by Ian Miller
"Read that." Streckov handed him a piece of paper.
"But I couldn't . . ." Pennlington said, as he looked up into Streckov's eyes. "I couldn't . . ."
"Can't or won't?" Streckov said fiercely.
"Well, it's not . . . Anyway, I don't see how."
"That, I promise, will be arranged. The question is, will you?"
"I just don't –"
"Pennlington! In military parlance, a strong force has appeared on your left flank, while the major enemy is in front. You can either combine forces, and defeat the enemy, or be caught in a pincer, and be destroyed. Am I clear."
"Yes sir." One look at the Generals in the background left little to the imagination as to what "be destroyed" involved. They were committed now, and anyone uncommitted in this room would not survive.
"And your position?"
"This can be done?"
"It has to be done. You shall be shown why. I shall show you how. The question is, will you?" There was a pause, and Streckov leaned forward. "Pennlington, consider the options. Do it, and there's a clear path to the General Staff. Refuse, and either I or the Roman will sooner or later see you doomed."
"I don't have much choice, do I sir?"
"Pennlington, some of the most decisive military victories have occurred when the victor thought he had no choice."
"Yes sir."
"You'll do it?"
"Yes sir."
"Excellent. You are doing the right thing there, Pennlington. Absolutely the right thing. Come along, and meet some more of the planners."
Chapter 19
While the remnants of the M'starn fleet made its way back to Miranda, the five most senior M'starn officers were taken to Tashkent to negotiate the terms of the surrender. Although the surrender was unconditional, the basic problem of what to do with the M'starn remained. A full Council meeting was scheduled for the following week, this time to be held in the city of Tashkent itself.
"Unless I present the Council with a proposal," Natasha remarked to Gaius, before they were to meet the M'starn officers, "anything could happen. The most likely way the meeting would go would be that everybody would talk about something quite unrelated to what the others were saying, and after six hours we'd be no nearer to agreement than before."
"I hope you realize that what we do isn't entirely in the hands of the Council," Gaius warned. "There are other interests here as well."
"You mean the Ulsians?" Natasha asked. "I'm not sure that the Council will be too happy about accepting terms from a race who starts off by refusing to contact Earth, on the grounds of non-interference."
"I was actually thinking of the Ranhynn," Gaius replied, "although Ulse might have expectations."
"And I guess they won't give us any clues?"
"You shouldn't need them," Gaius said evenly. "The Ulsian interests will be merely that the M'starn don't have the chance to attack Chiron, which is not unreasonable, and they won't permit Ulsian ships to be used for genocide."
"Genocide?" Natasha asked with a puzzled expression.
"Suppose your Council decided to eliminate the M'starn?"
"We wouldn't do that," Natasha protested. "What do you think we are?"
"Then you'll have no problems with the Ulsians," Gaius shrugged. "But don't get too worked up about what I said. I'll have a small bet with you. I bet someone in that Council makes a proposal to exterminate the M'starn."
"Surely nobody would be that crass," Natasha countered.
"You're not saying that with much confidence," Gaius chided. "Added to which, I note you're not exactly taking up my bet."
"And exactly what did you have in mind?" Natasha asked doubtfully.
"Choose your own bet," Gaius smiled. "Your confidence will be reflected by the size of the bet. And if you'd rather back out, just say so."
"Loser provides winner with a meal," Natasha smiled. "I've got this feeling deep down I'm going to lose, so I might as well make losing as pleasurable as I can."
"Presumably you've come to grips with one of the Livia's more attractive features," Gaius smiled. "This sounds like a bet where you'll really put yourself out."
"Better than that," Natasha retorted, "loser chooses the menu. If winner gloats too much, loser should be able to find a way of removing a too supercilious grin."
Gaius stared at her. "And to think," he said, finally, "once upon a time I thought only a Claudian could bet like that."
"I'm not sure whether that's complimentary or not," Natasha replied doubtfully.
"In my time, most others wouldn't know either," Gaius said, "but you've no idea what that bet does for me."
"What?" asked a bemused Natasha.
"The sheer cunning behind it suddenly makes me feel at home. Perhaps I'm not, after all, such a displaced person, or, as I've heard myself referred to, a fossil."
"Welcome home," Natasha said, then added in a whisper in his ear, "Mister fossil."
"Hmmph," Gaius snorted, but grinned as he retreated. "With that, we'd better get back to what we're supposed to be doing."
"Yes," Natasha agreed. "You mentioned the Ranhynn. What would their desired outcome be?"
"Their fear would be that the M'starn could be left to develop. They would fear such a technically well developed and warlike race nearby, for Epsilon eridani is relatively close, at least in terms of their ships. They might also fear the Earth could acquire the M'starn technology. The Ranhynn may well view humans as big a potential threat as the M'starn."
"Not, I hope, to the extent of launching a pre-emptive strike?" Natasha asked, as a look of horror passed across her face.
"That is something to be avoided," Gaius said.
"So what do we recommend?"
"If we look at the options, either the M'starn are allowed to live and develop here, or nearby, or they are not. If they are not, then probably the best thing we can do is put them in their ships, stripped of weapons, and send them back to their own part of the galaxy."
