"What kind of changes, sir?" asked Tom.

"Oh, just routine," answered Vidac. "Instead of you seeing the
applicants first, I will speak with each one briefly before sending them
on to you."

"What's the matter with the way we've been doing it?" asked Roger with
a slight edge to his voice that did not go unnoticed. Vidac looked at
the cadet. His mouth was smiling, but his eyes were hard.

"I think, Cadet Manning," purred Vidac, "that it will be better for you
not to question me, or any of my practices. A Space Cadet's first rule
is to take orders, _not_ to question them."

Tom was thinking quickly. It was obvious that Vidac had gone straight to
Governor Hardy and had prevailed on him to review his application. Tom
could see how Vidac's background would impress the governor. He
remembered that there wasn't any real evidence against Vidac. In fact,
Tom thought, it was only because Vidac's background was so superior to
most of the applicants that he had aroused suspicion at all. Now, with
Captain Strong recalled to the Academy, it was only natural for the
governor to get the best man for the job. Tom was ready to admit that
Vidac's background certainly spoke for itself.

He looked at the man and grinned. "I'll tell you honestly, sir. When
Captain Strong refused your application, it was because--well--"

Vidac was watching Tom shrewdly. "Well?" he asked quietly.

"It was because we couldn't understand how a man like you would want to