gloves—but on the other hand, was I supposed to let that creature roam all over the ship? "Get me a hookup with Home Base," I said. "And in the meantime keep an eye on that cat. Don't let it catch wise but try to follow it around. And don't stop it from roaming. These aliens may be touchy about the funniest things." I got in touch with Home Base in jig time. Commander Mahoney was the man I spoke to. "How's that Ambassador, Martin?" "That's why I'm calling, sir. You see—the Ambassador's pet is creeping all around the ship. It's sort of a cat but I wonder whether maybe it's doing a very neat job of spying on us." "Have you taken any action yet?" "No. I wanted to check with Home Base." Mahoney thought for a moment. "I suppose it would be all right to speak to the Ambassador about this and tactfully request that he keep the creature in his own quarters. But be tactful about it, Martin. Remember, we don't want to offend these aliens." It was the middle of the "night" aboard ship, so I didn't think it would be particularly tactful to call the Ambassador just then. I waited until morning, by which time my men reported that the cat had completed its survey and had promptly returned to the Ambassador's room. When the television came on, the Ambassador and his pet were again reclining leisurely on their bunks. "Sorry if I'm disturbing you," I said hesitantly. "That's quite all right. What can I do for you?" "A matter of shipboard procedure I'd like to point out. It seems last night your pet left your cabin and explored the ship, or so some of my men reported. I'd appreciate it if you'd restrain the animal to quarters from now on. It upsets shipboard routine—and, besides, my instructions request that I keep the operating sections of the ship under security wrap." There was silence for a moment. I held my breath, hoping I hadn't said something wrong, some thing that might foul up the delicate Earth-Aldebaran negotiations in progress. Finally came the reply. "I understand fully. I'm sorry about the
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