After visiting the human slaves in the field, I knew exactly what I should propose to Talumon, the leader:  One, stop producing human clones.  Two, give the existing humans freedom to choose their occupation.  Last but not the least, allow humans who wish to return to Earth to do so.  As for me, after serving as a brumba for two years, I should be permited to return to Earth also.

That was what I exactly told Clive when he came to my room that evening.  He laughed hysterically.  “That’s one heck of a proposal!  That’s just too much for us to even consider.”

“Then I won’t serve Makumba, Talumon, whatsoever.”

“That’s too bad,” he said coldly.

(excerpted from THE SPACE HERMITS)