Computer War

definite reform. However, in actuality, such a triumvirate will continue to reflect the desires of this, our lady, the Central Comita.”

Bauserman said, “I suggest that the name of the Comita be changed, as well as the title of every official in it, save, of course, the representative of the United Temple.” Here he nodded his head to the Temple Bishop. “The Temple, of course, remains unchanging, as it should be, down through the ages. But the Commissariat of Finance should have its name changed to something like the Ministry of the Treasury. The Commissariat of Information could become the Department of Public Knowledge.”

Fielder was nodding encouragingly. “Coaid Bauserman is obviously going to be a valuable member of the new regime. We must make as many surface changes as possible.”

Somebody called, “All right, but who’s to be on this Triumvirate?”

Fielder looked at the speaker. “Among ourselves, of course, we are Coaids and equals. The actual trio will be meaningless. I suggest we now nominate our three figureheads, our supposed chiefs of state.”

Ross grunted inwardly. Figureheads, his aching back. He already knew who was to succeed Number One, given a success of this putsch. And he strongly suspected that it had been worked out long ago.

Matheison called, “I nominate Marshal Croft-Gordon, our most noted hero. Next to the present Presidor, certainly the best known public figure in Alphaland.”

“Second,” someone called. Ross noted idly that the seconder was in uniform.

“Our chairman, Coaid Fielder,” someone else called.

The holder of the gavel held up a hand. “Now, consider well, Coaids. Remember, in actuality, our three will be but figureheads for this Comita. However, is it wise that a police official be on the group?”

“Absolutely,” Bauserman called. “The military and police must be seen to be represented. The iron fist within the silken glove.”

“Second the motion,” Franklin Wilkonson, the geopolitician, called out.

One of the Old Hands, Ross told himself bitterly. Shoulder to shoulder with Number One on the barricades.

“Jon Matheison,” someone else called out and was seconded.

Ross nodded to himself. He had called it. Croft-Gordon, Fielder and Matheison. The other two didn’t know it, but eventually that triumvirate was going to thin down to one man again. He might not call himself the Presidor, but eventually, Ross had no doubt, Mark Fielder would stand alone at the head of government. Neither of the other two had the capability to hold ultimate power.

He listened, but largely unhearing as they droned through other proposals.

Finally, Fielder brought it to the crux. “We are, then, in complete agreement. Number One has failed us. It is our duty to take over the reins of government.”

“Who’s going to bell the cat?” Ross said, evenly.

All eyes came to him, most faces frowning.

Ross said, “Who’s going to take on the job of getting through Number One’s Surety and informing him he has just been demoted from the job he’s held for almost half a century?”

Fielder pursed his lips. “That has been worked out, Coaid. Marshal Croft-Gordon, Deputy Matheison and I will request audience with the Presidor. We will inform him of the changes.”

“And what will his guard have to say about that?”

Fielder arched his eyebrows. “My dear Coaid Westley, it is I who appoints the Surety guards to protect the Presidor.”

Ross nodded. He should have known the answer. Evidently, Number One was not to survive the audience with his three top deputies.

Fielder repeated himself. “We are, then, in complete agreement?”

Ross, who had been slouched in his chair, trying to keep from contemplating the result of what he knew he was going to do, came deliberately to his feet. He looked around at the rest of them, one by one. Deep within himself he was amazed. All this was not in his basically retiring nature.

“I guess this is the vote,” he said. “This is where we take our stand.”

He looked at Wilkonson. “I understand that you, Coaid, along with my father and Number One, were one of the original revolutionary committee. One of the handful who revolted against the takeover of the Karlists. Who else is left of that group? Only Academician McGivern, I suppose, the party theoretician. I notice Coaid McGivern isn’t here.”

Fielder said coldly, “He met with an unfortunate accident, shortly after being approached, Coaid.”

Ross nodded. He looked at Marshal Croft-Gordon, who appeared to be building up a head of steam. “And the good Marshal, although not an Old Hand, also fought in the war, if party history serves me. At first as a sergeant, but under the wing of Number One he rose quickly in rank until at last he is supreme head of the military.”

Ross turned his gaze on Mark Fielder. “And our Deputy of Surety. As I recall, a nephew of one of the now deceased Old Hands who recommended him highly to Number One. And he, as a favor, saw our present chairman, and triumvir to be, promoted and promoted again.”

Fielder said ominously, “What are you getting to, Coaid?”

Ross shrugged. “Isn’t it obvious, Coaids? I am the son of Franklin Westley, another of the Old Hands. Frankly, I am a misfit in my position. However, I am not a traitor, although I find myself increasingly against our present government. My single vote is against this coup d’etat. I suggest instead that the full Central Comita be convened and that the Presidor be allowed to defend himself before it. If he cannot do so, I suggest that an immediate election be held and a new government be chosen by all elements of the population.”

An angry buzz had already started through the room.

But Fielder held up a hand.

He said, his mouth twisted in half mockery, “You will notice, Coaids, that the Commissariat of Information is represented by Assistant Deputy Bauserman, as well as by the estimable Ross Westley, who by his own confession is a misfit in his position. Coaid Bauserman was invited to this meeting in anticipation of just such an occurrence as this. Indeed, it was he who first brought to my attention, as Deputy of Surety, the fact that Coaid Westley is not quite as veracious as he might project when he tells us so nobly that he cannot act the traitor.”

“What are you driving at?” Ross growled.

“It was through Coaid Bauserman that my men first became aware of the fact that Coaid Westley had fallen under the feminine charms of a Betastani national now known to be a leader of saboteurs, ECE agents and guerrillas taking active action against our forces here in Alphacity and elsewhere. Further, our own ECE agents in New Betatown inform us that the Betastani General Staff is in possession of information that could only have originated in meetings of the Central Comita.”

Fielder’s eyes flashed out over the conference table. “This man is a traitor to Alphaland, Coaids!”

He turned dramatically and pointed to the door. “You will leave at once.” His voice went into a sneer. ” Coaid Westley.”

Ross took a deep breath, opened his mouth as though to retort, closed it again and shrugged. Without further word, he turned and marched toward the door.

Angry voices echoed after him. He ignored them.

He opened the heavy door and stepped out into the Corridor beyond. Two Surety agents fell in step beside him.

“This way,” one of them grunted.

They departed the Ministry of War by another route than the one by which he had entered.

He wondered emptily about the scene just through, still amazed at his own temerity. Had he supported Fielder and his gang, would the other have kept the secret of Tilly Trice and his connection with her? He didn’t know. Perhaps he could have found a position in the new government for himself, had he kowtowed to the other. It made no difference now. Nor did much else.

He had to smile inwardly in self-deprecation. It was only a matter or time, anyway, before Job Bauserman got his job. The Holy Ultimate knew, the man was more capable of holding it.

His two guards ushered him downstairs to a dark garage and to a Surety police semi-armored car. He was hustled into the back seat, a bully-boy on each side, and noted in mild surprise that the vehicle was chauffeur driven rather than being auto. It must have been designed to be used in rough country where coordinates couldn’t be