Wan Nes Stan smiled quietly. The job was strictly that of a super file clerk. This would not last long and he knew it. With Len Dor Vale's help, he rose swiftly, learning the intricate details with ease. By the month, Wan Nes Stan went from department to department, learning the basic function of each, and when his education was complete, Len Dor Vale took him to meet the governor of the Galactic Council.
"He is ready," said Len Dor Vale.
"I'm glad to meet you," said the governor.
He offered a hand, and as Wan Nes Stan took it, the grip was firm and honest. They shook, and Wan Nes Stan went swiftly over his emotions, asking himself the purpose of this heartiness.
He knew that the Galactic Governor was genuinely glad to meet him. That was against Wan Nes Stan's grain. To greet a possible—no, positive successor to such a position was not done with heartiness. It should be done with false heartiness, a completely counterfeit facade, behind which false front the machinery necessary to destroy was being brought to bear. Yet Wan Nes Stan knew that no such intent was in the governor's mind. Apparently the Galactic Governor was quite content to be replaced by a better man—and accepted the presence of the better man with good will and friendship.
Wan Nes Stan wondered whether the governor's henchmen might not lead him astray in his experience-gaining program so that he would get a false start, or even useless and detrimental data. His super-intelligence told him that this was not the case. Like all the rest of the Galactics, the governor was willing that a better man be found, and insisted that when, as, and if a better man is discovered, that he be placed properly, even though it meant stepping aside.
It was a philosophy that Wan Nes Stan never entertained. It was completely altruistic. It offered with no consideration of self, the most good for the greatest number. It was a fool's philosophy—but then, all the Galactics were fools.
The governor said: "You have shown a most magnificent level of intellectual aptitude. I congratulate you."
"You have no resentment?"
"Can a man resent that which he knows to be right and honest—unless he himself is unright and dishonest?"