Unwanted Heritage by E. C. Tubb

Author:E. C. Tubb
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: New Worlds
Published: 1952-11-26T05:00:00+00:00

* * *

Harrison grunted impatiently. "Forget your nonsense now, this is important. What do you propose to do?"

"Nothing. We have no evidence that the natives intend us harm. Those men left under their own volition, the natives cannot be blamed. They will return the same way," he stared thoughtfully at the floor. "I hope that they don't return. Neither of them."

"What! Why?"

"Their example has already unsettled the men. If they come back with glowing reports, it will be hard to hold them. Suppose Foster returns, you whip him, imprison him, but you can't stop him talking. What would happen if he describes a paradise? A village full of beautiful complacent women, good plentiful food, friendly men? Who do you think the men would believe? You, with your insistence that the natives are animals, or Foster, who tells them what they want to hear?"

"So we do nothing," sneered Harrison. "The perfect solution." He glared at Ken with undisguised contempt.

"I think it only fair to warn you," Ken continued quietly. "In my report to Headquarters, I have recommended that you be recalled."

"What?"

"On grounds of mental instability. I am sorry to tell you this, Harrison, but you are displaying all the symptoms of mental ill health."

"You're mad!!"

"No. You are. I've watched you closely during the past three years, and you are not the man you once were. You are developing megalomania, I cannot tolerate a man in your position with such a malady."

"I see," Harrison sneered. To Ken's surprise he showed no anger. "Call a man mad, and the more he denies it, the more he is displaying symptoms. All I can say is that you are wasting your time. Headquarters, thank God, have a few men left, not whining weaklings blaming their own lack of manhood on the nonsense you peddle. So I am a madman am I? Mad or not, I can cure the ailments plaguing this planet. Within two years the settlers are coming, I shall have this planet ready for them. Do you know what cargo the ship brought? Not men, I don't need any more men. Not guns, I have enough. Ammunition. That's what they sent me. Bullets! Bullets for the Vennors. Bullets to make elbow room for the men of Earth. Bullets to win a world?"

His voice dropped to almost a crooning sound. Little flecks of spittle hung at the corners of his lips. His eyes had a glazed look.

Ken stared at him with horror.

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