"Military roads," Kennedy mused.
"... To all sections of the State, have made a beginning in naval science, and, of course, haven't ignored the arts."
"On the face of it," Mayer nodded, "hardly approaching Genoa."
Plekhanov rumbled indignantly, "We started two ethnic periods behind you. Even the Tulans were still using bronze, but the Genoese had iron and even gunpowder. Our advance is a bit slow to get moving, Mayer, but when it begins to roll—"
Mayer gave his characteristic snort. "A free people need never worry about being passed by a subjected one."
Barry Watson made himself another drink and while doing so looked over his shoulder at Amschel Mayer. "It's interesting the way you throw about that term free. Just what type of government do you sponsor?"
Mayer snapped, "Our team does not interfere in governmental forms, Watson. The various nations are free to adapt to whatever local conditions obtain. They range from some under feudalistic domination to countries with varying degrees of republican democracy. Our base of operations in the southern hemisphere is probably the most advanced of all the chartered cities, Barry. It amounts to a city-state somewhat similar to Florence during the Renaissance."
"And your team finds itself in the position of the Medici, I imagine."
"You might use that analogy. The Medici might have been, well, tyrants of Florence, dominating her finances and trade as well as her political government, but they were benevolent tyrants."
