Were it not for the labortech articifers, the neatly stacked weapons would have been rusted, useless things long since. "For use ONLY on alien, unknown and possibly hostile planets" the ITA regulations read. It was a rule that applied throughout the entire fleet, and as far as he knew, had been all but forgotten. For within the scope of the ITA's interest there no longer were any "alien, unknown and possibly hostile planets," and on the rest, arms had been unnecessary to the ITA for centuries. For it had a far more powerful weapon than any it could devise of metal. It had merely to refuse its services for awhile. A smile spread slowly across Jon's face as he began a selective examination of the weapons. Maybe he'd even find a longbow! Lord, here was even a device that propelled small projectiles by means of explosive cartridges! These things had been unnecessary for centuries! But slowly, the smile changed to a worried frown. First one weapon and then another he discarded, and then another. But he must find one! And then he could make B-Haaq admit what he'd done. It was a muffled, metallic sound but it registered on his consciousness and he whirled. Even as he came erect the lights glared suddenly at full strength; whoever had so silently stepped in behind him had lost no time in finding the bulkhead transformer stud. It was the sleep period duty officer, and a hastily snatched hand gun was levelled at him. And even in the sudden brilliance of the lights, he recognized her. Lenantech Deanne Starn, the Gentech's niece, herself! "Get your hands up, Cadet!" "Why? The thing you've got in your hand hasn't held a charge since Hanna grew teeveeyes." He grinned. Even in the white glare, she wasn't hard to look at. There were a number of stories that had circulated their way through the cadet quarters, but then. Most rumors had it that B-Haaq himself was the lucky man, and there were few others that held differently. Those of the ship's women who didn't have the slender figure, the crisp cut pale blonde hair or the wide blue eyes and fine features and quick, alert mind that so typified the family of Starn were never too badly off, for that reason. For to the men aboard, she was B-Haaq's, and that was the end of it! She seemed not to have heard what he said. "You're Cadtech Kane, aren't you? Do you think this additional charge of attempted unlawful procurement of arms is going to help your case to any extent?" "I did think so, yes." "You're as good as in the mines now. And I don't follow your logic. Don't move a muscle!" "You might as well throw that thing away, Lenantech, it's no good. I'm still looking for one that is, myself. And if you're going to report me, I'm certainly not going to try to stop you. That'd just get me in even deeper, wouldn't it?" Her features were white, motionless. Only her wrist moved; she deflected the muzzle of her weapon but a fraction of an inch and squeezed the trigger.