Cubs of the Wolf | Page 4

long time. They don't like it. They are willing to
co-operate in having a correct analysis of their culture published, but
they don't want any more of these infamous rumors circulated."
"Then why aren't they willing to promote such an investigation? This
would be their big chance--if their ridiculous position were true!"
"They are willing. I've told you the representative has offered to send
you all needed material showing the status of their culture."
Cameron looked at the secretary for a long time before speaking again.
"What's your position?" he asked finally. "Are we being ordered off the
investigation?"
"The Markovian representative doesn't want to go to quite that extreme.
He knows that, too, would react unfavorably towards his people. Here's
his point: So far, he's blocked news of your proposed research getting
to his home worlds. But he knows that if you do carry it out in the
manner you propose it is going to make a lot of the home folks mighty
unhappy and they'll demand to know why he didn't stop it. So he's
trying to satisfy both sides at once."
"Why will the people in the Nucleus be made unhappy by our
coming?"
"Because you'll go there trying to track down the basis for the rumors
that defame the Markovian character. You'll bring forcibly to their
attention the fact that the rest of the Universe believes the Markovians
are basically a bunch of pirates."

"And the Markovians don't like to hear these things?"
"Definitely not."
"So you tell me the research is not being forbidden, but that the
Markovians won't like it. Suppose I tell you, then, I'm not going to give
up short of an order from the Council itself. But I am willing to
camouflage the investigation if necessary. I'll make no open mention of
what outside opinion says of the Markovians. I'll simply make a study
of their history and character as it becomes available to me."
Ebbing nodded slowly, his eyes fixed on Cameron's face. "I would say
that would be eminently satisfactory," he said. "I will inform the
representative of your decision."
Then his face became more severe. "The Council will be pleased to
learn of your willingness to be discreet. I wonder if you understand that
the Foundation came to us upon receipt of your application, for official
clearance of the project. It coincided quite fortuitously with the plans of
the Council itself. For a long time we have been concerned with the
lack of information regarding the Markovian situation and have been at
a loss as to how to improve our situation.
"Your proposed investigation seemed the answer, but we anticipated
the Markovian objection and had to make certain you would co-operate
to his satisfaction. I believe this will do it."
"Why is the Council concerned?" said Cameron. "Have the Markovians
changed their attitude in any way?"
"No--but the rest of us remember, even though we don't speak of it, that
the Nucleus was never punished for its depredations, nor was it ever
defeated. Its strength is as great as ever in proportion to the other
Council worlds.
"What are the chances and potentialities of the Nucleus worlds ever
again becoming the marauders they once were? That is the question
which we feel must be answered. Without knowing, we are sitting on a

powder keg in which the fuse may or may not be lighted. Will you
bring us back the answer we need?"
Cameron felt a sudden grimness which had not been present before.
"I'll do all I can," he said soberly. "If the information is there I'll bring it
back."
* * * * *
After the secretary had gone and Fothergill turned from the door to
rejoin him Cameron sat in faintly shocked consideration of the
Council's unexpected support. It took his research out of the realm of
the purely sociological and projected it into politics and diplomacy. He
was pleased by their confidence, but not cheered by the added
responsibility.
"That's a lucky break," said Fothergill enthusiastically, "and I'm
beginning to suspect you may be rather badly in need of all the breaks
you can get once you land among the Markovians. Don't forget for a
single minute that you are dealing with the sons and grandsons of
genuine pirates."
The professor sat down again. "There's one other little item of interest I
turned up the other day. You should know about it before you leave.
The Markovian Nucleus is somewhat of a hotbed of Ids."
"Ids--you mean the Idealists--?"
Fothergill nodded. "Know anything about them?"
"Not much, except that they are a sort of parasitic group, living usually
in a servant relationship to other races on terran-type worlds. As I recall,
even they claim that they do not know the planet or even the galaxy of