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diff --git a/24749-h/24749-h.htm b/24749-h/24749-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..404b781 --- /dev/null +++ b/24749-h/24749-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5583 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Adaptation, by Mack Reynolds + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} + h2 {text-align: center; clear: both;} + h1 {text-align: right; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 4em;} + .hd1 {text-align: right; clear: none; margin-bottom: 5em; line-height: 1.5em;} + hr {width: 65%; margin: 2em auto; clear: both; visibility: hidden;} + .min {width: 45%; margin: 1em auto; clear: none;} + .dfx {margin: 0em auto;} + .figtran {float: left; text-align: justify; border: solid 1px; margin: 3em 15%; padding: 1em;} + .figtran img {float: left; padding-right: 1em;} + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .figcenter {margin: 1em auto; width: 600px;} + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin: 0 1em 1em 0; padding: 0; width: 193px;} + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin: 1em 0 1em 1em; padding: 0; width: 184px;} + img {border: none;} + .signing {text-align: left; margin-left: 60%; text-indent: -4em;} + .dcap {text-transform: uppercase;} + .illo {font-size: small; font-weight: bold; text-align: right;} + .tease {clear: both; margin-top: 2em; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; font-size: large;} + .theend {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 2em;} + .figic {float: left; clear: left; margin: 0 .75em .1em 0; padding: 0; width: 51px;} + .figic img {border: double 3px;} + .fgcap {text-indent: -.5em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Adaptation, by Dallas McCord Reynolds + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Adaptation + +Author: Dallas McCord Reynolds + +Illustrator: John Schoenherr + +Release Date: March 4, 2008 [EBook #24749] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADAPTATION *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Bruce Albrecht, Stephen Blundell +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter"><div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/001.png" width="193" height="500" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h1>ADAPTATION</h1> + +<h2 class="hd1">By<br /> +MACK<br /> +REYNOLDS</h2> + +<p class="illo">Illustrated by Schoenherr</p></div> + +<p class="tease">When a man has a great deal of knowledge, it becomes extremely +easy for him to confuse "knowledge" with "wisdom" ... and forget +that the antonym of "wisdom" is not "ignorance" but "folly."</p> + +<hr /> +<h2><span class="smcap">Forward</span></h2> + +<p><i>Hardly had man solved his basic +problems on the planet of his origin +than he began to fumble into space. +Barely a century had elapsed in the +exploration of the Solar System than +he began to grope for the stars.</i></p> + +<p><i>And suddenly, with an all but religious +zeal, mankind conceived its +fantasy dream of populating the galaxy. +Never in the history of the race +had fervor reached such a peak and +held so long. The question of why +was seemingly ignored. Millions of +Earth-type planets beckoned and with +a lemming-like desperation humanity +erupted into them.</i></p> + +<p><i>But the obstacles were frightening +in their magnitude. The planets and +satellites of Sol had proven comparatively +tractable and those that were +suited to man-life were quickly +brought under his dominion. But +there, of course, he had the advantage +of proximity. The time involved in +running back and forth to the home +planet was meaningless and all +Earth's resources could be thrown into +each problem's solving.</i></p> + +<p><i>But a planet a year removed in +transportation or even communication? +Ay! this was another thing and +more than once a million colonists +were lost before the Earthlings could +adapt to new climates, new flora and +fauna, new bacteria—or to factors +which the most far out visionary had +never fancied, perhaps the lack of +something never before missed.</i></p> + +<p><i>So, mad with the lust to seed the +universe with his kind, men sought +new methods. To a hundred thousand +worlds they sent smaller colonies, as +few as a hundred pioneers apiece, and +there marooned them, to adapt, if +adapt they could.</i></p> + +<p><i>For a millennium each colony was +left to its own resources, to conquer +the environment or to perish in the +effort.</i></p> + +<p><i>A thousand years was sufficient. Invariably +it was found, on those planets +where human life survived at all, man +slipped back during his first two or +three centuries into a state of barbarism. +Then slowly began to inch forward +again. There were exceptions +and the progress on one planet never +exactly duplicated that on another, +however the average was surprisingly +close to both nadir and zenith, in +terms of evolution of society.</i></p> + +<p><i>In a thousand years it was deemed +by the Office of Galactic Colonization +such pioneers had largely adjusted to +the new environment and were ready +for civilization, industrialization and +eventual assimilation into the rapidly +evolving Galactic Commonwealth.</i></p> + +<p><i>Of course, even from the beginning, +new and unforeseen problems +manifested themselves ...</i></p> + +<p class="signing"> +<i>from</i> "Man In Antiquity"<br /> +<i>published in Terra City, Sol<br /> +Galactic Year 3,502.</i></p> + +<hr /> +<h2>I.</h2> + +<div class="figic"> +<img src="images/002.png" width="45" height="45" alt="T" title="T" /> +</div><p class="fgcap"><span class="dcap">he</span> Co-ordinator said, "I +suppose I'm an incurable +romantic. You see, +I hate to see you go." +Academician Amschel +Mayer was a man in early middle +years; Dr. Leonid Plekhanov, his contemporary. +They offset one another; +Mayer thin and high-pitched, his colleague +heavy, slow and dour. Now +they both showed their puzzlement.</p> + +<p>The Co-ordinator added, "Without +me."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov kept his massive face +blank. It wasn't for him to be impatient +with his superior. Nevertheless, +the ship was waiting, stocked +and crewed.</p> + +<p>Amschel Mayer said, "Certainly a +last minute chat can't harm." Inwardly +he realized the other man's +position. Here was a dream coming +true, and Mayer and his fellows were +the last thread that held the Co-ordinator's +control over the dream. +When they left, half a century would +pass before he could again check +developments.</p> + +<p>The Co-ordinator became more +businesslike. "Yes," he said, "but I +have more in mind than a chat. Very +briefly, I wish to go over your assignment. +Undoubtedly redundant, but if +there are questions, no matter how +seemingly trivial, this is the last opportunity +to air them."</p> + +<p><i>What possible questions could +there be at this late date?</i> Plekhanov +thought.</p> + +<p>The department head swiveled +slowly in his chair and then back +again as he talked. "You are the first—the +first of many, many such teams. +The manner in which you handle +your task will effect man's eternity. +Obviously, since upon your experience +we will base our future policies on +interstellar colonization." His voice +lost volume. "The position in which +you find yourselves should be humbling."</p> + +<p>"It is," Amschel Mayer agreed. +Plekhanov nodded his head.</p> + +<p>The Co-ordinator nodded, too. +"However, the situation is as near +ideal as we could hope. Rigel's planets +are all but unbelievably Earthlike. +Almost all our flora and fauna have +been adaptable. Certainly our race has +been.</p> + +<p>"These two are the first of the +seeded planets. Almost a thousand +years ago we deposited small bodies +of colonists upon each of them. Since +then we have periodically checked, +from a distance, but never intruded." +His eyes went from one of his listeners +to the other. "No comments or +questions, thus far?"</p> + +<p>Mayer said, "This is one thing that +surprises me. The colonies are so +small to begin with. How could they +possibly populate a whole world in +one millennium?"</p> + +<p>The Co-ordinator said, "Man +adapts, Amschel. Have you studied +the development of the United +States? During her first century and +a half the need was for population to +fill the vast lands wrested from the +Amer-Inds. Families of eight, ten, +and twelve children were the common +thing, much larger ones were not +unknown. And the generations +crowded one against another; a girl +worried about spinsterhood if she +reached seventeen unwed. But in the +next century? The frontier vanished, +the driving need for population was +gone. Not only were drastic immigration +laws passed, but the family +shrunk rapidly until by mid-Twentieth +Century the usual consisted of +two or three children, and even the +childless family became increasingly +common."</p> + +<p>Mayer frowned impatiently, "But +still, a thousand years. There is +always famine, war, disease ..."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov snorted patronizingly. +"Forty to fifty generations, Amschel? +Starting with a hundred colonists? +Where are your mathematics?"</p> + +<p>The Co-ordinator said, "The proof +is there. We estimate that each of +Rigel's planets now supports a population +of nearly one billion."</p> + +<p>"To be more exact," Plekhanov +rumbled, "some nine hundred million +on Genoa, seven and a half on +Texcoco."</p> + +<p>Mayer smiled wryly. "I wonder +what the residents of each of these +planets call their worlds. Hardly the +same names we have arbitrarily bestowed."</p> + +<p>"Probably each call theirs <i>The +World</i>," the Co-ordinator smiled. +"After all, the basic language, in spite +of a thousand years, is still Amer-English. +However, I assume you are +familiar with our method of naming. +The most advanced culture on Rigel's +first planet is to be compared to the +Italian cities during Europe's feudalistic +era. We have named that planet +Genoa. The most advanced nation of +the second planet is comparable to +the Aztecs at the time of the conquest. +We considered Tenochtitlán but it +seemed a tongue twister, so Texcoco +is the alternative."</p> + +<p>"Modernizing Genoa," Mayer +mused, "should be considerably easier +than the task on semiprimitive +Texcoco."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov shrugged, "Not necessarily."</p> + +<p>The Co-ordinator held up a hand +and smiled at them. "Please, no debates +on methods at present. An hour +from now you will be in space with a +year of travel before you. During that +time you'll have opportunity for discussion, +debate and hair pulling on +every phase of your problem."</p> + +<p>His expression became more serious. +"You are acquainted with the +unique position you assume. These +colonists are in your control to an +extent no small group has ever +dominated millions of others before. +No Caesar ever exerted the power +that will be in your educated hands. +For a half century you will be as +gods. Your science, your productive +know-how, your medicine—if it +comes to that, your weapons—are +many centuries in advance of theirs. +As I said before, your position should +be humbling."</p> + +<p>Mayer squirmed in his chair. "Why +not check upon us, say, once every +decade? In all, our ship's company +numbers but sixteen persons. Almost +anything could happen. If you were +to send a department craft each ten +years ..."</p> + +<p>The Co-ordinator was shaking his +head. "Your qualifications are as +high as anyone available. Once on the +scene you will begin accumulating +information which we, here in Terra +City, do not have. Were we to send +another group in ten years to check +upon you, all they could do would be +interfere in a situation all the factors +with which they would not be +cognizant."</p> + +<p>Amschel Mayer shifted nervously. +"But no matter how highly trained, +nor how earnest our efforts, we still +may fail." His voice worried. "The +department cannot expect guaranteed +success. After all, we are the first."</p> + +<p>"Admittedly. Your group is first to +approach the hundreds of thousands +of planets we have seeded. If you fail, +we will use your failure to perfect the +eventual system we must devise for +future teams. Even your failure would +be of infinite use to us." He lifted +and dropped a shoulder. "I have no +desire to undermine your belief in +yourselves but—how are we to know?—perhaps +there will be a score of +failures before we find the ideal +method of quickly bringing these +primitive colonies into our Galactic +Commonwealth."</p> + +<p>The Co-ordinator came to his feet +and sighed. He still hated to see them +go. "If there is no other discussion ..."</p> + +<hr /> +<h2>II.</h2> + +<p>Specialist Joseph Chessman stood +stolidly before a viewing screen. +Theoretically he was on watch. Actually +his eyes were unseeing, there was +nothing to see. The star pattern +changed so slowly as to be all but +permanent.</p> + +<p>Not that every other task on board +was not similar. One man could have +taken the <i>Pedagogue</i> from the Solar +System to Rigel, just as easily as its +sixteen-hand crew was doing. Automation +at its ultimate, not even the +steward department had tasks adequately +to fill the hours.</p> + +<p>He had got beyond the point of +yawning, his mind was a blank during +these hours of duty. He was a +stolid, bear of a man, short and massive +of build.</p> + +<p>A voice behind him said, "Second +watch reporting. Request permission +to take over the bridge."</p> + +<p>Chessman turned and it took a +brief moment for the blankness in his +eyes to fade into life. "Hello Kennedy, +you on already? Seems like I +just got here." He muttered in self-contradiction, +"Or that I've been here +a month."</p> + +<p>Technician Jerome Kennedy grinned. +"Of course, if you want to +stay ..."</p> + +<p>Chessman said glumly, "What +difference does it make where you +are? What are they doing in the +lounge?"</p> + +<p>Kennedy looked at the screen, not +expecting to see anything and accomplishing +just that. "Still on their +marathon argument."</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman grunted.</p> + +<p>Just to be saying something, Kennedy +said, "How do you stand in the +big debate?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. I suppose I favor +Plekhanov. How we're going to take +a bunch of savages and teach them +modern agriculture and industrial +methods in fifty years under democratic +institutions, I don't know. I can +see them putting it to a vote when we +suggest fertilizer might be a good +idea." He didn't feel like continuing +the conversation. "See you later, Kennedy," +and then, as an afterthought, +formally, "Relinquishing the watch +to Third Officer."</p> + +<p>As he left the compartment, Jerry +Kennedy called after him, "Hey, +what's the course!"</p> + +<p>Chessman growled over his shoulder, +"The same it was last month, and +the same it'll be next month." It +wasn't much of a joke but it was the +only one they had between themselves.</p> + +<p>In the ship's combination lounge +and mess he drew a cup of coffee. Joe +Chessman, among whose specialties +were propaganda and primitive politics, +was third in line in the +expedition's hierarchy. As such he +participated in the endless controversy +dealing with overall strategy but only +as a junior member of the firm. +Amschel Mayer and Leonid Plekhanov +were the center of the fracas +and right now were at it hot and +heavy.</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman listened with only +half interest. He settled into a +chair on the opposite side of the +lounge and sipped at his coffee. They +were going over their old battlefields, +assaulting ramparts they'd stormed a +thousand times over.</p> + +<p>Plekhanov was saying doggedly, +"Any planned economy is more efficient +than any unplanned one. What +could be more elementary than that? +How could anyone in his right mind +deny that?"</p> + +<p>And Mayer snapped, "<i>I</i> deny it. +That term <i>planned economy</i> covers a +multitude of sins. My dear Leonid, +don't be an idiot ..."</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't get into one of your +huffs, Plekhanov."</p> + +<p>They were at that stage again.</p> + +<hr class="min" /> + +<p>Technician Natt Roberts entered, a +book in hand, and sent the trend of +conversation in a new direction. He +said, worriedly, "I've been studying +up on this and what we're confronted +with is two different ethnic periods, +barbarism and feudalism. Handling +them both at once doubles our +problems."</p> + +<p>One of the junior specialists who'd +been sitting to one side said, "I've +been thinking about that and I believe +I've got an answer. Why not all +of us concentrate on Texcoco? When +we've brought them to the Genoa +level, which shouldn't take more than +a decade or two, then we can start +working on the Genoese, too."</p> + +<p>Mayer snapped, "And by that +time we'll have hardly more than +half our fifty years left to raise the +two of them to an industrial technology. +Don't be an idiot, Stevens."</p> + +<p>Stevens flushed his resentment.</p> + +<p>Plekhanov said slowly, "Besides, +I'm not sure that, given the correct +method, we cannot raise Texcoco to +an industrialized society in approximately +the same time it will take to +bring Genoa there."</p> + +<p>Mayer bleated a sarcastic laugh at +that opinion.</p> + +<p>Natt Roberts tossed his book to the +table and sank into a chair. "If only +one of them had maintained itself at a +reasonable level of development, we'd +have had help in working with the +other. As it is, there are only sixteen +of us." He shook his head. "Why +did the knowledge held by the original +colonists melt away? How can an +intelligent people lose such basics as +the smelting of iron, gunpowder, the +use of coal as a fuel?"</p> + +<p>Plekhanov was heavy with condescension. +"Roberts, you seem to have +entered upon this expedition with a +lack of background. Consider. You +put down a hundred colonists, products +of the most advanced culture. +Among these you have one or two +who can possibly repair an I.B.M. +machine, but is there one who can +smelt iron, or even locate the ore? +We have others who could design +an automated textile factory, but do +any know how to weave a blanket +on a hand loom?</p> + +<p>"The first generation gets along +well with the weapons and equipment +brought with them from Earth. They +maintain the old ways. The second +generation follows along but already +ammunition for the weapons runs +short, the machinery imported from +Earth needs parts. There is no local +economy that can provide such things. +The third generation begins to think +of Earth as a legend and the methods +necessary to survive on the new planet +conflict with those the first settlers +imported. By the fourth generation, +Earth is no longer a legend but a +fable ..."</p> + +<p>"But the books, the tapes, the +films ..." Roberts injected.</p> + +<p>"Go with the guns, the vehicles +and the other things brought from +Earth. On a new planet there is no +leisure class among the colonists. Each +works hard if the group is to survive. +There is no time to write new books, +nor to copy the old, and the second +and especially the third generation +are impatient of the time needed to +learn to read, time that should be +spent in the fields or at the chase. The +youth of an industrial culture can +spend twenty years and more achieving +a basic education before assuming +adult responsibilities but no pioneer +society can afford to allow its offspring +to so waste its time."