The Arrows of Hercules

"My dear man, since then he has entrusted me with the management of all these speculative enterprises; so I must use my own best judgment. Any time he doesn't like the way I run the department, he can replace me."

"Beware the anger of the jealous gods, Alexis. I shall see you later."

Zopyros turned away. Archytas, with a sigh of relief, followed him. Zopyros stood watching Dionysios across the crowded room, then set out on a course that would bring him face to face with the tyrannos. The latter, seeing him, took a quick step forward and grasped Zopyros' arm in a muscular grip.

"Welcome home, O Zopyros!" he said, smiling broadly. "When Evnos told me you had gone off on private business, I feared I had seen the last of you. What was it? Something with soft curves and golden hair, no doubt?" Dionysios winked and dug Zopyros in the ribs.

"You might put it that way, sir," said Zopyros. "Have any of our recruits arrived yet?"

"Two came in today. They are so welcome that I can almost forget the accursed race from which they sprang."

"I'm glad you are not displeased at my taking a couple of days to promote my own affairs."

Dionysios waved a hand. "Think nothing of it. An executive must be given a degree of trust and freedom beyond that of an ordinary workman. Provided, of course, he doesn't abuse his privileges. You have the full confidence of Dionysios."

"Well then, O President, let me say I'm sorry you have changed your mind about my catapult."

Dionysios looked puzzled. "Changed my mind? How?"

"When I departed, I left orders with my carpenters to finish the first full-scale catapult. Now I find that no work has been done on it at all. My new superior, Master Alexis, has moved my men to other projects, on the grounds that my device is of questionable value." He paused. When Dionysios stood silent, looking at him inscrutably, he continued. "Understand, sir, I strive to please. If you don't approve of catapults, then put me to work on something you do value. It's hardly efficient to assign me a job and then withhold the means for doing it."

"Hm," said Dionysios. His piercing gaze roved the room until it lighted upon Alexis. His voice rose to a leonine roar: "O Alexis!"

"Coming, sir," said Alexis, hurrying over.

"What's this about your halting work on the catapult?"

"I have not halted the work, sir."

"Nothing has been done on it for nearly a month!" said Zopyros. "Be quiet, Zopyros," said Dionysios. "Has any work been done on the catapult since Zopyros left?"

"I couldn't say," said Alexis.

"You cannot say? Why not? Are you not in charge of all the research projects?"

"What I mean, sir," said Alexis, "is that I have not given orders to halt it. Some other projects, with higher priority, have needed extra craftsmen. Therefore I've borrowed men from the catapult for these more promising projects. Any time they had left, of course, these men were supposed to devote to their original assignment."

"Any ox can see there's been no time left over!" said Zopyros.

Alexis shrugged. "That's unfortunate but hardly my fault. I have to distribute our resources of men and materials where I think they will do the most good. If I have erred, O President, I shall be glad to be corrected."

Dionysios looked hard at both young men, then said: "Give the catapult the highest—what's that word you used?"

"To proteréma—priority, sir."

"Well, give it the highest priority." He frowned both at Zopyros and at Alexis. "Know, you two, that I, Dionysios, want no more squabbling! I demand cooperation at all levels. I have many gifted men at work here, and gifted men are not always easy to work with. Sometimes two of them together are like quicklime and water. You must overcome these petty distractions and annoyances. You must act as if you were dear friends and comrades, whether you feel that way or not. If you do not, I shall be displeased, and I will make my displeasure felt. Do you understand?"

Zopyros and Alexis each murmured a surly assent, and the group broke up to take their places on the banquet couches.