Councilor Kozu waved his arm at the large Council Chamber screen behind him. "So that's our strategic situation in detail. The bottom line is, the Tsiolkovsky Hills impact site has turned into a bloodbath.”
Figuratively speaking, thought Emma as she leaned back in her chair. Nice, clean war. Lots of robots, but no bodies, no casualties, no cost. But in the end, everybody, on both sides, dies.
Kozu continued. "Eden has dug in on the edge of the debris field, put in permanent fortifications; we've been able to muster superior mobile forces, and neither side can get what it wants." He turned to where Emma was sitting. "Elder, given your detailed knowledge of Eden, we were hoping you could offer some advice."
She put her fingertips together in front of her face and nodded. "Withdraw and let them have what they want. If it’s our intention to hijack their starship program anyway, let them have the technology."
He shook his head. "We've already discussed that possibility, and dismissed it. First, we're going ahead with our own launch and starship research program. We may have to complete or repair the starship after we take it, and at least some of our scenarios involve sending up our own launch vehicle to make the takeover in orbit. Second, we can't trust that Eden won't destroy the technologies required to complete the starship rather than let them fall into our hands."
Emma pondered. "That makes sense, but wouldn't it be to our advantage to share what we learn with Eden so they at least have the opportunity to develop the technology, so we can steal it back?"
Kozu chuckled. "With respect, Elder, your mind works in strange and convoluted ways at times. But if we offer the information freely, they'd be suspicious at best, and at this point," he gestured at the map again, "we still have no information to give. Something has to break this deadlock first."
Emma rose from her seat. "Let me ponder this, and examine some other options. I don't know what I can do, but I'll work on it."
Kozu bowed his head. "Thank you, Elder, I don't know what more we can ask."
She paused on her way to the door. "One more thing. Did you get anything else out of the prisoner?"
"Sadly, no. He's been completely uncooperative."
"You're sure you won't consider other methods of persuasion?"
"Elder! We've discussed this. It's barbaric."
"Any more barbaric than your 'solution' to dealing with him long-term, using him as a test subject for the new stasis chambers and blasting him into orbit with the satellite launch?"
"We don't have the facilities to handle such a prisoner for any length of time, and it would be a humane option to life in prison."
"Hypocrisy is what it would be. If you want to execute him, toss him out an airlock. No, actually, the atmosphere is probably just thick enough now to make that a senselessly cruel death. Put him against a wall and shoot him." She scanned the assembled Council members. "What I'm saying is, don't kid yourselves about what you're doing. This is a dirty business we're in, and you can't make it any better by making it prettier. That's how you got yourselves in the mess you're in now."