A Slave Is a Slave

H. Beam Piper (1904 - 1964)

The Galactic Empire is slowly 'welcoming' into the family of civilized worlds those systems so far off in the backwater of the galaxy that they have been overlooked and ignored for the past 500 years or so. This is purely routine work because every planet offered the chance has eagerly accepted the invitation. Mainly because the enlightened Empire lets the planetary government continue to rule and do whatever it wants...with a few minor restrictions of course; and because the they are shown what happens to planets who decide not to accept the invitation.

Aditya is the system in question here. Forgotten for almost a millennium but surviving, thank you very much, with an economy based entirely on slavery. Everyone is a slave except for the few thousand Lords Master. What happens when the this type of society meets the Constitution of the Galactic Empire which forbids any type of slavery? What happens when the poor, oppressed slaves are given their freedom? Funny you should ask ....

Genre(s): Science Fiction

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 01 Phil Chenevert
00:14:20
Play 02 02 Phil Chenevert
00:14:30
Play 03 03 Phil Chenevert
00:13:56
Play 04 04 Phil Chenevert
00:16:10
Play 05 05 Phil Chenevert
00:11:59
Play 06 06 Phil Chenevert
00:13:27
Play 07 07 Phil Chenevert
00:13:44
Play 08 08 Phil Chenevert
00:17:55
Play 09 09 Phil Chenevert
00:14:43
Play 10 10 Phil Chenevert
00:16:27