Exploiter's End by James Causey

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Title:Exploiter'sEnd

Author:JamesCausey

ReleaseDate:October7,2012[EBook#40970]

Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKEXPLOITER'SEND***

ProducedbyGregWeeks,MaryMeehanandtheOnlineDistributedProofreadingTeamathttp://www.pgdp.net

EXPLOITER'SEND

_byJamesCausey_

[Transcriber'sNote:ThisetextwasproducedfromOrbitvolume1number2,1953.ExtensiveresearchdidnotuncoveranyevidencethattheU.S.copyrightonthispublicationwasrenewed.]

[Sidenote:_PEOPLEORTERMITES,IT'SALLTHESAME._

_THERE'SALIMITTOHOWFARYOUCANDRIVETHEM!_]

[Illustration]

Wetime-studiedtheTerm.Itmovedwithapliant,liquidgrace,itsfour

armsflickeringovertheinstrumentpanel,installingstuds,tighteningscrews,itsantennaeglowingwiththelambentyellowthatdenotedanagonyofeffort.

"See?"Harvey'sfreckledfacewassmug."Heratesaneasyhundredandten.Whoevertookthatfirststudy--"

"Itookit,"Isaid,squintingatthestopwatch.

Youcouldhearhimbitehislip.Afteronlytwoweeksonthejob,ona


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strangeplanetninetylight-yearsfromhome,youdon'ttellyourbosshe'scockeyed.

TheTermhurried.Itsfacetedtermiteeyeswereexpressionlessdiamonds,buttheantennaegleamedadesperatesaffron._Ifbugscouldsweat_,Ithoughtwryly.Nowthequartzpanelinstallation.Thosefourarmsmovedinablindingfrenzy.

Butthestopwatchwasfaster.ThesecondhandcaughtupwiththeTerm.Itpassedhim.Rating:Seventy-fourpercent.

Ituckedtheclipboardundermyarm,squeezedthroughtheairlock,anddowntheramp.Harveyfollowedsullenly.Theconveyorgroanedon,bringingupthenextunit,asleeklittlecruiser.TheTermseizedafifty-poundairwrench,fleduptheramptotheairlock.

"Adozenfeetbacktotheoperation,"Ipointedout."Afterthenextjobhe'llhavetoreturnfortyfeet.Thensixty.He'sinthehole."

Harveylookedathisshoes.JohnBarry,thetrimsuperintendent,camepuffingdowntheline,hisjowledfaceanxiousaboutdirectlaborcost,thewayeverygoodsupershouldbe."Anythingwrong,Jake?"

"Hecan'tcutit,"Isaid.

BarryfrownedupthroughtheairlockattheTerm.Thoseantennaenowshonethesoftsadpurpleofdespair.

Wewalkedpastthebodyjigs.Theairwasahazeofbluesmoke,punctuatedwithyellowsplashesofflamefromtheelectronicweldingguns.Termsscuttledlikegiganticspidersoverthegreatsilverhulls,theirantennaeglowinginapatternofswiftbrightharmony,rightonstandard,goodcost.Harvey'sfacewasraptashewatchedthem.Isaidharshly:

"GivemeyourthirdProductionAxiom."

Harvey'sshoulderssquared.Hesaidstiffly:"Beautyisfunctional.Thequintessenceofgraceistheclean,soaringbeautyofaspaceship'shull--"

"Extrapolate,Harvey."

Hislipsweretight."WhatIseeisugly.Termsmustbetaughtindividuality.WhatIseeisafascinating,deadlybeauty--deadlybecauseit'suseless.Wemustsublimateit,grinditdown,hammeritoutintoausefulpattern.Wastemotionisasin...."

"Excellent."

Weturnedintotheadministrationlift,leavingtheironroarbehindus,andonthewayupHarveydidn'tsayaword.Ilistenedforthetinkleofshatteringideals,andsaidpatiently,"You'reheretobuildspaceships.TobuildthembetterandcheaperthanConsolidatedorSolar.Hell,we'veevensetupavillagefortheTerms!Electricity,plumbing,luxuriestheywouldn'tnormallyenjoyforthenextmillionyears--"

"Willtheyfirehim?"Harvey'svoicewasflat.

Mytemperwasshredding."Four-daylayoff.Histhirdthismonth.Terms


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kickinmostoftheirsalaryforvillagemaintenance.Theycan'taffordapart-timeproducer."

IcouldseethatTermreadoutofthegang,leavingthecompanyvillage,stoically,whilehisfellowsplayedawailingdirgeofcolorontheirantennae.Thefarewellsong.IcouldseehimtrudgingoverthewindsweptpeakofCobaltMountain,staringdownathisnativevillage,andshakingwiththeimpactofthe_Stammverstand_,thetribe-mind,theacheandthelonging.Awheel,shakenoutoforbit.Thelonelycog,searchingforitslostslot.IcouldseethatTermreturningtohistribe.Andhowthey'dtearhimtopiecesbecausehewasathingapart,now,analien.

Wewalkeddownthegraycorridor,pastPsych,pasttheconferencehall,tothesilverdoormarked_MethodsandStandards_.Harvey'sblueeyeswereremote,stubborn.Iclappedhimpaternallyontheshoulder."Anyonecancallonewrong,lad.Forgetit."

Harveyslumpeddownatacomputor,andIwalkedintomyprivateofficeandshutthedoor.Harvey'spersonneldossierwasinmydesk.I.Q.178,fair.Stabilityquotienttwopointeight,verybad.Adaptabilityratingpointseven,borderline.ThoseidiotsinPsych!Couldn'ttheyindoctrinateanewmanproperly?

