"Mack Reynolds - Pacifist" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reynolds Mack)

“A hazard always faced by an underground.”


“And then,” the professor said triumphantly, “your whole organization crumbles. One betrays the next, under
police coercion.”


Casey laughed sourly. “No. That’s not it. We profit by those who have gone before. The history of
underground organizations is a long one. Professor. Each unit of five Pacifists know only those belonging to
their own unit, and one co-ordinator. The co-ordinators, in turn, know only four other co-ordinators with whom
they work, plus a section leader, who knows only four other section leaders with whom he works, and so forth
right to the top officials of the organization.”
 “I see,” the professor murmured. “So an ordinary member can at most betray four others, of course. But
when the police capture a co-ordinator?”


“Then twenty-five persons are endangered,” Casey admitted. “And occasionally it happens. But we have ten
of thousands of members, Professor, and new ones coming in daily. We grow slightly faster than they seem
able to catch us.”


The professor switched subjects. “Well, no one would accuse you of being a patriot, certainly.”


Casey contradicted him. “It’s a different type of patriotism. I don’t identify myself with this Hemisphere.”


The other’s eyebrows went up. “I see. Then you are a Polarian?”


Casey shook his head. “Nor do I identify myself with them. Our patriotism is to the human race. Professor.
This is no longer a matter of nation, religion or hemisphere. It is a matter of species survival.


We are not interested in politics, socio-economic systems or ideology, other than when they begin to lead to
armed conflict between nations.”


The professor considered him for a long silent period. Finally, he said, “Do you really think it will work?”


“How’s that?” Warren Casey said. For some reason, this earnest, fascinated, prying scientist appealed to
him. He felt relaxed during the conversation, a relaxation, he realized, that had been denied him for long
months now.


Trying to keep the world at peace by threatening, frightening, even assassinating those whom you decide
are trending toward war. Do you think it will work?”