t on the counter. His companions followed
suit. The clerk hefted each weapon in turn,
double-checked the safety, and positioned it
under a penetray scanner to check for illegal
modifications and, using a hand-held standard,
reset the range to Coldfield's limits.

"Five meters, max," he said as he worked, "and
minimum-effect level at all times. Set it any way
you want when you leave the dome, but reset it as
soon as you come back in. We do the first one for
the record; after that it's up to you. Penalty for
violation depends on circumstances; minimum is
a couple of sleeps in the brig."

He peered at them across the counter.

"We know who you are and where you came from,"
he said. "Keep out of trouble and you'll get by OK."

As he finished each weapon inspection he returned
it to the countertop, pointing the muzzle into
a shielded enclosure and stepped back behind a
barrier. The owner picked up the sidearm, rechecked
the safety and the setting, and slipped it back into
its sheath.

"Hope you were listening when I said we know
who you are," said the clerk, scowling, looking
from one to the other. "If you didn't hear me
the first time, I'll repeat it: keep out of trouble
and you'll get by OK. Y'hear?"

Brad scowled back, silent. Hodak grinned; Myra and
Kumiko nodded and vigorously pointed at themselves.

"I hate trouble," Myra said with solemn sincerity.

"Me too," Kumiko chimed in. "I hate trouble.
I really do."

Adari laughed, leaned over the counter, and
rumpled the little man's scant hair. He jerked away.

"Wouldn't think of it, Buster," she boomed.

She drew her hand back, looked at the palm,
and rubbed it on her suit as she turned away.
Zolan ignored the scene.

Hodak leaned over the counter and waved the clerk
closer.

"So you know where we're from, do you?" His voice
was a friendly growl and he got a curt nod in reply.

"Then you know we came here for sanctuary,"
Hodak said. "How do we get it?"

"Your entry permit is provisional; permanent party
status depends on how you adjust to our rules."

"This is the only place left to us," Hodak added
a whine to his voice. "We're not about to start
trouble and wear out our welcome." Switching to
a hoarse whisper, he added, "Look, man, we need
a place to put our stuff, and then we want to look
around. Maybe we can find action in our kind of
work that'll build up our credits. We've talked it
over." He thumbed to include his companions.
"We're av