BELAKER MEAS, agent for galactic control CROWN, did not really have any choice: He could spy for them—and risk a rapid death—or he could die, period. But slowly. He knew going in that his job on Jsimaj was not going to be the gentlest in the galaxy, at least not if he could judge from the ground transport CROWN had provided. "Pacesetter" was a _rendal_, originally from Jsimaj, a twelve-legged, armor-plated, fanged, clawed behemoth who was, totally and ideally (and significantly) adapted to his native planet. But Pacesetter proved to be an affectionate, staunch, and gentle friend in comparison with the other inhabitants of Jsimaj...