taneously.

"Before we go into that very reasonable complaint you made to Mihul
yesterday," he said, "I wish you'd let me point out a few things."

Trigger nodded. "Please do."

"You, Trigger," Plemponi told her, "are an honored guest here at the
Colonial School. You're the daughter of our late friend and colleague
Runser Argee. You were one of our star pupils--not just as a small-arms
medallist either. And now you're the secretary and assistant of the
famous Precolonial Commissioner Holati Tate--which makes you almost a
participant in what may well turn out to be the greatest scientific
event of the century.... I'm referring, of course," Plemponi added, "to
Tate's discovery of the Old Galactic plasmoids."

"Of course," agreed Trigger. "And what is all this leading up to,
Plemp?"

He waved a piece of toast at her. "No. Don't interrupt! I still have to
point out that because of the exceptional managerial abilities you
revealed under Tate, you've been sent here on detached duty for the
Precolonial Department to aid the Commissioner and Professor Mantelish
in the University League's Plasmoid Project. That means you're a pretty
important person, Trigger! Mantelish, for all his idiosyncrasies, is
undoubtedly the greatest living biologist in the League. And the
Plasmoid Project here at the school is without question the League's
most important current undertaking."

"So I've been told," said Trigger. "That's why I want to find out what's
gone haywire with it."

"In a moment," Plemponi said. "In a moment." He located his napkin,
wiped his lips carefully. "Now I've mentioned all this simply to make it
very, very clear that we'll do anything we can to keep you satisfied.
We're delighted to have you with us. We are honored!" He beamed at her.
"Right?"

Trigger smiled. "If you say so. And thanks very much for all the lovely
compliments, Doctor. But now let's get down to business."

Plemponi glanced over at Mihul and looked evasive. "That being?" he
asked.

"You know," Trigger said. "But I'll put it into specific questions if
you like. Where's Commissioner Tate?"

"I don't know."

"Where is Mantelish?"

He shook his head. "I don't know that either." He began to look unhappy.

"Oh?" said Trigger. "Who does know then?"

"I'm not allowed to tell you," Doctor Plemponi said firmly.

Trigger raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"Federation security," Plemponi said, frowning. He added, "I wasn't
supposed to tell you that