Garlock said, "Indefensible conclusions drawn from insufficient data. That's just what I've been talking about. No matter how we got the way we are, though, the fact is that you and I have got to fight our own battles and bury our own dead." "Check. Like having a baby, but worse. There's nothing anybody else can do--even you--except maybe hold my hand, like now." "That's about it. But speaking of holding hands, would it help if we paired again?" Belle studied the question for two full minutes; her fine eyes clouded. "No," she said, finally. "I would enjoy it too much, and you'd ... well, you wouldn't...." "Huh?" he demanded. "Oh, physically, of course; but that isn't enough, or good enough, now. You see, I know what your personal code is. It's unbelievable, almost--I never heard of one like it, except maybe a priest or two--but I admire you tremendously for it. You would never, willingly, pair with a woman you really loved. That was why you were so glad to break ours off. You can't deny it." "I won't try to deny it. But you can't bluff me, Belle, so please quit trying. Basically, your code is the same as mine. Why else did you initiate our break?" Belle's block went solid, and Garlock said hastily, aloud, "Excuse it, please. Cancel. I've just said, and know as an empirical fact, that you've got to do the job alone--but I can't seem to help putting my big, flat foot in it by blundering in anyway. Let's get to work, shall we?" "What at? Interview the Primes, I'd say--tell them to hold themselves in readiness to attend...." "On very short notice...." "Yes. To attend the big meeting on Tellus. We'll have to make a schedule. It shouldn't be held until after Fao and Deggi get their ship built--it _can't_ be held, of course, until after you and Jim are out of SSE. Have you got _that_ figured out yet?" "Pretty much." He told her his plan. Belle giggled, then burst into laughter. "So _I'm_ in it, too? _Wonderful!_" "You have to be. If we make him mad enough, he'll fire you, too." "Without hiring me first? He couldn't." "He could, very easily. He doesn't know one-tenth of one percent of his people. If we work it right he'll assume that you're one of us wage-slaves, too. Lola, too, for that matter." "Careful, Clee. You and I think this is funny, but Lola wouldn't. She'd be shocked to her sweet little core, and she'd louse up the whole deal. So be very sure she doesn't get in on it." "I guess you're right ... well, shall we go out and insult our touchy young friend Semolo? Ready.... Go!" * * * "Oh, it's _you_ again. I tell you...." the Lizorian began. "You will tell me nothing. You will listen. Link your mind to Mitala's," and the linked Tellurian minds enforced the order. "In about two weeks the Primes of many worlds will meet in person on Tellus. Arrange your affairs so that on ten minutes' notice you both can leave Lizoria for Tellus aboard our starship, the _Pleiades_. That is all."