</p> + +<p>Natt Roberts was being stubborn. +"But still, a few would carry the torch +of knowledge."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov nodded ponderously. +"For a while. But then comes the reaction +against these nonconformists, +these crackpots who, by spending +time at books, fail to carry their share +of the load. One day they wake up to +find themselves expelled from the +group—if not knocked over the +head."</p> + +<hr class="min" /> + +<p>Joe Chessman had been following +Plekhanov's argument. He said dourly, +"But finally the group conquers +its environment to the point where +a minimum of leisure is available +again. Not for everybody, of course."</p> + +<p>Amschel Mayer bounced back into +the discussion. "Enter the priest, enter +the war lord. Enter the smart operator +who talks or fights himself into a +position where he's free from drudgery."</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman said reasonably, "If +you don't have the man with leisure, +society stagnates. Somebody has to +have time off for thinking, if the +whole group is to advance."</p> + +<p>"Admittedly!" Mayer agreed. "I'd +be the last to contend that an upper +class is necessarily parasitic."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov grumbled, "We're getting +away from the subject. In spite of +Mayer's poorly founded opinions, it +is quite obvious that only a collectivized +economy is going to enable these +Rigel planets to achieve an industrial +culture in as short a period as half a +century."</p> + +<p>Amschel Mayer reacted as might +have been predicted. "Look here, +Plekhanov, we have our own history +to go by. Man made his greatest +strides under a freely competitive system."</p> + +<p>"Well now ..." Chessman began.</p> + +<p>"Prove that!" Plekhanov insisted +loudly. "Your so-called free economy +countries such as England, France and +the United States began their industrial +revolution in the early part of +the nineteenth century. It took them +a hundred years to accomplish what +the Soviets did in fifty, in the next +century."</p> + +<p>"Just a <i>moment</i>, now," Mayer simmered. +"That's fine, but the Soviets +were able to profit by the pioneering +the free countries did. The scientific +developments, the industrial techniques, +were handed to her on a platter."</p> + +<p>Specialist Martin Gunther, thus far +silent, put in his calm opinion. "Actually, +it seems to me the fastest industrialization +comes under a paternal +guidance from a more advanced culture. +Take Japan. In 1854 she was +opened to trade by Commodore Perry. +In 1871 she abolished feudalism and +encouraged by her own government +and utilizing the most advanced techniques +of a sympathetic West, she began +to industrialize." Gunther smiled +wryly, "Soon to the dismay of the +very countries that originally sponsored +bringing her into the modern +world. By 1894 she was able to wage +a successful war against China and +by 1904 she took on and trounced +Czarist Russia. In a period of thirty-five +years she had advanced from +feudalism to a world power."</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman took his turn. He +said obdurately, "Your paternalistic +guidance, given an uncontrolled competitive +system, doesn't always work +out. Take India after she gained independence +from England. She tried +to industrialize and had the support +of the free nations. But what happened?"</p> + +<p>Plekhanov leaned forward to take +the ball. "Yes! There's your classic +example. Compare India and China. +China had a planned industrial development. +None of this free competition +nonsense. In ten years time +they had startled the world with their +advances. In twenty years—"</p> + +<p>"Yes," Stevens said softly, "but at +what price?"</p> + +<p>Plekhanov turned on him. "At any +price!" he roared. "In one generation +they left behind the China of famine, +flood, illiteracy, war lords and all the +misery that had been China's throughout +history."</p> + +<p>Stevens said mildly, "Whether in +their admitted advances they left behind +all the misery that had been +China's is debatable, sir."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov began to bellow an +angry retort but Amschel Mayer popped +suddenly to his feet and lifted a +hand to quiet the others. "Our solution +has just come to me!"</p> + +<p>Plekhanov glowered at him.</p> + +<p>Mayer said excitedly, "Remember +what the Co-ordinator told us? This +expedition of ours is the first of its +type. Even though we fail, the very +mistakes we make will be invaluable. +Our task is to learn how to bring +backward peoples into an industrialized +culture in roughly half a century."</p> + +<p>The messroom's occupants scowled +at him. Thus far he'd said nothing +new.</p> + +<p>Mayer went on enthusiastically. +"Thus far in our debates we've had +two basic suggestions on procedure. +I have advocated a system of free +competition; my learned colleague has +been of the opinion that a strong state +and a planned, not to say totalitarian, +economy would be the quicker." He +paused dramatically. "Very well, I am +in favor of trying them both."</p> + +<p>They regarded him blankly.</p> + +<p>He said with impatience, "There +are two planets, at different ethnic +periods it is true, but not so far apart +as all that. Fine, eight of us will take +Genoa and eight Texcoco."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov rumbled, "Fine, indeed. +But which group will have the use +of the <i>Pedagogue</i> with its library, its +laboratories, its shops, its weapons?"</p> + +<p>For a moment, Mayer was stopped +but Joe Chessman growled, "That's +no problem. Leave her in orbit around +Rigel. We've got two small boats with +which to ferry back and forth. Each +group could have the use of her facilities +any time they wished."</p> + +<p>"I suppose we could have periodic +conferences," Plekhanov said. "Say +once every decade to compare notes +and make further plans, if necessary."</p> + +<p>Natt Roberts was worried. "We +had no such instructions from the +Co-ordinator. Dividing our forces +like that."</p> + +<p>Mayer cut him short. "My dear +Roberts, we were given <i>carte blanche</i>. +It is up to us to decide procedure. +Actually, this system realizes twice +the information such expeditions as +ours might ordinarily offer."</p> + +<p>"Texcoco for me," Plekhanov +grumbled, accepting the plan in its +whole. "The more backward of the +two, but under my guidance in half +a century it will be the more advanced, +mark me."</p> + +<p>"Look here," Martin Gunther said. +"Do we have two of each of the basic +specialists, so that we can divide the +party in such a way that neither planet +will miss out in any one field?"</p> + +<p>Amschel Mayer was beaming at +the reception of his scheme. "The +point is well taken, my dear Martin, +however you'll recall that our training +was deliberately made such that +each man spreads over several fields. +This in case, during our half century +without contact, one or more of us +meets with accident. Besides, the +<i>Pedagogue's</i> library is such that any +literate can soon become effective in +any field to the extent needed on the +Rigel planets."</p> + +<hr /> +<h2>III.</h2> + +<p>Joe Chessman was at the controls +of the space lighter. At his side sat +Leonid Plekhanov and behind them +the other six members of their team. +They had circled Texcoco twice at +great altitude, four times at a lesser +one. Now they were low enough to +spot man-made works.</p> + +<p>"Nomadic," Plekhanov muttered. +"Nomadic and village cultures."</p> + +<p>"A few dozen urbanized cultures," +Chessman said. "Whoever compared +the most advanced nation to the Aztecs +was accurate, except for the fact +that they base themselves along a +river rather than on a mountain plateau."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov said, "Similarities to the +Egyptians and Sumerians." He looked +over his beefy shoulder at the technician +who was photographing the +areas over which they passed. +"How does our geographer progress, +Roberts?"</p> + +<p>Natt Roberts brought his eyes up +from his camera viewer. "I've got +most of what we'll need for a while, +sir."</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/003.png" width="184" height="500" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Plekhanov turned back to Chessman. +"We might as well head for +their principal city, the one with the +pyramids. We'll make initial contact +there. I like the suggestion of surplus +labor available."</p> + +<p>"Surplus labor?" Chessman said, +setting the controls. "How do you +know?"</p> + +<p>"Pyramids," Plekhanov rumbled. +"I've always been of the opinion that +such projects as pyramids, whether +they be in Yucatan or Egypt, are +make-work affairs. A priesthood, or +other ruling clique, keeping its people +busy and hence out of mischief."</p> + +<p>Chessman adjusted a speed lever +and settled back. "I can see their +point."</p> + +<p>"But I don't agree with it," Plekhanov +said ponderously. "A society +that builds pyramids is a static one. +For that matter any society that resorts +to make-work projects to busy its citizenry +has something basically wrong."</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman said sourly, "I wasn't +supporting the idea, just understanding +the view of the priesthoods. +They'd made a nice thing for themselves +and didn't want to see anything +happen to it. It's not the only time +a group in the saddle has held up +progress for the sake of remaining +there. Priests, slave-owners, feudalistic +barons, or bureaucrats of a +twentieth-century police state, a ruling +clique will never give up power +without pressure."</p> + +<p>Barry Watson leaned forward and +pointed down and to the right. +"There's the river," he said. "And +there's their capital city."</p> + +<p>The small spacecraft settled at decreasing +speed.</p> + +<p>Chessman said, "The central +square? It seems to be their market, +by the number of people."</p> + +<p>"I suppose so," Plekhanov grunted. +"Right there before the largest pyramid. +We'll remain inside the craft +for the rest of today and tonight."</p> + +<p>Natt Roberts, who had put away +his camera, said, "But why? It's +crowded in here."</p> + +<p>"Because I said so," Plekhanov +rumbled. "This first impression is important. +Our flying machine is undoubtedly +the first they've seen. +We've got to give them time to assimilate +the idea and then get together +a welcoming committee. We'll +want the top men, right from the +beginning."</p> + +<p>"The equivalent of the Emperor +Montezuma meeting Cortez, eh?" +Barry Watson said. "A real red carpet +welcome."</p> + +<p>The <i>Pedagogue's</i> space lighter settled +to the plaza gently, some fifty +yards from the ornately decorated +pyramid which stretched up several +hundred feet and was topped by a +small templelike building.</p> + +<p>Chessman stretched and stood up +from the controls. "Your anthropology +ought to be better than that, +Barry," he said. "There was no Emperor +Montezuma and no Aztec Empire, +except in the minds of the +Spanish." He peered out one of the +heavy ports. "And by the looks of this +town we'll find an almost duplicate +of Aztec society. I don't believe +they've even got the wheel."</p> + +<p>The eight of them clustered about +the craft's portholes, taking in the +primitive city that surrounded them. +The square had emptied at their approach, +and now the several thousand +citizens that had filled it were peering +fearfully from street entrances and +alleyways.</p> + +<p>Cogswell, a fiery little technician, +said, "Look at them! It'll take hours +before they drum up enough courage +to come any closer. You were right, +doctor. If we left the boat now, we'd +make fools of ourselves trying to coax +them near enough to talk."</p> + +<p>Watson said to Joe Chessman +"What do you mean, no Emperor +Montezuma?"</p> + +<p>Chessman said absently, as he +watched, "When the Spanish got to +Mexico they didn't understand what +they saw, being musclemen rather +than scholars. And before competent +witnesses came on the scene, Aztec +society was destroyed. The conquistadors, +who did attempt to describe +Tenochtitlán, misinterpreted it. They +were from a feudalistic world and +tried to portray the Aztecs in such +terms. For instance, the large Indian +community houses they thought were +palaces. Actually, Montezuma was a +democratically elected war chief of a +confederation of three tribes which +militarily dominated most of the +Mexican valley. There was no empire +because Indian society, being based +on the clan, had no method of assimilating +newcomers. The Aztec +armies could loot and they could capture +prisoners for their sacrifices, but +they had no system of bringing their +conquered enemies into the nation. +They hadn't reached that far in the +evolution of society. The Incas could +have taught them a few lessons."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov nodded. "Besides, the +Spanish were fabulous liars. In Cortez's +attempt to impress Spain's king, +he built himself up far beyond reality. +To read his reports you'd think +the pueblo of Mexico had a population +pushing a million. Actually, if it +had thirty thousand it was doing well. +Without a field agriculture and with +their primitive transport, they must +have been hard put to feed even that +large a town."</p> + +<p>A tall, militarily erect native strode +from one of the streets that debouched +into the plaza and approached to +within twenty feet of the space boat. +He stared at it for at least ten full +minutes then spun on his heel and +strode off again in the direction of one +of the stolidly built stone buildings +that lined the square on each side +except that which the pyramid dominated.</p> + +<p>Cogswell chirped, "Now that he's +broken the ice, in a couple of hours +kids will be scratching their names on +our hull."</p> + +<hr class="min" /> + +<p>In the morning, two or three hours +after dawn, they made their preparations +to disembark. Of them all, only +Leonid Plekhanov was unarmed. Joe +Chessman had a heavy handgun holstered +at his waist. The rest of the +men carried submachine guns. More +destructive weapons were hardly +called for, nor available for that matter; +once world government had been +established on Earth the age-old race +for improved arms had fallen away.</p> + +<p>Chessman assumed command of +the men, growled brief instructions. +"If there's any difficulty, remember +we're civilizing a planet of nearly a +billion population. The life or death +of a few individuals is meaningless. +Look at our position scientifically, dispassionately. +If it becomes necessary +to use force—we have the right and +the might to back it up. MacBride, +you stay with the ship. Keep the +hatch closed and station yourself at +the fifty-caliber gun."</p> + +<p>The natives seemed to know intuitively +that the occupants of the craft +from the sky would present themselves at this time. +Several thousands +of them crowded the plaza. Warriors, +armed with spears and bronze headed +war clubs, kept the more adventurous +from crowding too near.</p> + +<p>The hatch opened, the steel landing +stair snaked out, and the hefty +Plekhanov stepped down, closely followed +by Chessman. The others +brought up the rear, Watson, Roberts, +Stevens, Hawkins and Cogswell. They +had hardly formed a compact group +at the foot of the spacecraft than the +ranks of the natives parted and what +was obviously a delegation of officials +approached them. In the fore was a +giant of a man in his late middle +years, and at his side a cold-visaged +duplicate of him, obviously a son.</p> + +<p>Behind these were variously +dressed others, military, priesthood, +local officials, by their appearance.</p> + +<p>Ten feet from the newcomers they +stopped. The leader said in quite +understandable Amer-English, "I am +Taller, Khan of all the People. Our +legends tell of you. You must be from +First Earth." He added with a simple +dignity, a quiet gesture, "Welcome to +the World. How may we serve you?"</p> + +<p>Plekhanov said flatly, "The name +of this planet is Texcoco and the inhabitants +shall henceforth be called +Texcocans. You are correct, we have +come from Earth. Our instructions are +to civilize you, to bring you the benefits +of the latest technology, to prepare +you to enter the community of +planets." Phlegmatically he let his +eyes go to the pyramids, to the temples, +the large community dwelling +quarters. "We'll call this city Tula +and its citizens Tulans."</p> + +<p>Taller looked thoughtfully at him, +not having missed the tone of arrogant +command. One of the group behind +the Khan, clad in gray flowing +robes, said to Plekhanov, mild reproof +in his voice, "My son, we are the +most advanced people on ... Texcoco. +We have thought of ourselves +as civilized. However, we—"</p> + +<p>Plekhanov rumbled, "I am not your +son, old man, and you are far short +of civilization. We can't stand here +forever. Take us to a building where +we can talk without these crowds +staring at us. There is much to be +done."</p> + +<p>Taller said, "This is Mynor, Chief +Priest of the People."</p> + +<p>The priest bowed his head, then +said, "The People are used to ceremony +on outstanding occasions. We +have arranged for suitable sacrifices +to the gods. At their completion, we +will proclaim a festival. And then—"</p> + +<p>The warriors had cleared a way +through the multitude to the pyramid +and now the Earthlings could see a +score of chained men and women, +nude save for loin cloths and obviously +captives.</p> + +<p>Plekhanov made his way toward +them, Joe Chessman at his right and +a pace to the rear. The prisoners stood +straight and, considering their position, +with calm.</p> + +<p>Plekhanov glared at Taller. "You +were going to kill these?"</p> + +<p>The Khan said reasonably, "They +are not of the People. They are prisoners +taken in battle."</p> + +<p>Mynor said, "Their lives please the +gods."</p> + +<p>"There are no gods, as you probably +know," Plekhanov said flatly. +"You will no longer sacrifice prisoners."</p> + +<p>A hush fell on the Texcocans. Joe +Chessman let his hand drop to his +weapon. The movement was not lost +on Taller's son, whose eyes narrowed.</p> + +<p>The Khan looked at the burly Plekhanov +for a long moment. He said +slowly, "Our institutions fit our +needs. What would you have us do +with these people? They are our +enemies. If we turn them loose, they +will fight us again. If we keep them +imprisoned, they will eat our food. +We ... Tulans are not poor, we +have food aplenty, for we Tulans, +but we cannot feed all the thousands +of prisoners we take in our wars."</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman said dryly, "As of +today there is a new policy. We put +them to work."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov rumbled at him, "I'll +explain our position, Chessman, if you +please." Then to the Tulans. "To +develop this planet we're going to +need the labor of every man, woman +and child capable of work."</p> + +<p>Taller said, "Perhaps your suggestion +that we retire to a less public +place is desirable. Will you follow?" +He spoke a few words to an officer +of the warriors, who shouted orders.