by Andre Norton
Kade nodded. He had a feeling that the VIP was far ahead of him, that his one or two bright discoveries were a matter of kindergarten games in an obscure backyard playground.
“He might be persuaded to see it through,” Abu remarked. “That’s the third step in our real Service, Whitehawk.”
“Five horses—and the mountains crawling with Styor. How many years do you think it would take to make Cor uneasy?” Kade roused himself to demand.
“Oh, you don’t have to have it quite as rugged as all that.” The VIP clicked open a wall storage compartment, brought forth a belt and holstered stunner. He drew the weapon, slid it across the table to Kade’s hand.
“Now that is something you will find useful. We’ve pushed through a rush order at the base, and can let you have about fifty now, with a drop of more to arrange for later. Try that on a collar control and you’ll see some pleasing results, without obnoxious side features. Horses—Well, another drop of those will take some doing. But clear us a plains-side place and we’ll oblige. That is, of course, if you stay on here.”
Kade fingered the stunner. He did not in the least doubt that it would act just as promised. Fifty of those to hand—why, they could free the slave packs now hunting them here, use the knowledge of the freed men against their masters—Open a section of plain—Yes, it could be done. A raid in the outer fringe, a landing site far enough from Cor that they could keep it open for two Klorian days, maybe longer. He heard Abu laugh.
“The relay is clicking, sir. Already he marches to unmask the High-Lord-Pac.”
Kade grinned. “Not quite as fast as all that, sir.”
The VIP nodded. “Start small, and don’t push too hard. This may be your big war, it’s only a small skirmish in the Plan.”
Kade buckled on the stunner belt. “Tell me, sir, how long has the Plan been in operation.”
For the first time since he clicked off the recorder the officer lost his genial air of satisfaction. “For about two hundred years.”
Kade stared. “And how long—”
“Until,” Abu answered softly, “a push here, a push there topples a star empire. An event I am beginning to doubt any of us here will live to see. Not that that matters.”
And, thought Kade, perhaps it did not. But one could get a lot of satisfaction out a good stiff push—with the Styor on the receiving end.