To The Stars

“That’s right, me, but I’m just one person. I know why I’m in this and what it means. I didn’t answer him, just walked out. But how many others are going to do that? Right now the Elders are calling in every one of the technicians and mechanics. They will be told what to do, and they will obey. Which leaves us with a two-man revolution and no place to go.

“We’re not dead yet. Stay here, sit on those cables, lock the hatch and don’t open it until I get back. Without them we’re lost.”

“And if anyone should try to get them? One of our own men?”

“Don’t let them have the cables. Even if…”

“If I have to fight? Kill them?”

“No, we’re not going that far.”

“Why not?” Ryzo was deadly serious now. “The ends justify the means.”

“No they don’t. Just do your best — without hurting anyone.”

The hatch clanged shut behind Jan and he heard the dogs being driven home in the catch. He jumped down from the treads and walked steadily in the direction of the dome. The crowd had dispersed for the most part but there were still a number of people about. They looked at him with curiosity — but turned away when he caught their eyes. They were passive, trained td accept orders, they would be no problem. It was the Elders he would have to deal with.

There were no Proctors at the entrance, which was a help; he wanted no trouble with them. Jan pushed the door open quietly and stood just inside it. They were there, all the Family Heads, too busy shouting at each other to notice him yet. He listened.

“Kill them all, that’s the only answer!” Taekeng’s voice was cracking; he must have screamed himself hoarse.

“You’re a fool,” The Hradil said. “We must have the trained men to run the machinery. We must order them to obey us and they will do it. That is enough for now. Later when he is dead, they will be punished, one by one, we will not forget.”

“No one will be punished,” Jan said, striding forward, as calm as they were angry. “You stupid people just will not realize the kind of trouble we are in. If the ships don’t arrive we don’t get replacement parts or fuel. Our tanks and engines will be knocked out one by one and then we will all be dead. If the ships come they will need all the corn we can possibly get together. They will need it for starving people — and we need it as the only weapon…

The Hradil spat in his face, the spittle striking him on the cheek, running down across his mouth. He wiped it away with the back of his hand and fought to control his anger.

“You will do as we say,” she ordered him. “There will be no more talk from you about do this do that. We are the Family Heads and we will be obeyed. There will not be another trip. You will…”

“You stupid old woman, can you not understand me? Are you so ignorant that you do not know that nothing will move until I permit it? I have parts of all the machines and they will not run until the parts are replaced. I will destroy these parts now and we will all die the quicker. I will do this at once if you do not permit the return trip for the corn. You do this and I promise to ask no more of you. When we return you are in charge as always. You issue the orders and everyone obeys. Is that agreeable?”

“No! You cannot tell us what to do.” The Hradil would accept no compromises.

“I’m telling you nothing. I’m asking you first.”

“It is not too bad a plan,” Ivan Semenov said. “We lose nothing if they go back for the corn. And we did promise…

“Ask for a vote, Ivan,” Jan said. “Or does this cow frighten you all?”

Then she was calm, just that suddenly. The unabated hatred was still there in her eyes, but not in her voice. “All right, we will argue no more. The trains will leave as soon as possible. I am sure you all agree.”

They were confused, not understanding her sudden change. But Jan knew. She was not ready for a showdown now. And she did not really care if the trains went or not. What she wanted was his death, preferably a long and painful one. From now on he walked with that danger and accepted it.

“I know you will all agree with Ivan and The Hradil,” Jan said. “We leave as soon as the corn is emptied. We will need all the new drivers…”

“No,” The Hradil said. “There will be only men. It is not permitted for young girls to be alone with so many. None of the girls will be allowed to go. Alzbeta will not go.

She threw this last out as a challenge and for a moment he almost accepted it. Then realized he could lose everything if he insisted. He matched her cold calmness with his own.

“All right then, just male drivers. Get out of here, and issue the orders to cooperate with me. Make it clear to everyone what is happening. No more lies.”

“You should not say that Ivan complained.

“Why not? It’s true, Isn’t it? Secret meetings, secret trials, secret execution plans, more lying so that fool Ritterspach takes the blame. I do not trust one of you out of my sight. Leave and go to your families and tell them what is to be done. Only when everyone is sure what is happening will the machines be made operable again…