</p> + +<hr class="min" /> + +<p>The Khan led the way, Plekhanov +and Chessman followed side by side +and the other Earthlings, their weapons +unostentatiously ready, were +immediately behind. Mynor the +priest, Taller's son and the other +Tulan officials brought up the rear.</p> + +<p>In what was evidently the reception +hall of Taller's official residence, +the newcomers were made as comfortable +as fur padded low stools provided. +Half a dozen teenaged Tulans +brought a cool drink similar to cocoa; +it seemed to give a slight lift.</p> + +<p>Taller had not become Khan of +the most progressive nation on Texcoco +by other than his own abilities. +He felt his way carefully now. He +had no manner of assessing the powers +wielded by these strangers from +space. He had no intention of precipitating +a situation in which he would +discover such powers to his sorrow.</p> + +<p>He said carefully, "You have indicated +that you intend major changes +in the lives of the People."</p> + +<p>"Of all Texcocans," Plekhanov +said, "you Tulans are merely the +beginning."</p> + +<p>Mynor, the aged priest, leaned forward. +"But why? We do not want +these changes—whatever they may be. +Already the Khan has allowed you +to interfere with our worship of our +gods. This will mean—"</p> + +<p>Plekhanov growled, "Be silent, old +man, and don't bother to mention, +ever again, your so-called gods. And +now, all of you listen. Perhaps some +of this will not be new, how much +history has come down to you I don't +know.</p> + +<p>"A thousand years ago a colony of +one hundred persons was left here on +Texcoco. It will one day be of scholarly +interest to trace them down +through the centuries but at present +the task does not interest us. This +expedition has been sent to recontact +you, now that you have populated +Texcoco and made such adaptations as +were necessary to survive here. Our +basic task is to modernize your society, +to bring it to an industrialized +culture."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov's eyes went to Taller's +son. "I assume you are a soldier?"</p> + +<p>Taller said, "This is Reif, my +eldest, and by our custom, second in +command of the People's armies. As +Khan, I am first."</p> + +<p>Reif nodded coldly to Plekhanov. +"I am a soldier." He hesitated for a +moment, then added, "And willing +to die to protect the People."</p> + +<p>"Indeed," Plekhanov rumbled, "as +a soldier you will be interested to +know that our first step will involve +the amalgamation of all the nations +and tribes of this planet. Not a small +task. There should be opportunity for +you."</p> + +<p>Taller said, "Surely you speak in +jest. The People have been at war for +as long as scribes have records and +never have we been stronger than today, +never larger. To conquer the +world! Surely you jest."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov grunted ungraciously. +He looked to Barry Watson, a lanky +youth, now leaning negligently +against the wall, his submachine gun, +however, at the easy ready. "Watson, +you're our military expert. Have you +any opinions as yet?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," Watson said easily. +"Until we can get iron weapons and +firearms into full production, I suggest +the Macedonian phalanx for +their infantry. They have the horse, +but evidently the wheel has gone out +of use. We'll introduce the chariot +and also heavy carts to speed up logistics. +We'll bring in the stirruped +saddle, too. I have available for study, +works on every cavalry leader from +Tamerlane to Jeb Stuart. Yes, sir, I +have some ideas."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov pursed his heavy lips. +"From the beginning we're going to +need manpower on a scale never +dreamed of locally. We'll adopt a +policy of expansion. Those who join +us freely will become members of the +State with full privileges. Those who +resist will be made prisoners of war +and used for shock labor on the roads +and in the mines. However, a man +works better if he has a goal, a dream. +Each prisoner will be freed and become +a member of the State after ten +years of such work."</p> + +<p>He turned to his subordinates. +"Roberts and Hawkins, you will begin +tomorrow to seek the nearest +practical sources of iron ore and coal. +Wherever you discover them we'll +direct our first military expeditions. +Chessman and Cogswell, you'll assemble +their best artisans and begin +their training in such basic advancements +as the wheel."</p> + +<p>Taller said softly, "You speak of +advancement but thus far you have +mentioned largely war and on such +a scale that I wonder how many of +the People will survive. What advancement? +We have all we wish."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov cut him off with a curt +motion of his hand. He indicated +the hieroglyphics on the chamber's +walls. "How long does it take to learn +such writing?"</p> + +<p>Mynor, the priest, said, "This is a +mystery known only to the priesthood. +One spends ten years in preparation +to be a scribe."</p> + +<p>"We'll teach you a new method +which will have every citizen of the +State reading and writing within a +year."</p> + +<p>The Tulans gaped at him.</p> + +<p>He moved ponderously over to +Roberts, drew from its scabbard the +sword bayonet the other had at his +hip. He took it and slashed savagely +at a stone pillar, gouging a heavy +chunk from it. He tossed the weapon +to Reif, whose eyes lit up.</p> + +<p>"What metals have you been using? +Copper, bronze? Probably. +Well, that's steel. You're going to +move into the iron age overnight."</p> + +<p>He turned to Taller. "Are your +priests also in charge of the health +of your people?" he growled. "Are +their cures obtained from mumbo-jumbo +and a few herbs found in the +desert? Within a decade, I'll guarantee +you that not one of your major +diseases will remain."</p> + +<p>He turned to the priest and said, +"Or perhaps this will be the clincher +for some of you. How many years do +you have, <i>old man</i>?"</p> + +<p>Mynor said with dignity, "I am +sixty-four."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov said churlishly, "And I +am two hundred and thirty-three." +He called to Stevens, "I think you're +our youngest. How old are you?"</p> + +<p>Stevens grinned, "Hundred and +thirteen, next month."</p> + +<p>Mynor opened his mouth, closed it +again. No man but would prolong his +youth. Of a sudden he felt old, old.</p> + +<p>Plekhanov turned back to Taller. +"Most of the progress we have to offer +is beyond your capacity to understand. +We'll give you freedom from +want. Health. We'll give you advances +in every art. We'll eventually +free every citizen from drudgery, educate +him, give him the opportunity to +enjoy intellectual curiosity. We'll +open the stars to him. All these things +the coming of the State will eventually +mean to you."</p> + +<p>Tula's Khan was not impressed. +"This you tell us, man from First +Earth. But to achieve these you plan +to change every phase of our lives +and we are happy with ... Tula ... +the way it is. I say this to you. There +are but eight of you and many, many +of us. We do not want your ... +State. Return from whence you +came."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov shook his massive head +at the other. "Whether or not <i>you</i> +want these changes they will be made. +If you fail to co-operate, we will find +someone who will. I suggest you +make the most of it."</p> + +<p>Taller arose from the squat stool +upon which he'd been seated. "I have +listened and I do not like what you +have said. I am Khan of all the +People. Now leave in peace, or I shall +order my warriors ..."</p> + +<p>"Joe," Plekhanov said flatly. +"Watson!"</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman took his heavy gun +from its holster and triggered it twice. +The roar of the explosions reverberated +thunderously in the confined +space, deafening all, and terrifying +the Tulans. Bright red colored the +robes the Khan wore, colored them +without beauty. Bright red splattered +the floor.</p> + +<p>Leonid Plekhanov stared at his +second in command, wet his thick +lips. "Joe," he sputtered. "I hadn't ... +I didn't expect you to be so ... +hasty."</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman growled, "We've +got to let them know where we stand, +right now, or they'll never hold still +for us. Cover the doors, Watson, +Roberts." He motioned to the others +with his head. "Cogswell, Hawkins, +Stevens, get to those windows and +watch."</p> + +<p>Taller was a crumbled heap on the +floor. The other Texcocans stared at +his body in shocked horror.</p> + +<p>All except Reif.</p> + +<p>Reif bent down over his father's +body for a moment, and then looked +up, his lips white, at Plekhanov. "He +is dead."</p> + +<p>Leonid Plekhanov collected himself. +"Yes."</p> + +<p>Reif's cold face was expressionless. +He looked at Joe Chessman who +stood stolidly to one side, gun still in +hand.</p> + +<p>Reif said, "You can supply such +weapons to my armies?"</p> + +<p>Plekhanov said, "That is our intention, +in time."</p> + +<p>Reif came erect. "Subject to the +approval of the clan leaders, I am now +Khan. Tell me more of this State of +which you have spoken."</p> + +<hr /> +<h2>IV.</h2> + +<p>The sergeant stopped the small +company about a quarter of a mile +from the city of Bari. His detachment +numbered only ten but they +were well armed with short swords +and blunderbusses and wore mail and +steel helmets. On the face of it, they +would have been a match for ten +times this number of merchants.</p> + +<p>It was hardly noon but the sergeant +had obviously already been at his +wine flask. He leered at them. "And +where do you think you go?"</p> + +<p>The merchant who led the rest was +a thin little man but he was richly +robed and astride a heavy black mare. +He said, "To Bari, soldier." He drew +a paper from a pouch. "I hold this +permission from Baron Mannerheim +to pass through his lands with my +people and chattels."</p> + +<p>The leer turned mercenary. "Unfortunately, +city man, I can't read. +What do you carry on the mules?"</p> + +<p>"Personal property, which, I repeat, +I have permission to transport +over Baron Mannerheim's lands free +from harassment from his followers." +He added, in irritation, "The baron +is a friend of mine, fond of the gifts +I give him."</p> + +<p>One of the soldiers grunted his +skepticism, checked the flint on the +lock of his piece, then looked at the +sergeant suggestively.</p> + +<p>The sergeant said, "As you say, +merchant, my lord the baron is fond +of gifts. Aren't we all? Unfortunately, +I have received no word of your +group. My instructions are to stop all +intruders upon the baron's lands +and, if there is resistance, to slay +them and confiscate such properties +as they may be carrying."</p> + +<p>The merchant sighed and reached +into a small pouch. The eyes of the +sergeant drooped in greed. The hand +emerged with two small coins. "As +you say," the merchant muttered bitterly, +"we are all fond of gifts. Will +you do me the honor to drink my +health at the tavern tonight?"</p> + +<p>The sergeant said nothing, but his +mouth slackened and he fondled the +hilt of his sword.</p> + +<p>The merchant sighed again and +dipped once more into the pouch. +This time his hand emerged with half +a dozen bits of silver. He handed +them down to the other, complaining, +"How can a man profit in his +affairs if every few miles he must pass +another outstretched hand?"</p> + +<p>The sergeant growled, "You do not +seem to starve, city man. Now, on +your way. You are fortunate I am too +lazy today to bother going through +your things. Besides," and he grinned +widely, "the baron gave me personal +instructions not to bother you."</p> + +<p>The merchant snorted, kicked his +heels into his beast's sides and led +his half dozen followers toward the +city. The soldiers looked after them +and howled their amusement. The +money was enough to keep them +soused for days.</p> + +<p>When they were out of earshot, +Amschel Mayer grinned his amusement +back over his shoulder at +Jerome Kennedy. "How'd that come +off, Jerry?"</p> + +<p>The other sniffed, in mock deprecation. +"You're beginning to fit into +the local merchant pattern better than +the real thing. However, just for the +record, I had this, ah, grease gun, +trained on them all the time."</p> + +<p>Mayer frowned. "Only in extreme +emergency, my dear Jerry. The baron +would be up in arms if he found a +dozen of his men massacred on the +outskirts of Bari, and we don't want +a showdown at this stage. It's taken +nearly a year to build this part we +act."</p> + +<p>At this time of day the gates of +the port city were open and the guards +lounged idly. Their captain recognized +Amschel Mayer and did no +more than nod respectfully.</p> + +<p>They wended their way through +narrow, cobblestoned streets, avoiding +the crowds in the central market area. +They pulled up eventually before a +house both larger and more ornate +than its neighbors. Mayer and Kennedy +dismounted from the horses and +left their care to the others.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/004.png" width="600" height="331" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Mayer beat with the heavy knocker +on the door and a slot opened for a +quick check of his identity. The door +opened wide and Technician Martin +Gunther let them in.</p> + +<p>"The others are here already?" +Mayer asked him.</p> + +<p>Gunther nodded. "Since breakfast. +Baron Leonar, in particular, is impatient."</p> + +<p>Mayer said over his shoulder, "All +right, Jerry, this is where we put it +to them."</p> + +<p>They entered the long conference +room. A full score of men sat about +the heavy wooden table. Most of them +were as richly garbed as their host. +Most of them in their middle years. +All of them alert of eye. All of them +confidently at ease.</p> + +<hr class="min" /> + +<p>Amschel Mayer took his place at +the table's end and Jerome Kennedy +sank into the chair next to him. +Mayer took the time to speak to each +of his guests individually, then he +leaned back and took in the gathering +as a whole. He said, "You probably +realize that this group consists of the +twenty most powerful merchants on +the continent."</p> + +<p>Olderman nodded. "We have been +discussing your purpose in bringing +us together, Honorable Mayer. All of +us are not friends." He twisted his +face in amusement. "In fact, very +few of us are friends."</p> + +<p>"There is no need for you to be," +Mayer said snappishly, "but all are +going to realize the need for co-operation. +Honorables, I've just come +from the city of Ronda. Although I'd +paid heavily in advance to the three +barons whose lands I crossed. I had +to bribe myself through a dozen road-blocks, +had to pay exorbitant rates to +cross three ferries, and once had to +fight off supposed bandits."</p> + +<p>One of his guests grumbled, "Who +were actually probably soldiers of the +local baron who had decided that +although you had paid him transit +fee, it still might be profitable to go +through your goods."</p> + +<p>Mayer nodded. "Exactly, my dear +Honorable, and that is why we've +gathered."</p> + +<p>Olderman had evidently assumed +spokesmanship for the others. Now +he said warily, "I don't understand."</p> + +<p>"Genoa, if you'll pardon the use +of this name to signify the planet +upon which we reside, will never +advance until trade has been freed +from these bandits who call themselves +lords and barons."</p> + +<p>Eyebrows reached for hairlines.</p> + +<p>Olderman's eyes darted about the +room, went to the doors. "Please," +he said, "the servants."</p> + +<p>"My servants are safe," Mayer said.</p> + +<p>One of his guests was smiling without +humor. "You seem to forget, +Honorable Mayer, that I carry the +title of baron."</p> + +<p>Mayer shook his head. "No, Baron +Leonar. But neither do you disagree +with what I say. The businessman, the +merchant, the manufacturer on Genoa +today, is only tolerated. Were it not +for the fact that the barons have no +desire to eliminate such a profitable +source of income, they would milk us +dry overnight."</p> + +<p>Someone shrugged. "That is the +way of things. We are lucky to have +wrested, bribed and begged as many +favors from the lords as we have. Our +twenty cities all have charters that +protect us from complete despoilation."</p> + +<p>Mayer twisted excitedly in his +chair. "As of today, things begin to +change. Jerry, that platen press."</p> + +<p>Jerry Kennedy left the room momentarily +and returned with Martin +Gunther and two of the servants. +While the assembled merchants +looked on, in puzzled silence, Mayer's +assistants set up the press and a stand +holding two fonts of fourteen-point +type. Jerry took up a printer's stick +and gave running instructions as +he demonstrated. Gunther handed +around pieces of the type until all +had examined it, while his colleague +set up several lines. Kennedy transposed +the lines to a chase, locked it +up and placed the form to one side +while he demonstrated inking the +small press, which was operated by +a foot pedal. He mounted the form +in the press, took a score of sheets of +paper and rapidly fed them, one by +one. When they were all printed, he +stopped pumping and Gunther +handed the still wet finished product +around to the audience.</p> + +<p>Olderman stared down at the +printed lines, scowled in concentration, +wet his lips in sudden comprehension.</p> + +<p>But it was merchant Russ who +blurted, "This will revolutionize the +inscribing of books. Why, it can +well take it out of the hands of the +Temple! With such a machine I +could make a hundred books—"</p> + +<p>Mayer was beaming. "Not a +hundred, Honorable, but a hundred +thousand!"</p> + +<p>The others stared at him as though +he was demented. "A hundred thousand," +one said. "There are not that +many literate persons on the continent."</p> + +<p>"There will be," Mayer crowed. +"This is but one of our levers to pry +power from the barons. And here is +another." He turned to Russ. +"Honorable Russ, your city is noted +for the fine quality of its steel, of the +swords and armor you produce."</p> + +<p>Russ nodded. He was a small man +fantastically rich in his attire. "This +is true, Honorable Mayer."</p> + +<p>Mayer said, tossing a small booklet +to the other, "I have here the plans +for a new method of making steel +from pig iron. The Bessemer method, +we'll call it. The principle involved +is the oxidation of the impurities in +the iron by blowing air through the +molten metal."</p> + +<p>Amschel Mayer turned to still +another. "And your town is particularly +noted for its fine textiles." He +looked to his assistants. "Jerry, you +and Gunther bring in those models +of the power loom and the spinning +jenny."</p> + +<p>While they were gone, he said, +"My intention is to assist you to speed +up production. With this in mind, +you'll appreciate the automatic flying +shuttle that we'll now demonstrate."</p> + +<p>Kennedy and Gunther re-entered +accompanied by four servants and a +mass of equipment. Kennedy muttered +to Amschel Mayer, "I feel like +the instructor of a handicrafts class."</p> + +<p>Half an hour later, Kennedy and +Gunther wound up passing out pamphlets +to the awed merchant guests. +Kennedy said, "This booklet will give +details on construction of the equipment +and its operation."</p> + +<p>Mayer pursed his lips. "Your +people will be able to assimilate only +so fast, so we won't push them. Later, +you'll be interested in introducing +the mule spinning frame, among +other items."