Four Earth months later, Miss Featherpenny entered Andy's ten by twelve office, her high heels clicking on the plastic tiles, and laid a memorandum on the new steel desk.
"They've been admitted," she announced.
"What? Who?" Andy said irritably. There were times when he thought her position as his private secretary had gone to her head.
"Felix II has been admitted to the Federation. The contract has been fulfilled." She smiled brightly. "Shall I mark the file closed?"
"Can't yet," Andy said. "Felix II won't be a permanent member of the Federation until they've been self-supporting for ten years."
"Why?" asked Miss Featherpenny.
"It's a precautionary measure," Andy began to explain. "Oh, let's go get some lunch and forget Felix II."
"Yes, Mr. Stephens," Miss Featherpenny said meekly.
He followed her out the door, admiring the effect of her plastic skirt. She did have nice legs....