Birthright

Big, fur-bearing creatures. They can't be carnivores, since there aren't any game animals on this world.

I'd guess they ingest minerals, except that I don't know how that would produce fur. Anyway, whatever they are, they don't like people poking around in their supper troughs.” “In other words, they killed more than five hundred miners?” asked Coleman. “Tore ‘em to ribbons,” said the man. “They'd probably have butchered the rest of us, too, if we hadn't run across the Butterballs.”

“Butterballs?” asked Coleman, who knew perfectly well what they were. “Big round yellow things with chubby little legs. You passed one when you came in. Tame as all get-out, but they're poison to the nelsons. I don't know exactly how it works, but they seem to emit some kind of radiation or electrical charge that just knocks nelsons for a loop. We found out that they love magnesium, so we give them all that we mine and they stick around and keep the nelsons from decimating us. Works out pretty well all the way around, except for the nelsons.” “So along with all the other hazards you have to contend with,” pointed out Coleman, “you also have to fight off a belligerent alien population. And, in addition, and for no extra consideration, you have also made the Butterballs into a loyal ally of the Republic. Am I correct?” There was a general agreement.

“Then I submit that the miners are the Republic's most exploited minority. Whatever they're paying you, it isn't enough. Whatever political and economic power you wield, it is minuscule compared to what you deserve. Andthat, gentlemen, is the reason for the Federation.” “We're all for getting a better deal,” said a man in the back of the audience, “but you still haven't said how you intend to help us, or why you need so much of our money.” “I'm just getting to that point,” said Coleman. “To begin with, the Federation cannot begin to function until at least eighty percent of the mining worlds are members; otherwise, we simply haven't the power. For this reason, we need time: time to build a powerful lobby on Earth and on Deluros VIII, time to get public backing for our demands, time for the government to realize they've no choice but to deal with us. We estimate a minimum of twelve years; therefore, we must demand that you remain on for fifteen years. Once we start the ball rolling, the only thing that could stop us would be defections among our ranks.” “Why the money?'’ asked another miner.

“For the same reasons: lobby, organization, and propaganda. And if you're to stay on this world for fifteen more years, you wouldn't have a chance to spend it anyway.”

“What are you going to offer us in exchange for all this?” asked the same man, still dubious. “Offer is the wrong word,” said Coleman calmly. “We are going todemand a piece of the action. Every miner will get one three-hundredth of what he produces. No salary, no matter how astronomical, can possibly match that. We will also insist on political representation; the details of this haven't been worked out yet. Representation based on our population is wholly unacceptable to us; basing it on our economic power is too much to expect at this time. But we shall and will work out an equitable arrangement.”