“Hmm—I see. Yes, it’s possible. On Alpha V the colonists grew from infancy to maturity in fifteen years.”
“And wasn’t Heaven one of our early colonies?”
“Yes—it was established after the Great Schism near the end of the First Millennium—when science and religion split irrevocably on this world. We packed the whole lot of them off to a world of their own where they could develop as they pleased. They called it Heaven—odd name for a fogworld—but there’s no accounting for tastes.” Brainard chuckled.
“I thought that was the case, but I couldn’t remember. My ancient history is pretty weak.”
“You should read more,” Brainard said. “But as I see it—this girl is of Betan ancestry providing your theory and the facts coincide.”
“Which could also explain why an outworld species of agerone would be toxic. They tried to prolong Lani life and met with failure. Our plants are mutant forms.”
“Just as we are a mutant race,” Brainard said, “or partly mutant.” He sighed. “You have brought us a great deal of trouble, Kennon. You are bringing matters to a head. If our investigations prove your statements, we are morally bound to open the Lani question. And if those people are of Betan origin—that fellow Alexander will have plenty to answer for.”
“I don’t believe it is really his fault,” Kennon said slowly. “I don’t think he has ever known the truth.”
“Why didn’t you tell him?”
“The answer to that should be obvious. Even though I trusted him completely, I could never be sure. He has a Free Trader background and those people can’t he trusted where money’s concerned. The whole Kardonian culture is an outgrowth of Free Traderism: small business, independent corporation, linear trusts, and all the cutthroat competition such a culture would naturally have. It’s a regular jungle of Free Enterprise. I couldn’t predict how he would react. He could either act in a moral manner and make restitution, or he could quietly cut our throats and go on with his business.”