“Admiral Slessor,” the communications operator murmured in Bernard’s ear,
Bernard acknowledged with a nod and leaned forward to speak in a low voice to the face that had appeared on an auxiliary screen. “This is urgent, Admiral. Make sure that all the sky-roof outer shutters are closed immediately.”
Slessor recognized Bernard as one of Merrick’s former officers. “Why?” he asked, looking puzzled. “What are you doing there . , . Fallows, isn’t it?”
“I’m not sure why, but it’s important. – . from the Chironians.”
Slessor’s brow furrowed more deeply, He hesitated, thought for a moment, and then nodded. “Very well, I’ll see it’s done.” He moved away from view.
“That’s a strange offer,” Otto said to Sterm. “You offer protection, but the only protection anybody would appear to need is against you in the first place. After all, you’ve just told us that you hold all the weapons. You seem to entertain a curious notion of logic.”
For the first time a hint of anger flashed across Sterm’s face. I would advise you not to use this as an opportunity for demonstrating your cleverness,” he warned. He allowed himself a moment to calm down. Then he resumed speaking more slowly. “Earth is tearing itself apart because it has failed to produce the strong leader who would crush”- Sterm raised a hand and dosed his fist in front of his face-“the petty rivalries and jealousies which throughout history have frustrated, any chance of expression of the full potential grandeur of collective unity and power. Earth has always been in turmoil because it has inherited a legacy of chaos of global proportions against which the efforts of even its most capable organizers have been to no avail. Is that the future that you would wish upon Chiron?
“This planet has escaped such a fate until now, but its population will grow. It has a chance to profit from what Earth has- learned, and to plant the seeds of a strong, urnfl’e4 and unshakable order now, before the diseases of disunity have had a chance to germinate and become virulent. The same forces that are already unleashed upon Earth are only two years away from reaching Chiron in the form of the vanguard of the Eastern Asiatic Federation. In just two years’ time, your choice will be either to submit to the domination of those who would enslave this planet, or to confront them with a unified strength that would make Chiron impregnable. Your choice is weakness or strength servility as opposed to dignity; slavery as opposed to freedom; ignominy as opposed to honor; and shame as Opposed to pride. Weakness or strength. I offer the 1atter alternatives”
Sterm’s -eyes took on a distant light, and his breathing quickened visibly. “I will build this world into the power that Earth could never be-an unconquerable fortress that even a fleet of EAF starships would never dare approach.
I will build for you the first-ever stellar empire here at Chiron, one people united under one leader … united in will, united in action, and united in purpose. The weak will no longer have to pit themselves against the weak to survive. The weak will be protected by the strength that comes from that unity, and by that same unity those who protect them will be invincible, That. . . Is what I offer to share.”
“Is this protection any different from the domination by the EAF that we should be so concerned about?” Ch~st~t asked.
Sterm looked displeased at the response. “Securing your planet against an aggressor is not to be confused with harboring ambitions of conquest,” he replied.
Otto shook his head. “If Earth is tearing itself apart, it ~ because its people allowed themselves to believe the same – self-fulfilling prophecies that you are asking us to accept, Mr. Sterm. But we reject them. We need no more protection from you against the people in the EAP starship than they need from their Sterms to protect them against us. We have no need of that kind of strength. Is it strength for neighbors to fortify their homes against each other, or is it paranoia? You must feel very insecure to wish to fortify an entire star system.” Sterm’s mouth clamped into a grim, down turned line.