Birthright

“Why not send the Navy against them?” asked Nelson.

“Two reasons. First, since their science is different from ours, we don't know what kind of fight they're capable of putting up. We're spread too thin throughout the galaxy to get involved in a major war just yet.”

“And the other reason?”

“Simple. We're outnumbered a million to one in this galaxy. We'll win it, in time, every last piece of it. But if we make too loud a noise too early in our career, our opposition—both real and potential—may coalesce before we're ready for them. So the Navy says hands off.” “But you don't,” said Nelson.

“Absolutely correct,” said Landon. “We need those worlds.” He picked up the microphone again. “Show all the worlds under current consideration in flashing white,” he said, “and show me the fifty nearest human-controlled worlds as well.” He waited a moment, then turned to Nelson. “You see?” he said. “It's a new line of expansion that would add another dozen systems to our collection, and put about three dozen more under our sphere of influence.” “And my job?” asked Nelson.

“Leave the Lemm home planet alone,” said Landon, “but get the Lemm off the water worlds. Can you do it?”

“I suppose so,” said Nelson, scratching his bead. “If they're oxygen-breathers, it shouldn't be too hard to poison the air. A couple of really dirty bombs on each world...” “No bombs,” said Landon. “If I wanted a war, I'd send for the Navy.” “But they won't come,” Nelson pointed out. “Just the same, we don't want the Lemm figuring out what happened, or who is doing this.” “Okay,” said Nelson. “Same principle: poisoning the air. It'll take a little more work, but it can be done.” “Secretly?” Nelson nodded. “And I'll make it short-lived, something that will dissipate after a couple of years so we can move back in. Might as well put it on the solid worlds too,” he added. “It might confuse them, and it'll stop them from retreating there. About how many Lemm will I be killing?” “You don't want to know,” said Landon.

“No, I suppose not,” agreed Nelson.

“Any other questions?” asked the Director as he escorted Nelson back to his motorcart. “Just one,” said Nelson. “I'm doing this so we can move onto two worlds: Gamma Leporis IX and X. Yet your map projection showed seventeen new worlds.” “Eleven of those aquatic worlds are devoid of sentient life. And once the Lemm are driven off, I would imagine the ichthyoids would be happy to form an alliance with their saviors.”