Iwaited.

InamomentHarveycameinwithoutknockingandsaid,"Mr.Eagan,Iwanttoquit."

Itookmytimelightingacigar,notraisingmyhead.

Hisdefiant,pleadinglook.

Iblewsmokeringsatthevisicomandfinallysaid,"Sinceyouweresixteen,you'vedreamedofthis.Eliminationtests,theweedingout,tenthousandothersmart,hungrykidsfightingyouforthisjob."Itastedthewords."Whenyourcontract'supyoucanwriteyourownticketanywhereinthesystem."

Heblurted:"IcameherefullofideasaboutthewonderfulworkAmalgamatedwasdoingtoadvancebackwardcivilizations.Sure,theTermshaveaunion.They'repaidatstandardgalacticratesforspacecraftassembly.Butyoumakethemliveinthatvillage.Itcoststorunthatvillage.Yougiveittothemwithonehandandtakeitbackwiththeother.Allthetimeyou'reholdingoutthepromiseofracialadvancement,individuality,somedaytheTermswillreachthestars.Nuts!"

"That'sGuildpropaganda,"Isaidsoftly.

"TheGuildisjustabogeyyoucreatedtokeeptheIntersolar

SpacecraftersUnioninline.There'saVenusportlinerdueinnextweek.WhenitleavesI'llbeonit!"

IplayedDutchUncle.Itoldhimhewasn'tusedtoTerminorb'sone-and-a-halfgravs,thatthiswasjustahangoverfromthethreetofiveoxygenratiohewasn'tusedto.Buthesaidno.FinallyIshrugged,scribbledsomethingonanAVOandhandedittohim."Allright,Harvey,"Isaidmildly."TakethisdowntoCarmody,inPsych.He'llgiveyouaclearance."


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Harvey'sfacewentwhite."SincewhendoyougotoPsychforaclearance?"

IpressedastudunderthedeskandtwoAnalystscamein.ItoldthemwhattodoandHarveyscreamed;hefoughtandbitandclawed,hemouthedunutterablethingsaboutwhatweweredoingtotheTermsuntilIchoppedhimmercifullybehindtheear.

"Poordevil,"pantedoneoftheAnalysts."Obviouslyinsufficientindoctrination,sir.WouldyoumindifIspentanhourinPsychforreorientation?He--heupsetme."

Myeyesstungwithpride.Samhadloyaltyplus."Surething,Sam.You'dbettergotoo,Barney.Hesaidsomeprettyuglythings."

[Illustration]

TheydraggedHarveyoutandIwentovertothevisicom,punchedabutton.IwastremblingwithanicyrageasCarmody'sleanhawkfaceswamintoview."Hello,Jake,"hesaidlanguidly."How'sCost?"

ItoldhimcurtlyaboutHarvey."Anotherweaksister,"Irasped."Can'tyouscreenthemanymore?Didn'tyounotehisstabilityindex?I'mgoingtoreportthistoStarza,Don."

"Relax,"Carmodysmiled."Thosethingshappen,Jake.We'lldoafewgentlethingswithscalpelandnarcosynthesis,andhe'llbebackinaweek,realeager,theperfectcostanalyst."

I'dneverlikedCarmody.Hewassosmug;hedidn'trealizethe_sacredness_ofhisposition.Isaidcoldly,"PutMissDavison."

Carmody'sgrinwasknowing.Thescreenflickered,andFern'sfacecameintofocus.Hermoistredlipsparted,andIshivered,lookingather,evenonavisicomscreen.Theshininggloryofherhair,thosecoolgreeneyes.Threemonthshadn'tmadeadifference.

"HowwaslittleoldEarth?"Isaidawkwardly.

"Wonderful!"Shewasradiant."I'llseeyouforlunch."

"Today'sgrievanceday.Dinner?"

"IpromisedDon,"shesaiddemurely.

Iswallowedhard."HowabouttheTermfestivaltomorrownight?"

"Well,Donsortofasked--"

ItriedtolaughitoffandFernsaidshe'dseemelaterandthescreen

wentblankandIsatthereshaking.

Thescreenflickeredagain.Starza'sgreatmoonfacesmiledatmeandsaidsweetly,"We'rereadytostartgrieving."

IpickedupthetimestudiesthatweredeathsentencesfortwoTerms,andwentdownthehalltoulcergulch,theconferenceroom.

Lureatermiteawayfromhistribe.Promisehimthestars.Makehimbusthisthoraxonanassemblyline.Hemakesawonderfulworker,with


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reflexestwiceasfastasahuman's,buthestillisn'tanindividual.Evenwhenputtingaspaceshiptogether,he'sstillpartofthetribe,partofaglowingsymphonyofcolorandmotion.That'sbadforproduction.Accentonindividuality,thatwasthekeynote.TheTermsandtheirunionrepresentativescouldargueagrievancerighttotheletterofthecontract,butwhenitcametoproductionstandardswehadthem.TerminorbIVwasninetylight-yearsfromthesystem,andtheTermscouldn'taffordahomeofficetimeandmotionanalyst.Itwasn'tworthit.Termswereexpendable.

