“That,” he said, “is all I can tell you, sir. It seems to me that the Earthmen cut deeper than we do, their people are smarter, and they tie us in knots.” Horsip glanced around, and added wonderingly, “But I don’t think they would tie many people in this room in knots.”
For an instant Horsip saw the High Council as the Earthmen might see it, and even so, the Council looked formidable.
Some sense of nagging apprehension suddenly evaporated. The name of the man opposite him popped into his head. Jeron Roggil. The names of the people he had been introduced to came back. He had a sudden feeling of confidence.
Roggil said, “Earth may have a higher average intelligence, but Centra has a far greater population. In such a population, the number of outstanding intellects is greater, and we value such intellects. Moreover, from what you tell me, the Earthmen do have a weakness.”
“What’s that, sir?”
“A man who does not have much money, Horsip, but who is sensible, tries to use that money wisely. He learns to distinguish between what is truly useful and satisfying, and what rouses his desire but gives no real benefit. A person who has much money is in a different situation. If he is so inclined, he can spend freely, and acquire all manner of possessions. What is showy but worthless does not deprive him of something useful. He can have both. What’s more, he may not realize, since he is not driven to analyze the situation, what it is that gives him satisfaction. A fool’s money may surpass by a hundred or even a thousand times, at the beginning, the money at the disposal of a wise man. And yet—despite this difference—the difference in actual use and satisfaction is nowhere near so great, because a wise man in such a situation will use his money to the greatest effect, while the fool will waste his. Is this not so?”
“Truth,” said Horsip, nodding.
“Well, Horsip, we should not be made overconfident by the fact, but from what you have said, it appears to me that these Earthmen are like rich men, in that they have much brainpower—more by far than they strictly need—and the larger part of them have not analyzed what they should spend their brainpower on. They do not use it methodically and consistently, as we are compelled by brute necessity to do. They squander it. Look at this General Towers you speak of. If he were a Centran, he would be on the High Council, never doubt it. We may put him there yet. Already his ability has been recognized, and he is a member of the Supreme Staff. But, with the Earthmen, rather than recognize such ability, his competitors use their mental skill to confuse the issue. We have obtained a good deal of information on the history of the Earthmen. Horsip, the recorded instances in which superior Earthmen, of no matter what degree of ability, have been beaten into the muck by jealous competitors would make you dizzy. The Earthmen squander their mental wealth. They do it as a group, and the bulk of them seem to do it as individuals.”
“Nevertheless, sir, when they have as much as they have—”
Roggil nodded intently.
“True, Horsip. But we must bear in mind that there are, in effect, two different kinds of brainpower. One is what we ordinarily think of as brainpower—raw intelligence. The other is that directing faculty that guides the use of raw brainpower. Both levels must be considered, and we are not inferior on this second level. Moreover, very few contests are contests of intelligence alone. The elements of will, and of pure physical power, for instance, cannot be ignored.”
Horsip thought it over. “Truth. But—having fought them—that does not give me as much comfort as it might.”
Roggil smiled. “We must certainly do our best. One of the most important things is to keep close track of these Earthmen, and what they are doing. We want an organization devoted entirely to that job. I can think of no one better fitted to head it than you, and you will have a free hand in setting it up.”
Roggil reached around to a set of pigeonholes against the wall behind him, and handed Horsip a slip of crisp white paper.
Horsip read:
By CommandThe High Council
By command of the High Council, each and every person without exception in the Integral Union, whatever his rank may be, is required to assist General Klide Horsip in the gathering of information concerning the activities of new citizens of the Integral Union, that their activities be mutually beneficial to the Union and to themselves.
The High Council holds this commission to be of such importance that in carrying it out General Horsip is empowered to act with the inviolable authority of a Full Member of the High Council.
By command of the High Council,
J. Roggil
Vice-Chairman
Horsip swallowed, and looked up at Roggil.
Roggil said seriously, “What we are giving you, Horsip, is no perfumed hammock of sweet flowers, believe me. But the job is urgent, and we aim to see that you get cooperation. As you are a member of the Supreme Staff, few would dare block you. If you should run into opposition on the Staff itself, however, the work could be stopped. In such a case you have the authority to do whatever you choose. You need justify your actions to no one but us. And all we are interested in is results. We want a clear picture of what these Earthmen are doing, and we will have it, or the firing squads will go to work.”
* * *
On the way back in his ship, Horsip worked out the organization he wanted, and decided that what he needed more than anything else was someone he could trust absolutely. At once he thought of Moffis, his military deputy back on Earth.
Once back in his office, Horsip glanced over the bank of phones on the wall, each connected to a different department, and picked up the phone marked “Personnel.”
A small voice said, “Personnel, Major Dratig.”
“General Horsip speaking. I’d like to know the whereabouts of General Brak Moffis, formerly Military Overseer of the planet Earth.”
“Just a moment, sir.” There was a sound of file drawers sliding out, and of paper being riffled. “General Moffis is now assigned to the personal staff of General Dorp Takkit of the Supreme Staff as a confidential adviser.”
Horsip looked blank. “Confidential adviser?”
“That’s what it says here, sir.”
“What might that be?”
“I don’t know, sir. I never heard of it before.”
“How can I get in touch with General Moffis?”
“You’d have to ask General Takkit, sir.”
“Is there,” growled Horsip, “some reason why I can’t reach Moffis direct?”
“Well, sir . . . there’s nothing listed here.”
“I see. Thank you.”
“Yes, sir.”
Horsip’s teeth bared in a snarl. He was taking down a second phone when there came a rap on the door.
Horsip looked around. “Come in!”
The bull-necked General Maklin stepped in, leather belt and insignia shining.
“Sorry to bother you, Horsip. I can come back later.”
“This can wait, sir.”
“I’ll take the molk by the horns, Horsip,” said Maklin. “We’re all curious to know what the Council had to say.”
“The Council wanted me to set up an organization to keep an eye on the Earthmen.”
Maklin looked approving.
“How did they seem?”
“All business, sir.”
“Then, at least, there’s no softness there. Well, Horsip, I won’t take your time. I imagine you’re setting things up already.”
“Trying to, sir.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Someone has a man I need.”
“Who?”
Horsip hesitated.
Maklin pinned him with his gaze.
Horsip explained the situation.
“Takkit?” Maklin’s face darkened. “What does he want with a confidential adviser. What he needs is a brain.” Then he shook his head. “Once they get on Takkit’s personal staff, Horsip, you don’t see them again. He gets them working on some private fantasy, and that’s the end of them.”
“Moffis is just the man I need.”
“That won’t bother Takkit.”
Horsip reached around to his bank of phones, and took down one marked “Sup. St.—Takkit.”
A voice spoke, cool and remote:
“Office of Colonel Noffel, Staff Secretary to General Takkit.”
Horsip growled, “General Klide Horsip speaking. May I speak to General Takkit?”
“General Takkit is not available.”
“Then may I speak to General Moffis?”
“Who?”
“General Brak Moffis.”
“Just a moment . . . Now, just what is your name again?”
Across the desk, Maklin, overhearing this, growled under his breath.
Horsip said shortly, “Who am I talking to?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Who are you?” snarled Horsip.
There was a click, a buzz, and a new voice.
“Colonel Noffel speaking.”
Horsip said evenly, “This is General Klide Horsip.”
“Oh, yes, General Horsip. Congratulations on your appointment to the Staff. General Takkit is tied up, I’m afraid, and won’t be free today. If there’s anything I can do for you, General Horsip, please feel free to ask. Call me Radge.”