II
Senators were already filing through the Presidium as Edmonds of SouthAfrica came out of his office with Daugherty of the Foreign Office. Theyoungest senator stopped beside the great bronze doors, studying thesituation. Then he sighed in relief. "It's all right," he toldDaugherty. "Premier Lesseur's presiding."
He hadn't been sure the premier's words were a full promise before. Andwhile he hadn't been too worried, it was good to see that the doubtfulvice-premier wouldn't be presiding.
"It better be all right," the diplomat said. "Otherwise, it's my neck.Cathay's counting on Earth to help against the Kloomirians, and ifDirector Flannery ever finds I committed us--"
Edmonds studied the seats that were filling, and nodded with moreconfidence as he saw that most of the senators on whom he counted werethere. "I've got enough votes, as I told you. And with Lesseurpresiding, the opposition won't get far with parliamentary tricksagainst me. This time, Earth's going to act."
Daugherty grunted, obviously still worried, and headed up the steps tothe reserved Visitors' Gallery, while Edmonds moved to his seat in theassembly room. Today he didn't even mind the fact that it was back inthe section reserved for the newest members--the unknowns andunimportants, from the way the press treated them. He would be neitherunknown nor unimportant, once his bill was passed, and his briefexperience would only add to the miracle he was working.
Looking back on his efforts, he found the results something of amiracle to himself. It had taken two years of vote-swapping, of carefulpropaganda, and of compromise with his principles. That business ofvoting for the combined Throm-Meloa Aid Bill had been a bitter thing;but old Harding was scared sick of antagonizing the aliens by seemingpartiality, and Edmonds' switch was the step needed to start thesoftening up.
At that, he'd been lucky. In spite of what he'd learned of themanipulation of sociological relationships, in spite of the longpreparation in advertising dynamics and affective psychology, hecouldn't have made it if Cathay hadn't been a human colony!
Now, though, Lesseur was calling the chamber to order. The senatorsquieted quickly, and there was almost complete silence as the old manpicked up the paper before him.
"The Senate will consider Resolution 1843 today," Lesseur said quietly."_A Resolution that Earth shall grant assistance to the Colony ofCathay in the event of any aggressive alien act__, proposed by SirAlfred Edmonds. Since the required time for deliberation has elapsed,the chair will admit discussion on this resolution. Senator Edmonds!"
Edmonds was on his feet, and every face turned to him. The spotlightcame down on him, blinding him to the others. He picked up themicrophone, polishing the words in his mind. The vote might already bedecided, but the papers would still print what he said now! And thosewords could mean his chance to work his way up through the Committee ofForeign Affairs and perhaps on to becoming Earth's youngest premier.
It might even mean more. Once Earth shook off her lethargy and moved toher rightful position of power and strength among the humanoid worlds,anything could happen. There was the Outer Federation being formedamong the frontier worlds and the nucleus of close relations withhundreds of planets. Some day there might be the position of premier ofa true Interstellar Congress!
* * * * *
Edmonds began quietly, listening to his voice roll smoothly from thespeakers, giving the long history of Earth and her rise to a positionas the richest and most respected of planets. He retold the story ofhow she had been the first to discover the interstellar drive, and howit had inevitably spread. He touched on the envy of the alien worlds,and the friendship of the humanoid planets that had enabled Earth tofound her dozen distant colonies. He couldn't wisely discuss hercowardice and timidity in avoiding her responsibilities to help herfriends; but there was another approach.
"In the forefront of every battle against alien aggression," hedeclaimed proudly, "have been men from Earth. Millions of our young menhave fought gloriously and died gladly to protect the human--andhumanoid--civilizations from whatever forms of life have menaced them.Djamboula led the forces of Hera against Clovis, just as CaptainO'Neill so recently directed the final battle that saved Meloa from thehordes of Throm. In our own ranks, we have a man who spent eight longand perilous years in such a gallant struggle to save a world forhumanoid decency. Senator Harding--"
From the darkened sea of faces, a voice suddenly sounded. "Will thesenator yield?" It was the deep baritone of Harding.
Edmonds frowned in irritation, but nodded. A few words of confirmationon his point from Harding couldn't hurt. "I yield to the senator fromDixie," he answered.
The spotlight shifted as Harding got slowly to his feet, making a whitehalo of his hair. He did not look at Edmonds, but turned to faceLesseur.
"Mr. Chairman," he said, "I move that Resolution 1843 be tabled!"
"Second!" The light shifted to another man, but Edmonds had no time tosee who it was as he stood staring open-mouthed at Harding.
He shouted for the chair's attention, but Lesseur brought the gaveldown sharply once, and his voice rang over the speakers. "It has beenmoved and seconded that Resolution 1843 be tabled. The senators willnow vote."
Edmonds stood frozen as the voting began. Then he dropped back hastilyto press the button that would turn the square bearing his number anegative red. He saw his light flash on, while other squares werelighting. When the voting was finished, there were three such redsquares in a nearly solid panel of green.
"The resolution is tabled," Lesseur announced needlessly.
Harding stood up and began moving towards the rear where Edmonds sat.The junior senator was too stunned for thought. Dimly he heardsomething about regrets and explanations, but the words had no meaning.He felt Harding help him to his feet and begin to guide him toward thedoor, where someone had already brought a shocked, white-facedDaugherty.
It was then he thought of Cathay, and what his ambition and Earth'sultimate deceit and cowardice would mean to the millions there.
RONDA]