"This matter concerns a particularly nasty little fraud, perpetrated, apparently, from motives of sheer malice. I refer to the Agency status of Captain Glawen Clattuc. Several months ago, and well before his critical birthday, his index was 22. Then Artwain Clattuc retired and Eri Clattuc was killed in a landslide at Cape Journal. Glawen's index became 20.
"Shortly afterward, Glawen's father, Scharde Clattuc, flew out on a routine patrol and never returned. We searched carefully but at last were forced to give Scharde up for lost.
"Now, then: what happens next? Curious events! Two weeks before Glawen's birthday a ship comes down from space, bringing Aries, Drusilla and their son, Gorton! A great surprise indeed, and bad news for Glawen! He is superseded by Gorton and his index rises to 21.
"At any time the Clattuc House Election Committee chaired, incidentally, by Spanchetta could meet and declare a presumption of death for Scharde. If this happens before Glawen's birthday, as would seem reasonable and proper, Glawen's index becomes 20, and in effect he assumes his father's place in Clattuc House. Spanchetta, despite angry protests from others of the committee, delays until two weeks after Glawen's birthday, when Glawen has become a collateral. Scharde is pronounced dead, leaving a vacant slot, and who is nominated to become the new Clattuc?
Namour! Is it not superb?"
Spanchetta could contain herself no longer. She jumped to her feet.
"I protest these vile slanders with all the vehemence at my command! I am totally amazed that the High Judges allow this mad little baboon to strut up and down their court, making a mockery of all dignity and vilifying decent folk! I demand an explanation!"
Egon Tamm said soberly: "Superintendent, you have heard Dame Spanchetta's request. Can you amplify your case?"
"I want no amplification!" cried Spanchetta.
"I want a full apology and a retraction of all these infamous charges."
"I have not yet brought charges," said Bodwyn Wook.
"As for apologies, the record of your conduct speaks for itself. Do you want me to apologize for citing your record?"
"I have done nothing illegal! The Election Board meets whenever I deem that circumstances warrant. You can prove neither illegality nor malice. As for Gorton, he rightfully superseded Glawen; again, that is the process of the law."
"Aha!" said Bodwyn Wook.
"There we differ. Over the last few days we have looked very carefully into the case of Gorton.
In the first place we find that he was born barely six months after the formal wedding of Aries and Drusilla."
"That is sheer tara diddle Aries and Drusilla were informally married somewhat earlier at Soumjiana. And even if they were not married:
what of that? Aries acknowledges the child as his own."
"All very well, but the law expressly denies status to adopted children."
"What are you saying? Gorton was not adopted by Aries, or anyone else!"
"Just so," said Bodwyn Wook.
"As I say, we have gone into the case very thoroughly. First, by one means or another, we obtained material which afforded us the genetic patterns of Aries, Drusilla and Gorton respectively. This particular research was performed by eminent experts, who can give evidence if such evidence is needed."
"This is all bluster and puff," declared Spanchetta, her voice rich and scornful.
"Deal with facts, if you please!"
"The evidence proved that Gorton was the son of Drusilla;
there is no doubt as to this. Regarding the other half of the parentage, there is no such clarity, although typical Clattuc gene clusters are found."
"Your test tubes are telling you what I have already made clear! Is it not enough? Now will you leave us in peace?"
"Patience, Spanchetta! Listen intently, and you will hear more! We go back in time several years, to when, with truly reckless audacity, Aries attempted rape upon the person of Wayness Tamm, the Conservator's daughter. He was unsuccessful, and captured. I will let the High Judge describe the punishment meted out to Aries."
"Aries wore a mask and hood, which concealed his identity," said
Egon Tamm.
"For this reason we presumed that he intended rape only, and not rape with murder, and so we spared him his life.
"However, to ensure that Aries might never again attempt a similar deed, he was subjected to a surgical process which rendered him sterile and almost totally incapable of tumescence. The procedure was permanent and irreversible.
Gorton is not the child of Aries."
Spanchetta emitted a strange wailing cry of outrage.
"Not true, not true, not true!"
"It is true," said Egon Tamm.
Bodwyn Wook pointed to Drusilla.
"Stand up."
Drusilla reluctantly rose to her feet.
Bodwyn Wook asked: "Who is Gorton's father?"
