Alexander turned back to Kennon. “You have undoubtedly made some arrangements. You wouldn’t come here--oh! I see. Congratulations. Handling the evidence that way was a wise course. You have my admiration. But then I should have known that I was not dealing with a fool.” He smiled wryly. “Subconsciously I think I did know--but--” “That’s one consolation,” Kennon grinned. “To be thought a rascal is bad enough, but to be considered a fool is intolerable.” “But your decision not to use the evidence unless you were forced to--that’s poor business.” “But good morals,” Kennon said. “Neither the Brotherhood nor I could settle this affair. It is a matter only you can handle. There is no sense in killing Outworld or throwing Kardon into centuries of litigation. The Lani never were numerous enough to lay claim to an entire world. I’ll admit the club is there, but I’ll never use it unless it’s necessary.” “Why not?--it’s sound business practice.” “I’m a professional--not a businessman. And besides, I haven’t the moral right to return evil for good. You have not been a bad boss.” “Thanks,” Alexander said glumly. “I’ve always considered myself civilized.” “I wouldn’t go so far as to say that,” Kennon said. “Honorable, yes--civilized, no. But none of us are really civilized.” “So?” “We haven’t changed much, despite our development. Perhaps we’ve varied a little physically--and we’ve learned to use new tools, but our minds are still the minds of barbarians--blood brothers against the enemy, and everything not of us is enemy. Savages--hiding under a thin veneer of superficial culture. Savages with spaceships and the atom.” Kennon looked down at Copper. Apparently her thoughts were miles away in an introspective world that was all her own. She had said her piece and having done that was content to let the two men develop it. Kennon looked at her with odd respect. Alexander eyed her with a mildly startled expression on his lean face. And both men smiled, but the smiles were not amused. “Judging from Copper,” Alexander said, “I don’t think we’ll have to worry about how the Lani will turn out.” He looked at Kennon with mild sympathy. “You are going to have quite a time with her,” he said. “I suppose so. I’ll probably never know whether I’m guided or whether I’m doing the guiding. I’ve changed a lot of my opinions about Copper since the day I met her.” Copper looked up and smiled at them. It was an odd smile, hinting at secrets neither of them would ever know. Alexander chuckled. “It serves you right.” He crossed his legs and looked up at Kennon standing before him. By some uncanny legerdemain he had gotten control of himself and the situation at the same time. Being telepathic was an unfair advantage, Kennon thought.