wo of the other natives followed, their eyes darting here,
there, in amazement, in spite of their efforts to appear grim and
untouched by it all.

Amschel Mayer was already seated at the officer's dining table. His face
displayed his irritation at the other's method of presenting himself.
"Good Heavens, Plekhanov, what is this, an invasion?"

The other registered surprise.

Mayer indicated the Texcocans. "Do you think it necessary to bring armed
men aboard the _Pedagogue_? Frankly, I have not even revealed to a
single Genoese the existence of the ship."

Jerry Kennedy was seated to one side, the only member of Mayer's team
who had accompanied him for this meeting. Kennedy winked at Watson and
Chessman. Watson grinned back but held his peace.

Plekhanov sank into a chair, rumbling, "We hold no secrets from the
Texcocans. The sooner they advance to where they can use our libraries
and laboratories, the better. And the fact these boys are armed has no
significance. My Tulans are currently embarked on a campaign to unite
the planet. Arms are sometimes necessary, and Tula, my capital, is
somewhat of an armed camp. All able-bodied men--"

Mayer broke in heatedly, "And is this the method you use to bring
civilization to Texcoco? Is this what you consider the purpose of the
Office of Galactic Colonization? An armed camp! How many persons have
you slaughtered thus far?"

"Easy," Joe Chessman growled.

Amschel Mayer spun on him. "I need no instruction from you, Chessman.
Please remember I'm senior in charge of this expedition and as such rank
you."

Plekhanov thudded a heavy hand on the table. "I'll call my assistants to
order, Mayer, if I feel it necessary. Admittedly, when this expedition
left Terra City you were the ranking officer. Now, however, we've
divided--at your suggestion, please remember. Now there are two
independent groups and you no longer have jurisdiction over mine."

"Indeed!" Mayer barked. "And suppose I decide to withhold the use of the
_Pedagogue's_ libraries and laboratories to you? I tell you,
Plekhanov--"

Leonid Plekhanov interrupted him coldly. "I would not suggest you
attempt any such step, Mayer."

Mayer glared but suddenly reversed himself. "Let's settle down and
become more sensible. This is the first conference of the five we have
scheduled. Ten years have elapsed. Actually, of course, we've had some
idea of each other's progress since team members occasionally meet on
trips back her