Pandemonium had taken over the operations floor when they entered from the stairway. Zeigler was still in the center with a number of what Keene presumed were his adjutants. Armed guards were posted around the floor and at places along the walls. A mixed group was confronting Zeigler, in the fore among them, Gallian. The others were mainly Kronian and Kronian-Terran scientific and engineering group leaders, base administrators, and a few Terrans, including Charlie Hu. Keene and those with him in the other building had seen the recording of Valcroix’s proclamation, which had been screened there before they left. Everyone seemed to be trying to speak at once. The guards looked on edge and dangerous, no doubt cognizant of the discrepancy in numbers and the magnitude of the risk they were now committed to. Two of the Kronians were waving their arms frenziedly.
“What kind of rule are you talking about?” one of them demanded. “How can there be rule that doesn’t emerge from willing support? It makes no sense.”
The majority of Kronians wouldn’t relate to the concept of subjugation by force. They might be aware of it intellectually from what they knew of Earth’s history, but they had no feel for what it meant. Overt force was used rarely in Kronia, and then only in restraint, to curb behavior beyond what few would question as permissible limits. It wasn’t used to impose. A few of a philosophical disposition argued that restraint in itself constituted an imposing of limits; but the rest, for the most part, went about their business happy that the benefits outweighed any cost by a margin huge enough not to be worth quibbling about.
“You can’t expect anyone to do anything for you by pointing guns at them,” the other fumed. “Why would they? It doesn’t make you worth anything!”
“After what happened to Limli and Isaan?” someone else was protesting. “You expect us to obey criminals?”
“They were warned,” Zeigler replied. “And it should serve as a warning to the rest of you too. Don’t underestimate our determination. We shall not hesitate to employ whatever extremes are forced on us.”
“Ah, here are Landen and Sariena,” Gallian said, spotting them. “Lan, you’re a Terran of some practical experience. Tell them this can’t possibly succeed.”
“Of course it can’t!” Keene growled, turning to face Zeigler. He moved a step forward, but two of the guards interposed themselves and Zeigler motioned with his pistol for him to stay back. Keene threw up both his palms. “What’s the matter with you people? Can’t any of you count? How do you think you’re going to keep control of the base and two ships? And even if you could, what good is it going to do you? You have no resources. Developing them is going to need everyone working productively, not split down the middle. This is the fastest guaranteed way to sabotage everything we’ve worked for. For Christ’s sake drop it now, while we can still fix the damage.”
“Do you think we thought of this yesterday?” Zeigler retorted. “Just take it from me that such matters are in hand. But to restore some degree of order now, we need to appoint a representative who can speak on behalf of the various interests not yet directly affiliated with us. I was hoping, Dr. Keene, that with your noted organizing and leadership abilities, you might be willing to meet such a need.”
“What? Cooperate with you? You’re out of your mind.”
“No. I’m simply asking you to be a spokesman for the various groups that are trying to start a dialog here—Kronians, Terrans. You have experience with both.”
“Don’t even talk to them,” Sariena said.
“You just said we need everyone working productively,” Zeigler pointed out. “And I’m agreeing with you. We need your help in organizing just that. Can’t you see it’s for the good of everyone? Maybe essential to their very survival.”
“Then perhaps you should have left things the way they were, running by Kronian methods,” Gallian put in. “The Kronians know quite a lot about survival in hostile environments, and about ensuring the resources essential to it.” He obviously couldn’t resist adding, “Or perhaps you never quite grasped that.”