 What is the best explanation of Pard Hoskins’ relationship to Akroida?
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Planet Stories Fall 1954. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] Sure, the crystals are deadly, but I was smuggling them legitimately, in a manner of speaking, for this doctor to experiment with. But—and this was the 'but' that was likely to deprive the System of my activities—even experimenting with them was illegal even if it needed to be done; also, I had promised not to rat on him before taking the job. And instead, blast me, if they didn't foul me with this trip to good old Jupiter. "You've no doubt heard tales of the strange population of Jupiter," he said. How could any—" The senior judge rapped ferociously, and I skidded to a halt. We possess well-authenticated photographs of these inhabitants, and if you are prepared to visit them and in some way worm from them the secret of their anti-gravity field, the government stands ready to issue you a full pardon as well as a substantial monetary reward. That whole Kooleen caper: Had it been just a trap to lead me straight to this? Not when I already had more counts against me than a cur has fleas. Well, a cross between a scorpion and a grasshopper, to be accurate. After all, in the pen a man can eat and breathe, and a guard won't reach in and nip off an arm or leg while he's got his back turned.
 Pard Hoskins sold Jupiter’s queen scorpion, Akroida, a Halcyon Diamond. Before he was put in prison, he planned to bring her Killicut Emeralds. However, their business relationship became complicated when Hoskins accidentally wore yellow in front of Akroida—a deeply offensive color to Jupiter’s scorpion race.
 Pard Hoskins sold Jupiter’s queen scorpion, Akroida, a Halcyon Diamond. Before he was put in prison, he planned to bring her Killicut Emeralds. However, their business relationship became complicated when Hoskins accidentally wore yellow in front of Akroida—a deeply offensive color to Jupiter’s scorpion race.  Pard Hoskins sold Jupiter’s queen scorpion, Akroida, Kooleen crystals. Before he was put in prison, he planned to bring her a Halcyon Diamond. However, their business relationship became complicated when Hoskins accidentally wore purple in front of Akroida—a color which deeply offends Jupiter’s scorpion race.  Pard Hoskins sold Jupiter’s queen scorpion, Akroida, a Halcyon Diamond. Before he was put in prison, he planned to bring her Casey Ritter as human tribute. However, their business relationship became complicated when Hoskins accidentally wore purple and green in front of Akroida—a color which deeply offends Jupiter’s scorpion race.  Pard Hoskins sold Jupiter’s queen scorpion, Akroida, a Halcyon Diamond. Before he was put in prison, he planned to bring her lettuce and arsenic, her favorite foods. However, their business relationship became complicated when Hoskins accidentally wore green in front of Akroida—a color which deeply offends Jupiter’s scorpion race.