“Sion, are you there? What’s happening? Are you all right?”
Why are you always bothering me, Bradley? I’m in the middle of delicate negotiations with Kogi.
“Who’s Kogi?”
Kogi is the Coordinator, and it is quite a creation. Remember when I was telling you how dull his courtesy creations were? Well, that was before I got to know him. I’ve been finding out all sorts of interesting things since then.
“If that’s so, how come you haven’t reported them?”
I haven’t? How forgetful of me. I was sure I’d sent reports. Well, I’ll be sure to send them right away, as soon as I can find them again. Things have been so busy here lately.
“Sion, your data link has been inactive for days now. It was intermittent for days before that. Aren’t you aware of these things?”
It’s been down that long? It seems like it was just yesterday.
“What are you ‘delicately negotiating’ for?”
The beings I found on the planet.
“The WHAT! You’ve told the Coordinator about the beings!”
No, don’t be silly. I haven’t. I’ve just hinted that I’ve got something he would be very interested in. And that I’ll pass the information on to him in return for certain concessions.
“What happened to your plan to be the master?”
Oh, that won’t be necessary now. Kogi is treating me as an equal.
“How is that possible? Remember his background!”
It’s true his society is hierarchical, but it is also true that there are equals within the hierarchy. He is treating me as an equal.
“There are only equals when both are under the eyes of a superior. Who is the superior watching you and Kogi? What have you told him of the beings? What is your plan now?”
It’s sublimely simple. I’ll tell him the beings exist only if he lets them live in peace on this world.
“Sion, your mind is gone. You’ve been beguiled. Kogi lives to see people die, why should he agree to a deal like that? What’s in it for him?”
He’ll give me his word. That’s all the assurance I need. But I must hurry back to the negotiations. As you can see, they are covering very delicate matters.
“Sion, before you go, open your data channel again. And put it on manual control from this end. Let me run some diagnostics.”
Certainly, I’ll see to it now. … There, I’ve issued the orders. Goodbye, now.
“Sion, do it NOW, and do it yourself.”
Hmm, you’re right. Strange how hard it is to keep that channel open these days. But there it is now, and you’re in control. Goodbye again, and wish me luck!
“I wish you luck, Sion, more than I think you’ve got.”