“Still—” Donal still demurred. “Taking a post like that I’d inevitably make enemies. If something should go wrong, I’d have no place to turn, no one would hire me—”

“Frankly,” said William, sharply, “I’m disappointed in you, Donal. “Are you completely lacking in foresight?” His tone took on a little impatience. “Can’t you see that we’re inevitably trending toward a single government for all the worlds? It may not come tomorrow, or even in the next decade; but any supra-planetary organization must inevitably grow into the ultimate, central authority.”

“In which case,” said Donal, “I’d still be nothing but a hired hand. What I want”—his eyes burned a little more brightly—”is to own something. A world . . . why not? I’m equipped to control a world; and defend it.” He turned on William. “You’ll have your position,” he said.

William’s eyes were hard and bright as two cut stones. He laughed shortly.

“You don’t mince words,” he said.

“I’m not that kind of man,” said Donal, with a slight swagger in his tone. “You should have expected me to see through this scheme of yours. You want supreme authority. Very well. Give me one of the worlds— under you.”

“And if I was to give you a world,” said William. “Which one?”

“Any fair size world.” Donal licked his lips. “Well, why not New Earth?”

William laughed. Donal stiffened.

“We’re getting nowhere,” said Donal. He stood up. “Thank you for the lunch.” He turned and headed for the exit from the lounge.

“Wait!”

He turned to the sound of William’s voice. The other man was also on his feet; and he came toward Donal.

“I’ve underestimated you again,” said William. “Forgive me.” He placed a detaining hand on Donal’s arm. “The truth is, you’ve only anticipated me. Indeed, I’d intended you to be something more than a hired soldier. But . . . all this is in the future,” he shrugged. “I can hardly do more than promise you what you want.”

“Oh,” said Donal. “Something more than a promise. You could give me a contract, confirming me as the supreme authority on New Earth.” William stared at him and this time he did laugh, loudly and long.

“Donal!” he said. “Excuse me . . . but what good would a contract like that be?” He spread his arms wide. “Some day New Earth may be mine to write you a contact for. But now—?”

“Still, you could write it. It would serve as a guarantee that you mean what you say.”

William stopped laughing. His eyes narrowed.

“Put my name to a piece of writing like that?” he said. “What kind of a fool do you take me for?”

Donal wilted a little under the angry contempt in the older man’s voice.