Zammo continued, ‘In addition, it is obviously impossible to learn anything of value concerning the brains, physiology, and chemistry of these animals without dissection, dietary experiments, and drugs. You know, administrator, scientific investigation is a hard game. Humanity hasn’t much place in it.’

Loodun Antyok tapped his chin with a doubtful finger, ‘Must it be quite so hard? These are harmless creatures, these non-Humans. Surely, dissection – Perhaps, if you were to approach them a bit differently – I have the idea that you antagonize them. Your attitude might be somewhat overbearing.’’

‘Overbearing! I am not one of these whining social psychologists who are all the fad these days. l don’t believe you can solve a problem that requires dissection by approaching it with what is called the ‘correct personal attitude’ in the cant of the times.’

‘I’m sorry you think so. Sociopsychological training is required of all administrators above the grade of A-4.’’

Zammo withdrew his cud of a cigar from his mouth and replaced it after a suitably contemptuous interval, ‘Then you’d better use a bit of your technique on the Bureau. You know, I do have friends at the Imperial court.’

‘Well, now, I can’t take the matter up with them, not baldly. Basic policy does not fall within my cognizance, and such things can only be initiated by the Bureau. But, you know, we might try an indirect approach on this.’ He smiled faintly, ‘Strategy.’

‘What sort?’

Antyok pointed a sudden finger, while his other hand fell lightly on the rows of gray-bound reports upon the floor just next his chair, ‘Now, look, I’ve gone through most of these. They’re dull, but contain some facts. For instance, when was the last non-Human infant born on Cepheus 18?’

Zammo spent little time in consideration. ‘Don’t know. Don’t care either.’

‘But the Bureau would. There’s never been a non-Human infant born on Cepheus 18 – not in the two years the world has been established. Do you know the reason?’

The physiologist shrugged, ‘Too many possible factors. It would take study.’’

‘All right, then. Suppose you write a report—’

‘Reports! I’ve written twenty.’’

‘Write another. Stress the unsolved problems. Tell them you must change your methods. Harp on the birth-rate problem. The Bureau doesn’t dare ignore that. If the non-Humans die out, someone will have to answer to the Emperor. You see—’

Zammo stared, his eyes dark, ‘That will swing it?’

‘I’ve been working for the Bureau for twenty-seven years. I know its ways.’’

‘I’ll think about it.’ Zammo rose and stalked out of the office. The door slammed behind him.

It was later that Zammo said to a co-worker, ‘He’s a bureaucrat, in the first place. He won’t abandon the orthodoxies of paper work and he won’t risk sticking his neck out. He’ll accomplish little by himself, yet maybe more than a little if we work through him.’

From: Administrative Headquarters, Cepheus 18

To: BuOuProv

Subject: Outer Province Project 2563, Part II-Scientific Investigations of non-Humans of Cepheus 18, Co-ordination of.

References:

(a) BuOuProv letr. Cep-N-CM/jg, 100132, dated 302/975 G.E.

(b) AdHQ-Ceph18 letr. AA-LNmn, dated 140/977 G.E.

Enclosure:

1. SciGroup 10, Physical & Biochemical Division, Report, entitled, ‘Physiologic Characteristics of non-Humans of Cepheus 18, Part XI,’ dated 172/977 G.E.

1. Enclosure 1, included herewith, is forwarded for the information of the BuOuProv. It is to be noted that Section XII, paragraphs 1–16 of Encl. 1, concern possible changes in present BuOuProv policy with regard to non-Humans with a view to facilitating physical and chemical investigations at present proceeding under authorization of reference (a).

2. It is brought to the attention of the BuOuProv that reference (b) has already discussed possible changes in investigating methods and that it remains the opinion of AdHQ-Ceph18 that such changes are as yet premature. It is nevertheless suggested that the question of non-Human birth rate be made the subject of a BuOuProv project assigned to AdHQ-Ceph18 in view of the importance attached by SciGroup 10 to the problem, as evidenced in Section V of Enclosure 1.

L. Antyok, Supery, AdHQ-Ceph18,

174/977

From: BuOuProv

To: AdHQ-Ceph18

Subject: Outer Province Project 2563-Scientific Investigations of non-Humans of Cepheus 18, Co-ordination of.

Reference:

(a) AdHQ-Ceph18 letr. AA-LA/mn, dated 174/977 G.E.

1. In response to the suggestion contained in paragraph 2 of reference (a), it is considered that the question of the non-Human birth rate does not fall within the cognizance of AdHQ-Ceph18. In view of the fact that SciGroup 10 has reported said sterility to be probably due to a chemical deficiency in the food supply, all investigations in the field are relegated to SciGroup 10 as the proper authority.

2. Investigating procedures by the various SciGroups shall continue according to current directives on the subject. No.changes in policy are envisaged.

C. Morily, Chief, BuOuProv,

186/977 G.E.

II

There was a loose-jointed gauntness about the news reporter which made him appear somberly tall. He was Gustiv Bannerd, with whose reputation was combined ability – two things which do not invariably go together despite the maxims of elementary morality.

Loodun Antyok took his measure doubtfully and said, ‘There’s no use denying that you’re right. But the SciGroup report was confidential. I don’t understand how—’

‘It leaked,’ said Bannerd, callously. ‘Everything leaks.’

Antyok was obviously baffled, and his pink face furrowed slightly, ‘Then I’ll just have to plug the leak here. I can’t pass your story. All references to SciGroup complaints have to come out. You see that, don’t you?’

‘No.’ Bannerd was calm enough. ‘It’s important; and I have my rights under the Imperial directive. I think the Empire should know what’s going on.’

‘But it isn’t going on,’ said Antyok, despairingly. ‘Your claims are all wrong. The Bureau isn’t going to change its policy. I showed you the letters.’

‘You think you can stand up against Zammo when he puts the pressure on?’ the newsman asked derisively.

‘I will – if I think he’s wrong.’

‘If!’ stated Bannerd flatly. Then, in a sudden fervor, ‘Antyok, the Empire has something great here; something greater by a good deal than the government apparently realizes. They’re destroying it. They’re treating these creatures like animals.’

‘Really—’ began Antyok, weakly.