Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction May 1954. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
CHAIN OF COMMAND
By STEPHEN ARR
Illustrated by ASHMAN
By going through channels,George worked up from thewoodwork to the top brass!
eorge," Clara saidwith restrained fury,"the least you coulddo is ask him. Are you a mouse ora worm?"
"Well, I have gone out thereand moved it every night,"George protested, trying to reasonwith her without success.
"Yes, and every morning heputs it back. George, so long asthat trap is outside of our frontdoor, I can never have a moment'speace, worrying about thechildren. I won't go on like this!You must go out and talk somesense into him about removing itat once."
"I don't know," George saidweakly. "They might not behappy to find out about us."
"Well, our being here is theirown fault, remember that," Clarasnorted. "They deliverately exposedyour great-great grandfatherMichael to hard radiations.George," she continued fervidly,"all you have to do is to go outand ask him. I'm sure he'll agree,and then we'll have this menaceremoved from our lives. I simplycan not go on like this anotherminute!"
That, George knew, was a misstatement.She could go on likethis for hours. He stared at herunhappily.
"Yes, dear," he mumbled finally."Well, maybe tomorrow."
"No, George," she said firmly."Now! This morning. The verymoment he comes in."
He looked at her silently, feelingharried and unsure of himself.After living here so long, they'dobserved and learned human customsand speech—they'd evenadopted human names.
"George," she pleaded, "justask him. Reason with him. Pointout to him that he's just wastinghis time." She paused, added,"You're intelligent—you canthink of the right things to say."
"Oh, all right," he said wearily.But once he had said it, hefelt better. At least, he would getit over with, one way or another.
s soon as he heard the swish-swishof the broom outsidehis home, he got up and walkedout of the front door. He sawthat the trap was still off to oneside, where he had pushed it thenight before.
"Hello," he shouted.
Swish-swish-swish went thebroom, busily moving dust fromone part of the room to another,swish-swish-swish. The manlooked tremendous from so closea view, yet George knew that hewas just a little, bent, old man, asmall specimen of the species.
George took a deep breath."Hello!" he bellowed with all hisstrength.
The janitor stopped swish-swishingand looked around theroom suspiciously.
"Hello!" George shrieked. Histhroat felt raw.
The janitor looked down andsaw the mouse. "Hello yourself,"he said. He was an ignorant