H. Beam Piper: A Slave Is A Slave: There has always been strong sympathy for the poor, meek, downtrodden slave- the kindly little man, oppressed by cruel and overbearing masters. Could it possibly have been misplaced...?

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...