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dentify . . . Catteni teeth?”
    â€œI have nothing against your species,” Eric said. Then his expression turned eager and his eyes glinted. “Mind you, I would never use my professional expertise to cause unnecessary pain. Though, until I got here to Botany, I might have entertained a few vengeful ideas from time to time.”
    â€œAt mercy in your chair?” Kris asked, grinning at the thought of a Catteni bully in helpless jeopardy in a dental chair. Sometimes, ethics went the way of other civilized behavior.
    â€œI admit to some rather fanciful daydreams at a particular time; however, that’s not only immature but also against all dental ethics. From what I’ve seen of your people, they aren’t much in need of my skills.”
    â€œWhat about cosmetic work?” Kris suggested, pointing to the tooth in her head that was in the same place as Zainal’s broken one.
    â€œAh, cosmetic work! That’s something else again, and I fancy myself quite skilful in both orthodontia and cosmetic repair.”
    â€œWhat would you also need besides the basic dental drill?” Kris asked.
    â€œIt would be quite a list,” Eric said tentatively, but with a dawning eagerness in his expression.
    â€œBut you’d know where such supplies could be found on Earth?” Kris asked.
    â€œI’d know where there used to be suppliers in the Manhattan area, certainly. Whether they’re still there or not, I couldn’t, of course, be certain.”
    â€œOf course.”
    There was a pause that Eric broke. “Does this have anything to do with the rumor I heard that Catteni were investing in gold caps?”
    Kris laughed, easing the tension that had been growingin her, partly because of the whole notion of having to ransom what was rightfully Earth’s and partly because she was beginning to understand this bizarre element: providing a skill and treatment the Catteni certainly didn’t have on their home world. Whatever worked!
    â€œIt does,” Peter said.
    Eric rubbed his hands on his thighs. “I am indeed your man, then, Easley, Zainal. And I’d be happy to repair that incisor of yours, Zainal, for all you’ve done for us.” He jerked his damaged thumb at his chest. “Then you could see firsthand how skilled I am.”
    â€œWe don’t doubt your abilities,” Dorothy said, “especially since you made those marvelous repairs to Brenda Samuelson’s dentures.”
    â€œThe dentures were easy. All I needed was a decent adhesive.” Eric twitched one shoulder. “So when do we go?”
    â€œI suspect it is now necessary to figure out a flight plan,” Zainal said, nodding to Kris, “to cover as much territory as we need to as quickly as possible. Please make a list of the items you would require. And where we’d need to go in this Manhattan . . .”
    â€œAlso known as New York.”
    Zainal shot him a look. “Is Manhattan the only place to acquire what you need?”
    â€œNo, but it’s the one I know best. And, if they haven’t been demolished in the Resistance, I could quite honestly retrieve the equipment I had in my office.”
    â€œPlease give me the location,” Zainal said, holding his pencil over his pad and looking intently at Dr. Sachs for his answer.
    â€œMy office was in the main city, on Fifty-ninth Street at Columbus Circle.”
    â€œFifty-ninth Street?” Peter echoed. “I don’t think it still exists, Dr. Sachs. Would you have any other ideas?”
    â€œWell, quite a few dentists had offices in the general area.”
    â€œIf you will agree to accompany us on this‘adventure,’” Zainal said with a little chuckle, “I’m sure we can locate what you need to take with you.”
    â€œWith me?”
    â€œYes, to Barevi,” and before Eric Sachs could rattle off the questions that must have flooded his