The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress Part 21

Nevertheless was chance to talk and Prof treated them as if they had power to recognize Luna's independence and willingness to do so. While they treated us as a cross between naughty children and criminals up for sentencing.

Prof was allowed to make opening statement. With decorations trimmed away was a.s.sertion that Luna was de-facto a sovereign state, with an unopposed government in being, a civil condition of peace and order, a provisional president and cabinet carrying on necessary functions but anxious to return to private life as soon as Congress completed writing a const.i.tution-and that we were here to ask that these facts be recognized de-jure and that Luna be allowed to take her rightful place in councils of mankind as a member of Federated Nations.

What Prof told them bore a speaking acquaintance with truth and they were not where they could spot discrepancies. Our "provisional president" was a computer, and "cabinet" was Wyoh, Finn, Comrade Clayton, and Terence Sheehan, editor of Pravda, plus Wolfgang Korsakov, board chairman of LuNoHoCo and a director of Bank of Hong Kong in Luna. But Wyoh was only person now in Luna who knew that "Adam Selene" was false face for a computer. She had been terribly nervous at being left to hold fort alone.

As it was, Adam's "oddity" in never being seen save over video was always an embarra.s.sment. We had done our best to turn it into a "security necessity" by opening offices for him in cubic of Authority's Luna City office and then exploding a small bomb. After this "a.s.sa.s.sination attempt" comrades who had been most fretful about Adam's failure to stir around became loudest in demands that Adam must not take any chances-this being helped by editorials.

But I wondered while Prof was talking what these pompous chooms would think if they knew that our "president" was a collection of hardware owned by Authority?

But they just sat staring with chill disapproval, unmoved by Prof's rhetoric-probably best performance of his life considering he delivered it flat on back, speaking into a microphone without notes, and hardly able to see his audience.

Then they started in on us. Gentleman member from Argentina-never given their names; we weren't socially acceptable-this Argentino objected to phrase "former Warden" in Prof's speech; that designation had been obsolete half a century; he insisted that it be struck out and proper t.i.tle inserted: "Protector of the Lunar Colonies by Appointment of the Lunar Authority." Any other wording offended dignity of Lunar Authority.

Prof asked to comment; "Honorable Chairman" permitted it. Prof said mildly that he accepted change since Authority was free to designate its servants in any fas.h.i.+on it pleased and was no intention to offend dignity of any agency of Federated Nations. . . but in view of functions of this office-former functions of this former office-citizens of Luna Free State would probably go on thinking of it by traditional name.

That made about six of them try to talk at once. Somebody objected to use of word "Luna" and still more to "Luna Free State"-it was "the Moon," Earth's Moon, a satellite of Earth and property of Federated Nations, just as Antarctica was-and these proceedings were a farce.

Was inclined to agree with last point. Chairman asked gentleman member from North America to please be in order and to address his remarks through Chair. Did Chair understand from witness's last remark that this alleged de-facto regime intended to interfere with consignee system?

Prof fielded that and tossed it back. "Honorable Chairman, I myself was a consignee, now Luna is my beloved home. My colleague, the Honorable the Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Colonel O'Kelly Davis"-myself!--"is Luna born, and proud of his descent from four transported grandparents. Luna has grown strong on your outcasts. Give us your poor, your wretched; we welcome them. Luna has room for them, nearly forty million square kilometers, an area greater than all Africa-and almost totally empty. More than that, since by our method of living we occupy not 'area' but 'cubic' the mind cannot imagine the day when Luna would refuse another s.h.i.+pioad of weary homeless."

Chairman said, "The witness is admonished to refrain from making speeches. The Chair takes it that your oratory means that the group you represent agrees to accept prisoners as before."

"No, sir."

"What? Explain yourself."

"Once an immigrant sets foot on Luna today he is a free man, no matter what his previous condition, free to go where he listeth."

"So? Then what's to keep a consignee from walking across the field, climbing into another s.h.i.+p, and returning here? I admit that I am puzzled at your apparent willingness to accept them. . . but we do not want them. It is our humane way of getting rid of incorrigibles who would otherwise have to be executed."

(Could have told him several things that would stop what he pictured; he had obviously never been to Luna. As for "incorrigibles," if really are, Luna eliminates such faster than Terra ever did. Back when I was very young, they sent us a gangster lord, from Los Angeles I believe; he arrived with squad of stooges, his bodyguards, and was c.o.c.kily ready to take over Luna, as was rumored to have taken over a prison somewhere Earthside.

