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force . . ." murmured the young officer, as though he were looking forward to it.

    And he was, thought Grimes. He was. He glanced at Philby's face—young, unlined, features, save for the strong chin, indeterminate. A Marine Corps recruiting poster face . . . . There was no vice in it—neither was there any sensitivity, or imagination. It was the face of a man who could have written those famous lines—and without ironical intention: Whatever happens, we have got The Maxim gun—and they have not.

    "Don't forget," said Grimes, "that this is their world, and that we're interlopers."

    "Yes, sir, but we're civilized. Aren't we?"

    "Mphm."

    "And these people, out of the mainstream for so long, need to be taught the Federation's way of life . . . ."

    Was Philby joking? No, Grimes decided, he was not. He said mildly, "The Federation's way of life as exemplified by whom? By the crew of Seeker? By Captain Drongo Kane and his crew? Or by Captain Danzellan and Corgi's or Schnauzer's people? Kane and Danzellan are Federation citizens, just as we are."

    "Yes, sir. I suppose so. But . . . "

    "But we have the superior fire power. Not all that superior. From what we saw aboard Southerly Buster I'd say she packs the wallop of a young battleship. And I should imagine that Schnauzer could show her teeth if she had to."

    "What are your orders, sir?" asked Philby stiffly, obviously regretting having initiated the conversation.

    "Just keep handy while I meet the natives. Better call another half dozen of your men down. Have your weapons ready—but not too obviously."

    "With your permission, sir." Philby raised his wrist transceiver to his mouth. "Mr. Saul? Captain Philby here. Would you mind telling Corporal Smithers to detail six men for EVA? Yes, number three battle equipment. Over."

    Then Grimes gave his orders."Mr. Saul, Captain here. Do as Captain Philby says. And ask Dr. Lazenby if she' ll join me at the after airlock. Yes. At once. All other officers and all ratings, with the exception of the six Marines, to remain on board. Yes, main and secondary armament to remain in a condition of readiness."

    He heard the sergeant, who was a pace or two behind him, whisper something to one of the Marines about a show of force. He smiled to himself. He was not showing the force at his disposal—but it was nice to know that it was handy.

    He beckoned Maggie down from the open airlock door. She walked gracefully down the ramp, despite the fact that she was hung around with all manner of equipment—cameras, recorders, even a sketch block and stylus.

    She said, "We've had a good look at them through the control room telescope and binoculars. They seem to be human . . . ."

    "Are they armed?"

    "Some are carrying spears, and a few have longbows . . . ."

    The additional Marines clattered down the ramp. Grimes looked at the automatic weapons they carried and hoped that they would not be used. He was pleased to see that each man had a couple of sleep gas grenades at his belt, and that one of them was carrying extra respirators; these he handed out to Grimes, Philby and to the other members of the party that had gone to Southerly Buster.

    There was activity just by the boarding ramp of that ship, too. Grimes borrowed Maggie's binoculars, saw that Kane, Dreebly and three more men had come outside and that a folding table had been set up. The wares spread upon it glittered in the strong sunlight. Trade goods, Grimes decided. Bright, pretty baubles . . . . And did he hope to buy a territory, a continent, a planet, even, for a string of glass beads? Why not? Things as strange had happened in Man's long history.

    The first of the party of natives, that from the north, was now in sight from ground level. They moved with catlike smoothness over the grass, threading their way around the outcropping boulders . There were twenty of them—ten males and ten females. Ten men and ten women, Grimes corrected himself. Six men,