Page 41 - The Perpetrations of Captain Kaga

Resolving the Mechanalog Ambiguity

after the strain of travel and the new environment. He wondered if
he too would need sedatives after a few years in the service. But he
had work to do; he roused himself and put on his gear for going out
in the field.
He let himself out of the base quietly and went quickly to King
Flobonda’s residence. As before, he saw no Mechanalogs out in the
open; he supposed they spent most of their time indoors, at least in
the king’s neighborhood. He pushed the button by the door and
waited, uncertain of his reception.
“Who’s there?” came the king’s voice.
“It’s Captain Kaga, Your Majesty. I’m alone. I’d like to talk with
you. It’s very urgent.”
The door slid open and he hurried in. Flobonda was in the same
position as before, flanked by his three ministers. Kaga stopped in
front of the group and sat down.
“Your Majesty,” he began breathlessly, “I am not here on an
official visit. In fact, I am disobeying orders by coming here: Colonel
Krif left me in charge while he went to sleep. But I had to come and
warn you. We must find a way to save your race.”
The king and his ministers looked at him intently. Loppa, the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke first.
“Captain, you must explain to us what is going on. The leader of
the first group to land here told us that the goal of the PKU was to
promote peace in the cosmos by means of trade and a minimum of
disruptive contact between the planets. Now we are being asked to
agree to a suicidal trade agreement. This does not make sense.”
“Yes, indeed,” said the King. “I didn’t know I’d have to create a
Ministry of Defense, as well!”
“Your Majesty,” said Kaga earnestly, “you are in very grave danger.
What the first group did not tell you was that Colonel Krif would
have the power to decide whether or not you are intelligent life-
forms. He has decided that you are not; that enables the PKU to take
whatever it wants from this planet without your consent. If you try to
interfere with the bintillium exploitation, you will be destroyed. I
assure you that the PKU has, and will use, weapons powerful enough
to eliminate you all; you have no defense.”
“What?” said the king. “Not intelligent life-forms? Utterly
preposterous! I am King Flobonda of Mazinoza: I just happen to be
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