гIt has been done from the ground up,д explained Ruori, гnot as a mere copy of ancient techniques. Beginning as refugees, the Sky People created an agriculture which can send warriors by the thousands from what was once desert, yet plainly does not require peon hordes. On interrogation I have learned that they have sunpower and hydroelectric power, a synthetic chemistry of sorts, a well-developed navigation with all the mathematics which that implies, gunpowder, metallurgics, aerodynamics. . . . Oh, I daresay itвs a lopsided culture, a thin layer of learning above a largely illiterate mass. But even the mass must respect technology, or it would never have been supported to get as far as it has.
гIn short,д he sighed, wondering if he could make her understand, гthe Sky People are a scientific raceчthe only one besides ourselves which we Maurai have yet discovered. And that makes them too precious to lose.
гYou have better manners here, more humane laws, higher art, broader vision, all the traditional virtues. But you are not scientific. You use rote knowledge handed down from the ancients. Because there is no more fossil fuel, you depend on muscle power;
inevitably, then, there is a peon class, and always will be. Because the iron and copper mines are exhausted, you tear down old ruins. In your land I have seen no research on wind power, sun power, the energy reserves of the living cellчnot to mention the theoretical possibility of hydrogen fusion without a uranium primer. You irrigate the desert at a thousand times the effort it would take to farm the sea, yet have never even tried to improve your fishing techniques. You have not exploited the aluminum which is still abundant in ordinary clays, not sought to make it into strong alloys; no, your farmers use tools of wood and volcanic glass!
гOh, you are neither ignorant nor superstitious. What you lack is merely the means of gaining new knowledge. You are a fine people, the world is the sweeter for you, I love you as much as I loathe this devil before us. But ultimately, my friends, if left to yourselves, you will slide gracefully back into the Stone Age.д
A measure of strength returned. He raised his voice till it filled the hall: гThe way of the Sky People is the rough way outward, to the stars. In that respectчand it overrides all othersчthey are more akin to us Maurai than you are. We cannot let our kin die.д
He sat then, in silence, under Loklannвs smirk and DOnojuвs stare. A guardsman shifted on his feet, with a faint squeak of leather harness.
Tresa said at last, very low in the shadows: гThat is your final word, Sвflor?д
гYes,д said Ruori. He turned to her. As she leaned forward, the hood fell back a little, so that candlelight touched her. And the sight of green eyes and parted lips gave him back his victory.
He smiled. гI do not expect you will understand at once. May I discuss it with you again, often? When you have seen the Islands, as I hope you willчд
гYou foreigner!д she screamed.
Her hand cracked on his cheek. She rose and ran down the dais steps and out of the hall.
