ight again try to enslave
them."

"That will never be allowed again. We'll have to make some sort of a
treaty with them, probably establish a small base here, and perhaps make
some arrangements to mine their ores--if we have anything we can give
them in repayment. I imagine you'd better hold yourself in readiness to
head the commission that comes to handle that treaty."

"Gee, thanks for that, Dad. They're such swell people when you get to
know them. Ordinarily they live like 'children of nature,' in the
forests, without need of homes or tools or anything. They feed from the
elements in the soil, so there's no food problem. We did give them
nitrates here, but that was because they had exhausted the elements in
the dirt floors of their prison huts. In the woods that won't be needed.
Oh, well, when we get technies here, with transformers, we can find out
what to do with them."

"I'm going back to the fleet now," the elder SS man said. "I suppose you
want to go back to Simonides to handle the details of the trials of
these men. Incidentally, what about this ... Philander, did you say his
name was? Why don't you think he'll need punishment?"

Hanlon explained rapidly, finishing, "So you see, with some psychiatric
treatments, I'm sure that inferiority can be cleaned up and then he'll
be a real asset to us or whoever hires him." A sudden gleam came into
his eyes. "Say, if we make that treaty with the Guddus, he'd be just the
man to take charge here, under Corps direction."

"Well, run along and see to it, then. And Spence, did I remember to tell
you how proud I am of you?"

Hanlon hugged his father. "Thanks, Dad. I hope you always will be. I
suppose the cruiser Commander will let me ride with him?"

Newton smiled fondly. "Not 'let you,' Son. You merely tell him you're
going to go along. Admiral Ferguson assigned that ship to you on special
duty."

Hanlon's smile was embarrassed. "I still think I'm too much of a kid for
so much responsibility."

"Quit looking for sympathy." It was an affectionate growl.

"Okay, then. Safe flights, Dad--see you on Sime soon."

"Yes, I'll probably be there a day or so after you. Safe flights."

* * * * *

Once the cruiser was in space, and the pressure of acceleration abated,
Hanlon sent word to the guards to bring Philander to his cabin. When
they had done so, he excused them, saying he would be responsible for
the safety of their prisoner.

"Sit