_The Vogarian inspection and guard system is no more than an expected precaution against sabotage. The Vogarians must be regarded as potential friends who now treat us with suspicion and arrogance only because they do not yet realize the sincerity of our desire to help them to any extent short of surrender--_ Kane looked up from the uncompleted, surprisingly humble, edict and Brenn asked: "Your commander, sir--he is now pleased with our actions?" "Not exactly. He will disintegrate a town seven days from sunrise this morning if all the fuel isn't produced by then." "_Seven_--only _seven_ days?" There was startled disbelief on Brenn's face. "But how can he expect us to produce so much fuel in so short a time?" "I don't know. I'm sorry--it's something I would have argued against if I hadn't had too much sense to try." "Seven days--" Brenn said again. "We can only pray that God will let it be time enough." * * * * * Kane walked on to the plant. The hilltop where he had met the girl was deserted and he felt a vague disappointment. The plant was hot without the air-conditioner, especially in the vicinity of the electronic roasters. The girls looked flushed and uncomfortable, but for the redhead who still wore her scanty sunsuit. The armed Vogarians looked incongruously out of place among the girls and were sweating profusely. Kane made a mental note to have them ordered into tropical uniforms. He found Dalon prowling like a wolf among his guards. "It's inconceivable that these women could ever be a menace," Dalon said, "but I'm taking no chances." He saw Graver, the cruiser's Chief Technician; a thin, dry man who seemed to be as emotionless as the machines and electronic circuits that were his life. "They're doing everything with astonishing competence," Graver said. "My technicians are watching like hawks, though." Larue was not in his office. His secretary, a brown-eyed woman of strikingly intelligent appearance, said, "I'm sorry, sir--Dr. Larue had to go back to town for a few minutes. May I give him your message?" "No, thanks," he said. "Father Brenn is probably performing that unpleasant chore right now." * * * * * Since Dalon and Graver seemed to have the situation at the plant well in hand, Kane decided to make a tour of the outer provinces where the ores were being mined. An efficient plant would be worthless if it did not receive sufficient ore. He spent four days on the inspection tour; much longer than he had expected to be gone but made necessary by the fact that the small Elusium mines were widely scattered in rugged, roadless areas and he had to walk most of the distance. The single helicopter on Sanctuary was being used to fly the ore out but it was operating on a schedule that caused him to miss it each time.