Tuck stared at Torm, hardly believing his ears. This was seditious talk; this was treason—yet his father sat calmly, without even lifting a finger to stop the man. Finally, when Torm had finished, the Colonel said, “Let’s get to the point, Mr. Torm. Where does Cortell come into this?”
Torm shrugged. “The people of the colony have taken all they’re going to take. They’ve had enough for decades, but they never had anyone smart enough to lead them, or think for them. But Cortell is a clever man—far more clever than I am, Colonel. He knows how to use propaganda and back-street whispers. He’s an incendiary, third generation in this colony, and he hates Earth and Earthmen. There are many people here who have been listening to his talk, more and more, and he’s set about deliberately to undermine my power as leader. My power is traditional here, and it’s elective. And Cortell pretends to believe that by open revolt the colony can win against Earth, and dictate its own terms—”
The Colonel jerked back in his chair, staring. “Open revolt—you mean armed warfare against Earth?”
“Precisely.”
“Why, that’s ridiculous! The Earth could—”
“The Earth could bring its bombing rockets and wipe out the colony in an hour,” said Torm quietly. “But it would be too late, because Cortell could do his work much more quickly than Earth could move. Because the first step in open revolt, as Cortell sees it, would be to break open the mining tunnels, flood the mines with methane, and then set a match to it—” The colony leader looked up slowly. “Methane and oxygen explode,” he said softly. “They explode with such violence that no one would ever again be able to operate these mines.”
Colonel Benedict chewed his hp. Then he looked up at Torm. “And where do you stand?”
Torm shrugged. “I’m tired, Colonel. I’ve been fighting him for five years—ever since he started his move for power. He’s been working up hatred for Earth, whipping the colonists to the edge of revolt, undermining my power every way he can. He thinks the colony could win such a revolt. I know they can’t.” He looked straight at the Colonel, and his face was white. “There is only one way to reinstate this colony in Earth society as a unit with full rights and privileges—only one way short of violence. And that way is to work together, my people and your people, in mutual trust. But to me, you’re an Earthman, and I don’t believe a word you say, not one. And I won’t, until you give me some reason to. I’ve been kicked by Earthmen once too often. I’m not going to be kicked again.”
Colonel Benedict took a deep breath. “Well, we can discuss this at length later. It looks to me as if you’d better turn Cortell over before we do anything.”
“Cortell will be accused and tried in the Titan colony, by a jury of Titan colonists. Not on the Earth ship, and not back on Earth—” The colony leader’s voice was cut off by a commotion on the stairs. There was a scuffle of feet, and two burly miners appeared, half-dragging a third man between them. They marched the man across the floor to the desk, then released him, and stood nearby, grimly. “He didn’t want to come, Anson,” one of the men said sourly. “Didn’t seem to think he wanted to see you.”
The captive glared at them, then turned his sharp little eyes to Anson Torm. He was a man of medium height, thin and wiry, and he stood like a cornered wildcat, his brown hair disheveled, thin lips drawn back over sharp yellow teeth. When he spoke, his voice was nasal, and hissed through his teeth, as though he were out of breath. “You’ll be sorry for this, Torm—you have no warrant to drag me around like this—”
Torm sat back in the chair and blinked up at the man. “There was a land mine in Carter’s gorge,” he said, his rich bass voice almost conversational. “It wasn’t there when the half-track went out to the ship. It was there when it came back.”
A nasty grin spread over John Cortell’s face. “A pity it didn’t get you and these Earth dogs you call your friends—”
Torm rose slowly from the desk, his eyes blazing, and slapped Cortell sharply across the mouth. “It did get my son,” he grated. “And these Earth dogs are no more friends of mine than yours. But if they’re harmed, the whole colony will suffer—”
Cortell rubbed his mouth, glaring at Torm. “What do you want with me?”
“You and your men laid the mine.”
“Really? You have proof of that, of course?”
“Where were you when the half-track left for the ship this afternoon?”
“I was in Smogi’s having a drink and waiting for my shift to come due.” The grin returned to Cortell’s face. “Any more questions? Or are you ready to go back to selling out the colony to these toads?”
Slowly Torm sat back in his chair. His whole body was shaking almost uncontrollably. He found a small printed form in one of the desk drawers, laid it on the table, and started to write. “You’re under arrest, John,” he said softly. “For attempted murder and treason against the colony. Youll be held for trial, and exportation to Earth if you re convicted.” He nodded to the guards. “Take him to his quarters, and post a double guard. There’ll be a hearing in public tomorrow. And no visitors—”
John Cortells face went white with rage, and he flew at Torm, slamming his fist down on the desk top. “You don’t have proof,” he screamed. “You can’t prove a thing against me, and when you get through, see how long you last as leader of this colony! Just wait!” Cortell turned and stalked for the door, with the guards on his heels.
Torm turned to the Colonel, still vibrating with anger. “And as for you, Colonel, I think you’d better start facing facts for a change, you and your Earth people. I’m fighting a battle here to keep a real fire from starting in this colony, but I’m losing it. I can’t fight it by myself much longer.”
Colonel Benedict’s eyes were cold. “I have only one job here—to make certain that the supply of ruthenium for Earth is not jeopardized. I’m afraid I’m not much interested in your petty internal struggles for power. They don’t interest me except where they affect the supply from the mines.”
“Then you won’t co-operate with me?”
“Before I can do anything, I need to see the whole picture here in the colony,” the Colonel snapped. “So far, an attack has been made on my life and that of my son, and I’m afraid that I can’t trust you, either, Mr. Torm. Not with the record you have behind you on this colony. I’m afraid the problems here will have to be settled on Earth terms, regardless of how the colony feels.” He turned to Tuck, and took a deep breath. “Right now, I think we’d better see to getting settled in quarters.”
Torm stared at them for a long moment, and for the briefest second Tuck thought he saw a light of weary desperation in the big mans eyes. Then finally he stood up, hardly looking at the Colonel and Tuck, and silently led them toward the stairs.