"In my opinion, Captain," said Gibson "This is classic, Martian-style galactic feudalism. It unequivocally precludes Al-Qaum from Foundation member world status."

The Captain was sitting at the desk of her office, with Mitzner and Gibson sitting across from her.

"I would argue our oath gives us a duty to help these people. We can't just let the Al-Qaum keep entire planetoids in a state of serfdom. Our mandate is to protect human civilization, we need to free these people," said Mitzner.

"It's not that simple," said Gibson "Al-Qaum depends on those agricultural worlds to sustain itself. Without them billions would starve."

"So the ends justify the means?" snarled Mitzner.

"Of course not," said Gibson "But do you really think the greater good is served by depriving one group of people from their only livelihood and another from their only source of food?"

"We can't just do nothing!" said Mitzner.

"Nobody said we're doing nothing," said the Captain "But Commander Gibson is right; we can't insert ourselves into this without considering the consequences. Where's Turlin Marlow?"

"Dr. Kang and his assistants stayed on Manticore to have a look at one of the farms, supposedly to devise ways to increase yield. Mr. Marlow insisted on accompanying them."

"In that case have someone go in one of the shuttles to collect them all. As soon as Turlin Marlowe comes aboard send him to my office.

* * *

Dr. Kang insisted on staying on Manticore to study some readings he was getting on his equipment that had nothing to do with farming, but Mr. Marlowe was only too happy to come aboard and speak with the Captain.

"Have your people thought of a way to help us with our food shortage?" asked Marlowe, as soon as he came into the Captain's office.

"We have a few ideas, but we have some concerns as well," said the Captain.

"Oh? I had a feeling we might be having this conversation," said Marlowe.

"Then you're aware of our concerns about your farm labor?" asked the Captain.

"I'd go so far to say as I share them," said Marlowe "But you have to understand our situation. We're barely keeping our people fed as it is. There are billions of people on Al-Qaum who depend on these serf worlds for their lives. It's been like this since the time of the empire. What would you have us do?"

"We're aware of the delicate nature of the situation, but we can't condone unfree labor. There's no way my people can help you increase the efficiency of your slave state," said the Captain.

"Hey now," said Marlowe "Farming is the only way of life those people have ever known, there's a world of difference between being an agricultural serf and being property. You should look into the fates of those of our people who get caught in pirate raids if you're unsure of the distinction."

"I didn't mean to offend," said the Captain "But my people aren't going to see the shades of grey here, nor can I say do I. There's no way the Foundation would accept a member world that practiced unfree labor of any kind."

"My people never asked to join your Foundation," said Marlowe "If you won't help us that's your prerogative. I won't allow my people to starve to satisfy your high minded ideals."

"If you did join the Foundation," said the Captain "We could help Al-Qaum become self-sufficient. We've rehabilitated cityworlds before. We could reterraform sections of the planet, create new wilderness and farmland, and shrink the city. In a few generations we could have Al-Qaum at a point where it didn't rely on off-world food shipments."

"It's a pretty thought, but my people can't eat pipe dreams Captain," said Marlowe "We're not going to give up the only system that works for us in exchange for a bunch of Foundation promises. Maybe we could begin this process and, in a few generations when we are self-sufficient, we could revisit the issue of releasing the serf worlds but that's the best I could offer."

"That's not going to be good enough," said the Captain "There are people in bondage now."

"You're being overdramatic again," said Marlowe "It sounds to me like you core worlders have gone soft. You need to learn that things aren't so black and white out here in the periphery. We do what works because we need to survive."

Marlowe turned to leave, but when he got to the door he stood for a moment and added:

"I was actually excited when I first heard you speak at your audience with the God-Emperor."

With that, he left.