"Huh? Corporal Sozier didn't say nothing—"
"You're right, Jake. That leaves it to our discretion."
"He won't like it."
"The corporal's a busy man, Jake. We won't worry him by telling him about it."
Jake followed Retief up the walk. The broad double doors were locked. "Let's try the back."
The narrow door set in the high blank wall opened as Retief approached. A gun barrel poked out, followed by a small man with bushy red hair. He looked Retief over.
"Who's this party, Jake?" he barked.
"Sozier said show him the plant," Jake said.
"What we need is more guys to pull duty, not tourists. Anyway, I'm Chief Engineer here. Nobody comes in here 'less I like their looks." Retief moved forward, stood looking down at the redhead. The little man hesitated, then waved him past. "Lucky for you I like your looks." Inside, Retief surveyed the long room, the giant converter units, the massive busbars. Armed men—some in uniform, some in work clothes or loud sport shirts—stood here and there. Other men read meters, adjusted controls or inspected dials.
"You've got more guards than workers," Retief said. "Expecting trouble?"