"You know the rest. Under this pressure the incorporated men stopped producing, the economy crumbled, and the riots began.
"We have developed a peaceful, cultural society, but no matter how civilized and stabilized a society is, once you knock out the financial props, the populace is going to go mad.
"The corporation-men didn't receive the promised protection. They soon realized that they had been tricked, but it was too late. Galactic Aid wanted them destroyed by the mob; they wanted murder and riots; and they wanted a Class AA emergency which would drain Universal Relief's resources.
"They wanted an economic debacle on Lyrane, thus cutting off a large source of Universal's income.
"When the corporation-men tried to tell the people the truth, the mobs called them liars and killed them."
Yma appeared to be more relaxed after she had relieved her burdened mind. Florin, however, was stunned.
"I know it's terrible," she said, "but what can we do? What can anyone do? Their plan has succeeded, and the planet is too far into chaos to patch up things.
"There is nothing that can be done, so we have only individual survival to consider."
Florin said, "I don't know what your personal plans are, but I've got to go back to the cities. I've got work to do." She didn't question him.
The next morning, after a solid night's sleep, they separated. Yma headed through the mountains to some relatives, while Florin struck out for the capital.