“That might well be arranged, now we’re setting up a meteoroid patrol.” Guthrie continued his random retrievals. “What, three biographies of Charles de Gaulle? And his collected works. Hero of yours?”
“In the twentieth century, exactly two leaders of major nations deserved the name of statesman, he and Konrad Adenauer. The rest—“ Edmond shrugged again. “Eh, bien, I can imagine several of them meant well.”
“’Mond’s got more regard for authority than I do,” Dagny put in.
Guthrie smiled. “Yeah, you’re a natural-born, two-dominants rebel, Diddyboom. So how does it fee! to be turning into a power yourself, here on Luna?”
“I’m not,” she denied. “Not really. It’s just that, you know how the governments load us with politicians and bureaucrats who can’t tell a crap from a crater. Being in administration forces me to deal directly with them, and if my friends and I can get the residents to support Fireball’s positions, and the right candidates into what few elective offices we’re allowed.
“Ah, you know. The drinks are ready. Sit down, please do.”
All three took chairs, though on Luna it was as easy to stand and gatherings often did throughout a social evening. The Beynacs preferred to maintain a few gestures, customs, symbols. Dagny wondered whether they would be able to through the rest of their lives.
When Edmond cared about something, he cared passionately. “We must accept legitimate authority,” he argued. “Else society ablates itself until people welcome the warlord who will enforce a brutal kind of order that at least gives them security. The problem is not what makes a government legitimate. There have been many ways in history, royal or noble birth, priestliness, popular vote, a sociological theory, et cetera, et cetera. The problem is, how does a government keep legitimacy? How does it lose it? I say the breakdown comes when it begins doing more to people than_/or them. This has happened, it is happening, in more and more countries on Earth. In space, the disorder that soon or late follows breakdown, it would mean extinction. Fireball has more right to power than most of the governments that today claim power, because Fireball’s masters honor their obligations to Fireball’s people.”
He wasn’t what you’d call handsome, Dagny thought, but when he kindled, a nova lit in her too. She sent a chill caraway nip over her tongue, followed it with the tingle of beer, and was not much calmed.
“Gracias,” Guthrie said. “We try. Don’t thank me, however. Thank the folks who’re actually doing it, like this wife of yours. Or you personally, ‘Mond, even if you avoid politicking. I’ve kept track, sort of. You two don’t scamp your responsibilities, you go out and look for more.”
“If we do well, it is because of you, sir. You make us want to. You make it possible.”
Guthrie shook his head. “Not me. Never think that. Those who believe in an indispensable man don’t survive long, nor ought to.” He grinned, tossed off a considerable draught, and added, “Mind you, I’m not modest. I do a braw job where I am. But that’s in an outfit which is sound because its members are.”
“And they are because it is.”
Dagny nodded to herself. She had watched mutuality grow and strengthen, year by year. This new, fast-spreading, altogether spontaneous practice of swearing troth to the company, which in the person of an officer pledged faith of its own—
“You started Fireball, Uncans,” she said softly. “You kept it going through every terrible trouble.”
“Juliana more than me,” Guthrie answered, low in his throat.
Her eyes stung. “We all miss her. You—“ She leaned over to lay her hand briefly upon his.
“Don’t worry about me,” he growled. “I soldier on.”
“She would have wanted you to,” Edmond said.
“It’s your nature,” Dagny murmured.
Guthrie shook his heavy shoulders. “Hey, this is in danger of turning serious,” he protested.
Dagny saw how he wanted to veer from the intimate. But when would another chance come to talk quietly? “Please bear with us a little while longer,” she appealed. “We’ve so been wanting to hear your thoughts, your knowledge. Earth is in such a bad way, and Fireball seems to be almost the only strong force for good that’s left.”