“Most importantly, however, Indonesia is far away from Earth’s true political centers. This provides us with a buffer from the immense military formations possessed by the largest powers, and allows us to control the degree of friction and hostility present in our discussions with their political leaders. Were we to land in, let us say, the Eurasian landmass, or North America, or coastal China, diplomacy and negotiation would immediately break down. Which, in turn, would make it impossible for us discuss our terms with the humans and explain the wisdom of acceding to them.”
Darzhee surprised himself by asking without a warning preamble. “What are these terms?”
Hu’urs Khraam settled his claws slowly to the table. “Complete withdrawal from the 70 Ophiuchi star system and a co-dominium of Barnard’s Star with the Arat Kur Wholenest.”
“And the surrender of a habitable world in what they call their Big Green Main, for settlement by the Hkh’Rkh.” First Voice had risen, crest erect, as he said it.
Darzhee Kut looked back and forth. “Surely, this last requirement is a ploy.”
First Voice looked down his very long snout. “This is not a ploy, but a plan to expand.”
Darzhee Kut could hardly believe what he was hearing. “And what of the human colony that is already on whichever world is so ceded?”
Hu’urs Khraam offered a soothing hum. “They will continue to be self-determining, and will not be relocated.”
“But if the rest of the humans should become aggressive—”
“The population would, of course, be at great risk from reprisals.”
Darzhee Kut glanced sidelong at Graagkhruud, whose tongue flicked slightly. A colony of hostages with their neck encircled by a predator’s talons. “First Delegate, surely there is room for negotiation on all these points.”
First Voice’s neck stretched high and straight. “Your terms are your affair. Ours are not negotiable. And your support of them is the price of our cooperation and alliance. The humans have gathered all the green worlds unto themselves. We must seize one if there is to be any semblance of parity.”
Darzhee Kut bobbed once. “With respect, First Voice, the worlds they occupied, though they did not know it at the time, are all within the sphere allowed them under the Accords.”
Phlegm fluttered in First Voice’s nose. “We are allies with you because we not only have common cause against the humans, but against the Accords. Its legalities are claws without bones; they are abominations to be brushed aside. Now, time grows short. Did the humans reveal anything useful?”
“Not really,” Darzhee admitted. “But this is not surprising. They are both proficient, and probably trained, in being able to converse without revealing strategically sensitive information. However, I found one moment puzzling in my conversation with Caine Riordan. With your permission, I would like to replay it for you.”
Silence granted consent. Darzhee Kut pushed a stud on his control wand.
The flat holographic screen centered on the long wall of the meeting module revealed Darzhee Kut facing Riordan, who was nodding, seemed oddly calm as he commented. “And so you plan to attack Indonesia. May I ask why?”
Darzhee Kut watched his own claws rise. “Is it not obvious? It is at a great enough remove from your major powers that they will not feel so directly threatened and thus might listen long enough to hear our terms for withdrawal. For I assure you, Caine Riordan, that we do not wish to remain on your planet.”
“There are many places more remote from the great powers of my world than Indonesia. Why there?”
“Can you not guess?”
“The mass driver.”
“It was a surety that you would see this. Many nations have labored long and spent dearly to build this extraordinary device. And they will not wish us to harm it. Similarly, they will avoid harming it themselves.”
“So it is a hostage.”
“In a manner of speaking. We have no wish to take living hostages.”
“Just a monetarily valuable one.”
“Yes, to say nothing of its being unprotected. It is a veritable gift for us and for the megacorporations we shall appoint as our partners and indigenous overseers.”
Riordan’s look of relaxed interest in the conversation seemed to fall away momentarily. His eyes opened slightly wider, his lips parted. Then, as fast as it was present, the expression was gone.
Darzhee Kut stopped the recording. “I could not read Riordan’s last change in facial expression. I have insufficient experience with humans.” Because the Hur caste’s elders would not let me study more than a few of their most harmless visual broadcasts. “So I put this recording before those who might have more insight than I. I ask you, therefore, what did that look signify? Surprise, or something else?”
No comments. He turned to Yaargraukh. “Is it true that you spent considerable time with this human?”
Yaargraukh nodded, still staring at the screen. “I know him.”
“Then tell me, what is this? Surprise?”
“Yes, surprise. But also comprehension.”
“What? I do not understand.”
Yaargraukh aimed a single calar digit at the frozen image. “He has realized something, and tried not to reveal that he was surprised—and that it was you who gave him useful information.”
“But even if that is true, why should Riordan conceal his surprise? He must know we will not release him until after the invasion is complete and the beachhead is secure.”
“Undoubtedly.”
“So then why conceal his realization, his reactions? What does he hope to achieve?”
“I do not know. Perhaps it is merely habit.”
“But you think not.”
“I think not.”
“Can we trust him?”
Yaargraukh opened his mouth—
But Graagkhruud spoke first. “Clearly not. At the Convocation, he was the one who attempted to lure Yaargraukh himself into a trap, into a module that ‘malfunctioned’ and exposed them both to vacuum.”
Yaargraukh raised a claw to interject, his black eyes retracting somewhat—
—and Darzhee Kut knew the clarification the Advocate was about to offer: that Riordan himself had almost been killed by the “malfunction.” Every account of the incident made it clear that Riordan had not been aware, let alone the architect, of that assassination attempt. More likely, he had been the actual target.
But First Fist had no interest in allowing Yaargraukh to make that distinction. He spoke too swiftly and loudly to be interrupted. “And now, most recently, while traveling under a diplomatic transponder, Riordan fired upon your ship. It was a cowardly and duplicitous ruse. He and Corcoran should have been executed the moment they came aboard.”
Darzhee Kut averted his eyes. “As I reported, their explanation of the particulars of the incident involving the diplomatic transponder signal has satisfied us all.” Hu’urs Khraam bobbed once.
First Voice’s crest rose slightly. “It does not satisfy me, nor do their convenient ‘retirements’ from being warriors.”
Yaargraukh’s neck swiveled deferentially. “It does sound odd. Yet, I know this Riordan. He is an honorable being.”
Graagkhruud’s retort was instantaneous. “He is a being only insofar as he makes noises like language.”