raise InvalidRSpec(message)
 
     # get the callers hrn
-    valid_cred = self.api.auth.checkCredentials(creds, 'createsliver', hrn)[0]
+    valid_cred = api.auth.checkCredentials(creds, 'createsliver', hrn)[0]
     caller_hrn = valid_cred.get_gid_caller().get_hrn()
 
     # attempt to use delegated credential first
 
 def renew_slice(api, xrn, creds, expiration_time):
     # get the callers hrn
-    valid_cred = self.api.auth.checkCredentials(creds, 'renewesliver', hrn)[0]
+    valid_cred = api.auth.checkCredentials(creds, 'renewesliver', hrn)[0]
     caller_hrn = valid_cred.get_gid_caller().get_hrn()
 
     # attempt to use delegated credential first
         aggregate_rspecs[aggregate_hrn] = rspec 
 
     # get the callers hrn
-    valid_cred = self.api.auth.checkCredentials(creds, 'getticket', hrn)[0]
+    valid_cred = api.auth.checkCredentials(creds, 'getticket', hrn)[0]
     caller_hrn = valid_cred.get_gid_caller().get_hrn()
 
     # attempt to use delegated credential first
 
 def delete_slice(api, xrn, creds):
     # get the callers hrn
-    valid_cred = self.api.auth.checkCredentials(creds, 'deletesliver', hrn)[0]
+    valid_cred = api.auth.checkCredentials(creds, 'deletesliver', hrn)[0]
     caller_hrn = valid_cred.get_gid_caller().get_hrn()    
 
     # attempt to use delegated credential first
 
 def start_slice(api, xrn, creds):
     # get the callers hrn
-    valid_cred = self.api.auth.checkCredentials(creds, 'startslice', hrn)[0]
+    valid_cred = api.auth.checkCredentials(creds, 'startslice', hrn)[0]
     caller_hrn = valid_cred.get_gid_caller().get_hrn()    
 
     # attempt to use delegated credential first
  
 def stop_slice(api, xrn, creds):
     # get the callers hrn
-    valid_cred = self.api.auth.checkCredentials(creds, 'stopslice', hrn)[0]
+    valid_cred = api.auth.checkCredentials(creds, 'stopslice', hrn)[0]
     caller_hrn = valid_cred.get_gid_caller().get_hrn()    
 
     # attempt to use delegated credential first
             return slices    
 
     # get the callers hrn
-    valid_cred = self.api.auth.checkCredentials(creds, 'listslices', hrn)[0]
+    valid_cred = api.auth.checkCredentials(creds, 'listslices', hrn)[0]
     caller_hrn = valid_cred.get_gid_caller().get_hrn()
 
     # attempt to use delegated credential first
     rspec = None
 
     # get the callers hrn
-    valid_cred = self.api.auth.checkCredentials(creds, 'listnodes', hrn)[0]
+    valid_cred = api.auth.checkCredentials(creds, 'listnodes', hrn)[0]
     caller_hrn = valid_cred.get_gid_caller().get_hrn()
 
     # attempt to use delegated credential first