He eyed Sermak closely and continued in measured tones,
"When Hari Seldon established the Foundation here, it was for the ostensible purpose of producing a great Encyclopedia, and for fifty years we followed that will-of-the-wisp, before discovering what he was really after.
By that time, it was almost too late.
When communications with the central regions of the old Empire broke down, we found ourselves a world of scientists concentrated in a single city, possessing no industries, and surrounded by newly created kingdoms, hostile and largely barbarous.
We were a tiny island of nuclear power in this ocean of barbarism, and an infinitely valuable prize.
"Anacreon, then as now, the most powerful of the Four Kingdoms, demanded and later actually established a military base upon Terminus, and the then rulers of the City, the Encyclopedists, knew very well that this was only a preliminary to taking over the entire planet.
That is how matters stood when I… uh… assumed actual government.
What would you have done?"
Sermak shrugged his shoulders.
"That's an academic question. Of course, I know what you did."
"I'll repeat it, anyway.
Perhaps you don't get the point.
The temptation was great to muster what force we could and put up a fight.
It's the easiest way out, and the most satisfactory to self-respect - but, nearly invariably, the stupidest.
You would have done it; you and your talk of 'attack first.'
What I did, instead, was to visit the three other kingdoms, one by one; point out to each that to allow the secret of nuclear power to fall into the hands of Anacreon was the quickest way of cutting their own throats; and suggest gently that they do the obvious thing.
That was all.
One month after the Anacreonian force had landed on Terminus, their king received a joint ultimatum from his three neighbors.
In seven days, the last Anacreonian was off Terminus.
Now tell me, where was the need for violence?"
The young councilman regarded his cigar stub thoughtfully and tossed it into the incinerator chute.
"I fail to see the analogy.
Insulin will bring a diabetic to normal without the faintest need of a knife, but appendicitis needs an operation.
You can't help that.
When other courses have failed, what is left but, as you put it, the last refuge?
It's your fault that we're driven to it."
"I?
Oh, yes, again my policy of appeasement.
You still seem to lack grasp of the fundamental necessities of our position.
Our problem wasn't over with the departure of the Anacreonians.
They had just begun.
The Four Kingdoms were more our enemies than ever, for each wanted nuclear power-and each was kept off our throats only for fear of the other three.
We are balanced on the point of a very sharp sword, and the slightest sway in any direction - If, for instance, one kingdom becomes too strong; or if two form a coalition - You understand?"
"Certainly.
That was the time to begin all-out preparations for war."
"On the contrary.
That was the time to begin all-out prevention of war.
I played them one against the other.
I helped each in turn.
I offered them science, trade, education, scientific medicine.
I made Terminus of more value to them as a flourishing world than as a military prize.
It worked for thirty years."
"Yes, but you were forced to surround these scientific gifts with the most outrageous mummery.
You've made half religion, half balderdash out of it.
You've erected a hierarchy of priests and complicated, meaningless ritual."
Hardin frowned.
"What of that?
I don't see that it has anything to do with the argument at all.
I started that way at first because the barbarians looked upon our science as a sort of magical sorcery, and it was easiest to get them to accept it on that basis.
The priesthood built itself and if we help it along we are only following the line of least resistance.