environs-but we have a much better overall view than you primitives have. There's an empire building up there. We have to break it up in a hurry.'
Evidently that excellent overall view did not reveal Sos's own place in the scheme. He suspected more strongly now that it would be best if it never were known. The flamethrower undoubtedly pointed in the direction of the organizer of such an empire, while an ignorant, if literate, primitive was safe. 'How do you know?'
'You have not heard of it?' The contempt was veiled and perhaps unconscious; it had not occurred to Bob that a newcomer could knew more than he. The question had lulled any suspicions he might have had and strengthened his preconceptions. 'It's run by one Sol, and it's been expanding enormously this past year. Several of our recent arrivals have had news of it, and there's even been word from the South American unit. Very wide notoriety.'
'South America?' Sos had read about this, the continent of pre-Blast years, along with Africa and Asia, but had no evidence it still existed.
'Did you think we were the only such outfit in the world? There's one or more Helicons on every continent. We have lines connecting us to all of them, and once in a while we exchange personnel, though there is a language barrier. South America is more advanced than we are; they weren't hit so hard in the war. We have a Spanish-speaking operator, and quite a few of theirs speak English, so there's no trouble there. But that's a long ways away; when they get wind of an empire here, it's time to do something about it.'
'Why.'
'Why do you think? What would happen to the status quo if the primitives started really organizing? Producing their own food and weapons, say? There'd be no control over them at all!'
Sos decided that further questions along this line would be dangerous. 'Why me?'
'Because you're the biggest, toughest savage to descend upon us in a long time. You bounced back from your exposure on the mountain in record time. If anyone can take it, you can. We need a strong body now, and you're it.'
It occurred to Sos that it had been a long time since this man had practiced diplomacy, if ever. 'It for what?'
'It to return to life. To take over that empire.'
If Bob had intended to shock him, he had succeeded. To return to life! To go back. . . 'I'm not your man. I have sworn never to bear a weapon again.' That was not precisely true, but if they expected him to face Sol again, it certainly applied. He had agreed never to bring a weapon against Sol again-and regardless of other circumstances, he meant to abide by the terms of their last encounter. It was a matter of honor, in life or death.
'You take such an oath seriously?' But Bob's sneer faded as he looked at Sos. 'Well, what if we train you to fight without weapons?'
'Without a weapon-in the circle?'
'With the bare hands. The way your little girl does. That doesn't violate any of your precious vows, does it? Why are you so reluctant? Don't you realize what this means to you? You will have an empire!'
Sos was infuriated by the tone and implications, but realized that he could not protest further without betraying himself. This was big; the moment Bob caught on- 'What if I refuse? I came to the mountain to die.' 'I think you know that there is no refusal here. But if personal pressure or pain doesn't faze you, as I hope it doesn't, there may be things that will. This won't mean much to you right now, but if you think about it for a while you'll come around, I suspect.' And Bob told him some things that vindicated Sos's original impression of him utterly.
Not for the reason the underground master thought- but Sos was committed.
'To life?' Sosa demanded incredulously, when he told her later. 'But no one ever goes back!'
'I will be the first-but I will do it anonymously.'
'But if you want to return, why did you come to the mountain? I mean-'
'I don't want to return. I have to.'
'But-' She was at a loss for words for a moment. 'Did Bob threaten you? You shouldn't let him-'
'It was not a chance I could afford to take.'
