Joe said, puzzled still again, "Why, yes. One of their military
attaches. An observer of our fracases to see whether or not the
Universal Disarmament Pact is violated."
"But also, Colonel Arpad is probably the most competent espionage
agent working out of Budapest."
"That corseted, giggling nincompoop!"
Frank Hodgson laughed softly. "If even an old pro like yourself hasn't
spotted him, then we have one more indication of Arpad's abilities."
Philip Holland took up the ball again. "The presence of Colonel Arpad
in Greater Washington is no coincidence. He is here for something,
we're not sure what. However, rumors have been coming out of the
Sov-world, and particularly Siberia, and the more backward countries
to the south, such as Sinkiang. Rumors of an underground organized to
overthrow the Sovs."
"And that religious thing," Nadine added.
Frank Hodgson murmured, "Yes, indeed. We received two more reports of
it today."
All looked at him. He said to Joe, "Some fanatic in Siberia. A
Tuvinian, one of the Turkic-speaking peoples in that area once called
Tannu-Tuva, and now the Tuvinian Autonomous Oblast. He's attracting
quite a following. Destroy the machines. Go back to the old way. Till
the soil by hand. Let the women spin and weave, make clothing on the
hand loom once more. Ride horses, rather than hovercraft and jets.
That sort of thing. And, oh yes, kill those who stand in the way of
this holy mission."
"And you mean this is catching hold in this day and age?" Joe said.
"Like wildfire," Hodges said easily. "And I wouldn't be too very
surprised if it would do the same over here. Pressures are generating,
in this world of ours. We'll either make changes peaceably or Zen
knows what will happen. The Sovs haven't been exposed to religion for
several generations, Joe. Probably the Party heads had forgotten it as
a potential danger. Here in the West-world we do better. The Temple
provides us with a pressure valve in that particular area, but I still
wouldn't like to see our trank and Telly bemused morons subjected to a
sudden blast of revival-type religion."
Joe looked back at Holland. "I still don't get my going to Budapest.
How, why, when?"
Holland glanced at a desk watch and became brisk. "I have an
appointment with the President," he said. "We'll have to turn this
over to some of the other members of this group. They'll explain
details, Joe. Nadine's going, too. In her case, as a medical attache
in our Embassy, in Budapest. You'll go as a military observer, check
on potential violations of the Universal Disarmament Pact." A sudden
thought struck him. "I imagine it would add to your prestige and
possibly open additional doors to you, if you carried more status." He
looked again at the telly-mike on his desk. "Miss Mikhail, in my
office here is Joseph Mauser, now Mid-Middle in caste. Please take the
necessary steps to raise him to Low-Upper, immediately. I'll clear
this with Tom, and he'll authorize it as recommended through the White
House. It that clear?"
In a daze, Joe could hear the receptionist's voice. "Yes, sir. Joseph
Mauser to be raised to Low-Upper caste immediately."