``I would like them to appear very busy today, not busy exactly, but joyous, exuberant, full of life. I want to create the impression of a compound full of children. Do you think you can manage it?''

Mavis smiled. ``I'll try.''

As Rector was walking back toward the residential hall, Johnson came out of the basement and bounded up to him. The altercation in the coffee house had done little to dampen his spirits, but he was still a little wary around Rector for they had not yet discussed the incident. ``I think I've fixed the pump so we won't have to worry about it for a long time,'' he said. ``I've adjusted the gauge so that the pump cuts out before the water gets too low.''

``Fine,'' Rector said. He looked out over the expanse of the compound. It was going to take a lot of activity to fill it. ``Have you ever operated a transit?'' he said.

``No, sir,'' Johnson said.

``You are about to become a first-class surveyor,'' Rector said. ``When Konishi gets back with the jeep, I want you to round up two or three Japanese boys. Konishi can help you. You'll find an old transit in the basement. The glass is out of it, but that won't matter. It looks pretty efficient and that's the important thing.'' He went on to explain what he had in mind. Johnson nodded. He said he could do it.

Rector was warming to his over-all strategy by the time he got back to the residential hall. It was rather a childish game, all in all, but everybody seemed to be getting into the spirit of the thing and he could not remember when he had enjoyed planning anything quite so much. He was not sure what effect it would have, but that was really beside the point when you got right down to it. He was not going to lose the mission by default, and whatever reason Kayabashi had for bringing his little sight-seeing group to the mission, he was going to be in for a surprise.