LosTichnatwascommitteemanatlargefortheTermlocal.Hesatregallyattheheadoftheconferencetable,sevengleamingchitinousfeetofhim,withhissoftlypulsatingantennaeandfacetedeyes,andsaidinaclicking,humorlessvoice,"Thefirstitemisasecond-stagegrievance.BrotherNadkek,infinalassembly,waslaidoffforoneday.Reason:Hemissedanoperation.Thegrievance,ofcourse,isamereformality.Youwilldenyit."

DaveStarzawinkedatmefrombehindhorn-rimmedglasses.HesatlikesomegreatblandBuddha,DirectorofIndustrialRelations,geniusinouterpsychology,ruthless,soft-spoken,anticipatorofalientrends.Hesaidinthatbeautifulvelvetvoice,"Ordinarily,yes.InthiscaseNadkekwishedtoaskhisforemanaboutomittingaweldingphaseoftheoperation.Whilethesuggestionwasdeclined,Nadkekshowedunmistakable

initiative."Starzastressedtheword."Weappreciatehisinterestinthejob.Hewillreceivepayforthelostday."

Aroundthetable,antennaeflashedamazedcolors.Aprecedenthadbeenset.InterestinthejobtranscendedeventheContract.

"Management_sustains_thegrievance?"Tichnatdronedincredulously.

"Ofcourse,"Starzasaid.

Nadkeklefttheconferenceroom,hisantennaeapuzzledmauve.

"Next,"Starzasaidpontifically.

ThenextgrievancewassimplythataforemanhadspokenharshlytoaTerm.TheTermresentedit.Inhistribehehadbeenafighter,primeguardianoftheQueen-Mother.Fighterscouldnotbereprimandedascouldspinnersorworkers.

StarzaandTichnatsplithairswhileIdozedandthoughtaboutFern.

Starzafinallypromisedtoreprimandtheforeman.Itwaslovely,thewayhethumpedonthetable,aflamewithrighteousness,hisvoicegoldenthunder,themartyr,hurtbyTichnat'sunfairness,yetsoeagertocompromise,tobefair.Thenextgrievancewasworkstandards.Starzalookedatme.Thisonemattered.Thiswascost.

Ipulledoutmystudyproofs,said,"Radnor,infinalassembly.Consistentlyinthehole.Rating,seventy-fourpercent--"

"_Theoperationwastootight,Jake.Admitit!_"

Thethoughtuncoileddarkly,thunderingandreverberatinginthehorrifiedcavernsofmybrain.

Athoughtcaster.SotheGuildhadthoughtcastersnow.TheGuildhad


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finallycome.

Isatinthedanksilence,shaking.Adropoficecrawledslowlydownmytemple.IstaredaroundtheconferencetableatStarza'sfrown,atthoseTermfaces,thegreatfacetedeyes.

"Wegavethisworkereverychance,"Isaid,lickingmylips."Weputhimonanotheroperation.Hestillcouldn'tcutit.Eventhoughwe'vegotproductiontomeet,westillgiveasmanychances--"

Thethoughtslashed.Itgrewintoasoundlessroar.

"_Stopit,Jake!TellthemhowAmalgamated,underthecloakofliberation,isstranglingtheTermswithanalienculture.Tellthemwhatamockerytheircontractreallyis!TellthemaboutthatTermyoucondemnedthismorning!_"

Ifoughtit.Feelingthebloodrunfrommylip,Ifoughtit.I'dseenstrongmendriveninsanebyathoughtcasterwithinseconds.Mystabilityindexwassixpointthree.Damnedhigh.Ifoughtit.Igottomyfeet.Theroomreeled.ThosedamnedTermfaces.Theshiningantennae.Istumbledtowardsthedoor.Thethoughtbecameawhiplashofmoltenfury.

"_Upholdthatgrievance,Jake!Tellthemthetruth.Admitthestandard

wasimpossibletomeet--_"

Islammedthedoor.Thevoicestopped.

Myskullwasashatteredfly-wheel,asunburstofagony.Iwasretching.IstumbleddownthecorridortoPsych.Fernwasthere.Iwasscreamingather.TheGuildwashere.Theyhadthoughtcasters.Mybrainwasmelting.Fernwaswhite-faced.Shehadahypo.Ididn'tfeelit.ThelastthingIsawwastheglimmeroftearsinhergreeneyes.

*****

"...theneuronflow."Starza'svoice."Notwoalike.Likefingerprints.

Whatapitytheycan'trefinethetransmittalwaves."

Itriedtoopenmyeyes.

"TheGuildatomizedSolar'splantonProycon,"Carmody'svoicesaidquietly."It'sjustaquestionoftime,Dave."

"No,"Starzasaidthoughtfully."Proyconwasasweatshop.Ithinkmaybethey'rehintingthatourproductionstandardsareatriflerough.Look,hiseyelidsfluttered.Betyouhetakesrefugeinamnesia."

"Youlose."Myvoicewasanirongroan.

WewereinStarza'soffice.Carmodypeeredatmewithaclinicaleye."Itookthelibertyofnarcosynthesiswhileyouwereout,Jake.Youtoldusallaboutit.Howdoyoufeel?"

ItoldthemhowIfelt,inspades.

"Iwantmyvacationnow,"Isaid."I'veaccruedsevenmonths.I'mgoingtoVenus,"Isaid.

"Now,now,"Starzasaid."Mustn'tdesertthesinkingship,Jake."Ishut


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myeyes.Hisvoicewassoothingoil."Jake,theGuildasawholedoesn'tknowofthisplant.Guildagentsarefree-lancers,inthefullsenseoftheword.Theyexercisetheirowninitiative,andonlyreporttoGuildHQwhenthejobisdone."

