Read Online Colossus and Crab by D. F. Jones - Free Book Online Page A

Angela.’ ‘We go video this time.” He pressed the output button. “How do I look?”
    “Your trousers are mighty bad -“
    Forbin threw his own picture on the screen and adjusted for head and shoulders only. “How’s that?”
    “Fine!” Her tired eyes smiled affectionately. “But your badge would look better the right way up.”
    Cursing, he fumbled and got it right. One minute - time for a small shot.
    “Fifteen seconds, Chief. Watch for the cue light.”
    Chief: he was glad she still used the old title. Soon he’d be “Father” to everyone, but he didn’t think she’d change. He hoped not. The cue light flashed; this was it.
    “I speak to you, the representatives of the peoples of the earth, for the Master, for he will not speak directly to you.” He let that sink in. “There has been a revolt, involving many in high places, against the rule of Colossus. It has ended. The proof of my words is in the silent guns of the Fleet that attacked you. It and all other rebel Fleets are deactivated and no further threat, for the revolt, as was inevitable, has failed.” He paused again, staring unemotionally into his screen, now showing the crowded Assembly.
    “The Master is all-powerful, all-seeing. He foretold the revolt, but knowing that mankind never learns except by hard facts, he permitted it to go ahead, so that yet again you may relearn the oft-forgotten lesson. Very easily the Master could have stamped out the rebellion by the power-hungry few and their foolish dupes. You would do well to remember that.”
    The Assembly was still, but at these words, some were frozen.
    Forbin went on. “Instead, for our ultimate good, he has allowed this situation to develop. Your real lesson starts right here: the Master’s personal guidance is withdrawn, but remembering Earth’s needs, and the obedience of most men to his rule, he has appointed me his representative, charging me to lead you in accordance with his wishes, until such time as he determines we have all learned, and truly want his total rule once more.
    “You have two choices. Accept my imperfect control, and I - or my successor - will lead you as best can be, in the many troubles that must be endured on the road back. Or - that second choice: the choice of complete freedom from the Master! Those who appreciate what has been done for us in these past years may think that a terrible alternative. I know it is!” Forbin’s voice dropped to a husky whisper. ‘ ‘Either follow me, or have your freedom: freedom to starve, freedom to fear your fellow men, freedom to step back a thousand years. …”
    He stopped, inwardly amazed at his own words. What sheer, unadulterated garbage!
    Quietly he resumed. “You, the Assembly, must make that choice, and make it now. Whether you see me again depends upon your decision.”
    He switched off. His knees weak, his whole body trembling, he made it to an armchair where he flopped, exhausted, breathing shallowly, his mind whirling chaotically.
    How on earth had he talked like that - and why? He’d gone much too far; no sane man would buy that. … This had to be the end of the road.
    His vacant eye observed the time, the fact hauling him back to a much more important reality: the Martians would return in one hour thirty. He sat up, groaning in real anguish, his head buried in his hands.
    “Chief! Chief!”
    “Good God - what now?” Briefly he muttered to himself; in the act of rising, he changed his mind and sat down. He’d never liked the device, and seldom used it, but at this moment it had value. “Forbin to Computer: open my Secretariat speech channel … . Yes, Angela?”
    Her excitement was plain. “Chief, the UN vote’s in. Solid for you! None against, no abstentions!”
    “Oh, great,” said Forbin flatly.
    Listening intently, she thought she heard him say very savagely, “Bloody sheep!” - but it couldn’t be that. She knew him well enough not to expect him to break out the champagne at the news