Adaptation | Page 7

had been established on Earth the age-old race for
improved arms had fallen away.
Chessman assumed command of the men, growled brief instructions.
"If there's any difficulty, remember we're civilizing a planet of nearly a
billion population. The life or death of a few individuals is meaningless.
Look at our position scientifically, dispassionatey. If it becomes
necessary to use force-we have the right and the might to back it up.
MacBride, you stay with the ship. Keep the hatch closed and station
yourself at the fifty caliber gun."
The natives seemed to know intuitively that the occupants of the craft
from the sky would present themselves at this time. Several thousands
of them crowded the plaza. Warriors, armed with spears and bronze

headed warclubs, kept the more adventurous from crowding too near.
The hatch opened, the steel landing stair snaked out, and the hefty
Plekhanov stepped down, closely followed by Chessman. The others
brought up the rear, Watson, Roberts, Stevens, Hawkins and Cogswell.
They had hardly formed a compact group at the foot of the spacecraft
than the ranks of the natives parted and what was obviously a
delegation of officials approached them. In the fore was a giant of a
man in his late middle years, and at his side a cold visaged duplicate of
him, obviously a son.
Behind these were variously dressed others, military, priesthood, local
officials, by their appearance.
Ten feet from the newcomers they stopped. The leader said in quite
understandable Amer-English, "I am Taller, Khan of all the People.
Our legends tell of you. You must be from First Earth." He added with
a simple dignity, a quiet gesture, "Welcome to the World. How may we
serve you?"
Plekhanov said flatly, "The name of this planet is Texcoco and the
inhabitants shall henceforth be called Texcocans. You are correct, we
have come from Earth. Our instructions are to civilize you, to bring you
the benefits of the latest technology, to prepare you to enter the
community of planets." Phlegmatically he let his eyes go to the
pyramids, to the temples, the large community dwelling quarters.
"We'll call this city Tula and its citizens Tulans."
Taller looked thoughtfully at him, not having missed the tone of
arrogant command. One of the group behind the Khan, clad in gray
flowing robes, said to Plekhanov, mild reproof in his voice, "My son,
we are the most advanced people on ... Texcoco. We have thought of
ourselves as civilized. However, we-"
Plekhanov rumbled, "I am not your son, old man, and you are far short
of civilization. We can't stand here forever. Take us to a building where
we can talk without these crowds staring at us. There is much to be
done."

Taller said, "This is Mynor, Chief Priest of the People."
The priest bowed his head, then said, "The People are used to ceremony
on outstanding occasions. We have arranged for suitable sacrifices to
the gods. At their completion, we will proclaim a festival. And then-"
The warriors had cleared a way through the multitude to the pyramid
and now the Earthlings could see a score of chained men and women,
nude save for loin cloths and obviously captives.
Plekhanov made his way toward them, Joe Chessman at his right and a
pace to the rear. The prisoners stood straight and, considering their
position, with calm.
Plekhanov glared at Taller. "You were going to kill these?"
The Khan said reasonably, "They are not of the People. They are
prisoners taken in battle."
Mynor said, "Their lives please the gods."
"There are no gods, as you probably know," Plekhanov said flatly.
"You will no longer sacrifice prisoners."
A hush fell on the Texcocans. Joe Chessman let his hand drop to his
weapon. The movement was not lost on Taller's son, whose eyes
narrowed.
The Khan looked at the burly Plekhanov for a long moment. He said
slowly, "Our institutions fit our needs. What would you have us do with
these people? They are our enemies. If we turn them loose, they will
fight us again. If we keep them imprisoned, they will eat our food.
We ... Tulans are not poor, we have food aplenty, for we Tulans, but we
cannot feed all the thousands of prisoners we take in our wars."
Joe Chessman said dryly, "As of today there is a new policy. We put
them to work."
Plekhanov rumbled at him, "I'll explain our position, Chessman, if you

please." Then to the Tulans. "To develop this planet we're going to
need the labor of every man, woman and child capable of work."
Taller said, "Perhaps your suggestion that we retire to a less public
place is desirable. Will you follow?" He spoke a few words to an
officer of the warriors, who shouted orders.
The Khan led the