"Lord, yes," said the general. "Do you know what land surface their planet has, what a population it will support? Two planets against three, but theirs are so much bigger. It balances off a little that we have a better drive and our reproduction rate can be higher than theirs." "I take it you didn't tell them about Jupiter and Saturn?" said Jordan. "No point bringing _that_ up," said the general, apprehensive at the mere thought. "Oh they have things we want. Two very attractive planets, and they're wizards at high pressure chemistry and organics--you'd expect them to be--but the exchange was hardly worth it." The general sat motionless, recalling the scenes on that strange planet. "They _could_ be very dangerous. It was imperative that we establish some sort of friendly contact. Naturally we told them about you." "Naturally," said Docchi dryly. "You were four light years from home and you weren't dealing with uncivilized natives." "Nothing derogatory, you understand," said the general hastily. "I'm sure," said Docchi. "General, some time ago I asked what you wanted. Much as we appreciate your friendly conversation--and the friendliness is quite unexpected--unless you can tell us what you're after in the next few minutes we'll have to conclude that your sole objective is to hold us here while you get closer." "Don't do anything rash," said the general, as concerned as Docchi had ever seen him. "You see it was a stalemate. We were a little afraid of them and they didn't trust us and both sides were noncommittal. We didn't show each other a thing. But there had to be a solution." "General, I warned you." "Can't you see?" half-shouted the general, rising up. "I thought you were smart. We're going home and we may as well unload our surplus supplies. You'll need them. It will be about nine years before anyone gets back." He shoved the chair aside and concentrated steadily on Jeriann, the one normal human among them. "This is what we decided," he said. "You get the planet for the next fifteen or twenty years, longer if they approve. Meanwhile all trade between us passes through you." He jammed his hands in his pockets. "There. Do you accept?" "Do we accept?" said Anti. "He asks us." "I see you do," said the general with gloomy satisfaction. "It was their suggestion. They want to study you at length to see what makes humans behave. Naturally you'll be keeping _your_ eyes open." He swallowed and conquered the incipient cough. "Now if you'll turn off this beastly little gadget and let me have some privacy I'll talk to you when we get there." Jordan reached for the scanner but was not quite soon enough. The general thought he was alone when he wasn't. "Those damned butterflies. Trillions of them." His face twisted. 16 They went walking in the night. Stars were out but they didn't notice. They had found a star to belong to and weren't looking for others. "Which one?" said Jeriann, turning her head.