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Which did nothing to clear the air。 〃As I recall；〃 I recalled。 〃It was the gentlemen…at some physical cost I must add…who polished off that russet rottweiler before you all came onto the scene。 I also remember that we were watched all the time during the life…and…death struggle by one of your lot who did nothing to help。〃
The tough answer sprang to her lips and I snarled around at the female pany。 Tempers flared on all sides but Mata cooled things down。
〃Children…there has been enough tribulation and pain； so do not cause yourself any more。〃 She turned to me。 〃Jim； let me explain。 The soldier who aided your escape； Bethuel； is one of our spies who keeps us informed about all the masculine meanderings beyond the wall。 I ordered her to help you escape your guards； which she did。 I also ordered her not to reveal her presence to Iron John。 The men beyond the wall have no idea that we watch them closely and I wish it to remain that way。 She aided your escape and you should be grateful。〃
I was； and I should have admitted it； but I was still bullheaded and angry and settled for a surly mutter and growl。 Mata nodded blithely as though I had municated something of importance。
〃See how well everything has worked out？ You are here and safe； your friends safe as well； and that for which you seek； the strange artifact； is secure and close by。〃
I only half listened。 Fine for the troops。 But there were other forces at work that did not bode well for my future。 Accidents in transit did not happen by accident。 Someone in the bureaucracy that was manipulating me…did not like me。 Perhaps had never liked me and never had any intention of supplying the antidote。 I would certainly be less trouble to them if I were safely dead。 And there were only nine days left to sort the whole thing out。
I had touched my puter controls automatically while these thoughts were whizzing about my tired brain。 The number glowed before me。 I really had had a longer sleep than I realized。
Eight days to go。
CHAPTER 20
I looked around at the peaceful female bustle…and suddenly felt very； very tired。 My side hurt and I felt sure that a couple of ribs were broken。 I sipped the wine but it didn't help。 What I really needed was a couple of Blast…off pills to restore me to something resembling life。 In my pack
〃My pack！〃 I shouted hoarsely。 〃My equipment； everything。 Those masculine momsers have all our gear！〃
〃Not quite；〃 Mata said in soothing tones。 〃As soon as you left we saw to it that the porter； Veldi； was rendered unconscious and both your packs are here now。 Your associate Steengo's equipment was not in your residence so we can assume that it is now in the possession of Iron John or his associates。〃
〃Not good。〃 I worried a fingernail with my incisors。 〃There are things there they shouldn't see 。 。 。〃
〃Might I interrupt；〃 Tremearne's voice spoke through my jaw…a…phone。 〃I was waiting until things quieted down to tell you。 Steengo's pack as safe。〃
〃You have it？〃
〃Rather I should have said ‘made safe。' All of your packs are boobytrapped with a canister of rotgrot。 Which； when released by a coded radio signal； causes the contents of the pack to instantly decay to their ponent molecules。〃
〃Nice to known。 A lot of secrets are being revealed of late； aren't they？〃
There was no response from my jaw。 I held out my wine glass for a refill。 〃Some simple answers ； to some simple questions； if you please。〃 My anger had been blasted by fatigue； excoriated by fear of imminent death。 Mata nodded in response。
〃Good。 On a historical note…how e guys over there； girls here？〃
〃A union of convenience；〃 Mata said。 〃Many years ago our foremothers were forcefully relocated to this planet。 This inadvertent transplantation had a sobering effect on them。 Whatever excesses of zeal they had displayed on other worlds were not repeated here。 Peace； cool…reasoning and logic prevailed。 We became then as you see us now。〃
〃Women；〃 I said。 〃A society of women。〃
〃That is correct。 Life here was a running battle for a good long time； or so it is written。 The Fundamentaloids tried to convert us； while our next door neighbors tried to wipe us out。 The inferior sex they called us； a threat to their existence。 When we first came to this planet we found that those macho crazies were already well established。 Our group was forced to spend a good deal of effort just staying clear of them。 This was time and energy wasted； our founding mothers decided； so they sought for ways to bring about peace。 Eventually they convinced the male ruling clique that they could prosper by utilizing their energy in a more positive manner。 It was a pletely selfish appeal； arranging ways for the males on top in their society to stay on top； while providing absolute control of the rest of the men。〃
〃Sounds pretty terrible；〃 Madonette said。 〃Turning all those men into slaves。〃
〃Never say slaves！ Willing collaborators is more like it。 We showed those in charge； and in particular the one now called Iron John； how much easier it would be to rule by brain rather than muscle。 We demonstrated to their satisfaction how a great deal more could be acplished。 With our intelligence and knowledge of science； and their muscles； two separate societies were born。 In the beginning there was much hatred and clashes between the groups。 This died away when it was decided that only the male leaders knew of our existence。 This suited the leaders to perfection。〃
〃That was when the two cities were built…and the wall？〃
〃Correct。 This planet is rich in red clay and fossil fuel so the males soon became manic brick makers。 After we showed them how to build kilns； of course。 There were contests to see who could mold the most bricks； or fire the greatest number； or carry the most。 The champion was named brickie of the month and achieved great renown。 This went on until you couldn't see the trees for the mountains of bricks。 We quickly researched brick laying in our data bases and put the men to work on that。〃
She sipped her wine delicately and waved her hand in a circle。 〃Here are the results…and quite attractive they are too。 While our physical scientists were sorting the males out this way； our cultural engineers were looking at the sloppy mucho … macho theories that had been keeping them going up to this point。 The Iron Hans myth was only a part of their pantheon。 We simplified and altered it。 Then used genetic biology to modify the physical structure of their leader； so he is as you see him now。 At first he was grateful； although gratitude has long since vanished。〃
〃How long？〃
〃Hundreds of years。 Cellular longevity was part of the treatment。〃
I was beginning to catch on。 〃And I'll bet that you remember this firsthand…since you and the other lady leaders have had the same treatments？〃
She nodded； pleased。 〃Very adroit； James。 Yes； the authorities on both sides of the wall have had the treatments。 This makes for continuity of leadership…〃
〃And the need for secrecy of each other's existence that keeps the powerful in power？〃
Mata shook her head in wonder。 〃You are indeed most perspicacious。 How I wish you were in charge next door rather than that hairy halfwit。〃
〃Tha