Keith Laumer - Zone Yellow

“That’s very unfortunate, General,” I told him carefully, aware that the conversation was being recorded. “But it is the policy of the Imperium to avoid any interference in the internal affairs of other A-lines.”

“But it is more than a mere internal squabble, Colonel,” Swft protested. “Before the advent of these ‘Two-Law’ scoundrels as they call themselves, Ylokk was a peaceful land, rich in all that made life livable. Our forests yielded a wealth of nuts and fruits, as well as our staple tubers and fungi. We lived well, noble and simple alike, with plenty for all, free for the gathering. Then the TL people began to agitate, telling folk that they should be called upon to make no effort in order to obtain food and shelter―that the Royal House should provide everything, neatly packaged.

“Our gathering festivals had been joyous occasions, when all, high and low, went into the virgin greenwood to select their year’s subsistence. Those who were more diligent ate better. The TL troublemakers attacked this, saying that all should fare alike.”

“What’s this Two-Law’ business?” Andy interrupted.

“These cretins,” Swft said harshly, “have the curious notion that Natural Law is subject to manipulation, indeed to repeal. We all know of the three great laws of motion. The revolutionists claim, arbitrarily, that the law which states that ‘for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction’ is a contrivance of the Great House, and that indeed only two laws of motion are fundamental.”

“Is that Newton’s first or third law, sir?” Helm asked me.

I didn’t know. “It’s another way of saying ‘you don’t get something for nothing’,” I told him. “And these con artists are actually able to convince people they can change that?” I asked Swft incredulously.

“All too easily,” he said. “Since it is precisely what they want to hear. ‘Why labor in the forest?’ they now demand, ‘When the royal yilp-proof silos could dispense largesse to all?.”

“Don’t they wonder how those silos are going to be filled?” Andy asked.

“By no means; Grgsdn and his foolish followers tell them the Noble clan can be set to full-time gathering. Alas, even that unequitable expedient would avail nothing; there are too few nobles. Their ancestors, after all, were granted Noble rank on the basis of their prowess in food-gathering for the commonweal. Only a few have ever attained such rank, which is hereditary only in the lifetime of the first lord, so that one who has labored mightily may count among his rewards the security of seeing his grandchildren and even great-grands prosper in life. That old order of peace and prosperity has been thrown into disarray by these insidious propagandists. All organized effort has come to a halt; the people starve, unless they resort to cannibalism, which of course leads to epidemic, culminating in the Killing. Then Grgsdn’s minions stormed the Skein Compound, discovered for themselves our capability for exploration of the cosmos of alternate energy-states, and declared their Crusade―”

“Meaning the invasion,” Helm interpreted.

“Actually a slave-raid on a grand scale,” Swft confessed. “Its purpose being to acquire cheap labor to replace the normal efforts of the Folk.”

“Dumb idea,” I commented.

“As I see now, all too well,” Swft agreed, shaking his head. “I suppose I, too, was deluded to some extent by the concept of eternal leisure for all, while a subject species toiled for us. So you see,” he concluded, “our internal strife has become a matter of common cause to both our species.”

“What do you expect us to do about it?” I asked him. “I see now why you took the risk of coming out to find us. We’re your only contact with humanity, and your only hope.”

“You could quite easily overwhelm and disarm the TL jackals,” Swft stated, as if it were actually too obvious to go into detail about. “Your clever weapons alone will persuade them to withdraw and cease their activities. We are, as I have said, not a warlike folk.”

“Are these revolutionaries concentrated in one spot, where they can be rounded up and disarmed?” Helm queried. “I wouldn’t mind helping in that job.”

Swft wagged his head in his disconcerting way: he had gotten his signals crossed and nodded for negative and shook for confirmation. “They have seized the Jade Palace and the governmental complex,” he told us. “And of course, the technical compound. All their leaders are there, but their deluded followers are everywhere.”

“That’s an odd name, ‘Grgsdn’,” I commented. “I’ve noticed most of your names are of one syllable.”

“He’s a strange fellow,” Swft agreed. “Appeared out of nowhere and began agitation at once. Rumors of his curious activities are rife. I was remiss in not investigating him at once. Then the Two-Law ideology burst upon the good folk of Ylokk, with its attendant treacheries, and it was too late to lay him by the heels. His HQ is secret, and moves frequently.”

“If we captured this Grgsdn,” I suggested, “and he publicly recanted and told people to go back to their normal ways, would that put an end to the insurrection?”

“I’ve considered that possibility carefully,” Swft said, “envisioning myself as his captor, of course; but the issue is doubtful, the TL dogma being so appealing to so many. But now,” he went on, “with the princess safely in our custody, we can give the lie to their vile claim that the Noble House is in decline, unable to produce an heir to be the next empress. I’m sure that the great mass of the decent folk yearn for a return to the old ways. Yes, now we can do it! Will you?” he appealed. From Smovia’s cubicle the baby wailed.

“What do you say, Andy?” I consulted my young aide. “Shall we give it a try?”

“I’m for it, sir!” he came back enthusiastically. “But of course, sir, I can hardly…”

“You can’t say so, Lieutenant,” I reminded him. Then, to Swft, “It’s a deal, General. We help you and the invasion is off.”

“By all means! Gladly. We will never forget your magnanimity!” he blurted.

“I can’t guarantee anything,” I reminded him. “What’s the building you came out of?”

“Our field HQ,” he told me. “An auxiliary installation few know of.”

“And the fellows who shot you?” He nodded in negation. “No one could have―”

“Somebody left the baby, I reminded him. “Maybe they were coming back after it. By the way, why were you there?”

“A routine inspection, nothing else.” Swft brushed the question aside. “After all, my duties―”

“Were you chasing those fellows, General?” I asked. “Or were they chasing you?”

“Impossible,” Swft gasped out. “Our most closely guarded secrets―”

“I guess the baby was closely guarded, too,” I suggested. Swft tried to sit up, an awkward position at best for one of his snaky build.

“Colonel,” he addressed me seriously. “The disaffection runs deeper than I had suspected, it appears. If Grgsdn’s agents were able to penetrate the Jade Palace itself, then the complex, there is a traitor at work very close to the Empress. I don’t know…” He passed out then, and Smovia hurried over to see to him.

“Colonel, sir,” Helm addressed me earnestly. “Let’s do it. Let’s help him. If what he says is true―”

“That’s the key point, Lieutenant,” I cut in. “For all we know, Swft himself may be the kidnapper and the leader of the revolt, if there is a revolt.”

“I doubt it, sir,” Helm said, sounding dubious. “Those fellows did shoot him down on sight. I don’t think honest folks would do that.”