The Overlords of War

Chapter 9

She hesitated a moment before answering. He told himself she must have been so upset that she was unable to cog his question.

“A central authority? No, there’s been nothing like that on Uria for nearly a thousand years. Nor on any other advanced world. Governments belong to the primitive period of mankind. We have machines that take care of things like the distribution of goods. And we have a police force. But that hardly ever does anything.”

“What about the Security Office?”

“It supervises nothing but communications. Oh—and, I believe, the opening up of new planets.”

“So who looks after Uria’s relations with the Office?”

“There’s a Council. Three humans and a Urian.”

“Is that who you work for?”

She seemed shocked. “I don’t work for anybody! They asked me to see you, that’s all, and warn you about what will happen if you try to leave the planet.”

“Why did you agree?” Corson said sharply.

“Because if you do try and leave here, you’ll lose your personality, your future will be changed, and you’ll never meet me again.” Her lips trembled.

“That’s a private reason,” Corson said. “But why is the Council interested in me?”

“They didn’t say. I think they believe Uria will have need of you. They’re afraid some danger threatens the planet and they’re convinced that only you can avert it. Why, I just don’t know.”

“I have some idea,” Corson said. “Can you take me to them?” Antonella seemed dismayed by the question.

“That might be rather difficult,” she said. “They live three hundred years ahead, and I myself have no means of traveling in time.”