"The last fiscal mental health report showed the percentage of maladjusted--" She laughed throatily. "I wish we'd use words honestly! The survey showed the _lunatic_ percentage is still increasing. The cartels are using that report as an excuse to keep the people unarmed." Hunter was regarding her steadily. "Why?" he asked. "We're not as content with our world as we're supposed to be," she said. "Eric Young can't keep all of us in line forever. Captain, we could use your blaster. It's next to impossible to get one these days. I could make it worth your while--" "It's registered to me," Hunter pointed out. "I'll change the serial," was her instant reply. "Your name wouldn't be involved." "No, I want to keep it." "To use yourself?" "Don't talk nonsense," he said. "This isn't the frontier." He made the denial vehemently, but deep in his mind he had an uncertain feeling that her guess was right. Earth was not the battle-ground, but it had spawned the conflict. The appearance of peace was a sham. Here the battle was fought with more subtlety, but the objective remained the same. If Ann Saymer had somehow been caught in the no-man's-land between the two cartels--It was the first time that thought had occurred to Hunter, and it filled him with a dread foreboding. The woman sensed his feeling. He saw a smile on her curving lips. She said softly, "So even a spaceman sometimes has his doubts." "I left the service this morning," he said. Suddenly he was telling her all about himself and Ann. It was unwise, perhaps even dangerous. But he had to unburden himself to someone or run the risk of losing his emotional control. "So now you've lost this--this ambitious woman of yours," she said when he had finished. "No," he protested. "I won't let myself believe that. Once I did--" "As well as her interesting invention--the Exorciser," she went on relentlessly. "Have you ever wondered, Captain Hunter, what might happen if the platinum grid was _not_ removed from a patient's brain?" "No, but I suppose--I suppose he'd remain in control of the operator of the transmitter." She nodded. "He'd become a perfectly adjusted specimen with a zero-zero index, but--he'd also become a human robot with no will of his own." "But Ann wouldn't--" "Not Ann, Captain. Not the girl you've waited so long to marry. All she wants is a clinic of her own so that she can help the maladjusted. But don't forget--she holds a _priceless_ patent. Keep your blaster, my friend. I've an idea you may need it." He gripped her wrist. "You know something about this?" "I know the world we live in--nothing more." "But you're guessing--" "Later, Captain, after you start putting some facts together on your own." She pulled away from him. "If you want to find me again--and I think you will--look for me in Number thirty-four on the amusement level. Ask for Dawn."