrepreneur. I
can obtain judgment against you in any court on any planet."

"I know," Kennon said glumly.

"But I am going to be civilized," Alexander said. "