?Give us the strength, O Lord, to endure. We recognize we are poor sinners in the hands of an angry God. Let the circle be unbroken, until the day. Amen.?Each prisoner raised his right fist, then took a seat.

As Dillon surveyed them his formerly beatific expression twisted with appalling suddenness.

?What the fuck is happening here? What is this bullshit that’s coming down? We got murder! We got rape! We got brothers in trouble! I don’t want no more bullshit around here! We got problems, we stand together.?

Andrews let the silence that followed Dillon’s outburst

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linger until he was confident he had everyone’s attention. He cleared his throat ceremoniously.

?Yes, thank you, Mr. Dillon,?he began in his usual no-nonsense tone. ?All right. Once again this is rumor control. Here are the facts.?

?At 0400 hours prisoner Murphy, through carelessness and probably a good dose of stupidity on his part, was found dead in Vent shaft Seventeen. From the information gathered on the spot it would appear that he was standing too close to the ventilator fan when a strong downdraft struck, and was consequently sucked or blown into the blades. Medical Officer Clemens acted as coroner on the occasion and his official report is as straightforward as you might expect as to cause of death.?

Several of the prisoners murmured under their breath. Andrews eyed them until they were quiet once more.

He began to pace as he spoke. ?Not long thereafter prisoners Boggs, Rains, and Golic left on a routine forage and scavenge mission into the shafts. They were well equipped and presumably knew what they were about.?

?I can confirm that,?Dillon put in.

Andrews acknowledged the big man’s comment with a glance, resumed his declamation. ?At about 0700 hours prisoner Golic reappeared in a deranged state. He was covered with blood and babbling nonsense. Presently he is physically restrained and receiving medical treatment in the infirmary. Prisoners Boggs and Rains are still missing. We are forced to consider the possibility that they have met with foul play at the hands of prisoner Golic.?He paused to let that sink in.

?The history of the prisoner in question is not incompatible with such a suspicion. While no one is sent here who has not first been treated and cleared by Rehabilitation 134

Alan Dean Foster

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Central on Earth, not every program of treatment is perfect or everlasting.?

?I heard that,?said Dillon.