When people saw the Commander, they looked for Kina Staun. The two had not been a hundred yards apart since they had first met as newly-appointed official and aide. It was said that Kina knew every bit as much about the Fifth Sector and the Commander's work as the Commander knew himself. For that reason, if Kina ever left his post, he would certainly die within an hour. * * * * * The Commander said, "Kina, call Hauns." The Secretary showed no surprise, but somehow managed to give that impression. "The city of Hauns, capitol of Beolin III, the ruling planet of the Beolin system?" he asked very respectfully. "Yes. I want to talk to their Commissioner-in-Chief. And also find the present location of the _Stella_." "Yes, sir," said Kina. He came back within ten seconds. "The _Stella_," he said, "is now at 3rd Quadrant 3521 NA, W-88236. Speed, one light-year per hour. Heading, 338 Degrees NA of nearest sun, Beolin. And I have Beolin Command for you." The Commander touched a switch and the screen flicked on again. "Thank you, Kina," he said. The face in the screen was definitely not human. Its structure, and even more, its expression was alien. It was distinctly unpleasant. It belonged to Krraula, who was Commander-in-Chief, and the foremost murderer of the Beolin System. He smiled, a smile that was not a smile. He said, "Ah, Commander." And he saluted, sneering slightly. The Commander said, "Greetings, Krraula. I would like to inquire the reason for your fleet being in its present position." Krraula smiled again. "The fleet, Commander? Merely maneuvers," he said slyly. "Why do you ask?" "There is a liner transiting through the outer fringes of your territory in--" he looked at a paper Kina had slipped before him "--about four hours. I would appreciate it if your fleet is withdrawn in time. It would not go well, Krraula, if an ... accident ... were to happen to this liner of which I speak. I think you understand." He gave Krraula no time to answer, but switched off. He sat back, and looked aimlessly at Kina. "Kina," he said, after a few moments of thought. "Yes, Commander." "Do you get the framework of this problem?" "I do, sir," answered the aide. "Good. Let me hear it." "The question is one of Command," said Kina Staun quietly. "Out here in the stars, power--the authority to command--goes not to men's heads but to their souls. Krraula of Beolin is an example, and, in a different way--" "Myself?" "No, Commander Brullar. He is the brass-hat type, while Krraula is simply a tyrannical madman." "So far, you're right. But what of _this_ particular problem?" "Yes, sir," the aide said. "Krraula, and the Beolin rulers, have power in and about their system to the extent that their depredations go unchallenged there. And an apathetic Interstellar Command--"