Asimov's Future History Volume 2

by Isaac Asimov

  “The forest always has dangers — an angry wild boar, a mother bear protecting her cubs in the spring … in winter, a hungry wolf.” He shrugged. “Even a challenge from another warrior, maybe over a woman.”

  “Uh — yeah. Well, I meant …” He trailed off, not sure what to say.

  “You are wondering what omens Hunter saw?”

  “I wish I knew, yeah.” Steve grinned. “But that’s not what I meant. We know the Roman legions are marching near here. I was wondering if trouble is on the way with them.”

  “The Romans brought trouble with them a generation ago,” said Vicinius casually, looking away from Steve at nothing in particular.

  “I guess you know they came to Gaul long before that.”

  “So I have heard.”

  “But the Gauls are used to the Romans now. Many even like the peace and prosperity they have brought.”

  “The Gauls are … not strong enough. With respect to your masters, of course. Hunter is a fine man.”

  Steve suppressed a grin. “He’s quite a … specimen, all right. But I have the feeling that the Cherusci tribe are not as tame as the Gauls, where Romans are concerned. What do you say?”

  “Yes! Yes, we Cherusci are becoming impatient. I will grant you that.” Vicinius turned to look directly at Steve. “You are not a Gaul, but your masters are. They are my friends, but perhaps they are too fond of Romans for my own taste.”

  “Trouble is starting, isn’t it?” Steve knew it was, of course, but in order to discuss the subject with Vicinius, he had to induce Vicinius to acknowledge the fact.

  “Prince Arminius has been visiting each village for the past week or two,” said Vicinius. “He has been our leader in dealing with the Romans.”

  “And?”

  “He is rousing all the Cherusci villages. The men of my village will be moving soon. I will join them.” His voice lowered. “I am telling you this as a friend. Maybe you can keep your masters away from trouble when it starts.”

  “I appreciate your trusting me.”

  Vicinius stood up. “I believe I can judge whether to trust a man or not. Let’s go.”

  “Good idea.” Steve got up and followed him through the forest.

  16

  WHEN WAYNE FINALLY saw Ishihara walk around a large tree to meet him, he felt that he had found his only friend in the world. In this time period, in fact, that was true. He grinned with relief, but stifled an impulse to slap the robot on the back.

  “I’m glad to see you,” said Wayne.

  “You are well?”

  “Yeah, I’m okay.”

  “Good. What are your instructions now?”

  “Well, you know who got MC 3 from you. Where is he now?” Wayne sat down against the base of a tree. “I’m worn out from walking all day.”

  “He is with a party of native Cherusci warriors led by a young man named Julius. They come from the village of Prince Arminius, the leader of the Cherusci.”

  Wayne tensed. “Yeah, I know that village. They didn’t like me much.”

  “What do you suggest?”

  “Hunter’s team is still trying to reunite. I want to find MC 3 and take him home while Hunter is distracted.”

  “I agree. However, the only way to find him is to return to the outskirts of their village and wait for them to go home for the night.”

  “Why? Can’t we find them out in the forest some. where, instead?”

  “It is too late in the day now to locate them,” said Ishihara. “Besides, I have no idea of where they would be, except by tracking them. But we can rely on their need to return home by sundown.”

  “I know roughly where they were not too long ago,” Wayne said quickly. “Maybe we can intercept them. I don’t want to go anywhere near that village again.”

  Wayne tapped Steve’s lapel pin. “I can monitor the radio communication between members of Hunter’s team. A bunch of Germans attacked a Roman patrol while MC 3 was with them. They were over that way.” He pointed. “From the strength of the signal, I don’t think they were too far.”

  “Excellent,” said Ishihara. “After a bout of combat, they will probably have returned early to tend their wounded or dead. They may be there already. I suggest we move in the direction of the village of Julius and Prince Arminius, despite your concern. I shall remain with you, or very close, to protect you under the First Law.”