</p> + +<p>He motioned for the servants to +remove the printing press and textile +machinery. "We now come to probably +the most important of the devices +I have to introduce to you today. +Because of size and weight, I've had +constructed only a model. Jerry!"</p> + +<p>Jerry Kennedy brought to the +heavy table a small steam engine, +clever in its simplicity. He had half +a dozen attachments for it. Within +moments he had the others around +him, as enthusiastic as a group of +youngsters with a new toy.</p> + +<p>"By the Supreme," Baron Leonar +blurted, "do you realize this device +could be used instead of waterpower +to operate a mill to power the loom +demonstrated an hour ago?"</p> + +<p>Honorable Russ was rubbing the +side of his face thoughtfully. "It +might even be adapted to propel a +coach. A coach without horses. +Unbelievable!"</p> + +<p>Mayer chuckled in excitement and +clapped his hands. A servant entered +with a toy wagon which had been +slightly altered. Martin Gunther +lifted the small engine, placed it in +position atop the wagon, connected +it quickly and threw a lever. The +wagon moved smoothly forward, the +first engine-propelled vehicle of +Genoa's industrial revolution.</p> + +<p>Martin Gunther smiled widely at +Russ. "You mean like this, Honorable?"</p> + +<p>Half an hour later they were re-seated, +before each of them a small +pile of pamphlets, instructions, +plans, blueprints.</p> + +<p>Mayer said, "I have just one more +device to bring to your attention at +this time. I wish it were unnecessary +but I am afraid otherwise."</p> + +<p>He held up for their inspection, +a forty-five-caliber bullet. Jerry Kennedy +handed around samples to the +merchants. They fingered them in +puzzlement.</p> + +<p>"Honorables," Mayer said, "the +barons have the use of gunpowder. +Muskets and muzzleloading cannon +are available to them both for their +wars against each other and their occasional +attacks upon our supposedly +independent cities. However, this is +an advancement on their weapons. +This unit includes not only the bullet's +lead, but the powder and the +cap which will explode it."</p> + +<p>They lacked understanding, and +showed it.</p> + +<p>Mayer said, "Jerry, if you'll +demonstrate."</p> + +<p>Jerry Kennedy said, "The bullet +can be adapted to various weapons, +however, this is one of the simplest." +He pressed, one after another, a full +twenty rounds into the gun's clip.</p> + +<p>"Now, if you'll note the silhouette +of a man I've drawn on the +wooden frame at the end of the +room." He pressed the trigger, sent +a single shot into the figure.</p> + +<p>Olderman nodded. "An improvement +in firearms. But—"</p> + +<p>Kennedy said, "However, if you +are confronted with more than one +of the bad guys." He grinned and +flicked the gun to full automatic and +in a Götterdämmerung of sound in +the confines of the room, emptied the +clip into his target sending splinters +and chips flying and all but demolishing +the wooden backdrop.</p> + +<p>His audience sat back in stunned +horror at the demonstration.</p> + +<p>Mayer said now, "The weapon is +simple to construct, any competent +gunsmith can do it. It is manifest, +Honorables, that with your people so +equipped your cities will be safe +from attack and so will trading caravans +and ships."</p> + +<p>Russ said shakily, "Your intention +is good, Honorable Mayer, however +it will be but a matter of time before +the barons have solved the secrets of +your weapon. Such cannot be held +indefinitely. Then we would again be +at their mercy."</p> + +<p>"Believe me, Honorable," Mayer +said dryly, "by that time I will have +new weapons to introduce, if necessary. +Weapons that make this one a +very toy in comparison."</p> + +<p>Olderman resumed his office as +spokesman. "This demonstration has +astounded us, Honorable Mayer, but +although we admire your abilities it +need hardly be pointed out that it +seems unlikely all this could be the +product of one brain."</p> + +<p>"They are not mine," Mayer admitted. +"They are the products of +many minds."</p> + +<p>"But where—?"</p> + +<p>The Earthman shook his head. "I +don't believe I will tell you now."</p> + +<p>"I see." The Genoese eyed him +emotionlessly. "Then the question becomes, +<i>why</i>?"</p> + +<p>Mayer said, "It may be difficult for +you to see, but the introduction of +each of these will be a nail in feudalism's +coffin. Each will increase either +production or trade and such increase +will lead to the overthrow of feudal +society."</p> + +<p>Baron Leonar, who had remained +largely silent throughout the afternoon, +now spoke up. "As you said +earlier, although I am a lord myself, +my interests are your own. I am a +merchant first. However, I am not +sure I want the changes these devices +will bring. Frankly, Honorable +Mayer, I am satisfied with my world +as I find it today."</p> + +<p>Amschel Mayer smiled wryly at +him. "I am afraid you <i>must</i> adapt to +these new developments."</p> + +<p>The baron said coldly, "Why? I do +not like to be told I must do something."</p> + +<p>"Because, my dear baron, there are +three continents on the planet of +Genoa. At present there is little trade +due to inadequate shipping. But the +steam engine I introduce today will +soon propel larger craft than you have +ever built before."</p> + +<p>Russ said, "What has this to do +with our being forced to use these +devices?"</p> + +<p>"Because I have colleagues on the +other continents busily introducing +them. If you don't adapt, in time +competitors will invade your markets, +capture your trade, drive you out of +business."</p> + +<p>Mayer wrapped it up. "Honorables, +modernize or go under. It's each +man for himself and the devil take +the hindmost, if you'll allow a saying +from another era."</p> + +<p>They remained silent for a long +period. Finally Olderman stated +bluntly, "The barons are not going +to like this."</p> + +<p>Jerry Kennedy grinned. "Obviously, +that's why we've introduced you +to the tommy gun. It's not going to +make any difference if they like it +or not."</p> + +<p>Russ said musingly, "Pressure will +be put to prevent the introduction of +this equipment."</p> + +<p>"We'll meet it," Mayer said, shifting +happily in his seat.</p> + +<p>Russ added, "The Temple is ever +on the side of the barons. The monks +will fight against innovations that +threaten to disturb the present way."</p> + +<p>Mayer said, "Monks usually do. +How much property is in the hands +of the Temple?"</p> + +<p>Russ admitted sourly, "The monks +are the greatest landlords of all. I +would say at least one third of the +land and the serfs belong to the +Temple."</p> + +<p>"Ah," Mayer said. "We must investigate +the possibilities of a Reformation. +But that can come later. Now +I wish to expand on my reason for +gathering you.</p> + +<p>"Honorables, Genoa is to change +rapidly. To survive, you will have to +move fast. I have not introduced these +revolutionary changes without self-interest. +Each of you are free to use +them to his profit, however, I expect +a thirty per cent interest."</p> + +<p>There was a universal gasp.</p> + +<p>Olderman said, "Honorable Mayer, +you have already demonstrated your +devices. What is there to prevent us +from playing you false?"</p> + +<p>Mayer laughed. "My dear Olderman, +I have other inventions to reveal +as rapidly as you develop the technicians, +the workers, capable of +building and operating them. If you +cheat me now, you will be passed by +next time."</p> + +<p>Russ muttered, "Thirty per cent! +Your wealth will be unbelievable."</p> + +<p>"As fast as it accumulates, Honorables, +it shall be invested. For +instance, I have great interest in +expanding our inadequate universities. +The advances I expect will only +be possible if we educate the people. +Field serfs are not capable of running +even that simple steam engine +Jerry demonstrated."</p> + +<p>Baron Leonar said, "What you contemplate +is mind-shaking. Do I understand +that you wish a confederation +of all our cities? A joining together +to combat the strength of the present +lords?"</p> + +<p>Mayer was shaking his head. "No, +no. As the barons lose power, each of +your cities will strengthen and possibly +expand to become nations. Perhaps +some will unite. But largely you +will compete against each other and +against the nations of the other continents. +In such competition you'll +have to show your mettle, or go +under. Man develops at his fastest +when pushed by such circumstance."</p> + +<p>The Earthling looked off, unseeing, +into a far corner of the room. "At +least, so is my contention. Far away +from here a colleague is trying to +prove me wrong. We shall see."</p> + +<hr /> +<h2>V.</h2> + +<p>Leonid Plekhanov returned to the +<i>Pedagogue</i> with a certain ceremony. +He was accompanied by Joe Chessman, +Natt Roberts and Barry Watson +of his original group, but four young, +hard-eyed, hard-faced and armed +Tulans were also in the party. Their +space lighter swooped in, nestled to +the <i>Pedagogue's</i> hull in the original +bed it had occupied on the trip from +Terra City, and her port opened to the +corridors of the mother ship.</p> + +<p>Plekhanov, flanked by Chessman +and Watson, strode heavily toward +the ship's lounge. Natt Roberts and +two of the Tulans remained with the +small boat. Two of the other natives +followed, their eyes darting here, +there, in amazement, in spite of their +efforts to appear grim and untouched +by it all.</p> + +<p>Amschel Mayer was already seated +at the officer's dining table. His face +displayed his irritation at the other's +method of presenting himself. "Good +Heavens, Plekhanov, what is this, an +invasion?"</p> + +<p>The other registered surprise.</p> + +<p>Mayer indicated the Texcocans. +"Do you think it necessary to bring +armed men aboard the <i>Pedagogue</i>? +Frankly, I have not even revealed to a +single Genoese the existence of the +ship."</p> + +<p>Jerry Kennedy was seated to one +side, the only member of Mayer's +team who had accompanied him for +this meeting. Kennedy winked at +Watson and Chessman. Watson grinned +back but held his peace.</p> + +<p>Plekhanov sank into a chair, rumbling, +"We hold no secrets from the +Texcocans. The sooner they advance +to where they can use our libraries +and laboratories, the better. And the +fact these boys are armed has no +significance. My Tulans are currently +embarked on a campaign to unite the +planet. Arms are sometimes necessary, +and Tula, my capital, is somewhat of +an armed camp. All able-bodied +men—"</p> + +<p>Mayer broke in heatedly, "And is +this the method you use to bring civilization +to Texcoco? Is this what you +consider the purpose of the Office of +Galactic Colonization? An armed +camp! How many persons have you +slaughtered thus far?"</p> + +<p>"Easy," Joe Chessman growled.</p> + +<p>Amschel Mayer spun on him. "I +need no instruction from you, Chessman. +Please remember I'm senior in +charge of this expedition and as such +rank you."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov thudded a heavy hand +on the table. "I'll call my assistants +to order, Mayer, if I feel it necessary. +Admittedly, when this expedition left +Terra City you were the ranking officer. +Now, however, we've divided—at +your suggestion, please remember. +Now there are two independent +groups and you no longer have jurisdiction +over mine."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" Mayer barked. "And +suppose I decide to withhold the use +of the <i>Pedagogue's</i> libraries and +laboratories to you? I tell you, +Plekhanov—"</p> + +<p>Leonid Plekhanov interrupted him +coldly. "I would not suggest you attempt +any such step, Mayer."</p> + +<p>Mayer glared but suddenly reversed +himself. "Let's settle down and +become more sensible. This is the +first conference of the five we have +scheduled. Ten years have elapsed. +Actually, of course, we've had some +idea of each other's progress since +team members occasionally meet on +trips back here to the <i>Pedagogue</i> to +consult the library. I am afraid, my +dear Leonid, that your theories on +industrialization are rapidly being +proven inaccurate."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!"</p> + +<p>Mayer said smoothly, "In the +decade past, my team's efforts have +more than tripled the Genoese industrial +potential. Last week one of +our steamships crossed the second +ocean. We've located petroleum and +the first wells are going down. We've +introduced a dozen crops that had +disappeared through misadventure to +the original colonists. And, oh yes, +our first railroad is scheduled to +begin running between Bari and +Ronda next spring. There are six new +universities and in the next decade I +expect fifty more."</p> + +<p>"Very good, indeed," Plekhanov +grumbled.</p> + +<p>"Only a beginning. The breath of +competition, of unharnessed enterprise +is sweeping Genoa. Feudalism +crumbles. Customs, mores and traditions +that have held up progress for +a century or more are now on their +way out."</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman growled, "Some of +the boys tell me you've had a few +difficulties with this crumbling feudalism +thing. In fact, didn't Buchwald +barely escape with his life when +the barons on your western continent +united to suppress all chartered +cities?"</p> + +<p>Mayer's thin face darkened. +"Never fear, my dear Joseph, those +barons responsible for shedding the +blood of western hemisphere elements +of progress will shortly pay for +their crimes."</p> + +<p>"You've got military problems too, +then?" Barry Watson asked.</p> + +<p>Mayer's eyes went to him in irritation. +"Some of the free cities of +Genoa are planning measures to regain +their property and rights on the +western hemisphere. This has nothing +to do with my team, except, of course, +in so far as they might sell them +supplies or equipment."</p> + +<p>The lanky Watson laughed lowly, +"You mean like selling them a few +quick-firing breech-loaders and trench +mortars?"</p> + +<p>Plekhanov muttered, "That'll be +enough, Barry."</p> + +<p>But Mayer's eyes had widened. +"How did you know?" He whirled +on Plekhanov. "You're spying on my +efforts, trying to negate my work!"</p> + +<p>Plekhanov rumbled, "Don't be a +fool, Mayer. My team has neither the +time nor interest to spy on you."</p> + +<p>"Then how did you know—"</p> + +<p>Barry Watson said mildly, "I was +doing some investigation in the ship's +library. I ran into evidence that you +people had already used the blueprints +for breech-loaders and mortars."</p> + +<p>Jerry Kennedy came to his feet and +rambled over to the messroom's bar. +"This seems to be all out spat, rather +than a conference to compare progress," +he said. "Anybody for a +drink? Frankly, that's the next thing +I'm going to introduce to Genoa, +some halfway decent likker. Do you +know what those benighted heathens +drink now?"</p> + +<p>Watson grinned. "Make mine +whisky, Jerry. You've no complaints. +Our benighted heathens have a +national beverage fermented from a +plant similar to cactus. Ought to be +drummed out of the human race."</p> + +<p>He spoke idly, forgetful of the +Tulan guards stationed at the doorway.</p> + +<hr class="min" /> + +<p>Kennedy passed drinks around for +everyone save Mayer, who shook his +head in distaste. If only for a brief +spell, some of the tenseness left the +air while the men from Earth sipped +their beverages.</p> + +<p>Jerry Kennedy said, "Well, you've +heard our report. How go things on +Texcoco?"</p> + +<p>"According to plan," Plekhanov +rumbled.</p> + +<p>Mayer snorted.</p> + +<p>Plekhanov said ungraciously, "Our +prime effort is now the uniting of the +total population into one strong +whole, a super-state capable of accomplishing +the goals set us by the +Co-ordinator."</p> + +<p>Mayer sneered, "Undoubtedly, this +goal of yours, this super-state, is being +established by force."</p> + +<p>"Not always," Joe Chessman said. +"Quite a few of the tribes join up on +their own. Why not? The State has +a lot to offer."</p> + +<p>"Such as what?" Kennedy said +mildly.</p> + +<p>Chessman looked at him in irritation. +"Such as advanced medicine, +security from famine, military protection +from more powerful nations. +The opportunity for youth to get an +education and find advancement in +the State's government—if they've +got it on the ball."</p> + +<p>"And what happens if they don't +<i>have it on the ball</i>?"</p> + +<p>Chessman growled, "What happens +to such under any society? They +get the dirty-end-of-the-stick jobs." +His eyes went from Kennedy to +Mayer. "Are you suggesting you offer +anything better?"</p> + +<p>Mayer said, "Already on most of +Genoa it is a matter of free competition. +The person with ability is able +to profit from it."</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman grunted sour amusement. +"Of course, it doesn't help to +be the son of a wealthy merchant or +a big politician."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov took over. "In <i>any</i> society +the natural leaders come to the +top in much the same manner as the +big ones come to the top in a bin of +potatoes, they just work their way +up."</p> + +<p>Jerry Kennedy finished his drink +and said easily, "At least, those at the +top can claim they're the biggest +potatoes. Remember back in the +twentieth century when Hitler and +his gang announced they were the +big potatoes in Germany and men of +Einstein's stature fled the country—being +small potatoes, I suppose."</p> + +<p>Amschel Mayer said, "We're getting +away from the point. Pray go on, +my dear Leonid. You say you are +forcibly uniting all Texcoco."</p> + +<p>"We are uniting all Texcoco," +Plekhanov corrected with a scowl. +"Not always by force. And that is by +no means our only effort. We are ferreting +out the most intelligent of the +assimilated peoples and educating +them as rapidly as possible. We've +introduced iron ..."</p> + +<p>"And use it chiefly for weapons," +Kennedy murmured.</p> + +<p>"... Antibiotics and other medicines, +a field agriculture, are rapidly +building roads ..."</p> + +<p>"Military roads," Kennedy mused.</p> + +<p>"... To all sections of the State, +have made a beginning in naval +science, and, of course, haven't +ignored the arts."</p> + +<p>"On the face of it," Mayer nodded, +"hardly approaching Genoa."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov rumbled indignantly, +"We started two ethnic periods behind you. +Even the Tulans were still +using bronze, but the Genoese had +iron and even gunpowder. Our advance +is a bit slow to get moving, +Mayer, but when it begins to +roll—"</p> + +<p>Mayer gave his characteristic snort. +"A free people need never worry +about being passed by a subjected +one."</p> + +<p>Barry Watson made himself another +drink and while doing so +looked over his shoulder at Amschel +Mayer. "It's interesting the way you +throw about that term <i>free</i>. Just what +type of government do you sponsor?"</p> + +<p>Mayer snapped, "Our team does +not interfere in governmental forms, +Watson. The various nations are +free to adapt to whatever local conditions +obtain. They range from some +under feudalistic domination to countries +with varying degrees of republican +democracy. Our base of +operations in the southern hemisphere +is probably the most advanced of all +the chartered cities, Barry. It amounts +to a city-state somewhat similar to +Florence during the Renaissance."</p> + +<p>"And your team finds itself in the +position of the Medici, I imagine."