"And you think the latter to be the solution?"
"Frankly, yes," Gaius said. "I can't see Earth being able to live with the M'starn. They have sufficient technical superiority that there would be the continual fear they would rearm and try again. Even if they did nothing of the sort, the fear would remain. Furthermore, there's a number of nearby stars and planets that Earth has the right to try to explore and develop."
"But surely the Ranhynn . . ?" Natasha started.
"They're forbidden," Gaius shrugged, "which, I might add, is quite a source of irritation to them. But back to the M'starn. If they were left in this part of the galaxy, they would take this opportunity from Earth. To leave them here, or nearby, would leave them victors."
"Which means we shall have to give back the captured M'starn vessels," Natasha said, wistfully.
"Yes," Gaius said simply. "There is no other way of accommodating that number of M'starn. In fact we may have to assist by building additional space onto their remaining ships."
"Additional space? Not additional ships?"
"Nobody in this part of the galaxy, except the Ranhynn, and they are too far away, could possibly make the motors required to travel near light speed," Gaius replied. "Our limitations will be the number of such motors available, so they may have to be employed in larger vessels. I hope you weren't thinking of keeping these ships?"
"I wasn't thinking of anything," Natasha replied, "but I'm sure a number of those on the Council won't be too happy about giving those back. Yes, I know," she interrupted Gaius before he could begin speaking, "it's for our own good."
"The only alternative would be to try to coexist with the M'starn," Gaius shrugged, "and Earth would have to do that without further Ulsian or Ranhynn assistance. Maybe you feel you could control them, maybe you feel you could trust them, but would your gains outweigh the risk?"
"My feelings at the moment are that we should not consider trying to coexist with a more advanced but defeated enemy," Natasha agreed, "because I can't see that eithe
r side would see benefit in doing so. The M'starn would hate the humans for defeating them, and fear Earth's manufacturing capacity, so they would wish to keep their technological edge. Earth would fear a M'starn resurgence, and hate the M'starn for keeping such technology from them. I assume there would be little hope of the cultures integrating, and living side by side?"
"Not much," Gaius said. "The basic requirements, like food, are too different, but it could be possible, if everybody on both sides made sufficient effort. I wouldn't hold out much hope though. To start with, I can't see the average human being prepared to make the effort. The history of race relations is not too promising."
"Agreed," Natasha remarked. "Then I guess we'd better see the M'starn."
The M'starn officers were admitted to the large conference room, and a space was cleared at the far end of the room. In addition to the negotiators, a limited number of observers were permitted to attend. It was explained to the M'starn that this was an exploratory conference, the observers were those who had played a significant part in the M'starn defeat, and additionally the Ulsians and the Ranhynn had requested observer status through the talks. It had also been felt that those chosen as observers had earned the right to meet not only the enemy, but also their alien allies.
"You are the victors," the leading M'starn officer commented. "You may do what you wish."
The representatives were Gelemt and Kuyrill Hadell, accompanied by Kazyn, who was permitted to attend solely on the understanding that he remained absolutely silent, and that he kept his tail still. These were chosen because they were known to Natasha. As they entered the room, the M'starn bowed politely. The parties took their appointed chairs at the table, the Ranhynn chairs being quite massive in comparison with the others. Natasha was amused to watch Kazyn dutifully fold his tail away under his chair, then allow the tip to show itself, and wave to her. As she sat down, impulsively she winked at Kazyn, who seemed startled at such a move. He leaned forward, shielded his face from his mother's view, and began blinking and grimacing. Finally Hadell touched him lightly on the shoulder, and waved a warning claw.
After the introductions were made, in which the rank of each was explained, the leading M'starn officer addressed Natasha, "If I understand correctly, you are the leading Earth representative?"
"I am the leading representative here," she explained, "although I must add that final decisions have to be ratified by our Council."
"And you," he said, turning to Gaius, "are the leading general?"
"I am the overall field commander," Gaius admitted.
"With an Ulsian craft?"
"I was also commander of the Ulsian fleet at Plotk," Gaius confirmed.
The M'starn leader nodded, as if almost pleased. "It is not such a disgrace to lose to you," he commented at last. "If I may make a request?"
"And that is?" Gaius asked.
"We surrendered because we could see the futility of continuing," the M'starn leader said. "This action saved a number of lives on your side. Our ships have crews that include families, and offspring. I beg you to spare the young, but if that is not possible, at least let us arrange a peaceful –"
"Earth has a custom that following a surrender, no life is shed," Natasha stated simply. "It is not the intention of Earth to break that tradition now. Earth will not demand M'starn life. The purpose of this discussion is not to determine how or when to kill you, but rather to decide where the rest of your lives should be spent."
"The Ulsian code would also forbid Ulsians from demanding life," Gelemt added, nodding his massive head.
"Then what do you intend?" the M'starn asked. "I realize we may have little choice, but I should warn you that slavery will not be a long term solution. We may be defeated, but we shall not grovel."
"We could discuss your approach to the Martian settlers," Natasha mused.
