d by a map of the exposition grounds.

Mike Hawks, a man with steel-gray hair, clear blue eyes, and a ramrod
military bearing, sat behind a massive desk talking to two men. He
looked up when Strong and the cadets walked in and rose quickly with a
broad smile to greet them.

"Steve!" he exclaimed, rounding the desk to shake hands with his old
friend. "I never dreamed we'd have you and the _Polaris_ unit at our
fair!" He nodded warmly to the cadets who stood at rigid attention. "At
ease, cadets. Glad to have you aboard."

"I was just as surprised to get this assignment, Mike," said Strong,
pumping the officer's hand. Nodding toward the men seated in front of
Hawks' desk, he apologized, "Sorry to bust in on you like this, old man.
Didn't know you were busy."

"It's quite all right." The commissioner smiled. "Just handing out a few
licenses for the concessions in the amusement section at the fair.
People expect to have a little fun when they go to a fair, you know. By
the stars, they're going to have it so long as I'm commissioner." He
turned to the cadets. "Sit down, boys. You too, Steve. I'll be with you
in a minute." He turned back to his desk and the waiting men.

The cadets, at a nod from Strong, sat down on a leather couch that
stretched the length of one wall and listened while Hawks completed his
business with the two men.

"There you are," said Hawks, applying the seal of his office to a slip
of paper. "That gives you the right to operate a concession in the
amusement area as long as the fair is open."

One of the men took the paper and glanced at it quickly.

"Wait a minute, Commissioner. This is over near the edge of the area,"
he complained. "We wanted to get in the middle. How do you expect us to
make any credits away out there by ourselves?" The man's tone was surly
and disrespectful.

"Sorry, but that's the only location left. In fact," Hawks added acidly,
"you're lucky to get it!"

"Really?" sneered the heavier of the two. "Well, I'm sure going to find
out about this!"

Hawks stood up and eyed the two men coldly. "I've been appointed
commissioner of this exposition by the delegates to the Solar Alliance
Council. I answer only to the council. If you have a complaint, then you
must present your case before that body." He cleared his throat and
glared at them from behind his desk. "Good day, gentlemen!" he said.

[Illustration: _Hawks stood up and eyed the two men coldly_]

The two men, who unti