"I shut it down. We don't need anything and we don't want anything from the outside."
"Where's the new Premier keeping himself? Does he share your passion for privacy?"
The general got to his feet. "I'm letting you take your look, Mr. Big Nose. I'm giving you four hours. Then out! And the next meddling bureaucrat that tries to cut atmosphere on Glave without a clearance gets burned!"
"I'll need a car."
"Jake! You stick close to this bird. Take him to the main power plant, the water works and the dispatch center. Ride him around town and show him we're doing okay without a bunch of leeches bossing us. Then dump him at the port—and see that he leaves."
"I'll plan my own itinerary, thanks. I can't promise I'll be finished in four hours—but I'll keep you advised."
"I warned you—"
"I heard you. Five times. And I only warned you once. You're getting ahead of me." Retief rose, motioned to the hulking guard. "Come on, Jake. We've got a lot of ground to cover before we come back for our dinner."
III