"Aw, cut it out, will you? What can I do about it? Kingfish Uranium has dropped from 240 to 23-1/4 on the big board since the rumors got around. I'm washed up; one of these days the Directors will remember I'm here and kick me out among the Incors." "Look, Mike," said Frank. "The Space Patrol likes you. You've played ball with us before. We really want to help." "Ain't nothin'.... I mean there's nothing you can do." That knuckle was taking punishment again. "We got you out of a hole once, didn't we?" "You sure did and I sure appreciates it." A faint light of hope dawned in those frightened, beady eyes. "We can do it again," the captain went on. "But first we want to ask you one question: Do you think the Shots can take over the system with their new weapon?" "Naw." The narrow shoulders sagged. "Everybody knows we'll be blown to bits if we try that. But we _gotta_ try. Ain't no future for a man in this gawdforsaken hole. Some of the other Directors, they're rarin' to go, no matter what happens. Me, all I want is to live a while." He shook his balding head. "I don't even like commandanting any more ... don't get any fun outa it. Why, just yesterday I broke an Incor on the rack and, would you believe it, I didn't get any kick at all; I must be gettin' old." He seemed ready to cry. "That's tough, Mike." Sadie was all sympathy. "But I have a plan to prevent any real trouble. It'll make you the biggest Shot on Venus, too ... for a consideration, of course." "Yeah?" He leaned forward greedily. "Shoot." * * * * * The girl outlined her idea for a war substitute. "You got somethin' there," he agreed doubtfully when she had finished, "but I don't get this champeen stuff. Ain't no Big Shot gonna risk his life in an evenly-matched duel." "Oh, I didn't mean that at all. I meant something like matching your new ship against the Space Patrol out where nobody but the crews could get hurt." "Say!" Mike sucked through his yellow teeth. "That's not bad at all. If we win we'd have a monopoly on space travel ... a chance to get off this dinky planet and do some business. If we lose, I reckon we'll have to surrender our new discovery to United Stars--but otherwise we won't be much worse off than now.... But what do I get outa the deal?" "Why, you sell it to the Directors while we get New Washington to agree. If it goes through, it will get the Shots out of an impossible situation, no matter who wins. The least they can do is make you chairman of the board. Then you won't have to worry about Kingfish U." "The present board chairman hates my guts. He won't go for any plan I suggest. Besides...." He looked at them through slitted lids, "what's that 'consideration' you mentioned?" "You'll have to get one or both of us on board that ship. Frank is an astrogator, so he should qualify. I can pinch hit as a nurse, entertainer or even a cook." "Not on your life; I ain't gonna doublecross my pals."