we figured it might have to be, at times," Garlock said.
"But that's a very minor point. With yours so nearly ready to flit, no
change in size is indicated now. But Belle and I have got to have
another conference with the legal eagle. So if you and Brownie, Jim,
will 'port whatever you need out of the _Pleiades_, we'll be on our way.

"So long--see you in a few days," he added, and the _Pleiades_ vanished;
to appear instantaneously high above the stratosphere over what was to
become the Galaxian Field of Earth.

* * *

"Got a minute, Gene?" he sent a thought.

"For you two Primes, as many as you like. We haven't started building or
fencing yet, as you suggested, but we have bought all the real estate.
So land the ship anywhere out there and I'll send a jeep out after you."

"Thanks, but no jeep. Nobody but you knows that we've really got control
of the _Pleiades_, and I want everybody else to keep on thinking it's
strictly for the birds. We'll 'port in to your office whenever you say."

"I say now."

In no time at all the two Primes were seated in the private office of
Eugene Evans, Head of the Legal Department of the newly re-incorporated
Galaxian Society of Sol, Inc. Evans was a tall man, slightly thin,
slightly stooped, whose thick tri-focals did nothing whatever to hide
the keenness of his steel-gray eyes.

"The first thing, Gene," Garlock said, "is this employment contract
thing. Have you figured out a way to break it?"

"It can't be broken." The lawyer shook his head.

"Huh? I thought you top-bracket legal eagles could break anything, if
you really tried."

"A good many things, yes, especially if they're long and complicated.
The Standard Employment Contract, however, is short, explicit, and
iron-clad. The employer can discharge the employee for any one of a
number of offenses, including insubordination; which, as a matter of
fact, the employer himself is allowed to define. On the other hand, the
employee cannot quit except for some such fantastic reason as the
non-tendering--not non-payment, mind you, but non-_tendering_--of
salary."

"I didn't expect that--it kicks us in the teeth before we get started."
Garlock got up, lighted a cigarette, and prowled about the big room.
"Okay. Jim and I will have to get ourselves fired, then."

"Fired!" Belle snorted. "Clee, you talk like a man with a paper nose!
Who else could run the Project? That is," her whole manner changed; "he