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TheProjectGutenbergEBookofExploiter'sEnd,byJamesCausey
ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwithalmostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayorre-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincludedwiththiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.org
Title:Exploiter'sEnd
Author:JamesCausey
ReleaseDate:October7,2012[EBook#40970]
Language:English
***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKEXPLOITER'SEND***
ProducedbyGregWeeks,MaryMeehanandtheOnlineDistributedProofreadingTeamathttp://www.pgdp.net
EXPLOITER'SEND
_byJamesCausey_
[Transcriber'sNote:ThisetextwasproducedfromOrbitvolume1number2,1953.ExtensiveresearchdidnotuncoveranyevidencethattheU.S.copyrightonthispublicationwasrenewed.]
[Sidenote:_PEOPLEORTERMITES,IT'SALLTHESAME._
_THERE'SALIMITTOHOWFARYOUCANDRIVETHEM!_]
[Illustration]
Wetime-studiedtheTerm.Itmovedwithapliant,liquidgrace,itsfour
armsflickeringovertheinstrumentpanel,installingstuds,tighteningscrews,itsantennaeglowingwiththelambentyellowthatdenotedanagonyofeffort.
"See?"Harvey'sfreckledfacewassmug."Heratesaneasyhundredandten.Whoevertookthatfirststudy--"
"Itookit,"Isaid,squintingatthestopwatch.
Youcouldhearhimbitehislip.Afteronlytwoweeksonthejob,ona
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strangeplanetninetylight-yearsfromhome,youdon'ttellyourbosshe'scockeyed.
TheTermhurried.Itsfacetedtermiteeyeswereexpressionlessdiamonds,buttheantennaegleamedadesperatesaffron._Ifbugscouldsweat_,Ithoughtwryly.Nowthequartzpanelinstallation.Thosefourarmsmovedinablindingfrenzy.
Butthestopwatchwasfaster.ThesecondhandcaughtupwiththeTerm.Itpassedhim.Rating:Seventy-fourpercent.
Ituckedtheclipboardundermyarm,squeezedthroughtheairlock,anddowntheramp.Harveyfollowedsullenly.Theconveyorgroanedon,bringingupthenextunit,asleeklittlecruiser.TheTermseizedafifty-poundairwrench,fleduptheramptotheairlock.
"Adozenfeetbacktotheoperation,"Ipointedout."Afterthenextjobhe'llhavetoreturnfortyfeet.Thensixty.He'sinthehole."
Harveylookedathisshoes.JohnBarry,thetrimsuperintendent,camepuffingdowntheline,hisjowledfaceanxiousaboutdirectlaborcost,thewayeverygoodsupershouldbe."Anythingwrong,Jake?"
"Hecan'tcutit,"Isaid.
BarryfrownedupthroughtheairlockattheTerm.Thoseantennaenowshonethesoftsadpurpleofdespair.
Wewalkedpastthebodyjigs.Theairwasahazeofbluesmoke,punctuatedwithyellowsplashesofflamefromtheelectronicweldingguns.Termsscuttledlikegiganticspidersoverthegreatsilverhulls,theirantennaeglowinginapatternofswiftbrightharmony,rightonstandard,goodcost.Harvey'sfacewasraptashewatchedthem.Isaidharshly:
"GivemeyourthirdProductionAxiom."
Harvey'sshoulderssquared.Hesaidstiffly:"Beautyisfunctional.Thequintessenceofgraceistheclean,soaringbeautyofaspaceship'shull--"
"Extrapolate,Harvey."
Hislipsweretight."WhatIseeisugly.Termsmustbetaughtindividuality.WhatIseeisafascinating,deadlybeauty--deadlybecauseit'suseless.Wemustsublimateit,grinditdown,hammeritoutintoausefulpattern.Wastemotionisasin...."
"Excellent."
Weturnedintotheadministrationlift,leavingtheironroarbehindus,andonthewayupHarveydidn'tsayaword.Ilistenedforthetinkleofshatteringideals,andsaidpatiently,"You'reheretobuildspaceships.TobuildthembetterandcheaperthanConsolidatedorSolar.Hell,we'veevensetupavillagefortheTerms!Electricity,plumbing,luxuriestheywouldn'tnormallyenjoyforthenextmillionyears--"
"Willtheyfirehim?"Harvey'svoicewasflat.
Mytemperwasshredding."Four-daylayoff.Histhirdthismonth.Terms
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kickinmostoftheirsalaryforvillagemaintenance.Theycan'taffordapart-timeproducer."
IcouldseethatTermreadoutofthegang,leavingthecompanyvillage,stoically,whilehisfellowsplayedawailingdirgeofcolorontheirantennae.Thefarewellsong.IcouldseehimtrudgingoverthewindsweptpeakofCobaltMountain,staringdownathisnativevillage,andshakingwiththeimpactofthe_Stammverstand_,thetribe-mind,theacheandthelonging.Awheel,shakenoutoforbit.Thelonelycog,searchingforitslostslot.IcouldseethatTermreturningtohistribe.Andhowthey'dtearhimtopiecesbecausehewasathingapart,now,analien.
Wewalkeddownthegraycorridor,pastPsych,pasttheconferencehall,tothesilverdoormarked_MethodsandStandards_.Harvey'sblueeyeswereremote,stubborn.Iclappedhimpaternallyontheshoulder."Anyonecancallonewrong,lad.Forgetit."
