"Colin Kapp - The Survival Game" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kapp Colin)

"He's telling you, in his devious Terran way," interjected Oontara, "that
there's absolutely no route by which he could have lost. It's the new logic,
Xzan. You don't see it coming. Before you can find out what's happening,
you're presented with an accomplished fact. That's how I know
federation's inevitable."

"I'm glad you mentioned that," said Rounding. "It explains the purpose
of our visit. Knowing my Lord Xzan was visiting, we came to make a
preliminary approach regarding the advantages of membership in the
Galactic Federation."

"My answer's plain," said Xzan. "You appear to have softened Oontara's
skull, but you'll find me a tougher proposition. Small though my star
holdings are, I still control twelve times the number of planets in your
entire Federation. You're the flea that clings to the hairs of my ferocious
animal. Don't bite too deeply, else my claws'll scratch you out."

"Well spoken!" said Rounding with warm approval. "But you've missed
the point. A colonized planet subject to star rule has a support potential of
less than one ten-thousandth of that of a self-determined, federated
planet. A star colony has no incentive for self-development, since this only
invites further tithes and plunder. When you consider how Terra, unaided
and alone, came to join you lords and kings among the stars, you'll see
how much can be achieved by the right philosophy."

"And what about the divine right of being stronger? This built star
empires beyond your wildest dreams."

"I don't dream of empires, Lord Xzan. I have enough trouble just
running my own department. Come, Bogey, we've taken up too much of
the Lords' time. But I hope we've left Lord Xzan something to think
about."

CHAPTER TWO
The Field of Perfection on Meon was a broad tract of rare, lush grasses
maintained in such flawless condition that the name could never be
doubted. Heading the slope, the unpenetrable purple mountains stretched,
so the legend had it, continuously up to support the arched back of the
sky. Flanking the field, the walls and block towers of the twin fortress
towns Andor and Ute formed a natural continuation of the mountain
barrier and drew together at the foot of the slope where stood the great
palace of Kam Kanizar, the King of Kings, the greatest star monarch of
them all.

The children playing in the field were aware of the great tensions which
beset their home world. Arma, nine Earth years old, rocked her playthings
in a little cradle, and sang them an ancient hymn, as her mother might do
to ease the stress. Zim was a few years older. He had a long-knife and a
gimbal bow, and stalked imaginary goblins and won imaginary battles
against overwhelming odds. One day he would follow his father, the