"There are no gods, as you probably know," Plekhanov said flatly. "You
will no longer sacrifice prisoners."
A hush fell on the Texcocans. Joe Chessman let his hand drop to his
weapon. The movement was not lost on Taller's son, whose eyes narrowed.
The Khan looked at the burly Plekhanov for a long moment. He said
slowly, "Our institutions fit our needs. What would you have us do with
these people? They are our enemies. If we turn them loose, they will
fight us again. If we keep them imprisoned, they will eat our food. We
... Tulans are not poor, we have food aplenty, for we Tulans, but we
cannot feed all the thousands of prisoners we take in our wars."
Joe Chessman said dryly, "As of today there is a new policy. We put them
to work."
Plekhanov rumbled at him, "I'll explain our position, Chessman, if you
please." Then to the Tulans. "To develop this planet we're going to need
the labor of every man, woman and child capable of work."
Taller said, "Perhaps your suggestion that we retire to a less public
place is desirable. Will you follow?" He spoke a few words to an officer
of the warriors, who shouted orders.
* * * * *
The Khan led the way, Plekhanov and Chessman followed side by side and
the other Earthlings, their weapons unostentatiously ready, were
immediately behind. Mynor the priest, Taller's son and the other Tulan
officials brought up the rear.
In what was evidently the reception hall of Taller's official residence,
the newcomers were made as comfortable as fur padded low stools
provided. Half a dozen teenaged Tulans brought a cool drink similar to
cocoa; it seemed to give a slight lift.
Taller had not become Khan of the most progressive nation on Texcoco by
other than his own abilities. He felt his way carefully now. He had no
manner of assessing the powers wielded by these strangers from space. He
had no intention of precipitating a situation in which he would discover
such powers to his sorrow.
He said carefully, "You have indicated that you intend major changes in
the lives of the People."
"Of all Texcocans," Plekhanov said, "you Tulans are merely the
beginning."
Mynor, the aged priest, leaned forward. "But why? We do not want these
changes--whatever they may be. Already the Khan has allowed you to
interfere with our worship of our gods. This will mean--"
Plekhanov growled, "Be silent, old man, and don't bother to mention,
ever again, your so-called gods. And now, all of you listen. Perhaps
some of this will not be new, how much history has come down to you I
don't know.
"A thousand years ago a colony of one hundred persons was left here on
Texcoco. It will one day be of scholarly interest to trace them down
through the centuries but at present the task does not interest us. This
expedition has been sent to recontact you, now that you have populated
Texcoco and made such adaptations as were necessary to survive here. Our
basic task is to modernize your society, to bring it to an
industrialized culture."