Чужак в чужой стране

           Freedomofself-andutterpersonalresponsibilityforself.ThouartGod."

           "Whereinliestheconflict,sir?Killingamanmightbenecessary.Butconfininghimisanoffenseagainsthisintegrity–andyourown."

           Benlookedathim."IgrokMikewasright.Youdogrokinfullness–hisway.Idon’tquite–I’mstilllearning."Headded,"Howaretheytakingit,Dawn?"

           Shegiggledslightly."Likeastirred-uphornets’nest.Themayorhasbeenon?andhe’sfrothingatthemouth.He’sdemandedhelpfromthestateandfromtheFederation–andhe’sgettingit;we’veseenlotsoftroopcarrierslanding.Butastheypourout,Mikeisstrippingthem–notjusttheirweapons.eventheirshoes–andassoonasthetroopcarrierisempty,itgoes,too."

           Bensaid,"Igrokhe’llstaywithdrawnuntiltheygettiredandgiveup.Handlingthatmanydetailshewouldalmosthavetostayinitandoneternaltime."

           Dawnlookedthoughtful."No,Idon’tthinkso,Ben.OfcourseIwouldhaveto,inordertohandleevenatenthsomuch.ButIgrokMichaelcoulddoitridingabicyclewhilestandingonhishead."

           "Mmm?Iwouldn’tknow,I’mstillmakingmudpies."Benstoodup."Sometimesyoumiracleworkersgivemeaslightpain,honeychild.I’mgoingtogowatchthetankforawhile."Hestoppedtokissher."YouentertainoldPappyJubal;helikeslittlegirls."Caxtonleftandapackageofcigaretteshehadleftonacoffeetablegotup,followedhim,andplacedthemselvesinoneofhispockets.