  “Well … I guess if that’s where MC 3 is, I don’t have much choice. But I don’t want to be captured by those German warriors again.”

  “I understand,” said Ishihara. “I shall arrange a small fire and a lean-to for your comfort tonight, at a safe distance from the village. When you are comfortable, I shall attempt to observe MC 3 in the village this evening. I shall look for another opportunity to take custody of him, but I shall consult with you before taking any action.”

  “I still have some dried packaged food, but I’ll need water.”

  “In this constant drizzle, I can provide enough water with no problem.”

  “Okay.” Wayne got up wearily. “I can hardly wait to walk some more. You know the way?”

  “I do.”

  Wayne gestured for him to lead.

  The German warriors had fled from Marcus’s patrol as suddenly as they had attacked. He understood; they were merely letting their presence be known, to intimidate him a little. The lightly armed Germans had done no significant harm to the well-armored, mounted Romans.

  However, more certain than ever that a real rebellion was on the way, Marcus had led his patrol away from the site at a canter until the dense forest forced him to slow down. Before long, however, he located the section of muddy road that thousands of Roman legionaries had churned to slop on their march. Moving as quickly as the horses could handle the mud, he caught up to the Roman army again. They were just breaking formation, ready to begin making camp for the night.

  The Roman army was still strung out along the road. The baggage wagons brought up the rear and drivers struggled to turn the teams of horses and move them off the road. In front of the baggage train, the infantry units marched away from the road to begin building the camp. The cavalry units had already moved into the trees.

  The three of them rode slowly through the crowd of legionaries and baggage wagons to the front. There, Marcus found the tent of Governor Varus being raised in what would become the center of the camp. They were surrounded by legionaries shouting, giving orders, and hustling in different directions. Marcus leaped off his horse, looking around for the governor.

  “Good day, Tribune,” Governor Varus called, moving away from a crowd of officers. “You look rather excited, Marcus. Have any luck today?”

  “I had a decury of cavalry with me,” Marcus said quickly. “Governor, we were attacked by a small party of Cherusci. I wanted to report right away.”

  “Yes?”

  “Well … we were attacked, not too far from the river. Not far from here, really.”

  “How far from here?”

  “An hour’s ride.”

  “By a small party?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “How many did we lose?”

  “None, sir.”

  “None? How many of them did you get?”

  “I believe we wounded most of them, but they got away.”

  “You lost none and killed none?”

  “I believe that is correct, sir.”

  “Marcus, was this a fight or a folk dance?” Governor Varus smirked.

  “Sir!” Marcus stiffened. “This was an attack by poorly armed Germans on a trained cavalry patrol, but it was a serious skirmish.”

  “Oh, Marcus, come on. How serious could it have been — a battle without one single unfortunate left dead on the ground from either side?”

  “Their intent was to test our strength and our resolve,” said Marcus. “They were serious about that.”

  “These minor tussles, Marcus, are merely the burden of the conqueror. They can be handled.” Varus looked u
p at the sky. “This is the first excuse for a dry day we have had in some time, if you ignore a little drizzle. I want to take a quick walk among the troops to boost their morale, before that infernal rain starts again.”

  “But, sir, I really believe this skirmish is important.” Marcus walked alongside the governor as he began to walk. “It means more than it seems.”

  “Marcus, I suggest you use this as a learning experience. For instance, what do you believe should be done?”

  “I think we should send out a series of patrols right now and also at dawn, to find out if larger bodies of Germans have gathered elsewhere in these mountains.”

  Governor Varus laughed lightly, shaking his head. “Well, you are dedicated, Marcus; no one has ever doubted that. But I don’t want to wear out a bunch of cavalry patrols on a wild-goose chase, not after those poor animals slogged through knee-deep mud in the road all day.”

  “But, sir —”

  “I’ll tell you what, Marcus,” said the governor. “if you wish, take out a larger patrol and burn a German village in retaliation for their attack on your patrol.”

