The Destroyers Page 7

tothe door of the hut. He stopped and addressed Anketam. "I understandLady Samas is living here."

  "That's right," Anketam said.

  "Would you tell her that Colonel Fayder would like to speak to her."

  Before Anketam could say anything, Lady Samas spoke. "Tell the colonelto come in, Anketam."

  Anketam stepped aside to let the officer enter.

  "Lady Samas?" he asked.

  She nodded. "I am."

  The colonel removed his hat. "Madam, I am Colonel Jamik Fayder, of theUnion army. You are the owner of this land?"

  "Until my son returns, yes," said Lady Samas evenly.

  "I understand." The colonel licked his lips nervously. He was obviouslyill at ease in the presence of the Lady Samas. "Madam," he said, "itwould be useless for me to apologize for the destructions of war.Apologies are mere words."

  "They are," said Lady Samas. "None the less, I accept them."

  "Thank you. I have come to inform you that the Xedii armies formallysurrendered near Chromdin early this morning. The war is over."

  "I'm glad," said Lady Samas.

  "So am I," said the colonel. "It has not been a pleasant war. Xediiwas--and still is--the most backward planet in the galaxy. Your Councilof Chiefs steadfastly refused to allow the"--he glanced atAnketam--"workers of Xedii to govern their own lives. They have livedand died without proper education, without the medical care that wouldsave and lengthen their lives, and without the comforts of life that anyhuman being deserves. That situation will be changed now, but I amheartily sorry it took a war to do it."

  Anketam looked at the man. What was he talking about? He and his kindhad burned and dusted cities and villages, and had smashed the lives ofmillions of human beings on the pretense that they were trying to help.What sort of insanity was that?

  The colonel took a sheaf of papers from his pocket.

  "I have been ordered to read to you the proclamation of the UnionPresident."

  He looked down at the papers and began to read:

  "Henceforth, all the peoples of Xedii shall be free and equal. Theyshall have the right to change their work at will, to be paid in lawfulmoney instead of--"

  Anketam just stood there, his mind glazed. He had worked hard all hislife for the security of retirement, and now all that was gone. What washe to do? Where was he to go? If he had to be paid in money, who woulddo it? Lady Samas? She had nothing. Besides, Anketam knew nothing aboutthe handling of money. He knew nothing about how to get along in asociety like that.

  He stood there in silence as his world dissolved around him. He couldhear, dimly, the voice of the blue-clad Union officer as he read off thedeath warrant for Xedii. And for Anketam.

  THE END