interested to
know that our first step will involve the amalgamation of all the
nations and tribes of this planet. Not a small task. There should be
opportunity for you."

Taller said, "Surely you speak in jest. The People have been at war for
as long as scribes have records and never have we been stronger than
today, never larger. To conquer the world! Surely you jest."

Plekhanov grunted ungraciously. He looked to Barry Watson, a lanky
youth, now leaning negligently against the wall, his submachine gun,
however, at the easy ready. "Watson, you're our military expert. Have
you any opinions as yet?"

"Yes, sir," Watson said easily. "Until we can get iron weapons and
firearms into full production, I suggest the Macedonian phalanx for
their infantry. They have the horse, but evidently the wheel has gone
out of use. We'll introduce the chariot and also heavy carts to speed up
logistics. We'll bring in the stirruped saddle, too. I have available
for study, works on every cavalry leader from Tamerlane to Jeb Stuart.
Yes, sir, I have some ideas."

Plekhanov pursed his heavy lips. "From the beginning we're going to need
manpower on a scale never dreamed of locally. We'll adopt a policy of
expansion. Those who join us freely will become members of the State
with full privileges. Those who resist will be made prisoners of war and
used for shock labor on the roads and in the mines. However, a man works
better if he has a goal, a dream. Each prisoner will be freed and become
a member of the State after ten years of such work."

He turned to his subordinates. "Roberts and Hawkins, you will begin
tomorrow to seek the nearest practical sources of iron ore and coal.
Wherever you discover them we'll direct our first military expeditions.
Chessman and Cogswell, you'll assemble their best artisans and begin
their training in such basic advancements as the wheel."

Taller said softly, "You speak of advancement but thus far you have
mentioned largely war and on such a scale that I wonder how many of the
People will survive. What advancement? We have all we wish."

Plekhanov cut him off with a curt motion of his hand. He indicated the
hieroglyphics on the chamber's walls. "How long does it take to learn
such writing?"

Mynor, the priest, said, "This is a mystery known only to the
priesthood. One spends ten years in preparation to be a scribe."

"We'll teach you a new method which will have every citizen of the State
reading and