Debate drags and lurches. The North Americans and Russians, especially, abhor the precedent; if common heritage is ended on Luna, when then of the whole Solar System? The Chinese and Australians deem the principle obsolete. The Indonesians recall forebears who freed themselves from colonial masters. The Siberians feel that their own example is more apposite. Oratory burgeons like fungus. The president and some of the parliamentarians strive to keep proceedings on course.
For humanity in general, everyday life goes on. The download has none, nor time for it.
The measures take form. They reach the floor. Autonomy passes. Luna shall be recognized as a Federation member after a democratic constitution with proper safeguards has been drafted, approved, and ratified. Across Earth, banners fly and crowds cheer.
The Provisional Trust rejects the program.
It insists on total independence, absolute sovereignty. It will honor the pledges made in a statement of position issued last year: property settlements, emigration assistance, trade and arms control treaties. But this shall be voluntary. Luna shall have complete freedom to make its future as it will.
Dagny knew this would be the response. She forewarned Janvier. He replied that he must do what he could with what he had. Now he denounces the refusal. -However, he does not declare the Trust disbanded. He promises to try persuasion. He and Dagny understand that this is a token. “I wish it weren’t,” she says to him on the encrypted laser. “I’d infinitely prefer a republic. But that is not suited for Lunarians, and they are my people.”
Indignation seethes on Earth. Terrans riot on the^ Moon. Constabulary and Peace Authority have their hands full, restoring and enforcing order.
The High Council of the World Federation directs the president to call up the Authority reserves. Several governments offer to reinforce these, if necessary, with men and materiel from their national militias.
Communications fly across space. Astromonitors observe and report a score of ships returning sunward from the asteroid belt. Upon inquiry, they identify themselves as the law requires: Lunarian-owned freighters for the mining and extraction operations that a few magnates conduct yonder. These enterprises are petty compared to, say, Fireball’s or Maharashtra’s; but the vessels are big and nuclear-engined.
“They cannot be .coming back simultaneously by coincidence!” exclaims Janvier.
Transmission lag.
“No,” agrees download Dagny Beynac, “but as long as they follow safe traffic patterns, they are not obliged to give reasons. I’ve asked, and received no answerexcept that this is private business. It may be a precautionary move of some kind. I suggest you underplay, or you could have mass hysteria on top of your other problems.”
Transmission lag,
“That may not be avoidable,” he says grimly.
The ships do not take Lunar orbit, as they would if shuttles were to bring their cargoes down. They ease into paths around the Earth-Moon system. Such orbits are unstable, and from time to time thrust corrects them.
“They must vacate,” Janvier states. His image in the screen is haggard, sweat beading cheeks and brow. “Froni where they are, they could accelerate inward, open their hatches, and shovel rocks at meteor speed down on our cities,”
Transmission tag.
“Don’t force the issue yet,” Dagny advises. “It would be a crazy thing for them to do, you know. Most of the stuff would bum up in the atmosphere. What little reached the surface would be gravel size, and trajectory control impossible. Everything would likeliest fall in the ocean or onto empty fields.”
“That is if it is ordinary stuff, ore, ingots, dust, ice. How do we know they haven’t forged massive, aerodynamic missiles out there?”
“It would still be insane. Whenever Earth wants to make an all-out effort, it can crush Luna utterly. Killing millions of people would reliably provoke that. I assure you, the Selenarchs are not loco.”
“I suppose so, although sometimes I wonder. But I have to deal with the public reaction. When the news is released, and that is inevitable soon, any ‘cast will show you what it is like. I beg you, convince those arrogant barons and tycoons they have miscalculated.”
“I am not certain they have, senor. I am certain that the politicians of Earth miscalculated gravely. Let us try together, from our different sides, for emotional damage control.”