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Updated: June 29, 2025
But for my money I'd just as soon tackle the question of the Ids. Sal Karone is twice the man Marthasa is, yet he acts like he has no will of his own when the Markovian is around." "The Roman-slave relationship," said Joyce. "The Markovians probably conquered a large community of the Ids in their pirate days and brought them here as slaves.
A pirates' lair, Cameron thought, without the slightest touch of amusement. The field looked very old, and from it he could imagine raiders had once taken off to harass distant shipping and do wanton destruction of cities and peoples on innocent worlds. He watched the face of Marthasa as they rode through the city.
What else could you want, with the whole Universe in the palm of your hand? He turned sharply. "You tricked us into betraying ourselves to Marthasa, and you said that you planned it this way when you first heard of our coming. But you have not yet said why. Why did you want us to see what you had done?" "You needed to have evidence from the Markovians themselves," said Venor.
Just why had this bait been so innocently thrown to him? Marthasa had never mentioned it. Yet had the Markovians asked for an attempt to get an admission from him for their own purposes? And what purposes ? He abandoned caution, and nodded. "Yes, that is the thing I am interested in. I had hoped to study the history and ways of the Markovians.
It seems to give him a sense of importance to live out there alone with his retinue and have the other Ids come to him with their problems. He's a kind of arbiter and patriarch to all of them for many miles around." While Marthasa talked Cameron tried to bring his awareness of all the varied facets of the problem together and see it whole, as he now understood it.
And I'll bet they are very much aware that the Ids are the better men. Marthasa knows it. That's why he has to put on a show in front of Sal Karone. He's the old Roman merchant struggling to keep up his conviction of superiority before the Greek scholar slave." "The Ids aren't supposed to be slaves. According to the little that's known they are completely free.
Joyce explained the story about their honeymoon trip and built their interest in Markovian culture as casual indeed. As she went on, Marthasa seemed to be struck by a sudden thought. "I insist that you make your headquarters with me during your stay," he said. "I can see that you learn everything possible about the Nucleus while you are here.
"While we would be very happy to accept your invitation, it may be that he has different plans for our reception." Marthasa waved a hand. "I shall arrange for my appointment as your official host. Consider it agreed upon!" It was agreed. But Joyce was not as optimistic as Cameron in regarding it an aid to their study.
Marthasa and Sal Karone were with them in the lounge watching the screens as the ship changed drives. The Markovian squinted a moment and pointed to a minor dot near the corner of the view. "That's our destination. Another six hours and you can set foot on the best planet in the whole Universe!" If it had been mere enthusiasm, Cameron could have taken it with tolerant understanding.
We've got to find out how such an apparently impossible thing could be done." "Do you really believe that's what happened?" asked Joyce. Cameron nodded. "It's the only thing there is to believe. If it weren't true, Marthasa and his wife would have laughed it off as nonsense.
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