“Meta?” Kerk was surprised. “She’s a space pilot and defense screen operator; what good could she possibly be on a project like this?”
“The most good possible. She has had experience on other worlds and can shift her point of view-at least a bit. And she must know as much about this planet as any other educated adult and can answer any questions I ask.” Jason smiled. “In addition to which she is an attractive girl, whose company I enjoy.”
Kerk grunted. “I was wondering if you would get around to mentioning that last reason. The others make sense, though, so I’m not going to argue. I’ll round up a replacement for her and have Meta sent here. There are plenty of sealed buildings you can use.”
After talking to one of the assistants from the outer office, Kerk made some calls on the screen. The correct orders were quickly issued. Jason watched it all with interest.
“Pardon me for asking,” he finally said. “But are you the dictator of this planet? You just snap your fingers and they all jump.”
“I suppose it looks that way,” Kerk admitted. “But that is just an illusion. No one is in complete charge on Pyrrus, neither is there anything resembling a democratic system. After all, our total population is about the size of an army division. Everyone does the job they are best qualified for. Various activities are separated into departments with the most qualified person in charge. I run Coordination and Supply, which is about the loosest category. We fill in the gaps between departments and handle procuring from offplanet.”
Meta came in then and talked to Kerk. She completely ignored Jason’s presence. “I was relieved and sent here,” she said. “What is it? Change in flight schedule?”
“You might call it that,” Kerk said. “As of now you are dismissed from all your old assignments and assigned to a new department. Investigation and Research. That tired-looking fellow there is your department head.”
“A sense of humor,” Jason said. “The only native-born one on Pyrrus. Congratulations, there’s hope for the planet yet.”
Mete glanced back and forth between them. “I don’t understand. I can’t believe it. I mean a new department-why?” She was nervous and upset.
“I’m sorry,” Kerk said. “I didn’t mean to be cruel. I thought perhaps you might feel more at ease. What I said was true. Jason has a way-or may have a way-to be of immense value to Pyrrus. Will you help him?”
Meta had her composure back. And a little anger. “Do I have to? Is that an order? You know I have work to do. I’m sure you will realize it is more important than something a person from offplanet might imagine. He can’t really understand…”
“Yes. It’s an order.” The snap was back in Kerk’s voice. Meta flushed at the tone.
“Perhaps I can explain,” Jason broke in. “After all, the whole thing is my idea. But-first 1 would like your cooperation. Will you take the clip out of your gun and give it to Kerk?”
Meta looked frightened, but Kerk nodded in solemn agreement. “Just for a few minutes, Meta. I have my gun so you will be safe here. I think I know what Jason has in mind, and from personal experience I’m afraid he is right.”
Reluctantly Mete passed over the clip and cleared the charge in the gun’s chamber. Only then did Jason explain.
“I have a theory about life on Pyrrus, and I’m afraid I’ll have to shatter some illusions when I explain. To begin with, the fact must be
admitted that your people are slowly losing the war here and will eventually be destroyed… .”
Before he was half through the sentence, Meta’s gun was directed between his eyes and she was wildly snapping the trigger. There was only hatred and revulsion in her expression. It was the most terrible thought in the world for her. That this war they all devoted their lives to was already lost.
Kerk took her by the shoulders and sat her in his chair, before anything worse happened. It took some time before she could calm down enough to listen to Jason’s words. It is not easy to have destroyed the carefully built up rationalizations of a lifetime. Only the fact that she had seen something of other worlds enabled her to listen at all.