The man slogging across the concrete was short, wrapped in heavy
garments. Over his head a white cloth fluttered from a stick.
"From the set of those bat-ears, I'd say it was the good corporal."
"I wonder what he wants."
Sozier stopped twenty feet from Retief and Corasol.
"I want to ... ah ... talk to you, Corasol," he said.
"Certainly, General. Go right ahead."
"Look here, Corasol. You can't do this. My men will freeze. We'll
starve. I've been thinking it over, and I've decided that we can reach
an understanding."
Corasol waited.
"I mean, we can get together on this thing. Compromise. Maybe I acted a
little hasty." Sozier looked from Corasol to Retief. "You're from the
CDT. You tell him. I'll guarantee his people full rights...."
Retief puffed at his cigar in silence. Sozier started again.
"Look, I'll give you a full voice in running things. A fifty-fifty
split. Whatta you say?"
"I'm afraid the proposal doesn't interest me, General," Corasol said.
"Never mind the General stuff," Sozier said desperately. "Listen, you
can run it. Just give me and my boys a little say-so."
"Sorry." Corasol shook his head. "Not interested, General."
"Okay, okay! You win! Just come on back and get things straightened
out! I got a belly full of running things!"
"I'm afraid I have other plans, General. For some time I've wanted
to transfer operations to a world called Las Palmas on which we hold
a charter. It has a naturally delightful climate, and I'm told the
fishing is good. I leave Glave to the Free Electorate with my blessing.
Good-by, General." He turned to the ship.
"You got to stay here!" Sozier howled. "We'll complain to the CDT! And
don't call me General! I'm a Corporal--"
"You're a General now--whether you like it or not." Corasol said
bluntly. He shivered. There was a hint of ice in the air. "If you or
any of your men ever decide to go to work, General, I daresay we can
train you for employment on Las Palmas. In the meantime--Long Live the
Revolution!"
"You can't do this! I'll sue!"
"Calm down, Sozier," Retief said. "Go back to town and see if you can
get your radio working. Put in a call for Mr. Magnan aboard the CDT
vessel. Tell him your troubles. It will make his day. And a word of
advice: Mr. Magnan hates a piker--so ask for plenty."
* * * * *
"My boy, I'm delighted," Ambassador Sternwheeler boomed. "A highly
professional piece of work. A stirring testimonial to the value of the
skilled negotiator!"
"You're too kind, Mr. Ambassador." Retief said, glancing at his watch.
"And Magnan tells me that not only will the Mission be welcomed, and my
job secure for another year--that is, I shall have an opportunity to
serve--but a technical mission has been requested as well. I shall look
forward to meeting General Sozier. He sounds a most reasonable chap."
"Oh, you'll like him, Mr. Ambassador. A true democrat, willing to share
all you have."
Counsellor of Embassy Magnan tapped and entered the office.
"Forgive the intrusion, Mr. Ambassador," he said breathlessly, "but I
must--"
"Well, what is it, man? The deal hasn't gone sour?"
"Oh, far from it! I've been exploring General Sozier's economic
situation with him via scope, and it seems he'll require a loan."
"Yes, yes? How much?"