'I show you this recording from the robo-legum indictment proceedings,' Vohnbrook said. 'It is certified by System police as being a conversation between yourself and Jorj X. McKie in which ... '

'Your Honor!' Oulson objected. 'Both witnesses to this alleged conversation are present in this courtarena. There are more direct ways to bring out any pertinent information from this matter. Further, since the clear threat of a conspiracy charge remains in this case, I object to introducing this recording as forcing a man to testify against himself.'

'Ser McKie is no longer on trial here and Ser Oulson is not McKie's attorney of record,' Vohnbrook gloated.

'The objection does, however, have some merit,' Dooley said. He looked at McKie seated in the holding box.

'There's nothing shameful about that conversation with Ser Bolin,' McKie said. 'I've no objection to introducing this record of the conversation.'

Bolin rose up on his toes, made as though to speak, sank back.

Now he is certain,McKie thought.

'Then I will admit this record subject to judicial deletions,' Dooley said.

Clinton Watt, seated at the defense table, buried his gorgon head in his arms.

Vohnbrook, a death's-head grin on his long face, said: 'Ser Bolin, I show you this recording. Now, in this conversation, was Sabotage Agent McKie subjected to any form of coercion?'

'Objection!' Oulson roared, surging to his feet. His scarred face was a scowling mask. 'At the time of this alleged recording, Ser McKie was not an agent of the Bureau!' He looked at Vohnbrook. 'Defense objects to the prosecutor's obvious effort to link Ser McKie with ... '

'Allegedconversation!' Vohnbrook snarled. 'Ser McKie himself admits the exchange!'

In a weary voice, Dooley said: 'Objection sustained. Unless tangible evidence of conspiracy is introduced here, references to Ser McKie as an agent of Sabotage will not be admitted here.'

'But, Your Honor,' Vohnbrook protested, 'Ser McKie's own actions preclude any other interpretation!'

'I've ruled on this point,' Dooley said 'Proceed.'

McKie got to his feet in the holding box, said: 'Would Your Honor permit me to act as a friend of the Court here?'

Dooley leaned back, hand on chin, turning the question over in his mind. A general feeling of uneasiness about the case was increasing in him and he couldn't pinpoint it. McKie's every action appeared suspect.

Dooley reminded himself that the saboteur extraordinary was notorious for sly plots, for devious and convoluted schemes of the wildest and most improbable inversions -like onion layers in a five dimensional klein-shape. The man's success in practicing under the Gowachin legal code could be understood.

'You may explain what you have in mind,' Dooley said, 'but I'm not yet ready to admit your statements into the record.'

'The Bureau of Sabotage's own Code would clarify matters,' McKie said, realizing that these words burned his bridges behind him. 'My action in successfully sabotagingacting Secretary Watt is a matter of record.'

McKie pointed to the gorgon ma.s.s visible as Watt lifted his head and glared across the room.

'ActingSecretary?' the judge asked.

'So it must be presumed,' McKie said. 'Under the Bureau's Code, once the Secretary is sabotaged he ...

'Your Honor!' Oulson shouted. 'We are in danger of breach of security here! I understand these proceedings are being broadcast!'

'As Director-in-Limbo of the Bureau of Sabotage, I will decide what is a breach of security and what isn't!' McKie snapped.

Watt returned his head to his arms, groaned.

Oulson sputtered.

Dooley stared at McKie in shock.

Vohnbrook broke the spell. The prosecutor said: 'Your Honor, this man has not been sworn to sincerity.

I suggest we excuse Ser Bolin for the time being and have Ser McKie continue his.e.xplanation under oath.'

Dooley took a deep breath, said: 'Does defense have any questions of Ser Bolin at this time?'

'Not at this time,' Oulson muttered. 'I presume he's subject to recall?'

'He is,' Dooley said, turning to McKie. 'Take the witness ring, Ser McKie.'

Chapter IV.

Bolin, moving like a sleepwalker, stepped out of the ring, returned to the prosecution table. The Pan-Spechi's multifaceted eyes reflected an odd glitter, moving with a trapped sense of evasiveness.

McKie entered the ring, took the oath and faced Vohnbrook, composing his features in a look of purposeful decisiveness that he knew his actions must reflect.

