t back the full view of the Convocation Chamber.

Nikkolon went on and on. Vann Shatrak summoned a robot to furnish him
with a cold beer and another cigar. Erskyll was drumming an impatient
devil's tattoo with his fingernails on the gold-encrusted table in front
of him. Lanze Degbrend began interpolating sarcastic comments. And
finally, Pyairr Ravney, who came from Lugaluru, reverted to the idiom of
his planet's favorite sport:

"Come on, come on; turn out the bull! What's the matter, is the gate
stuck?"

If so, it came quickly unstuck, and the bull emerged, pawing and
snorting.

"This year, other conquerors have come to Aditya, here to plant another
banner, the Sun and Cogwheel of the Galactic Empire, and I blush to say
it, we are as helpless against these conquerors as were the miserable
barbarians and their wretched serfs whom our fathers conquered seven
hundred and sixty-two years ago, whose descendants, until this black
day, had been our slaves."

He continued, his voice growing more impassioned and more belligerent.
Count Erskyll fidgeted. This wasn't the way the Chmidd-Hozhet
Constitution ought to be introduced.

"So, perforce, we accepted the sovereignty of this alien Empire. We are
now the subjects of his Imperial Majesty, Rodrik III. We must govern
Aditya subject to the Imperial Constitution." (Groans, boos; catcalls,
if the Adityan equivalent of cats made noises like that.) "At one
stroke, this Constitution has abolished our peculiar institution, upon
which is based our entire social structure. This I know. But this same
Imperial Constitution is a collapsium-strong shielding; let me call your
attention to Article One, Section Two: _Every Empire planet shall be
self-governed as to its own affairs, in the manner of its own choice and
without interference._ Mark this well, for it is our guarantee that this
government, of the Masters, by the Masters, and for the Masters, shall
not perish from Aditya." (Prolonged cheering.)

"Now, these arrogant conquerors have overstepped their own supreme law.
They have written for this Mastership a constitution, designed for the
sole purpose of accomplishing the liquidation of the Masterly class and
race. They have endeavored to force this planetary constitution upon us
by threats of force, and by a shameful attempt to pervert the fidelity
of our chief-slaves--I will not insult these loyal servitors with this
disgusting new name, freedmen--so that we might, a second tim