"There are certain things Alan Tremaine would like to find out. The strength of the Earth garrison at Syrtis Major, the number of jet-copters at your disposal, your plans for putting down the insurrections at the smaller Martian settlements." "You'll get nothing from me," General Olmstead promised. "Perhaps. Your daughter is a lovely woman, Mr. Olmstead. Quite lovely." "If you as much as touch her, I'll kill you with my own hands!" "Theatrics, Mr. Olmstead. You are in no position to do anything of the sort. You can save us both a lot of trouble if you answer my questions." "Get out of here," General Olmstead said. Shrugging, Keifer called over his shoulder: "Guard!" Two strapping figures entered the chamber and waited for orders. "Take Mr. Olmstead to another room, please. I wish you were more reasonable, Mr. Olmstead. We need that information badly." * * * * * Struggling and cursing, General Olmstead was borne from the room. "Don't worry about me," Laura called after him. "We both have a duty to Earth." "This is ironic," Keifer said after the door had closed. "I had planned it thoroughly. We have men here who are experts in an art which was old when civilization was young." "Torture?" Laura said. "My father won't--" "I said it's ironic. I never expected you, Laura. The General has a daughter, a common, ordinary girl. He loves her. He sees things in her no one else does. But you--you are beautiful. Listen to me, Laura. Your father is an experienced professional soldier. We can use him here in Red Sands. If we make an alliance, the Federation could hold all of Mars in a week." "What kind of alliance?" "There are few women in Red Sands," said Keifer. "None of them as pretty as you. I'm restless, Laura. That kind of alliance." Quite objectively, he let his eyes study her slowly, starting at the top of her head and working down without passion, without hurry. When he finished, she was blushing. "Exactly that kind of an alliance," he said. "You're crazy if you think I--" "Your father expects the worst. He thinks we're going to hurt you. We're not. We're going to hurt him. "Plans can change. Your father will be tortured, while you are sitting here with me. We can break a man, Laura, physically and mentally. We can make him talk. Or--you can save us the trouble." "How?" "By telling your father you believe this is the winning side. By telling him you're going to live with me." "To--what?" "To live with me." "I wouldn't marry you if--" "My dear young lady. I never said anything about marriage. Perhaps later, I don't know. I'm a cautious man. You're still an unknown quantity, you see." "You can just get out of here."