r shots on the
last trip we took--and six months later you're still paying for it. You
were in one of those typical Dykart fever comas when we brought you in
last night."

"Very clever!" Trigger commented acidly.

"Very." Mihul pursed her lips. "The Dykart bug causes temporary
derangements, you know--spells during which convalescents talk wildly,
imagine things."

Trigger popped another fragment of meat between her teeth and chewed
thoughtfully, looking over at Mihul. "Very good duck or whatever!" she
said. "Like imagining they've been more or less kidnapped, you mean?"

"Things like that," Mihul agreed.

Trigger shook her head. "I wouldn't anyway. You types are bound to have
all the legal angles covered."

"Sure," said Mihul. "Just thought I'd mention it. Have you used the
Denton much on game?"

"Not too often." Trigger had been wondering whether they'd left the
stunner compartment loaded. "But it's a very fair gun for it."

"I know. The other one's a Yool. Good game gun, too. You'll use that."

Trigger swallowed. She met the calm eyes watching her. "I've never
handled a Yool. Why the switch?"

"They're easy to handle. The reason for the switch is that you can't
just stun someone with a Yool. It's better if we both stay armed, though
it isn't really necessary--so much money comes to play around here they
can afford to keep the Uplands very thoroughly policed, and they do. But
an ace in the hole never hurts." She considered. "Changed your mind
about that parole business yet?"

"I hadn't really thought about it," Trigger said.

"I'd let you carry your own gun then."

Trigger looked reflective, then shook her head. "I'd rather not."

"Suit yourself," Mihul said agreeably. "In that case though, there
should be something else understood."

"What's that?"

"We'll have up to three-four days to spend here together before Whatzzit
shows up."

"Whatzzit?"

"For future reference," Mihul said, "Whatzzit will be that which--or he
or she who--wishes to have that interview with you and has arranged for
it. That's in case you want to talk about it. I might as well tell you
that I'll do very little talking about Whatzzit."

"I thought," Trigger suggested, "I was one of the gang."

"I've got special instructions on the matter," Mihul said. "Anyway,
Whatzzit shows up. You have your interview. After that we do whatever
Whatzzit says we're to do. As you know."

Trigger nodded.

"Meanwhile," said Mihul, "we're