"We've got some rather nice propaganda ourselves. Any interest in film making? Or doing interviews? A fleet this size, there's lots of things that will keep you in space and safe."

She usually went on missions only for publicity purposes, or because her pantry needed restocking.

"I," she hesitated. "If we're to survive, we have to expand. The Empire is only getting bigger. Any century now, the Living People could decide to change their policies and expand off of Fle, and when they happens they'll be infinitely harder to stop. I - thought of some things on Stacy. I need to test them. But if they work, maybe the Empire can be brought down without dragging down too many worlds with it."

"Shooter! I can shoot!" the marble says delightedly; the spheres around Howard's wrist promptly leap into the air, go zipping around the room fast enough to crack the sound barrier, and then return to land against his skin as lightly as feathers.

Congratulations, Howard. You now have the equivalent of a gun that has bullets that can be used multiple times. And can go around corners. And can think.

God help anyone who pisses you off.