as
well as he could with confusion and outrage, but it was hardly possible
to hide behind superficialities. Even the most disciplined mind couldn't
do that without some preparation. Undoubtedly his concern about Copper
had leaked through. He could only hope that other and more important
things had not.

Well--he could go back to the conference now, but he would have to be
doubly careful from now on. He couldn't make daily trips to Olympus. His
reaction had killed that plan. Alexander would be suspicious now--and
unusual actions would crystallize suspicion to certainty. Now he needed
a reason to be in that area. And then he grinned. He had a reason--a
good one--one that would fit in with Alexander's plans and his own.
The only problem would be to make Alexander buy it--and that might be
difficult. He'd have to work carefully--but with normal luck he could
put the idea across. He crossed his fingers as he trudged back up the
path to Alexandria.

The conference dragged on. Unlike most meetings, this one accomplished
things--which was a tribute to Alexander's ability to keep the subject
in hand. Details of the expansion program presented by Alexander were
rapidly reduced to workable plans. They involved some rearrangement of
existing facilities, and the construction of others. But the obvious
snags were rapidly disposed of, and the whole revamped operation was
outlined on paper in surprisingly few hours. A deadline date was set,
construction was authorized, and in the morning the first steps in the
practical implementation of the new program would be taken.

"Well, that's that," Alexander said with a sigh. "I think this calls for
a drink."

"There's one more thing," Kennon said. "I know it isn't much, but
Jordan's remark started me thinking."

"What remark?" Jordan asked.

"The one you made at the beginning about Phoebe possibly being like the
Olympus Station. I've often wondered why that particular location has
been so difficult to operate. Sure, I know the accepted explanation,
but I think we should learn why it works and how to break a tabu. If we
don't, we might be in for trouble."

"That's a good thought," Alexander said. "I tried to find out once, but
all I could discover was that it was tabu. The Lani simply didn't like
it. And despite the fact that I can read minds, I didn't learn any more
than that. There's a certain sex-linkage to telepathy, as you probably
know."

Kennon nodded.

"All I could discove