Mack Reynolds - Code Duello

The otherworldlings stared at him.

The maggiore elaborated patiently: “He conducted himself ridiculously. How he expected to elude the Anti-Firenze Activities officers I couldn’t say. He went into the main branch of the city library and asked for books, pamphlets, tapes, or whatever might be available on the Engelist movement.”

Jerry said, not quite understanding, “Well, what did they give him?”

“Give him! The librarian he consulted immediately phoned the Bureau of Security and the Anti-Firenze Activities Ministry. He was arrested within moments.”

The three looked at him.

“See here. Suppose someone wanted to find out about the Engelists. How would he go about it?” Horsten said.

The maggiore’s eyes narrowed. “Why would he want to find out about the Engelists?”

The scientist shrugged. “How would I know? Perhaps he wishes to write a book about them.”

“There are already sufficient exposes on the underground traitors, written by competent authorities on the subject.”

“Well, why didn’t this librarian give them to Citizen Juarez? He obviously was simply curious.”

“He didn’t want the volumes available. He claimed he wished to consult original sources. He wanted books written by the Engelists themselves!” The maggiore was being patient.

They held another moment of silence.

It was Horsten who took up the ball again. “You mean there is no manner in which a, well, student of the subject can simply go to the public library and take out books about the Engelists, written by Engelists, rather than by their critics?”

It was the major’s turn to be bewildered. “Do you think His Zelenza’s government is insane?”

Jerry said, “Look. How can anybody combat these subversives if they don’t even know what they stand for?”

“We know what they stand for,” the maggiore said indignantly.

“What?” Helen said. She was seated on the floor, her hatbox full of toys before her.

Dr. Horsten stepped in quickly. “Out of the mouth of babes, eh?” He chuckled. “But, actually, I have the same question. What do they stand for?”

“Forcible overthrow of the legitimate government and the imposition of a dictatorship!”

“Well, yes, we already gathered that. But how do they expect to go about all this? How do they attempt to appeal to the people? How do they operate?”

The maggiore said, “You seem strangely interested in the Engelists for strangers.”

Dorn covered. “Well, it’s partly pure curiosity, since we’re hearing so much about them. And partly in view of the fact that our companion, poor Zorro, has been arrested as one. All of which seems ridiculous to me. He’s never even been on Firenze before. He knows nobody here. Has no interest in your politico-economic system.”

The maggiore thought about it. Finally, he said, “Well, here’s an example, although I am actually committing an indiscretion.” From an inner pocket he drew forth a four page leaflet, printed on cheap paper and, by the looks of it, on some primitive equipment. He handed it over hesitantly to the scientist.

Dorn Horsten scowled down.

“ Florentines Ariser he read. “ Overthrow the Tyranny of Representative Govemment!

“Come again on that one?” Jerry said.

Horsten ignored him and read on. ” Establish the People’s Democratic Dictatorship!

“It wouldn’t really be democratic,” the maggiore injected. “All they want is to seize power for themselves.”

“ Fellow citizens of Firenze, adopt the following program . One. Infiltrate the army and police forces and kill your officers . Two. Boycott the elections . Three. Destroy the machines directed at …”

The scientist stopped, flabbergasted. He said to Maggiore Verona, “Where in the world did you get this?”

“It’s one of their propaganda leaflets.”

“Obviously. But… well, do you mean they pass these out indiscriminately on the streets?”

“When we can’t catch them, they do.”

Horsten shook his massive head. “These people could use some lessons,” he muttered. He went back to the propaganda leaflet, still registering disbelief. He shook his head in despair and, putting the pamphlet aside, turned to the Florentine.

“See here. We hardly know Citizen Juarez. However, as fellow strangers to Firenze and former shipmates on the Half Moon , I, at least, feel some duty toward him, to the extent that I feel bound to see he is adequately legally represented.”

“Legally represented?” Verona said, puzzled. “But he’s accused of being an Engelist.”

Jerry poured another dollop of drink in his glass. He still stood at the room’s bar. “Something missed me there. From what you said, all he’s accused of is trying to get some books on Engelism. I might’ve done that myself, if I’d thought about it.”

The maggiore said, “I would not advise it, Signore Rhodes. Perhaps it is true that your mother owns half the Catalina-Avalon planet complex, however, you are a long way from there, and here on Firenze we are very conscious of the subversives who wish to destroy our whole way of life.”

Horsten said, “To get back to Zorro’s legal representative. Ordinarily, undoubtedly he would have appealed to the United Planets Embassy, since it seems unlikely that Vacamundo would be represented diplomatically here. However, since the U.P. Embassy has been discontinued…”

“Undoubtedly, new representatives, uncontaminated by Engelist doctrine, will shortly be sent from Earth.”

“Yeah, but meanwhile Zorro’s in the jug,” Helen said.

The Florentine looked at her.

Horsten said hurriedly, “Helen, you spend too much time looking at the Tri-Di historical crime shows.”

“Look who’s talking,” Helen muttered. She went back to her box of toys.

Horsten said, “But what about Zorro’s lawyer?”

“I told you,” Maggiore Verona explained. “He’s accused of being an Engelist. Obviously, no reputable attorney would represent him.” He looked from Dorn Horsten to Jerry Rhodes, as nothing could be more obvious. “What would people think of a supposedly loyal Florentine who would represent an Engelist?”

“Not an Engelist,” Jerry blurted. “Somebody accused of being an Engelist.”

“Well,” the other said stiffly. “You must admit, there’s precious little difference. A mere technicality.”

Jerry slugged down his drink. “ I don’t know,” he said, a wild element in his voice. “I continually get the impression on this planet that everybody’s kidding.” He looked at the Florentine anti-subversion officer. “You sure you don’t want a drink? Listen, something just occurred to me. You introduced yourself as attached to the Third Signore’s staff. What did you say the Third Signore is in charge of?”

“Anti-subversion.”

“What’s that got to do with us? Why’re you spending your time with us?”

The maggiore was a bit embarrassed, but still suave. “My dear Signore Rhodes. Surely it is the same on other worlds. Until evidence is presented to the contrary, we must operate on the, uh, possibility…” He let the sentence fade away.

Jerry grabbed up the bottle and poured himself another stiff one. “I’m beginning to think you people’ve been chasing these subversives so long you’ve gone drivel-happy.” He gave the bottle a half wave in illustration. “You know what I ran into today at that sidewalk cafe? A guy who…”

Helen came up with a little plastic gun from her hat box. She snarled at Jerry, pointing the gun, “Put down that bottle stranger. You had enough.”

The maggiore laughed condescendingly. “Ah, little ragazza, you should never point a loaded weapon, unless you mean to use it.”