To Save the Sun

by Ben Bova

  "I can obliterate Pallatin," he was saying. "The Levant has planetbreakers, and I've been given full authority to use them should I deem it necessary for the successful completion of this mission." He paused again, then looked her and Woorunmarra straight in the eyes, adding as a postscript, "The last thing Commander Fain told me—with Emperor Javas' endorsement, mind you—was that Pallatin could not ultimately refuse the Hundred Worlds, that no world could leave the Empire without the Empire's approval. If Pallatin is allowed to leave, then others might follow, effectively dismantling the Empire itself. Doctor, you, of all people, should realize the effect this would have on the project to save Earth's Sun."

  Adela started to protest, but he cut her off with a wave of his hand. "No. No, I understand your feelings regarding your project, and while I don't concur with the importance of it, I do agree with you and with the Emperor that a bloodless agreement from this key world would carry far more weight in swaying other members of the Hundred than would its destruction. Believe me, I don't want to do that." She stared at him wide-eyed, and he chuckled at her reaction. "Surprised?"

  "Frankly, yes." Adela turned to Woorunmarra, attempting to see if he might have known anything about the Commander's sentiments beforehand, but his normally expressive face remained impassive. "May I ask what changed your mind?"

  He smiled, chuckling again under his breath. "Nothing changed my mind. Nothing at all."

  She regarded him with a new respect, at the same time chiding herself inwardly not only for having prejudged him but for carrying her original impression of the man far longer than she should have. If she gained nothing else on this trip, this newfound knowledge about her character would serve her well as the project progressed. If it progressed, she reminded herself.

  The meeting went on. Other personnel—First Officer Nelon, Weapons Master Kyovska, Imperial geologists and technicians—came and went as they were called in for their expertise, then dismissed. Many possible courses of action were suggested and discussed, and, while many had merit, none would be decided upon until after a final meeting with the two Speakers.

  All other parties heard from, only Montero, Adela and Billy Woorunmarra attended that final portion of the meeting. The Speakers themselves took part from their respective capitals: Salera from the former Joint Dominion Capitol in Eastland, Niles from his own government headquarters at Newcastle. Like Salera, Niles appeared holographically, which surprised Adela somewhat. Adela remembered that his own office was not holographically equipped, and realized that he must be using another facility for this session. She wondered idly how desperate this man, who preferred simplicity in most of the things he did, must have been for a settlement of the conflict with Eastland for him to use the higher technology of holography rather than the simple flatscreen he favored in his own office.

  The holoconference room aboard Levant was specifically designed for meetings of this type and had ceiling-mounted projectors arranged in a circular pattern rather than a holo display area located in one corner or along a single wall frame as did most of the other rooms aboard the ship. There were actual chairs here, an even dozen of them, in a semicircle on one side with an open area on the other to allow for the received projections. The room seemed half empty with only two projections on the receiving side, those of the two Speakers. The two men were projected with their chairs next to each other, although the perspective on their end was probably different. Most likely so, in fact; little chance of these two willingly sitting next to one another, even if holographically.

  "We are adamant!" Salera was saying, pounding a fist on the armrest of his chair. The man had changed physically since the last time Adela had seen him weeks earlier. His face was thinner, his body gaunt, and large circles could be seen hanging opaquely beneath tired eyes. Although the Eastland Congressional Guard retained its possession of the most strategically located sites of the pressure-tap network and enjoyed virtual control of Pallatin itself, that control had not come without a price. A number of the hopper raids on the abandoned manned stations had been intercepted by Westland forces. The casualties were many, and the numbers of Eastland soldiers now being held as prisoners of war grew daily. The conflict had taken a severe emotional, and now physical, toll on the Speaker that was plain at even a casual glance. "We want neither interference from the Hundred Worlds, nor interaction. We wish simply to be left out of Imperial matters entirely. Tell me why that is so wrong!"

