"The wrecked scout ship can be covered up easily enough because of the Terran politics; they always arrange it so that one branch of government has no idea of what the other branches are doing. We'll have some of our men in Washington mumble in their beards about experimental aircraft until everyone is taken from the scene except our people. Then we'll have the ship taken somewhere, ostensibly to be studied, and they'll all forget it. "But these Terrans are another matter. If they can get their people to listen to them, we're in trouble..." "Perhaps," Lors said softly, "if they were believed, it would speed up our relations with the Terran governments." Zark shook his grey head. "No. They aren't ready yet. They're still in such a fluctuating state that half the population believes in witchcraft and superstition, while the other half understands science and looks toward the future. "Besides, Lors, others have tried those same tactics and were not believed. To tell the truth, I'm not quite sure _what_ to do." "We could continue the bluff." The Commander's brows lifted. "You mean you continue as our agent down there?" "Yes, sir. The way it worked out, with the crash, it merely supported the story I was to tell Danson's wife. I really did have temporary amnesia. No one knows anything, except about the ship. Brice found Danson's watch at the crash site, but we could work a little mental trick on him and make him forget everything he knows, couldn't we?" "It would be risky. You never know if that process will work until it is tried. As much as I hate the thought, it would be best to kill both of them and send you back to the Terran woman. After we had tried to bluff out Imry's plan for a month, or so, we could arrange an accident for you in which it would appear that you were dead - perhaps utilizing the real Danson for the accident. Does the woman suspect anything?" "I don't think so," Lors told him. "She seems too happy in having me back, at the moment." Zark smiled at him and clamped a hand to his shoulder. "You're tired, my boy. Get some rest and we'll talk about this thing later. You can use Firstspacer Thesa's quarters. Danson is in yours." "And Brice?" "Unconscious. In the hospital. The shock of what took place down there has him recalling every old wives' tale about witches that he has ever heard." "All right, sir," Lors said smiling. "I'll get to my quarters, then. Thank you." "I'll send Jela to you, if she comes in." "Thank you," Lors said, but felt shaken at the thought. CHAPTER THIRTEEN Outside, in the corridor, Lors nodded to the guards and began walking toward Thesa's quarters. In his mind, now that he again _had_ a whole mind, was the feeling of being trapped, the feeling of being caught in a mesh-like web that was about to strangle him.