fter the fact of conspiring to assist an alien power in the
achievement of its objective within the governmental jurisdiction of
Earth without official permission of the New United Nations."

"But the Ihelians have not done that, sir!" she protested. "It is a
plot of their enemy, as I explained to the Council--"

"You will be given full benefit of due legal process, sergeant," the
officer said. "You will come with me, please."

The Women's Detainment Barrack was not unpleasant, yet, Judith
thought, it may as well have been a medieval dungeon. But her own
problem, she knew, was nothing beside the cunning success of the
Thrayxites.

The call-buzzer at the side of her bunk interrupted her thoughts; it
meant she was wanted in the main guard room. She straightened her
uniform quickly, and within moments presented herself before the
barrack warden.

Roger Cain stood beside the warden's desk. There was something white
in his hand, and she knew what it was.

"You're at liberty, Sergeant Kent," the beefy-faced warden informed
her in a tone as casual as though she'd asked her for a cigarette.
"Warrant Officer Cain has posted a release voucher; you're ordered
into his custody until your trial. That's all. You may go."

She left the barrack with Cain, wordlessly. None of it made sense.
Unless--

"Well, don't I even get a thank you?" the red-haired giant asked.

"Yes, Mister Cain, sorry. But I don't understand--"

"Why I did it?" He chuckled, and she didn't like the sound of it. "I'm
only too glad to have you in my custody, young woman! And, you know,
you're not supposed to be out of my sight any--that is, _any_ of the
time!"

She felt her face redden, and spun about to face him. There was sudden
anger at her lips and her coolness had evaporated.

"You contempti--"

"Easy there, sergeant! Always knew there was a little more to you than
that ice cube exterior of yours! But tell me--d'you want to sit back
there in that dump, or shall we stick our noses into the lovely mixup
your precious Lieutenant Mason has set off?"

She stared up at him wordlessly, the blood hot in her cheeks. And she
tried to think. This was Cain as she knew he was. This was Roger Cain,
angling for a deal.

"I'm in your custody," she bit out. "I must stay within your sight.
That is your responsibility."

He laughed at her, then gripped her elbow.

"Come on," he said. "I've got a R-IX waiting at the field. I think we
should go on a little tri