"Then,"Carmodysaid,"ifwecanfindoutwho--"

"Precisely."Starza'seyeswereveiled."Incidentally,Don,you'vebeengonethelastfourdays.Why?"

Carmodyregardedhimsteadily."Recruiting.Youknewthat."

"YetyoubroughtbackonlyadozenTerms."

Carmodydrewaslowdeepbreath."Word'sgottenaround,Dave.Thetribeshavefinallyforgottentheirpettywarsandunitedagainstacommonenemy.Us!AnyTermthatexhibitsundesirabletraitsofindividualityisnowdestroyed.Ithinkadozenwasagoodhaul."

"Youhadthewholeplanet."

Carmody'sgrinwasdiamondhard."YouthinkmaybeIspentafewhoursunderaGuildmind-control?Isthatit?"

Starzasaid,"Onyourwayout,sendLosTichnatin."

Carmodyflushed."Tichnat'stheoneandyouknowit!Butifhe'snot--ifyouhaven'trundownthespybytomorrow--youcanacceptmyresignation.IsawwhattheyleftofProycon."

Thedoorslammedbehindhim.Starzasmiledatme."Whatdoyouthink,Jake?"

"Tichnat.ThesecondIgotoutofthere,thethoughtcasterstopped."

"Doesn'tmeanathing.Theycanbeamthroughsolidrock.Hundred-footradius."

"Noexploitation,"Imused.

"Fanatics,"Starzasaid."They'dimpedetheprogressofman.Sacrificeman'srightfulplaceinthecosmosforthesakeof--crawlingthings!We'llfightthem,Jake!"

Tichnatentered.HestoodstifflybeforeStarza'sdesk,hisantennaeacheerfulemerald.

Starzasaidcarefully,"WhatdoyouknowabouttheGuild?"

"Impracticalvisionaries,"Tichnatclicked."Loversofstatis,

well-meaningfools.Theyapproachedmeyesterday."

AveinthrobbedpurpleinStarza'sforehead.Yethekepthisvoicesoft."Andyoudidn'treportit?"

"Andprecipitateacrisis?"Tichnatsoundedamused."Iwasaskedifmypeoplewerebeingpersecuted.HadIansweredintheaffirmativetheremighthavebeenrepercussions,perhapsasequeltoProycon.Ohyes,weknowofProycon.Yourforemenaresometimesindiscreet."


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"Whowastheagent?"Starzabreathed.

"ShouldItellyou,anddisruptthestatusquo?Youwoulddestroytheagent.Inretaliation,theGuildmightdestroythisplant."

"Impossible!Guildagentshavenosuchauthority--"

"AchanceIcannotaffordtotake."Tichnatwasadamant.

"Amalgamated,"Starzaprodded,"offersastandingrewardofonehundredthousandsolarcreditsforapprehensionofanyGuildagent.Yourvillagecouldusethosecredits.Youcouldequipanatomiclab.Youcouldmaintainyourownresearchstaff--"

"Stopit."Theantennaethrobbedbrilliantly.

"Weareyourfriends,Tichnat."

"Symbiosis,Ibelieveistheword,"Tichnatclickeddryly."Youneedus.Weneedyourscience.Weneedyourterrifyingconceptofindividuality.Weneedtoloseouroldways.Thedanceofharvesttime.TheQueen-Mother.Onebyonetheritualsdropaway.Theoldlife,thegoodtriballife,isdying.Yousiftoutusmisfitswhochafeattribaloneness,youofferustheplanets!"

Theantennaeflashedanangryscarlet."Youthinktokeepuschainedamillennium.Ahundredyearswillsuffice.Wewillleaveyou.Weexilesyouhavemade,wewhowouldbedestroyedifwedaredreturntothetribe,weshallrulethisworld!Youaliensdriveahardbargain,butthedreamisworthit!"

Prometheus,inabug'sbody.Theshiningstrength,andthedarkterriblepride.

"Itisnodream,"Starzasaidgently."Butperhapsyougoaboutachievingitthewrongway.Youstillrefusetodivulgethespy?"

"Iamsorry.Goodday."

Starzabroodedafterhim.

"He'safool.Buthe'sgraspingmankind'sconcepts,Jake.I'dgivemyrighteyeforagoodsemanticist!BasicEnglishdoesit._Self_,_want_,_mine_,selfishego-words,thecornerstonesofgraspinghumanity.Sure,we'llraisehellwiththeirestheticsense,butintheendthey'llthankus."

Isat,worryingaboutasecretfanaticsomewhereintheplantwho,intheholyinterestsofMars-for-the-Martians,Terminorb-for-the-Terms,mightsoonplantanatomicwarheadinourbodyshop.Ifinallysaid,

"Whatarewegoingto_do_?"

"Do?"Starzachuckled."Why,slackenlinespeeds,lowerproductionstandards,fiftypercentatleast.Bytomorrowwe'llbedowntofortyjobsanhour.Theywantloosestandards,we'llgiveittothem."

"Butmy_cost_?"

"Obscenityyourcost.Look,Jake,nomatterhowyousetanoperationup,theTermsmanagetoworkinsomeglitteringlittleritual.They_have_


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tocreatebeauty.Theirestheticsensemustbefed.Theycan'tadjusttoquickchange.Supposingyoucutlinespeedsbytenpercent.Theyadjust,butitalmostkillsthem.Thendropthirtypercent.Theirrituallosestiming,becomesdiscordant.Whathappens?"

