“Our embassy in Acquatainia,” Romis continued icily, “reports that Sir Harold Spencer has requested permission to base a Star Watch survey expedition temporarily on one of the frontier stars of the Acquataine Cluster. A star near our border, of course, Martine has agreed to it.”
Kanus went white, then his face slowly turned red. He snatched the report from Romis’ hand, scanned it, crumpled it, and threw it to the floor. For a few moments he could not even speak. Then the tirade began.
An hour and a half later, when the Leader was once again coherent enough to speak rationally, his ministers were assuring him:
“The Terrans will only be there temporarily.”
“It’s only a small fleet … no military value at all.”
“It’s a feeble attempt by Martine and Spencer….”
At the mention of Spencer’s name, Kanus broke into another half-hour of screaming tantrum. Finally, he abruptly stopped-
“Romis! Stop staring out the window and give me your assessment of this situation.”
The Foreign Minister turned slowly from the window and answered, “You must assume that the Terrans will remain in Acquatainia indefinitely. If they do not, all to the good. But your plans must be based on the assumption that they will. That means you cannot attack Acquatainia by military force….”
“Why not?” Kanus demanded.
Romis explained, “Because the Terrans will immediately become involved in the fighting. The entire Star Watch will be mobilized, under the pretext of saving heir survey fleet from danger, as soon as we attack. The fleet is simpiy an excuse for the Terrans to step in againsts,