  “That won’t bring the kind of large-scale information I was talking about, sir.”

  “That’s not an order, Tribune. It is merely an option you may wish to exercise. Make your own decision.”

  “But, Governor —”

  “Excuse me, Tribune. I believe I will mingle with the troops alone. See to your guests, eh?”

  “Yes, sir.” Marcus stopped, his fists clenched in frustration as Governor Varus walked away.

  Jane remained mounted, at first, when Marcus cantered up to Governor Varus. When the grooms came forward to take their horses, she dismounted and stood with Gene, a polite distance away. When Governor Varus and Marcus began walking away, she and Gene remained where they were.

  “How much could you overhear?” Gene asked.

  “Only a little. But it sounds like Varus is so close-minded that we don’t have much to worry about.”

  “Keep your voice down about that stuff,” said Gene, glancing nervously at some legionaries marching past them. “We can’t afford to sound like security risks.”

  “Sorry. Look, Marcus is coming back.”

  Marcus’s face was taut as he strode toward them. He was as courteous as usual, however. “The governor’s tent is up. Let’s go sit down.”

  Jane and Gene followed him into the tent, where Demetrius had already set up the furniture. He was just lighting the oil lamps to provide some light and heat. Marcus gestured for Jane and Gene to sit and collapsed into a chair himself.

  “Wine, Demetrius,” said Marcus roughly.

  “Yes, sir. Would you like that heated, sir?”

  “Yes, yes, of course.” Marcus sighed, then slammed his fist down on the table angrily.

  Jane sat down, loosening her cloak around her, and glanced at Gene, who was warming his hands over the fire.

  “He has no idea,” Marcus muttered. “Look, I have every respect for Governor Varus. But I just know he is missing something about these German tribes.”

  Jane nodded, afraid to say anything.

  Marcus turned to Gene. “In many ways, he is a fine man, but he is taking Roman power for granted.”

  “We are merely traders,” said Gene.

  Demetrius entered with a tray of bread and mulled wine. He served it to the three of them in silence. Outside the tent, the men working to make camp shouted and called to each other. Marcus waved a hand for Demetrius to leave.

  Jane tasted the wine carefully. After a day out in the cold, the warmth was welcome. The bread was not fresh, but it was better than nothing.

  “I could burn a village,” said Marcus. “I have the authority to do that.”

  “Burn a village?” Jane looked up.

  “This is a normal form of retaliation.” Marcus shook his head. “But in this case, it will simply spur greater resistance to us, and tell us nothing.”

  Gene joined the other two at the table, saying nothing as he tore apart a piece of bread.

  Jane was more uncomfortable than ever.

  Marcus looked at Gene. “Maybe you have had a leader who made a mistake at one time or another. How would you tell Hunter, for instance, that he is wrong?”

  “Well … Hunter is quite reasonable. He is open to discussion.”

  Marcus turned to Jane. “You feel that way, as well? How would you speak to him?”

  “Hunter can be persuaded, with enough evidence,” said Jane, over her goblet of wine.

  Marcus merely nodded and took another piece of bread. “You are fortunate.”

  They ate and drank in silence for a while. When the bread and wine were gone, Marcus brushed away crumbs and stood up. Jane rose too, waiting to see what he would say.

  “Would you excuse me? You may remain here, of course, and be comfortable.” Marcus waved to Demetrius, who was standing outside the tent. “Bring them more if they wish.”

  “I’m finished,” said Jane.

  “Thank you, I’ve had plenty, too.” Gene got up and joined Jane.

  “Very well,” said Marcus. “As you wish, of course. Make yourselves comfortable.” He ducked out of the tent and hurried away.

  “Let’s take a little walk,” said Jane. She wanted to talk to Gene without Demetrius listening.

  “Sure.”

  Outside the tent, Roman legionaries surrounded them everywhere, but everyone was occupied. Gene and Jane walked casually, staying out of the way of the troops and the work crews. In turn, they were ignored.

