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had not already done it for you? And as for them collectively going off to live in some kind of parallel universe—why should they, when this one we’ve got is loaded with more fun than anybody can use up before the last star burns out?”
    “I didn’t claim any of those was the case,” Hancock said. “I was only giving you some examples.”
    “Uh-huh. Ever heard of Occam’s razor? I’ve shaved with it from time to time.”
    “Choose the simplest explanation for the facts.”
    “Right. And in this case, what is the simplest? I propose that
Emissary
did return; that the story she brought was of how wemight go beyond these two planetary systems we have; that certain politicians on Earth don’t like that possibility and want to suppress it; and that you, Aurie, have now gotten your marching orders. I imagine you agree in principle anyway. You belong to the Action Party.”
    Brodersen barked it forth. He might as well, his back to the wall of a decision already made; and perhaps he could provoke a little truth out of her who had become his enemy.
    Yet he was jarred when she said in her coldest manner: “I consider that an insult, Captain Brodersen. But never mind. If you won’t cooperate freely, we’ll have to apply duress. You are not going to continue talking as you have been.”
    Chill rammed through him. He had come expecting that she would lay heavy pressure on him, but not a grabclaw. “Ever read the Covenant?” he asked low. “I mean the free speech clause.”
    “Have you read the provision for emergencies and the laws enacted under it?” she retorted, though he could see her hurting.
    “Yeah. So?”
    “I declare an emergency. Come back in five years and take the matter to court.” Hancock reached for a fresh cigarette. “Dan,” she stated unhappily, “I’ve got the cops, as you call them. Until we can agree about this business, you’re under arrest.”
    She meant he would be confined to his home, his mail and phone monitored. Maybe she was sincere in her promise that her surveillance men would only activate their electronic eavesdroppers when he had visitors. He could conduct his business as usual from the house—these days, it mostly ran itself anyway—and could give whatever reason he chose, such as a prolonged attack of the galloping collywobbles, for not leaving the place. If he said it was on her orders, though, she’d tell the news media that he was being held while his company was investigated on suspicion of fraud.
    She thought she could probably let him go in a month or two. That would depend on what she heard from Earth.
    He didn’t waste energy roaring. “You’re being a government, Aurie,” he remarked. When she gave him an inquiring glance, he explained: “The single definition of government I’ve ever seen that makes sense is that it’s the organization which claims the right to kill people who won’t do what it wants.”
    He could have gone on to admit that he was oversimplifying,since she was obviously acting on behalf of a group whose own behavior might well be unlawful; but he didn’t think it was worth his while.

IV

    T WO COURTEOUS PLAINCLOTHES policemen escorted Brodersen from the governor’s house and rode home with him in his car. By then, Demeter was completing another day, ten percent shorter than Earth’s. The sun was hidden behind Anvil Hill, which loomed blue-gray at the end of Pioneer Avenue with the dome of the Capitol shining gold on its brow. Right and left the city reached, an uncluttered view of intermingled dwellings, small factories, stores, service enterprises, most buildings surrounded by lawns and flowers. At his back, the Europa River gleamed broad on its way to Apollo Bay and thence the Hephaestian Sea. The opposite shore was farmland, fields of wheat and corn vividly green at this season against a few remaining bluish stands of mariflora and raincatch. A moon stood high at half phase, wan and mottled amidst cloudless azure. Wings cruised