"We could," the M'starn replied. "On Miranda, we needed short term labour. The slavery concept arose from your own race. But I am not excusing our actions. The victor may do as he wishes with the vanquished. You may hold trials, then execute us, if you need something to justify such an action to yourselves. You may enslave our bodies, but I warn you, you cannot enslave our minds. You may –"
"Our first preference, at this moment," Natasha interrupted, "is to put you on your ships, if they are operable, disarm them, and return you to your own planetary system."
"With a signal explaining who you are, and guaranteeing you freedom of passage while in Ulsian controlled space, provided you remain on the designated course," Gelemt added.
"That is exceedingly generous of you," the M'starn leader said, after a moment's pause.
"We shall return the captured ships," Gaius said, "and hope there is enough room to fit everybody."
"Enough room could be found," the M'starn leader said. "Equipment and survival food is not as large when there is only one stop, and that is home. If the offer is extended, we shall comply in every way with any condition you may impose, as long as it does not threaten the ability to survive the trip. I may also add that besides being generous, I think it is wise, for your people."
"You must accept, of course, that this has to be accepted by the executive Council," Gaius warned. "The result cannot be a foregone conclusion."
"On the other hand," Natasha remarked drily, "Being a member of that Council, and having some experience of it, I have some confidence I can argue it through. I have two advantages," she added, in a lower tone.
"And they are?" Gaius asked.
"First, by actually having a proposal, that is what is discussed. As long as it is not rejected out of hand, it tends to be the proposal, albeit amended. In this case there is hardly room to amend. The second is that I have evidence of treachery on the Council. I think a few may vote with me, in the hope of gaining some respite."
"Out of self interest," the M'starn leader croaked harshly, "I can assist."
"You will provide me with some evidence?"
"More than that," the leader replied. "There are M'starn on Earth now. If you promise to spare them, and let them return with us, I think we can persuade them to give you all sorts of information."
"I said all would be spared," Natasha replied, "although I can only promise for those under my control. If your agent is in, say, a corporation, such as, say, GenCorp," and as she said that, she watched every muscle on the M'starn leader's face, "I can't do much for him or her until he or she is out."
To Natasha's disappointment, the M'starn leader's face showed no flicker of emotion, although, as she admitted later, had it, she might have had difficulty in interpreting what she saw. However, eventually the M'starn leader's face broke, and he cackled harshly. "When you set out to rescue him," he said, "I shall tell you where he is. To tell you now might risk his life. Your security is not all it might be."
"True," Natasha smiled, "but some of what you heard you were intended to hear."
"I worked that out too," the M'starn leader replied, "but we had little choice. With almost zero manufacturing capacity we had to defeat your forces. Once you received outside help, we were too weak for the job."
"Then why didn't you start off trying a more peaceful approach?" Natasha asked.
"Their culture would be against that," Gaius said, shaking his head sadly.
"On the contrary, your culture was against it," the M'starn retorted. "We did a quick analysis of your history, as well as we could, and all we could see was war, violence, and most damaging of all, bitter racial hatreds. If you hated yourselves, with slight skin pigmentation variations, what would you think of us?"
"So instead you decided to conquer us."
"Our strategy was, since you are interested, to seriously threaten you, and hope you would sue for peace. We were divided as to whether we should then accept what we needed to move as tribute and leave, or whether we should attempt to coexist."
"But you were prepared to destroy our space station," Natasha snarled. "You were prepared to destroy several hundred
thousand lives."
"That was not our plan," the M'starn leader replied. "All we authorized was the raid, and that was requested by traitors of your species."
"But when that failed . . ."
"When that failed, it was the Ulsian ship that fired on your station. It was completely outside our control, and indeed it was then we realized we had to abandon that ship. Our ship also fired at the station to ensure that the shield was real, and not an Ulsian illusion. We had to know the level of your technology, because that shield was an anomaly."
"And why should I believe that," Natasha asked harshly.
"Because it's true," the leader replied. "Beyond that, I cannot help you. As I said, if you wish to take revenge, I cannot stop you. I am not pleading, or excusing. M'starn don't do that. I am simply telling you what happened."
"That is true," Ekaterina intervened. "The Livia simulated the attack. It was the only way of getting a message through to Ulse. We calculated that no damage could ensue, and there may have been the additional benefit of buying you more time."
"I see," Natasha said quietly. Although she found the situation unsatisfactory, she recognized it could be unwise to pursue this matter further.
"If I may request one further favour?" the M'starn leader asked.
"And that is?"
"I would like to meet the most important of my opponents from Earth."
"They are in the room here," Natasha smiled. "Let me introduce them."
The role of each person was explained, finishing with Marisa. It was explained that she had orchestrated the misinformation campaign, and she had helped design and had totally operated the missile and projectile defence system.
"You have indeed done well," the M'starn said. "It is a custom amongst the M'starn to recognize important opponents, usually when they are vanquished, but perhaps it is even more so now. When we meet again, I shall bring you a gift."
"Oh!" Marisa exclaimed. "Thank you, but I was not the most important."
"I think you were," the leader said, and touched her gently on the shoulder, "and I should be the judge of what led to my downfall."
"Harry did much more," Marisa said impulsively.