STERN: Gradualist methods. The Federation can afford to
wait. The same gradualist methods that made the Union of
Islam possible, so long ago.
PAUL: I don't think the leadership of Turkey was gradualist
exactly, Dr. Stem. It took thirty years after 1960, but
considering the problem, that was great speed. Only a people
with immense moral courage and good sense would have dared
to undertake it at all. They weren't fanatics; they weren't
ridden by the devil of one idea; they had to work with
intelligent compromise, temperate adjustments, yielding here
and sternness there and patience all the time--but once they
took up the task they didn't rest or let go, and by 1990
there was a healthy union ready for full membership in the
Federation.
SLADE: Yes, that was speed. I expect you've given your
friends here a pretty good account of Earth history?
PAUL: We've tried. I don't know if we can allow ourselves
more than a B-plus. The subject is too enormous, and all we
had were imperfect memories. In the midst of our own work
for Lucifer, which is--paramount.
WRIGHT: Not even books. Captain, when you showed us over the
ship, it was very difficult for my fingers not to steal a
lens and a pocketful of those microtexts....
SLADE: My dear friend! Why didn't you say so? All you want.
That's for your friends here, entirely. No need to take any
of our library back to Earth if they can use it.
WRIGHT: I--excuse me--I don't know what to say.
SLADE: And by the way, Doctor, before I forget again to
mention it: after you left--I think it was in 2060--they
perfected a new drug which actually makes the accelerations
quite bearable. I don't know too much about it. Muscular
relaxation is a factor, and Nora can tell you more about it.
But I understand that even for persons past the--optimum
age--
WRIGHT: A moment, please.... I cannot go back to Earth,
Captain Slade. You mean it with the greatest kindness but it
is impossible.