you divide water in a river? But it could have been the start of Denv, Ellay, and the missile attacks.” The general shook his head, puzzled, and went on: “I don’t see clearly what’s ahead. I want to make peace between Denv and Ellay, but I don’t know how to start or what it will be like. I think it must mean not firing, not even making any more weapons. Maybe it means that some of us, or a lot of us, will go out of Denv and live a different kind of life. That’s why I’ve clawed my way up. That’s why I need a young man who can claw with the best of them. Tell me what you think.” “I think,” said Reuben measuredly, “it’s magnificent-the salvation of Denv. I’ll back you to my dying breath if you’ll let me.” May smiled tiredly and leaned back in the chair as Reuben tiptoed out. What luck, Reuben thought-what unbelievable luck to be at a fulcrum of history like this! He searched the level for Rudolph’s apartment and gained admission. To the general, he said: “Sir, I have to report that your friend May is insane. He has just been raving to me, advocating the destruction of civilization as we know it, and urging me to follow in his footsteps. I pretended to agree-since I can be of greater service to you if I’m in May’s confidence.” “So?” said Rudolph thoughtfully. “Tell me about the double. How did that go wrong?” “The bunglers were Selene and Almon. Selene because she alarmed me instead of distracting me. Almon because he failed to recognize her incompetence.” “They shall be brainburned. That leaves an eighty-ninth-level vacancy in my organization, doesn’t it?” “You’re very kind, sir, but I think I should remain a May’s man-outwardly. If I earn any rewards, I can wait for them. I presume that May will be elected to wear the five stars. He won’t live more than two years after that, at the rate he is taking drugs.” “We can shorten it,” grinned Rudolph. “I have pharmacists who can see that his drugs are more than normal strength.” “That would be excellent, sir. When he is too enfeebled to discharge his duties, there may be an attempt to rake up the affair of the double
to discredit you. I could then testify that I was your man all along and that May coerced me.”
They put their heads together, the two saviors of civilization as they knew it, and conspired ingeniously long into the endless night.