</p> + +<p>"You might use that analogy. The +Medici might have been, well, tyrants +of Florence, dominating her finances +and trade as well as her political +government, but they were benevolent +tyrants."</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/005.png" width="600" height="390" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>"Yeah," Watson grinned. "The +thing about a benevolent tyranny, +though, is that it's up to the tyrants +to decide what's benevolent. I'm not +so sure there's a great basic difference +between your governing of Genoa +and ours of Texcoco."</p> + +<p>"Don't be an ass," Mayer snapped. +"We are granting the Genoese +political freedoms as fast as they can +assimilate them."</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman growled, "But I +imagine it's surprising to find just +how slowly they can assimilate. A +moment ago you said they were free +to form any government they wished. +Now you say you feed them what you +call freedom, only so fast as they can +assimilate it."</p> + +<p>"Obviously we encourage them +along whatever path we think +will most quickly develop their economies," +Mayer argued. "That's what +we've been sent here to do. We +stimulate competition, encourage all +progress, political as well as economic."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov lumbered to his feet. +"Amschel, obviously nothing new has +been added to our respective positions +by this conference. I propose we +adjourn to meet again at the end of +the second decade."</p> + +<p>Mayer said, "I suppose it would be +futile to suggest you give up this impossible +totalitarian scheme of yours +and reunite the expedition."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov merely grunted his disgust.</p> + +<p>Jerry Kennedy said, "One thing. +What stand have you taken on giving +your planet immortality?"</p> + +<p>"Immortality?" Watson said. "We +haven't it to give."</p> + +<p>"You know what I mean. It +wouldn't take long to extend the life +span double or triple the present."</p> + +<p>Amschel Mayer said, "At this stage +progress is faster with the generations +closer together. A man is pressed +when he knows he has only twenty or +thirty years of peak efficiency. We on +Earth are inclined to settle back and +take life as it comes; you younger +men are all past the century mark, +but none have bothered to get married +as yet."</p> + +<p>"Plenty of time for that," Watson +grinned.</p> + +<p>"That's what I mean. But a Texcocan +or Genoese feels pressed to +wed in his twenties, or earlier, to get +his family under way."</p> + +<p>"There's another element," Plekhanov +muttered. "The more the natives +progress the more nearly they'll +equal our abilities. I wouldn't want +anything to happen to our overall +plans. As it is now, their abilities +taper off at sixty and they reach senility +at seventy or eighty. I think until +the end we should keep it this way."</p> + +<p>"A cold-blooded view," Kennedy +said. "If we extended their life expectancy, +their best men would live +to be of additional use to planet development."</p> + +<p>"But they would not have our +dream," Plekhanov rumbled. "Such +men might try to subvert us, and, +just possibly, might succeed."</p> + +<p>"I think Leonid is right," Mayer +admitted with reluctance.</p> + +<hr class="min" /> + +<p>Later, in the space lighter heading +back for Genoa, Mayer said speculatively, +"Did you notice anything +about Leonid Plekhanov?"</p> + +<p>Kennedy was piloting. "He seems +the same irascible old curmudgeon +he's always been."</p> + +<p>"It seems to me he's become a +touch power mad. Could the pressures +he's under cause his mind to +slip? Obviously, all isn't peaches and +cream in that attempt of his to +achieve world government on Texcoco."</p> + +<p>"Well," Kennedy muttered, "all +isn't peaches and cream with us, +either. The barons are far from +licked, especially in the west." He +changed the subject. "By the way, +that banking deal went through in +Pola. I was able to get control."</p> + +<p>"Fine," Mayer chuckled. "You +must be quite the richest man in the +city. There is a certain stimulation in +this financial game, Jerry, isn't +there?"</p> + +<p>"Uh huh," Jerry told him. "Of +course, it doesn't hurt to have a +marked deck."</p> + +<p>"Marked deck?" the other frowned.</p> + +<p>"It's handy that gold is the medium +of exchange on Genoa," Jerry Kennedy +said. "Especially in view of the +fact that we have a machine on the +ship capable of transmuting metals."</p> + +<hr /> +<h2>VI.</h2> + +<p>Leonid Plekhanov, Joseph Chessman, +Barry Watson, Khan Reif and +several of the Tulan army staff stood +on a small knoll overlooking a valley +of several square miles. A valley +dominated on all sides but the sea by +mountain ranges.</p> + +<p>Reif and the three Earthlings were +bent over a military map depicting +the area. Barry Watson traced with +his finger.</p> + +<p>"There are only two major passes +into this valley. We have this one, +they dominate that."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov was scowling, out of his +element and knowing it. "How many +men has Mynor been able to get together?"</p> + +<p>Watson avoided looking into the +older man's face. "Approximately +half a million according to Hawkins' +estimate. He flew over them this +morning."</p> + +<p>"Half a million!"</p> + +<p>"Including the nomads, of course," +Joe Chessman said. "The nomads +fight more like a mob than an army."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov was shaking his massive +head. "Most of them will melt +away if we continue to avoid battle. +They can't feed that many men on +the countryside. The nomads in particular +will return home if they don't +get a fight soon."</p> + +<p>Watson hid his impatience. "That's +the point, sir. If we don't break their +power now, in a decisive defeat, we'll +have them to fight again, later. And +already they've got iron swords, the +crossbow and even a few muskets. +Given time and they'll all be so +armed. Then the fat'll be in the fire."</p> + +<p>"He's right," Joe Chessman said +sourly.</p> + +<p>Reif nodded his head. "We must +finish them now, if we can. The task +will be twice as great next year."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov grumbled in irritation. +"Half a million of them and something +like forty thousand of our +Tulans."</p> + +<p>Reif corrected him. "Some thirty +thousand Tulans, all infantrymen." +He added, "And eight thousand +allied cavalry only some of whom can +be trusted." Reif's ten-year-old son +came up next to him and peered down +at the map.</p> + +<p>"What's that child doing here?" +Plekhanov snapped.</p> + +<p>Reif looked into the other's face. +"This is Taller Second, my son. You +from First Earth have never bothered +to study our customs. One of them +is that a Khan's son participates in +all battles his father does. It is his +training."</p> + +<p>Watson was pointing out features +on the map again. "It will take three +days for their full army to get in here." +He added with emphasis, "In retreat, +it would take them the same time to +get out."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov scowled heavily. "We +can't risk it. If we were defeated, we +have no reserve army. We'd have lost +everything." He looked at Joe Chessman +and Watson significantly. "We'd +have to flee back to the <i>Pedagogue</i>."</p> + +<p>Reif's face was expressionless.</p> + +<p>Barry Watson looked at him. "We +won't desert you, Reif, forget about +that aspect of it."</p> + +<p>Reif said, "I believe you, Barry +Watson. You are a ... soldier."</p> + +<p>Dick Hawkins' small biplane +zoomed in, landed expertly at the +knoll's foot. The occupant vaulted out +and approached them at a half run.</p> + +<p>Hawkins called as soon as he was +within shouting distance. "They're +moving in. Their advance cavalry +units are already in the pass."</p> + +<p>When he was with them, Plekhanov +rubbed his hand nervously over +heavy lips. He rumbled, "The cavalry, +eh? Listen, Hawkins, get back there +and dust them. Use the gas."</p> + +<p>The pilot said slowly, "I have four +bullet holes in my wings."</p> + +<p>"Bullet holes!" Joe Chessman +snapped.</p> + +<p>Hawkins turned to him. "By the +looks of things, MacBride's whole +unit has gone over to the rebels. Complete +with their double-barreled muskets. +A full thousand of them."</p> + +<p>Watson looked frigidly at Leonid +Plekhanov. "You insisted on issuing +guns to men we weren't sure of."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov grumbled, "Confound +it, don't use that tone of voice with +me. We have to arm our men, don't +we?"</p> + +<p>Watson said, "Yes, but our still +comparatively few advanced weapons +shouldn't go into the hands of anybody +but trusted citizens of the State, +certainly not to a bunch of mercenaries. +The only ones we can <i>really</i> +trust even among the Tulans, are +those that were kids when we first +took over. The one's we've had time +to indoctrinate."</p> + +<p>"The mistake's made. It's too late +now," Plekhanov said. "Hawkins go +back and dust those cavalrymen as +they come through the pass."</p> + +<p>Reif said, "It was a mistake, too, +to allow them the secret of the crossbow."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov roared, "I didn't <i>allow</i> +them anything. Once the crossbow +was introduced it was just a matter of +time before its method of construction +got to the enemy."</p> + +<p>"Then it shouldn't have been introduced," +Reif said, his eyes unflinching +from the Earthman's.</p> + +<p>Plekhanov ignored him. He said, +"Hawkins, get going on that dusting. +Watson, pull what units we +already have in this valley back +through the pass we control. We'll +avoid battle until more of their army +has fallen away."</p> + +<p>Hawkins said with deceptive mildness, +"I just told you those cavalrymen +have muskets. To fly low enough +to use gas on them, I'd get within +easy range. Point one, this is the only +aircraft we've built. Point two, MacBride +is probably dead, killed when +those cavalrymen mutinied. Point +three, I came on this expedition to +help modernize the Texcocans, not to +die in battle."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov snarled at him. "Coward, +eh?" He turned churlishly to +Watson and Reif. "Start pulling back +our units."</p> + +<p>Barry Watson looked at Chessman. +"Joe?"</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman shook his head slowly. +He said to Reif, "Khan, start +bringing your infantry through the +pass. Barry, we'll follow your plan of +battle. We'll anchor one flank on the +sea and concentrate what cavalry we +can trust on the hills on the right. +That's the bad spot, that right flank +has to hold."</p> + +<p>Plekhanov's thick lips trembled. +He said in fury, "Is this insubordination?"</p> + +<p>Reif turned on his heel and followed +by young Taller and his staff +hurried down the knoll to where their +horses were tethered.</p> + +<p>Chessman said to Hawkins, "If +you've got the fuel, Dick, maybe it'd +be a good idea to keep them under +observation. Fly high enough, of +course, to avoid gunfire."</p> + +<p>Hawkins darted a look at Plekhanov, +turned and hurried back to his +plane.</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman, his voice sullen, +said to Plekhanov, "We can't afford +any more mistakes, Leonid. We've +had too many already." He said to +Watson, "Be sure and let their cavalry +units scout us out. Allow them +to see that we're entering the valley +too. They'll think they've got us +trapped."</p> + +<p>"They will have!" Plekhanov +roared. "I countermand that order, +Watson! We're withdrawing."</p> + +<p>Barry Watson raised his eyebrows +at Joe Chessman.</p> + +<p>"Put him under arrest," Joe +growled sourly. "We'll decide what +to do about it later."</p> + +<hr class="min" /> + +<p>By the third day, Mynor's rebel +and nomad army had filed through +the pass and was forming itself into +battle array. Rank upon rank upon +rank.</p> + +<p>The Tulan infantry had taken less +than half a day to enter. They had +camped and rested during the interval, +the only action being on the part +of the rival cavalry forces.</p> + +<p>Now the thirty thousand Tulans +went into their phalanx and began +their march across the valley.</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman, Hawkins, Roberts, +Stevens and Khan Reif and several of +his men again occupied the knoll +which commanded a full view of the +terrain. With binoculars and wrist +radios from the <i>Pedagogue</i> they kept +in contact with the battle.</p> + +<p>Below, Barry Watson walked behind +the advancing infantry. There +were six divisions of five thousand +men each, twenty-four foot <i>sarissas</i> +stretched before their sixteen man +deep line. Only the first few lines +were able to extend their weapons; +the rest gave weight and supplied +replacements for the advanced lines' +casualties. Behind them all the Tulan +drums beat out the slow, inexorable +march.</p> + +<p>Cogswell, beside Watson with the +wrist radio, said excitedly, "Here +comes a cavalry charge, Barry. Reif +says right behind it the nomad infantry +is coming in." Cogswell +cleared his throat. "All of them."</p> + +<p>Watson held up a hand in signal +to his officers. The phalanx ground to +a halt, received the charge on the +hedge of <i>sarissas</i>. The enemy cavalry +wheeled and attempted to retreat to +the flanks but were caught in a bloody +confusion by the pressure of their +own advancing infantry.</p> + +<p>Cogswell, his ear to the radio, +said, "Their main body of horse is +hitting our right flank." He wet his +lips. "We're outnumbered there +something like ten to one. At least +ten to one."</p> + +<p>"They've got to hold," Watson +said. "Tell Reif and Chessman that +flank has to hold."</p> + +<p>The enemy infantrymen in their +hundreds of thousands hit the Tulan +line in a clash of deafening military +thunder. Barry Watson resumed his +pacing. He signaled to the drummers +who beat out another march. The +phalanx moved forward slowly, and +slowly went into an echelon formation, +each division slightly ahead of +the one following. Of necessity, the +straight lines of the nomad and rebel +front had to break.</p> + +<p>The drums went <i>boom</i>, ah, <i>boom</i>, +ah, <i>boom</i>, ah, <i>boom</i>.</p> + +<p>The Tulan phalanx moved slowly, +obliquely across the valley. The hedge +of spears ruthlessly pressed the mass +of enemy infantry before them.</p> + +<p>The sergeants paced behind, shouting +over the din. "Dress it up. You +there, you've been hit, fall out to the +rear."</p> + +<p>"I'm all right," the wounded spearman +snarled, battle lust in his voice.</p> + +<p>"Fall out, I said," the sergeant +roared. "You there, take his place."</p> + +<p>The Tulan phalanx ground ahead.</p> + +<p>One of the sergeants grinned wanly +at Barry Watson as his men moved +forward with the preciseness of the +famed Rockettes of another era. "It's +working," he said proudly.</p> + +<p>Barry Watson snorted, "Don't give +me credit. It belongs to a man named +Philip of Macedon, a long ways away +in both space and time."</p> + +<p>Cogswell called, "Our right flank +cavalry is falling back. Joe wants to +know if you can send any support."</p> + +<p>Watson's face went expressionless. +"No," he said flatly. "It's got to hold. +Tell Joe and the Khan it's got to hold. +Suggest they throw in those cavalry +units they're not sure of. The ones +that threatened mutiny last week."</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman stood on the knoll +flanked by the Khan's ranking officers +and the balance of the Earthmen. +Natt Roberts was on the radio. He +turned to the others and worriedly +repeated the message.</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman looked out over the +valley. The thirty-thousand-man +phalanx was pressing back the enemy +infantry with the precision of a machine. +He looked up the hillside at +the point where the enemy cavalry +was turning the right flank. Given +cavalry behind the Tulan line and the +battle was lost.</p> + +<p>"O.K., boys," Chessman growled +sourly, "we're in the clutch now. +Hawkins!"</p> + +<p>"Yeah," the pilot said.</p> + +<p>"See what you can do. Use what +bombs you have including the napalm. +Fly as low as you can in the +way of scaring their horses." He +added sourly, "Avoiding scaring ours, +if you can."</p> + +<p>"You're the boss," Hawkins said, +and scurried off toward his scout +plane.</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman growled to the +others, "When I was taking my degree +in primitive society and primitive +military tactics, I didn't exactly +have this in mind. Come on!"</p> + +<p>It was the right thing to say. The +other Earthmen laughed and took up +their equipment, submachine guns, +riot guns, a flame thrower, grenades, +and followed him up the hill toward +the fray.</p> + +<p>Chessman said over his shoulder to +Reif, "Khan, you're in the saddle. +You can keep in touch with both +Watson and us on the radio."</p> + +<p>Reif hesitated only a moment. +"There is no need for further direction +of the battle from this point. A +warrior is of more value now than a +Khan. Come my son." He caught up +a double-barreled musket and followed +the Earthmen. The ten years old +Taller scurried after with a revolver.</p> + +<p>Natt Roberts said, "If we can hold +their cavalry for only another half +hour, Watson's phalanx will have +their infantry pressed up against the +pass they entered by. It took them +three days to get through it, they're +not going to be able to get out in +hours."</p> + +<p>"That's the idea," Joe Chessman +said dourly, "Let's go."</p> + +<hr /> +<h2>VII.</h2> + +<p>Amschel Mayer was incensed.</p> + +<p>"What's got into Buchwald and +MacDonald?" he spat.</p> + +<p>Jerry Kennedy, attired as was his +superior in fur trimmed Genoese +robes, signaled one of the servants for +a refilling of his glass and shrugged.</p> + +<p>"I suppose it's partly our own +fault," he said lightly. He sipped the +wine, made a mental note to buy up +the rest of this vintage for his cellars +before young Mannerheim or someone +else did so.</p> + +<p>"Our fault!" Mayer glared.</p> + +<p>The old boy was getting decreasingly +tolerant as the years went by, +Kennedy decided. He said soothingly, +"You sent Peter and Fred over there +to speed up local development. Well, +that's what they're doing."</p> + +<p>"Are you insane!" Mayer squirmed +in his chair. "Did you read this radiogram? +They've squeezed out all my +holdings in rubber, the fastest growing +industry on the western continent. +Why, millions are involved. Who do +they think they are?"</p> + +<p>Kennedy put down his glass and +chuckled. "See here, Amschel, we're +developing this planet by encouraging +free competition. Our contention is +that under such a socio-economic system +the best men are brought to the +lead and benefit all society by the +advances they make."</p> + +<p>"So! What has this got to do with +MacDonald and Buchwald betraying +my interests?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you see? Using your own +theory, you have been set back by +someone more efficiently competitive. +Fred and Peter saw an opening and, +in keeping with your instructions, +moved in. It's just coincidence that +the rubber they took over was your +property rather than some Genoese +operator's. If you were open to a +loss there, then if they hadn't taken +over someone else could have. Possibly +Baron Leonar or even Russ."