you have, sir. We considered it a rather large force. I think you're lying to me, gentlemen. I think you're trying to hide the fact that this war is more serious than you thought."
They protested. But even their doctored-up figures couldn't hide the truth from her.
* * *
Nab laughed. "I told them not to lie. Everyone thinks he can outwit a middle-aged woman who sleeps most of the time, but the bitch is far too clever for them. Wager you five that she fires them."
"Can she do that?"
"She can. And does. It's the only power left to her-- and these fools who think they can make their reports without following my advice always end up losing their jobs."
Dent looked puzzled. "But, Nab, when she fires them, why don't they just stay on the job and send assistants to her?"
"It was tried once, before you were born, my boy. She was able to discover in only three questions th the assistant wasn't used to giving orders like a minister; it took only three questions more to know she had been defrauded. She ordered the poor who tried to fool her brought into her chamber, and she sentenced both him and his assistant to death for treason."
"You're joking."
"To tell you how much of a joke it was, it took two hours to convince her that she ought not to shoot them herself. She kept insisting that she was going make sure it was done right."
"What happened to them?"
"They were dropped from high somec levels and sent out to administer sectors on nearby planets.'
"Couldn't even stay on Capitol?"
"She insisted."
"But then-- then she does rule!"
"Like hell she does."
* * *
The minister of colonization was next to last. He was new in his job, and frightened to death. He, at least, had believed Nab's warnings.
"Good morning," he said.
"Who are you trying to impress? One thing I hate is cheerful morning greetings. Sit down. Give me your report."
His hand was trembling when he gave her the report. She read it, quickly but thoroughly, dnd turned to him with an eyebrow raised. "Who thought of this cockamamy scheme?"
"Well--" he began.
"Well? What's well?"
"It's a continuing program."
"Continuing?"
"I thought you knew about this from prior reports."
"I do know about it. A unique way of handling war. Outcolonize the bastards. Great plan. It hasn't shown up on any reports until now, fool! Now, who thought of it!"
"I really don't know," he said miserably.
She laughed. "What a prize you are. A cabinet full of ninnies, and you are the worst. Who told you about the program?"
He looked uncomfortable. "The assistant minister of colonization, Mother."
"Name?"
"Doon. Abner Doon."
"Get out of here and tell the chancellor I want to meet this Abner Doon."
The minister of colonization got up and left.
Mother stayed in her chair, looking gloomily at the walls. Things were slipping out of her control.
She could feel it. Last waking there had bait little hints. A touch of smugness. This time they had tried to lie to her several times.
They needed shaking up. I'll shake them up, she decided. And if it's necessary, I'll stay awake two days. Or even a week. The thought was exhilarating. To stay awake for days at a time-- the prospect was exciting.
"Bring me a girl," she said. "A girl about sixteen. I need to talk to someone who will understand."
"Your cue, Hannah," Dent said. Hannah looked nervous. "Don't worry, kid. She's nota pervert or anything. She just wants to talk. Just remember, like Nab said, don't lie. Don't lie about anything."
"Hurry up. She's waiting," Nab interrupted.
The girl left the control room and passed through the hall to the door. She knocked softly.
"Come in," Mother said gently. "Come in."
The girl was lovely, her hair red and sweet and long, her manner confused and shy.
"Come here, girl. What's your name?"
"Hannah."
And they began to converse. A strange conversation, to Hannah, who knew only the gossip of the younger members of uppercrust Capitol society. The middle-aged woman kept insisting on reminiscing, and Hannah didn't know what to say. Soon, however, she realized that there was no need to say much at all. She had only to hear, and occasionally express interest.
And after a while the interest did not have to be feigned. Mother was a relic of an earlier time, a strange time when there were trees on Capitol and the planet was named Crove.
"Are you a virgin?" asked Mother.
Don't lie, Hannah remembered. "No."
"Whom did you give it up to?"
What does it matter? She doesn't know him. "An artist. His name is