Iblinked."Theygomad."

"AndourlittleGuildsaboteurwillbeguiltyofafewTermdeaths.He'llhaveviolatedabasicGuildtenet.He'llgohomewithhistailbetweenhislegs.Catch?"

Icaught.

Bymidafternoonwehadtheconveyorspeedsdownthirtypercent.Theredlineonmycostchartsoaredprecariously.Theentireproductionlineslowedtoacrawl.Wewaited.

Atfiveo'clockithappened.ThreeTermsinthebodyshopwentmad.Itstartedachainreactionthroughoutthetrimline.SixmoreTermsranamuckandhadtobedestroyed.Finalassemblybecameashambles.Starzacalledmeonthevisicom,delighted."OurGuildagentplayedrightintoourhands,Jake.Inforcingaproductionslumphe'sharmingtheworkers.Hisnextmovewillprobablybeabluff."

Iwasn'tsosure.

Thateveningtheexecutivediningroomwaschokedwithatight,gnawingtension.Departmentheadsspokeinhushedwhispers,eyesdarting.Themanacrossthetablecouldbeamindless-controlled,aGuildpawn.Smileathimpolitelyandkeepyourmouthshut.Iordered_thar_,aTerminorbarthapodthatwasusuallymoredeliciousthanVenusianlobster,buttonightittastedlikebroiledleather.Itwaslikeeatinginamorgue.

IsawCarmody,atthenexttable.Inoddedcoollytohimandhehitchedhischairoverandsaid,"Bytheway,Jake,I'msorryaboutHarvey.He'sgoingbacktoEarthnextweek."

"Why?"

"Hisstabilityindexwastoolow,"Carmodysaidsmoothly."Sure,wecouldhavegivenhimtheworks,butyoudidn'twantarobot."

Isaiddeliberately,"Ineededthatboy,Don."

Carmodygotup,hissmileinfinitelycontemptuous."Wedon'tallhaveyourstabilityindex,Jake."

Istaredafterhim,andthethoughtsuddenlystruckmethatnotoncehad_I_consideredquitting,ever.Somehow,thethoughtdisturbedme.

Abruptlythepublicaddressspeakerboomed.

"Attention,"Starza'svoicecrackled."TotheGuildagent,whereverhemaybe.Todayyoumurderedthirty-sevenTerms.Isthisyouraltruism?Isthisyourvauntedjustice?"Hewenton,hisvoicelikeorganmusic,sweepingawayalldoubt,makingyouproudandgladtobeapartofAmalgamated,partofProduction,whenquitesuddenlyhisvoicechokedoff.Simultaneouslyanothervoicerippedthroughthehall.Acoldironicwhisper,lashingatthemind.


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"_Altruism,yes.Butnotasyouconceiveit.Todayyoupassedyourownjudgment.Youhavetwenty-fourhourstoevacuatebeforethisPlantisdestroyed.Theverdictisfinal._"

Thedininghallechoedwithmoans.Handsleanedtoagonizedtemples.Thethoughtcasteragain,onawidebandfrequency.ThroughthepainIwasconsciousofStarza'svoice.TheGuildwastryingtobluffus.Wewouldn'tletthem.Istumbledoutofthehall,myteethchattering,tooktheliftdowntothefirstlevel,andgotoutside,towalkfreeinthepark.

HerewasEden.Giantconifersandfernswoveacoolgreenpatternofdelight,andthelaughterofthecrystalfountainssoothed.Termshadfashionedthisgarden,hadcreatedapoeminlivinggreen,aquietfugueof_oneness_,eachleafblendingexquisitelywiththenext,theunity,theperfectwhole.ForoneweakmomentIletthepatternseepinsidiouslyintome,andthen,ashamed,focusedmyeyesonthatjarringsplashofwhiteinthecenterofthegarden.Theten-footmodeloftheAmalgamatedX-3M,squatwithpower,liftingonhersternjets.AsymbolofAmalgamated'sstrength,theindomitablespiritofmankind,beautybornofpureutility.Oddly,ahalf-rememberedpoemoftheAncientsflittedthroughmybrain:

_DirtyBritishCoasterwithhersalt-cakedsmokestack,

ButtingthroughtheChannelonthemadMarchdays--_

Thatwasman.

Onaninfinityofplanetshehadmetresistance,throughforce,throughguile--eventhroughbeauty.Andhehadconquered.Idrewaslowdeepbreathandsatononeofthebenches,staringupatthegigantichorseshoeofthefactory,hearingthemutedhumoftheatomics.Twenty-fourhours.

Itriedtorunthroughmyaxioms,andIwassuddenlyterrified.Icouldn'trememberthem!Thatdamnedthoughtcaster.Twiceinoneday.Perhapstherewassomegradualneuraldisintegration.Myheadhurt

terribly.TomorrowI'dgotoPsychforacheckup.IthoughtaboutthatmarblevillainVenusport,andaboutmybankaccount.Notenough.Anotheryear,justonemoreyear,andIcouldretire,atthirty-four.IthoughtabouttheVenusiantwilights,andtheturquoisemistsofftheDeeps,andwondereddullyifI'deverseeVenusortheEarthagain.

IsawFern,walkingamongtheconifers,herfaceapalemaskofstrain."Youheardit,Jake?"

Inodded.

Wesatintheaquamarinetwilight,andFernwasshivering,andIputmyarmaroundher.

"Lookslikealtruismisarelativething,"Isaid."What_do_theywant?"

