r-regional
differences.

"The issue of the transit fee is critical," he
said. "Each Outer Region nation has expressed
vehement impatience to get on with its toll tax on
the UIPS for each transport or other vessel that
enters space contiguous to their planetary and
satellite orbits. They insist that such space
is legally within their natural boundaries, and
that by merely passing through, we trespass.
Restitution, they claim, is in order.

"Negotiations remain in limbo. The impasse will,
quite likely, remain for some time. Our position is
unchanged: the fees that they demand are without
justification, an extortion to which we cannot
submit."

Throughout the discussions, the Strategic Concepts
Computer flashed a continuing display. As each
topic was opened for discussion the view tank
portrayed the corresponding regions, sectors,
planets or satellites, shifting from one to the
other as needed to clarify points under discussion
or accompany the exploration for alternatives. The
lower section of the tank registered the computer's
quantification of speculations by the President's
advisors, and their probabilities toward
realization.

Finally, President Camari raised his hand. He
pressed a softly glowing disk on the table. The
view tank cleared. Resting his chin in the palm of
one hand, Camari gently rubbed his temple with
the fingertips of the other.

"Instructions to Strategic Concepts Computer," he
began. "Summarize the facts adverse to our cause
and our options for dealing with each. Arrange and
rate the options according to their probabilities
for results favorable to the UIPS, and separately,
favorable to the interests of the Outer Region's
Nations. Consider UIPS limitations in nonrenewable
metals, minerals and other vital reserves until
Slingshot begins to produce. Take the options into
account and assume that Slingshot will succeed
on schedule and will generate sufficient refined
matter over time to meet the needs of both Regions.

"Project each option's draw down on resources
committed to Slingshot, and estimate their impact
on schedules. We may need to gamble here. Crank
in the latest estimates on the years it will take
for the Extractor to reach Alpha Centauri, get
organized around the job, go online, and begin to
produce. Compute out to the time that we will
have rebuilt stockpiles within the Solar System."

Leaning slowly back into his chair as he spoke,
Camari lowered his hands into his la