Harveyslumpeddownatacomputor,andIwalkedintomyprivateofficeandshutthedoor.Harvey'spersonneldossierwasinmydesk.I.Q.178,fair.Stabilityquotienttwopointeight,verybad.Adaptabilityratingpointseven,borderline.ThoseidiotsinPsych!Couldn'ttheyindoctrinateanewmanproperly?
Iwaited.
InamomentHarveycameinwithoutknockingandsaid,"Mr.Eagan,Iwanttoquit."
Itookmytimelightingacigar,notraisingmyhead.
Hisdefiant,pleadinglook.
Iblewsmokeringsatthevisicomandfinallysaid,"Sinceyouweresixteen,you'vedreamedofthis.Eliminationtests,theweedingout,tenthousandothersmart,hungrykidsfightingyouforthisjob."Itastedthewords."Whenyourcontract'supyoucanwriteyourownticketanywhereinthesystem."
Heblurted:"IcameherefullofideasaboutthewonderfulworkAmalgamatedwasdoingtoadvancebackwardcivilizations.Sure,theTermshaveaunion.They'repaidatstandardgalacticratesforspacecraftassembly.Butyoumakethemliveinthatvillage.Itcoststorunthatvillage.Yougiveittothemwithonehandandtakeitbackwiththeother.Allthetimeyou'reholdingoutthepromiseofracialadvancement,individuality,somedaytheTermswillreachthestars.Nuts!"
"That'sGuildpropaganda,"Isaidsoftly.
"TheGuildisjustabogeyyoucreatedtokeeptheIntersolar
SpacecraftersUnioninline.There'saVenusportlinerdueinnextweek.WhenitleavesI'llbeonit!"
IplayedDutchUncle.Itoldhimhewasn'tusedtoTerminorb'sone-and-a-halfgravs,thatthiswasjustahangoverfromthethreetofiveoxygenratiohewasn'tusedto.Buthesaidno.FinallyIshrugged,scribbledsomethingonanAVOandhandedittohim."Allright,Harvey,"Isaidmildly."TakethisdowntoCarmody,inPsych.He'llgiveyouaclearance."
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Harvey'sfacewentwhite."SincewhendoyougotoPsychforaclearance?"
IpressedastudunderthedeskandtwoAnalystscamein.ItoldthemwhattodoandHarveyscreamed;hefoughtandbitandclawed,hemouthedunutterablethingsaboutwhatweweredoingtotheTermsuntilIchoppedhimmercifullybehindtheear.
"Poordevil,"pantedoneoftheAnalysts."Obviouslyinsufficientindoctrination,sir.WouldyoumindifIspentanhourinPsychforreorientation?He--heupsetme."
Myeyesstungwithpride.Samhadloyaltyplus."Surething,Sam.You'dbettergotoo,Barney.Hesaidsomeprettyuglythings."
[Illustration]
TheydraggedHarveyoutandIwentovertothevisicom,punchedabutton.IwastremblingwithanicyrageasCarmody'sleanhawkfaceswamintoview."Hello,Jake,"hesaidlanguidly."How'sCost?"
ItoldhimcurtlyaboutHarvey."Anotherweaksister,"Irasped."Can'tyouscreenthemanymore?Didn'tyounotehisstabilityindex?I'mgoingtoreportthistoStarza,Don."
"Relax,"Carmodysmiled."Thosethingshappen,Jake.We'lldoafewgentlethingswithscalpelandnarcosynthesis,andhe'llbebackinaweek,realeager,theperfectcostanalyst."
I'dneverlikedCarmody.Hewassosmug;hedidn'trealizethe_sacredness_ofhisposition.Isaidcoldly,"PutMissDavison."
Carmody'sgrinwasknowing.Thescreenflickered,andFern'sfacecameintofocus.Hermoistredlipsparted,andIshivered,lookingather,evenonavisicomscreen.Theshininggloryofherhair,thosecoolgreeneyes.Threemonthshadn'tmadeadifference.
"HowwaslittleoldEarth?"Isaidawkwardly.
"Wonderful!"Shewasradiant."I'llseeyouforlunch."
"Today'sgrievanceday.Dinner?"
"IpromisedDon,"shesaiddemurely.
Iswallowedhard."HowabouttheTermfestivaltomorrownight?"
"Well,Donsortofasked--"
ItriedtolaughitoffandFernsaidshe'dseemelaterandthescreen
wentblankandIsatthereshaking.
Thescreenflickeredagain.Starza'sgreatmoonfacesmiledatmeandsaidsweetly,"We'rereadytostartgrieving."
IpickedupthetimestudiesthatweredeathsentencesfortwoTerms,andwentdownthehalltoulcergulch,theconferenceroom.
Lureatermiteawayfromhistribe.Promisehimthestars.Makehimbusthisthoraxonanassemblyline.Hemakesawonderfulworker,with
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reflexestwiceasfastasahuman's,buthestillisn'tanindividual.Evenwhenputtingaspaceshiptogether,he'sstillpartofthetribe,partofaglowingsymphonyofcolorandmotion.That'sbadforproduction.Accentonindividuality,thatwasthekeynote.TheTermsandtheirunionrepresentativescouldargueagrievancerighttotheletterofthecontract,butwhenitcametoproductionstandardswehadthem.TerminorbIVwasninetylight-yearsfromthesystem,andtheTermscouldn'taffordahomeofficetimeandmotionanalyst.Itwasn'tworthit.Termswereexpendable.
