"The contract holds the following intent: 'Use of the power-transmission tubes for communications purposes shall fall under the jurisdiction of Venus Equilateral. For power transmission, the tubes and associated equipment shall be under the control of Terran Electric. In the matter of the solar beam tubes, the contract is as follows: Venus Equilateral holds the control of the solar beam in space, on man-made bodies in space, and upon those natural bodies in space where Venus Equilateral requires the solar power to maintain subsidiary relay stations.'" "Please clarify the latter," said Kingman. "Unless it is your intent to imply that Terra, Mars, and Mercury fall under the classification of 'places where Venus Equilateral requires power.'" "Their control on natural celestial objects extends only to their own installations and requirements. Basically, aside from their own power requirements, Venus Equilateral is not authorized to sell power. In short, the contract implies that the use of the sub-etheric phenomena is divided so that Venus Equilateral may use this region for communications, while Terran Electric uses the sub-ether for power. In space, however, Venus Equilateral holds the rights to the power beam." Frank Tinken, head legal man of Venus Equilateral, turned to Don and said: "We should have this in a technical court." Don turned his attention from the long discussion of the contract and asked: "Why not change?" "Judges hate people who ask for changes of court. It is bad for the requestee--and is only done when the judge's disinterest is open to question--and also when the suspicion of dislike is less dangerous than the judge himself." "Well, this should be in a technical court." "Want to chance it?" "I think so. This is more than likely to turn up with differential equations, physics experts, and perhaps a demonstration of atom smashing." Kingman finished his examination and turned away. The judge nodded sourly at Tinken. "Cross-examination?" Tinken faced the witness, nodded, and then faced the court. "The witness' statements regarding the contract are true. However, Judge Hamilton, I will attempt to show that this case is highly technical in nature and as such falls under the jurisdiction of the Technical Court. May I proceed?" "Counsel for the plaintiff assures me that this is not truly a technical case," snapped Hamilton. "However, if you can definitely prove that the case in point hinges on purely technical matters, what you say may be instrumental in having this hearing changed. Proceed." "Thank you." Tinken turned to the witness. "Exactly what is the point in question?" "The point in question," said the witness, "is whether or not the matter transmitter falls under Terran Electric's contract or Venus Equilateral's contract." "Isn't the question really a matter of whether the basic effect is technically communication or power transmission?" "Objection!" barked Kingman. "The counsel is leading the witness."