A Fair Exchange?

 

"A Fair Exchange."

When Dan Coffin and Thomas de Smet first talked business, de Smet quoted:

"'A fair exchange is no robbery.'" (p. 98)

Later, they are able to apply this same phrase to a more intimate transaction. Most, although not all, human beings on Rustum have to live on the High America plateau because the lowland atmosphere is too concentrated for their lungs and metabolisms. Dan and his wife, Eva, are lowlanders whereas Thomas and his wife, Jane, are High Americans. The Coffins' newly born, Charlie, would be unable to survive in the lowlands. Every family is legally obliged to adopt at least one exogene although the rules exempt a family if another family adopts a second exogene on the first family's behalf.

The "fair exchange" would be:

the de Smets, who have not yet adopted an exogene, adopt Charlie instead;

the Coffins, who have already adopted an exogene, adopt a second exogene on the de Smets' behalf.

The de Smets get a child of known good stock. The Coffins get a good home for their son. The de Smets are not precluded from choosing an exogene later if they want to. Two influential families are allied from highlands and lowlands, respectively. What's not to like? A fair exchange.

However, I must read on to remind myself whether this is what they wind up doing.

Poul Anderson creates both an alien background for a series of stories and a different problem to be addressed in each of the stories.