"The contract holds the following intent: Use of the power-transmission tubes for communications purposes shall fall under the jurisdiction of Venus Equilateral. For power transmission, the tubes and associated equipment is under the control of Terran Electric. In the matter of the Solar beam tubes, the contract is as follows: Venus Equilateral holds the control of the Solar beam in space, on man-made bodies in space, and upon those natural bodies in space where Venus Equilateral requires the Solar power to maintain subsidiary relay stations."
"Please clarify the latter," said Kingman. "Unless it is your intent to imply that Terra, Mars, and Mercury fall under the classification of 'places where Venus Equilateral requires power.'"
"Their control on natural celestial objects extends only to their own installations and requirements. Basically, aside from their own power requirements, Venus Equilateral is not authorized to sell power. In short, the contract implies that the use of the sub-etheric phenomena is divided so that Venus Equilateral may use this region for communications, while Terran Electric uses the sub-ether for power. In space, however, Venus Equilateral holds the rights to the Solar beam."
Frank Tinkin, head legal man of Venus Equilateral, turned to Don and said: "We should have this in a technical court."
Don took his attention from the long discussion of the contract and asked: "Why not change?"
"Judges hate people who ask for change of court. It is bad for the requestee—and is only done when the judge is open to the question or disinterested—and also when the suspicion of dislike is less dangerous than the judge himself."
"Well, this should be in a technical court."
"Want to chance it?'
"I think so. This is more than likely to turn up with differential equations, physics experts, and perhaps a demonstration of atom-smashing."
Kingman finished his examination and turned away. The judge nodded sourly at Tinkin. "Cross-examination?"