With a tight smile and a low bow, the sub-prefect had flipped2 his blasterfrom its holster and presented it to Hardin butt3 first. Hardin returned thecompliment with, a blaster specifically borrowed for the occasion.
Friendship and good will were thus established, and if Hardin noted4 thebarest bulge at Haut Rodric's shoulder, he prudently said nothing.
The ground car that received them then ?preceded, flanked, and followed bythe suitable cloud of minor5 functionaries ? proceeded in a slow,ceremonious manner to Cyclopedia Square, cheered on its way by a properlyenthusiastic crowd.
Sub-prefect Anselm received the cheers with the complaisant6 indifference7 ofa soldier and a nobleman.
He said to Hardin, "And this city is all your world?"Hardin raised his voice to be heard above the clamor. "We are a youngworld, your eminence8. In our short history we have had but few members ofthe higher nobility visiting our poor planet. Hence, our enthusiasm."It is certain that "higher nobility" did not recognize irony9 when he heardit.
He said thoughtfully: "Founded fifty years ago. Hm-mmm! You have a greatdeal of unexploited land here, mayor. You have never considered dividing itinto estates?""There is no necessity as yet. We're extremely centralized; we have to be,because of the Encyclopedia10. Someday, perhaps, when our population hasgrown?
"A strange world! You have no peasantry?"Hardin reflected that it didn't require a great deal of acumen11 to tell thathis eminence was indulging in a bit of fairly clumsy pumping. He repliedcasually, "No ?nor nobility."Haut Rodric's eyebrows12 lifted. "And your leader ?the man I am to meet?""You mean Dr. Pirenne? Yes! He is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees ?
and a personal representative of the Emperor.""Doctor? No other title? A scholar? And he rates above the civilauthority?""Why, certainly," replied Hardin, amiably13. "We're all scholars more orless. After all, we're not so much a world as a scientific foundation ?
under the direct control of the Emperor."There was a faint emphasis upon the last phrase that seemed to disconcertthe sub-prefect. He remained thoughtfully silent during the rest of theslow way to Cyclopedia Square.
If Hardin found himself bored by the afternoon and evening that followed,he had at least the satisfaction of realizing that Pirenne and Haut Rodric?having met with loud and mutual14 protestations of esteem15 and regard ?weredetesting each other's company a good deal more.
Haut Rodric had attended with glazed16 eye to Pirenne's lecture during the"inspection tour" of the Encyclopedia Building. With polite and vacantsmile, he had listened to the latter's rapid patter as they passed throughthe vast storehouses of reference films and the numerous projection17 rooms.
It was only after he had gone down level by level into and through thecomposing departments, editing departments, publishing departments, andfilming departments that he made the first comprehensive statement.
"This is all very interesting," he said, "but it seems a strange occupationfor grown men. What good is it?"It was a remark, Hardin noted, for which Pirenne found no answer, thoughthe expression of his face was most eloquent18.
The dinner that evening was much the mirror image of the events of thatafternoon, for Haut Rodric monopolized19 the conversation by describing ?inminute technical detail and with incredible zest ?his own exploits asbattalion head during the recent war between Anacreon and the neighboringnewly proclaimed Kingdom of Smyrno.
The details of the sub-prefect's account were not completed until dinnerwas over and one by one the minor officials had drifted away. The last bitof triumphant description of mangled spaceships came when he hadaccompanied Pirenne and Hardin onto the balcony and relaxed in the warm airof the summer evening.
"And now," he said, with a heavy joviality, "to serious matters.""By all means," murmured Hardin, lighting20 a long cigar of Vegan tobacco ?
not many left, he reflected ?and teetering his chair back on two legs.
The Galaxy21 was high in the sky and its misty lens shape stretched lazilyfrom horizon to horizon. The few stars here at the very edge of theuniverse were insignificant22 twinkles in comparison.
"Of course," said the sub-prefect, "all the formal discussions ?the papersigning and such dull technicalities, that is ?will take place before the?What is it you call your Council?""The Board of Trustees," replied Pirenne, coldly.
"Queer name! Anyway, that's for tomorrow. We might as well clear away someof the underbrush, man to man, right now, though. Hey?""And this means? prodded23 Hardin.
"Just this. There's been a certain change in the situation out here in thePeriphery and the status of your planet has become a trifle uncertain. Itwould be very convenient if we succeeded in coming to an understanding asto how the matter stands. By the way, mayor, have you another one of thosecigars?"Hardin started and produced one reluctantly.
Anselm haut Rodric sniffed at it and emitted a clucking sound of pleasure.
