Merdon’s brows knitted thoughtfully for a moment. Then he replied, “The Komani are bom fighters. The smell of battle, a chance of loot—that’s all they want,”
“You make it sound very simple,” Vorgens said quietly.
“No, it’s the Terrans who oversimplify everything. They think that because our culture is a peaceful, agricultural society that we are a simple, stupid people. That is a mistake. We are as complex in our desires, in our fears, in our loves and hates, as any Terran—or any other human.”
“All right,” Vorgens agreed, “but what’s that got to do with——”
“Your Terran officials think that we Shinarians are all sheep. Well, perhaps many of us are. But not all of us.”
“So you decided to resist the Empire.”
“A few of us did, yes. Some tried to resist with words, with protests, with street demonstrations. The Ten-ans” answer was force. Well, now we are meeting force with force. We will fight and die and fight again until the Terrans are no longer willing to pay the price for Shinar. Until they leave us in freedom.”
“And the Komani are helping you in this struggle.”
“The Komani—and any other recruits we can find,” Merdon said, looking straight at Vorgens.
“Any other recruits?”‘ the Watchman echoed.
Merdon leaned across the table. “You are not a Terran. Sittas tells me that your own people fought against the Empire. Join us! Help us to free Shinar! Perhaps someday we can destroy this evil Empire altogether, and free your own people.”
Vorgens blinked, and turned toward Sittas. The priest shrugged his bony shoulders to indicate that the idea was Merdon’s alone-