Lord Harriman was on his feet. "Sir, I might echo what Monsieur Duclos
has said to Herr Oberfeld. It was in spite of the protest from a
considerable number of delegates to this conference that your nation
is represented at all."
Gregoroff's fist thumped on the table and his face went beet red.
"It is as expected! You plan to monopolize the escape ship for the
imperialistic nations! The atom bomb will probably be used to destroy
all other countries!"
The President of the United States held up his hand. This whole
thing was getting more chaotic by the minute. As a matter of fact,
instructions from Congress were that he explain that the United States
expected to have at least one third of the total. This, in view of the
fact that the aliens had landed in New Jersey, obviously seeing that
the United States was the foremost nation of the world, and, further,
in view of the fact that this country was a melting pot of all nations
and consequently produced what might be called the "average" member of
the human race.
However, that would have to wait. Order had to be brought to this
conference if anything was to be accomplished.
"Gentlemen, gentlemen, please!" he called. "These accusations. We are
getting nowhere. I have taken the liberty to make arrangements to have
the representative of the newly formed Congress of American Sciences
address you. Are you agreeable?" He raised his eyebrows inquiringly,
and meeting no objection, pressed the button on the table before him.
Professor Manklethorp was ushered in, bobbed his head to the assembled
delegates and came to the point immediately. "The problem which you
are discussing has many ramifications. I would like to bring to your
attention a few which should be examined with care.
"First, the choice of colonists must not be on a national basis, nor
on one based upon political or monetary prominence. If it is, we, as a
race, are doomed. This new planet, no matter how well prepared for us
by the Galactic Union, is going to be a challenge such as man has never
faced before. This challenge cannot be met by politicians, no matter
how glib, nor by wealthy men, no matter how many dollars they possess,
nor by titled ones, no matter how old and honored their names. We must
pick trained specialists who will be able to meet the problems that
arise in the new world.
"Our congress recommends that all persons, of all nations, who
have college degrees, be given thorough tests both for I.Q. and
for accumulated knowledge, and that the highest thousand be chosen
irrespective of nation or race."
Pandit Hari Kuanai smiled quietly. "May I ask the learned professor a
question?"
"Of course. That is why I am here. We want only to have this matter
decided on a strictly scientific basis."
"My poverty stricken country has a population of possibly one fifth of
the world total, but fewer university men than one of your large cities
might boast. Your desire to choose men by their I.Q. has its merits,
but I have no doubt that in my country we have men of tremendous
intelligence who cannot even read or write, aside from having a
university degree. Must my widely illiterate people go unrepresented in
the new world?"
A muscle twitched in the professor's face. "Needless to say, the
Congress of American Sciences has considered that. However, we must
view this matter in a spirit of sacrifice. The best of the world's
population must go to the new world. Possibly whole nations will
go without representation. It is too bad ... but, unfortunately,
necessary."
Sven Carlesen put up his finger for recognition. "It seems to me there
is another serious loophole in the professor's recommendation. He wants
the thousand to be made up of university graduates of high I.Q. and
considerable accumulated knowledge. I am afraid I foresee the new world
being populated with elderly scholars." He smiled. "Like the professor
himself, who, I understand, has a phenomenal I.Q."
Monsieur Duclos nodded. "He is right. We must consider the need to send
perfect physical specimens." He looked down at his own small and bent
body. "Gentlemen," he said wryly, "has it occurred to you that none of
us here at this conference are suitable to be represented among the
thousand?"
They ignored him.
A pale faced delegate in black, who had thus far said nothing, spoke
up softly, "I have been instructed to inform you that our organization
demands that all of the colonists be of the true faith."
His words were drowned by the shouting of half a dozen of the
conference delegates. Loud above them all could be heard the bellow of
Maxim Gregoroff.
"Our Union now includes the population of approximately half the world.
Our allotment, consequently, will be five hundred colonists, of the one
thousand. We will choose them by our own methods."
Lord Harriman murmured, "Undoubtedly, by starting at the top of the
party membership list and taking the first five hundred names beginning
with your leader."
The President of the United States ran his hand through his hair and
then roughly down the side of his face. A messenger handed him a slip
of paper. He read it and intensified his pounding on the table.
"Gentlemen," he shouted. "If Professor Manklethorp is through, we have
here a request from the International Physical Culture Society to have
their representative heard."
"I know," Sven Carlesen said. "He wants all of the colonists to be able
to chin themselves twenty-five times as the first requisite."
* * * * *
At the end of the five year period the space ship came again, settling
into the identical field where it had first landed. This time a
delegation awaited it, and a multitude that stretched as far as the eye
could see.
A telepathic message came from the visitor from space almost
immediately.
_Choose from your number three representatives to discuss the situation
with us._
Within ten minutes, three advanced and entered the ship by way of a
port that opened before them as they approached. Among their number
was Pierre Duclos. A passage stretched before them, and, seeing no
one, they hesitated a moment before following it to its further end.
Monsieur Duclos led the way, depending only slightly on his cane to aid
his bent body.
A door opened and they were confronted by the figure of a man seated
at a desk. It was several moments before they realized that the entity
before them was masked so cleverly that they had been led to believe
him human.
He said in faultless English, "I note that you have penetrated my
disguise. I thought it would be easier for you if I hid my true
appearance. Until your people are used to alien life forms, I must use
this measure."
Monsieur Duclos bowed. "We appreciate your consideration, but I assure
you that our...."
The alien waved a gloved hand. "Please, no argument. My appearance
would probably nauseate you. But it is of no importance. Pray be
seated." He noted the cane, and nodded to the little Frenchman. "You
sir, must be highly thought of to rate being chosen one of the thousand
in view of your age and health."
Although he was not at ease in the presence of the representative of
the Galactic Union, Monsieur Duclos allowed himself a wry smile. "You
misunderstand. I am not one of the colonists. My presence here at this
meeting is an honor that has been awarded me in return for some small
services in aiding in the selection of the favored ones."
"And what were these services?"
"Of no real importance. I suppose you might say that the most important
was that I was the first to refuse to be a colonist."
Bently, one of the other earthmen spoke up, "Had it not been for Pierre
Duclos, it is doubtful if the thousand would have been chosen, and
even possible that there would be no earth to which to return for your
colonists."
Behind the mask the eyes of the alien gleamed. "Enlighten me further,
please."
Duclos demurred. "You honor me over-much, Mr. Bently. Let us approach
the problem of the colonists and their transportation."
But John Bently went on. "For more than two years after your ship's
departure, complete confusion reigned in regard to selection of the
thousand. Happily, all out warfare between nations had been avoided
although conditions were rapidly coming to a point where it was
momentarily expected.
"Each race, each nation, each religion, even each sex, thought they
should have the greater representation. And each of these groups in
turn were divided into sub-groups by wealth, age, class, education and
others. Almost everyone on earth knew of some reason why he should be
one of the colonists. And most of us were willing to take any steps to
make our desire come true."