fore answering.

"I'll tell you," he finally said. "But don't snap my neck for it. I'm
gambling that your civilized mind can control your reflexes. Because I
have to talk about things that are strictly taboo on Pyrrus.

"In your people's eyes I'm a weakling because I come from off-world.
Realize though, that this is also my strength. I can see things that are
hidden from you by long association. You know, the old business of not
being able to see the forest for the trees in the way." Kerk nodded
agreement and Jason went on.

"To continue the analogy further, I landed from an airship, and at
first all I _could_ see was the forest. To me certain facts are
obvious. I think that you people know them too, only you keep your
thoughts carefully repressed. They are hidden thoughts that are
completely taboo. I am going to say one of them out loud now and hope
you can control yourself well enough to not kill me."

Kerk's great hands tightened on the arms of his chair, the only sign
that he had heard. Jason talked quietly, as smoothly and easily as a
lancet probing into a brain.

"Human beings are losing the war on Pyrrus. There is no chance they can
win. They could leave for another planet, but that wouldn't be victory.
Yet, if they stay and continue this war, they only prolong a
particularly bloody form of racial suicide. With each generation the
population drops. Until eventually the planet will win."

One arm of Kerk's plastic and steel chair tore loose under the crushing
grasp of his fingers. He didn't notice it. The rest of his body was
rock-still and his eyes fixed on Jason.

Looking away from the fractured chair, Jason sought for the right words.

"This is not a real war, but a disastrous treating of symptoms. Like
cutting off cancerous fingers one by one. The only result can be
ultimate death. None of you seem to realize that. All you see are the
trees. It has never occurred to you that you could treat the _causes_ of
this war and end it forever."

Kerk dropped the arm of the chair clattering to the floor. He sat up,
astonished. "What the devil do you mean? You sound like a grubber."

Jason didn't ask what a grubber was--but he filed the name.

"Call me a Pyrran by adoption. I want this planet to survive as much as
you do. I think this war can be ended by finding the _causes_--and
changing them, whatever they are."

"You're talking nonsense," Kerk said. "This is just an alien world that
must be battled. The