disputed territories. We frankly have no further interest beyond present limits.
The star-faring arm of the Company is dissolved by vote of the Company
directorates; the sole interest we have now is to see to our orderly
disengagement—our withdrawal—and the establishment of a firm border which will
give us both reasonable latitude.”
Heads bent. The council murmured together, one way and the other. Even the
mannequins about the edges of the chamber seemed disturbed.
“We are a local authority,” said Andilin at last. “You’ll have opportunity to
carry your offers higher. Can you leash the Mazianni and guarantee our
security?”
Ayres drew in his breath. “Mazian’s Fleet? No, if his captains are an example.”
“You’re in from Pell.”
“Yes.”
“And claim experience with Mazian’s captains, do you?”
He blanked for the instant… was not accustomed to such slips. Neither was he
accustomed to distances over which such comings and goings would be news. But
the merchanters, he reasoned at once, would know and tell as much as he could.
Withholding information was more than pointless; it was dangerous. “I met,” he
confessed, “with Norway’s captain, one Mallory.”
Andilin’s head inclined solemnly. “Signy Mallory. A unique privilege.”
“None to me. The Company refuses responsiblity for Norway.”
“Disorder, mismanagement; denial of responsibility… and yet Pell is well reputed
for order. I am amazed at your report. What happened there?”
“I do not serve as your intelligence.”
“You do, however, disown Mazian and the Fleet. This is a radical step.”
“I don’t disown the safety of Pell. That’s our territory.”
Then you are not prepared to cede all the disputed territories.“
“By disputed territories, of course, we mean those starting with Fargone.”
“Ah. And what is your price, citizen Ayres?”
“An orderly transition of power, certain agreements assuring the safeguarding of
our interests.”
Andilin’s face relaxed in laughter. “You seek a treaty with us. You throw aside
your own forces, and seek a treaty with us.”
“A reasonable solution to a mutual difficulty. Ten years since the last reliable
report out of the Beyond. Many more years than that with a fleet out of our
control, refusing our direction, in a war which consumes what could be a
mutually profitable trade. That is what brings us here.”
There was deathly silence in the room.
At last Andilin nodded, her chins doubling. “Mr. Ayres, we shall wrap you in
cotton wool and hand you on most gently, most, most gently, to Cyteen. With
great hope that at last someone on Earth has come to his senses. A last
question, rephrased. Was Mallory alone at Pell?”
“I can’t answer.”
“You have not yet disowned the Fleet, then.”
“I retain that option in negotiations.”
Andilin pursed her lips. “You need not worry about giving us critical
information. The merchanters will deny us nothing. Were it possible for you to
restrain the Mazianni from their immediate maneuvers, I would suggest you try.
I’d suggest that to demonstrate the seriousness of your proposal… you at least
make a token gesture toward that restraint during negotiations.”
“We cannot control Mazian.”
“You know that you will lose,” said Andilin. “In fact, that you have already
lost, and you’re attempting to hand us what we have already won… and get
concessions for it.”
“There’s little interest for us in pursuing hostilities, win or lose. It seems
to us that our original object was to make sure the stars were a viable
commercial venture; and you patently are viable. You have an economy worth
trading with, in a different kind of economic relationship from what we had
before, saving us the entanglements with the Beyond we don’t want. We can agree
on a route, a meeting point where your ships and ours can come and go as a
matter of common right. What you do on your side doesn’t interest us; direct the
development of the Beyond as you like. Likewise we will be withdrawing some jump
freighters home for the commencement of that trade. If we can possibly secure
some restraint on Conrad Mazian, we’ll recall those ships as well. I’m being
very blunt with you. The interests we pursue are so far from each other, there’s
no sane reason to continue hostilities. You’re being recognized in all points as