</p> + +<p>"That reminds me," Mayer snapped, +"our Honorable Russ is getting +too big for his britches in petroleum. +Did you know he's established a +laboratory in Amerus? Has a hundred +or more chemists working on new +products."</p> + +<p>"Fine," Kennedy said.</p> + +<p>"Fine! What do you mean? Dean +is our man in petroleum."</p> + +<p>"Look here, if Russ can develop +the industry even faster than Mike +Dean, let him go ahead. That's all to +our advantage."</p> + +<p>Mayer leaned forward and tapped +his assistant emphatically on the knee. +"Look here, yourself, Jerry Kennedy. +At this stage we don't want things +getting out of our hands. A culture is +in the hands of those who control the +wealth; the means of production, distribution, +communication. Theirs is +the real power. I've made a point of +spacing our men about the whole +planet. Each specializes, though not +exclusively. Gunther is our mining +man, Dean heads petroleum, MacDonald +shipping, Buchwald textiles, +Rykov steel, and so forth. As fast as +this planet can assimilate we push +new inventions, new techniques, +often whole new sciences, into use. +Meanwhile, you and I sit back and +dominate it all through that strongest +of power mediums, finance."</p> + +<p>Jerry Kennedy nodded. "I wouldn't +worry about old man Russ taking +over Dean's domination of oil, +though. Mike's got the support of all +the <i>Pedagogue's</i> resources behind +him. Besides, we've got to let these +Genoese get into the act. The more +the economy expands, the more capable +men we need. As it is, I think +we're already spread a little too +thin."</p> + +<p>Amschel Mayer had dropped the +subject. He was reading the radiogram +again and scowling his anger. +"Well, this cooks MacDonald and +Buchwald. I'll break them."</p> + +<p>His assistant raised his eyebrows. +"How do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to put up with my +subordinates going against my interests."</p> + +<p>"In this case, what can you do +about it? Business is business."</p> + +<p>"You hold quite a bit of their +paper, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"You know that. Most of our +team's finances funnel through my +hands."</p> + +<p>"We'll close them out. They've become +too obsessed with their wealth. +They've forgotten why the <i>Pedagogue</i> +was sent here. I'll break them, Jerry. +They'll come crawling. Perhaps I'll +send them back to the <i>Pedagogue</i>. +Make them stay aboard as crew."</p> + +<p>Kennedy shrugged. "Well, Peter +MacDonald's going to hate that. He's +developed into quite a high liver—gourmet +food, women, one of the +swankiest estates on the eastern continent."</p> + +<p>"Ha!" Mayer snorted. "Let him go +back to ship's rations and crew's +quarters."</p> + +<p>A servant entered the lushly furnished +room and announced, "Honorable +Gunther calling on the Honorables +Mayer and Kennedy."</p> + +<p>Martin Gunther hurried into the +room, for once his calm ruffled. "On +the western continent," he blurted. +"Dean and Rosetti. The Temple got +them, they've been burned as +witches."</p> + +<p>Amschel Mayer shot to his feet. +"That's the end," he swore shrilly. +"Only in the west have the barons +held out. I thought we'd slowly wear +them down, take over their powers bit +by bit. But this does it. This means +we fight."</p> + +<p>He spun to Kennedy. "Jerry, make +a trip out to the <i>Pedagogue</i>. You +know the extent of Genoa's industrial +progress. Seek out the most advanced +weapons this technology could produce."</p> + +<p>Kennedy came to his own feet, +shocked by Gunther's news. "But, +Amschel, do you think it's wise to +precipitate an intercontinental war? +Remember, we've been helping to industrialize +the west, too. It's almost +as advanced as our continent. Their +war potential isn't negligible."</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless," Mayer snapped, +"we've got to break the backs of the +barons and the Temple monks. Get +messages off to Baron Leonar and +young Mannerheim, to Russ and +Olderman. We'll want them to put +pressure on their local politicians. +What we need is a continental alliance +for this war."</p> + +<p>Gunther said, "Should I get in +touch with Rykov? He's still over +there."</p> + +<p>Mayer hesitated. "No," he said. +"We'll keep Nick informed but he +ought to remain where he is. We'll +still want our men in the basic positions +of power after we've won."</p> + +<p>"He might get hurt," Gunther +scowled. "They might get him too, +and we've only got six team members +left now."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, Nick Rykov can take +care of himself."</p> + +<p>Jerry Kennedy was upset. "Are you +sure about this war, chief? Isn't a +conflict of this size apt to hold up +our overall plans?"</p> + +<p>"Of course not," Mayer scoffed. +"Man makes his greatest progress +under pressure. A major war will +unite the nations of both the western +continent and this one as nothing else +could. Both will push their development +to the utmost."</p> + +<p>He added thoughtfully, "Which +reminds me. It might be a good idea +for us to begin accumulating interests +in such industries as will be effected +by a war economy."</p> + +<p>Jerry Kennedy chuckled at him, +"Merchant of death."</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing," Kennedy said. "Something +I read about in a history book."</p> + +<hr /> +<h2>VIII.</h2> + +<p>At the decade's end, once again the +representatives of the Genoese team +were first in the <i>Pedagogue's</i> lounge. +Mayer sat at the officer's table, Martin +Gunther at his right. Jerry Kennedy +leaned against the ship's bar, sipping +appreciatively at a highball.</p> + +<p>They could hear the impact of the +space boat from Texcoco when it slid +into its bed.</p> + +<p>"Poor piloting," Gunther mused. +"Whoever's doing that flying doesn't +get enough practice."</p> + +<p>They could hear ports opening and +then the sound of approaching feet. +The footsteps had a strangely military +ring.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 700px;"> +<img src="images/006.png" width="700" height="163" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Joe Chessman entered, followed +immediately by Barry Watson, Dick +Hawkins and Natt Roberts. They +were all dressed in heavy uniform, +complete with decorations. Behind +them were four Texcocans, including +Reif and his teen-age son Taller.</p> + +<p>Mayer scowled at them in way of +greeting. "Where's Plekhanov?"</p> + +<p>"Leonid Plekhanov is no longer +with us," Chessman said dourly. +"Under pressure his mind evidently +snapped and he made decisions that +would have meant the collapse of the +expedition. He resisted when we reasoned +with him."</p> + +<p>The four members of the Genoese +team stared without speaking. Jerry +Kennedy put down his glass at last. +"You mean you had to restrict him? +Why didn't you bring him back to +the ship!"</p> + +<p>Chessman took a chair at the table. +The others assumed standing positions +behind him. "I'm afraid we'll +have to reject your views on the subject. +Twenty years ago this expedition +split into two groups. My team will +accomplish its tasks, your opinions are +not needed."</p> + +<p>Amschel Mayer glared at the +others in hostility. "You have certainly +come in force this time."</p> + +<p>Chessman said flatly, "This is all +of us, Mayer."</p> + +<p>"All of you! Where are Stevens, +Cogswell, MacBride?"</p> + +<p>Barry Watson said, "Plekhanov's +fault. Lost in the battle that broke +the back of the rebels. At least Cogswell +and MacBride were. Stevens +made the mistake of backing Plekhanov +when the showdown came."</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman looked sourly at his +military chief. "I'll act as team +spokesman, Barry."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," Watson said.</p> + +<p>"Broke the back of the rebels," +Jerry Kennedy mused. "That opens +all sorts of avenues, doesn't it?"</p> + +<p>Chessman growled. "I suppose +that in the past twenty years your +team had no obstacles. Not a drop +of blood shed. Come on, the truth. +How many of your team has been +lost?"</p> + +<p>Mayer shifted in his chair. "Possibly +your point is well taken. Dean +and Rosetti were burned by the formerly +dominant religious group. +Rykov was killed in a fracas with +bandits while he was transporting +some gold." He added, musingly, +"We lost more than half a million +Genoese pounds in that robbery."</p> + +<p>"Only three men lost, eh?"</p> + +<p>Mayer stirred uncomfortably, then +flushed in irritation at the other's +tone. "Something has happened to +Buchwald and MacDonald. They +must be insane. They've broken off +contact with me, are amassing personal +fortunes in the eastern hemisphere."</p> + +<p>Hawkins laughed abruptly. "Free +competition," he said.</p> + +<p>Chessman growled, "Let's halt this +bickering and get to business. First +let me introduce Reif, Texcocan +State Army Chief of Staff and his +son Taller. And these other Texcocans +are Wiss and Fokin, both of +whom have gone far in the sciences."</p> + +<p>The Tulans shook hands, Earth +style, but then stepped to the rear +again where they followed the conversation +without comment.</p> + +<p>Mayer said, "You think it wise to +introduce natives to the <i>Pedagogue</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Of course," Chessman said. "Following +this conference, I'm going to +take Fokin and Wiss into the library. +What're we here for if not to bring +these people up to our level as rapidly +as possible?"</p> + +<p>"Very well," Mayer conceded +grudgingly. "And now I have a complaint. +When the <i>Pedagogue</i> first +arrived we had only so many weapons +aboard. You have appropriated more +than half in the past two decades."</p> + +<p>Chessman shrugged it off. "We'll +return the greater part to the ship's +arsenal. At this stage we are producing +our own."</p> + +<p>"I'll bet," Kennedy said. "Look, +any of you fellows want a real Earthside +whisky? When we were crewing +this expedition, why didn't we bring +someone with a knowledge of distilling, +brewing and such?"</p> + +<p>Mayer snapped at him, "Jerry, you +drink too much."</p> + +<p>"The hell I do," the other said +cheerfully. "Not near enough."</p> + +<p>Barry Watson said easily, "A drink +wouldn't hurt. Why're we so stiff? +This is the first get-together for ten +years. Jerry, you're putting on +weight."</p> + +<p>Kennedy looked down at his admittedly +rounded stomach. "Don't get +enough exercise," he said, then reversed +the attack. "You look older. +Are your taking your rejuvenation +treatments?"</p> + +<p>Barry Watson grimaced. "Sure, but +I'm working under pressure. It's been +one long campaign."</p> + +<p>Kennedy passed around the drinks.</p> + +<p>Dick Hawkins laughed. "It's been +one long campaign, all right. Barry +has a house as big as a castle and six +or eight women in his harem."</p> + +<p>Watson flushed, but obviously +without displeasure.</p> + +<p>Martin Gunther, of the Genoese +team, cocked his head. "Harem?"</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman said impatiently, +"Man adapts to circumstances, Gunther. +The wars have lost us a lot of +men. Women are consequently in a +surplus. If the population curve is to +continue upward, it's necessary that +a man serve more than one woman. +Polygamy is the obvious answer."</p> + +<p>Gunther cleared his throat smoothly, +"So a man in Barry's position will +have as many as eight wives, eh? You +must have lost a <i>good many</i> men."</p> + +<p>Watson grinned modestly. "Everybody +doesn't have that many. It's according +to your ability to support +them, and, also, rank has its privileges. +Besides, we figure it's a good +idea to spread the best seed around. +By mixing our blood with the Texcocan +we improve the breed."</p> + +<p>Behind him, Taller, the Tulan boy, +stirred, without notice.</p> + +<hr class="min" /> + +<p>Kennedy finished off his highball +and began to build another immediately. +"Here we go again. The big +potatoes coming to the top."</p> + +<p>Watson flushed. "What do you +mean by that, Kennedy?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, come off it, Barry," Kennedy +laughed. "Just because you're in a +position to push these people around +doesn't make you the prize stud on +Texcoco."</p> + +<p>Watson elbowed Dick Hawkins to +one side in his attempt to get around +the table at the other.</p> + +<p>Chessman rapped, "Watson! That's +enough. Knock it off or I'll have you +under arrest." The Texcocan team +head turned abruptly to Mayer and +Kennedy. "Let's stop this nonsense. +We've come to compare progress. +Let's begin."</p> + +<p>The three members of the Genoese +team glared back in antagonism, but +then Gunther said grudgingly, "He's +right. There is no longer amiability +between us, so let's forget about it. +Perhaps when the fifty years is up, +things will be different. Now let's +merely be businesslike."</p> + +<p>"Well," Mayer said, "our report is +that progress accelerates. Our industrial +potential expands at a rate that +surprises even us. In the near future +we'll introduce the internal combustion +engine. Our universities still +multiply and are turning out technicians, +engineers, scientists at an +ever-quickening speed. In several +nations illiteracy is practically unknown +and per capita production +increases almost everywhere." Mayer +paused in satisfaction, as though +awaiting the others to attempt to top +his report.</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman said sourly, "Ah, +almost everywhere per capita production +increases. Why <i>almost</i>?"</p> + +<p>Mayer snapped, "Obviously, in a +system of free competition, all cannot +progress at once. Some go under."</p> + +<p>"Whole nations?"</p> + +<p>"Temporarily whole nations can +receive setbacks as a result of defeat +in war, or perhaps due to lack of +natural resources. Some nations progress +faster than others."</p> + +<p>Chessman said, "The whole Texcocan +State is one great unit. Everywhere +the gross product increases. +Within the foreseeable future the +standard of living will be excellent."</p> + +<p>Jerry Kennedy, an alcoholic lisp in +his voice now, said, "You mean +you've accomplished a planet-wide +government?"</p> + +<p>"Well, no. Not as yet," Chessman's +sullen voice had an element of +chagrin in it. "However, there are no +strong elements left that oppose us. +We are now pacifying the more remote +areas."</p> + +<p>"Sounds like a rather bloody program—especially +if Barry Watson, +here, winds up with eight women," +Martin Gunther said.</p> + +<p>Watson started to say something +but Chessman held up a restraining +hand. "The Texcocan State is too +strong to be resisted, Gunther. It is +mostly a matter of getting around to +the more remote peoples. As soon as +we bring in a new tribe, we convert +it into a commune."</p> + +<p>"Commune!" Kennedy blurted.</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman raised his thick eyebrows +at the other. "The most efficient +socio-economic unit at this stage of +development. Tribal society is perfectly +adapted to fit into such a plan. +The principal difference between a +tribe and a commune is that under +the commune you have the advantage +of a State above in a position to give +you the benefit of mass industries, +schools, medical assistance. In return, +of course, for a certain amount of +taxes, military levies and so forth."</p> + +<p>Martin Gunther said softly, "I recall +reading of the commune system +as a student, but I fail to remember +the supposed advantages."</p> + +<p>Chessman growled, "They're obvious. +You have a unit of tens of thousands +of persons. Instead of living in +individual houses, each with a man +working while the woman cooks and +takes care of the home, all live in +community houses and take their +meals in messhalls. The children are +cared for by trained nurses. During +the season all physically capable +adults go out en masse to work the +fields. When the harvest has been +taken in, the farmer does not hole +up for the winter but is occupied in +local industrial projects, or in road +or dam building. The commune's +labor is never idle."</p> + +<p>Kennedy shuddered involuntarily.</p> + +<p>Chessman looked at him coldly. "It +means quick progress. Meanwhile, we +go through each commune and from +earliest youth, locate those members +who are suited to higher studies. We +bring them into State schools where +they get as much education as they +can assimilate—more than is available +in commune schools. These are the +Texcocans we are training in the +sciences."</p> + +<p>"The march to the anthill," +Amschel Mayer muttered.</p> + +<p>Chessman eyed him scornfully. +"You amuse me, old man. You with +your talk of building an economy with +a system of free competition. Our +Texcocans are sacrificing today but +their children will live in abundance. +Even today, no one starves, no one +goes without shelter nor medical +care." Chessman twisted his mouth +wryly. "We have found that hungry, +cold or sick people cannot work +efficiently."</p> + +<p>He stared challengingly at the +Genoese leader. "Can you honestly +say that there are no starving people +in Genoa? No inadequately housed, +no sick without hope of adequate +medicine? Do you have economic setbacks +in which poorly planned production +goes amuck and depressions +follow with mass unemployment?"</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless," Mayer said with +unwonted calm, "our society is still +far ahead of yours. A mere handful +of your bureaucracy and military +chiefs enjoy the good things of life. +There are tens of thousands on Genoa +who have them. Free competition has +its weaknesses, perhaps, but it provides +a greater good for a greater +number of persons."</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman came to his feet. +"We'll see," he said stolidly. "In ten +years, Mayer, we'll consider the position +of both planets once again."</p> + +<p>"Ten years it is," Mayer snapped +back at him.</p> + +<p>Jerry Kennedy saluted with his +glass. "Cheers," he said.</p> + +<hr class="min" /> + +<p>On the return to Genoa Amschel +Mayer said to Kennedy, "Are you +sober enough to assimilate something +serious?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, chief, of course."</p> + +<p>"Hm-m-m. Well then, begin taking +the steps necessary for us to place a +few men on Texcoco in the way of, ah, +intelligence agents."</p> + +<p>"You mean some of our team?" +Kennedy said, startled.</p> + +<p>"No, of course not. We can't spare +them, and, besides, there'd be too +big a chance of recognition and exposure. +Some of our more trusted +Genoese. Make the monetary reward +enough to attract their services." He +looked at his lieutenants significantly. +"I think you'll agree that it might +not be a bad idea to keep our eyes on +the developments on Texcoco."</p> + +<hr class="min" /> + +<p>On the way back to Texcoco, Barry +Watson said to his chief, "What do +you think of putting some security +men on Genoa, just to keep tabs?"</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>Watson looked at his fingers, nibbled +at a hangnail. "It just seems to +me it wouldn't hurt any."</p> + +<p>Chessman snorted.</p> + +<p>Dick Hawkins said, "I think +Barry's right. They can bear watching. +Besides in another decade or so +they'll realize we're going to beat +them. Mayer's ego isn't going to take +that. He'd go to just about any extreme +to keep from losing face back +on Earth."