LosTichnatwascommitteemanatlargefortheTermlocal.Hesatregallyattheheadoftheconferencetable,sevengleamingchitinousfeetofhim,withhissoftlypulsatingantennaeandfacetedeyes,andsaidinaclicking,humorlessvoice,"Thefirstitemisasecond-stagegrievance.BrotherNadkek,infinalassembly,waslaidoffforoneday.Reason:Hemissedanoperation.Thegrievance,ofcourse,isamereformality.Youwilldenyit."
DaveStarzawinkedatmefrombehindhorn-rimmedglasses.HesatlikesomegreatblandBuddha,DirectorofIndustrialRelations,geniusinouterpsychology,ruthless,soft-spoken,anticipatorofalientrends.Hesaidinthatbeautifulvelvetvoice,"Ordinarily,yes.InthiscaseNadkekwishedtoaskhisforemanaboutomittingaweldingphaseoftheoperation.Whilethesuggestionwasdeclined,Nadkekshowedunmistakable
initiative."Starzastressedtheword."Weappreciatehisinterestinthejob.Hewillreceivepayforthelostday."
Aroundthetable,antennaeflashedamazedcolors.Aprecedenthadbeenset.InterestinthejobtranscendedeventheContract.
"Management_sustains_thegrievance?"Tichnatdronedincredulously.
"Ofcourse,"Starzasaid.
Nadkeklefttheconferenceroom,hisantennaeapuzzledmauve.
"Next,"Starzasaidpontifically.
ThenextgrievancewassimplythataforemanhadspokenharshlytoaTerm.TheTermresentedit.Inhistribehehadbeenafighter,primeguardianoftheQueen-Mother.Fighterscouldnotbereprimandedascouldspinnersorworkers.
StarzaandTichnatsplithairswhileIdozedandthoughtaboutFern.
Starzafinallypromisedtoreprimandtheforeman.Itwaslovely,thewayhethumpedonthetable,aflamewithrighteousness,hisvoicegoldenthunder,themartyr,hurtbyTichnat'sunfairness,yetsoeagertocompromise,tobefair.Thenextgrievancewasworkstandards.Starzalookedatme.Thisonemattered.Thiswascost.
Ipulledoutmystudyproofs,said,"Radnor,infinalassembly.Consistentlyinthehole.Rating,seventy-fourpercent--"
"_Theoperationwastootight,Jake.Admitit!_"
Thethoughtuncoileddarkly,thunderingandreverberatinginthehorrifiedcavernsofmybrain.
Athoughtcaster.SotheGuildhadthoughtcastersnow.TheGuildhad
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finallycome.
Isatinthedanksilence,shaking.Adropoficecrawledslowlydownmytemple.IstaredaroundtheconferencetableatStarza'sfrown,atthoseTermfaces,thegreatfacetedeyes.
"Wegavethisworkereverychance,"Isaid,lickingmylips."Weputhimonanotheroperation.Hestillcouldn'tcutit.Eventhoughwe'vegotproductiontomeet,westillgiveasmanychances--"
Thethoughtslashed.Itgrewintoasoundlessroar.
"_Stopit,Jake!TellthemhowAmalgamated,underthecloakofliberation,isstranglingtheTermswithanalienculture.Tellthemwhatamockerytheircontractreallyis!TellthemaboutthatTermyoucondemnedthismorning!_"
Ifoughtit.Feelingthebloodrunfrommylip,Ifoughtit.I'dseenstrongmendriveninsanebyathoughtcasterwithinseconds.Mystabilityindexwassixpointthree.Damnedhigh.Ifoughtit.Igottomyfeet.Theroomreeled.ThosedamnedTermfaces.Theshiningantennae.Istumbledtowardsthedoor.Thethoughtbecameawhiplashofmoltenfury.
"_Upholdthatgrievance,Jake!Tellthemthetruth.Admitthestandard
wasimpossibletomeet--_"
Islammedthedoor.Thevoicestopped.
Myskullwasashatteredfly-wheel,asunburstofagony.Iwasretching.IstumbleddownthecorridortoPsych.Fernwasthere.Iwasscreamingather.TheGuildwashere.Theyhadthoughtcasters.Mybrainwasmelting.Fernwaswhite-faced.Shehadahypo.Ididn'tfeelit.ThelastthingIsawwastheglimmeroftearsinhergreeneyes.
*****
"...theneuronflow."Starza'svoice."Notwoalike.Likefingerprints.
Whatapitytheycan'trefinethetransmittalwaves."
Itriedtoopenmyeyes.
"TheGuildatomizedSolar'splantonProycon,"Carmody'svoicesaidquietly."It'sjustaquestionoftime,Dave."
"No,"Starzasaidthoughtfully."Proyconwasasweatshop.Ithinkmaybethey'rehintingthatourproductionstandardsareatriflerough.Look,hiseyelidsfluttered.Betyouhetakesrefugeinamnesia."
"Youlose."Myvoicewasanirongroan.
WewereinStarza'soffice.Carmodypeeredatmewithaclinicaleye."Itookthelibertyofnarcosynthesiswhileyouwereout,Jake.Youtoldusallaboutit.Howdoyoufeel?"
ItoldthemhowIfelt,inspades.
"Iwantmyvacationnow,"Isaid."I'veaccruedsevenmonths.I'mgoingtoVenus,"Isaid.
"Now,now,"Starzasaid."Mustn'tdesertthesinkingship,Jake."Ishut
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myeyes.Hisvoicewassoothingoil."Jake,theGuildasawholedoesn'tknowofthisplant.Guildagentsarefree-lancers,inthefullsenseoftheword.Theyexercisetheirowninitiative,andonlyreporttoGuildHQwhenthejobisdone."
