Read Online Spartan Planet by A. Bertram Chandler - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: A. Bertram Chandler
Tags: Science-Fiction
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in brown and the admirals in blue. There was a small group of high-ranking helots—agronomists robed in green, industrialists in gray. All of them stared curiously at the men, from the ship, from whom the guards had fallen away. But, Brasidus noted, there was more than curiosity on the faces of the scarlet-robed doctors as they regarded Margaret Lazenby. There was recognition, puzzlement and . . . guilt?
Grimes, at heel-clicking attention, saluted smartly.
"You may advance, Lieutenant Commander," said the King.
Grimes did so, once again drawing himself to attention when within two paces from the throne.
"You may relax, John Grimes. At ease." There was a long pause, then, "We have been told that you come from another world—another world, that is, beyond our polity of Sparta and Latterhaven. We have been told that you represent a government calling itself the Interstellar Federation. Assuming that there is such an entity, what is your business on Sparta?"
"Your Majesty, my mission is to conduct a census of the Man-colonized planets in this sector of space."
"The members of our Council concerned with such matters will be able to give you all the information you need. But we are told that you and your officers wish to set foot on this world—a privilege never accorded to the crews of Latterhaven ships. May we inquire as to your motives?"
"Your Majesty, in addition to the census, we are conducting a survey."
"A survey, Lieutenant Commander?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. There are worlds, such as yours, about which little is known. There are worlds—and yours is one of them—about which much more should be known."
"And this Federation of yours"—Brasidus, watching the King's face, could see that he had not been surprised by any of Grimes' answers, that he accepted the existence of worlds other than Sparta and Latterhaven without demur, that even the mention of this fantastic Federation had been no cause for amazement—"it has considerable military strength?"
"Considerable strength, Your Majesty. My ship, for example, is but a small and unimportant unit of our fleet."
"Indeed? And your whereabouts are known?"
"The movements of all vessels are plotted by Master Control."
"And so . . . and so, supposing that some unfortunate accident were to happen to your ship and your crew on Sparta, we might, just possibly, expect a visit from one or more of your big battleships?"
"That is so, Your Majesty."
"And we could deal with them, sire!" interpolated a portly, blue-robed Council member.
The King swiveled around in his throne. "Could we, Admiral Philcus? Could we? We wish that we possessed your assurance. But we do not. It does not matter how and by whom the planets of this Federation were colonized—what does matter is that they own spaceships, which we do not, and even space warships, which even Latterhaven does not. We, a mere monarch, hesitate to advise you upon naval tactics, but we remind you that a spaceship can hang in orbit, clear of the atmosphere—and therefore beyond reach of your airships—and, at the same time, release its shower of bombs upon our cities. Consider it, Philcus." He turned back to Grimes. "So, Lieutenant Commander, you seek permission for you and your men to range unhindered over the surface of our world?"
"I do, Your Majesty."
"Some of our ways and customs may be strange to you. You will not interfere. And you will impart new knowledge only to those best qualified to be its recipients."
"That is understood, Your Majesty."
"Sire!" This time it was one of the doctors. "I respectfully submit that permission to leave this outworld ship be extended only to human crew members."
"And what is your reason, Doctor? Let Margaret Lazenby advance so that we may inspect him."
The Arcadian walked slowly toward the King. Looking at his face, Brasidus could see that the being had lost some of his cockiness. But there was a certain defiance there still. Should this attitude
Grimes, at heel-clicking attention, saluted smartly.
"You may advance, Lieutenant Commander," said the King.
Grimes did so, once again drawing himself to attention when within two paces from the throne.
"You may relax, John Grimes. At ease." There was a long pause, then, "We have been told that you come from another world—another world, that is, beyond our polity of Sparta and Latterhaven. We have been told that you represent a government calling itself the Interstellar Federation. Assuming that there is such an entity, what is your business on Sparta?"
"Your Majesty, my mission is to conduct a census of the Man-colonized planets in this sector of space."
"The members of our Council concerned with such matters will be able to give you all the information you need. But we are told that you and your officers wish to set foot on this world—a privilege never accorded to the crews of Latterhaven ships. May we inquire as to your motives?"
"Your Majesty, in addition to the census, we are conducting a survey."
"A survey, Lieutenant Commander?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. There are worlds, such as yours, about which little is known. There are worlds—and yours is one of them—about which much more should be known."
"And this Federation of yours"—Brasidus, watching the King's face, could see that he had not been surprised by any of Grimes' answers, that he accepted the existence of worlds other than Sparta and Latterhaven without demur, that even the mention of this fantastic Federation had been no cause for amazement—"it has considerable military strength?"
"Considerable strength, Your Majesty. My ship, for example, is but a small and unimportant unit of our fleet."
"Indeed? And your whereabouts are known?"
"The movements of all vessels are plotted by Master Control."
"And so . . . and so, supposing that some unfortunate accident were to happen to your ship and your crew on Sparta, we might, just possibly, expect a visit from one or more of your big battleships?"
"That is so, Your Majesty."
"And we could deal with them, sire!" interpolated a portly, blue-robed Council member.
The King swiveled around in his throne. "Could we, Admiral Philcus? Could we? We wish that we possessed your assurance. But we do not. It does not matter how and by whom the planets of this Federation were colonized—what does matter is that they own spaceships, which we do not, and even space warships, which even Latterhaven does not. We, a mere monarch, hesitate to advise you upon naval tactics, but we remind you that a spaceship can hang in orbit, clear of the atmosphere—and therefore beyond reach of your airships—and, at the same time, release its shower of bombs upon our cities. Consider it, Philcus." He turned back to Grimes. "So, Lieutenant Commander, you seek permission for you and your men to range unhindered over the surface of our world?"
"I do, Your Majesty."
"Some of our ways and customs may be strange to you. You will not interfere. And you will impart new knowledge only to those best qualified to be its recipients."
"That is understood, Your Majesty."
"Sire!" This time it was one of the doctors. "I respectfully submit that permission to leave this outworld ship be extended only to human crew members."
"And what is your reason, Doctor? Let Margaret Lazenby advance so that we may inspect him."
The Arcadian walked slowly toward the King. Looking at his face, Brasidus could see that the being had lost some of his cockiness. But there was a certain defiance there still. Should this attitude
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