must use local resources, do so sparingly. We must not strip this planet for our own benefit. As long as we are here, we are its protectors. Am I clear?”
“Yes, General. If your assessment is correct and the planet is either occupied or in use, how do you want me to handle first contact?”
“We don’t have a protocol for that, Siella. It will fall to you to develop a procedure. We will utilize and adapt what works or fails here to meet future requirements. That being said, you have four primary objectives: Number one is to provide any necessary support to the rescue operation on the other side of the wormhole. Number two, you will protect your civilians at all costs. Number three, you will defend this planet. Finally, and most importantly, you will protect the Ares Federation, even at the cost of all other objectives.”
“Yes, sir. May I ask why you stayed? The next abduction event is still over a day away, and you have the invasion of another galaxy to plan.”
“I’m going down to the surface today with a squad of Marines. Once we figure out where they are, I would like to make contact with the planet’s inhabitants and have their blessing to use surface assets while you build an orbital base.”
“Is that a good idea?”
“I don’t know, but it’s how I operate, so I’m doing it. If we can find them and they are friendly, it could be very beneficial to us. They seem to have no protection, and we happen to be god-like when it comes to war. It’s a perfect match.”
Cort thought about the European invasion of North America before the industrial revolution on Earth, and what it did to the continent’s indigenous people. “I want to reiterate, Siella, you must protect this planet as long as we are here. Unless your survival depends on it, you will not force their cooperation or subjugate them.”
“Of course not, sir. My species’ own history, especially under Cupla and his two predecessors, is demonstrative of why that doesn’t work.” After a moment of thought, Siella asked, “Sir, why did you let the Cuplans live?”
Cort regarded the woman and thought about his reply. As was his habit when he needed time to think about an answer, he walked across the room and poured them both a drink. After handing Siella her sweetwater, he sat down and took a sip of his whiskey. “Siella, I don’t like killing. I’m proficient at it. Hell, I kill prolifically. But that doesn’t mean I like it. The Ares Federation is primarily peaceful. I know you find that hard to believe, but Dar…” Cort stopped himself.
After a moment, he said briskly, “Rand will do everything in his power to keep peace and solve problems diplomatically. Personally, I don’t give a shit about politics. I will protect our federation. If I can do that peacefully, I will. If not, I will slaughter my way across the universe. It’s my way or the highway. You need to learn Rand’s way. But be prepared for mine.”
Siella smiled. Cort had no idea how the phrases translated to clicks, but she clearly got the idea. “I understand what you mean.”
“Three hundred years ago I spent my time killing people because it was easier to kill them than to get them to agree with my government. Have you met Bazal, Governor?”
“No, sir. I’ve not had the pleasure. I have read his work on diplomacy though.”
“He might be good in this situation, now that I think about it. He is to peace what I am to war.”
Cort tapped new orders for Bazal into his flexpad. Then he looked up and finished his answer. “The point is, by the time I become aware of a problem, there are no other options, so I go in guns a-blazing. I recognize that my military is our last option, and act accordingly. When it’s time to kill, I kill. If I do find another solution, or if I create one, I back up. When I learned of your species’ customs and military tactics, I found a way to spare them. Once they
“Yes, General. If your assessment is correct and the planet is either occupied or in use, how do you want me to handle first contact?”
“We don’t have a protocol for that, Siella. It will fall to you to develop a procedure. We will utilize and adapt what works or fails here to meet future requirements. That being said, you have four primary objectives: Number one is to provide any necessary support to the rescue operation on the other side of the wormhole. Number two, you will protect your civilians at all costs. Number three, you will defend this planet. Finally, and most importantly, you will protect the Ares Federation, even at the cost of all other objectives.”
“Yes, sir. May I ask why you stayed? The next abduction event is still over a day away, and you have the invasion of another galaxy to plan.”
“I’m going down to the surface today with a squad of Marines. Once we figure out where they are, I would like to make contact with the planet’s inhabitants and have their blessing to use surface assets while you build an orbital base.”
“Is that a good idea?”
“I don’t know, but it’s how I operate, so I’m doing it. If we can find them and they are friendly, it could be very beneficial to us. They seem to have no protection, and we happen to be god-like when it comes to war. It’s a perfect match.”
Cort thought about the European invasion of North America before the industrial revolution on Earth, and what it did to the continent’s indigenous people. “I want to reiterate, Siella, you must protect this planet as long as we are here. Unless your survival depends on it, you will not force their cooperation or subjugate them.”
“Of course not, sir. My species’ own history, especially under Cupla and his two predecessors, is demonstrative of why that doesn’t work.” After a moment of thought, Siella asked, “Sir, why did you let the Cuplans live?”
Cort regarded the woman and thought about his reply. As was his habit when he needed time to think about an answer, he walked across the room and poured them both a drink. After handing Siella her sweetwater, he sat down and took a sip of his whiskey. “Siella, I don’t like killing. I’m proficient at it. Hell, I kill prolifically. But that doesn’t mean I like it. The Ares Federation is primarily peaceful. I know you find that hard to believe, but Dar…” Cort stopped himself.
After a moment, he said briskly, “Rand will do everything in his power to keep peace and solve problems diplomatically. Personally, I don’t give a shit about politics. I will protect our federation. If I can do that peacefully, I will. If not, I will slaughter my way across the universe. It’s my way or the highway. You need to learn Rand’s way. But be prepared for mine.”
Siella smiled. Cort had no idea how the phrases translated to clicks, but she clearly got the idea. “I understand what you mean.”
“Three hundred years ago I spent my time killing people because it was easier to kill them than to get them to agree with my government. Have you met Bazal, Governor?”
“No, sir. I’ve not had the pleasure. I have read his work on diplomacy though.”
“He might be good in this situation, now that I think about it. He is to peace what I am to war.”
Cort tapped new orders for Bazal into his flexpad. Then he looked up and finished his answer. “The point is, by the time I become aware of a problem, there are no other options, so I go in guns a-blazing. I recognize that my military is our last option, and act accordingly. When it’s time to kill, I kill. If I do find another solution, or if I create one, I back up. When I learned of your species’ customs and military tactics, I found a way to spare them. Once they
Similar Books
