The Traders Summary

While having a shower on his space ship, Limar Ponyet receives a phone call. Three hours later, another ship pulls alongside and his fellow trader Lee Gorm walks on board. He hands Ponyet a small shining sphere that only Ponyet can open. Inside is a letter that falls apart as soon as Ponyet finishes reading it. Ponyet tells Gorm he has to go to Askonce because they have imprisoned a trader. Gorm is angry because imprisoning a trader is against the law, but Ponyet reminds him it is also against Askonce law to promote your own political beliefs and this is why the trader is in prison. Askonce is a closed area and everyone knows selling goods is prohibited. Gorm asks who it is, but Ponyet tells him he cannot impart that information. When Gorm leaves Ponyet thinks about the prisoner...