by James White
Skorta bowed gravely and said, “The election was unanimous, off-world Master. You may speak to us now, and everything you say will be accepted as factual if you say that it is, and any demonstrations by mechanisms operated by you will be given similar credence. If your words or actions prove false or inaccurate you will, of course, be answerable to your fellow Masters.”
“I understand,” Martin said, as he removed the tri-di projector from his pack. “What if the vote had not been unanimous? Would I have had to fight?”
“Only as a last resort,” the Teldin replied, “and after many days debating other and nonviolent solutions. There are never enough Masters on Teldi, Martin. The senior slaves who become eligible for Mastership and are encouraged to apply are far too intelligent to want the heavy responsibility involved. But there are an occasional few who, like ourselves, are overtaken by a strange irrationality which makes us find rewards hi performing thankless tasks and… You are ready to begin?”
“I’m ready,” Martin said.
He waited until Skorta had returned to its place at the big table, then announced that he would describe and depict the events which had occurred on his home planet when Earth had been contacted by the Federation of Galactic Sentinents and its people offered citizenship. Indicating the entrance and wall facing their table, he started the projector. Several of the Masters made untranslatable noises as, in spite of the Hall lighting, there appeared a volume of blackness of apparently endless depth.
The show began.
He showed them the arrival of the gigantic matter transmitters in Earth orbit, and some of the feats of transportation of which they were capable. He showed them a few of the great, white cubical buildings which were the Federation’s examination and induction centers, and described how the people of Earth went into them to be rejected as Undesirable, accepted as Citizens, or classified as non-Citizens requiring further examination and training.
“But you’re telling them everything?’ Beth’s voice said anxiously in his earpiece. “Our tutor might not want that. Or don’t you care anymore?”
“I care,” Martin said. “But I’m not sure what our tutor expects of us. If it had wanted us to do or not do something, it should have been more specific, instead of simply telling us that the Teldi situation was entirely our responsibility. And I do care about these people, too much to be dishonest with them.”
“This Master business,” Beth said quietly, “you’re taking it very seriously.”
“Yes,” he said, then added quickly, “No more talking, die next bit could be tricky…”
Like every other planetary population offered citizenship, he explained, Earth’s people had been screened and divided into three categories-the Citizens, the non-Citizens and the Undesirables. The majority of applicants were successful and became Citizens, to move to the Federation World to begin lives hi which their potentialities could be fully realized free of all personal, political, and economic pressures. In the Federation, Citizens were not forced to do anything, because the type of people who would use such force were excluded as Undesirables.
But Martin could see that the Masters were becoming restless at the idea that they might be considered undesirable, and he went on quickly, “Unlike the Citizens, the non-Citizens obey orders and have to submit to training, but their work is vital to the functioning of the Federation. They have the option of becoming Citizens at any time, and they are…”
“Slaves,” one of the Masters said.
“Why must these beings leave their home planets to become Citizens?” another asked. “And are the new worlds suited to then- needs?”
What is a slave, Martin wondered. Aloud, he said, “There is only one world. Observe!”
The dark, tri-di projection blazed suddenly with the glorious, indescribable light that could be seen only amid the densely populated starfields of the galactic center. And hanging against that incredible, silvery field was a gigantic, black, and featureless shape, the shape reproduced on his Federation emblem.
“This,” Martin said, trying to hold his voice steady, “is the Federation World.”
It was a hollow body, he explained as simply as he could, fabricated from the material which had comprised this and many other star systems, and it contained the intelligent beings of over two hundred different species who were presently members of the Federation. The superworld enclosed its own sun, and its interior surface area was vast beyond imagining. The projected future populations of all the races in the galaxy would never overcrowd this world.
As the diagrams and detail pictures flashed into view, Martin tried to describe the awful immensity of the Federation World, its topology and environmental variations, its incredibly advanced supporting technology. But one of the Masters was waving for attention.
“Since the Scourge returned us to the dark ages, Teldi has nothing to often” it said. “Yet you are considering us for citizenship of this-this- Why, stranger?”
