Refusal was on his lips. He considered it, as he was in the habit of considering
what slipped from him. “Subject to ratification by my government. The absence of
those words would cause distress.”
“I hope that you will urge them to acceptance, sir, after reflection.” Azov laid
the folder on the table and slid it toward him. “Examine it at your leisure.
From our side, it is firm. All the provisions you desired, all the provisions,
to put it frankly, that you can possibly ask, since your territories do not
exist.”
“I frankly doubt that”
“Ah. That is your privilege. But doubt doesn’t alter fact, sir. I suggest that
you content yourself with what you have won… trade agreements which will profit
us all, and heal a long breach. Mr. Ayres, what more in reason do you think you
can ask? That we cede what the citizens of Pell are willing to give us?”
“Misrepresentation.”
“Yet you lack any means to investigate, thus confessing your own limitations of
control and possession. You say the government which sent you from Earth has
undergone profound changes, and that we must deal with you as a new entity,
forgetting all past grievances as irrelevant. Does this new entity… propose to
meet our signing of their document with further demands? I would suggest, sir,
that your military strength is at a low ebb… that you have no means to verify
anything, that you were obliged to come here in a series of freighters at the
whim of merchanters. That a hostile posture is not to the good of your
government”
“You are making threats?”
“Stating realities. A government without ships, without control of its own
military and without resources… is not in a position to insist that its document
be signed without changes. We have abstracted meaningless clauses and three
words, leaving the government of Pell essentially in the hands of whatever
government the citizens of Pell choose to establish; and is this a fit matter
for objection on the part of the interest you represent?”
Ayres sat still a moment. “I have to consult with others of my delegation. I
don’t choose to do so with monitoring in progress.”
“There is no monitoring.”
“We believe to the contrary.”
“Again you are without means to verify this one way or the other. You must
proceed as best you can.”
Ayres took the folder. “Don’t expect me or my staff at any meetings today. We’ll
be in conference.”
“As you will.” Azov rose, extended his hand. Jacoby remained seated and offered
no courtesy.
“I don’t promise signature.”
“A conference. I quite understand, sir. Pursue your own course; but I should
suggest that you seriously consider the effects of refusing this agreement.
Presently we consider our border to be Pell. We’re leaving you the Hinder Stars,
which you may, if you wish, develop to your profit. In case of failure of this
agreement, we shall set our own boundaries, and we will be direct neighbors.”
His heart was beating very hard. This was nearing ground he did not want to
discuss at all.
“Further,” said Azov, “should you wish to save the lives of your Fleet and
recover those ships, we’ve added to that folder a document of our own.
Contingent on your agreement to attempt recall of the Fleet, and your order to
them to withdraw to the territories you have taken for your boundary by the
signature of this treaty, we will drop all charges against them and against
other enemies of the state which you may name. We’ll permit them to withdraw
under our escort and to accompany you home, although we understand that this is
at considerable hazard to our side.”
“We are not aggressive.”
“We could better believe that did you not refuse to call off your ships, which
are presently attacking our citizens.”
“I’ve told you flatly that I have no command over the Fleet and no power to
recall it”
“We believe that you might use considerable influence. We will make facilities
available to you for the transmission of a message… the cessation of hostilities
will follow the Fleet ceasefire.”
“We’ll consider the matter.”
“Sir.”
Ayres bowed, turned, walked out, met by the ever-present young guards, who began