"Then,"Carmodysaid,"ifwecanfindoutwho--"
"Precisely."Starza'seyeswereveiled."Incidentally,Don,you'vebeengonethelastfourdays.Why?"
Carmodyregardedhimsteadily."Recruiting.Youknewthat."
"YetyoubroughtbackonlyadozenTerms."
Carmodydrewaslowdeepbreath."Word'sgottenaround,Dave.Thetribeshavefinallyforgottentheirpettywarsandunitedagainstacommonenemy.Us!AnyTermthatexhibitsundesirabletraitsofindividualityisnowdestroyed.Ithinkadozenwasagoodhaul."
"Youhadthewholeplanet."
Carmody'sgrinwasdiamondhard."YouthinkmaybeIspentafewhoursunderaGuildmind-control?Isthatit?"
Starzasaid,"Onyourwayout,sendLosTichnatin."
Carmodyflushed."Tichnat'stheoneandyouknowit!Butifhe'snot--ifyouhaven'trundownthespybytomorrow--youcanacceptmyresignation.IsawwhattheyleftofProycon."
Thedoorslammedbehindhim.Starzasmiledatme."Whatdoyouthink,Jake?"
"Tichnat.ThesecondIgotoutofthere,thethoughtcasterstopped."
"Doesn'tmeanathing.Theycanbeamthroughsolidrock.Hundred-footradius."
"Noexploitation,"Imused.
"Fanatics,"Starzasaid."They'dimpedetheprogressofman.Sacrificeman'srightfulplaceinthecosmosforthesakeof--crawlingthings!We'llfightthem,Jake!"
Tichnatentered.HestoodstifflybeforeStarza'sdesk,hisantennaeacheerfulemerald.
Starzasaidcarefully,"WhatdoyouknowabouttheGuild?"
"Impracticalvisionaries,"Tichnatclicked."Loversofstatis,
well-meaningfools.Theyapproachedmeyesterday."
AveinthrobbedpurpleinStarza'sforehead.Yethekepthisvoicesoft."Andyoudidn'treportit?"
"Andprecipitateacrisis?"Tichnatsoundedamused."Iwasaskedifmypeoplewerebeingpersecuted.HadIansweredintheaffirmativetheremighthavebeenrepercussions,perhapsasequeltoProycon.Ohyes,weknowofProycon.Yourforemenaresometimesindiscreet."
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"Whowastheagent?"Starzabreathed.
"ShouldItellyou,anddisruptthestatusquo?Youwoulddestroytheagent.Inretaliation,theGuildmightdestroythisplant."
"Impossible!Guildagentshavenosuchauthority--"
"AchanceIcannotaffordtotake."Tichnatwasadamant.
"Amalgamated,"Starzaprodded,"offersastandingrewardofonehundredthousandsolarcreditsforapprehensionofanyGuildagent.Yourvillagecouldusethosecredits.Youcouldequipanatomiclab.Youcouldmaintainyourownresearchstaff--"
"Stopit."Theantennaethrobbedbrilliantly.
"Weareyourfriends,Tichnat."
"Symbiosis,Ibelieveistheword,"Tichnatclickeddryly."Youneedus.Weneedyourscience.Weneedyourterrifyingconceptofindividuality.Weneedtoloseouroldways.Thedanceofharvesttime.TheQueen-Mother.Onebyonetheritualsdropaway.Theoldlife,thegoodtriballife,isdying.Yousiftoutusmisfitswhochafeattribaloneness,youofferustheplanets!"
Theantennaeflashedanangryscarlet."Youthinktokeepuschainedamillennium.Ahundredyearswillsuffice.Wewillleaveyou.Weexilesyouhavemade,wewhowouldbedestroyedifwedaredreturntothetribe,weshallrulethisworld!Youaliensdriveahardbargain,butthedreamisworthit!"
Prometheus,inabug'sbody.Theshiningstrength,andthedarkterriblepride.
"Itisnodream,"Starzasaidgently."Butperhapsyougoaboutachievingitthewrongway.Youstillrefusetodivulgethespy?"
"Iamsorry.Goodday."
Starzabroodedafterhim.
"He'safool.Buthe'sgraspingmankind'sconcepts,Jake.I'dgivemyrighteyeforagoodsemanticist!BasicEnglishdoesit._Self_,_want_,_mine_,selfishego-words,thecornerstonesofgraspinghumanity.Sure,we'llraisehellwiththeirestheticsense,butintheendthey'llthankus."
Isat,worryingaboutasecretfanaticsomewhereintheplantwho,intheholyinterestsofMars-for-the-Martians,Terminorb-for-the-Terms,mightsoonplantanatomicwarheadinourbodyshop.Ifinallysaid,
"Whatarewegoingto_do_?"
"Do?"Starzachuckled."Why,slackenlinespeeds,lowerproductionstandards,fiftypercentatleast.Bytomorrowwe'llbedowntofortyjobsanhour.Theywantloosestandards,we'llgiveittothem."
"Butmy_cost_?"
"Obscenityyourcost.Look,Jake,nomatterhowyousetanoperationup,theTermsmanagetoworkinsomeglitteringlittleritual.They_have_
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tocreatebeauty.Theirestheticsensemustbefed.Theycan'tadjusttoquickchange.Supposingyoucutlinespeedsbytenpercent.Theyadjust,butitalmostkillsthem.Thendropthirtypercent.Theirrituallosestiming,becomesdiscordant.Whathappens?"