  “Do you think we’ve really messed up?” Jane asked, pulling her cloak around her. “Have we caused Marcus to change his behavior significantly?”

  “We have no way of knowing,” said Gene, pausing to watch another tent being raised. “I never came across Marcus’s name in my history, at least that I can remember. His actions may never have been written down by any historian.”

  “I’m just afraid that the Germans only attacked our patrol because Marcus took us out today. Anything that the Romans or Germans do as a result of that skirmish could mean a significant change.”

  Gene nodded. “I know, but look at it the other way. Maybe, even without us, Marcus or some other patrol might have gone out today and been in a skirmish with the Germans. Maybe it would have happened without us.”

  “Since MC 3 was with that bunch of Germans, I suppose they were somehow influenced by his presence, too.”

  “Sure, it’s possible. But we can’t know for sure. And now we can’t undo it, either.”

  “And what if he goes out to burn a village in retaliation after all?”

  “It doesn’t sound like he really wants to. But he might have done that without us, too. After all, it’s a standard tactic in Roman intimidation.”

  “Jane, Gene!” Hunter’s voice reached them from behind.

  Jane turned in surprise. “I’m glad to see you!”

  “You are both well, I see.”

  “We’re all right,” said Gene. “But we’re both worried about the changes we may have caused.”

  “It’s Marcus,” said Jane anxiously. “He’s trying harder than ever to convince Governor Varus that the Germans are up to something.”

  “Because of the attack you told me about?” Hunter glanced around the camp.

  “Yes.”

  “I understand. What more do you know about MC 3? You said he was with the German party?”

  “Yes, but he kept trying to interfere with their fighting — to stop them under the First Law. They may not be very happy with him now.”

  “Yes, I agree,” said Hunter. “He would have a hard time explaining his actions to them — even if he could speak their language, which I doubt. He remained with them after the combat had ended?”

  Jane looked at Gene, shrugging.

  “I couldn’t see, either,” said Gene. “But I suppose he is still with them.”

  17

  AS THE LEGIONARIES and work crews continued to raise the camp
around them, Hunter quickly reviewed his historical data. It did not contain enough detail to help him. “Gene, has the governor so far altered anything because of Marcus?”

  “I don’t think so,” said Gene. “Marcus is very angry right now over his failure to convince Governor Varus that the Germans could be a real danger. That must mean the governor has not changed his orders.”

  “Good,” said Hunter. “If the change has been confined to Marcus, then it may not matter. What about the Germans? Are they acting differently?”

  “Sorry.” Gene shook his head. “I’m afraid I can’t help you there.”

  “No?”

  “The historical records discuss the Roman failure to prepare for the ambush in Teutoburger Forest, and the attack itself,” said Gene. “They really don’t give much detail about German preparations. I suppose the Roman historians never really knew too much about those details.”

  “I have no idea what influence MC 3 could have had so far,” said Jane. “If he can’t speak German, which is probable, he might not have had much at all. But if he displayed any robotic abilities that the Germans considered more than human …” She shrugged. “Anything could have happened.”

  “That’s true,” said Gene. “The Germans might have associated him in some way with their folk religion if he showed them any special abilities.”

  “I understand,” said Hunter. “In the cases of both the Romans and the Germans, nothing critically important appears to have happened yet. The danger is that a small event or two will snowball.”

  “What do you think we should do?” Jane asked.

  “I shall start by talking to Marcus,” said Hunter. “Where is he?”

  Jane looked around. “He was here just a minute ago — there.” She pointed. “He’s talking to some people.”

  “Thank you.” Hunter saw Marcus talking to two other Roman officers. He approached them slowly, not wanting to appear to interfere.

  “I’m only asking you to think about it,” Marcus was saying to the other officers.

  “It’s this weather I’m worried about,” one of them responded. “All we need is a mudslide or something on these horrible barbaric roads.”