Adaptation | Page 8

Texcocans," Plekhanov said, "you Tulans are merely the beginning."
Mynor, the aged priest, leaned forward. "But why? We do not want these changes-whatever they may be.
Already the Khan has allowed you to interfere with our worship of our gods. This will mean-"
Plekhanov growled, "Be silent, old man, and don't bother to mention, ever again, your so-called gods. And now, all of you listen. Perhaps some of this will not be new, how much history has come down to you I don't know.
"A thousand years ago a colony of one hundred persons was left here on Texcoco. It will one day be of scholarly interest to trace them down through the centuries but at present the task does not interest us. This expedition has been sent to recontact you, now that you have populated Texcoco and made such adaptations as were necessary to survive here. Our basic task is to modernize your society, to bring it to an industrialized culture."
Plekhanov's eyes went to Taller's son. "I assume you are a soldier?"
Taller said, "This is Reif, my eldest, and by our custom, second in command of the People's armies. As Khan, I am first."
Reif nodded coldly to Plekhanov. "I am a soldier." He hesitated for a moment, then added, "And willing to die to protect the People."
"Indeed," Plekhanov rumbled, "as a soldier you will be interested to know that our first step will involve the amalgamation of all the nations and tribes of this planet. Not a small task. There should be opportunity for you."
Taller said, "Surely you speak in jest. The People have been at war for as long as scribes have records and never have we been stronger than today, never larger. To conquer the world! Surely you jest."
Plekhanov grunted ungraciously. He looked to Barry Watson, a lanky youth, now leaning negligently against the wall, his submachine gun, however, at the easy ready. "Watson. you're our military expert. Have you any opinions as yet?"
"Yes, sir," Watson said easily. "Until we can get iron weapons and firearms into full production, I suggest the Macedonian phalanx for their infantry. They have the horse, but evidently the wheel has gone out of use. We'll introduce the chariot and also heavy carts to speed up logistics. We'll bring in the stirruped saddle, too. I have available for study, works on every cavalry leader from Tamerlane to Jeb Stuart. Yes, sir, I have some ideas."
Plekhanov pursed his heavy lips. "From the beginnning we're going to need manpower on a scale never dreamed of locally. We'll adopt a policy of expansion. Those who join us freely will become members of the State with full privileges. Those who resist will be made prisoners of war and used for shock labor on the roads and in the mines. However, a man works better if he has a goal, a dream. Each prisoner will be freed and become a member of the State after ten years of such work."
He turned to his subordinates. "Roberts and Hawkins, you will begin tomorrow to seek the nearest practical sources of iron ore and coal. Wherever you discover them we'll direct our first military expeditions. Chessman and Cogswell, you'll assemble their best artisans and begin their training in such basic advancements as the wheel."
Taller said softly, "You speak of advancement but thus far you have mentioned largely war and on such a scale that I wonder how many of the People will survive. What advancement? We have all we wish."
Plekhanov cut him off with a curt motion of his hand. He indicated the hieroglyphics on the chamber's walls. "How long does it take to learn such writing?"
Mynor, the priest, said, "This is a mystery known only to the priesthood. One spends ten years in preparation to be a scribe."
"We'll teach you a new method which will have every citizen of the State reading and writing within a year."
The Tulans gaped at him.
He moved ponderously over to Roberts, drew from its scabbard the sword bayonet the other had at his hip. He took it and slashed savagely at a stone pillar, gouging a heavy chunk from it. He tossed the weapon to Reif, whose eyes lit up.
"What metals have you been using? Copper, bronze? Probably. Well, that's steel. You're going to move into the iron age overnight."
He turned to Taller. "Are your priests also in charge of the health of your people?" he growled. "Are their cures obtained from mumbojumbo and a few herbs found in the desert? Within a decade, I'll guarantee you that not one of your major diseases will remain."
He turned to the priest and said, "Or perhaps this will be the clincher for some of you. How many years do you have, old man?"
Mynor said with dignity. "I am sixty-four."
Plekhanov said churlishly, "And I am two hundred and thirty-three." He called