Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Greg Weeks, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction March 1958. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed. The Ethical Way By JOSEPH FARRELL _There is a way around every tabu, knock on wood--but just watch out that the wood doesn't knock back!_ Illustrated by JOHNSON * * * * * "Is it time?" Jarth Rolan asked anxiously. Pilot Lan Barda pushed him gently back into a seat. "No, but very soon. And be calm--you're jumpier than a human." "But we've waited so long--yes, a long time. And I _am_ anxious to get home." Lan peered calmly out of his vehicle. They were hovering in Earth's upper atmosphere, at the permitted limit. "Be patient. These people have almost reached the critical point. We'll get the signal before long." Jarth Rolan popped out of his chair and danced about in nervous excitement. "Won't it be dangerous? For us, I mean. Going down into that radioactive atmosphere. And how about them--will any of them live? Suppose we wait too long?" Lan Barda laughed. He was a husky humanoid, pinkish of skin and completely hairless, like all galactics. He slapped Jarth Rolan's back. "We have experts watching. These humans have used four cobalt bombs, and plenty of smaller stuff. The fallout is close to the danger point. Our observers will know just when we can move in because--" he winked and his voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper--"they're using automatically controlled instruments." "Oh, my!" Jarth Rolan clapped his hands to his cheeks. "But those are robots--and the use of robots is against religion." "I know, Jarth. But we won't be using them much longer, will we?" He poked a playful finger into Jarth's ribs. "We'll have slaves--and it'll be completely ethical." Jarth Rolan winced. "Must you use that word 'slaves,' Lan? It sounds so--" He waved his hands. Lan laughed again. "Be honest with yourself, Jarth. You're out to make a few _dopolins_ for yourself as a slave raider." "An entrepreneur," said Jarth. "In personal services." Lan Barda became serious. "There's the signal--it's time to go down. Let's go, Jarth, before somebody else gets them all." * * * * * An hour later, it was Lan Barda's turn to be nervous. He watched a needle creep into the red zone. "Hurry, Jarth. We've been on this planet long enough. That fifth cobalt bomb is sending the index up fast. Can't you skip these last few?" "Oh, no. Very unethical to leave these three here to die. Must take a small chance, you know. Besides, see the sign on that taxi--just married. A fine young couple. And a fine young taxi driver. Couldn't sleep if I didn't help these three."