NINE TIME MACHINES: Do you want to undo your entire life on planet earth?

CHAPTER 101

Xaxu turned her attention to the fourth witch. "Fejj, you're next."

"Their greed divides them. What Qira and Raea said was good too. But they forgot one thing. Money! All races have their rich and poor, and the elite always stand united against the poor."

"I take it you have a plan."

"I propose segregation," she replied, her shrill tone turning its own volume up as she spoke.

"What!" Xaxu said.

"Now this I have to hear," said Fantum, her energy pulsating.

"How does segregation solve greed?" Qira asked.

"Surely, you have a foolproof plan." Raea added.

"That I do."

"Let's hear it then," said Xaxu. "And nobody interrupt."

"Let the poor live and work among themselves."

"That makes no sense," Fantum said flatly. "Who'll provide jobs?"

"They either live off the land or die."

Fantum laughed. "By the sweat of thy brow?"

Fejj smiled. "Something like that."

"And who can't find food will have to fight to the death?" Fantum asked again.

"Yes, Fantum," Fejj replied. "Let them do without the rich they hate. See how long that lasts."

"Absolutely wicked," said Fantum. "I love it!"

"That only deals with the poor," Xaxu reminded them. "Tell us the rest of this grand plan."

"The middle class and the rich will live together, of course."

"What will that accomplish?"

"For one thing, they'll be safe. There'll be no need for security."

"Oh," Xaxu said. "Tell me, who'll do the menial tasks they hate? Robots?"

"That can be arranged."

"And how will that stop our drain?"

"We won't have to keep resetting them."

"But that's what it takes to preserve them for the war."

"Xaxu," Fejj said. "I have to tell you. I agree with Fantum on that. We kill them by any means necessary. Avoid that ghastly war altogether."

"If I didn't know any better I'd say you're terrified."

"Me? Terrified? No! Of what, for goodness sake?"

"Dying in battle," Xaxu said. "Losing to the humans."

"Xaxu, you know all too well the humans are no match for us."

"They are if we're fully drained," Xaxu said sourly. "Anyway, I reject your idea."

"Why on earth would you do that? It's a perfectly good idea."

"I agree," Fantum interrupted for the umpteenth time. "Divide and conquer."

"Why?" Xaxu replied. "I'll tell you why. Because in your hatred of the humans, you derailed your own words."

"Absolutely not!"

"Okay then. You tell me. What's the point of money if you can't enslave another human?"

"But they'll have the robots."

"Haven't we all been watching the same planet together? The rich won't be satisfied with robots. There isn't enough technology in the world to quell their desire to dominate their fellowman."

"But."

"But nothing," Xaxu said with a note of finality, and turned to the fifth witch.