Iblinked."Theygomad."
"AndourlittleGuildsaboteurwillbeguiltyofafewTermdeaths.He'llhaveviolatedabasicGuildtenet.He'llgohomewithhistailbetweenhislegs.Catch?"
Icaught.
Bymidafternoonwehadtheconveyorspeedsdownthirtypercent.Theredlineonmycostchartsoaredprecariously.Theentireproductionlineslowedtoacrawl.Wewaited.
Atfiveo'clockithappened.ThreeTermsinthebodyshopwentmad.Itstartedachainreactionthroughoutthetrimline.SixmoreTermsranamuckandhadtobedestroyed.Finalassemblybecameashambles.Starzacalledmeonthevisicom,delighted."OurGuildagentplayedrightintoourhands,Jake.Inforcingaproductionslumphe'sharmingtheworkers.Hisnextmovewillprobablybeabluff."
Iwasn'tsosure.
Thateveningtheexecutivediningroomwaschokedwithatight,gnawingtension.Departmentheadsspokeinhushedwhispers,eyesdarting.Themanacrossthetablecouldbeamindless-controlled,aGuildpawn.Smileathimpolitelyandkeepyourmouthshut.Iordered_thar_,aTerminorbarthapodthatwasusuallymoredeliciousthanVenusianlobster,buttonightittastedlikebroiledleather.Itwaslikeeatinginamorgue.
IsawCarmody,atthenexttable.Inoddedcoollytohimandhehitchedhischairoverandsaid,"Bytheway,Jake,I'msorryaboutHarvey.He'sgoingbacktoEarthnextweek."
"Why?"
"Hisstabilityindexwastoolow,"Carmodysaidsmoothly."Sure,wecouldhavegivenhimtheworks,butyoudidn'twantarobot."
Isaiddeliberately,"Ineededthatboy,Don."
Carmodygotup,hissmileinfinitelycontemptuous."Wedon'tallhaveyourstabilityindex,Jake."
Istaredafterhim,andthethoughtsuddenlystruckmethatnotoncehad_I_consideredquitting,ever.Somehow,thethoughtdisturbedme.
Abruptlythepublicaddressspeakerboomed.
"Attention,"Starza'svoicecrackled."TotheGuildagent,whereverhemaybe.Todayyoumurderedthirty-sevenTerms.Isthisyouraltruism?Isthisyourvauntedjustice?"Hewenton,hisvoicelikeorganmusic,sweepingawayalldoubt,makingyouproudandgladtobeapartofAmalgamated,partofProduction,whenquitesuddenlyhisvoicechokedoff.Simultaneouslyanothervoicerippedthroughthehall.Acoldironicwhisper,lashingatthemind.
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"_Altruism,yes.Butnotasyouconceiveit.Todayyoupassedyourownjudgment.Youhavetwenty-fourhourstoevacuatebeforethisPlantisdestroyed.Theverdictisfinal._"
Thedininghallechoedwithmoans.Handsleanedtoagonizedtemples.Thethoughtcasteragain,onawidebandfrequency.ThroughthepainIwasconsciousofStarza'svoice.TheGuildwastryingtobluffus.Wewouldn'tletthem.Istumbledoutofthehall,myteethchattering,tooktheliftdowntothefirstlevel,andgotoutside,towalkfreeinthepark.
HerewasEden.Giantconifersandfernswoveacoolgreenpatternofdelight,andthelaughterofthecrystalfountainssoothed.Termshadfashionedthisgarden,hadcreatedapoeminlivinggreen,aquietfugueof_oneness_,eachleafblendingexquisitelywiththenext,theunity,theperfectwhole.ForoneweakmomentIletthepatternseepinsidiouslyintome,andthen,ashamed,focusedmyeyesonthatjarringsplashofwhiteinthecenterofthegarden.Theten-footmodeloftheAmalgamatedX-3M,squatwithpower,liftingonhersternjets.AsymbolofAmalgamated'sstrength,theindomitablespiritofmankind,beautybornofpureutility.Oddly,ahalf-rememberedpoemoftheAncientsflittedthroughmybrain:
_DirtyBritishCoasterwithhersalt-cakedsmokestack,
ButtingthroughtheChannelonthemadMarchdays--_
Thatwasman.
Onaninfinityofplanetshehadmetresistance,throughforce,throughguile--eventhroughbeauty.Andhehadconquered.Idrewaslowdeepbreathandsatononeofthebenches,staringupatthegigantichorseshoeofthefactory,hearingthemutedhumoftheatomics.Twenty-fourhours.
Itriedtorunthroughmyaxioms,andIwassuddenlyterrified.Icouldn'trememberthem!Thatdamnedthoughtcaster.Twiceinoneday.Perhapstherewassomegradualneuraldisintegration.Myheadhurt
terribly.TomorrowI'dgotoPsychforacheckup.IthoughtaboutthatmarblevillainVenusport,andaboutmybankaccount.Notenough.Anotheryear,justonemoreyear,andIcouldretire,atthirty-four.IthoughtabouttheVenusiantwilights,andtheturquoisemistsofftheDeeps,andwondereddullyifI'deverseeVenusortheEarthagain.
IsawFern,walkingamongtheconifers,herfaceapalemaskofstrain."Youheardit,Jake?"
Inodded.
Wesatintheaquamarinetwilight,andFernwasshivering,andIputmyarmaroundher.
