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released before. It was more than a "gesture of amity"; it was a striking counter-offer. The impact of
those names would affect Jupiter society like the detonation of a black hole: the seemingly impossible
abruptly made real. I knew then that President Kenson could not afford to turn down this offer; Khukov
had sweetened the pot too much. The sugar trade would resume.
Now it was my turn. "If Jupiter vacates the Naval base at Tanamo, neither Ganymede nor Saturn will
feel further need to supply military equipment to powers in the Jupiter sphere," I said, knowing that this
was a concession Jupiter was desperate for. "There has been some concern that the base might be
abused, but this is needless. The equipment there is military, not civilian, and is therefore locked against
unauthorized use. To use any of it, from the largest space dock to the smallest water dispenser, one must
have the proper key. Without that key the entire base is little more than a metal monument. It is, of
course, mined; use of an incorrect key or an attempt to force the equipment will trigger detonation."
I paused to glance at my audience, though there was only the holo-camera. "One might suppose that the
keys can merely be passed on to the new personnel. This is not the case. Each key is a magnetic pattern,
a portion of which is tuned to the specific individual authorized to use it; if any other person attempts to
use that key, it is inoperative. Key and operator go together, and naturally the key-keepers are carefully
selected and trained. When a keeper changes, a new key has to be made, and the lock revamped to
accommodate the new pattern. This adjustment is complex; in fact, it requires the presence of very
sophisticated equipment. Such equipment exists only at Jupiter and Saturn; no one else can change the
locks or keys. The equipment must be brought to the base along with specially trained personnel for this
delicate operation."
I paused again. I wanted to be sure this got through to the average viewer. I had had to get special
permission to reveal this information, and I wanted to do it exactly right. "Obviously the base will have
to be operated by its present key personnel, regardless of the sovereignty of the facility. I'm sure suitable
arrangements can be made. Now let's suppose that some power like Saturn wishes to change the locks
and keys and personnel, for its own purposes. Do you suppose the present personnel will acquiesce?
Will they operate the gates to admit and facilitate the equipment and personnel employed to effect their
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replacement? The lock-changing equipment is bulky; it can be transported only by a sizable vessel, and
Ganymede lacks port facilities elsewhere to accommodate such vessels." Once more I paused. "In short,
the little pig is not about to open the door to let in the wolf or the bear."
That was the essence. Saturn could not change those locks covertly. Jupiter personnel would operate the
base for the benefit of Ganymede alone, and facilitate its use as a commercial port for the shipment of
sugar and such. I believed that my proposal would be approved, disappointing as it might be to Saturn; it
was definitely advantageous for Ganymede.
Khukov came to me and shook my hand. "I rather thought it would be that," he said in English. "May all
our problems admit of such ready solutions."
Thereafter he returned to Saturn, his job done, and I made plans for Jupiter and reunion with my family.
I could not claim I had enjoyed all of my experience on Gany, but certainly it had provided me more
than it cost me, including a planetary spotlight that would enhance my future as a politician. For one
thing it had returned to me my long-lost sister an event more significant for my peace of mind than I
had allowed myself to believe before the event.
Chapter 10  CONFESSION
Now I knew I could help Dorian Gray; a simple personal request to the premier of Ganymede would
produce that baby in hours. Dorian must have known this; that was why she had been so ready to enlist
my aid. My captors might not choose to honor their promise, but I, Hope Hubris, the former ambassador
to Ganymede, would certainly honor my promise. I had become a better bet for Dorian's purpose than
my captors were. Suddenly it all fell into place, and I believed I could trust her. True, she might be
covering all bases, ready to collect from my captors if they prevailed, and from me if I prevailed, but she
would probably elect to go with me if she could. That was a comfort to me, because I suspected I would [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]