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come and gone while we slept. The sun was speedily rising again by the time we had finished our breakfast. We looked on unenthusiastically as the servbot cleared away the dishes while the beds made themselves. Since this was an all-robot hotel no notice was taken of our surveillance operations. Across the road the first parishioners were entering the church. None were familiar. By the time the church doors had closed I found myself nibbling my nails: I jumped to my feet.
    â€œI’m going to work out in the gym and have a swim,” I announced.
    â€œBe there before you,” Bolivar said, hurtling towards the door to his bedroom.
    When we entered the pool room and threw aside our towels we were delighted to see that our guide Dee had entered through the other door and had thrown aside her towel as well. Since there is no nudity taboo on Vulkann this was a serious towel-throwing.
    â€œI hope that you are enjoying your visit to our fair world,” she said with a broad smile just as lovely as the rest of her.
    The answer to that question was obvious. I dived into the
pool and swam a number of enthusiastic laps while the twins indulged in enthusiastic conversation with her, for such is the way of youth. I could see the attraction of this, particularly when I came up for breath and paused to admire the scenery.
    We met in the gym and the boys worked up a good lather of sublimation since we were here for work, not dalliance. All this mindless exercise cheered us greatly—and kept our thoughts off of the Seekers of the Way. Refreshed, and with lunch holding breakfast down nicely, we trooped back to our rooms. I fast-reran the recording, then played back some of the conversations. Then amplified the images of the parishioners so I could make prints of their faces. Spread them out on the table so we could look at them.
    With mutual feelings of glum depression. It was James who spoke for all of us.
    â€œOne thing certain—none of us is going to be able to join up and make any investigations inside that church.”
    â€œNot without some radical surgery,” Bolivar said with a broad smile; we glowered back.
    Everyone who had visited the church so far had been a woman.
    â€œWe need help,” I said.
    â€œStill in touch with the Special Corps?” James asked.
    â€œThere is no escaping them. Though I have not talked to our noble leader, Inskipp, for a long time. Which is all for the best.” I glanced at my watch, then hit a few settings and smiled. “Very good news. It is now the middle of the night at Prime Base. I will be forced to wake that dear man up.”
    His secretary answered first but I knew the code that bypassed its tiny robotic mind. After a number of rings, growing steadily louder since Inskipp was a heavy sleeper, a familiar and angry voice rustled in my ear.
    â€œIf this isn’t a major emergency you are dead, whoever you are,” Inskipp growled.
    â€œJim diGriz here, good friend. Did I awake you—”
    â€œI’m issuing an order now to seize all the assets in your bank accounts. Even the ones you think I don’t know about!”

    â€œI need help. Angelina is missing.”
    â€œDetails,” he said, voice calm, threats ended. I told him exactly what had happened. While I was doing this the boys were E-mailing copies of all the files—including Angelina’s recorded message. He did not waste time in commiseration and was calling in the troops even as I talked. As head of the Special Corps, the most secret of secret forces that defended the peace and protected the galaxy, his powers were awesome. And he knew how to use them.
    â€œA cruiser is now on the way to Vulkann. Aboard it is a Special Agent who will be using the name Sybil. Up to this moment she has worked directly for me and for no one else. Now she is under your command. I will add that she is the best agent I have ever had”
    â€œBetter than me?”
    â€œEveryone is,