The Mind Monsters by Howard L. Cory

Author:Howard L. Cory [Cory, Howard L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ace Books
Published: 1964-06-19T23:00:00+00:00

TEN: ANTI-THRYN CORPS

As Seamus had predicted, the merchants of Mahtog were more than eager to invest in the First Bannok of Mahtog— money virtually poured in. It was obvious, in some cases, that the idea to invest had been blatantly planted in the course of a Pleasure Probe and functioned in much the same manner as a post-hypnotic command, but others seemed motivated entirely by the logic of the situation. Within two days the Bannok was in a state of excellent fiscal health and the initial stockholders made such happy noises that Terence wondered how soon it would be necessary for him to invent the Stock Exchange. In a society where absolute honesty was built into every individual, the future of the Bannok was assured.

While the financing for his army was being arranged, O'Corcoran busied himself with potential suppliers. A general from long ago, he remembered, had once noted that an army travels on its stomach. Feeding ten thousand recruits would be a massive operation. A field kitchen was the first logical step until >mess halls could be built. The Earthman discovered, to his dismay, that mass feedings had never been attempted on Mahtog. Therefore, it fell to him to outline the procedures and arrange for the manufacture of cooking materials. Halfway through this task he conferred with Seamus O'Flynn.

"Can you find me a hundred carpenters and have them ready for work at daybreak tomorrow?"

The Genie scratched his beard. "Sure I'll pass the word, laddie. Are ye sure a hundred'U be enough?"

"It's enough to start with."

"And jist where d'ye want 'em to report?"

"You've got a good point, O'Flynn." Terence grinned. "If we're going to build a base we'll need a location for it. Where's Sharr?"

"I'll fetch him." Seamus scurried out of the room. He returned five minutes later with the elder Mahtogian.

O'Corcoran explained his needs: at least forty acres on reasonably level ground, partly wooded, with a convenient water supply, preferably located on the edge of the city.

Sharr pondered, finally nodding his bald head. "There is such a place. It's owned by a lad who grows lumber for the builders."

"Wonderful. Will he sell?"

"I see no reason for him not to; he has none to inherit the land. So we should be able to buy it for a wee song. I'll take Himself there if it is wished."

Within an hour, the Earthman had his first sight of the land which was shortly to become the Anti-Thryn Training Base. The carpenters arrived the next morning and began felling the trees. Their first task was to fence the base, before beginning to build barracks and service buildings.

O'Corcoran paced off the land and drew a map to scale, indicating precisely where he wanted each cluster of barracks, each mess hall, each supply warehouse, weapons building, officers' quarters, classroom complex—patterning it after the Academy, with appropriate revisions.

He showed the map to fourteen carpenters before finding one who could understand it. This man he promoted immediately to Contractor. Even so, he had to spend half a day showing the man how to translate the map into stakes in the ground.

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