human
That's handy, our still being able to tune in on the broadcasts the African Development Project makes to its teams.
gpt
Not that what they've been saying is much in the way of flattery.
human
They seem to think we're somewhere in the vicinity of Bidon Cinq.
gpt
That's what worries me, Homer growled. He raked his right hand back through his short hair.
human
If they think we're in Southern Algeria, what are these planes doing around here? We're hundreds of miles from Bidon Cinq.
gpt
That's easy. That plane that tried to clobber us, and these others that have been trying to search us out, aren't really Reunited Nations craft. They're someone else.
human
Who?
gpt
How should I know? It could be almost anybody with an iron in the North African fire. The Soviet Complex? Very likely. The British Commonwealth or the French Community? Why not? There're elements in both that haven't really accepted giving up the old colonies and would like to regain them in one way or the other. The Arab Union? Why comment? Common Europe? Oh, Common Europe would love to have a free hand exploiting North Africa.
human
You haven't mentioned the United States of the Americas, Elmer said dryly.
gpt
I hope you haven't any prejudices in favor of the land of your adoption, Mr. Minister of War.
human
I just hadn't got around to her. Admittedly with the continued growth of the Soviet Complex and Common Europe, the States have slipped from the supreme position they occupied immediately following the Second War. The more power-happy elements are conscious of the ultimate value of control of Africa and doubly conscious of the danger of it falling into the hands of someone else. Oh, never fear, those planes that have been pestering us might belong to anybody at all.
gpt
Listen, he said.
human
That was a high priority flash, to all Reunited Nations teams. The Arab Union has just taken Tamanrasset. They pushed two columns out of Libya, evidently one from Ghat and one from further north near Ghademès.
gpt
Well ... why?
human
Evidently, the El Hassan rumors are spreading like wildfire. There've been more riots in Mopti, and the Reunited Nations buildings in Adrar have been stormed by mobs demonstrating for him. The Arab Union is moving in on the excuse of protecting the country against El Hassan.
gpt
They'll have half their Arab Legion in here before the week's out.
human
The Reunited Nations is throwing a wingding. Everybody running around accusing and threatening, and, as per usual, getting nowhere.
gpt
I think you're wrong. They won't send the whole Arab Legion in. They'll be afraid to. They'll want to see first what everybody else does. They know they can't stand up to a slugging match with any of the really big powers. They'll stick it out for a while and watch developments. We have, perhaps, two weeks in which to operate.
human
Operate? Cliff demanded.
gpt
What do you mean, operate?
human
I mean to recapture Tamanrasset from the Arab Union, seize the radio and television station there, and proclaim El Hassan's regime.
gpt
You mean the six of us? There'll be ten thousand of them.
human
No, Homer said decisively.
gpt
Nothing like that number. Possibly a thousand, if that many. Logistics simply doesn't allow a greater number, not on such short notice. They've put a thousand or so of their crack troops into the town. No more.
human
What's the difference between a thousand and twenty thousand, so far as five men and a girl are concerned?
gpt
Actually, the Arab Union is doing part of our job for us. They've openly declared that El Hassan is attempting to take over North Africa, that he's raising the tribes. Well, good. We didn't have the facilities to make the announcement ourselves. But now the whole world knows it.
human
That's right, Elmer said, his face characteristically sullen.
gpt
Every news agency in the world is playing up the El Hassan story. In a matter of days, the most remote nomad encampment in the Sahara will know of it, one way or the other.
human
They've given us a rallying _raison d'etre_. These people might be largely Moslem, especially in the north, but they have no love for the Arab Union. For too long the slave raiders came down from the northeast. Given time, Islam might have moved in on the whole of North Africa. But not this way, not in military columns.
gpt
You worked over in the Teda country, before joining my team, and speak the Sudanic dialects. Head for there, Bey. Proclaim El Hassan. Organize a column. We'll rendezvous at Tamanrasset in exactly two weeks.
human
How am I supposed to get to Faya?
gpt
You'll have to work that out yourself. Tonight we'll drop you near In Guezzam, they have one of the big solar pump, afforestation developments there. You should be able to, ah, requisition a truck, or possibly even a 'copter or aircraft. You're on your own, Bey.
human
Right.
gpt
You're the only one of us who gets along in the dialect of Hassania. Get over to Nemadi country and raise a column. There are no better scouts in the world. Two weeks from today at Tamanrasset.
human
Got it. Drop me off tonight with Bey, we'll work together until we liberate some transport.
gpt
It might be worth while scouting in In Guezzam for a day or two. We might pick up a couple of El Hassan followers to help us along the way.
human
Use your judgment. Elmer!
gpt
I knew my time'd come.
human
Up into Chaambra country for you. Take the second lorry. You've got a distance to go. Try to recruit former members of the French Camel Corps. Promise just about anything, but only remember that one day we'll have to keep the promises. El Hassan can't get the label of phony hung on him.
gpt
Chaambra country, Elmer said.
human
Oh great. Arabs. I can just see what luck I'm going to have rousing up Arabs to fight other Arabs, and me with a complexion black as ...
gpt
They won't be following you, they'll be following El Hassan ... or at least the El Hassan dream. Play up the fact that the Arab Union is largely not of Africa but of the Middle East. That they're invading the country to swipe the goats and violate the women. Dig up all the old North African prejudices against the Syrians and Egyptians, and the Saudi-Arabian slave traders. You'll make out.
human
How about me, Homer?
gpt
You'll work with me. We're going into Tuareg country. Whenever occasion calls for it, whip off that shirt and go strolling around with that overgrown chest of yours stuck out. The Tuareg consider themselves the best physical specimens in the Sahara, which they are. They admire masculine physique. You'll wow them.
human
Sounds like vaudeville.
gpt
And me, El Hassan? What do I do?
human
You're also part of headquarters staff. The Tuareg women aren't dominated by their men. They still have a strong element of descent in the matrilinear line and women aren't second-class citizens. You'll work on pressuring them. Do you speak Tamaheq?
gpt
Of course.