Too few people could see that such was the only path to peace. On any other course there would always be would-be leaders who would try to set themselves up in authority.
On any other course world planning would be stalemated by the eternal bickering and disagreement among nations and self-anointed saviors of the common man.
Only in the Unified World State could competition be entirely eliminated, and world planning become a reality.
Hute, standing before the control board, squared his heavy shoulders manfully, jutted his strong jaw out at a dominant angle, and spoke to the silent walls as he had often spoken to the masses.
"If I fail to have the courage to do this thing, then the welfare of all future generations will be on my shoulders. The sacrifice of the billion or two now living is a SMALL price to pay, compared to the sacrifice of countless billions of future generations if I weaken.
"If I weaken—!"
The thought of what would happen,—the war crimes trial, the ignomy of death as a war criminal at the hands of fools who couldn't understand the noble, selfless motives that governed his life and caused him to sacrifice the comforts of home and normalcy as a public servant and the purpose,—the goal toward which he strove, gave him the courage to press the first button. With that simple act the fate of Tranx-Yrhl was directly sealed, and with it the retaliation against his own country. That knowledge made easy the pressing of the other buttons.
When it was finished he walked stiffly from the room and took the elevator to the surface. His general staff awaited him. They stood awkwardly, faces pale, in this historic moment.
He nodded imperceptibly to signify that the deed was done. A few dry throats swallowed loudly in the hush of imminent death.