by Pam Uphoff
Nighthawk delivered plates and they ate mostly quietly at the start.
The Earther flicked a glance at the Oner. "You haven't torn into him."
"The One World also attempted to invade. And their attempt was much bloodier on our side, although they lost fewer soldiers than Earth. We'd tracked several of their spy operations. They've been actively gathering intelligence, and committing murder for over thirty years, that we know of, and were well enough established that we suspect they were active for at least a decade prior to that. They staged an attack on Earth from here, with local dupes, leaving us with a large chunk of the blame."
Marty narrowed his eyes and shot a glare toward Utto, who was also looking suddenly thoughtful.
So both sides have information holes? I guess the Oners didn't go back to the One World, but neither did they get caught. Think on it, later.
"We'd have had better luck with friendly trade relations with either of you, separately. Unfortunately you both arrived in the same time frame and seem to be determined to grind us up between you.
"So, let me just say this. Among the items the Earther's left behind when they retreated to Earth was an armed nuclear warhead. If you keep pushing us, one of you is likely to receive it.
"That biowarfare truck. We could have just parked it anywhere and walked away. Think please, about the consequences of a high tech multidimensional war." Xen put down his knife and fork and looked at both of them. "At the slightest hint that either of you are again trying for Option Zero, you will be isolated. We have the ability, but we will only use it if we have to. What we would like to do is use an empty planet as neutral territory, a place where every World can build an embassy and talk to the other Worlds."
Oh hell. Where did that idea come from?
"Oh. My. A United Nations. How high minded." Utto curled a lip. "Historically speaking, thing like that have all failed miserably."