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be some who will listen.
This cannot be permitted. If the Amplitur are allowed access to Human leaders, those individuals will
soon find themselves uncritically espousing the Purpose. It s happened too often before, on other
worlds. Our studies here have shown that Humans rely extensively on their chosen leaders to make
decisions for them, often to the exclusion of individual thought.
I know, Second. The Massood commander was uncharacteristically contemplative.
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It is only that what is proposed will be a difficult thing to sleep with. I don t see it that way. We re
doing what is necessary to save lives: S van, Massood, Hivistahm, and in the long term, Human.
I see that. It is only that I would prefer to do so honestly. We re being truthful in all things, T var
insisted. This world would have been drawn into the conflict eventually.
I suppose so.
And consider this, tall Captain: Suppose the Amplitur had discovered this world before us? Imagine
Humans as allies of the Amplitur, fighting alongside the Molitar.
No one fights alongside the Amplitur. They only fight for them. But you are right, my hirsute advisor.
The notion is unpleasant. They parted, each to his station, each to his thoughts.
I m afraid I don t have any brilliant suggestions on how to proceed with this. What have you come up
with? Will sat in the chamber with Caldaq and Soliwik, T var and Z mam. He d slept very little the
previous night. Do you want to make a show of force, or set shuttles down in the major capitals, or
what? Our studies suggest that your people are easily traumatized, said Soliwik. We would prefer
that you make the initial contact by way of a personal presentation. Both ears bent forward intently.
You must understand that the concept of multiple governments on a single planet, among a single
species, is still new and alien to us.
To alleviate local concerns insofar as that is possible, Caldaq added, we will conduct simultaneous
presentations for the two most powerful tribes. I heard about the Russian officer on Vasarih, Will
informed them. He ll probably do a better job of it than I will. I wish my Uncle Emile was here. He was
an alderman, knew how to talk to politicians.
You ve known us longer than any of your kind. T var s tone was soothing, reassuring. You ll do just
as well.
Thus committed, Will leaned forward, folding his hands on his lap. The back of his seat obediently flexed
to accommodate him.
How am I supposed to persuade people? They re not going to believe this no matter what kind of
pictures or tapes I take with me. I will travel with you, Caldaq replied, surprising him. T var will
come also, together with a Hivistahm recorder and a Wais in the event of translator failure. I think the
four of us in person should be sufficiently convincing, don t you?
Not at first, Will said dryly. At first they ll think you re refugees from a movie. But you re right: in the
end they re going to have to accept the evidence.
Accepting you won t mean acceptance of your agenda, however. You ll see. Once people realize
there s fighting involved, a major conflict, they ll back offand demand that you leave. He was feeling
more confident. Revelation, he d decided, did not necessarily mean involvement. Considering how far
things had gone, it might even be for the best.
Oh, you might get some countries to mobilize defenses, but no one will rush to send troops oflplanet to
help fight your war. You ll see. Caldaq was about to reply when he was interrupted by Z mam. Only the
extraordinary circumstances allowed the commander to ignore the breach of protocol.
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That will be sufficient for now, the S van murmured. Caldaq eyed the squat being but kept silent.
If we could get on television somehow& Will was murmuring. No. Soliwik was insistent. In order
to be convincing this must be done in person. Your primitive visual transmissions allow for considerable
electronic trickery.
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