 Why didn't Moran kill Harper?
I. Moran cut apart the yard-long monstrosity with a slash of flame. Moran disagreed, but he did not answer. Wherever the yacht landed, such a disparity between its documents and its crew would spark an investigation. Moran, at least, would be picked out as a fugitive from Coryus Three. And Moran was the extra man whose presence would rouse space-port officials' suspicion of the rest. Moran's own situation was perfectly clear. His victim would not be mourned by anybody, and somebody formerly in very great danger would now be safe, which was the reason for what Moran had done. But the dead man had been very important, and the fact that Moran had forced him to fight and killed him in fair combat made no difference.
 Moran is not a murderer at heart. He only killed the other man to save a life.
 Moran is not a murderer at heart. He only killed the other man to save a life.  Moran would rather kill Burleigh. He is waiting for the right moment.  Moran is not a killer.  Moran likes Harper. Harper is a decent guy.