Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition — page 6: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

4 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION a serene landscape of rolling, wooded hills, a few private dwelling-units, the distant bulk of a food factory. Over- head, the sky is full of white clouds and sunshine, now and then the metal gleam of an airboat. It all seems in- credibly remote fromthe troubled world of Galactic politics. Characters: Myrn Kaltro, sector chief, a big, gray-haired man in the iridescent undress uniform of a human _ Patrol officer. Jorel Meinz, sociotech- nic director of the Solar System, small, dark, intense, conservatively dressed in gold and crimson. Wing Alak, unat- tached field agent, enough of a dandy to wear the latest fashion in civilian clothes—plain gray and blue. But then, he has been away from home for a good many years. Background: In a civilization em- bracing nearly a million separate in- telligent races, most of them with independent governments of their own, a civilization which is growing almost daily, it is impossible for even a well- informed administrator to keep track of all significant events. Jorel Meinz has hardly heard the name “Ulugan” before today ; now he is being asked to authorize an action which may change Galactic history. He fumbled out a cigar and inhaled it into lighting. His words were quick, jerky, harsh. “What has Sol to do with this? It’s a matter for the entire League Council.”’ “Which won’t meet for another two years,” said Kaltro. “As our friend Hurulta well knows. It would take six months just to get a quorum together for an emergency session. Oh, they timed it well, those Ulugani.”’ “Well, the high command of the Patrol can exercise broad discretion,” Meinz grimaced. ‘““Too broad. I don’t mind saying I haven’t liked all reports of your activities which have come to me. However, in this case—”’ “The high command is prepared to act,” said Kaltro. “I’ve contacted all - members. Nevertheless, the situation is unprecedented. The Patrol was created to enforce peace within the - League. Nothing was said about deal- ing with a power outside it. If we act against Ulugan, we’ll be on legally shaky ground, and there may be a day of reckoning which would do a lot of harm. Many local politicians are spoiling to take a crack at the Patrol, push through constitutional amendments limiting its scope—if they can persuade enough beings that the Patrol has become an irresponsible machine capable of starting wars on its Own initiative, they may succeed.” “T’see. But what can I do?” “Your influence can swing the Solar Parliament into authorizing the Patrol to act against Ulugan. In effect, © Sol will say : ‘As far as we’re concerned, the Patrol can have emergency powers, and use them immediately.’ There- after, we'll proceed.” “But one system can’t do that. The Patrol belongs to the whole League!”’ “Please.” Kaltro lifted shaggy gray brows and smiled, creasing his face as if it were a stiff brown fabric. ““You’re a practical political engineer. You know as well as I do that Sol is still the leading system in the League. If itll back us, enough other planets will follow that lead to put us in the clear when the business is brought up at the next Council. Technically, itll be a post facto O.K. on what we'll already have done, but that'll suffice. It'll have to!” “Well—’”? Meinz rolled his cigar between bony fingers, scowling at it. “Well, all right, I see your point. But you still haven’t seen mine. Why should I help you take action against Ulugan?”’ He held up a hand. “‘No, wait, let me finish. As I understand it, Ulugan is a one-system empire lying nearly a ConniclooolkkS.ec© aa