'You called yourself Director-in-Limbo of the Bureau of Sabotage,' Vohnbrook said. 'Would you explain that, please?'

Before McKie could answer, Watt lifted his head from his arms, growled: 'You traitor, McKie!'

Dooley grabbed the pommel of his sword of justice to indicate an absolute position and barked: 'I will tolerate no outbursts in my courts!'

Oulson put a hand on Watt's shoulder. Both of them glared at McKie. The medusa tendrils of Watt's head writhed as they ranged through the rainbow spectrum.

'I caution the witness,' Dooley said, 'that his remarks would appear to admit a conspiracy. Anything he says now may be used against him.'

'No conspiracy, Your Honor,' McKie said. He faced Vohnbrook, but appeared to be addressing Watt.

'Over the centuries, the function of Sabotage in the government has grown more and more open, but certain aspects of changing the guard, so to speak, have been held as a highly placed secret. The rule is that if a man can protect himself from sabotage he's fit to boss Sabotage. Once sabotaged, however, the Bureau's Secretary must resign and submit his position to the President and the full Cabinet.'

'He's out?' Dooley asked.

'Not necessarily,' McKie said. 'If the act of sabotage against the Secretary is profound enough, subtle enough, carries enough far reaching effects, the Secretary is replaced by the successful saboteur. He is, indeed, out.'

'Then it's now up to the President and the Cabinet to decide between Ser Watt and yourself, is that what you're saying?' Dooley asked.

'Me?' McKie asked. 'No, I'm Director-in-Limbo because I accomplished a successful act of sabotage against Ser Watt and because I happen to be senior saboteur extraordinary on duty.'

'But it's alleged that you were fired,' Vohnbrook objected.

'A formality,' McKie said. 'It's customary to fire the saboteur who's successful in such an effort. This makes him eligible for appointment as Secretary if he so aspires. However, I have no such ambition at this time.'

Watt jerked upright, staring at McKie.

McKie ran a finger around his collar, realizing the physical peril he was about to face. A glance at the Pan-Spechi confirmed the feeling. Panthor Bolin was holding himself in check by a visible effort.

'This is all very interesting,' Vohnbrook sneered, 'but how can it possibly have any bearing on the present action? The charge here is outlaw sabotage against the Tax Watchers represented by the person of Ser Panthor Bolin. If Ser McKie ... '

'If the distinguished Prosecutor will permit me,' McKie said, 'I believe I can set his fears at rest. It should be obvious to -'

'There's conspiracy here!' Vohnbrook shouted. 'What about the ... '

A loud pounding interrupted him as Judge Dooley lifted his sword, its theremin effect filling the room.

When silence had been restored, the judge lowered his sword, replaced it firmly on the ledge in front of him.

Dooley took a moment to calm himself. He sensed now the delicate political edge he walked and thanked his stars that he had left the door open to rule that the present session was a hearing.

'We will now proceed in an orderly fashion,' Dooley said. 'That's one of the things courts are for, you know.' He took a deep breath. 'Now, there are several people present whose dedication to the maintenance of law and order should be beyond question. I'd think that among those we should number Ser Prosecutor Vohnbrook; the distinguished defense counsel, Ser Oulson: Ser Bolin, whose race is noted for its reasonableness and humanity; and the distinguished representatives of the Bureau of Sabotage, whose actions may at times annoy and anger us, but who are, we know, consecrated to the principle of strengthening us and exposing our inner resources.'

This judge missed his calling,McKie thought.With speeches like that, he could get into the Legislative branch.

Abashed, Vohnbrook sank back into his chair.

'Now,' the judge said, 'unless I'm mistaken, Ser McKie has referred to two acts of sabotage.' Dooley glanced down at McKie. 'Ser McKie?'

'So it would appear. Your Honor,' McKie said, hoping he read the judge's present att.i.tude correctly.

'However, this court may be in a unique position to rule on that very question. You see, Your Honor, the alleged act of sabotage to which I refer was initiated by a Pan-Spechi agent of the Bureau. Now, though, the secondary benefits of that action appear to be sought after by a creche mate of that agent, whose ... '

'You dare suggest that I'm not the holder of my cell's ego?' Bolin demanded.