"Lookslikealtruismisarelativething,"Isaid."What_do_theywant?"
"UncontaminatedTerms,"shesaidbitterly."Noscience,nostars,nowarsandnoprogress.Abigbeautifulplanet-mind,theTermmind,foreverstatic,foreverdead."
"It'sabluff,"Isaid."Ourlittlefanatic'sstallingfortime,hopingtostampedeuswhilehefindsanotherway."
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"Forexample?"
"WhydoyouthinkweinsistonbasicEnglishforallTerms?SupposingaforemanshouldstartjabberingTermineseduringanoperation.TheTermswouldrevert,we'dhavealineshutdown.Theycan'tadjust--say!"Arandomthoughtwasnibblingatmybrain."WherewasCarmodythismorning?JustbeforeIreeledin?"
Herfinebrowsknitted."Why,hewent--oh,Jake,surelyyoudon'tthink--?"
"Wentwhere?"
"Downthehall.TowardsPersonnel."
"Towardstheconferencehall,youmean.HeneverevenexaminedHarvey!"
"Itwasn'tnecessary,"shesaiduncomfortably."Donjustwantedtoverifyhisstabilityindex."
"Sure!Sohestoodoutsidetheconferencehallandputawhammyonme--"
Fernwassmiling.Iscowled."Itfits.Ithastobehim."
"OrTichnat,"shesaid."OrStarza.Orme."
Istaredather."You'ddo."Myvoiceshook."Youweregonethreemonths.Theycouldhavegottoyou."
Herrich,warmlaughtersiftedthroughthetwilight,andIwantedtohither."Theydid,"shegurgled,"butI'vedecidedtorelent,Jake.I'llsparetheplantononecondition--thatyoutakemetotheTermfestivaltomorrownight."
Igrunted."Carmodyworkingovertime,Isuppose?"
"Iftheplant'sstillstanding."
Ichangedthesubject.
TwohourslaterStarzacalledacouncilofwar.
*****
Theconferenceroomwascrammedwithquiveringexecutives.Starzacarefullyletthetensionbuildtoashrillcrescendobeforehesaid:
"OneofyougentlemenisaGuildmindless-controlled."
Raggedsilence.Starza'ssmilewasveryfaint.
"Yougaveusanultimatum.Butdestroyingthisplantisanadmissionoffailureyou'renotwillingtomake--yet.You'lltryanothertack.You'rejustbeginningtodiscoverthatthisenvironmentwe'vecreatedfortheTermsissuperiortotheprimitivejungle.Tichnat!"
Tichnatsteppedforward.Hisantennaewereaproud,brilliantgold.
"Doyouwantashutdown?"Starzaaskedsoftly.
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"Arewefools?"Tichnatclicked."Tolosewhatwe'vegained?Toreturntoourtribe?Tobedestroyed?"
Starza'scalmgazecaressedeachface,probing."Yousee?Stalemate.Whoeveryouare,_you'rebluffing_.Tomorrowourconveyorspeedsreturntonormal.You'lldonothing.YoumaytrytoagitatetheTerms,butthey'resatisfied--"
Oneofthesuperintendentsclearedhisthroat."Look,"hesaidunsteadily,"sometimesyoucan'taffordtocallabluff."
Starzasaidpleasantly,"Anyresignationswillbeacceptedrightnow.YoucanwaitsafelyintheTermvillageuntilnextweek'sfreighterarrives.Norepercussions,Ipromise."
Theliewasblatant.Carmodystoodbythedoor,hissmilestrained.Itwasalltooobviouswhatwouldhappentoanyresignees.
"None?"Starza'sbrowsrose."I'mproudofyou.That'sit,gentlemen."
Thenextdaywasafreneticnightmare.Mycostdropped,butitdidn'tmatter.Thatwasonedaywhenthebestcompanymanbecameaclock-watcher.Lineforemen,departmentheads,crackedunderthestrain,
andweresummarilyremovedtoPsych.Carmodyandstaffworkedovertime.
[Illustration]
Itoiledfeverishlyoveroperationschedules,thecrazilyfluctuatingcostcharts.Myheadachewasgone,butIstillcouldn'tremembermyaxioms!IfeltguiltyovernotgoingtoPsych,buttherejustwasn'tthetime.
Hell,_I'd_neverneededindoctrination.IwasanAmalgamatedmanthroughandthrough.FinallyIgrabbedanengineeringmanual,leafedangrilythroughit--andsatthere,emptyandshaking.
I'dgoneinsane.
Thewordsweregibberish.Oh,Icouldreadthemallright,buttheydidn'tmake_sense_.Whatafilthytrick.Semanticblock,Starzawouldcallit.Ikeptstaringatthemeaninglesswords,consciousofatearingsenseofloss.AndIwantedtocry.
Sixo'clockwaszerohour.
Sixo'clockcame,andthefactoryhelditscollectivebreathwhilenothinghappened.
Atsix-thirtyStarzamadealongspeechoverthepublicaddress.About
theselflessspiritofman,helpingtheTermsreachthestars,abouthowwewouldneveradmitdefeat,andabouthow,aftertonight,theTermfestivalwouldbediscontinued.TheTermshadadoptedmankind'sculture,theyhadnofurtherneedoftheireffetenativecustoms.
Atseven,FernandIwerewalkingpastAdministrationtowardsthelightedsquare-mileenclosureoftheTermvillage.Fernhadneverseenafestival.
