Derai by E. C. Tubb

Author:E. C. Tubb [Tubb, E. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction

* * *

From the balcony the square looked very small, the figures of marching men even smaller.Like ants, thought Emil.Like the little green scavenger beetles that take care of the refuse of Hive. Their tunics helped the comparison. Green and silver, they marched and countermarched, going through exercises which had long lost all meaning, learning lessons for a war which could never be fought.And each, thought Emil,costingmoney. A lot of money.

"They march well, my lord." Beside Emil the cyber stood tall in his scarlet robe, a splash of living color against the timeworn stone.

"They should." Emil was curt. "They have little else to do." He turned, vaguely conscious of the thin shouts of command rising from the square, the neat, mechanical movements of the men at their drill. Regor should appreciate their discipline, he thought. He, a living machine, would have an affinity with the automatons below. He said so. Regor demurred.

"No, my lord. Motion without purpose is a waste and unthinking obedience to empty commands is stupid. The Cyclan has no time for either."

"You think this is stupid?" Emil gestured to the men in the square below.

"I think it unwise when the men could be better employed elsewhere. The percentage of total income necessary to maintain these men in idleness is far beyond all reasonable proportion. They are a burden, my lord, which is weakening your House."

"So I should disband them?" Emil glared his contempt. "Leave Caldor unarmed and defenseless against her enemies? Is that what you call good advice?"

"I am dealing with facts, my lord, not advice. Each of those men has to be fed, housed, educated, clothed, provided with recreation and medical attention. In return they give you what? An empty show of hollow power. You cannot go to war because of the Pact. Why then maintain an army?"

Sense, thought Emil.Cold, emotionless logic. Trust a cyber to give you that. What could such a man know of pride and tradition? And yet he was right in what he said: The House was too big and the land did not expand with the family. But the alternative?

"Give the head of each household a plot of land to farm or to develop as he will," said Regor evenly. "Let each person provide for himself. In return they will pay you a ground rent for use of the land. This will assure Caldor an income. Freed from the necessity of providing for all you can concentrate on politics. House-loyalty will ensure that you are elected to a free parliament. Once in government you will have real power. Power without responsibility."

But no men, no land, no dagger of rank swinging at his belt, no men and women ready to touch a forelock or curtsy as he passed. Instead he would be a politicianbegging for votes. Begging from the very people over whom he now held the power of life and death!

"No," said Emil. "There must be a different way. Have you discovered anything in your researches?"

"Very little, my lord." Regor hesitated. "There is one odd discrepancy.

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