The calculator's screen replied for the officer. THE SYSTEM IS OF INSUFFICIENT INTEREST TO WARRANT EXPLORATION. WE ARE SEEKING SIGNIFICANTLY UNIQUE PLANETS. "I have never seen anything like this before...." Birdsel drew himself up to his full height. "However, the machine's knowledge of the history of space exploration is much more extensive than mine." "You aren't going to suggest that the brain reconsider or override its decision?" "Certainly not!" Birdsel snapped. "We'll re-phase after the traditional twenty-four hour delay for psychological adjustment." Starbuck sneaked another popeyed look at the planet on the screen. "If he thinks that's run of the mill, Captain, I wonder what he will have to find to make him think it's unusual?" III Whatever it took to satisfy the Brain, it didn't find it in the next few days. Starbuck reported to the bridge each day to press the Brain's phase button and answer some of its questions. Then for two days Captain Birdsel wasn't on hand for the little ceremony and the expression of dissatisfaction with the available site for exploration. Once Starbuck went so far as to suggest a reconsideration of a system that had made the one he had seen on the first day look tame. The calculator had duly noted the reconsideration, and had again refused. Starbuck didn't dare try an out-and-out override, even though he had been theoretically given complete command of the phasing operation. The following noon, the middle of the twenty-four period, Romero, an engineer, almost tearfully pressed Starbuck's crap game losings back on him, apologizing for keeping the money. Starbuck was about to refuse, not wanting to reverse the state of indebtedness, when the intercom requested his appearance at the captain's quarters. Unable to prolong the argument with Romero, he took the money and shoved it in his pocket, heading for the chief cabin. Starbuck rapped on the door, heard the "Come" and entered. Captain Birdsel was hanging naked, upside down, by his knees from a trapeze, in the middle of a deserted compartment painted solid red. "You sent for me, sir?" Starbuck said. "Yes, Ben. Yes, I did," Captain Birdsel replied, swinging gently to and fro. "Do you smoke, Ben?" "Aye aye, sir." "The 'aye aye' is reserved for acknowledging orders, not answering questions, Ben." "Yes, sir. I'll remember in the future." "Every man on board smokes, Ben. Everyone but me. I do not use tobacco." "Commendable, sir." "I suppose you drink, all of the rest of the men do." "Occasionally, Captain." "I abstain." "Enviable, sir." "Have you read any good books lately?" "Good and bad, sir." "I notice most of the men read. I haven't time for reading myself. Or shooting craps. You do play that game like the rest?" "Just once, sir. I lost all my money." Which had been returned to him.