Horizon Storms - Kevin J. Anderson [117]
Sullivan grasped the significance of the commander’s concern. “I…realize that your predecessor had no intention of achieving his victory so that humans could take advantage of the opportunity.”
“Cease your operations here, pack up your equipment, and return to Earth. You do not belong on Qronha 3.”
Sullivan spread his hands on the table. “Now, let’s not be too hasty, all right? Aren’t the Hansa and the Ildiran Empire good friends? Don’t we share a common enemy in the hydrogues? Our Earth Defense Forces have fought bravely and sacrificed themselves against the hydrogues, just as your valiant Adar did. With the attacks on our colony worlds, we’ve suffered plenty, too—and we did not ask for this war any more than you did.”
Zan’nh’s answer was quick and cold. “Humans ignited the Klikiss Torch and destroyed a hydrogue homeworld.”
“Well, you know it was never our intent to incite hostilities—and we’ve done everything humanly possible to atone for that mistake. Look, I’m just a skyminer trying to do my job.”
“As am I—but I can’t get started yet,” Hroa’x said impatiently. “These are old matters and irrelevant ones.”
“You bet they are,” Sullivan agreed with the gruff miner. He smiled reassuringly, attempting to increase his charm. “Say, neither of you has sampled any of the food or drink.”
“We do not require hospitality. And your food may not be perfectly compatible with our biochemistry.”
Sullivan covered his frown. Refusing hospitality? Did they fear poison? He nibbled on a piece of cheese. “Maybe the Hansa made a brash and ill-advised decision to send a cloud harvester here without first obtaining permission from your Mage-Imperator. I can see why you’re upset. I wouldn’t want someone setting up a business in my family’s backyard, either. But this is a huge planet, after all—what does it hurt? We meant no harm, nor have we caused any that I can see. Our presence in no way hinders your efforts to produce as much ekti as you can. The sky is certainly big enough for both of us. Besides, isn’t there safety in numbers? We could help each other in the event of an emergency.”
“Help each other…in what way?” Zan’nh asked. “These facilities could never successfully defend against a hydrogue attack, alone or together.”
“Well, no, but other emergencies could happen, right?”
Hroa’x was impatient. “We waste time. Why squabble over boundaries that do not exist? Human cloud-harvesting activities will not diminish the hydrogen supply here. Instead of this discussion, I could be setting up my facilities. That is my priority. Diplomacy wastes too many valuable working hours.”
Sullivan suddenly saw something in the young Adar’s expression and realized with a flash of insight that Zan’nh wanted to resolve this standoff as much as he did. He was looking for a neat and acceptable end to the crisis.
Sullivan continued to smile, hoping the initial tension had begun to dissipate. “Please, Adar, let’s not make this into a conflict. How about this—Ildirans can set up as many ekti factories as you want, and I give you my word of honor that we’ll stay out of your way. Our efforts won’t hinder you at all.”
At the far end of the table, Kolker stroked his treeling and continued to report everything.
Sullivan pressed: “The Hansa needs the fuel as much as you do—in fact, it was another Ildiran, an Adar like yourself, who gave us the designs for your stardrive in the first place. Nobody had a problem with that. Surely you wouldn’t deny us the ability to fly our spacecraft?”
Zan’nh seemed as hard a negotiator as Sullivan. “If you were to remain here, on an Ildiran world that we have made safe for skymining, it would not be without a price. The Mage-Imperator would require a tax of some sort.”
Sullivan saw an opening for negotiation, the first move in the bargaining game, and he seized it. “Perhaps I could offer a small percentage of the ekti we produce.” Taking the initiative, he poured a glass of water for each of them, judging