[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

do is of their own free will and volition. Despite continuing efforts we have been unable to convince any
of them otherwise. How do you convince a sentient that it has been genetically reengineered if it has been
re-engineered to believe otherwise?
 The Amplitur themselves do not participate in combat. If not for their allied races, some of whom, it
must be admitted, joined them voluntarily, we could end this war in a few years.
Will was shaken by the images thus called up, but not sufficiently to alter his convictions.  I sympathize
with your situation. I really do. I just don t know how else to put this except to say it.
 Humans don t like to fight. we ve been forced into it, whether because of stupidity or history or geology
or whatever, but we don t like it. We now realize how wrong it is and we ve been trying hard not to do it
anymore. You ve said that it s aberrant, uncivilized behavior. We re coming to realize that, starting to
mature, as you put it. I don t think anything you can say is going to change people s minds.
 There must be a way to test this. Soliwik turned away from her translator so that her thoughts would
not be conveyed to the native. Caldaq indicated agreement, looked at Will.  You may be right. Please be
patient with us if we strike you as overly insistent. Remember that we have come a long way and it will be
difficult for us if we have to return disappointed. He did not mention the other intelligence they had
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
previously encountered, which had enthusiastically agreed to ally itself with the Weave.
 If the truth of what you claim can be proven, then we will depart unobtrusivly. However, you must
understand that, given our position, we cannot leave until what you say has been verified beyond a
doubt.
 That seems fair enough. Will eyed the alien commander.  What kind of proof would be sufficient for
you?
 I am sure that as an intelligent individual it is clear to you that it is impossible to pass judgment on an
entire species based on the actions of a single specimen. We must acquire a larger, representative
sampling of the population and put the same questions and tests to them that we have put to you. We
need to see how they will react, speak, perform in specified situations. Will considered. This was
becoming as complicated as one of his Uncle Dan s bourrèes.  I take it you d like me to help you find
some people? T var nodded.  I think it s self-evident that we can get this over with a lot faster if you d
agree to serve as intermediary for us.
 Why should I help you?
 Because, said T var,  the sooner we ve obtained and tested our sample, the sooner we ll depart
forever if your analysis of your kind s reactions proves correct.
 All right. I ll do what I can. It s going to sound crazy to most people but I ll try. One thing, though: no
professional soldiers, no military personnel. No people who have been trained to fight other people. You
want a representative sample of the general population; that s what I ll try and get for you.  Agreed.
Caldaq s ears bent forward and his upper lip curled back.  There s just one problem, Will told them.  I
have no idea how I m going to get anybody to cooperate.
 You have, Soliwik pointed out.
Will looked at her.  Not enthusiastically, if you ll remember. And you found me alone and isolated.
 You mean, said a puzzled Second-of-Medicine,  you will have difficulty finding people who will agree
to help? On a mature world individuals would naturally wish to cooperate.
 I told you: this isn t a mature world. But you won t take my word for it, you want to test other people.
Fine. I just have to figure out how to convince some of them to go along.
 Based on what we have learned of your civilization, said Caldaq,  it clearly would not be effective for
us to appear in a town and make the request ourselves.
 No. That s why you need me. Will looked thoughtful.  I might be able to find a few people willing to
meet aliens, talk with aliens. The possibility of contact has been in the news for so long that some people [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]