He shrugged. "It is my belief that scientific research should always be encouraged."

"Even if its results have no practical uses?"

Yamagata dipped his chin slightly.

"Or even if the results can be used only on the Moon," Joanna guessed.

He seemed to freeze, like a small animal caught in the headlights of an onrushing car. Joanna saw something flicker in his eyes. Fear, perhaps?

At last Yamagata replied, "Yes, even if the results of the research can be used only on the Moon."

Suddenly understanding, Joanna asked, "Mr Yamagata, do you intend to live at Moonbase someday?"

Yamagata had been sitting ramrod straight. Now he sagged back on his heels noticeably. He eyed Lev carefully, then turned his gaze back to Joanna.

"Perhaps," he said, in a near whisper. "I may retire there, eventually."

"So that you can have the benefits of nanotherapy without worrying about the reactions of the luddites," Joanna said. It was not a question.

Yamagata did not reply.

"What is the problem?" Joanna asked softly. "Cancer?"

Still he did not reply. He sat rigidly on his heels, eyes staring now on infinity, looking stiffly at the wall behind Joanna and Lev.

"It is cancer, then," Joanna said.

Yamagata's earth-brown eyes focused on her at last. He sighed, then said tonelessly, "If you even hint to anyone on Earth—or the Moon—that I am afflicted with cancer, I will have you assassinated."

Joanna stared at him from across the lacquered table.

"Do you understand?" Yamagata said. "I will not tolerate any insinuations or rumors about my health."

Joanna's mind was racing. He's got cancer and he needs nanotherapy. He needs Zimmerman and he can't bring him back to Earth for fear that the nanoluddites will find out and try to assassinate them both. That's why he's surrounded himself with all this security! He's already tried nanotherapy. If the fanatics learn of that…

"There is no need for threats," Lev said. "If you want Moonbase's nanotherapy expertise and Moonbase's nano-technology to ferret out helium-three for your fusion reactors, why not simply enter into a cooperative arrangement with us? Why the U.N. and this attempt to take Moonbase away from us?"

"The answer is obvious," Yamagata said, looking squarely at Joanna instead of Lev. "I must be in control. Cooperation is fine—as long as I am in complete command of our cooperative efforts. That is why I must have Masterson Corporation, including Moonbase."

"But if Moonbase wins its independence-"

With iron in his voice, Yamagata replied, That is why I am helping Faure to assemble a Peacekeeper force. Before the World Court convenes in November, Moonbase will be operated by Yamagata Industries."

"Or destroyed," Lev said.

"We will try to avoid that," said Yamagata. "No one wants to see Moonbase destroyed."

"Except the fanatics."

"Yes," Yamagata agreed. "They are a danger to all of us."

"Then cooperate with us and stop this military confrontation!" Joanna urged.

Yamagata shook his head. "No. I will take Moonbase. I must take it. I cannot rest easily until Moonbase is in my hands."