"Edward M. Lerner - Part I of IV - A New Order of Things" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lerner Edward M)

"You weren't listening. Any inconsistency makes others plausible."

"There's more purpose to this visit, I'm sure, than to refuel and refit for the trip home. Diplomatic
considerations would favor a meeting near human settlements, yet sufficiently remote to ensure private
initial discussions. I may not be totally objective"--and Chung smiled patronizingly, daring anyone to
agree--"but I feel the great multi-world alliance of Galileo is an appropriate venue and suitable host for
this historic occasion."

Great--his comment about the visitors' contradictory behavior was now entangled in Galileo-chauvinism.
Some of Saturn's moons were settled almost as early as Jupiter's. Why would the supposedly damaged,
low-on-resources starship bypass the major human community to which it happened to be closest, Titan,
to come here? The reason that occurred to Art was not suitable for a public forum. "Have they
expressed meeting-place requirements to explain their actions?"

"Dr. Walsh, it is inappropriate to monopolize my time." Chung's grand arm sweep encompassed the
room. "We have much to discuss, topics of general interest. See my assistant for an appointment if you
care to pursue this further."

How long will it take to get on your calendar? Art wondered.

Chung introduced his deputy to explain how the mission would be organized. There were teams assigned
for cross-cultural understanding, technical liaison--diplomat-speak for "repair," and commerce. Keizo
was on the first committee, Eva on the second, and Art on the third.

Art netted hurriedly with his friends. Neither, alas, would front for him. It was only an hour into the
mission's first meeting, and he was probably already labeled as a troublemaker. "Excuse me."

The deputy only nodded.

"Who will synthesize what the committees learn?" From around the hall came scattered murmurs of
support. Troublemaker and ringleader.

"I'll take the question," Chung said. "Group leaders will report to me or my staff."

Art had uploaded public bios on everyone in the mission. Chung and his staffers were knowledgeable
and talented, but their experience base was heavily weighted towards human politics and UP affairs.
None had significant technical background, nor, for that matter, any ET-coordination experience. "There
are synergies to be had between teams at the knowledge-worker level. Three of us who shared a ship
from Earth have already seen that. For example...."

Chung cut him off again. "Dr. Walsh, I'm fully satisfied with my staff's ability to coordinate."

Dammit, you're intentionally misunderstanding me. "This would be a different function--a
cross-disciplinary analytical group."

"Again, I must ask that you schedule an appointment."

As Chung pointedly looked away, Art pinged his assistant, who happily was not a humanist, over the
settlement's infosphere. Art was unsurprised by the response. The ambassador's time was fully