"Frankly, yes."
"And if the government would take over the annuities, you'd feel even better?"
"That is too much for The Company to ask." Brill was resigned now, almost wistful.
Dr. Farrar settled himself back in his chair. "I have a plan, Mr. Brill; and perhaps you might be able to help me." (Brill sat forward.) "I would like to see Block Nineteen emptied completely—I would like to see its present occupants migrate to Venus on the Colonia. I don't think they'd ever come back. That would give your company several years to work out its new policy scheme and would remove what you call a dangerous menace to a safe distance. The next generation of Old Ones will be better schooled in ridding themselves of 'personal power ambition.' Do you think it could be done?"
"Perhaps," Brill was slow to hope. "The Company certainly has the organization to put it through. But you'd never get them to go. Why, Avery thinks the whole Colonia enterprise is financially unsound. He says it's the duty of every thinking man to do all he can to stop such ruinous nonsense. Colonization is expensive, but it is undoubtedly best for the people of the world!... But that old Avery doesn't give a hang for the Assembly's making a gift of Venus to the people."
"Avery would go like a shot rather than be left behind. And he's only one out of a thousand. You'd be willing to help?"
Brill hitched his chair even closer to the desk. "Just tell me first why you are so anxious to get rid of your entire observational group? Naturally The Company doesn't want to get mixed up in any personal animosities or anything unethical. Why do you want to get rid of them, Doctor?"
"If I can trust you to keep this as quiet as your company's interest in moving them out?"
"Yes."