  The question had been directed at Lieutenant Woorunmarra, but it was Niles who responded. "It is not 'wrong,' " he said levelly. Amasee Niles, like his counterpart, looked exhausted. "Eastland wishes to be an entity unto itself. That is not wrong, but it is shortsighted."

  Technically, as the Imperial legal representative and negotiator, this portion of the meeting was under the direction of Woorunmarra. It was up to him to attempt to bring about a resolution to this conflict, based in Imperial law and protocol if possible. However, it was a sign of his training that he knew when not to speak as well. Recognizing that much of what he was attempting to get Salera to realize was being said now by Speaker Niles, he remained passive during their several exchanges, speaking only when necessary.

  "Simply put," Niles continued, "as I've tried to convince you many times in the past: We need each other, Pallatin and the Hundred Worlds, just as our two Congresses need one another."

  Salera snorted contemptuously, crossing his arms resolutely across his chest. "We don't need you anymore." He said the words slowly, almost individually, the meaning behind his words plain.

  "And why is that?" Adela put in before Niles could respond. "Because you've taken over one of the most important parts of the pressure-tap network, the northern control station on the west side of Arroyo?"

  "It is a matter of self-preservation!" Salera was on his feet, his face flushed. He pointed across the meeting room to a point that must have represented Niles' holographic projection from his perspective, although there was no one seated where he indicated. He looked angrily at the empty chair, adding, "I know that tremors have increased west of Arroyo. We've monitored them, but did nothing to stop them—at least as far as the effects have been felt on your side, that is. However, should you decide to join us in our opposition to the Hundred Worlds, Niles, we'll be more than happy to share the tap network."

  Adela was about to counter his outburst, but the brief smile that appeared on Speaker Niles' lips stopped her before she could say anything.

  "You see, Kip?" he said softly. "You need our half of the network." He paused, the smile lingering, and directed his remarks at the Eastland Speaker, although it was clear he was addressing the room at large. "You've just proven my point—we need each other. Because of the conditions here, because of the violent physical division of Arroyo, Pallatin can never truly be one world; and yet, we can never be truly separated."

  Salera snorted again and retook his seat. Niles' image turned from the Speaker and, the viewing angle of his reception apparently more accurate than the other's, looked directly at Adela.

  "Dr. Montgarde, several weeks ago I told you that I once felt much as my counterpart does. Do you remember asking me at the time what changed my mind?"

  Adela nodded. "As I recall, you changed the subject."

  He pursed his lips in an abashed half-smile and sighed. "Yes, I guess I did." He leaned forward as he spoke, resting elbows on knees. "Nearly twenty years ago—probably at about the same time you left Earth to come here—I was a junior representative to the Joint Dominion, assigned to accompany a trading delegation to Killian's World, a frontier trading world that deals in science and engineering. Specifically, I was to bring back the technology needed to develop the pressure-tap network."

  "But that wasn't necessary," Woorunmarra interrupted. "You could've obtained that technology from the Empire. You didn't need to go to another frontier world to—"

  "No? It is when you'd rather conduct business outside your world, simply to avoid letting the influence of outsiders in
. We… I was as stubborn as the rest of Pallatin in my belief that the influence of the Hundred Worlds should not be felt here, even if it meant going outside for what we needed and bringing only that one thing back. There was control that way, you see? That way there would be no danger of any outside 'contamination' from the Empire's influence.

  "Killian's World is close; using one of our fastest starships, the entire trip lasted under six years. I was on my way back, less than a month out, the technology to control our world in my hands ..." He thrust his hands, balled into tight fists, forcefully out in front of him. He sat like that for several moments, his fists gradually loosening as he brought the painful memory under control. "There have been many earthquakes here since Pallatin was settled centuries ago, but none as devastating in terms of loss of life as the one that occurred while I was gone."

  Speaker Salera remained quiet in his chair, and Adela noted that the anger seemed to have drained from his features as he listened to Niles. The defiance still glowed in his eyes, but behind them lay a glimmer of—what?—sorrow at Niles' story? My God, she suddenly realized, there is a connection between them. Were they related? Was there a common experience or a shared background that, despite their different philosophies, constantly tried to draw these two men together?