"Vegan tobacco! Where did you get it?""We received some last shipment. There's hardly any left. Space knows whenwe'll get more ?if ever."Pirenne scowled24. He didn't smoke ?and, for that matter, detested25 the odor.
"Let me understand this, your eminence. Your mission is merely one ofclarification?"Haut Rodric nodded through the smoke of his first lusty puffs26.
"In that case, it is soon over. The situation with respect to theEncyclopedia Foundation is what it always has been.""Ah! And what is it that it always has been?""Just this: A State-supported scientific institution and part of thepersonal domain27 of his august majesty28, the Emperor."The sub-prefect seemed unimpressed. He blew smoke rings. "That's a nicetheory, Dr. Pirenne. I imagine you've got charters with the Imperial Sealupon it ?but what's the actual situation? How do you stand with respect toSmyrno? You're not fifty parsecs from Smyrno's capital. you know. And whatabout Konom and Daribow?"Pirenne said: "We have nothing to do with any prefect. As part of theEmperor's?
"They're not prefects," reminded Haut Rodric; "they're kingdoms now.""Kingdoms then. We have nothing to do with them. As a scientificinstitution?
"Science be damned!" swore the other. "What the devil has that got to dowith the fact that we're liable to see Terminus taken over by Smyrno at anytime?""And the Emperor? He would just sit by?"Haut Rodric calmed down and said: "Well, now, Dr. Pirenne, you respect theEmperor's property and so does Anacreon, but Smyrno might not. Remember,we've just signed a treaty with the Emperor ?I'll present a copy to thatBoard of yours tomorrow ?which places upon us the responsibility ofmaintaining order within the borders of the old Prefect of Anacreon onbehalf of the Emperor. Our duty is clear, then, isn't it?""Certainly. But Terminus is not part of the Prefect of Anacreon.""And Smyrno?
"Nor is it part of the Prefect of Smyrno. It's not part of any prefect.""Does Smyrno know that?""I don't care what it knows.""We do. We've just finished a war with her and she still holds two stellarsystems that are ours. Terminus occupies an extremely strategic spot,between the two nations."Hardin felt weary. He broke in: "What is your proposition, your eminence?"The sub-prefect seemed quite ready to stop fencing in favor of more directstatements. He said briskly: "It seems perfectly obvious that, sinceTerminus cannot defend itself, Anacreon must take over the job for its ownsake. You understand we have no desire to interfere with internaladministration?
"Uh-huh," grunted29 Hardin dryly.
"朾ut we believe that it would be best for all concerned to have Anacreonestablish a military base upon the planet.""And that is all you would want ?a military base in some of the vastunoccupied territory ?and let it go at that?""Well, of course, there would be the matter of supporting the protectingforces."Hardin's chair came down on all four, and his elbows went forward on hisknees. "Now we're getting to the nub. Let's put it into language. Terminusis to be a protectorate and to pay tribute.""Not tribute. Taxes. We're protecting you. You pay for it."Pirenne banged his hand on the chair with sudden violence. "Let me speak,Hardin. Your eminence, I don't care a rusty30 half-credit coin for Anacreon,Smyrno, or all your local politics and petty wars. I tell you this is aState-supported tax-free institution.""State-supported? But we are the State, Dr. Pirenne, and we're notsupporting."Pirenne rose angrily. "Your eminence, I am the direct representative of?
"杊is august majesty, the Emperor," chorused Anselm haut Rodric sourly,"And I am the direct representative of the King of Anacreon. Anacreon is alot nearer, Dr. Pirenne. ""Let's get back to business," urged Hardin. "How would you take theseso-called taxes, your eminence? Would you take them in kind: wheat,potatoes, vegetables, cattle?"The sub-prefect stared. "What the devil? What do we need with those? We'vegot hefty surpluses. Gold, of course. Chromium or vanadium would be evenbetter, incidentally, if you have it in quantity."Hardin laughed. "Quantity! We haven't even got iron in quantity. Gold!
Here, take a look at our currency." He tossed a coin to the envoy.
Haut Rodric bounced it and stared. "What is it? Steel?""That's right.""I don't understand.""Terminus is a planet practically without metals. We import it all.
Consequently, we have no gold, and nothing to pay unless you want a fewthousand bushels of potatoes.""Well ?manufactured goods.""Without metal? What do we make our machines out of?"There was a pause and Pirenne tried again. "This whole discussion is wideof the point. Terminus is not a planet, but a scientific foundationpreparing a great encyclopedia. Space, man, have you no respect forscience?""Encyclopedias31 don't win wars." Haut Rodric's brows furrowed32. "A completelyunproductive world, then ? and practically unoccupied at that. Well, youmight pay with land.""What do you mean?" asked Pirenne.