Martin was silent, remembering his own reaction on first seeing the Federation World. The Masters had had enough supersedence and frontal assaults on their feelings or superiority for one day. He softened his tone.
“The Federation accepts all levels of technical and cultural development,” he said. “Its purpose is to seek out the intelligent races of the galaxy and bring them to a place of safety before some natural or unnatural catastrophe befalls them. On this world they will grow hi knowledge and intermingle with other species, and, in the fullness of time, the combined intelligence of this future Federation will be capable of achievements unimaginable even to the most advanced minds among its present-day Citizens. And while all of its Citizens are climbing slowly to the scientific, philosophical, and cultural heights, they must be protected.”
He canceled the projection, and for a long time nothing was said. They were all staring at his flag, at the black diamond on a silver field which was the Federation emblem, but still seeing the tremendous reality which it represented. Perhaps he had shown them too much too soon, and had succeeded only in giving them an inferiority complex from which they would never recover. But these were the top people on Teldi and they had earned their positions by rising through the ranks. They were tough, honest, and adaptable, and Martin thought they could take it.
It was the interrogator who found its voice first. “You came here to judge us on our suitability or otherwise for this…this Federation. We may not wish to join, stranger, but we would be interested in hearing your verdict.”
To tough, honest, and adaptable, add proud and independent. Now Martin knew what he had to do.
But before he could speak, the Master-Elect of Education walked slowly to his side. Skorta was staring down at the Federation flag and not at Martin as it said, “Martin, this is important. If your pronouncement is open to discussion and subsequent modification, touch the hilt of your sword as you speak. If it is your own unalterable decision which you will defend, if necessary, with your life, then grasp the hilt firmly and hold the weapon in a defensive position.”
“They’re still in a state of shock,” Beth said in the angry, despairing tone of one who knows that good advice will be ignored. “And there are no guards on the door. Run?’
“No,” Martin said stubbornly. Through the translator he went on, “Before I deliver my judgment I must first draw analogies with the systems which govern Teldi and the Federation.
“Undesirables, troublemakers, the power seekers are excluded, rendered impotent, and ignored,” he went on. “The Citizens are free and protected, and the non-Citizens do the hard but interesting work associated with the maintenance of the World’s systems and ongoing projects. This work is not forced on them and the reason they do it is two-fold. They feel a self-imposed responsibility in the matter and they, regardless of their species or level of intelligence or competence, belong to that group of restless and adventurous entities who are not sure that the protected life of a Citizen is for them. They are the errand boys, the servants, the slaves
of the Federation, save only in the area of personal responsibility.”
Around the horseshoe table hands were twitching restively toward their swords, but Martin did not touch the hilt of his own. Not yet.
“On Tekli,” he went on, “the system of government and the general display of mistrust were initially abhorrent to me, as was the tight mental control which apparently was being imposed by the Masters. But the reason for the mistrust and the insistence that hearsay be vouched for by a highly responsible person, a Master, became plain when I learned of the original cause of the Scourge. Regarding the control of imparted knowledge, I learned that much of the forbidden hearsay was available to low-level slaves trying for higher and more responsible positions. But few of them feel impelled to accept the ultimate responsibility. There are never enough Masters on Teldi.
“I also discovered,” Martin continued, still keeping his hand well away from the sword, “that the slaves of Teldi are, in spite of its low-level technology, the most self-motivated, independent, self-reliant, and widely trained group of beings that I have ever experienced or learned of through hearsay.
“There is no reason for that level of technology to remain low if the Scourge is removed,” he went on, hoping that the unsteadiness in his voice would not be apparent in translation. “I am not a Master of the mechanisms which can do this work, nor have I any direct knowledge of the length of time required, other than it will take many of your years. But the Scourge can be removed, allowing you to build again on the surface, and travel in safety, and grow…”
Martin broke off because he was talking to a three-dimensional picture again-there was absolute stillness in the room.
Slowly and deliberately he reached forward and gripped the hilt of his sword, then lifted it into a defensive position, diagonally across his chest.
