The Best Policy Page 3

  “Gleek!” It was a queer sound that came from Thagobar’s throat just before a switch cut off the wall and the sound again.

  Just like watching a movie on an old film, Magruder thought. No sound half the time, and it breaks every so often.

  The wall never became transparent again. Instead, after about half an hour, it slid up silently to disclose the entire officer’s corp of the Verf standing at rigid attention.

  Only Thagobar Larnimisculus Verf, Borgax of Fenigwisnok, stood at ease, and even so, his face seemed less purple than usual.

  “Edwin Peter St. John Magruder,” he intoned, “as commander of this vessel, Noble of the Grand Empire, and representative of the Emperor himself, we wish to extend to you our most cordial hospitality.

  “Laboring under the delusion that you represented a lower form of life, we have treated you ignominiously, and for that we offer our deepest apologies.”

  “Think nothing of it,” said Magruder coolly. “The only thing that remains is for you to land your ship on our planet so that your race and mine can arrange things to our mutual happiness.” He looked at all of them. “You may relax,” he added imperiously. “And bring’ me my clothes.”

  The human race wasn’t out of the hole yet; Magruder was perfectly well aware of that. Just what should be done with the ship and the aliens when they landed, he wasn’t quite sure; it would have to be left up to the decision of the President of New Hawaii and the Government of Earth. But he didn’t foresee any great difficulties.

  As the Verf dropped toward the surface of New Hawaii, its commander sidled over to Magruder and said, in a troubled voice: “Do you think your people will like us?”

  Magruder glanced at the lie detector. It was off.

  “Like you? Why, they’ll love you,” he said.

  He was sick and tired of being honest.

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