(None lasted two weeks. Gangster boss didn't make it to barracks; hadn't listened when told how to wear a p-suit.) "There is nothing to keep him from going home so far as we are concerned, sir," Prof answered, "although your police here on Terra might cause him to think. But I've never heard of a consignee arriving with funds enough to buy a ticket home. Is this truly an issue? The s.h.i.+ps are yours; Luna has no s.h.i.+ps-and let me add that we are sorry that the s.h.i.+p scheduled for Luna this month was canceled. I am not complaining that it forced on my colleague and myself-Prof stopped to smile-a most informal method of travel. I simply hope that this does not represent policy. Luna has no quarrel with you; your s.h.i.+ps are welcome, your trade is welcome, we are at peace and wish to stay so. Please note that all scheduled grain s.h.i.+pments have come through on time."

(Prof did always have gift for changing subject.) They fiddled with minor matters then. Nosy from North America wanted to know what had really happened to "the Ward-" He stopped himself. "The Protector. Senator Hobart" Prof answered that he had suffered a stroke (a "coup" is a "stroke") and was no longer able to carry out his duties-but was in good health otherwise and receiving constant medical care. Prof added thoughtfully that he suspected that the old gentleman had been failing for some time, in view of his indiscretions this past year. . . especially his many invasions of rights of free citizens, including ones who were not and never had been consignees.

Story was not hard to swallow. When those busy scientists managed to break news of our coup, they had reported Warden as dead. . . whereas Mike had kept him alive and on job by impersonating him. When Authority Earthside demanded a report from Warden on this wild rumor, Mike had consulted Prof, then had accepted call and given a convincing imitation of senility, managing to deny, confirm, and confuse every detail. Our announcements followed, and thereafter Warden was no longer available even in his computer alter ego. Three days later we declared independence.

This North American wanted to know what reason they had to believe that one word of this was true? Prof smiled most saintly smile and made effort to spread thin hands before letting them fall to coverlet. "The gentleman member from North America is urged to go to Luna, visit Senator Hobart's sickbed, and see for himself. Indeed all Terran citizens are invited to visit Luna at any time, see anything. We wish to be friends, we are at peace, we have nothing to hide. My only regret is that my country is unable to furnish transportation; for that we must turn to you."

Chinee member looked at Prof thoughtfully. He had not said a word but missed nothing.

Chairman recessed hearing until fifteen hundred. They gave us a retiring room and sent in lunch. I wanted to talk but Prof shook head, glanced around room, tapped ear. So I shut up. Prof napped then and I leveled out my wheel chair and joined him; on Terra we both slept all we could. Helped. Not enough.

They didn't wheel us back in until sixteen hundred; committee was already sitting. Chairman then broke own rule against speeches and made a long one more-in-sorrow-than-anger.

Started by reminding us that Luna Authority was a nonpolitical trustees.h.i.+p charged with solemn duty of insuring that Earth's satellite the Moon-Luna, as some called it-was never used for military purposes. He told us that Authority had guarded this sacred trust more than a century, while governments fell and new governments rose, alliances s.h.i.+fted and s.h.i.+fted again-indeed, Authority was older than Federated Nations, deriving original charter from an older international body, and so well had it kept that trust that it had lasted through wars and turmoils and realignments.

(This is news? But you see what he was building towards.) "The Lunar Authority cannot surrender its trust," he told us solemnly. "However, there appears to be no insuperable obstacle to the Lunar colonists, if they show political maturity, enjoying a degree of autonomy. This can be taken under advis.e.m.e.nt. Much depends on your behavior. The behavior, I should say, of all you colonists. There have been riots and destruction of property; this must not be."

I waited for him to mention ninety dead Goons; he never did. I will never make a statesman; I don't have high-level approach.

"Destroyed property must be paid for," he went on. "Commitments must be met. If this body you call a Congress can guarantee such things, it appears to this committee that this so-called Congress could in time be considered an agency of the Authority for many internal matters. Indeed it is conceivable that a stable local government might, in time, a.s.sume many duties now failing on the Protector and even be allowed a delegate, non-voting, in the Grand a.s.sembly. But such recognition would have to be earned.

"But one thing must be made clear. Earth's major satellite, the Moon, is by nature's law forever the joint property of all the peoples of Earth. It does not belong to that handful who by accident of history happen to live there. The sacred trust laid upon the Lunar Authority is and forever must be the supreme law of Earth's Moon."

