Free Spartan Planet by A. Bertram Chandler

result in punishment ordered by the King, thought Brasidus, there will be a large measure of injustice involved. The major portion of the blame would rest with Grimes who, after all, had so obviously failed to maintain proper disciplinary standards aboard his ship.

    Cresphontes, King of All Sparta, looked long and curiously at the alien spaceman. He said at last, "They tell us that you are an Arcadian."

    "That is so, Your Majesty."

    "And you are a member of a space-faring race."

    "Yes, Your Majesty."

    "Turn around, please. Slowly."

    Margaret Lazenby obeyed, his face flushing.

    "So . . ." mused the King. "So . . ." He swiveled in his throne so that he faced the Council. "You have all seen. You have all seen that this Arcadian is smaller than a true man, is more slightly built. Do you think that he would be a match for one of our warriors, or even for a helot? A thousand of these creatures, armed, might be a menace. But . . ." He turned to address Grimes. "How many of them are there in your crew, Lieutenant Commander?"

    "A dozen, Your Majesty."

    "A mere dozen of these malformed weaklings, without arms . . . No, there can be no danger. Obviously, since they are members of Seeker 's crew, they can coexist harmoniously with men. So, we repeat, there is no danger."

    "Sire!" It was the doctor who had raised the objection. "You do not know these beings. You do not know how treacherous they can be."

    "And do you, Doctor Pausanias? And if you do know, how do you know?"

    The Councilman paled. He said, lamely, "We are experienced, sire, in judging who is to live and who is not to live among the newborn. There are signs, reliable signs. She"—he pointed an accusing finger at Margaret Lazenby—"exhibits them."

    "Indeed, Doctor Pausanias? We admit that a child emerging from the birth machine with such a deformed chest would be among those exposed, but how is that deformity an indication of character?"

    "It is written in her face, sire."

    "In her face? Have you suddenly learned a new language, Doctor?"

    "Sire, it was a slip of the tongue. His face."

    "So . . . Face us, Margaret Lazenby. Look at us." The King's right hand went up to and stroked his short beard. "We read no treachery in your countenance. There is a softness, better suited to a children's nurse than to a warrior, but there is courage, and there is honesty."

    "Sire!" Pausanius was becoming desperate. "Do not forget that sh—that he is an alien being. Do not forget that in these cases expression is meaningless. A woods boar, for example, will smile, but not from amiability. He smiles when at his most ferocious."

    "And so do men at times." The King grinned, his teeth very white in his dark, bearded face. "We become ferocious, and we smile, when councilmen presume to tell us our business." He raised his voice. "Guards! Remove this man."

    "But, sire . . ."

    "Enough."

    There was a scuffle at the back of the chamber as the doctor was hustled out by four hoplites. Brasidus noticed, with grim satisfaction, that none of the man's scarlet-robed colleagues made any move to defend him. He thought, Cresphontes knows where his real strength lies. With us, the military.

    "Lieutenant Commander Grimes!"

    "Your Majesty?"

    "We have decided that you may carry out your survey. You and your officers and men, both human and Arcadian, may leave your ship—but only as arranged with our Captain Diomedes, and only under escort. Is that quite clear?"

    "Quite clear, Your Majesty. We shall see only what we are allowed to see."

    "You have made a correct assessment of the situation. And now, as we have matters of import to discuss with our Council, you are dismissed."

    Grimes saluted and then, slowly, he and Margaret Lazenby backed from the royal presence. Brasidus accompanied them. Beyond the door to the throne room the escort fell in about them.

    As they marched out of the palace to the waiting car, Grimes asked, "Brasidus, what will happen to that doctor?