  "We rebuilt, of course," Niles went on softly. "We always rebuilt. But the tap technology I brought back ensured that we might never need rebuild again; that we might never see the losses we saw then. Working together, controlling Arroyo from both sides of the fault tamed it, made us the masters of our world at last." He lifted his eyes, turning to face the other Speaker. "But it was something that could have been done years earlier, were it not for our foolish isolationist paranoia. Cutting ourselves off from the Hundred Worlds—and my support of the belief that it was the right thing to do—killed thousands, including members of my own family, unnecessarily. Killed them at a time when I was safe and cozy aboard a Pallatin starship."

  He hesitated, overcome with emotion, and reached outside the image for a moment. His hand returned with a glass of water, and he sipped quietly before going on. "Much time has passed since then, and in that time we in the west have gradually come to realize the folly of isolationism on a world like Pallatin." He turned again to Salera. "We can be different, we can honor different customs and ideas that are dear to us, we can live our lives as we choose. We can even disagree. But we can't continue this separation, Kip. It'll destroy us both."

  The room was silent. Salera leaned back heavily in his chair, stroking at his neck and forehead with a handkerchief.

  "Then join us," he replied coldly. He thumbed a control on the armrest of the chair, and his image winked out.

  They spoke to Speaker Niles for several minutes longer, then he, too, signed off and the three of them considered carefully what both men had said and how it would relate to whatever actions they would ultimately have to take. The discussion that followed lasted nearly as long as the session before the holoconference.

  "Like he said, they are adamant in their stance." Woorunmarra rubbed his face tiredly. "As he sees it, isolationism applies only to interaction with the Hundred Worlds; as long as both sides of Arroyo control the fault, Salera feels that they are united. And as long as he controls the Leeper stations, he's willin' to wait until Westland agrees with his stance."

  "The man is an idiot," Adela spat. The tone in her voice took both Woorunmarra and Montero by surprise—neither had ever seen this side of her before. She became suddenly aware that they were staring at her, but didn't care. Stupidity, in whatever form she encountered it, angered her and she felt that Salera was stupidly blinding himself to the truth of everything Speaker Niles had said during the holoconference. "He feels that as long as control can be maintained on a rudimentary level, Pallatin has no need of anyone else."

  "But he isn't the only one," Montero countered. Just as she had unsettled him with her angry outburst a moment ago, so, too, did he take her by surprise with the softness in his voice now. "Speaker Niles seems as adamant about what he wants as does Salera."

  "But he's right!"

  Montero held up both hands, palms out. "I know, I know; and I agree with the sentiments behind his philosophy." He peered deeply into Adela's eyes. "Isn't that what this mission is all about? Holding the Empire together, just as he wants to hold his world together? But he seems, in many ways, as unwilling to bend in what he wants as Salera."

  Adela was forced to admit that the Commander was correct. She glanced once at Woorunmarra, who shrugged his shoulders and nodded in agreement to make it unanimous.

  Thirty-six hours later, Niles appeared in the holoconference room once more. The Westland Speaker had readily agreed, as he had in the past, to further discussion of the situation and, as he had before, came to this session full of hope. Adela felt ashamed by what they were about to tell him and, even though his image was holographic, she had difficulty looking him in the eye as he waited patiently for the proceedings to begin. Salera, on the other hand, had been nearly impossible to pin down and had made several excuses and postponements of this session. It was he, in fact, that they waited for now.

  Niles sat patiently, his elbows on the armrests of his chair, hands steepled before him. Only initial pleasantries had been exchanged among them once his image had appeared in the room, but that was normal. In holoconferences planned with both Speakers, no discussion was undertaken until both were present. He seemed to sense, however, that this meeting, called at Montero's urgent request, was different and that the Imperial starship Commander had come to a decision regarding his home. He waited wordlessly, a noncommittal look cloaking his features.

