Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction February 1961. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
THE OUTBREAK ... PEACE
the outbreak of peace
By H. B. FYFE
Illustrated by van Dongen
When properly conducted, a diplomatic mission can turn the most
smashing of battle-successes into a fabulous Pyrrhic victory.
t was a great pity, Space Marshal Wilbur Hennings reflected, as hegazed through the one-way glass of the balcony door, that the localcitizens had insisted upon decorating the square before their capitolwith the hulk of the first spaceship ever to have landed on Pollux V.
A hundred and fifty years probably seemed impressive to them, amid theexplosive spread of Terran colonies and federations. Actually, in themarshal's opinion, it was merely long enough to reveal such symbols asmore than antiquated but less than historically precious.
"I presume you plan to have me march past that heap!" he complained,tugging at the extremely "historical" sword that completed the effectof his dazzling white and gold uniform.
Commodore Miller, his aide, stiffened nervously.
"Around to the right of it, sir," he gestured. "As you see, the localmilitary are already keeping the route clear of onlookers. We thoughtit would be most impressive if your party were to descend the outerstairway from the palace balcony here ... to heighten the importanceof—"
"To draw out the pomp and circumstance of opening the conference?"
"Well, sir ... and then across the square to the conference hall ofthe capitol, outside which you will pause for a few gracious words tothe crowd—"
"And that will probably be my last opportunity to enjoy the morningsunlight. Oh, well, it seems much too bright here in any case."
The commodore absently reached out to adjust a fold of his chief'ssky-blue sash, and the marshal as absently parried the gesture.
"I shall be hardly less than half an hour crossing the square," hepredicted sourly. "With the cheering throngs they have undoubtedlyarranged, and the sunlight reflecting from all that imitation marble,it will be no place to collect one's thoughts."
He turned back to the huge chamber constituting the "office" of thesuite supplied by his Polluxian hosts. The skeleton staff of men andwomen remaining occupied chairs and benches along only one wall, sincethe bulk of the delegation had been sent out to make themselvespopular with the local populace.
Hennings presumed the bulk of the local populace to consist ofPolluxians assigned to making themselves popular with his UrsanFederation delegation. His people would be listening politely tomyriad reasons why the Polluxians had a natural right to occupy allthe star systems from here to Castor, a dozen light-years fartherfrom Terra. No one would mention the true motive—their illogicalchoice in naming themselves the Twin Empire.
"Well, now!" he said crisply. "Once more over the main points of thesituation! No, commodore, not the schedule of experts that willaccompany me to the table; I rely upon you to have perfected that. Buthave there been any unforeseen developments in the actual