pretty
insubordinate if I really tried."

"That's the understatement of the century."

"I'll devote the imponderable force of the intellect to the problem and
check with you later. Now, Gene, about the proposed Galactic Service,
the Council, and so on. What is the reaction? Yours, personally, and
others?"

"My personal reaction is immensely favorable; I think it the greatest
advance that humanity has ever made. I have been very cautious, of
course, in discussing, or even mentioning the matter, but the reaction
of everyone I have sounded--good men; big men in their respective
fields--has been as enthusiastic as my own."

"Good. It won't surprise you, probably, to be told that you are to be
this system's councillor and--if we can swing it and I think we can--the
first President of the Galactic Council?"

Evans was so surprised that it was almost a minute before he could reply
coherently. Then: "I _am_ surprised--very much so. I thought, of course,
that you yourself would...."

"Far from it!" Garlock said, positively. "I'm not the type. You are.
You're better than anyone else of the Galaxians--which means than anyone
else period. With the possible exception of Lola, and she fits better on
our exploration team. Check, Belle?"

"Check. For once, I agree with you without reservation. _That's_ a job
we can work at all the rest of our lives, and scarcely start it."

"True--indubitably true. I appreciate your confidence in me, and if the
vote so falls I will do whatever I can."

"We know you will, and thank _you_. How long will it take to organize? A
couple of weeks? And is there anything else we have to cover now?"

"A couple of _weeks!_" Evans was shocked. "You are naive indeed, young
man, to think anything of this magnitude can even be started in such a
short time as that. And yes, there are dozens of matters--hundreds--that
should be discussed before I can even start to work intelligently."

Hence discussions went on and on and on. It was three days before
Garlock and Belle 'ported themselves up into the _Pleiades_ and the
starship displaced itself instantaneously to Margonia.

* * *

Meanwhile, on Margonia, James James James the Ninth went directly to the
heart of his job by leading Lola and Fao into Delcamp's office and
setting up its Gunther blocks.

"You said you want me to build your starship. Okay, but I want you
both--Fao especially--to realize exactly what that means. I kn