"UncontaminatedTerms,"shesaidbitterly."Noscience,nostars,nowarsandnoprogress.Abigbeautifulplanet-mind,theTermmind,foreverstatic,foreverdead."

"It'sabluff,"Isaid."Ourlittlefanatic'sstallingfortime,hopingtostampedeuswhilehefindsanotherway."


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"Forexample?"

"WhydoyouthinkweinsistonbasicEnglishforallTerms?SupposingaforemanshouldstartjabberingTermineseduringanoperation.TheTermswouldrevert,we'dhavealineshutdown.Theycan'tadjust--say!"Arandomthoughtwasnibblingatmybrain."WherewasCarmodythismorning?JustbeforeIreeledin?"

Herfinebrowsknitted."Why,hewent--oh,Jake,surelyyoudon'tthink--?"

"Wentwhere?"

"Downthehall.TowardsPersonnel."

"Towardstheconferencehall,youmean.HeneverevenexaminedHarvey!"

"Itwasn'tnecessary,"shesaiduncomfortably."Donjustwantedtoverifyhisstabilityindex."

"Sure!Sohestoodoutsidetheconferencehallandputawhammyonme--"

Fernwassmiling.Iscowled."Itfits.Ithastobehim."

"OrTichnat,"shesaid."OrStarza.Orme."

Istaredather."You'ddo."Myvoiceshook."Youweregonethreemonths.Theycouldhavegottoyou."

Herrich,warmlaughtersiftedthroughthetwilight,andIwantedtohither."Theydid,"shegurgled,"butI'vedecidedtorelent,Jake.I'llsparetheplantononecondition--thatyoutakemetotheTermfestivaltomorrownight."

Igrunted."Carmodyworkingovertime,Isuppose?"

"Iftheplant'sstillstanding."

Ichangedthesubject.

TwohourslaterStarzacalledacouncilofwar.

*****

Theconferenceroomwascrammedwithquiveringexecutives.Starzacarefullyletthetensionbuildtoashrillcrescendobeforehesaid:

"OneofyougentlemenisaGuildmindless-controlled."

Raggedsilence.Starza'ssmilewasveryfaint.

"Yougaveusanultimatum.Butdestroyingthisplantisanadmissionoffailureyou'renotwillingtomake--yet.You'lltryanothertack.You'rejustbeginningtodiscoverthatthisenvironmentwe'vecreatedfortheTermsissuperiortotheprimitivejungle.Tichnat!"

Tichnatsteppedforward.Hisantennaewereaproud,brilliantgold.

"Doyouwantashutdown?"Starzaaskedsoftly.


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"Arewefools?"Tichnatclicked."Tolosewhatwe'vegained?Toreturntoourtribe?Tobedestroyed?"

Starza'scalmgazecaressedeachface,probing."Yousee?Stalemate.Whoeveryouare,_you'rebluffing_.Tomorrowourconveyorspeedsreturntonormal.You'lldonothing.YoumaytrytoagitatetheTerms,butthey'resatisfied--"

Oneofthesuperintendentsclearedhisthroat."Look,"hesaidunsteadily,"sometimesyoucan'taffordtocallabluff."

Starzasaidpleasantly,"Anyresignationswillbeacceptedrightnow.YoucanwaitsafelyintheTermvillageuntilnextweek'sfreighterarrives.Norepercussions,Ipromise."

Theliewasblatant.Carmodystoodbythedoor,hissmilestrained.Itwasalltooobviouswhatwouldhappentoanyresignees.

"None?"Starza'sbrowsrose."I'mproudofyou.That'sit,gentlemen."

Thenextdaywasafreneticnightmare.Mycostdropped,butitdidn'tmatter.Thatwasonedaywhenthebestcompanymanbecameaclock-watcher.Lineforemen,departmentheads,crackedunderthestrain,

andweresummarilyremovedtoPsych.Carmodyandstaffworkedovertime.

[Illustration]

Itoiledfeverishlyoveroperationschedules,thecrazilyfluctuatingcostcharts.Myheadachewasgone,butIstillcouldn'tremembermyaxioms!IfeltguiltyovernotgoingtoPsych,buttherejustwasn'tthetime.

Hell,_I'd_neverneededindoctrination.IwasanAmalgamatedmanthroughandthrough.FinallyIgrabbedanengineeringmanual,leafedangrilythroughit--andsatthere,emptyandshaking.

I'dgoneinsane.

Thewordsweregibberish.Oh,Icouldreadthemallright,buttheydidn'tmake_sense_.Whatafilthytrick.Semanticblock,Starzawouldcallit.Ikeptstaringatthemeaninglesswords,consciousofatearingsenseofloss.AndIwantedtocry.

Sixo'clockwaszerohour.

Sixo'clockcame,andthefactoryhelditscollectivebreathwhilenothinghappened.

Atsix-thirtyStarzamadealongspeechoverthepublicaddress.About

theselflessspiritofman,helpingtheTermsreachthestars,abouthowwewouldneveradmitdefeat,andabouthow,aftertonight,theTermfestivalwouldbediscontinued.TheTermshadadoptedmankind'sculture,theyhadnofurtherneedoftheireffetenativecustoms.

Atseven,FernandIwerewalkingpastAdministrationtowardsthelightedsquare-mileenclosureoftheTermvillage.Fernhadneverseenafestival.

