best possible future for us. But there is no _one_ future, only a
multitude of possible futures. We must have the right to build the one
that best fits our own kind."

"Is that more important than achieving immediately a more peaceful,
unified, and secure society?" said Markham.

"Infinitely more important!" said Hockley.

"It is fortunate at least, then, that you are in no position to
implement these insane beliefs of yours. The Ryke program was offered to
Earth, and it shall be accepted on behalf of Earth. You may be sure of a
very poor hearing when you try to present these notions back home."

"You jump to conclusions, Senator," said Hockley with mild confidence.
"Why do you suppose I proposed this trip if I did not believe I could do
something about the situation? I assure you that we did not come just to
see the sights."

Markham's jaw slacked and his face became white. "What do you mean? You
haven't dared to try to alienate the Rykes--"

"I mean that there is a great deal we can do about the situation. Now
that the sentiments of my colleagues parallel my own I'm sure they agree
that we must effectively and finally spike any possibility of Earth's
becoming involved in this Ryke nonsense."

"You wouldn't dare!--even if you could--"

"We can, and we dare," said Hockley. "When we return to Earth we shall
have to report that the Rykes have refused to admit Earth to their
program. We shall report that we made every effort to obtain an
agreement with them, but it was in vain. If anyone wishes to verify the
report, the Rykes themselves will say that this is quite true: they
cannot possibly consider Earth as a participant. If you contend that an
offer was once made, you will not find the Rykes offering much support
since they will be very busily denying that we are remotely qualified."

"The Rykes are hardly ones to meekly submit to any idiotic plan of that
kind."

"They can't help it--if we demonstrate that we _are_ quite unqualified
to participate."

"You--you--"

"It will not be difficult," said Hockley. "The Rykes have set up a
perfect teacher-pupil situation, with all the false assumptions that go
with it. There is at least one absolutely positive way to disintegrate
such a situation. The testimony of several thousand years' failure of
our various educational systems indicates that there are quite a variety
of lesser ways also--

"Perhaps you are aware of the experiences and techniques commonly
empl