Huizinga thinks before he replies. “Allow me to suggest that you exaggerate, madame.”
“You do it much worse, seftor.”
“Can you show me an alternative?”
“Yes. First, as I’ve said, the current legal state of affairs will, under any halfway reasonable circumstances, last for years at least. Those years can be lived in. I hear you have three children in their teens. Grant them time to finish growing up.”
“What sort of world will they grow up into, if the Selenarchs have taken it over?”
“That is //the Selenarchs do. But let’s suppose it, for argument’s sake. Let’s imagine your worst case. How bad is it actually?”
“We lose our freedom. After that they can take from us whatever they choose—everything—whenever they choose.”
“Really? I say most people would find life staying quite tolerable. The Selenarchs are Lunarians. They can be ruthless, but they don’t have the temperament to be tyrants. Oh, they would end the special coddling.” Her image raises a hand to curb his response. “Those who couldn’t stand the new conditions would be free to leave. There’s no lack of berths and homesites in L-5, on asteroids, throughout the Solar System. Rather, there’s a huge need of able brains, and rich rewards waiting for them.”
“Easy enough to say.”
“You think of the average person, losing home and savings and hope? It doesn’t have to be like that. Your League is not the only group trying to anticipate the future. Quiet discussions have been going on in rather high quarters. No specific arrangements yet— remember, these are not certainties, they are contingencies—but we want to be ready to meet them if they come.”
Huizinga stares long at her image, as if it were a human face. “What have you in mind?” he asks finally.
“I can’t go into details, because nothing’s been decided so far, as hypothetical as it all is. But probably the basic principles will include—bueno, what would you say to a buy-out of everybody who wants to leave? No confiscations; fair market values paid for all property they don’t take with them. Transport and assistance in relocation, retraining, whatever is called for.”
He catches his breath.
She makes a smile for him. “It isn’t due any goodness of heart in the Selenarchs,” she explains. “It’s a cold-blooded calculation that something of the kind is considerably cheaper than fighting a war or containing a rebellious minority. Nor do you have to trust just them. Fireball can offer its own guarantee— as formidable, everywhere beyond Earth, as any bythe Federation—and join in underwriting the project. Again, not altruism, though I hope you’ll recognize a desire to give a helping hand. But avoiding a destructive conflict and gaining a considerable addition to the labor force makes economic sense, don’t you agree?”
He sits a while longer before he stirs and asks slowly, “Can you promise this?”
“Obviously not, at present,” she replies. “The single thing I can tell you with absolute confidence is that if you go ahead with your militia folly, the option will evaporate. I can promise you, however, that I will work for it, and Anson Guthrie will, and assorted others who’re well placed to make it go, and that if you and your followers cooperate, the chances look pretty good.”
“I must think,” he mumbles, “and confer and—”
“Do,” she urges. “Don’t publicize it, please. We’re not keeping it a state secret, but we operate best without a spotlight on us; and remember, this is just planning for a situation that probably won’t come about for quite a few years, and possibly never will. Even so, we’ll want your input too. Let’s meet again, you and I. Meanwhile, contact me anytime you want.”
That is what she exists for.
They talk a little more, and go through formalities that are in themselves encouraging, and break circuit. She spends a while replaying the conversation, recorded with his knowledge, and thinking about it. Then she transmits it to Zamok Vysoki, requesting that Brandir call her back.
Expectant, he is quick to respond. Again there are formalities, though of another kind and character. He is not altogether sure how to address this that is not altogether his mother. She can take advantage of that. She needs every slight advantage she can find.