“One other thing, Emmett,” Hinkel said. “When we film the actual moment of contact . . .”
The Commander sighed. He knew this would come up. “Sir, I fear that once the Murrin commander and his party leave their ship, I cannot permit additional filming to take place.”
73
WITH FRIENBS LIKE THESE . ..
It was Hinkel’s turn to sit speechless. “Your equipment, both the portables and that ghastly heavy big job, bear an unfortunate likeness to ray projectors. Which, in a sense, they are. The Murrin are no doubt as unfamiliar with our technology as we are with theirs. Witness that insane assemblage of angles out on the plain. Yet it seems to carry them from star to star.
“Our exchange of language has been hampered by the lack of experience and trained people on our side. However, it is now sufficient to permit several things. One of these is this first official meeting, a big deal with the Murrin. Among the details they suggested be implemented was the obvious one of neither group carrying or presenting weapons.”
“If that’s the case,” said Hinkel slyly, “then how do you explain your objection to our shooting angles by complaining that they’d interfere with your ‘line of fire’?”
“As stated, neither group will display weaponry. At no time will the Reykjavik’s lasers be in evidence. I’d bet that the Murrin ship is far better armed. The important thing is that no portable weapons be visible. For psychological and practical reasons.”
“Granting all your reasoning, which I do not, isn’t the import of this moment, the need to have everyone on earth a part of it, enough to outweigh a few ethereal maybes on your part?” “There are other reasons.” “Name one!” Hinkel snapped. Cleve allowed his voice a bit more customary bark, and Vandermeer winced. “All right! Let’s suppose— just suppose—that I permit you to telecast the whole business, from start to whatever finish, from close-in? We know little of Murrin technology. We know even less of their psychology and sociology, of what they might regard as proper and what they might interpret as offensive. Might they not be curious as to your functioning on the periphery of the encounter?