Page 135 - The Perpetrations of Captain Kaga
P. 135
Reforming the World of Bolix
force holding the Innerites down is centrifugal, the result of rotation.
That force is strongest at the equator, where the spin is at maximum
velocity, and weakens quickly toward the poles. Unless the Innerites
can function in low gravity, they will keep within a belt extending
roughly thirty degrees in either direction from the equator. Your
instruments bear this out: I can see no presence of Innerites beyond
those latitudinal lines.”
Lugo took back the photograph and examined it himself. “Yes,” he
admitted. “That’s true. I hadn’t really noticed it before. The kipitite is
spread out all over the map, but the Innerites aren’t anywhere near the
polar regions.”
“One more point I need clarified,” said Kaga. “It seemed that the
only time the Innerites expressed any interest in what we have to offer
was when you shot off a signal flare.”
“Right. They are perpetually in a state of minimal illumination—like
that of starlight on a moonless night on Earth. The consensus of
opinion among the Innerite leaders was that they could fight more
effectively with better light. Anything we could provide in the way of
increased illumination would be enough to get the rights to the
kipitite. I suppose flares are overdoing it a bit; I’m sure their eyes
would tolerate something a little less blinding.”
Captain Kaga seemed satisfied. He bent over the drawing he had
made and added two parallel lines to it. Lugo wondered what he was
up to; this was no time to be doodling! Kaga took a calculator and
performed some rapid computations. He still seemed satisfied. Finally
he spoke.
“The only way to get kipitite and keep both sides happy is to
truncate Bolix.”
“What?” yelled Lugo, taken by surprise.
“You heard me. Do your mining at the poles, not the equator. Dig
out the ends of this planet; it’s feasible, and it won’t affect the orbit or
spin. You can eliminate everything beyond sixty-five degrees north
and south latitudes. Take the kipitite and drive the rest of the mass
into space.”
“But, but—” spluttered Lugo, “—the Innerites! They’ll be turned
loose! And the Surfoids won’t give up their cosmetics!”
“No problem,” said Kaga calmly. “Neither group will be anywhere
near the mining operations. It’s too cold for the Surfoids, and the
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