“But you are archists. The State of Thu is even more centralized than the State of A-Io. One power structure controls all, the government, administration, police, army, education, laws, trades, manufactures. And you have the money economy.”

“A money economy based on the principle that each worker is paid as he deserves, for the value of his labor—not by capitalists whom he’s forced to serve, but by the state of which he’s a member!”

“Does he establish the value of his own labor?”

“Why don’t you come to Thu and see how real socialism functions?”

“I know how real socialism functions,” Shevek said. “I could tell you, but would your government let me explain it, in Thu?”

Chifoilisk kicked a log that had not yet caught. His expression as he stared down into the fire was bitter, the lines between the nose and the corners of his lips cut deep. He did not answer Shevek’s question. He said at last, “I’m not going to try to play games with you. It’s no good; anyhow I won’t do it. What I have to ask you is this: would you be willing to come to Thu?”

“Not now, Chifoilisk.”

“But what can you accomplish—here?”

“My work. And also, here I am near the seat of the Council of World Governments—”

“The CWG? They’ve been in A-Io’s pocket for thirty years. Don’t look to them to save you!”

A pause. “Am I in danger, then?”

“You didn’t realize even that?”

Another pause.

“Against whom do you warn me?” Shevek asked.

“Against Pae, in the first place.”

“Oh, yes, Pae.” Shevek leaned his hands against the ornate, gold-inlaid mantelpiece. “Pae is a pretty good physicist. And very obliging. But I don’t trust him.”

“Why not?”

“Well… he evades.”

“Yes. An acute psychological judgment. But Pae isn’t dangerous to you because he’s personally slippery, Shevek. He’s dangerous to you because he is a loyal, ambitious agent of the Ioti Government. He reports on you, and on me, regularly to the Department of National Security—the secret police. I don’t underestimate you, God knows, but don’t you see, your habit of approaching everybody as a person, an individual, won’t do here, it won’t work. You have got to understand the powers behind the individuals.”

While Chifoilisk spoke, Shevek’s relaxed posture had stiffened; he now stood straight, like Chifoilisk, looking down at the fire. He said, “How do you know that about Pae?”

“By the same means I know that your room contains a concealed microphone, just as mine does. Because it’s my business to know it.”

“Are you also an agent of your government?”

Chifoilisk’s face closed down; then he turned suddenly to Shevek, speaking softly and with hatred. “Yes,” he said, “of course I am. If I weren’t I wouldn’t be here. Everyone knows that. My government sends abroad only men whom it can trust. And they can trust me! Because I haven’t been bought, like all these damned rich Ioti professors. I believe in my government, in my country. I have faith in them.” He forced his words out in a kind of torment. “You’ve got to look around you, Shevek! You’re a child among thieves. They’re good to you, they give you a nice room, lectures, students, money, tours of castles, tours of model factories, visits to pretty villages. All the best. All lovely, fine! But why? Why do they bring you here from the Moon, praise you, print your books, keep you so safe and snug in the lecture rooms and laboratories and libraries? Do you think they do it out of scientific disinterest, out of brotherly love? This is a profit economy, Shevek!”