  There was a brief crackling in the air on the other side of the room, then a flicker of light before Salera's image took shape across from them. He, too, had a look of anxious anticipation in his eyes that he tried with little success to keep hidden. Like Niles, he did not seem surprised that Adela, Woorunmarra and Montero had been joined by First Officer Nelon and Weapons Master Kyovska. Again, a few brief pleasantries were exchanged.

  "A decision has been made," Woorunmarra began without preamble, addressing the two Speakers. "It is with great regret that a satisfactory agreement could not be reached between your two Congresses, and the Empire will take no enjoyment from what it must do." The brief statement of purpose completed, he looked to Montero, turning the rest of the conference over to him.

  "Thank you, Lieutenant." Montero's face was grim, and Adela noted that the man was deeply pained by what he was about to say. Far from the warmongering Imperial Commander she had first imagined him, she realized, perhaps for the first time, just how heavily this decision had weighed on him. He sat straighter in his chair and regarded Speaker Niles. "First, it has been decided that all support services, including—but not limited to—personnel, armament, transportation, medical, reconnaissance, and electronic and software services will be immediately withdrawn from Westland."

  Salera allowed a smile, pleased that the decision seemed to be going in his favor. In contrast, all color drained from Niles' face. His breathing came in sharp gasps and his mouth worked futilely as he attempted to respond.

  "Please remain silent," Montero said before he could utter a word. "All parties will be allowed to speak when I'm finished. The audio of anyone attempting to disrupt these proceedings will be muted." He turned then to face Salera. "Second, Pallatin is hereby notified that it will be quarantined until a resolution—peaceful or otherwise—is reached between your respective Congresses."

  "Quarantine?" Salera asked, his smile fading.

  "All off-planet communications will be jammed. Incoming communications, regardless of their source, will be blocked. Other than orbital activity to service satellites and regular translunar traffic, all of which will be watched extremely carefully, no ships will be permitted to leave the Pallatin system. The rest of the Hundred Worlds will—"

  "This is not acceptable!"

  Montero nodded to Nelon, who touche
d a key on a handheld keypad. Instantly Salera—on his feet, his arms gesticulating wildly—fell silent as the audio portion of his feed was cut. Realizing he'd been muted, he sat grudgingly back down. The glow of anger on his face remained.

  "Speaker Salera," Montero said calmly as if nothing had happened, "Speaker Niles, the rest of the Hundred Worlds will be informed that a state of civil war exists on Pallatin, and a general noncontact order will be issued."

  Adela watched the reactions of the two men. Niles was in shock, a look of horror at what was about to happen stood immobile in his eyes. His holographic image was several meters away on the other side of the holoconference room and it was difficult to be sure, but… was he shaking? While Niles clearly was terrified at the prospects of what would happen, the Eastland Speaker seemed to have calmed down. Clearly he was coming to realize that the Imperial noncontact order was not all that far removed from what his goals were. Of the two, however, she wasn't sure which reaction disturbed her the most. Are we doing the right thing here? she wondered fearfully. Was I right to encourage Montero to take this course of action?

  Montero leaned forward in his chair, his gaze shifting from one Speaker to the other. Again, his professional manner and the strength with which he spoke made Adela remind herself that, yes, this forceful Commander was the same man who put people to sleep at routine briefings.

  "Speaker Salera," he continued, extending his hand palm-up to him, "you wish for the Empire to leave Pallatin alone, to be able to govern your own affairs without interference. I grant you that wish. The Levant will remain in orbit until a resolution to your conflict has been reached, at which time diplomatic negotiations will be reopened with those remaining in power. As we speak, self-contained and -powered observation stations are being established in several remote, unpopulated areas on both sides of Arroyo as well as on some of the larger islands on the far side of Pallatin. These stations will be protected by shield projectors utilizing a level of sophistication not found on Pallatin. Technology of this type is among the 'Imperial contamination' you would like to bar from your world, Speaker Salera. The stations will be untouchable. Rest assured, however, that they are being set up to monitor and enforce the quarantine only.