Winter in Eden

purify the soil. Then we will add the nitrogen-fixing bacteria, followed by the shrubs of rapid-growth, rapid-decay for fertilizer. Then , if all goes well, and I say that the time is ripe, then we plant the city seed. Is it remotely possible that now my meaning is clear?"
    "Admirably so," Enge said, majestically immune to sarcasm. "And I thank you for the detailed explanation. I now await your orders."
    "I wish that the others did. That is the next problem. We need some leadership here, someone to tell these worthless creatures what to do."
    "Indeed that is our problem," Enge agreed enthusiastically, "for that is what brings us here. My Sisters, who are willing to die for their beliefs, do so by first understanding the inability of an eistaa to destroy them, then relish the joy of that newfound freedom. They will work together, they will not be ordered to."
    "If they won't be led—how may they be induced to follow?"
    "A very serious question—and one I have pondered over deeply."
    "You had better ponder a little more deeply and a little more quickly," Ambalasi said testily. "Or we may all be dead before you have found a solution. All social creatures have a leader, a decision-maker—look there." She indicated a school of bright, tiny fish in the water alongside. Something disturbed them and they turned instantly, heading off in a new direction.
    Winter in Eden - Harry Harrison
    "One of them is always first," Ambalasi said. "When bees swarm they follow the new queen. Ants have a queen from whose fruitful loins all the others spring. As ants, so Sisters. They must be led."
    "I understand the problem…"
    "You do not. If you did you would give it the highest priority, the first attention. Your play-groups and discussions would stop and you would address yourself to this problem, the only problem, until a solution was reached. There must be leadership, delegation of authority, cooperation."
    "You have just described an eistaa and her joined descent of command," Enge said calmly. "That is what we have rejected."
    "Then find something to put in its place before we all die of starvation or are eaten by the creatures of the night." She was aware of a motion for attention and turned to Elem who had joined them on the fin.
    "Speak."
    "Apologies for interruption: matter of great importance. The uruketo has been too long on the shore. We must go to sea, beyond the river mouth."
    "Impossible!" Ambalasi qualified this with dismissal-from-presence which Elem steadfastly ignored.
    "I beg permission to amplify reasons. They were explained to me by the commander of the uruketo, a long time ago, when I served as a crewmember. Memory returns as I observe the uruketo now. And the enteesenat who plunge in the water and utter shrill cries. It is time to go to sea, away from these muddy waters, for this creature must feed."
    "Tomorrow. After we have crossed to the city site."
    "No. Too late. We swim now with the tide. We must be one or two days at sea. That is most important."
    Enge tensed her muscles and waited for Ambalasi to turn and maim this upstart who went against her will. But she had forgotten that Ambalasi was a scientist first and always.
    "You are right, of course. Make sure that it is well fed before your return for it is needed. And in the future give me advance warning before any of these feeding trips."
    "As you order, so shall I obey."
    "Our expedition will wait. Perhaps this delay is fortuitous. You have two days to solve your problem. Let us go ashore."
    "I despair of an answer in that time. This is not an easy problem because it strikes close to the very heart Winter in Eden - Harry Harrison
    of our beliefs."
    Ambalasi stopped when they reached the ground and settled back onto her tail, suddenly very tired. There was far too much physical work to do and she was not used to it. Enge waited patiently as the scientist, deep in thought watched the river, only half-aware, as the uruketo moved out. There was much splashing and thrashing before it worked itself clear of the bank, then turned and followed the excited enteesenat downriver toward the sea. Ambalasi closed her eyes for a long time, then opened them and turned one toward Enge's silently expectant form.
    "Desire to make suggestion."
    "Respectful of great wisdom, keenly attentive."
    "Reverse the decision-making, look at the question from the other side, if I may quote your Ugunenapsa.
    Let decisions come from the bottom, not the top. You are Daughters of Life, so