[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

the Altavar translating devices will recognize those syllables and
transliterate them into Altavar and vice versa. There being no neutral parties
present, I will assume the chairmanship for the time being, if there is no
objection."
Nobody spoke or moved.
"Very well, then," Morah continued, "we will proceed. Mr. Carroll, will you
please state your position?"
He smiled and nodded. "There is no use going into all the circumstances that
brought us to this point. If we didn't all know them, and if it wasn't now a
matter of record at all governments concerned, we wouldn't be here. It is the
Confederacy's position that there is nothing here to fight about, put as
simply and bluntly as possible. As far as we can determine, the interest of
Page 153
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
the Altavar is entirely in the Warden system, as are the interests of the Four
Lords of the Diamond. The Confederacy is a very large group not in conflict
with the Altavar or any other territory, and, therefore, believes that this
matter may be settled simply. We are prepared to cede and concede to the
Altavar sovereignty of the Warden solar system for a distance of twenty
light-years from its sun, and we are further prepared to guarantee that no
people or vessels not now belonging to those in residence in the system will
encroach upon this zone, nor will
Altavar access or egress from the system be in any way impeded even if it cuts
through regions under
Confederacy sovereignty. The four worlds known as the Warden Diamond, and
their possses-sions and colonies, will be given free, unconditional,
unilateral independence and may work out whatever arrangement they like with
the Altavar. If the Altavar are sincere in stating that they have no interest
in
Confederacy space beyond the Warden system, this should be sufficient. Any
violations, of course, would constitute an immediate act of war, but the
vastness of the surrounding zone would provide ample warning."
He looked around to see how this was being taken he had hashed it out on the
security band well into the night with the Council and Krega but saw no
emotion whatever on the intent listeners. Well, not quite all Ypsir was
cleaning his nails with a small pen knife.
file:///F|/rah/Jack%20L.%20Chalker/Chalker,%...ds%20of%20the%20Diamond%204%20-
%20Medusa.htm (190 of 218) [1/17/03 4:34:20 AM]
Medusa
"In exchange for this," he continued, "the Confederacy expects an immediate
and total cessation of hostilities now underway against it by the Four Lords
of the Diamond with the acquiescence of the
Altavar, withdrawal of all such agents to the Warden Diamond, and a formal
agreement that any future territorial or interest conflicts between the
Confederation and the Altavar be settled by arbitration with both sides
renouncing the use of force against the other. We feel this is more than
fair."
Morah waited a moment to see if he was finished, then saw his nod that he was.
"Very well, then," the
Charonese said, "do you have anything to add, Doctor?"
Dumonia shook his head negatively.
"All right. I sense some objections among the Four Lords, but I will defer
them at this time, and ask the
Council to confirm this offer."
"We do," Luge's voice came to them after a momentary delay caused not by
interstellar communications but by the lag from the subspace relay they were
using on the picket ship. "In fact, the offer was approved twenty-one to four
by the full Council and thus is binding upon us if accepted/'
Morah nodded and turned to the impassive Altavar. "Manager Soog, are you
prepared at this time to answer the offer?"
"We are," the eerie synthesized voice responded. "We would very much like to
accept the offer, which answers our basic needs and our objections to the
current arrangement. However, we feel we cannot do so. The history of the
human race argues against you, Confederacy. It is a most consistent record, no
matter the technological or social levels. From the very beginnings of your
history you have shown yourselves to be totally intolerant of those who are
different. The record is a clear record of repression.
Treaties are signed and sworn to and systematically violated at the first
opportunity. You persecuted your own for a mild difference in skin color or
bone structure, or because some worshiped a different god, or even the same
god by different names. Treaties between nations held only so long as both
nations " felt so strong that they could destroy the other. Not once do we see
Page 154
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
social or political agreements made and held by mutual respect, only by mutual
fear and then with all the efforts of both sides devoted to destroying even
that balance.
"You took these attitudes with you into space," the creature went on, "and
continued them for a while, until the years and the practicalities of distance
and the advance of technology merged you racially and culturally. Still, the
fact of this merger only caused redirection of this trait. Fully a dozen
nonhuman races were discovered in your outward expansion. None equaled your [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]