nts."

Pointing thoughtfully with his right forefinger at
his left palm, Allen updated the military assets of
each opposing nation, and correlated its potential
capabilities to economic resources over the coming
decades and centuries until Slingshot reduced the
solar system's deficits. He wove into his analysis
the effects of orbital dynamics on normal and
spunnel transit times from each Inner and Outer
Region point-of-origin to the Slingshot work sites.
He moved on to the status of weapons research
and development, and identified the locations of
the Outer Region's weapons manufacturing sites
and military training facilities.

"The long-term defense of Slingshot through purely
military means," he added, following a deep breath,
"especially in protecting our routes and the Log
Depot, is, as Jim stated, not possible given the
prevailing circumstances. The so-called members
of the Independent Nations of the Outer Region are
expanding their field of operations, and they get
generous support from satellite collectives and
individual sympathizers throughout the region.

"Our intelligence sources," Allen concluded,
"report that many supporters of Plutonian
objectives are, themselves, descendants of the
insurrectionists that fomented the dissolution
of our first interplanetary union. Now, it seems,
their intent is to destroy Slingshot, and us as
well."

Allen Dynal and Jim Selvin glanced at each other;
they were not in disagreement.

Camari broke the hush that followed Dynal's words.

"We are well into an armed confrontation," he said.
"Nevertheless, whatever actions we take must
minimize destruction to life and property,
require no diversions from resources allocated
to Slingshot, and in no way restrict Slingshot's
construction and launch schedules."

Turning his head slightly, he nodded at the last
of his three advisors. Chan Dahl, Minister of
Diplomatic Protocols, laid his massive forearms on
the table, palms down. His abrasive voice matched
his heavy features and rotund body. He spoke
rapidly in summary fashion: offering little that
was new, Chan passed quickly over the diplomatic
chasm that had formed between the UIPS and
the Outer Region after the dissolution of the first
United Planetary System. He summarized the complex
alliances that had evolved among the independent
governments beyond the Asteroids following the
secession, and moved on quickly to the initiatives
of his Ministry to reconcile inte