"We have some influence in the underground movement, as you might
logically expect. The leader is a man we worked very hard to have
elected."
"A member of one of the despised races?" I guessed.
"The best we could do at this point was to help elect someone from a
minority sub-group of the dominant white race. The leader's name is
Levinsohn. He is of the white sub-group known as Jews."
* * * * *
"How well is this Levinsohn accepted by the movement?"
"Considerable resistance and hostility," the Coordinator said. "That's
to be expected. However, we've made sure that there is no other
organization the minority-haters can join, so they have to follow
him or quit. He's able, all right; one of the most able men they
have, which helps our aims. Even those who discriminate against Jews
reluctantly admire him. He's moved the headquarters of the movement
out into space, and the man's so brilliant that we don't even know
where. We'll find out, mainly through you, I hope, but that isn't the
important thing."
"What is?" I asked, baffled.
"To report on the unification of Earth. It's possible that the anarch
movement can achieve it under Levinsohn. In that case, we'll make sure
they win, or think they win, and will gladly sign a treaty giving Earth
equal planetary status in the Empire."
"And if unity hasn't been achieved?"
"We simply crush this rebellion and make them start all over again.
They'll have learned some degree of unity from this revolt and so the
next one will be more successful." He stood up and I got out of my
chair to face him. "That's for the future, though. We'll work out our
plans from the results of this campaign."
"But isn't there a lot of danger in the policy of fomenting rebellion
against us?" I asked.
He lifted his shoulders. "Evolution is always painful, forced evolution
even more so. Yes, there are great dangers, but advance information
from you and other agents can reduce the risk. It's a chance we must
take, Conru."
"Conrad," I corrected him, smiling. "Plain Mr. Conrad Haugen ... of
Earth."