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Updated: June 5, 2025
Chessman and Cogswell, you'll assemble their best artisans and begin their training in such basic advancements as the wheel." 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." Plekhanov cut him off with a curt motion of his hand.
"If we extended their life expectancy, their best men would live to be of additional use to planet development." "But they would not have our dream," Plekhanov rumbled. "Such men might try to subvert us, and, just possibly, might succeed." "I think Leonid is right," Mayer admitted with reluctance.
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." "Admittedly!" Mayer agreed. "I'd be the last to contend that an upper class is necessarily parasitic." Plekhanov grumbled, "We're getting away from the subject.
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." "Plenty of time for that," Watson grinned. "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." "There's another element," Plekhanov muttered.
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. In what was evidently the reception hall of Taller's official residence, the newcomers were made as comfortable as fur padded low stools provided.
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." 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."
"Whether or not you 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." 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 ..." "Joe," Plekhanov said flatly. "Watson!"
His face displayed his irritation at the other's method of presenting himself. "Good Heavens, Plekhanov, what is this, an invasion?" The other registered surprise. Mayer indicated the Texcocans. "Do you think it necessary to bring armed men aboard the Pedagogue? Frankly, I have not even revealed to a single Genoese the existence of the ship."
The movement was not lost on Taller's son, whose eyes narrowed. 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.
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. 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. Plekhanov glared at Taller.
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