In order to deal with this unprecedented emergency, it would be advisable to have your thoughts on the matter. With these in hand.... * * * * * TO: Fred Ramsbotham FROM: John Harrison RE: Your memo May 14 My God, Fred, I haven't seen such a collection of verbiage since Latin class. Why not say what you mean? People are calling the setup on Fruyling's World slavery, and slavery is a nasty word. Let's get together for a talk--and what's with the high-sounding guff? You sound sore about something: what? * * * * * TO: James Oliver Gogarty FROM: Leonard Offutt RE: Statistical findings ... The situation is serious, J. O., and there's no getting around it. If the Government has to take action there's only one way (given current majorities) they're going to be able to move, and that's to declare Fruyling's World a protectorate, or some such (get your lawyers to straighten out the terminology: in plain and simple English, a ward of the state), and "administer" the place for the best interests of the natives. Get that: the natives. Never mind us, never mind AMP, never mind the metals we need. No, the Government will step in and take all that away from us in the interests of a bunch of silly green-looking monsters who can barely talk and can't, as near as I can see, think at all. Statistics doesn't give us much of a chance of heading them off. As a matter of fact, any recommended course of action has better than a 50% chance of making matters even worse. And if you don't think they _can_ be worse, take a look at the attached sheet, which.... * * * * * TO: John Harrison FROM: Fredk. Ramsbotham RE: Your memo May 15 Have you never heard of the Confederation impounding records? Or these memos, for instance? * * * * * TO: Fred Ramsbotham FROM: John Harrison RE: Your memo May 15 Have you never heard of AMP burning them, you silly damn fool? Now let's get together for a talk. * * * * * TO: James Oliver Gogarty FROM: Gregory Whiting and staff RE: Your memo May 17 Pressure put on Confederation executives and members of the Senate might convince the Confederation that, without a fight, Fruyling's World would not surrender to Confederation control. It might not be advisable to begin such a fight. Even with modern methods of transport and training, the weapons gap between the Confederation and Fruyling's World is a severe handicap. In other words, J. O., if it came to a showdown the people here don't think we stand a fair chance of coming out on top. You'd better rethink your position, then.... * * * * * TO: James Oliver Gogarty FROM: John Harrison RE: Fruyling's World Interoffice guff says you're planning definite moves on your own, J. O., and against some opposition.