that these
turn over their holdings to our single all-embracing organization for
the sake of efficiency. Our experts will evaluate such holdings and
recompense the owners._

Don Mathers paused again for emphasis.

_This is no time for quibbling. All must come in. If there are those who
put private gain before the needs of the system, then pressures must be
found to be exerted against them._

_We will need thousands and tens of thousands of trained workers to
operate our mines, our mills, our refineries. In the past, skilled labor
here on the satellites was used to double or even triple the wage rates
on Earth and the settled planets and satellites. I need only repeat,
this is no time for personal gain and quibbling. The corporation
announces proudly that it will pay only prevailing Earth rates. We will
not insult our employees by "bribing" them to patriotism through higher
wages._

There was more, along the same lines.

It was all taken very well. Indeed, with enthusiasm.

* * * * *

On the third day, at an office conference, Don waited for an opening to
say, "Look, somewhere here on Callisto is a young woman named Dian
Fuller. After we get me established in an office, I'd like her to be my
secretary."

Demming looked up from some reports he was scanning. He grunted to Max
Rostoff, "Tell him," and went back to the papers.

Max Rostoff, settled back into his chair. He said to the two bodyguards,
stationed at the door, "Scotty, Rogers, go and make the arrangements to
bring that damned prospector into line."

When they were gone, Rostoff turned back to Don Mathers. "You don't need
an office, Mathers. All you need is to go back to your bottles. Just
don't belt it so hard that you can't sign papers every time we need a
signature."

Don flushed angrily, "Look, don't push me, you two. You need me. Plenty.
In fact, from what I can see, this corporation needs me more than it
does you." He looked scornfully at Demming. "Originally, the idea was
that you put up the money. What money? We have fifty-one percent of the
stock in my name, but all the credit units needed are coming from sales
of stock." He turned to Rostoff. "You were supposed to put up the
brains. What brains? We've hired the best mining engineers, the best
technicians, to do their end, the best corporation executives to handle
that end. You're not needed."

Demming grunted amusement at the short speech, but didn't bother