"This world is just about empty and the unoccupied land is probablyfertile. There are many of the nobility on Anacreon that would like anaddition to their estates.""You can't propose any such?
"There's no necessity of looking so alarmed, Dr. Pirenne. There's plentyfor all of us. If it comes to what it comes, and you co-operate, we couldprobably arrange it so that you lose nothing. Titles can be conferred andestates granted. You understand me, I think."Pirenne sneered33, "Thanks!"And then Hardin said ingenuously34: "Could Anacreon supply us with adequatequantities of plutonium for our nuclear-power plant? We've only a fewyears' supply left."There was a gasp from Pirenne and then a dead silence for minutes. WhenHaut Rodric spoke35 it was in a voice quite different from what it had beentill then:
"You have nuclear power?""Certainly. What's unusual in that? I imagine nuclear power is fiftythousand years old now. Why shouldn't we have it? Except that it's a littledifficult to get plutonium.""Yes ... Yes." The envoy paused and added uncomfortably: "Well, gentlemen,we'll pursue the subject tomorrow. You'll excuse me?
Pirenne looked after him and gritted36 through his teeth: "That insufferable,dull-witted donkey! That?
Hardin broke in: "Not at all. He's merely the product of his environment.
He doesn't understand much except that 'I have a gun and you haven't.?
Pirenne whirled on him in exasperation37. "What in space did you mean by thetalk about military bases and tribute? Are you crazy?""No. I merely gave him rope and let him talk. You'll notice that he managedto stumble out with Anacreon's real intentions ?that is, the parceling upof Terminus into landed estates. Of course, I don't intend to let thathappen.""You don't intend. You don't. And who are you? And may I ask what you meantby blowing off your mouth about our nuclear-power plant? Why, it's just thething that would make us a military target.""Yes," grinned Hardin. "A military target to stay away from. Isn't itobvious why I brought the subject up? It happened to confirm a very strongsuspicion I had had.""And that was what?""That Anacreon no longer has a nuclear-power economy. If they had, ourfriend would undoubtedly38 have realized that plutonium, except in ancienttradition is not used in power plants. And therefore it follows that therest of the Periphery no longer has nuclear power either. Certainly Smyrnohasn't, or Anacreon wouldn't have won most of the battles in their recentwar. Interesting, wouldn't you say?""Bah!" Pirenne left in fiendish humor, and Hardin smiled gently.
He threw his cigar away and looked up at the outstretched Galaxy. "Back tooil and coal, are they?" he murmured ?and what the rest of his thoughtswere he kept to himself.
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1
envoy
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| n.使节，使者，代表，公使 | |
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flipped
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| 轻弹( flip的过去式和过去分词 )； 按（开关）； 快速翻转； 急挥 | |
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butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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complaisant
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| adj.顺从的，讨好的 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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irony
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| n.反语，冷嘲；具有讽刺意味的事，嘲弄 | |
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encyclopedia
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| n.百科全书 | |
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acumen
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| n.敏锐，聪明 | |
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eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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amiably
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| adv.和蔼可亲地，亲切地 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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glazed
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| adj.光滑的，像玻璃的；上过釉的；呆滞无神的v.装玻璃( glaze的过去式)；上釉于，上光；（目光）变得呆滞无神 | |
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projection
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| n.发射，计划，突出部分 | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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monopolized
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| v.垄断( monopolize的过去式和过去分词 )；独占；专卖；专营 | |
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lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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galaxy
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| n.星系；银河系；一群(杰出或著名的人物) | |
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insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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prodded
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| v.刺，戳( prod的过去式和过去分词 )；刺激；促使；（用手指或尖物）戳 | |
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scowled
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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detested
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| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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puffs
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| n.吸( puff的名词复数 )；（烟斗或香烟的）一吸；一缕（烟、蒸汽等）；（呼吸或风的）呼v.使喷出( puff的第三人称单数 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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encyclopedias
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| n.百科全书， （某一学科的）专科全书( encyclopedia的名词复数 ) | |
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furrowed
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| v.犁田，开沟( furrow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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ingenuously
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| adv.率直地，正直地 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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gritted
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| v.以沙砾覆盖（某物），撒沙砾于( grit的过去式和过去分词 )；咬紧牙关 | |
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exasperation
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| n.愤慨 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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