Birthright

sure; and it was just as sure that he had no intention of telling them what it was. He had allowed them to

offer what few ideas they may have had, shot them down, and now presented them with their only alternative: to trust him blindly and implicitly. They knew Cobart and they knew Bomin. It was a pretty easy choice: They gave Bomin a free hand to do as he wished. Which surprised him no more than did Cobart's latest attack on ASOC. His first act was to instruct his staff that no advance mention was to be made in the media of his meeting, nor was there to be any coverage of the meeting itself. Out of respect for the office of the Coordinator, though not the current officeholder, he showered and shaved before leaving. He was ushered into Cobart's office by a circuitous route. Then the door was closed behind him and he was alone in the huge, ornate room with the Coordinator. “I'll get right to the point,” said Cobart by way of greeting. “I want you and ASOC to get off my back.” “Easily done,” said Bomin with a smile. “Return the power you've illegally usurped from the people of the Aldebaran system.”

“That's just the kind of inflammatory remark I'm objecting to. If you know what's good for you, you'll stop taking potshots at my Administration.” “And that's just the kind of heavy-handed threat I object to, Mr. Cobart,” said Bomin. “Surely you didn't invite me here just to make it.”

“I didn't invite you at all,” said Cobart. “I commanded your presence.” “And I, having weighed the pros and cons, decided of my own free will to accept your invitation.” “Bomin, I've had enough of your rabble-rousing. Some of the statements you've made through ASOC amount to nothing less than treason.”

“Certainly not treason to the Oligarchy,” said Bomin mildly. “Or are you implying I've committed treason against the people of the Aldebaran system? Because if you are, then you have only to prefer charges formally and—”

“What would you say,” interrupted Cobart, “if I told you that it is within my constitutional power to nationalize ASOC?”

“First, that it is definitely not within your real or implied powers,” said Bomin, “and second, that your desire to do so anyway hardly comes as a surprise to me.” “I've only to say the word and ASOC will become an official government agency,” continued Cobart. “Oh, the courts will probably knock it down, and if they don't, the Oligarchy will. But knocking it down will take time—possibly a year, possibly more. By then the people would have heard both sides of the case, and most of your bright young men would have found nice secure jobs in other fields. Think about it, Bomin.”

“Oh, I assure you Ihave thought about it. Subtlety is not one of your more noteworthy qualities, Mr. Coordinator. We at ASOC foresaw this move long ago.” “I don't doubt that you did,” said Cobart. “Have you come up with any alternative solution which I