Short Stories by A. E. Van Vogt

Author:A. E. Van Vogt [A. E. Van Vogt]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-01-05T05:00:00+00:00

THE BARBARIAN

In his initial address to the Patronate, following his return from

Venus, Tews said among other things, "It is difficult for us to realze,

but Linn is now without formidable enemies anywhere. Our opponents on Mars

and Venus having been decisively defeated by our forces in the past two

decades, we are now in a unique historical position: the sole great power

in the world of man. A period of unlimted peace and creative

reconstruction seems inevitable."

He retrned to the palace with the cheers of the Patronate ringing in

his ears, his mood one of thoughtful jubilation. His spies had already

reported that the patrons gave him a great deal of the credit for the

victory on Venus. After all, the war had dragged on for a long time before

his arrival. And then, abruptly, almost overnight, it had ended. The

conclusion was that his brilliant leadership had made a decisive

contribution. It required no astuteness for Tews to realize that, under

such circumstances, he could generously bestow a triumph on Jerrin, and

lose nothing by the other's honors.

Despite his own words to the Patronate, he found himself, as the

peaceful weeks went by, progressively amazed at the reality of what he had

said: no enemies. Nothing to fear. Even yet, it seemed hard to believe

that the universe belonged to Linn; and that, as the Lord Adviser, he was

now in his own sphere in a position of power over more subjects than any

man had ever been. So it seemed to the dazzled Tews.

He would be a devoted leader, of course - he reassured himself

hastily, disowning the momentary pride. He visualized great works that

would reflect the glory of Linn and the golden age of Tews. The vision was

so noble and inspiring that for long he merely toyed with hazy,

magnificent plans and took no concrete action of any kind.

He was informed presently that Clane had returned from Venus. Shortly

thereafter he received a message from the mutation.

His Excellency,

Lord Adviser Tews

My most honored uncle: I should like to visit you and describe to you

the result of several conversations between my brother Jerrin and myself

concerning potential dangers for the empire. They do not seem severe, but

we are both concerned about the preponderance of slaves as aganst citizens

on Earth, and we are unhappy about our lack of knowledge of the present

situation among the peoples of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn.

Since these are the only dangers in sight, the sooner we examine

every aspect of the problem the more certain we can be that the destiny of

Linn will be under the control of intelligent action and not governed in

future by the necessary opportunism that has been for so many generations

the main element of government.

Your obedient nephew,

Clane

The letter irritated Tews. It seemed meddlesome, It reminded him that

his control of Linn and of the glorious future he envisaged for the empire

was not complete, that in fact these nephews might urge compromises that

would dim the beauty that only he, apparently, could see. Nevertheless,

his reply was diplomatic:

My dear Clane: It was a pleasure to hear from you, and as soon as I

return from the mountans, I shall be happy to receive you and discuss all

these matters in the most thoroughgoing fashion.

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