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[whatever deity is fashionable].
As alectors, we understand the feelings behind such quaint phrases. All beings
who can think, even those who do so on a rudimentary level, seek meaning in
their lives. They wish to be appreciated, to be recognized, to be granted a
place and position of some value. At the same time, the universe does not
place any value on any life. Life is. It is the result of physical and
chemical processes, and it arises in some places and not in others as a result
of the interactions between the components of a world.
What value an individual may have to the world or society is determined solely
by his or her abilities and contributions. To say that a mature individual has
an intrinsic worth, independent of acts, is mere wishful thought. Thus, a
newborn child has no worth only potential worth. That potential may be great
indeed, but it is only potential until the child matures and demonstrates
through abilities and acts what that value may be. History has shown that the
worth of individuals is not the same, and yet the delusion persists that
because individuals are created by the same process, they are equal. Anyone
who has observed individuals knows they are not equal, and that their worth is
anything but equal. While the laws of a society must assure that no one is
treated inequitably, no society that has forced equality of worth upon its
members has lasted long.
Yet the delusion about intrinsic worth is necessary in steer societies
because, without it, too many individuals would become excessively
self-centered and spend their lives seeking only to gratify the most basic and
base of instinctual drives, using all their resources against those with less
strength or wealth. This reduces creativity, such as it is, and productivity,
and is not acceptable, either in terms of maximizing higher lifeforce or in
assuring fairness to others.
As alectors, we understand that what value we may represent or attain comes
solely from what we can create or produce of higher worth. Great art, soaring
architecture, inspiring music, well-organized and functioning cities all these
and other like achievements are the manifestations of individual worth.
We must recall, however, that such worth is as we deem it. The universe makes
no judgments and bestows no awards for worth or merit. Because the universe
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does not, we must make such judgments. One of the most critical requirements
of any society is to define worth fairly, accurately, and in a way that
inspires all thinking members toward achievements that create such worth.
This understanding, which is taught to and accepted by all discerning
alectors, is seldom accepted by steers. Therefore, any alector who deals with
them must always recall that it is the fashion and custom to act as though all
individuals have worth, even the most worthless, and that, when a steer must
be disciplined or terminated because the individual in question is truly a
destructive and negative force on others and the world, such discipline must
be administered with a show of regret that the worth of such a life has been
wasted&
Views of the Highest
Illustra
W.T. 1513
83
Mykel woke up on Quinti just before dawn, still worrying about Rachyla. He sat
up on the hard and narrow bed. Why was he so concerned about her? It wasn t as
though there happened to be any romantic attraction between them. He had to
admit she was beautiful not just pretty and he admired her intelligence and
poise, but she was hardly likely to be interested in a Cadmian officer, and he
couldn t afford to get close to the daughter of a rebel leader, even a dead
one. Besides, in her own way, she was as deadly as the dagger of the ancients
he still carried.
Still& he did worry.
He forced himself out of bed and into washing up, then dressing. Even before
he went to find the field rations that would be breakfast, he gathered Bhoral
and the squad leaders outside the barracks under a slightly hazy sky.
Mykel looked at the five squad leaders. We ll need to expect an attack here.
Fifteenth Company is the only company at anywhere close to full strength, and
we ll bear the brunt of any attack until the others recover. I d like you to
have your men stand down, except for two on watch on each wall. Have them keep
their weapons nearby. Bhoral will work out the watch arrangements, while I
meet with the overcaptain. He nodded to the senior squad leader.
Bhoral stepped forward, and Mykel slipped away.
Dohark was not in the study in headquarters, but at a table in the mess.
Before joining him, Mykel served himself from the ration cases set on the
table and tapped his own ale from the keg. A Cadmian ranker guarded both food
and drink.
As Mykel settled across the table from the overcaptain, Dohark looked up from
the stale flat biscuits, hard yellow cheese, and dried apple slices before
him. Not much to choose from. Better than being poisoned. Dohark took a bite
of the biscuit. Not much, though.
Mykel took a bite of the dry and crumbly biscuit, then a small sip of the ale.
He didn t care much for either. Both officers ate quietly for a time.
The men are getting better, those that survived, Dohark finally said. You
think it had to do with the seltyr s daughter?
Whatever it was poisoned her as well, replied Mykel. She couldn t even sit
up last night. She was greener-looking than you were.
What do you think they ll do next?
They ll have to attack. We won t be fortunate enough to see a siege.
No. We ve got enough supplies for months, and they d have to know that. They
also can t count on the Myrmidons staying away forever.
No, but it could be a while, Mykel pointed out. Is there anything that
burns well?
Dohark raised his eyebrows.
Well& sir& if they have siege ladders or ramps, maybe we could throw oil on
them. Or is that something that the Myrmidons frown on, too?
No. I ve never heard anything about that, but there s nothing like that in
the armory.
What about in the kitchens? Some cooking oils burn well.
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I hadn t thought about that.
If you don t mind, sir, I ll see what they have.
Dohark nodded. Your men are still guarding the walls?
I have some on watch. The others are standing down until there s an attack.
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