</p> + +<p>Natt Roberts said worriedly, "I +think they're right, Joe. Certainly it +wouldn't hurt to have a few Security +men over there. My department could +train them and we'd ferry them over +in this space boat."</p> + +<p>"I'll make the decisions," Chessman +growled at them. "I'll think +about this. It's just possible that +you're right though."</p> + +<p>Behind them, Reif looked thoughtfully +at his teen-age son.</p> + +<hr /> +<h2>IX.</h2> + +<p>Down the long palace corridor +strode Barry Watson, Dick Hawkins, +Natt Roberts, the aging Reif and his +son Taller, now in the prime of manhood. +Their faces were equally wan +from long hours without sleep. Half +a dozen Tulan infantrymen brought +up their rear.</p> + +<p>As they passed Security Police +guards, to left and right, eyes took +in their weapons, openly carried. But +such eyes shifted and the guards remained +at their posts. Only one sergeant +opened his mouth in protest. +"Sir," he said to Watson, hesitantly, +"you are entering Number One's +presence armed."</p> + +<p>"Shut up," Natt Roberts rapped +at him.</p> + +<p>Reif said, "That will be all, sergeant."</p> + +<p>The Security Police sergeant looked +emptily after them as they progressed +down the corridor.</p> + +<p>Together, Watson and Reif motioned +aside the two Tulan soldiers +who stood before the door of their +destination, and pushed inward without +knocking.</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman looked up wearily +from his map and dispatch laden +desk. For a moment his hand went +to the heavy military revolver at his +right but when he realized the identity +of his callers, it fell away.</p> + +<p>"What's up now?" he said, his +voice on the verge of cracking.</p> + +<p>Watson acted as spokesman. "It's +everywhere the same. The communes +are on the fine edge of revolt. They've +been pushed too far; they've got to +the point where they just don't give +a damn. A spark and all Texcoco goes +up in flames."</p> + +<p>Reif said coldly, "We need immediate +reforms. They've got to be +pacified. An immediate announcement +of more consumer goods, fewer +State taxes, above all a relaxation of +Security Police pressures. Given immediate +promise of these, we might +maintain ourselves."</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman's sullen face was +twitching at the right corner of his +mouth. Young Taller made no attempt +to disguise his contempt at the +other's weakness in time of stress.</p> + +<p>Chessman's eyes went around the +half circle of them. "This is the only +alternative? It'll slow up our heavy +industry program. We might not +catch up with Genoa as quickly as +planned."</p> + +<p>Watson gestured with a hand in +quick irritation. "Look here, Chessman, +don't we get through to you? +Whether or not we build up a steel +capacity as large as Amschel Mayer's +isn't important now. Everything's at +stake."</p> + +<p>"Don't talk to me that way, Barry," +Chessman growled truculently. "I'll +make the decisions. I'll do the thinking." +He said to Reif, "How much of +the Tulan army is loyal?"</p> + +<p>The aging Tulan looked at Watson +before turning back to Joe Chessman. +"All of the Tulan army is loyal—to +me."</p> + +<p>"Good!" Chessman pushed some +of the dispatches on his desk aside, +letting them flutter to the floor. He +bared a field map. "If we crush half +a dozen of the local communes ... crush +them hard! Then the others ..."</p> + +<p>Watson said very slowly and so +low as hardly to be heard, "You +didn't bother to listen, Chessman. We +told you, all that's needed is a spark."</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman sat back in his chair, +looked at them all again, one by one. +Re-evaluating. For a moment the facial +tic stopped and his eyes held the +old alertness.</p> + +<p>"I see," he said. "And you all +recommend capitulation to their demands?"</p> + +<p>"It's our only chance," Hawkins +said. "We don't even know it'll work. +There's always the chance if we throw +them a few crumbs they'll want the +whole loaf. You've got to remember +that some of them have been living +for twenty-five years or more under +this pressure. The valve is about to +blow."</p> + +<p>"I see," Chessman grunted. "And +what else? I can see in your faces +there's something else."</p> + +<p>The three Earthmen didn't answer. +Their eyes shifted.</p> + +<p>He looked to young Taller and +then to Reif. "What else?"</p> + +<p>"We need a scapegoat," Reif said +without expression.</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman thought about that. +He looked to Barry Watson again.</p> + +<p>Watson said, "The whole Texcocan +State is about to topple. Not only do +we have to give them immediate reform, +but we're going to have to +blame the past hardships and mistakes +on somebody. Somebody has to +take the rap, be thrown to the wolves. +If not, maybe we'll all wind up taking +the blame."</p> + +<p>"Ah," Chessman said. His red-rimmed +eyes went around them again, +thoughtfully. "We should be able to +dig up a few local chieftains and +some of the Security Police heads."</p> + +<p>They shook their heads. "It has to +be somebody big," Natt Roberts said +thickly, "a few of my Security Police +won't do it."</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman's eyes went to Reif. +"The Khan is the highest ranking +Texcocan of all," he said, finally. +"The Khan and some Security Police +heads would satisfy them."</p> + +<p>Reif's face was as frigid as the +Earthman's. He said, "I am afraid +not, Joseph Chessman. You are Number +One. It is your statue that is in +every commune square. It is your portrait +that hangs in every distribution +center, every messhall, every schoolroom. +You are the Number One—as +you have so often pointed out to us. +My title has become meaningless."</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman spat out a curse, +fumbled the gun into his hand and +fired before the Tulan soldiers could +get to him. In a moment they had +wrested the weapon from his hand +and had his arms pinioned. It was +too late.</p> + +<p>Reif had been thrown backward +two paces by the blast of the heavy-calibered +gun. Now he held a palm +over his belly and staggered to a +chair. He collapsed into it, looked at +his son, let a wash of amusement +pass over his face, said, "Khan," +meaninglessly, and died.</p> + +<p>Natt Roberts shrilled at Chessman, +"You fool, we were going to give you +a big, theatrical trial. Sentence you to +prison and then, later, claim you'd +died in your cell and smuggle you out +to the <i>Pedagogue</i>."</p> + +<p>Watson snapped to the guards, +"Take him outside and shoot him."</p> + +<p>The Tulans began dragging the +snarling, cursing Chessman to the +door.</p> + +<p>Taller said, "A moment, please."</p> + +<p>Watson, Roberts and Hawkins +looked to him.</p> + +<p>Taller said, "This perhaps can be +done more effectively."</p> + +<p>His voice was completely emotionless. +"This man has killed both my +father and grandfather, both of them +Khans of Tula, heads of the most +powerful city on all Texcoco, before +the coming of you Earthlings."</p> + +<p>The guards hesitated. Watson detained +them with a motion of his +hand.</p> + +<p>Taller said, "I suggest you turn +him over to me, to be dealt with in +the traditional way of the People."</p> + +<p>"No," Chessman said hoarsely. +"Barry, Dick, Natt, send me back to +the <i>Pedagogue</i>. I'll be out of things +there. Or maybe Mayer can use me +on Genoa."</p> + +<p>They didn't bother to look in his +direction. Roberts muttered savagely, +"We told you all that was needed +was a spark. Now you've killed the +Khan, the most popular man on Texcoco. +There's no way of saving +you."</p> + +<p>Taller said, "None of you have +studied our traditions, our customs. +But now, perhaps, you will understand +the added effect of my taking +charge. It will be a more ... profitable +manner of using the downfall of this +... this power mad murderer."</p> + +<p>Chessman said desperately, "Look, +Barry, Natt, if you have to, shoot +me. At least give me a man's death. +Remember those human sacrifices the +Tulans had when we first arrived? +Can you imagine what went on in +those temples? Barry, Dick—for old +time's sake, boys ..."</p> + +<p>Barry Watson said to Taller, "He's +yours. If this doesn't take the pressure +off us, nothing will."</p> + +<hr /> +<h2>X.</h2> + +<p>At the end of the third decade, the +Texcocan delegation was already +seated in the <i>Pedagogue's</i> lounge +when Jerome Kennedy, Martin Gunther, +Peter MacDonald, Fredric +Buchwald and three Genoese, Baron +Leonar and the Honorables Russ and +Modrin appeared.</p> + +<p>The Texcocan group consisted of +Barry Watson, Dick Hawkins and +Natt Roberts to one side of him, +Generalissimo Taller and six highly +bemedaled Texcocans on the other.</p> + +<p>Before taking a seat Barry Watson +barked, "Where's Amschel Mayer? +I've got some important points to +cover with him."</p> + +<p>"Take it easy," Kennedy slurred. +"For that matter, where's Joe Chessman?"</p> + +<p>Watson glared at the other. "You +know where he is."</p> + +<p>"That I do," Kennedy said. "He's +purged, to use a term of yesteryear. +At the rate you laddy-bucks are going, +there won't be anything left of +you by the time our half century is +up." He snapped his fingers and a +Genoese servant who'd been inconspicuously +in the background, hurried +to his side. "Let's have some +refreshments here. What'll everybody +have?"</p> + +<p>"You act as though you've had +enough already," Watson bit out.</p> + +<p>Kennedy ignored him, insisted on +everyone being served before he +allowed the conversation to turn +serious. Then he said, slyly, "I see +we've been successful in apprehending +all of your agents, or you'd know +more of our affairs."</p> + +<p>"Not all our agents," Watson +barked. "Only those on your southern +continent. What happened to Amschel +Mayer?"</p> + +<p>Peter MacDonald, who, with Buchwald, +was for the first time attending +one of the decade-end conferences, +had been hardly recognized in his +new girth by the Texcocan team. But +his added weight had evidently done +nothing to his keenness of mind. He +said smoothly, "Our good Amschel +is under arrest. Imprisoned, in fact." +He shook his head, his double chin +wobbling. "A tragedy."</p> + +<p>"Imprisoned! By whom?" Taller +scowled. "I don't like this. After all, +he was your expedition's head man."</p> + +<p>Barry Watson rapped, "Don't +leave us there, MacDonald. What +happened to him?"</p> + +<p>MacDonald explained. "The financial +and industrial empire he had +built was overextended. A small +crisis and it collapsed. Thousands of +investors suffered. In brief, he was +arrested and found guilty."</p> + +<p>Watson was unbelieving. "There is +nothing you could do? The whole +team! Couldn't you bribe him out? +Rescue him by force and get him +back to the ship? With all the wealth +you characters control—"</p> + +<p>Jerry Kennedy laughed shortly. +"We were busy bailing ourselves out +of our own situations, Watson. You +don't know what international finance +can be. Besides, he dug his +grave ... uh ... that is, he made his +bed."</p> + +<p>Kennedy signaled the servant for +another drink, said, "Let's cut out +this dismal talk. How about our progress +reports?"</p> + +<p>"Progress reports," Barry Watson +said. "That's a laugh. You have +agents on Texcoco, we have them on +Genoa. What's the use of having +these conferences at all?"</p> + +<p>For the first time, one of the +Genoese put in a word. Baron Leonar, +son of the original Baron who had +met with Amschel Mayer thirty years +before, was a man in his mid-forties. +He said quietly, "It seems to me the +time has arrived when the two planets +might profit by intercourse. Surely +in this time one has progressed beyond +the other in this field, but +lagged in that. If I understand the +mission of the <i>Pedagogue</i> it is to bring +us to as high a technological level +as possible in half a century. Already +three decades have passed."</p> + +<p>The Texcocans studied him +thoughtfully, but Jerry Kennedy +waved in negation with the hand +that held his glass. "You don't get +it, Baron. You see, the thing is we +wanta find out what system is going +to do the most the quickest. If we +co-operate with Barry's gang, everything'll +get all mixed up."</p> + +<p>The Honorable Russ, now a +wizened man of at least seventy, but +still sharply alert, said, "However, +Texcoco and Genoa might both +profit."</p> + +<p>Kennedy said happily, "What do +we care? You gotta take the long +view. What we're working out here +is going to be used on half a million +planets eventually." He tried to snap +his fingers. "These two lousy planets +don't count that much." He succeeded +in snapping them this time. "Not +that much."</p> + +<p>Barry Watson said, "You're +stoned, Kennedy."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" Kennedy grinned. +"Finally perfected a decent brandy. +I'll have to send you a few cases, +Barry."</p> + +<p>"How would you go about that, +Jerry?" Watson said softly.</p> + +<p>"Shucks, man, our space lighter +makes a trip to Texcoco every month +or so. Gotta keep up with you boys. +Maybe throw a wrench or so in the +works once inna while."</p> + +<p>Peter MacDonald said, "Shut up, +Jerry. You talk too much."</p> + +<p>"Don't talk to me that way. You'll +find yourself having one helluva time +floating that loan you need next +month. How about another drink, +everybody? This party's dead."</p> + +<p>Watson said, "How about the +progress reports? Briefly, we've all +but completely united Texcoco. Minor +setbacks have sometimes deterred us +but the march of progress goes on. +We—"</p> + +<p>"Minor setbacks," Kennedy chortled. +"Must of had to bump off five +million of the poor slobs before that +commune revolt was finished with."</p> + +<p>Watson said coldly, "We always +have a few reactionaries, religious +fanatics, misfits, crackpots, malcontents +to deal with. However, these are +not important. Our industrial potential +has finally begun to roll. We +doubled steel production this year, +will do the same next. Our hydro-electric +installations tripled in the past +two years. Coal production is four +times higher, lumber production six +times. We expect to increase grain +harvest forty per cent next season. +And—"</p> + +<p>The Honorable Modrin put in gently, +"Please, Honorable Watson, your +percentage figures are impressive only +if we know from what basis you start. +If you produced but five million tons +of steel last year, then your growth +to ten million is very good but it is +still not a considerable amount for an +entire planet."</p> + +<p>Buchwald said dryly, "If our agents +are correct, Texcocan steel production +is something like a quarter of +our own. I assume your other basic +products are at about the same stage +of development."</p> + +<p>Watson flushed. "The thing to remember +is that our economy continues +to grow each year. Yours spurts +and stops, jerks ahead a few steps, +then grinds to a halt or even retreats. +Everything comes to a pause if you +few on the top stop making a profit; +all that counts in your economy is +making money. Which reminds me, +how in the world did you ever get out +of that planet-wide depression you +were in three years ago?"</p> + +<p>Peter MacDonald grunted his disgust. +"Planet-wide depression, indeed. +A small recession. A temporary +readjustment due to overextension in +certain economic and financial fields."</p> + +<p>From the other side of the table, +Dick Hawkins laughed at him. +"Where'd you pick up that line of +gobbledygook, Peter?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Peter MacDonald came to his feet. +"I don't have to put up with this sort +of impudence," he snapped.</p> + +<p>Watson lurched to his own feet. +"Nor do we have to listen to your +snide cracks about the real progress +Texcoco is making. We don't seem +to be getting anywhere." He snapped +to his associates, "Hawkins, Taller, +Roberts! Let's go. Ten years from +now, there'll be another story to tell. +Even a blind man will see the difference."</p> + +<p>They marched down the <i>Pedagogue's</i> +corridor toward their space boat.</p> + +<p>Kennedy called after them, "Ten +years from now every family on +Genoa'll have a car. Wait'll you see. +Television, too. We're introducing +TV next year. An' civil aviation. Be +all over the place in two, three +years—"</p> + +<p>The Texcocans slammed the +spaceport after them.</p> + +<p>Kennedy sloshed some more drink +into his glass. "Slobs can't stand the +truth," he explained to the others.</p> + +<hr /> +<h2>XI.</h2> + +<p>With the exception of a few additional +delegates composed of high-ranking +Texcocan and Genoese political +and scientific heads, the line-up +at the end of forty years was the same +as ten years earlier—except for the +absence of Jerry Kennedy.</p> + +<p>Extra tables had been set up, and +chairs to accommodate the added +numbers. To one side were the +Genoese: Martin Gunther, Fredric +Buchwald, Peter MacDonald, with +such repeat delegates as Baron Leonar +and the Honorables Modrin and +Russ and half a dozen newcomers. +On the other were Barry Watson, +Dick Hawkins and Natt Roberts, +Taller and such Texcocans as the +scientists Wiss and Fokin, army +heads, Security Police officials and +other notables.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 178px;"> +<img src="images/007.png" width="178" height="500" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Note pads had been placed before +each of them and both Watson and +Gunther were equipped with gavels.</p> + +<p>While chairs were still being shuffled, +Barry Watson said over the +table to Gunther, "Jerry?"</p> + +<p>Martin Gunther shrugged "Jerry's +indisposed. As a matter of fact, he's at +one of the mountain sanitariums, taking +a cure. He'll be all right."</p> + +<p>"Good," Dick Hawkins said. +"We've lost too many."</p> + +<p>Watson pounded with his gavel. +"Let's come to order. Gunther do you +have anything to say in the way of +preliminaries?"</p> + +<p>"Not especially. I believe we all +know where we stand, including the +newcomers from Genoa and Texcoco. +In brief, this is the fourth meeting +of the Earth teams that were sent to +these two planets to bring backward +colonists to an industrialized culture. +It would seem that we are both succeeding—possibly +at different rates. +Forty years have passed, ten remain to +us."</p> + +<p>For a moment there was silence.</p> + +<p>Finally Roberts said, "Possibly you +have already discovered this through +your agents, but we have released the +information on prolonging of life."</p> + +<p>Peter MacDonald said wryly, "We, +too, were pressured into such a step."</p> + +<p>Baron Leonar said, "And why +not?"</p> + +<p>Taller, across the table from him, +nodded.</p> + +<p>Martin Gunther tapped twice on +the table with his gavel. "The basic +reason for our meeting is to report +progress and to reconsider the possibilities +of new elements having +entered into the situation which might +cause us to re-examine our policies. +I think we already have a fairly good +idea of each other's development." +His voice went wry. "At least our +agents do a fairly good job of reporting +yours."</p> + +<p>"And ours, yours," Watson rapped.</p> + +<p>"However," MacDonald said, +"now that we are drawing near the +end of our half century, I think it +becomes obvious that Amschel +Mayer's original contention—that a +freely competitive economy grows +faster than one restricted by totalitarian +bounds—has been proven."