Had he misjudged them? Was he about to misjudge them again?
He said gravely, “If the Federation was to set up examination and induction centers on Teldi at this time there would be very few beings judged Undesirable, and few also who would be accepted as Citizens. The great majority would be deemed unsuitable for the Federation World. I will explain.”
The Masters were either touching or gripping the hilts of their swords now. Like the slave population of Teldi, they were proud, independent, self-reliant, and fantastically caring of the animate property from out of which they had risen to become Masters. Any criticism of that property was a personal insult to them.
“Teldi is a special case,” Martin went on. “On Teldi there are never enough Masters, never enough people able and willing to accept the crushing responsibility that Mastership entails. In the Federation it is likewise said that there are never enough non-Citizens, and for a very similar reason: because the qualities required for the job are rare. It is my judgment that Teldins are not now and probably never will be suitable for Federation citizenship.
“It is my decision,” he said, tightening his grip on the sword, “that the Scourge be removed and your world left alone for at least three of your generations. And it is my confident expectation that when the Federation next contacts you, it will make a unique and most valuable discovery-a planetary population composed entirely of non-Citizens ready to assume extra-planetary duties and responsibilities.”
The Masters were sitting still and silent, and suddenly Martin knew why.
“My arrival on Teldi was not a secret one,” he said, lowering his sword and placing it on the Federation flag. As he resumed speaking, he slowly rolled the weapon in die cloth. “As a result, much new hearsay will arise and more slaves will be impelled to try for Mastership when the Scourge is gone and they realize what was and what will again be possible for Teldins. There is something I would like to leave with you, with your permission…”
He walked slowly toward Skorta with the flag-wrapped sword held before him in both hands, then proffered it to the Teldin. Behind and around him he could hear the movements of Masters getting to their feet and the soft, rustling sound of metal scraping against fabric, but he did not look aside.
“Martin,” the Teldin said, taking the sword from him, “I am honored to accept this additional responsibility of Master of Off-World Affairs and I, and my successors, will respect and promulgate the knowledge you have given us.”
It did not say anything else, and neither did the other Masters, but as Martin turned and began walking toward the entrance, they remained standing, silent, motionless and with their swords held high in salute until he had passed from sight.
On Teldi, he had belatedly realized, silence was approval. It meant that there was no dissenting voice.
Chapter 12
EVEN though Martin was certain that he had done the right thing on Teldi, he knew that his actions and decisions had been high-handed to say the least, so that he spent the return trip worrying in case their supervisor, or the Galactics placed in authority above it, would show themselves less certain than he was. While insisting that it was silly to be so concerned about something which might never happen, Beth helped him worry.
But in the event, it was clear that there was nothing to worry about, because at the conclusion of the post-mission debriefing they were given another assignment.
YOUR PROCEDURES WERE UNORTHODOX AND SEVERAL RULES WERE CONTRAVENED REGARDING SHIP HANDLING AND FIRST-CONTACT DIRECTIVES, BUT TO GOOD EFFECT. THE REPORT. ASSESSMENT, AND RECOMMENDATIONS REGUARDING THE TELDIN SYSTEM HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, THE ENTITY MARTIN, SERVICE IDENTITY MJC/221/5501 IS PROMOTED NON-CITIZEN CONTACT SPECIALIST LEVEL THREE. THE ENTITY BETH, ECM/221/4977 IS APPOINTED NON-CITIZEN SHIP HANDLER, LEVEL ONE. YOU ARE TO BE COMPLIMENTED.
SINCE YOUR FORMAL TRAINING IS NOW COMPLETE, YOU WILL HENCEFORTH REGARD ME AS YOUR SUPERVISOR AND NOT YOUR TUTOR. YOU ARE NO LONGER TRAINEES, BUT HOPEFULLY YOU WILL CONTINUE TO LEARN.
Martin did not know if their supervisor was capable of audible speech, since it was the rule that all inter-species communications were by the printed word. But he knew sarcasm when he saw it, and remained silent.