"Athrowback,"Isaid,"totheiroldtribaldays.Theirharvest,when
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theypaytributetotheQueen-Motherandprayforgoodcropsandworkwelldone.It'stheiryearlysubstitutefor_Stammverstand_.Backinthenativevillages,wheneveraTerm'sintrouble,hegoestothecouncilhutandtheothersjoinhiminasilent,grouptelepathy.Butwe'vejustaboutweanedthem,angel!They'llbeindividualssoon."
WewalkeddownthedesertedrowofTermhuts,pastthecouncilhall,tothegreatstoneamphitheatre,andsatwiththeotherexecs.Fernwasverygayandcheerful,butIkeptthinkingaboutmyaxioms,tryingtobringthembacktolife.Ifeltdead,alldeadinside.
Starzacameup,frowning,andIcongratulatedhim.
"It'stoopat,Jake,itworriesme.Where'sCarmody?"
"Settingupthosesemanticreactiontestsyougavehim,"Fernsaid.
"ButInevergavehim--"
Abruptlythelightssnuffedout.Atoneendofthearenaloomedatwelve-footstatueofabloatedTerm,limnedinasoftpaleglow.TheQueen-Mother.
Thehush.Thentheradiance.
SlowlytheTermsfiledintothearena,rankuponrankoflivingflame.Firstthefighters,theirantennaeshiningcrimsonandsplendidagainstthetallnight.Thenthetwinsglowsofbluethatdenotedthespinners,theweavers.Thegoldenblazeoftheharvesters.Thelambentcolorscreptthroughtheairlikeamood,likeadream,anddeepenedintoashimmeringcataractofrainbowfire,apaeanoflightandglorythatwhirledandspuninajoyousrhythmasoldastheraceitself.
Then--chaos.
Ablindingflarecascadedfromthesix-footantennaeofthestatue.Theradiancegrew,brighterthananatomicflare,moreterriblethanthe
sun.TheTermsstoodfrozen.Besideme,Starzaswore.
Thiswasn'tinthescript.
Thatcolossalvoice.
Ear-snappingclicks,andliquidvowels.Terminese.Theforbiddentongue.Thevoiceblared.Icaughtmostofit.
"_Children,youhavesinned.Youaredefiledwiththetaintofalienmonsters.YouhavefailedtheQueen-Mother.Return,mychildren,returntoyourtribes.Returntothetabernacleofunity,theone-in-all,theQueen-Mother!Forindeaththereislife,andthereisjoyin
immolation.Return!_"
Lastly,theclimax.Thatlastshatteringhunkofpropagandathatwouldhavebeensotritelyamusingifithadn'tbeensoterrifying.
"_Youhavenothingtolosebutyourchains._"
Thegiantantennaefadedtoaliquidsilver.Thesilverofhope,offorgiveness.
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ForamomentIwasblind.IfeltFerntremblingagainstme.Theexecswerechatteringlikefrightenedsheep.ThenIcouldsee.IsawStarza.Hewasmovingdowntheaisle,cursinginatight,dullmonotone.
Ifollowedhimdownintothearena.TheTermsstoodshriveled,mute.Starzawasfumblingatthebaseofthestatue,andhesaidinathickhorriblevoice,"Look."Theloudspeaker.Thecoiledwiring.
TheTermsstirred.
Starzaleapedtothelapofthestatue.Hebawled,"Listen!Thisissacrilege!Youhavebeenvictimsofahoax--"
Notlistening,theyfiledinsilentgroupsoutofthearena.Theirantennaewerethecolorofashes.Starzajumpeddown.Hepoundedafterthem.HewasshoutingatLosTichnat.
"Iknow,"Tichnatdroned.Hekeptwalking."Youareright.Itdoesnotmatterthatyouareright.TheQueen-Mothercalled."
"Listen,"Starzamouthed."Itwasafraud,atrick.Youcan't--"
"Wemust."Tichnatpaused.Foralongmomentthegreatfacetedeyesstaredsomberly."Itwasasplendiddream,thethingyouofferedus.But
thisisthefinalreality.Andyoursisbutadream."
Hetrampedstolidlyon,aftertheothers.Thecouncilhalldoorclosed.
Starzaclawedatthedoor.Itopened.Hewastoolate.Theysatsilentlyaroundthegreattable,thefacetedeyesdead,theantennaecoruscatingindigo,nowgreen,nowrose.Communion.Themeshingofminds.Starzashoutedatthem.Stillness.
Starzalookedblindlyatme.Hewasshaking."Carmody,"hesaid."CarmodyknowstheTermmind.Hecandosomething.Comeon,"hesaid.
*****
WefoundCarmodyinhisquarters,methodicallypacking.Hiseyebrowsroseasweburstin."Didyougentlemenevertryknocking?"
Starzajustlookedathim.Carmodydrewalongbreath."You'llfindmyresignationonyourdesk,Dave."
"Ah?"Starza'svoicewasverysoft.
"It'sonlyaquestionoftime,"Carmodysaid."Callittheratdesertingtheshipifyoulike,butI'mthrough."
Starzawassmiling,afatman'ssmile."Soyoureallythinkyoucanpull
itoff,"hewhispered.
Carmodyshrugged,andStarzacalmlytookoutasonicpistolandshothiminthebelly.
Asonicblasthemorrhages.Itrendsthecapillaries,ploughsthefleshintoaflaccidcollectionofshatterednervefibersandruinedarteries.It'sarottenwaytodie.
StarzawatchedCarmodythrashhimselftodeathonthefloor.Iturned
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away.
