Farrell - The Ethical Way

The Ethical Way

Joseph Farrell

Transcriber's Note:

This etext was produced from Galaxy ScienceFiction March 1958. Extensive research did not uncover any evidencethat the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

"I s it time?"Jarth Rolan asked anxiously. Pilot Lan Barda pushed him gently backinto a seat. "No, but very soon. And be calmyou're jumpier than ahuman."

"But we've waited so longyes, a long time. AndI am anxious to get home."

Lan peered calmly out of his vehicle. They were hovering inEarth's upper atmosphere, at the permitted limit.

"Be patient. These people have almost reached the criticalpoint. We'll get the signal before long."

Jarth Rolan popped out of his chair and danced about in nervousexcitement.

"Won't it be dangerous? For us, I mean. Going down into thatradioactive atmosphere. And how about themwill any of them live?Suppose we wait too long?"

Lan Barda laughed. He was a husky humanoid, pinkish of skin andcompletely hairless, like all galactics. He slapped Jarth Rolan'sback.

"We have experts watching. These humans have used four cobaltbombs, and plenty of smaller stuff. The fallout is close to thedanger point. Our observers will know just when we can move inbecause" he winked and his voice dropped to a conspiratorialwhisper"they're using automatically controlled instruments."

"Oh, my!" Jarth Rolan clapped his hands to his cheeks. "Butthose are robotsand the use of robots is against religion."

"I know, Jarth. But we won't be using them much longer, willwe?" He poked a playful finger into Jarth's ribs. "We'll haveslavesand it'll be completely ethical."

Jarth Rolan winced. "Must you use that word 'slaves,' Lan? Itsounds so" He waved his hands.

Lan laughed again. "Be honest with yourself, Jarth. You're outto make a few dopolins for yourself as a slaveraider."

"An entrepreneur," said Jarth. "In personal services."

Lan Barda became serious. "There's the signalit's time to godown. Let's go, Jarth, before somebody else gets them all."

"Hurry, Jarth. We've been on this planet long enough. That fifthcobalt bomb is sending the index up fast. Can't you skip these lastfew?"

"Oh, no. Very unethical to leave these three here to die. Musttake a small chance, you know. Besides, see the sign on thattaxijust married. A fine young couple. And a fine young taxidriver. Couldn't sleep if I didn't help these three."

"Couldn't sleep thinking of the profit you'd passed up. Here,let me take that one. We have to get out of here fast."

Jarth Rolan fluttered anxiously about the pilot until they weresafely above the poisoned atmosphere.

"How many?" he asked. "Did we fill the ship?"

Lan Barda checked off items on his clipboard. "A thousand andthree, with these last ones. You'll make a good profit."

"Not so much the profit. Oh, no. More than that involved. Ethicsand religion, Lan. Yes. With all these slaservants, our peoplewill never have to use robots. They'll be relieved of routine laborand can devote their lives to art and science. And it's allethicaloh, yes, for these people were doomed."

"Want to know something, Jarth?" Lan Barda bent closer andwhispered wickedly. "This ship has automatic controls. Has to. Noliving being has fast enough reactions to handle an interstellarship. All robot driven, at least in part."

"Robots! May we be forgiven!" Jarth stared suspiciously at LanBarda. "Sometimes, Lan, I think you are an agnostic."

The pilot became more serious. "Maybe, Jarth. In our work, wemust use robots. We joke about it, but it goes against all galacticbelief to let a machine think for us. Maybe that's why we pilotsare so cynical."

"A galactic is always ethical," said Jarth Rolan solemnly. "Thisaffair, for example. We let these poor creatures of Earth handletheir own affairs with no interference until they doomedthemselves. It was unethical to intervene a minute sooner. Yestheethical way and I feel better for it and proud to be agalactic."

"That's true," said Lan Barda. "A galactic wouldn't feel right,being a member of the dominant race of the Galaxy, if he didn'thelp the less fortunate."

"An excellent investment, Shallayes. And the highest groupcouncil wants us to lease them out by the day for the presentinstead of selling outright."

She nodded. "That's the fair way. Everybody can have a turnhaving a slave."

"And," said Jarth, rubbing his pink hands, "we'll collect everyday and still hold title."

"Will they multiply fast," asked Shalla, "so there will beenough for all?"

"They always did on Earth. Yes. By the time we pass our estateon to our son, this investment will have multiplied in value."

At the center, the slaves clustered about the bulletin boards toread the slave code. The three who had been brought aboard laststood together. Laurent Crotier and his wife Jean were still intheir wedding clothes, and Sam the taxi driver was in uniform. Theyread the seven articles of the slave code.

"We have to work twelve hours a day," Laurent observed. "Andhave off every seventh day. This could be worse."

"We'll keep our eyes open and wait for our chance," Sam pipedup. "Some day we'll make a break out of here."

"Yeah," said Jean. "And remember, Frenchy, no kids."

Nine months later, Laurent, Jr., was born. Before the blessedevent, Laurent went to Jarth Rolan with a complaint.

"She can't do it, work twelve hours a day now. You have tochange the rules. By gar, if my wife die 'count of this, I goin'kill you, Jarth Rolan."

Jarth Rolan waltzed about nervously, biting his fingernails.

"No, we do not want her to have trouble. No. She will needproper rest. There is a meeting of the highest group council rightnow, concerning this. Others have the same problem. But yes, I willrelieve her of work without waiting for the council's decision.Tell your wife to stay home, Laurent, until the baby is born."

Laurent pushed his luck. "And after that, too. A kid got to havea mother. I do the work for three, you let my wife take care of thefamily."

"Oh, this is a problem!" Jarth Rolan rubbedhis fingers unhappily over his bald scalp. "Some of the otherfemales are in the same condition. But it is like planting acropone labors hard at the beginning to reap a great harvestlater. We will work this out."

The next day, fifteen articles amending the code arrived andwere posted. Laurent read happily.

"Now," he said to Jean, "it is the law. You will stay home andhave the baby."

"'And for such further period'," she read, "'as is considerednecessary.' You sure told him off, Frenchy."

She squeezed his arm affectionately and his chest went out alittle.

"And remember," she said, "this is the last one."