("-accident of history," huh? I expected Prof to shove it down his throat. I thought he would say-No, never did know what Prof would say. Here's what he did say): Prof waited through several seconds of silence, then said, "Honorable Chairman, who is to be exiled this time?"

"What did you say?"

"Have you decided which one of you is to go into exile? Your Deputy Warden won't take the job"-this was true; he preferred to stay alive. "He is functioning now only because we have asked him to. If you persist in believing that we are not independent, then you must be planning to send up a new warden."

"Protector!"

"Warden. Let us not mince words. Though if we knew who he is to be, we might be happy to call him 'Amba.s.sador.' We might be able to work with him, it might not be necessary to send with him armed hoodlums. . . to rape and murder our women!"

"Order! Order! The witness will come to order!"

"It is not I who was not in order, Honorable Chairman. Rape it was and murder most foul. But that is history and now we must look to the future. Whom are you going to exile?"

Prof struggled to raise self on elbow and I was suddenly alert; was a cue. "For you all know, sir, that it is a one-way trip. I was born here. You can see what effort it is for me to return even temporarily to the planet which has disinherited me. We are outcasts of Earth who-"

He collapsed. Was up out of my chair-and collapsed myself, trying to reach him.

Was not all play-acting even though I answered a cue. Is terrible strain on heart to get up suddenly on Terra; thick field grabbed and smashed me to floor.

17

Neither of us was hurt and it made juicy news breaks, for I put recording in Stu's hands and he turned it over to his hired men. Nor were all headlines against us; Stu had recording cut and edited and slanted. AUTHORITY TO PLAY ODD MAN OUT?--LUNAR AMBa.s.sADOR COLLAPSES UNDER GRILLING: "OUTCASTS!" HE CRIES-PROF PAZ POINTS FINGER OF SHAME: STORY PAGE 8.

Not all were good; nearest to a favorable story in India was editorial in New India Times inquiring whether Authority was risking bread of ma.s.ses in failing to come to terms with Lunar insurgents. Was suggested that concessions could be made if would insure increased grain deliveries. Was filled with inflated statistics; Luna did not feed "a hundred million Hindus"-unless you chose to think of our grain as making difference between malnutrition and starvation.

On other hand biggest New York paper opined that Authority had made mistake in treating with us at all, since only thing convicts understood was taste of lash-troops should land, set us in order, hang guilty, leave forces to keep order.

Was a quick mutiny, quickly subdued, in Peace Dragoons regiment from which our late oppressors had come, one started by rumor that they were to be s.h.i.+pped to Moon. Mutiny not hushed up perfectly; Stu hired good men.

Next morning a message reached us inquiring if Professor de la Paz was well enough to resume discussions? We went, and committee supplied doctor and nurse to watch over Prof. But this time we were searched-and a recorder removed from my pouch.

I surrendered it without much fuss; was j.a.panese job supplied by Stu-to be surrendered. Number-six arm has recess intended for a power pack but near enough size of my mini-recorder. Didn't need power that day-and most people, even hardened police officers, dislike to touch a prosthetic.

Everything discussed day before was ignored. . . except that chairman started session by scolding us for "breaking security of a closed meeting."

Prof replied that it had not been closed so far as we were concerned and that we would welcome newsmen, video cameras, a gallery, anyone, as Luna Free State had nothing to hide.

Chairman replied stiffly that so-called Free State did not control these hearings; these sessions were closed, not to be discussed outside this room, and that it was so ordered.

Prof looked at me. "Will you help me, Colonel?" I touched controls of chair, scooted around, was shoving his stretcher wagon with my chair toward door before chairman realized bluff had been called. Prof allowed himself to be persuaded to stay without promising anything. Hard to coerce a man who faints if he gets overexcited.

Chairman said that there had been many irrelevancies yesterday and matters discussed best left undiscussed-and that he would permit no digressions today. He looked at Argentino, then at North American.

He went on: "Sovereignty is an abstract concept, one that has been redefined many times as mankind has learned to live in peace. We need not discuss it. The real question, Professor-or even Amba.s.sador de-facto, if you like; we shan't quibble-the real question is this: Are you prepared to guarantee that the Lunar Colonies will keep their commitments?"

"What commitments, sir?"

"All commitments, but I have in mind specifically your commitments concerning grain s.h.i.+pments."

