[prodigal_erik]

That last one is Niven's "Cloak of Anarchy", and he has it online at http://www.larryniven.org/stories/cloak_of_anarchy.shtml.

[jacquesm]

Ah, yes, you're absolutely right.

That's why I couldn't find the title :)

thanks!

It must be 15 years since I last read those and it was in pretty quick succession while quite ill.