mples. In
the capital the priests tried to present a new God-King and he was laughed
out of town."

Ronny snorted cynically. "Sounds good to me. The more I read about New
Delos and its God-King and his priesthood, the more I think the best thing
that ever happened to the planet was this showing them up."

Tog looked at him, the sides of her mouth tucking down as usual when she
was going to contradict something he said. "It sounds bad to me," she
said. "Tommy Paine's work is done. He'll be off to some other place and we
won't get there in time to snare him."

Ronny considered that. It was probably true. "I wonder," he said slowly,
"if it's possible for us to get a list of all ships that have blasted off
since the assassination, all ships and their destination from New Delos."

The idea grew in him. "Look! It's possible that a dictatorial government
such as theirs would immediately quarantine every spaceport on the
planet."

Tog said, "There's only one spaceport on New Delos. The priesthood didn't
encourage trade or even communication with the outside. Didn't want its
people contaminated."

"Holy smokes!" Ronny blurted. "It's possible that Tommy Paine's on that
planet and can't get off. Look, Tog, see if you can raise the Section G
representative on New Delos and--"

Tog said demurely, "I already have taken that step, Ronny, knowing that
you'd want me to. Agent Mouley Hassan has promised to get the name and
destination of every passenger that leaves New Delos."

Ronny sat down at a table and dialed himself a mug of stout. "Drink?" he
said to Tog. "Possibly we've got something to celebrate."

She shook her head disapprovingly. "I don't use depressants."

There was nothing more to be discussed about New Delos, they simply would
have to wait until their arrival. Ronny switched subjects. "Ever hear of
the planet Shangri-La?" he asked her. He took a sip of his brew.

"Of course," she said. "A rather small planet, Earth type within four
degrees. Noted for its near perfect climate and its scenic beauty."

"Captain was talking about it," Ronny said. "Sounds like a regular
paradise."

Tog made a negative sound.

"Well, what's wrong with Shangri-La?" Ronny said impatiently.

"Static," she said briefly.

He looked at her. "It sounds to me as though it's developed a near perfect
socio-economic system. What do you mean, static?"

"No push, no drive," Tog said definitely. "Everyone--what is the old
term?--everyone