cadet on his first trip would swallow it! You're trying to save your own neck, that's all. But it won't work, not for a minute--""But Eileen--"

"To hell with her, too! Even if I believed you, my job's in Mekronal, not Rescue Service!" He broke off sharply, as if unable to find words harsh enough to vent his fury. His hand blurred as he flicked the switch. The screen went dead.

Belly quivering, Boone turned off his unit and slumped back on the bed. But before he could even sort out his own feelings, the com-box signal blinked again. For a fraction of a second Boone hesitated, nonplussed and frowning, then threw the switch. This time the face on the screen was one he hadn't seen before: a stern-faced man with greying hair, all dignity. The other said, "I'm Douglas Schilling, specialist in space law at Thelema. A mutual friend heard about your current difficulties. He suggested that you might like to have me serve as counsel."

Boone stared. "A mutual friend--"

"Yes," Schilling nodded. "He prefers that I not use his name over the space-phone, but he said you'd remember him as the man to whom you were talking in Gandor City just before you left for Titan."

Gandor City--! Boone rocked. That could only be Terral, the representative of Associated Independents!

"Do you remember?" Schilling prodded.

Boone made his face a mask. "Yes. I remember."

"Then if you'd care to have me represent you--"

"I would." Boone leaned back and smiled thinly. "That is, if you're still willing after you've heard my story. Krobis has already turned it down."

"Krobis--!" The other's keen eyes flickered. "You mean you've talked to him, given him the details as to what happened?"

"Yes."

"I can't say that I'm glad to hear it. However...." The lawyer shrugged. "Let's make it that I'll see you when your ship gravs down at the Cartel's Thelema headquarters base on Mars tomorrow."

"Good enough."

"Till tomorrow, then...." Already, the lawyer's face was fading.

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