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D'arl sighed. "The other why. Because, Syndic Moreau, it was the only way I could think of to save this world from disaster." He waved his hand skyward. "The...
Jonny shook his head. "But it doesn't work that way. We have no transport capability to speak of-we can't possibly threaten them. And even if we could, they ...
"But they wouldn't. I once thought that myself, but the more I study the indirect psychological data gleaned over the years, the more I suspect mass destruct...
"But you still don't need Cobras to defend against that," Jonny persisted, feeling frustration stirring to life in him again. "You brought in antiarmor laser...
D'arl smiled sadly. "Because the Trofts aren't afraid of human militias or armies. They're afraid of Cobras."
Jonny blinked. He opened his mouth to disagree . . . but all that came out was a single whispered syllable: "Damn."
D'arl nodded. "And you see now why I had to do all this. Aventine may never have the ability to truly defend itself against an invasion, but as long as a det...
"And the Dominion is spared the trouble and expense of a punitive war?" Jonny suggested acidly.
Again, D'arl smiled. "You're beginning to understand the mechanisms of politics. The greatest good for the greatest number, and immediate benefits for as man...
"Or at least for those whose support you need?" Jonny asked quietly. "Those whose objections don't count can be ignored?"
"Jonny, it's your safety we're talking about here," Jame put in earnestly. "Yes, it's going to cost you something, but everything in life does."
"I know that." Jonny stood up. "And I'll even accept that the Committi had our interests at least somewhat at heart. But I don't have to like his solution, a...
"Jonny-" Jame began angrily.
"No, it's all right," D'arl interrupted him. "An honest enemy is worth a dozen allies of expediency. Good-bye, Syndic Moreau."
Jonny nodded and turned his back on the Committi. The door slid open as he approached it and he stepped through, relying on his memory to get him back throug...
"Oh, I understand him," Jonny replied shortly. "I understand that he's a politician and can't bother to think through the human consequences of his chess mov...
"You're a politician now yourself," Jame reminded him, guiding him through a turn he'd forgotten. "Chances are you'll be stuck with a similar no-win situatio...
They said their good-byes at the entryway-cool, formal words of farewell Jonny would never have envisioned saying to his own brother-and a few minutes later ...
But he didn't drive off immediately. Instead, he sat behind the wheel and stared at the muted sheen of the Dominion ship, his mind replaying over and over ag...
No. He'd suffered defeats many times: on Adirondack, on Horizon after the war, even in the opening round of the brief struggle against Challinor. He knew how...
Temporary.
With one final glance at D'arl's ship, Jonny started the car. No, it wasn't over yet. Aventine would survive and grow; and he, not D'arl, would be best in po...
In the meantime . . . there were a woman, a child, and a district who deserved his full attention. Turning the car around, he headed for home. Chrys, he knew...
Interlude
The haiku garden had changed over the years, slowly and subtly enough that D'arl no longer remembered exactly how it had been when he had succeeded Committi ...
Jame Moreau, at his side, correctly interpreted his gaze. "This time they mean it, don't they," he said. It was more statement than question.
D'arl hesitated, then nodded. "I can't see any other interpretation for such a clear-cut demand. We're going to be lucky if the ship we're sending doesn't ge...
"Or halfway back." Jame squatted down to straighten a blussa reed that was trying to fall over.
"Halfway back would be a problem," D'arl agreed. "But we can't let the Trofts close the Corridor without at least giving Aventine a little warning."
"For all the good it'll do." Jame's voice was controlled, but D'arl knew what he was thinking. The younger man's brother and sister were out there; and if th...
"They'll survive," the Committi told him, wishing the words could be more than ineffectual puffs of air. "The Troft concept of hostage seems to involve land ...
Jame straightened up, brushing bits of dirt from his fingers. "Except that they won't behave themselves," he said quietly. "They'll fight, especially Jonny a...
D'arl sighed. "That's always been the fate hanging over their heads, Moreau. We knew it when we sent them out-you probably knew it, down deep, when you first...
Jame nodded. "I know, sir. But I can't help wishing there was something we could do for them here."
"I'm open to suggestions."
"How about letting the Trofts close the Corridor in exchange for leaving the colonies alone?"
D'arl shook his head. "I've thought of that, but the Committee would never go for it. Impossible to verify, for starters. Besides which, we've put a lot of m...
Jame sighed and nodded in reluctant agreement. "I'd like to request a place on the courier ship, sir, if you can get me aboard. I know it's short notice, but...
D'arl had suspected the request was coming, but that didn't make his answer any easier to give. "I'm sorry, Moreau, but I'm afraid I can't allow you to go. Y...
"Then let me take a fast recall-blockage treatment," Jame persisted. "It wouldn't delay the lift by more than a day if I can schedule my recuperation period ...
D'arl shook his head. "No-because you could lose it all permanently with a hasty treatment like that, and I'm not risking that, either."
Jame exhaled in defeat. "Yes, sir."
D'arl gazed off across the haiku garden. "I'm not insensitive to your feelings," he said quietly, "but such a hurried meeting with your family under these co...
And the more time-he didn't add-the Dominion would have to prepare its own defenses. Because important as they were, the Outer Colonies represented less than...
He was careful not to spell it all out for Jame . . . but then, the other had probably already figured it out. Why else would he have wanted to go to Aventin...
With a sigh, D'arl continued down the path. One more curve and he would be back to his office door. Back to the real world, and to the looming specter of war...
And to waiting for a miracle he knew wouldn't happen.
Statesman: 2432