ically he let his eyes go to the
pyramids, to the temples, the large community dwelling quarters. "We'll
call this city Tula and its citizens Tulans."

Taller looked thoughtfully at him, not having missed the tone of
arrogant command. One of the group behind the Khan, clad in gray flowing
robes, said to Plekhanov, mild reproof in his voice, "My son, we are the
most advanced people on ... Texcoco. We have thought of ourselves as
civilized. However, we--"

Plekhanov rumbled, "I am not your son, old man, and you are far short of
civilization. We can't stand here forever. Take us to a building where
we can talk without these crowds staring at us. There is much to be
done."

Taller said, "This is Mynor, Chief Priest of the People."

The priest bowed his head, then said, "The People are used to ceremony
on outstanding occasions. We have arranged for suitable sacrifices to
the gods. At their completion, we will proclaim a festival. And then--"

The warriors had cleared a way through the multitude to the pyramid and
now the Earthlings could see a score of chained men and women, nude save
for loin cloths and obviously captives.

Plekhanov made his way toward them, Joe Chessman at his right and a pace
to the rear. The prisoners stood straight and, considering their
position, with calm.

Plekhanov glared at Taller. "You were going to kill these?"

The Khan said reasonably, "They are not of the People. They are
prisoners taken in battle."

Mynor said, "Their lives please the gods."

"There are no gods, as you probably know," Plekhanov said flatly. "You
will no longer sacrifice prisoners."

A hush fell on the Texcocans. Joe Chessman let his hand drop to his
weapon. The movement was not lost on Taller's son, whose eyes narrowed.

The Khan looked at the burly Plekhanov for a long moment. He said
slowly, "Our institutions fit our needs. What would you have us do with
these people? They are our enemies. If we turn them loose, they will
fight us again. If we keep them imprisoned, they will eat our food. We
... Tulans are not poor, we have food aplenty, for we Tulans, but we
cannot feed all the thousands of prisoners we take in our wars."

Joe Chessman said dryly, "As of today there is a new policy. We put them
to work."

Plekhanov rumbled at him, "I'll explain our position, Chessman, if you
please." Then to the Tulans. "To develop this planet we're going to need
the labor of every man, woman and child capable of work."