"I know of no such commitments, sir," Prof answered with innocence.

Chairman's hand tightened on gavel. But he answered quietly, "Come, sir, there is no need to spar over words. I refer to the quota of grain s.h.i.+pments-and to the increased quota, a matter of thirteen percent, for this new fiscal year. Do we have a.s.surance that you will honor those commitments? This is a minimum basis for discussion, else these talks can go no further."

"Then I am sorry to say, sir, that it would appear that our talks must cease."

"You're not being serious."

"Quite serious, sir. The sovereignty of Free Luna is not the abstract matter you seem to feel it is. These commitments you speak of were the Authority contracting with itself. My country is not bound by such. Any commitments from the sovereign nation I have the honor to represent are still to be negotiated."

"Rabble!" growled North American. "I told you you were being too soft on them. Jailbirds. Thieves and wh.o.r.es. They don't understand decent treatment."

"Order!"

"Just remember, I told you. If I had them in Colorado, we would teach them a thing or two; we know how to handle their sort."

"The gentleman member will please be in order."

"I'm afraid," said Hindu member-Pa.r.s.ee in fact, but committeeman from India-"I'm afraid I must agree in essence with the gentleman member from the North American Directorate. India cannot accept the concept that the grain commitments are mere sc.r.a.ps of paper. Decent people do not play politics with hunger."

"And besides," the Argentino put in, "they breed like animals. Pigs!"

(Prof made me take a tranquilizing drug before that session. Had insisted on seeing me take it.) Prof said quietly, "Honorable Chairman, may I have consent to amplify my meaning before we conclude, perhaps too hastily, that these talks must be abandoned?"

"Proceed."

"Unanimous consent? Free of interruption?"

Chairman looked around. "Consent is unanimous," he stated, "and the gentlemen members are placed on notice that I will invoke special rule fourteen at the next outburst. The sergeant-at-arms is directed to note this and act. The witness will proceed."

"I will be brief, Honorable Chairman." Prof said something in Spanish; all I caught was "Senor." Argentina turned dark but did not answer. Prof went on, "I must first answer the gentleman member from North America on a matter of personal privilege since he has impugned my fellow countrymen. I for one have seen the inside of more than one jail; I accept the t.i.tle-nay, I glory in the t.i.tle of 'jailbird.' We citizens of Luna are jailbirds and descendants of jailbirds. But Luna herself is a stern schoolmistress; those who have lived through her harsh lessons have no cause to feel ashamed. In Luna City a man may leave purse unguarded or home unlocked and feel no fear. . . I wonder if this is true in Denver? As may be, I have no wish to visit Colorado to learn a thing or two; I am satisfied with what Mother Luna has taught me. And rabble we may be, but we are now a rabble in arms.

"To the gentleman member from India let me say that we do not 'play politics with hunger.' What we ask is an open discussion of facts of nature unbound by political a.s.sumptions false to fact. If we can hold this discussion, I can promise to show a way in which Luna can continue grain s.h.i.+pments and expand them enormously. . . to the great benefit of India."

Both Chinee and Indian looked alert. Indian started to speak, checked himself, then said, "Honorable Chairman, will the Chair ask the witness to explain what he means?"

"The witness is invited to amplify."

"Honorable Chairman, gentlemen members, there is indeed a way for Luna to expand by tenfold or even a hundred her s.h.i.+pments to our hungry millions. The fact that grain barges continued to arrive on schedule during our time of trouble and are still arriving today is proof that our intentions are friendly. But you do not get milk by beating the cow. Discussions of how to augment our s.h.i.+pments must be based on the facts of nature, not on the false a.s.sumption that we are slaves, bound by a work quota we never made. So which shall it be? Will you persist in believing that we are slaves, indentured to an Authority other than ourselves? Or will you acknowledge that we are free, negotiate with us, and learn how we can help you?"

Chairman said, "In other words you ask us to buy a pig in a poke. You demand that we legalize your outlaw status . . . then you will talk about fantastic claims that you can increase grain s.h.i.+pments ten- or a hundredfold. What you claim is impossible; I am expert in Lunar economics. And what you ask is impossible; takes the Grand a.s.sembly to admit a new nation."

Then place it before the Grand a.s.sembly. Once seated as sovreign equals, we will discuss how to increase s.h.i.+pments and negotiate terms. Honorable Chairman, we grow the grain, we own it. We can grow far more. But not as slaves. Luna's soverign freedom must first be recognized."

