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been expected between Terrans on an alien planet a quarter of the Galaxy away from the earth which had given them a common heritage.

Jellico, with Van Rycke at his shoulder, halted before he stepped from the ramp so that the three Inter-Solar men, Captain, Cargo-master and escort, whether they wished or no, were put in the disadvantageous position of having to look up to a Captain whom they, as members of one of the powerful Companies, affected to despise. The lean, well muscled, trim figure of the Queenā€™s commander gave the impression of hard bitten force held in check by will control, just as his face under its thick layer of space burn was that of an adventurer accustomed to make split second decisionsā ā€”an estimate underlined by that seam of blaster burn across one flat cheek.

Van Rycke, with a slight change of dress, could have been a Company man in the higher ranksā ā€”or so the casual observer would have placed him, until an observer marked the eyes behind those sleepy drooping lids, or caught a certain note in the calm, unhurried drawl of his voice. To look at the two senior officers of the Free Trading spacer were the antithesis of each otherā ā€”in action they were each half of a powerful, steamroller wholeā ā€”as a good many men in the Serviceā ā€”scattered over a half dozen or so planetsā ā€”had discovered to their cost in the past.

Now Jellico brought the heels of his space boots together with an extravagant click and his hand flourished at the fore of his helmet in a gesture which was better suited to the Patrol hero of a slightly out-of-date Video serial.

ā€œJellico, Solar Queen, Free Trader,ā€ he identified himself brusquely, and added, ā€œthis is Van Rycke, our Cargo-master.ā€

Not all the flush had faded from the face of the I-S Captain.

ā€œGrange of the Dart,ā€ he did not even sketch a salute. ā€œInter-Solar. Kallee, Cargo-masterā ā€”ā€ And he did not name the hovering third member of his party.

Jellico stood waiting and after a long moment of silence Grange was forced to state his business.

ā€œWe have until noonā ā€”ā€

Jellico, his fingers hooked in his belt, simply waited. And under his level gaze the Eysie Captain began to find the going hard.

ā€œThey have given us until noon,ā€ he started once more, ā€œto get togetherā ā€”ā€

Jellicoā€™s voice came, coldly remote. ā€œThere is no reason for any ā€˜getting together,ā€™ Grange. By rights I can have you up before the Trade Board for poaching. The Solar Queen has sole trading rights here. If you up-ship within a reasonable amount of time, Iā€™ll be inclined to let it pass. After all Iā€™ve no desire to run all the way to the nearest Patrol post to report youā ā€”ā€

ā€œYou canā€™t expect to buck Inter-Solar. Weā€™ll make you an offerā ā€”ā€ That was Kalleeā€™s contribution, made probably because his commanding officer couldnā€™t find words explosive enough.

Jellico, whose forte was more direct action, took an excursion into heavy-handed sarcasm. ā€œYou Eysies have certainly been given excellent briefing. I would advise a little closer study of the Codeā ā€”and not the sections in small symbols at the end of the tape, either! Weā€™re not bucking anyone. Youā€™ll find our registration for Sargol down on tapes at the Center. And I suggest that the sooner you withdraw the betterā ā€”before we cite you for illegal planeting.ā€

Grange had gained control of his emotions. ā€œWeā€™re pretty far from Center here,ā€ he remarked. It was a statement of fact, but it carried overtones which they were able to assess correctly. The Solar Queen was a Free Trader, alone on an alien world. But the I-S ship might be cruising in company, ready to summon aid, men and supplies. Dane drew a deep breath, the Eysies must be sure of themselves, not only that, but they must want what Sargol had to offer to the point of being willing to step outside the law to get it.

The I-S Captain took a step forward. ā€œI think we understand each other now,ā€ he said, his confidence restored.

Van Rycke answered him, his deep voice cutting across the sighing of the wind in the grass forest.

ā€œYour proposition?ā€

Perhaps this return to their implied threat bolstered their belief in the infallibility of the Company, their conviction that no independent dared stand up against the might and power of Inter-Solar. Kallee replied:

ā€œWeā€™ll take up your contract, at a profit to you, and you up-ship before the Salariki are confused over whom they are to deal withā ā€”ā€

ā€œAnd the amount of profit?ā€ Van Rycke bored in.

ā€œOh,ā€ Kallee shrugged, ā€œsay ten percent of Camā€™s last shipmentā ā€”ā€

Jellico laughed. ā€œGenerous, arenā€™t you, Eysie? Ten percent of a cargo which canā€™t be assessedā ā€”the gang on Limbo kept no records of what they plundered.ā€

ā€œWe donā€™t know what he was carrying when he crashed on Limbo,ā€ countered Kallee swiftly. ā€œWeā€™ll base our offer on what he carried to Axal.ā€

Now Van Rycke chucked. ā€œI wonder who figured that one out?ā€ he inquired of the scented winds. ā€œHe must save the Company a fair amount of credits one way or another. Interesting offerā ā€”ā€

By the bland satisfaction to be read on the three faces below the I-S men were assured of their victory. The Solar Queen would be paid off with a pittance, under the vague threat of Company retaliation she would up-ship from Sargol, and they would be left in possession of the rich Koros tradeā ā€”to be commended and rewarded by their superiors. Had they, Dane speculated, ever had any dealings with Free Traders beforeā ā€”at least with the brand of independent adventurers such as manned the Solar Queen?

Van Rycke burrowed in his belt pouch and then held out his hand. On the broad palm lay a flat disc of metal. ā€œVery interestingā ā€”ā€ he repeated. ā€œI shall treasure this recordingā ā€”ā€

The sight of that disc wiped all satisfaction from the Eysie faces. Grangeā€™s purplish flush spread up from his tight tunic collar, Kallee blinked, and the unknown thirdā€™s hand dropped to his sleep rod. An action which was not overlooked by

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