But until we left I would give him all the freedom he could use. Outside of the minimum of control, he would be free to do and act as he pleased. I didn't owe it to him, yet it was not his fault that he had come into my hands. And when I returned to Thalassa I would tell the Council what I had done and ask for justice. Perhaps we could save this world from itself even as we had saved others. The question of gratitude would be immaterial. With a firm hand to set them on the track, the mammals might learn the values of intelligence and cooperation before it was too late. They might understand the realities of existence rather than fall victim to their glandular fancies. They might. But if they did, one thing would be certain--they would learn it the hard way. Donald was proof of that. I went to our living quarters, and presently Ven joined me. "They're all in for the night, Eu," she said. "That's good. How are they coming along?" "Splendidly. Another week should see the end of the training. Edith was a good experience for me in handling these. I'm not making the mistakes I did. I'm finding the blocks and removing them. One of them, the one called Grace, should be even better than Edith." "As a mount?" I asked with faint humor. "Or as a working proxy?" "Both," Ven said promptly. "She's stronger and more intelligent. Yet even so I think I shall always like Edith best." * * * * * "One's first dependent is always one's fondest memory," I replied sententiously, "But you'll forget them all when we're back on Thalassa." "I won't," Ven said. "I'll never forget Edith." "Never is a long time," I said gently. "I shall even forget the pain of killing Donald some day." "Then you've decided to eliminate him?" Ven said. I nodded. "It's necessary," I said. "This world wouldn't be safe with him alive." "Poor Edith. She's fond of the brute," Ven said. She moved toward the doorway. "Where are you going?" I asked. "I want to talk to Edith. Perhaps I can prepare her." "No. Don't," I said. "Contact her if you wish, but tell her nothing." "Very well," she said. I smiled as she disappeared. Ven was going to miss her pet once we had left. It was obvious. "Eu! Quick!" Ven's projection crackled in my brain. "They're fighting! Edith's being hurt, and I can't touch them! They've set up a block!" I ran for the control room, slapped the helmet on my head, reached for the controls--and stopped, laughing. "Stop them!" Ven screamed. Her aura blazed a brilliant white and her projection nearly knocked me down. She reached for the control switch, but I slapped her hand away. "Quiet!" I snapped. "They're not fighting, you little fool! Turn on your audio and listen and stop acting silly!" Ven did as I told her and her aura changed to a fiery pink. "Oh!" she said in a small voice, "but they never--"