Operation Haystack Read online

andswallowed many governments. The only way you can stay in power is bygiving _good_ government. Otherwise--sooner on later--your turn comes. Ican remember my mother making that point. It's one of the things thatstuck with me." He frowned. "My objection to politics is the compromisesyou have to make to get elected!"

  Stetson moved out from the wall. "It's pretty clear," he said. Headsturned toward him. "To stay in power, the Nathians had to give us afairly good government. On the other hand, if we expose them, we give abunch of political amateurs--every fanatic and power-hungry demagogue inthe galaxy--just the weapon they need to sweep them into office."

  "After that: chaos," said Orne. "So we let the Nathians continue ...with two minor alterations."

  "We alter nothing," said Polly. "It occurs to me, Lewis, that you don'thave a leg to stand on. You have me, but you'll get nothing out of me.The rest of the organization can go on without me. You don't dare exposeus. We hold the whip hand!"

  * * * * *

  "The I-A could have ninety per cent of your organization in custodyinside of ten days," said Orne.

  "You couldn't find them!" snapped Polly.

  "How?" asked Stetson.

  "Nomads," said Orne. "This house is a glorified tent. Men on theoutside, women on the inside. Look for inner courtyard construction.It's instinctive with Nathian blood. Add to that, an inclination for oddmusical instruments--the kaithra, the tambour, the oboe--all nomadinstruments. Add to that, female dominance of the family--an odd twiston the nomad heritage, but not completely unique. Check for predominanceof female offspring. Dig into political background. We'll miss damnfew!"

  Polly just stared at him, mouth open.

  Spencer said: "Things are moving too fast for me. I know just one thing:I'm dedicated to preventing another Rim War. If I have to jail everylast one of--"

  "An hour after this conspiracy became known, you wouldn't be in aposition to jail anyone," said Orne. "The husband of a Nathian! You'd bein jail yourself or more likely dead at the hands of a mob!"

  Spencer paled.

  "What's your suggestion for compromise?" asked Polly.

  "Number one: the I-A gets veto power on any candidate you put up," saidOrne. "Number two: you can never hold more than two thirds of the topoffices."

  "Who in the I-A vetoes our candidates?" asked Polly.

  "Admiral Spencer, Stet, myself ... anyone else we deem trustworthy,"said Orne.

  "You think you're a god or something?" demanded Polly.

  "No more than you do," said Orne. "This is what's known as a check andbalance system. You cut the pie. We get first choice on which pieces totake."

  There was a protracted silence; then Spencer said: "It doesn't seemright just to--"

  "No political compromise is ever totally right," said Polly. "You keeppatching up things that always have flaws in them. That's how governmentis." She chuckled, looked up at Orne. "All right, Lewis. We accept." Sheglanced at Spencer, who shrugged, nodded glumly. Polly looked back atOrne. "Just answer me one question: How'd you know I was boss lady?"

  "Easy," said Orne. "The records we found said the ... Nathian (he'dalmost said 'traitor') family on Marak was coded as _'The Head.'_ Yourname, Polly, contains the ancient word _'Poll'_ which means _head_."

  Polly looked at Stetson. "Is he always that sharp?"

  "Every time," said Stetson.

  "If you want to go into politics, Lewis," said Polly, "I'd be delightedto--"

  "I'm already in politics as far as I want to be," growled Orne. "What Ireally want is to settle down with Di, catch up on some of the livingI've missed."

  Diana stiffened. "I never want to see, hear _from_ or hear _of_ Mr.Lewis Orne ever again!" she said. "That is final, emphatically final!"

  Orne's shoulders drooped. He turned away, stumbled, and abruptlycollapsed full length on the thick carpets. There was a collective gaspbehind him.

  Stetson barked: "Call a doctor! They warned me at the hospital he wasstill hanging on a thin thread!"

  There was the sound of Polly's heavy footsteps running toward the hall.

  "Lew!" It was Diana's voice. She dropped to her knees beside him, softhands fumbling at his neck, his head.

  "Turn him over and loosen his collar!" snapped Spencer. "Give him air!"

  Gently, they turned Orne onto his back. He looked pale, Diana loosed hiscollar, buried her face against his neck. "Oh, Lew, I'm sorry," shesobbed. "I didn't mean it! Please, Lew ... please don't die! Please!"

  Orne opened his eyes, looked up at Spencer and Stetson. There was thesound of Polly's voice talking rapidly on the phone in the hall. Hecould feel Diana's cheek warm against his neck, the dampness of hertears. Slowly, deliberately, Orne winked at the two men.

  THE END