The Universe - or Nothing | Page 6

on a magnified Plutonian
sector. The Uranus and Neptune orbits, although contained within the tank displays, were
cut out by the compression. The Slingshot Construction Site rode the rim.
"Updating, the latest reports of military construction, commitments and political
realignments among the Outer Nations are ominous," Allen said. "They're pledging
themselves to each other through mutual assistance pacts and are building military

spacecraft, weapons and support systems to back up their agreements."
Pointing thoughtfully with his right forefinger at his left palm, Allen updated the military
assets of each opposing nation, and correlated its potential capabilities to economic
resources over the coming decades and centuries until Slingshot reduced the solar
system's deficits. He wove into his analysis the effects of orbital dynamics on normal and
spunnel transit times from each Inner and Outer Region point-of-origin to the Slingshot
work sites. He moved on to the status of weapons research and development, and
identified the locations of the Outer Region's weapons manufacturing sites and military
training facilities.
"The long-term defense of Slingshot through purely military means," he added, following
a deep breath, "especially in protecting our routes and the Log Depot, is, as Jim stated,
not possible given the prevailing circumstances. The so-called members of the
Independent Nations of the Outer Region are expanding their field of operations, and they
get generous support from satellite collectives and individual sympathizers throughout
the region.
"Our intelligence sources," Allen concluded, "report that many supporters of Plutonian
objectives are, themselves, descendants of the insurrectionists that fomented the
dissolution of our first interplanetary union. Now, it seems, their intent is to destroy
Slingshot, and us as well."
Allen Dynal and Jim Selvin glanced at each other; they were not in disagreement.
Camari broke the hush that followed Dynal's words.
"We are well into an armed confrontation," he said. "Nevertheless, whatever actions we
take must minimize destruction to life and property, require no diversions from resources
allocated to Slingshot, and in no way restrict Slingshot's construction and launch
schedules."
Turning his head slightly, he nodded at the last of his three advisors. Chan Dahl, Minister
of Diplomatic Protocols, laid his massive forearms on the table, palms down. His
abrasive voice matched his heavy features and rotund body. He spoke rapidly in summary
fashion: offering little that was new, Chan passed quickly over the diplomatic chasm that
had formed between the UIPS and the Outer Region after the dissolution of the first
United Planetary System. He summarized the complex alliances that had evolved among
the independent governments beyond the Asteroids following the secession, and moved
on quickly to the initiatives of his Ministry to reconcile inter-regional differences.
"The issue of the transit fee is critical," he said. "Each Outer Region nation has expressed
vehement impatience to get on with its toll tax on the UIPS for each transport or other
vessel that enters space contiguous to their planetary and satellite orbits. They insist that
such space is legally within their natural boundaries, and that by merely passing through,
we trespass. Restitution, they claim, is in order.
"Negotiations remain in limbo. The impasse will, quite likely, remain for some time. Our

position is unchanged: the fees that they demand are without justification, an extortion to
which we cannot submit."
Throughout the discussions, the Strategic Concepts Computer flashed a continuing
display. As each topic was opened for discussion the view tank portrayed the
corresponding regions, sectors, planets or satellites, shifting from one to the other as
needed to clarify points under discussion or accompany the exploration for alternatives.
The lower section of the tank registered the computer's quantification of speculations by
the President's advisors, and their probabilities toward realization.
Finally, President Camari raised his hand. He pressed a softly glowing disk on the table.
The view tank cleared. Resting his chin in the palm of one hand, Camari gently rubbed
his temple with the fingertips of the other.
"Instructions to Strategic Concepts Computer," he began. "Summarize the facts adverse
to our cause and our options for dealing with each. Arrange and rate the options
according to their probabilities for results favorable to the UIPS, and separately,
favorable to the interests of the Outer Region's Nations. Consider UIPS limitations in
nonrenewable metals, minerals and other vital reserves until Slingshot begins to produce.
Take the options into account and assume that Slingshot will succeed on schedule and
will generate sufficient refined matter over time to meet the needs of both Regions.
"Project each option's draw down on resources committed to Slingshot, and estimate their
impact on schedules. We may need to gamble here. Crank in the latest estimates on the
years it will take for the Extractor to reach Alpha Centauri, get organized around the job,
go online, and begin to produce. Compute out to the time that we will have rebuilt
stockpiles within