"Fortherecord,Jake,hemadeafullconfession.Webothheardhim."
"Justfortherecord,"Isaid.
"Ithadtobehim,"Starzasaid."ThatthoughtcasterblastyesterdaymorningmadereferencetoyourstudyontheTerm.OnlyHarveyandCarmodyknewaboutthat.Itcouldn'thavebeenHarvey.Hecuthisthroatthismorning.
"I'vedecided,"Starzasaid."ThisisaTypeLplanet,afterall.Thenativesarechronicallyunstable.Hostile,infact.PursuanttoSolarRegulation3,wehavetherighttoenforcemartiallaw.Itshouldbesixmonthsbeforeaninvestigation.Meanwhile--"
"We'llgetproduction,"Isaid.
"We'llgetproduction."Hewipedhisforehead,relaxed."I'llsendinafullreporttonight.Betterturnin,Jake,"hesaidkindly."I'llneedyouinthemorning."
Iturnedin.
Youlieawake,staringintotheblackness.Itgnaws.
Myheadthrobbed.Ishouldhavefeltatriumphantrelief,butIcouldnotremembermyaxioms,andIfeltasickdullhateforthethingtheGuildspyCarmodyhaddonetome.Whathappenswhenyoustripamanofeverythinghebelievesin?
Heremembersotherthings.
ThosememoriescametroopingbacklikeghostsandIfoughtthem,sweating,buttheycame.Onceuponatime,therewasastarry-eyedyoungengineerwhostartedouttosetthegalaxyonfire.Buthegotsqueamish,somewherealongtheway.SoCarmodyoperatedonhim.Carmody
didthingstohisbrain,madeagoodproductionmanoutofhim.
Irememberednow.
ThattimeIhadarguedwithStarzaaboutstandards,nineyearsago.AndIhadresigned.AndStarzasentmetoPsych.
GoodoldCarmody.
ThereneverwouldbeawhitemarblevillaonVenus.Itwasaharmlessdream,asubstituteforwhatIhadlost.Butitdidn'tmatter!Thosesuperimposedpatternshadbeenremoved,thatthoughtcasterhadcrippledmythinking,but,byHeaven,IwasstillanAmalgamatedman!They
couldn'ttakethataway.
ButStarzahadbeenwrongaboutCarmody.
Nothingdefinite.Butwhenyoudedicateyourlifeintoextrapolatingcurves,frozenchunksoftimeandmotion,intothethunderofjetsliftingAmalgamatedshipsfromTerminorb,yourmindbecomesaveryefficientanaloguecomputor,ifyouknowhowtouse.Iuseditnow.Ifedlittlethings,facts,variables,intothatcomputor,andittoldmethreetimes.Probability:sixtypercentatleast.
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Igotup,dressedstiffly.Iwastrembling.Icouldstillserve,afterall.
ItooktheliftuptoAdministration,andwalkeddownthatlonggraycorridoronleadenfeettowardstheilluminatedrectangleofStarza'soffice.
Iopenedthedoor.
"Hello,darling,"Fernsaid.
*****
ShewasunhurriedlyburningStarza'sreport.Starzasatmutelyinhischair,headtiltedbackatanimpossibleangle,staringatnothing.
"Ithadtobeyou."Ihadneverfeltsotired."Youwouldhavedestroyedtheplant,wouldn'tyou?OnlyIshowedyouanotherway.MaketheTermsrevert.AndyouhadthathypoallreadywhenIreeledintoPsych."Imovedtowardshercarefully."You'resodamnedaltruistic.AGuildmindless-controlled,"Isaid.
Fern'ssmilewascompassionate.Shemethodicallygroundtheashesto
powder,liftedthatcalmgreengaze.
"Stupidwordstofrightenchildren,Jake.Yes,theykidnappedme.IneverreachedEarth,threemonthsago.Iwasindoctrinated--oh,theydidn'thavefartogo._Eachracetoitsownfulfillment._"Hereyeswereshining."Lookoutthewindow."
Numbly,Imovedpasther.Istared.Inthedistantblackness,acolumnoflivingflameflickereduptheslopeofCobaltMountain.Ice-green,ruby,silverandblue.TheTermswereleaving.
"They'renotreadyforindividualityyet,"Fernbreathed."Inamillionyearsperhaps.Notnow.They'regoinghome."
"Todie."
"Theracewilllive.Individualityisn'tthepenultimate,darling.You'llfindout."Imovedtowardsher."You'vegotaverytoughmind,Jake.You'llmakeawonderfulGuildagent--"
Igotbothhandsonherthroat.
Fernmoved.Herrightarmwasasnakestriking,andasteelstrengthliftedme,turning,againstoneandahalfgravities,andthefloorwavereduptohitmeintheface.Somethingbroke.Itastedblood.
Throughtheagony,Imoved.Icrawledtowardsher.
"Theygavemesixweeksofhandcombatundertwogravs,"shesaid."Soonyou'llbeoneofus,Jake.OneoftheGuild!"
Istaredupatherinadullhorror.Ikeptcrawling.
"We'llhealyou,"Fernsaid."We'llgiveyoubackthedream.Wemayevenworktogether!MaybeI'llfallinlovewithyouagain,whoknows?"Hereyeswerebrimming.Shetookoutasonicpistol."It'sallright,
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darling.I'lladjustitforknockout.Inthreehourswe'llbeonaGuildflier.Please,darling,"shesaid,andIkeptcrawling.AndFern'ssmilewasabenedictionasshepulledthetrigger.
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