matter regarding the negotiations; we’ve come upon what you might call… a
situation.” He pressed a button on the table console. “Kindly send in Mr.
Jacoby.”
Ayres looked toward the door, slowly, betraying no strong anxiety, although he
felt it. The door opened; a man in civilian clothing came in… civilian, not the
uniforms or uniform-like suits which had distinguished all who had previously
dealt with them.
“Mr. Segust Ayres, Mr. Dayin Jacoby of Pell Station. I understand you’ve met.”
Ayres rose, extended his hand to this arrival in cold courtesy, liking it all
less and less. “A casual meeting, perhaps; forgive me, I don’t remember you.”
“Council, Mr. Ayres.” The hand gripped his and withdrew without warmth. Jacoby
accepted the gestured offer of the third chair at the round table.
“A three-cornered conference,” Azov murmured. “Your terms, Mr. Ayres, claim Pell
and stations in advance of it as the territory you wish to protect. This doesn’t
seem to be in accord with the wishes of the citizens of that station… and you
are on record as supporting the principle of self-determination.”
“This man,” Ayres said without looking at Jacoby, “is no one of consequence on
Pell and has no authority to make agreements. I suggest you consult with Mr.
Angelo Konstantin, and send appropriate inquiries to the station council. I
don’t in fact know this person, and as for any claim he makes to be on the
council, I can’t attest to their validity.”
Azov smiled. “We have an offer from Pell which we are accepting. This does throw
into question the proposals under discussion, since without Pell, you would be
laying claim to an island within Union territory—stations which, I must tell
you, are already part of Union territory, by similar decisions. You have no
territory in the Beyond. None.”
Ayres sat still, feeling the blood draining from his extremities. “This is not
negotiation in good faith.”
“Your Fleet is now without a single base, sir. We have utterly cut them off. We
call on you to perform a humanitarian act; you should inform them of the fact
and of their alternatives. There’s no need for the loss of ships and lives in
defense of a territory which no longer exists. Your cooperation will be
appreciated, sir.”
“I am outraged,” Ayres exclaimed.
That may be,“ Azov said. ”But in the interest of saving lives, you may choose to
send that message.“
“Pell has not ceded itself. You’re likely to find the real situation different
from what you imagine, citizen Azov, and when you wish better terms from us,
when you want that trade which might profit us both, consider what you’re
throwing away.”
“Earth is one world.”
He said nothing. Had nothing to say. He did not want to argue the desirability
of Earth.
“The matter of Pell,” said Azov, “is an easy one. Do you know the vulnerability
of a station? And when the will of the citizenry supports those outside, a very
simple matter. No destruction; that’s not our purpose. But the Fleet will not
operate successfully in the absence of a base… and you hold none. We sign the
articles you ask, including the arrangement of Pell as a common meeting
point—but in our hands, not yours. No difference, really… save in the observance
of the will of the people… which you claim to hold so dear.”
It was better than it might have been; but it was designed to appear so. “There
are,” he said, “no representatives of the citizens of Pell here, only a
self-appointed spokesman. I would like to see his letters of authorization.”
Azov gathered up a leather-bound folder from before him. “You might be
interested in this, sir: the document you offered us… signed by the government
and Directorate of Union, and the council, precisely as you worded it…
abstracting the control of stations which are now in our hands, and a few minor
words regarding the status of Pell: the words ’under Company management’ have
been struck, here and on the trade document. Three small words. All else is
yours, precisely as you gave it. I understand that you are, due to distances,
empowered to sign on behalf of your governments and the Company.”