"That's why I'm calling, sir. You see--the Ambassador's pet is creeping all around the ship. It's sort of a cat but I wonder whether maybe it's doing a very neat job of spying on us." "Have you taken any action yet?" "No. I wanted to check with Home Base." Mahoney thought for a moment. "I suppose it would be all right to speak to the Ambassador about this and tactfully request that he keep the creature in his own quarters. But be _tactful_ about it, Martin. Remember, we don't want to offend these aliens." * * * * * It was the middle of the "night" aboard ship, so I didn't think it would be particularly tactful to call the Ambassador just then. I waited until morning, by which time my men reported that the cat had completed its survey and had promptly returned to the Ambassador's room. When the television came on, the Ambassador and his pet were again reclining leisurely on their bunks. "Sorry if I'm disturbing you," I said hesitantly. "That's quite all right. What can I do for you?" "A matter of shipboard procedure I'd like to point out. It seems last night your pet left your cabin and explored the ship, or so some of my men reported. I'd appreciate it if you'd restrain the animal to quarters from now on. It upsets shipboard routine--and, besides, my instructions request that I keep the operating sections of the ship under security wrap." There was silence for a moment. I held my breath, hoping I hadn't said something wrong, some thing that might foul up the delicate Earth-Aldebaran negotiations in progress. Finally came the reply. "I understand fully. I'm sorry about the exploration trip--it was mere curiosity. It won't be repeated. But you're mistaken about one thing." "What's that?" I asked somewhat puzzledly. "My pet remained in the cabin all night. _I_ was the one who explored the ship." There was a sneer in his voice. "You? But--" My mouth clammed shut. And then I understood. I couldn't keep the flush of embarrassment from my face and he saw it over the screen. It seemed to please him. Pretty damned clever, I thought. Smart psychology for the aliens to bring a "human" as a pet, putting our diplomats on the defensive right from the start. The Ambassador must have known what I was thinking for the sneer grew on his face. Then suddenly I grinned. It seemed to surprise him. This, he hadn't expected. "Captain, something strikes you as humorous?" There was uncertainty in his tone. Plus a little annoyance. My grin widened. "Just a little private joke, Ambassador," I said. I was thinking that this joker was in for a shock. Two planets could play at this game and I would have plenty of time to tip off Home Base. After all, we have pets too....