"Athrowback,"Isaid,"totheiroldtribaldays.Theirharvest,when


13/23

theypaytributetotheQueen-Motherandprayforgoodcropsandworkwelldone.It'stheiryearlysubstitutefor_Stammverstand_.Backinthenativevillages,wheneveraTerm'sintrouble,hegoestothecouncilhutandtheothersjoinhiminasilent,grouptelepathy.Butwe'vejustaboutweanedthem,angel!They'llbeindividualssoon."

WewalkeddownthedesertedrowofTermhuts,pastthecouncilhall,tothegreatstoneamphitheatre,andsatwiththeotherexecs.Fernwasverygayandcheerful,butIkeptthinkingaboutmyaxioms,tryingtobringthembacktolife.Ifeltdead,alldeadinside.

Starzacameup,frowning,andIcongratulatedhim.

"It'stoopat,Jake,itworriesme.Where'sCarmody?"

"Settingupthosesemanticreactiontestsyougavehim,"Fernsaid.

"ButInevergavehim--"

Abruptlythelightssnuffedout.Atoneendofthearenaloomedatwelve-footstatueofabloatedTerm,limnedinasoftpaleglow.TheQueen-Mother.

Thehush.Thentheradiance.

SlowlytheTermsfiledintothearena,rankuponrankoflivingflame.Firstthefighters,theirantennaeshiningcrimsonandsplendidagainstthetallnight.Thenthetwinsglowsofbluethatdenotedthespinners,theweavers.Thegoldenblazeoftheharvesters.Thelambentcolorscreptthroughtheairlikeamood,likeadream,anddeepenedintoashimmeringcataractofrainbowfire,apaeanoflightandglorythatwhirledandspuninajoyousrhythmasoldastheraceitself.

Then--chaos.

Ablindingflarecascadedfromthesix-footantennaeofthestatue.Theradiancegrew,brighterthananatomicflare,moreterriblethanthe

sun.TheTermsstoodfrozen.Besideme,Starzaswore.

Thiswasn'tinthescript.

Thatcolossalvoice.

Ear-snappingclicks,andliquidvowels.Terminese.Theforbiddentongue.Thevoiceblared.Icaughtmostofit.

"_Children,youhavesinned.Youaredefiledwiththetaintofalienmonsters.YouhavefailedtheQueen-Mother.Return,mychildren,returntoyourtribes.Returntothetabernacleofunity,theone-in-all,theQueen-Mother!Forindeaththereislife,andthereisjoyin

immolation.Return!_"

Lastly,theclimax.Thatlastshatteringhunkofpropagandathatwouldhavebeensotritelyamusingifithadn'tbeensoterrifying.

"_Youhavenothingtolosebutyourchains._"

Thegiantantennaefadedtoaliquidsilver.Thesilverofhope,offorgiveness.


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ForamomentIwasblind.IfeltFerntremblingagainstme.Theexecswerechatteringlikefrightenedsheep.ThenIcouldsee.IsawStarza.Hewasmovingdowntheaisle,cursinginatight,dullmonotone.

Ifollowedhimdownintothearena.TheTermsstoodshriveled,mute.Starzawasfumblingatthebaseofthestatue,andhesaidinathickhorriblevoice,"Look."Theloudspeaker.Thecoiledwiring.

TheTermsstirred.

Starzaleapedtothelapofthestatue.Hebawled,"Listen!Thisissacrilege!Youhavebeenvictimsofahoax--"

Notlistening,theyfiledinsilentgroupsoutofthearena.Theirantennaewerethecolorofashes.Starzajumpeddown.Hepoundedafterthem.HewasshoutingatLosTichnat.

"Iknow,"Tichnatdroned.Hekeptwalking."Youareright.Itdoesnotmatterthatyouareright.TheQueen-Mothercalled."

"Listen,"Starzamouthed."Itwasafraud,atrick.Youcan't--"

"Wemust."Tichnatpaused.Foralongmomentthegreatfacetedeyesstaredsomberly."Itwasasplendiddream,thethingyouofferedus.But

thisisthefinalreality.Andyoursisbutadream."

Hetrampedstolidlyon,aftertheothers.Thecouncilhalldoorclosed.

Starzaclawedatthedoor.Itopened.Hewastoolate.Theysatsilentlyaroundthegreattable,thefacetedeyesdead,theantennaecoruscatingindigo,nowgreen,nowrose.Communion.Themeshingofminds.Starzashoutedatthem.Stillness.

Starzalookedblindlyatme.Hewasshaking."Carmody,"hesaid."CarmodyknowstheTermmind.Hecandosomething.Comeon,"hesaid.

*****

WefoundCarmodyinhisquarters,methodicallypacking.Hiseyebrowsroseasweburstin."Didyougentlemenevertryknocking?"

Starzajustlookedathim.Carmodydrewalongbreath."You'llfindmyresignationonyourdesk,Dave."

"Ah?"Starza'svoicewasverysoft.

"It'sonlyaquestionoftime,"Carmodysaid."Callittheratdesertingtheshipifyoulike,butI'mthrough."

Starzawassmiling,afatman'ssmile."Soyoureallythinkyoucanpull

itoff,"hewhispered.

Carmodyshrugged,andStarzacalmlytookoutasonicpistolandshothiminthebelly.

Asonicblasthemorrhages.Itrendsthecapillaries,ploughsthefleshintoaflaccidcollectionofshatterednervefibersandruinedarteries.It'sarottenwaytodie.

StarzawatchedCarmodythrashhimselftodeathonthefloor.Iturned


15/23

away.

"Fortherecord,Jake,hemadeafullconfession.Webothheardhim."