SYSTEM TRL/5/11765/G3 AWAITS YOUR ATTENTION. THE DETAILS HAVE BEEN RECORDED FOR LATER STUDY.
QUESTIONS?
“Is this planet’s dominant life form to be contacted,” Martin asked, “and its suitability or otherwise assessed for membership in the Federation?”
CORRECT. BUT ONLY IF YOU FIND THE DOMINANT LIFE FORM TO BE INTELLIGENT.
“Surely that was a job for the searchships,” Martin protested. “Ours is to decide whether or not they are nice people. And why does this assignment follow so closely on the Teldi job? Is it urgent?”
IT IS NOT URGENT. THE ASSIGNMENT IS TO CONFIRM THE FINDINGS OF AN EARLY SEARCH-SHIP INVESTIGATION WHICH DECLARED THE PLANET FREE OF INDIGENOUS INTELLIGENT LIFE, SO THAT TRU5/11765/G3 CAN BE REMOVED FROM OUR LISTS OF WORLDS REQUIRING ATTENTION.
THE ENVIRONMENT IS SUCH THAT THE EARTH-HUMAN SENSORIUM WILL FIND IT RESTFUL, ‘ QUIET, AND VISUALLY PLEASING. PROVIDING BASIC PROTECTIVE MEASURES ARE TAKEN, THIS ASSIGNMENT MAY BE REGARDED AS A VACATION AND A REWARD FOR THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE TELDI OPERATION. DEPART WHEN CONVENIENT.
On this planet it was a different kind of silence from that on Teldi, the silence of fear rather than respect. The insects did not hum, the birds did not sing, and the creatures that they could see, large and small alike, made sounds which had to be amplified to be detectable at all. Only the wind, which had no natural enemies to fear, sighed quietly as it stirred the vegetation.
The silence was contagious.
Without speaking, Martin pointed toward two small, lizardltke creatures who were tearing each other to pieces with such quiet ferocity that it was difficult to tell which limbs belonged to which. Beside him, Beth lowered her image enhancing visor to look at them more closely.
“It’s quiet,” she whispered, “but there isn’t much peace.”
Immediately the two combatants broke off hostilities and moved rapidly and very quietly away-plainly startled by
the sound of her whisper-to resume their battle some fifty meters further up the hill Beth and Martin had been climbing.
He sent their protector ahead to make sure that none of the larger predators were waiting silently for them on the other slope.
They had studied the surface of the planet from orbit and during lower level atmospheric flights in the lander. It was an Earthlike world seemingly devoid of indigenous intelligent life. The vegetation was varied, beautiful, and, unlike the fauna, nonaggressive. The largest life form, although too heavily equipped with natural weapons to be effective against members of their own species, were fast enough on their six enormous feet to ensure that their diet was not exclusively vegetarian. Fortunately the species was not numerous, so that it was unlikely that they would become a serious inconvenience during a half-hour stroll.
“The whole planet is like this,” he said, stooping to touch one of the gorgeous blooms. “We’re wasting our time here.”
They had climbed to the top of the hill before Beth replied. “We’ve been ordered to waste our time here, remember, so just relax and enjoy the scenery… Oh-oh.”
He looked up to see that their protector, which had been hovering like an enormous metal insect about a quarter of a mile away, was rushing toward them flashing its warning lights. It was moving only slightly faster than one of the large predators which was coming at them from their right flank.
Running in any direction would simply have complicated the job of rescue by the robot, but it was incredibly difficult to stand still while that outsized predator was bearing down on them.
If anything, it resembled an Earth elephant, Martin thought, but with six padded feet and nearly twice the body mass. Two long trunks were mounted laterally above a mouth which could have been transplanted from an outsize shark. Although fast-moving, it had a jerky, hobbling gait caused by its peculiar leg motion. A fraction of a second before touching the ground, each foot hesitated so that three of the others were supporting the creature’s weight and thrusting it forward while the remaining limbs were lifting to continue the cycle. Whether moving fast or slow, it had the ability to place each foot in turn with the minimum of sound and ground vibration.