</p> + +<p>Barry Watson snorted amusement. +"Do you?" he said. "To the contrary, +MacDonald. The proof is otherwise. +On Genoa you still have comparative +confusion. True enough, several of +your nations, particularly those on +your southern continent, are greatly +advanced and with a high living and +cultural standard—when times are +good. But at the same time you have +other whole peoples who are little, if +any, better off, than when you arrived. +On the western continent you +even have a few feudalistic regimes +that are probably worse off—mostly +as a result of the wars you've crippled +them with."</p> + +<p>Natt Roberts said, his voice musing, +"But even that isn't the important +thing. The Co-ordinator sent us +here to find a <i>method</i> of bringing +backward cultures to industrialization. +Have you got a blueprint to show +him, when you return? Can you trace +out the history of Genoa for this past +half century and say, this war was +necessary for progress—but that +should have been avoided? Or is this +whole <i>free competition</i> program of +yours actually nothing but chaos +which <i>sometimes</i> works out wonderfully +for <i>some</i> nations, but actually +destroys others? You have scorned +our methods, our collectivized society—but +when we return, we'll have a +blueprint of how we arrived where +we are."</p> + +<p>Gunther banged the table with his +gavel. "Just a moment. Is there any +reason why we have to listen to these +accusations when—"</p> + +<p>Watson held up a hand, curtly, +"Let us finish. If you have something +to say, we'll gladly listen when we're +through."</p> + +<p>Gunther was flushed but he snapped, +"Go ahead then, but don't think +any of we Genoese are being taken +in."</p> + +<p>Watson said, "True enough, it took +us a time to unite our people ..."</p> + +<p>"Time and blood," Peter MacDonald +muttered.</p> + +<p>"... But once underway the Texcocan +State has moved on in a progression +unknown in any of the +Genoese nations. To industrialize a +society you must reach a certain taking +off point, a point where you have +sufficient industry, particularly steel, +sufficient power, sufficient scientists, +technicians and skilled workers. +Once that point has been reached you +can move in almost a geometric progression. +You build a steel mill and +with the steel produced you build +two more mills the following year, +which in turn gives you the material +for four the next year."</p> + +<p>Buchwald grunted his disbelief.</p> + +<p>Watson looked up and down the +line of Genoese, the Earthmen as well +as the natives. "On Texcoco we have +now reached that point. We have a +trained, eager population of over one +billion persons. Our universities are +turning out highly trained effectives +at the rate of more than twenty million +a year. We have located all the +raw materials we will need. We are +now under way." He looked at them +in heavy amusement. "By the end of +the next decade we will bury you."</p> + +<p>Martin Gunther said calmly, "Are +you through?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. For the time," Watson +nodded.</p> + +<p>"Very well. Then this is <i>our</i> progress +report. In the past forty years +we have eliminated feudalism in all +the more advanced countries. Even in +the remote areas the pressures of our +changing world are bringing them +around. The populace of these countries +will no longer stand to one side +while the standard of living on the +rest of Genoa grows so rapidly. On +most of our planet, already the average +family not only enjoys freedom +but a way of life far in advance of +that of Texcoco. Already modern +housing and household appliances are +everywhere. Already both land cars +and aircraft are available to the majority. +The nations have formed an +Inter-Continental League of governments +so that it is unlikely that war +will ever touch us again. And this +is merely a beginning. In ten years, +continuing our freely competitive way +of developing, all will be living on a +scale that only the wealthy can afford +today."</p> + +<p>He came to an end and stared +antagonistically at the Texcocans.</p> + +<p>Taller said, "There seems to be no +agreement."</p> + +<p>Across the table from him the ancient +Honorable Russ said, "It is difficult +to measure. We seem to count +refrigerators and privately owned +automobiles. You seem to ignore personal +standards and concentrate on +steel tonnage."</p> + +<p>The Texcocan scientist, Wiss, said +easily, "Given the steel mills, and +eventually automobiles and refrigerators +will run off our assembly lines +like water, and will be available for +everyone, not just those who can afford +to buy them."</p> + +<p>"Hm-m-m, eventually," Peter MacDonald +laughed nastily.</p> + +<p>The atmosphere was suddenly hostile. +Hostile beyond anything that had +gone before in earlier conferences.</p> + +<p>And then Martin Gunther said +without inflection, "I note that you +have removed from the <i>Pedagogue's</i> +library the information dealing with +nuclear fission."</p> + +<p>"For the purpose of study," Dick +Hawkins said smoothly.</p> + +<p>"Of course," Gunther said. "Did +you plan to return it in the immediate +future?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid our studies will take +some time," Watson said flatly.</p> + +<p>"I was afraid so," Gunther said. +"Happily, I took the precaution of +making microfilms of the material involved +more than a year ago."</p> + +<p>Barry Watson pushed his chair +back. "We seem to have accomplished +what was possible by this conference," +he said. "If anything." He +looked to right and left at his cohorts. +"Let's go."</p> + +<p>They came stiffly erect. Watson +turned on his heel and started for the +door.</p> + +<p>As they left, Natt Roberts turned +for a moment and said to Gunther, +"One thing, Martin. During this next +ten years you might consider whether +or not half a century has been enough +to accomplish our task. Should we +consider staying on? I would think +the Co-ordinator would accept any +recommendation along this line that +we might make."</p> + +<p>The Genoese contingent looked +after him, long after he was gone.</p> + +<p>Finally Martin Gunther said, "Baron +Leonar, I think it might be a good +idea if you began putting some of +your men to work on making steel +alloys suitable for spacecraft. The +way things are developing, perhaps +we'll be needing them."</p> + +<p>Buchwald and MacDonald looked +at him unblinkingly.</p> + +<hr /> +<h2>XII.</h2> + +<p>It was fifty years to a day since the +<i>Pedagogue</i> had first gone into orbit +about Rigel. Five decades have +passed. Half a century.</p> + +<p>Of the original crew of the <i>Pedagogue</i>, +six now gathered in the lounge +of the spaceship. All of them had +changed physically. Some of them +softer to the point of flabbiness; some +harder both of body and soul.</p> + +<p>Barry Watson, Natt Roberts, Dick +Hawkins, of the Texcocan team.</p> + +<p>Martin Gunther, Peter MacDonald, +Fredric Buchwald, of the +Genoese.</p> + +<p>The gathering wasn't so large as +the one before. Only Taller and the +scientist Wiss attended from Texcoco; +only Baron Leonar and the son +of Honorable Russ from Genoa.</p> + +<p>From the beginning they stared +with hostility across the conference +table. Even the pretense of amiability +was gone.</p> + +<p>Watson rapped finally, "I am not +going to dwell upon the measures you +have been taking that can only be +construed as military ones aimed +eventually at the Texcocan State."</p> + +<p>Martin Gunther laughed nastily. +"Is your implication that your own +people have not taken the same measures, +in fact, inaugurated them?"</p> + +<p>Watson said, "As I say, I have no +intention of even discussing this. +Surely we can arrive at no agreement. +There is one point, however that we +should consider on this occasion."</p> + +<p>The corpulent Peter MacDonald +wheezed, "Well, out with it!"</p> + +<p>Natt Roberts said, "I mentioned +the matter to you at the last meeting."</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes," Gunther nodded. "Just +as you left. We have considered it."</p> + +<p>The Texcocans waited for him to +go on.</p> + +<p>"If I understand you," Gunther +said, "you think we should reconsider +returning to Terra City at this +time."</p> + +<p>"It should be discussed," Watson +nodded. "Whatever the ... ah ... +temporary difficulties between us, the +original project of the <i>Pedagogue</i> is +still our duty."</p> + +<p>The three of the Genoese team +nodded their agreement.</p> + +<p>"And the problem becomes, have +we accomplished completely what we +set out to do? And, further, is it necessary, +or at least preferable, for us +to stay on and continue administration +of the progress of the Rigel +planets?"</p> + +<p>They thought about it.</p> + +<p>Buchwald said hesitantly, "It has +been my own belief that Genoa is not +quite ready for us to let loose the +... ah, reins. If we left now, I am +not sure—"</p> + +<p>Roberts said, "Same applies to Texcoco. +The State has made fabulous +strides, but I am not sure what would +happen if we leaders were to leave. +There might be a complete collapse."</p> + +<p>Watson said, "We seem to be in +basic agreement. Is a suggestion in +order that we extend, for another +twenty-five years, at least, this expedition's +work?"</p> + +<p>Dick Hawkins said, "The Office of +Galactic Colonization—"</p> + +<p>MacDonald said smoothly, "Will +undoubtedly send out a ship to investigate. +We shall simply inform +them that things are not as yet propitious +to our leaving, that another +twenty-five years is in order. Since we +are on the scene, undoubtedly our +recommendation will be heeded."</p> + +<p>Watson looked from one Earthman +to the next. "We are in agreement?"</p> + +<p>Each in turn nodded.</p> + +<p>Peter MacDonald said, "And do +you all realize that here we have a +unique situation that might be exploited +for the benefit of the whole +race?"</p> + +<p>They looked to him, questioningly.</p> + +<p>"The dynamic we find in Genoa—and +Texcoco, too, for that matter, +though we disagree on so many fundamentals—is +beyond that in the +Solar System. These are new planets, +new ambitions are alive. We have at +our fingertips man's highest developments, +evolved on Earth. But with +this new dynamic, this freshness, +might we not in time push even beyond +old Earth?"</p> + +<p>"You mean—" Natt Roberts said.</p> + +<p>MacDonald nodded. "What particular +of value is gained by our +uniting Genoa and Texcoco with the +so-called Galactic Commonwealth? +Why not press ahead on our own? +With the vigor of these new races we +might well leave Earth far behind."</p> + +<p>Watson mused, "Carrying your +suggestion to the ultimate, who is to +say that one day Rigel might not +become the new center of the human +race, rather than Sol?"</p> + +<p>"A point well taken," Gunther +agreed.</p> + +<p>"No," Taller said softly.</p> + +<p>The six Earthmen turned hostile +eyes to him.</p> + +<p>"This particular matter does not +concern you, Generalissimo," Watson +rapped at him.</p> + +<p>Taller smiled his amusement at that +and came to his feet.</p> + +<p>"No," he said. "I am afraid that +hard though it might be for you to +give up the powers you have held so +long, you Earthlings are going to have +to return to Terra City, from whence +you came."</p> + +<p>Baron Leonar said in gentle +agreement, "Obviously."</p> + +<p>"What is this?" Watson rapped. +"I'm not at all amused."</p> + +<p>The Honorable Russ stood also. +"There is no use prolonging this. I +have heard you Earthlings say, more +than once, that man adapts to preserve +himself. Very well, we of +Genoa and Texcoco are adapting to +the present situation. We are of the +belief that if you are allowed to remain +in power we of the Rigel planets +will be destroyed, probably in an +atomic holocaust. In self-protection +we have found it necessary to unite, +we Genoese and Texcocans. We bear +you no ill will, far to the contrary. +However, it is necessary that you all +return to Earth. You have impressed +upon us the aforementioned truism +that <i>man adapts</i> but in the <i>Pedagogue's</i> +library I have found another +that also applies. Power corrupts, +and absolute power corrupts absolutely."</p> + +<p>There were heavy automatics in +the hands of Natt Roberts and Dick +Hawkins. Barry Watson leaned back +in his chair, his eyes narrow. "How'd +you ever expect to get away with this +sort of treason, Taller?"</p> + +<p>Martin Gunther blurted, "Or you, +Russ?"</p> + +<p>Wiss, the Texcocan scientist, held +his wrist radio to his mouth and said, +"Come in now."</p> + +<p>Dick Hawkins thumbed back the +hammer of his hand gun.</p> + +<p>"Hold it a minute, Dick," Barry +Watson said. "I don't like this." To +Taller he rapped, "What goes on +here? Talk up, you're just about a +dead man."</p> + +<p>And it was then that they heard +the scraping on the outer hull.</p> + +<p>The six Earthmen looked at the +overhead, dumfounded.</p> + +<p>"I suggest you put up your weapons," +Taller said quietly. "At this +late stage I would hate to see further +bloodshed."</p> + +<p>In moments they heard the opening +and closing of locks and footsteps +along the corridor. The door +opened and in stepped,</p> + +<p>Joe Chessman, Amschel Mayer, +Mike Dean, Louis Rosetti, and an +emaciated Jerry Kennedy. Their expressions +ran the gamut from sheepishness +to blank haughtiness.</p> + +<p>MacDonald bug-eyed. "Dean ... +Rosetti ... the Temple priests burned +you at the stake!"</p> + +<p>They grinned at him, shamefaced. +"Guess not," Dean said. "We were +kidnaped. We've been teaching basic +science, in some phony monastery."</p> + +<p>Watson's face was white. "Joe," he +said.</p> + +<p>"Yeah," Joe Chessman growled. +"You sold me out. But Taller and +the Texcocans thought I was still of +some use."</p> + +<p>Amschel Mayer snapped, bitterly, +"And now if you fools will put down +your stupid guns, we'll make the final +arrangements for returning this expedition +to Terra City. Personally, I'll +be glad to get away!"</p> + +<p>Behind the five resurrected Earthmen +were a sea of faces representing +the foremost figures of both Texcoco +and Genoa in every field of endeavor. +At least fifty of them in all.</p> + +<p>As though protectively, the eleven +Earthmen ganged together at the far +side of the messtable they'd met over +so often.</p> + +<p>Martin Gunther, his expression +dazed, said, "I ... I don't—"</p> + +<p>Taller resumed his spokesmanship. +"From the first the most progressive +elements on both Texcoco and Genoa +realized the value of your expedition +and have been in fundamental sympathy +with the aims the <i>Pedagogue</i> +originally had. Primitive life is not +idyllic. Until man is free from nature's +tyranny and has solved the +basic problems of sufficient food, +clothing, shelter, medical care and +education for all, he is unable to realize +himself. So we co-operated with +you to the extent we found possible."</p> + +<p>His smile was grim. "I am afraid +that almost from the beginning, and +on both planets, your very actions developed +an ... underground, I believe +you call it. Not an overt one, +since we needed your assistance to +build the new industrialized culture +you showed us was possible. We even +protected you against yourselves, since +it soon became obvious that if left +alone you'd destroy each other in +your addiction to power."</p> + +<p>Baron Leonar broke in, "Don't +misunderstand. It wasn't until the +past couple of decades that this +<i>underground</i> which had sprung up +independently on both planets, +amalgamated."</p> + +<p>Barry Watson blurted, "But Joe +... Chessman—" he refused to meet +the eye of the man he'd condemned.</p> + +<p>Taller said, "From the first you +made no effort to study our customs. +If you had, you'd have realized why +my father allied himself to you after +you'd killed Taller First. And why I +did not take my revenge on Chessman +after he'd killed Reif. A Khan's +first training is that no personal emotion +must interfere with the needs of +the People. When you turned Joe +Chessman over to me, I realized his +education, his abilities were too great +to destroy. We sent him to a mountain +university and have used him +profitably all these years. In fact, it +was Chessman who finally brought +us to space travel."</p> + +<p>"That's right," Buchwald blurted. +"You've got a spaceship out there. +How could you possibly—?"</p> + +<p>Taller said mildly, "There are but +a handful of you, you could hardly +keep track of two whole planets and +all that went on upon them."</p> + +<p>Amschel Mayer said bitingly, "All +this can be gone over on our return +to Terra City. We'll have a full year +to explain to ourselves and each other +why we became such complete idiots. +I was originally head of this expedition—before +my supposed friends +railroaded me to prison—does anyone +object if I take over again?"</p> + +<p>"No," Joe Chessman growled.</p> + +<p>The others shook their heads.</p> + +<p>Taller said, "There is but one other +thing. In spite of how you may feel +at this moment of embarrassment, +basically you have succeeded in your +task. That is, you have brought Texcoco +and Genoa to an industrialized +culture. We hold various reservations +about how you accomplished this. +However, when you return to your +Co-ordinator of Galactic Colonization, +please inform him that we are +anxious to receive his ambassadors. +The term is <i>ambassadors</i> and we will +expect to meet on a basis of equality. +Surely in all Earth's millennia of +social evolution man has worked out +something better than either of your +teams have built here. We should +like to be instructed."</p> + +<p>Dick Hawkins said stiffly, "We +can instruct you on Earth's present +socio-economic system."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid we no longer trust +you, Richard Hawkins. Send others—uncorrupted +by power, privilege or +great wealth."</p> + +<hr class="min" /> + +<p>When they had gone and the sound +of their departing spacecraft had +faded, Amschel Mayer snapped, "We +might as well get underway. And +cheer up, confound it, we have lots +of time to contrive a reasonable report +for the Co-ordinator."</p> + +<p>Jerry Kennedy managed a thin +grin, almost reminiscent of the +younger Kennedy of the first years on +Genoa. "Say," he said, "I wonder if +we'll be granted a good long vacation +before being sent on another +assignment."</p> + +<p class="theend">THE END</p> + +<div class="figtran"> +<a href="images/008-2.jpg"><img src="images/008-1.jpg" width="140" height="200" alt="" title="" /></a> +<b><big>Transcriber's Note:</big></b><br /><br /> +This etext was produced from <i>Astounding Science Fiction</i> August +1960. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. +copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and +typographical errors have been corrected without note.</div> + +<hr class="dfx" /> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Adaptation, by Dallas McCord Reynolds + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADAPTATION *** + +***** This file should be named 24749-h.htm or 24749-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/7/4/24749/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Bruce Albrecht, Stephen Blundell +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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