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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."
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.
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." Plekhanov snarled at him.
And these other Texcocans are Wiss and Fokin, both of whom have gone far in the sciences." The Tulans shook hands, Earth style, but then stepped to the rear again where they followed the conversation without comment. Mayer said, "You think it wise to introduce natives to the Pedagogue?" "Of course," Chessman said. "Following this conference, I'm going to take Fokin and Wiss into the library.
"You were going to kill these?" The Khan said reasonably, "They are not of the People. They are prisoners taken in battle." Mynor said, "Their lives please the gods." "There are no gods, as you probably know," Plekhanov said flatly. "You will no longer sacrifice prisoners." A hush fell on the Texcocans. Joe Chessman let his hand drop to his weapon.
He had no intention of precipitating a situation in which he would discover such powers to his sorrow. He said carefully, "You have indicated that you intend major changes in the lives of the People." "Of all Texcocans," Plekhanov said, "you Tulans are merely the beginning." Mynor, the aged priest, leaned forward. "But why? We do not want these changes whatever they may be.
But Taller and the Texcocans thought I was still of some use." 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!"
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 " The Texcocans slammed the spaceport after them. Kennedy sloshed some more drink into his glass. "Slobs can't stand the truth," he explained to the others.
The footsteps had a strangely military ring. 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. Mayer scowled at them in way of greeting. "Where's Plekhanov?"
If I understand the mission of the Pedagogue it is to bring us to as high a technological level as possible in half a century. Already three decades have passed." 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.
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