But his elation was short-lived. He had done nothing except escape his office for a few moments. The report would still have to be written when he went back in. Worse, he had done nothing toward solving what he was beginning to consider was his own personal problem. He had been unable to persuade Rettin to allow him to return to that planet. Maybe he wouldn’t have to interfere in the alien situation. Maybe, as Rettin himself had suggested, the aliens had resolved the matter themselves. But he had to know. Why couldn’t they let him just go back and look? What would be the harm in that?
He did not go back into the building. Instead, he wandered along the street aimlessly, letting his feet guide him in whatever path seemed most convenient. I can’t do my job efficiently if they insist on shac
