“Now, let’s not be hasty,” Phule said. “Perhaps we can work something out-something mutually beneficial to both our peoples. “
“How? Excuse me, I don’t wish to challenge your veracity, but I thought you said the swamp was unavailable for use.”
“This swamp is, but there are others within our system which might serve your needs equally well. Information on their locations could ease or eliminate your need for exploration, and if permissions were obtained in advance, there would be no conflict involved in their settlement.”
Qual was suddenly very attentive. Such an arrangement would make him a hero within the Exploratory Forces as well as nullify any lingering disfavor he might be suffering under. Still, he had learned from past experience that offers that sounded too good to be true were usually just that.
“I don’t understand, Captain,” he said cagily. “Our races may be different, but I’ve always assumed that intelligence implies a certain degree of self-interest. Why should your people simply give us something which is theirs without asking for anything in return?”
“Oh, we’d want something in return, all right.” Phule smiled. “Remember I said an arrangement which would be mutually beneficial. I think you’d find, however, that our demands for return on the use of our swamps would be minimal.”
“How minimal?”
“Well … before we get down to specifics, would you mind telling me what the maximum accurate range is for those sporting stun weapons of yours?”
“What happened, Captain?”
“Is there going to be a fight?”