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"Very well, I'll see it's done." He moved away from view.
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"That's a strange offer," Otto said to Sterm. "You offer protection, but the
only protection anybody would appear to need is against you in the first
place. After all, you've just told us that you hold all the weapons. You seem
to entertain a curious notion of logic."
For the first time a hint of anger flashed across Sterm's face. I would advise
you not to use this as an opportunity for demonstrating your cleverness," he
warned. He allowed himself a moment to calm down. Then he resumed speaking
more slowly. "Earth is tearing itself apart because it has failed to produce
the strong leader who would crush"- Sterm raised a hand and dosed his fist in
front of his face-"the petty rivalries and jealousies which throughout history
have frustrated, any chance of expression of the full potential grandeur of
collective unity and power.
Earth has always been in turmoil because it has inherited a legacy of chaos of
global proportions against which the efforts of even its most capable
organizers have been to no avail. Is that the future that you would wish upon
Chiron?
"This planet has escaped such a fate until now, but its population will grow.
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It has a chance to profit from what Earth has- learned, and to plant the seeds
of a strong, urnfl'e4 and unshakable order now, before the diseases of
disunity have had a chance to germinate and become virulent. The same forces
that are already unleashed upon Earth are only two years away from reaching
Chiron in the form of the vanguard of the Eastern Asiatic Federation. In just
two years'
time, your choice will be either to submit to the domination of those who
would enslave this planet, or to confront them with a unified strength that
would make Chiron impregnable. Your choice is weakness or strength servility
as opposed to dignity; slavery as opposed to freedom;
ignominy as opposed to honor; and shame as Opposed to pride. Weakness or
strength. I offer the
1atter alternatives"
Sterm's -eyes took on a distant light, and his breathing quickened visibly. "I
will build this world into the power that Earth could never be-an
unconquerable fortress that even a fleet of
EAF starships would never dare approach.
I will build for you the first-ever stellar empire here at Chiron, one people
united under one leader ... united in will, united in action, and united in
purpose. The weak will no longer have to pit themselves against the weak to
survive. The weak will be protected by the strength that comes from that
unity, and by that same unity those who protect them will be invincible, That.
. .
Is what I offer to share."
"Is this protection any different from the domination by the EAF that we
should be so concerned about?" Ch~st~t asked.
Sterm looked displeased at the response. "Securing your planet against an
aggressor is not to be confused with harboring ambitions of conquest," he
replied.
Otto shook his head. "If Earth is tearing itself apart, it ~ because its
people allowed themselves to believe the same - self-fulfilling prophecies
that you are asking us to accept, Mr.
Sterm. But we reject them. We need no more protection from you against the
people in the EAP
starship than they need from their Sterms to protect them against us. We have
no need of that kind of strength. Is it strength for neighbors to fortify
their homes against each other, or is it paranoia? You must feel very insecure
to wish to fortify an entire star system." Sterm's mouth clamped into a grim,
down turned line.
"The EAP is committed to a dogma of conquest," he said. "They understand no
language apart from force. You cannot hope to deal with them by any other
means."
"On the contrary, Mr. Sterm, they understand the same language that people
everywhere speak," Chester said. "We will deal with them in the same way that
we have already dealt with you."
"And exactly what is that supposed to mean?' Sterm demanded.
Otto smiled humorlessly. "Take a look at the other lunatics around you," he
suggested.
"What happened to all the people? Where did your army go? They're all
Chironians now. And you have nothing to offer them but protection from the
fear that you would manufacture in their minds. But they have Chironian minds.
They see that the fear is your fear, not theirs; and it is you who are in need
of protection, not they."
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