Without knowing quite where it was or what it was, McKie was aware that a weapon had been trained on him by the Pan-Spechi. References in their culture to the weapon for defense of the ego were clear enough.

'I make no such suggestion,' McKie said, speaking hastily and with as much sincerity as he could put into his voice. 'But surely you cannot have misinterpreted the terranic-human culture so much that you do not know what will happen now.'

Warned by some instinct, the judge and other spectators to this interchange remained silent.

Bolin appeared to be trembling in every cell of his body. 'I am distressed,' he muttered.

'If there were a way to achieve the necessary rapport and avoid that distress I would have taken it,'

McKie said. 'Can you see another way?'

Still trembling, Bolin said: 'I must do what I must do.'

In a low voice, Dooley said: 'Ser McKie, just what is going on here?'

'Two cultures are, at last, attempting to understand each other,' McKie said. 'We've lived together in apparent understanding for centuries, but appearances can be deceptive.'

Oulson started to rise, was pulled back by Watt.

And McKie noted that his former Bureau chief had a.s.sessed the peril here. It was a point in Watt's favor.

'You understand, Ser Bolin,' McKie said, watching the Pan-Spechi carefully, 'that these things must be brought into the open and discussed carefully before a decision can be reached in this court. It's a rule of law to which you've submitted. I'm inclined to favor your bid for the Secretariat, but my own decision awaits the outcome of this hearing.'

'What things must be discussed?' Dooley demanded. 'And what gives you the right, Ser McKie, to call this a hearing?'

'A figure of speech,' McKie said, but he kept his attention on the Pan-Spechi, wondering what the terrible weapon was that the race used in defense of its egos. 'What do you say, Ser Bolin?'

'You protect the sanct.i.ty of your home life,' Bolin said. 'Do you deny me the same right?'

'Sanct.i.ty, not secrecy,' McKie said.

Dooley looked from McKie to Bolin, noted the compressed-spring look of the Pan-Spechi, the way he kept a hand hidden in a jacket pocket. It occurred to the judge then that the Pan-Spechi might have a weapon ready to use against others in this court. Bolin had that look about him. Dooley hesitated on the point of calling guards, reviewed what he knew of the Pan-Spechi. He decided not to cause a crisis. The Pan-Spechi were admitted to the concourse of humanity, good friends but terrible enemies, and there were always those allusions to their hidden powers, to their ego jealousies, to the fierceness with which they defended the secrecy of their creches.

Slowly Bolin overcame the trembling. 'Say what you feel you must,' he growled.

McKie said a silent prayer of hope that the Pan-Spechi could control his reflexes, addressed himself to the nexus of pickups on the far wall that was recording this courtarena scene for broadcast to the entire universe.

'A Pan-Spechi who took the name of Napoleon Bildoon was one of the leading agents in the Bureau of Sabotage,' McKie said.

'Agent Bildoon dropped from sight at the time Panthor Bolin took over as chief of the Tax Watchers. It's highly probable that the Tax Watcher organization is an elaborate and subtle sabotage of the Bureau of Sabotage itself, a move originated by Bildoon.'

'There is no such person as Bildoon!' Bolin cried.

'Ser McKie,' Judge Dooley said, 'would you care to continue this interchange in the privacy of my chambers?' The judge stared down at the saboteur, trying to appear kindly but firm.

'Your Honor,' McKie said, 'may we out of respect for a fellow human, leave that decision to Ser Bolin?'

Bolin turned his multi-faceted eyes toward the bench, spoke in a low voice: 'If the court please, it were best this were done openly.' He jerked his hand from his pocket. It came out empty. He leaned across the table, gripped the far edge. 'Continue, if you please, Ser.'

McKie swallowed, momentarily overcome with admiration for the Pan-Spechi. 'It will be a distinct pleasure to serve under you, Ser Bolin,' McKie said.

'Do what you must!' Bolin rasped.

McKie looked from the wonderment in the faces of Watt and the attorneys up to the questioning eyes of Judge Dooley. 'In Pan-Spechi parlance, there is no person called Bildoon. But there was such a person, a group mate of Ser Bolin. I hope you notice the similarity in the names they chose for themselves?'