"Pay!" exclaimed Roger. "But, but--how can you? You don't have any
credits. The Solar Council decided to let the colony work on a barter
basis--share and share alike--until it could take its place in the
over-all economy of the Solar Alliance."

"I know, I know," said Logan resignedly. "We're having to pay for the
things we get by signing over a percentage of our future profit over the
next seven years."

The three cadets looked at each other in disbelief. The idea of two men
openly violating the laws of the expedition, treating the Solar
Alliance citizens as if they were prisoners, was overwhelming.

Tom got up and began to pace the deck. Finally he turned and faced
Logan. "Have you said anything to Vidac about this?" he asked.

"Ummmpf!" snorted Logan. "Every one of us signed a petition and had it
sent to the governor himself. We didn't even get a reply. Vidac must
have heard about it and told Winters and Bush to take it easy, because
the next day we were allowed to eat again without having to sign over
part of our profit to them. But everything else is the same."

"But how could they force you to pay?" asked Roger. "Couldn't you
refuse?"

"Sonny," declared Logan emphatically, "I'm brave as the next man. But
you don't argue against a paralo-ray gun, especially when there are
women and children to worry about."