"Justfortherecord,"Isaid.

"Ithadtobehim,"Starzasaid."ThatthoughtcasterblastyesterdaymorningmadereferencetoyourstudyontheTerm.OnlyHarveyandCarmodyknewaboutthat.Itcouldn'thavebeenHarvey.Hecuthisthroatthismorning.

"I'vedecided,"Starzasaid."ThisisaTypeLplanet,afterall.Thenativesarechronicallyunstable.Hostile,infact.PursuanttoSolarRegulation3,wehavetherighttoenforcemartiallaw.Itshouldbesixmonthsbeforeaninvestigation.Meanwhile--"

"We'llgetproduction,"Isaid.

"We'llgetproduction."Hewipedhisforehead,relaxed."I'llsendinafullreporttonight.Betterturnin,Jake,"hesaidkindly."I'llneedyouinthemorning."

Iturnedin.

Youlieawake,staringintotheblackness.Itgnaws.

Myheadthrobbed.Ishouldhavefeltatriumphantrelief,butIcouldnotremembermyaxioms,andIfeltasickdullhateforthethingtheGuildspyCarmodyhaddonetome.Whathappenswhenyoustripamanofeverythinghebelievesin?

Heremembersotherthings.

ThosememoriescametroopingbacklikeghostsandIfoughtthem,sweating,buttheycame.Onceuponatime,therewasastarry-eyedyoungengineerwhostartedouttosetthegalaxyonfire.Buthegotsqueamish,somewherealongtheway.SoCarmodyoperatedonhim.Carmody

didthingstohisbrain,madeagoodproductionmanoutofhim.

Irememberednow.

ThattimeIhadarguedwithStarzaaboutstandards,nineyearsago.AndIhadresigned.AndStarzasentmetoPsych.

GoodoldCarmody.

ThereneverwouldbeawhitemarblevillaonVenus.Itwasaharmlessdream,asubstituteforwhatIhadlost.Butitdidn'tmatter!Thosesuperimposedpatternshadbeenremoved,thatthoughtcasterhadcrippledmythinking,but,byHeaven,IwasstillanAmalgamatedman!They

couldn'ttakethataway.

ButStarzahadbeenwrongaboutCarmody.

Nothingdefinite.Butwhenyoudedicateyourlifeintoextrapolatingcurves,frozenchunksoftimeandmotion,intothethunderofjetsliftingAmalgamatedshipsfromTerminorb,yourmindbecomesaveryefficientanaloguecomputor,ifyouknowhowtouse.Iuseditnow.Ifedlittlethings,facts,variables,intothatcomputor,andittoldmethreetimes.Probability:sixtypercentatleast.


16/23

Igotup,dressedstiffly.Iwastrembling.Icouldstillserve,afterall.

ItooktheliftuptoAdministration,andwalkeddownthatlonggraycorridoronleadenfeettowardstheilluminatedrectangleofStarza'soffice.

Iopenedthedoor.

"Hello,darling,"Fernsaid.

*****

ShewasunhurriedlyburningStarza'sreport.Starzasatmutelyinhischair,headtiltedbackatanimpossibleangle,staringatnothing.

"Ithadtobeyou."Ihadneverfeltsotired."Youwouldhavedestroyedtheplant,wouldn'tyou?OnlyIshowedyouanotherway.MaketheTermsrevert.AndyouhadthathypoallreadywhenIreeledintoPsych."Imovedtowardshercarefully."You'resodamnedaltruistic.AGuildmindless-controlled,"Isaid.

Fern'ssmilewascompassionate.Shemethodicallygroundtheashesto

powder,liftedthatcalmgreengaze.

"Stupidwordstofrightenchildren,Jake.Yes,theykidnappedme.IneverreachedEarth,threemonthsago.Iwasindoctrinated--oh,theydidn'thavefartogo._Eachracetoitsownfulfillment._"Hereyeswereshining."Lookoutthewindow."

Numbly,Imovedpasther.Istared.Inthedistantblackness,acolumnoflivingflameflickereduptheslopeofCobaltMountain.Ice-green,ruby,silverandblue.TheTermswereleaving.

"They'renotreadyforindividualityyet,"Fernbreathed."Inamillionyearsperhaps.Notnow.They'regoinghome."

"Todie."

"Theracewilllive.Individualityisn'tthepenultimate,darling.You'llfindout."Imovedtowardsher."You'vegotaverytoughmind,Jake.You'llmakeawonderfulGuildagent--"

Igotbothhandsonherthroat.

Fernmoved.Herrightarmwasasnakestriking,andasteelstrengthliftedme,turning,againstoneandahalfgravities,andthefloorwavereduptohitmeintheface.Somethingbroke.Itastedblood.

Throughtheagony,Imoved.Icrawledtowardsher.

"Theygavemesixweeksofhandcombatundertwogravs,"shesaid."Soonyou'llbeoneofus,Jake.OneoftheGuild!"

Istaredupatherinadullhorror.Ikeptcrawling.

"We'llhealyou,"Fernsaid."We'llgiveyoubackthedream.Wemayevenworktogether!MaybeI'llfallinlovewithyouagain,whoknows?"Hereyeswerebrimming.Shetookoutasonicpistol."It'sallright,


17/23

darling.I'lladjustitforknockout.Inthreehourswe'llbeonaGuildflier.Please,darling,"shesaid,andIkeptcrawling.AndFern'ssmilewasabenedictionasshepulledthetrigger.

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Exploiter's End by James Causey