"Impossible and you know it. The Lunar Authority cannot abdicate its sacred responsibility."

Prof sighed. "It appears to be an impa.s.se. I can only suggest that these hearings be recessed while we all take thought. Today our barges are arriving. . . but the moment that I am forced to notify my government that I have failed. . . they. . . will . . . stop!"

Prof's head sank back on pillow as if it had been too much for him-as may have been. I was doing well enough but was young and had had practice in how to visit Terra and stay alive. A Loonie his age should not risk it. After minor foofooraw which Prof ignored they loaded us into a lorry and scooted us back to hotel. Once under way I said, "Prof, what was it you said to Senor Jellybelly that raised blood pressure?"

He chuckled. "Comrade Stuart's investigations of these gentlemen turn up remarkable facts. I asked who owned a certain brothel off Calle Florida in B.A. these days and did it now have a star redhead?"

"Why? You used to patronize it?" Tried to imagine Prof in such!

"Never. It has been forty years since I was last in Buenos Aires. He owns that establishment, Manuel, through a dummy, and his wife, a beauty with t.i.tian hair, once worked in it."

Was sorry had asked. "Wasn't that a foul blow? And undiplomatic?"

But Prof closed eyes and did not answer.

He was recovered enough to spend an hour at a reception for newsmen that night, with white hair framed against a purple pillow and thin body decked out in embroidered pajamas. Looked like vip corpse at an important funeral, except for eyes and dimples. I looked mighty vip too, in black and gold uniform which Stu claimed was Lunar diplomatic uniform of my rank. Could have been, if Lana had had such things-did not or I would have known. I prefer a p-suit; collar was tight. Nor did I ever find out what decorations on it meant. ~A reporter asked me about one, based on Luna at crescent as seen from Terra; told him it was a prize for spelling. Stu was in earshot and said, "The Colonel is modest. That decoration is of the same rank as the Victoria Cross and in his case was awarded for an act of gallantry on the glorious, tragic day of-"

He led him away, still talking. Stu could lie standing up almost as well as Prof. Me, I have to think out a lie ahead of time.

India newspapers and casts were rough that night; "threat" to stop grain s.h.i.+pments made them froth. Gentlest proposal was to clean out Luna, exterminate us "criminal troglodytes" and replace us with "honest Hindu peasants" who understood sacredness of life and would s.h.i.+p grain and more grain.

Prof picked that night to talk and give handouts about Luna's inability to continue s.h.i.+pments, and why-and Stu's organization spread release throughout Terra. Some reporters took time to dig out sense of figures and tackled Prof on glaring discrepancy: "Professor de la Paz, here you say that grain s.h.i.+pments will dwindle away through failure of natural resources and that by 2082 Luna won't even be able to feed its own people. Yet earlier today you told the Lunar Authority that you could increase s.h.i.+pments a dozen times or more."

Prof said sweetly, "That committee is the Lunar Authority?"

"Well. . . it's an open secret."

"So it is, sir, but they have maintained the fiction of being an impartial investigating committee of the Grand a.s.sembly. Don't you think they should disqualify themselves? So that we could receive a fair hearing?"

"Uh. . . it's not my place to say, Professor. Let's get back to my question. How do you reconcile the two?"

"I'm interested in why it's not your place to say, sir. Isn't it the concern of every citizen of Terra to help avoid a situation which will produce war between Terra and her neighbor?"

"'War'? What in the world makes you speak of 'war,' Professor?"

"Where else can it end, sir? If the Lunar Authority persists in its intransigence? We cannot accede to their demands; those figures show why. If they will not see this, then they will attempt to subdue us by force. . . and we will fight back. Like cornered rats-for cornered we are, unable to retreat, unable to surrender. We do not choose war; we wish to live in peace with our neighbor planet-in peace and peacefully trade. But the choice is not ours. We are small, you are gigantic. I predict that the next move will be for the Lunar Authority to attempt to subdue Luna by force. This 'peace-keeping' agency will start the first interplanetary war."

Journalist frowned. "Aren't you overstating it? Let's a.s.same the Authority-or the Grand a.s.sembly, as the Authority hasn't any wars.h.i.+ps of its own-let's suppose the nations of Earth decide to displace your, uh, 'government.' You might fight, on Luna-I suppose you would. But that hardly const.i.tutes interplanetary war. As you pointed out, Luna has no s.h.i.+ps. To put it bluntly, you can't reach us."