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Industrial Revolution By: Poul William Anderson (1926-2001) |
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This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction September
1963. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S.
copyright on this publication was renewed.
[Illustration]
INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
Ever think how deadly a thing it is
if a machine has amnesia
or how easily it can be arranged....
BY WINSTON P. SANDERS
ILLUSTRATED BY LEO SUMMERS
"Well, yes," Amspaugh admitted, "it was a unique war in many ways,
including its origin. However, there are so many analogies to other
colonial revolutions " His words trailed off as usual. "I know. Earth's mercantile policies and so forth," said Lindgren. He
fancies himself a student of interplanetary history. This has led to
quite a few arguments since Amspaugh, who teaches in that field,
joined the Club. Mostly they're good. I went to the bar and got myself
another drink, listening as the mine owner's big voice went on: "But what began it? When did the asterites first start realizing they
weren't pseudopods of a dozen Terrestrial nations, but a single nation
in their own right? There's the root of the revolution. And it can be
pinned down, too." "'Ware metaphor!" cried someone at my elbow. I turned and saw Missy
Blades. She'd come quietly into the lounge and started mixing a gin
and bitters. The view window framed her white head in Orion as she moved toward the
little cluster of seated men. She took a fat cigar from her pocket,
struck it on her shoe sole, and added her special contribution to the
blue cloud in the room after she sat down. "Excuse me," she said. "I couldn't help that. Please go on." Which I
hope relieves you of any fear that she's an Unforgettable Character.
Oh, yes, she's old as Satan now; her toil and guts and conniving make
up half the biography of the Sword; she manned a gun turret at Ceres,
and was mate of the Tyrfing on some of the earliest Saturn runs when
men took their lives between their teeth because they needed both
hands free; her sons and grandsons fill the Belt with their brawling
ventures; she can drink any ordinary man to the deck; she's one of the
three women ever admitted to the Club. But she's also one of the few
genuine ladies I've known in my life. "Uh, well," Lindgren grinned at her. "I was saying, Missy, the germ of
the revolution was when the Stations armed themselves. You see, that
meant more than police powers. It implied a degree of sovereignty.
Over the years, the implication grew." "Correct." Orloff nodded his bald head. "I remember how the Governing
Commission squalled when the Station managers first demanded the
right. They foresaw trouble. But if the Stations belonging to one
country put in space weapons, what else could the others do?" "They should have stuck together and all been firm about refusing to
allow it," Amspaugh said. "From the standpoint of their own best
interests, I mean." "They tried to," Orloff replied. "I hate to think how many
communications we sent home from our own office, and the others must
have done the same. But Earth was a long way off. The Station bosses
were close. Inverse square law of political pressure." "I grant you, arming each new little settlement proved important,"
Amspaugh said. "But really, it expressed nothing more than the first
inchoate stirrings of asteroid nationalism. And the origins of that
are much more subtle and complex. For instance ... er...." "You've got to have a key event somewhere," Lindgren insisted. "I say
that this was it." A silence fell, as will happen in conversation. I came back from the
bar and settled myself beside Missy. She looked for a while into her
drink, and then out to the stars. The slow spin of our rock had now
brought the Dippers into view. Her faded eyes sought the Pole
Star but it's Earth's, not our own any more and I wondered what
memories they were sharing... Continue reading book >>
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