"I am the faithful servant of the Emperor and his representative, the High Commissioner." "You said that before," Savage said. Loong just spread his hands again. Then he asked abruptly: "What do you think of our planetary policies?" The question took Savage aback. "What do you mean?" he stalled. "I mean our policy of immediate conquest and subjugation of any inhabited planet we discover," Loong replied. "That depends," said Savage carefully. He drank slowly, watching Loong over the edge of the glass. "On what I think?" smiled Loong. "I know what I think. I want your opinion." Savage decided to take a chance. "I believe a friendly, diplomatic approach would be a far better method," he said. "For example, in the case of Terra...." "Exactly," Loong interrupted heatedly. "Nothing permanent is gained by force. A conquered people will not remain so forever." Savage's glass suddenly slipped from his hand. As though from a great distance he watched the liquid splash on the rug and then the room seemed to be receding in the distance. He tried to rise, urgently aware of his dangers, but instead he felt himself collapse. Then all sensation ceased. He had no idea how much later it was when he awakened in his own bedroom. Other than a slight headache he felt no effects of the drug. He saw that the Trygonian day had come again, but that meant nothing; he could have been unconscious for several days. Then he rolled over and found that Loong was sitting beside the bed. "I'm sorry I had to do that," Loong said calmly, "but I had to be sure." "Sure of what?" Savage said, checking an impulse to say more violent things. "Your sympathies." "And?" Loong reached inside his tunic and brought out a needle gun. "Your scientists did an excellent piece of work." "What do you mean?" Savage asked, and at the same time knew there was no escape. "I mean that you are a Terran. You betrayed yourself under hypnosis." Savage knew the bitter feeling of utter defeat. He had accomplished nothing and now this was the end. But Loong wasn't wearing the look of triumph that was to have been expected. Instead he was smiling and he put the gun away as he said: "I should hate to see you executed. I wasn't just talking last night when I disagreed with our policies. I think a friendly and mutually beneficial relationship can and should be established between our planets." "That's fine," said Savage, "but what can you do about it?" "That remains to be seen," answered Loong. "I propose that we join forces. The fact that you have been able to come this far makes you a worthy ally. And without me you can do nothing. Is it agreed?" "Yes," said Savage. "Excellent. I have several matters to attend to, but I will return at six. As a recently returned space officer it will be expected that you enter social life to a certain extent and I think it best that you begin tonight." * * * * *