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typical behavior, the aggressiveness and territorialism he’d pointed out to the woman, their studies had shown that the humans could be amazingly generous hearted when moved by the plight of their neighbors. It was incomprehensible, something they’d never understood about the humans as long as they’d studied them, but they’d displayed that behavior often enough it couldn’t be denied that they had empathy for the hardship of others.
        They were at their most dangerous, though, when they knew the weaknesses of anyone they considered an enemy.
        Could they achieve a balance? Could they appeal to the humans for some of the things they so desperately needed and, at the same time, convince them that they didn’t stand a chance of defeating them and taking what they had?
        It was an idea worth exploring, he decided.
        The question was, how could they begin?
        At that thought, he lifted his head to study his quarters, trying to decide how it would appear to their eyes. Would it seem as impoverished to them as it did to him?
        Probably-very likely, he decided. It was oppressive.
        They couldn’t afford to allow the humans to see just how harsh their conditions were, but he couldn’t continue to keep them separated. They were already demoralized enough.
        Reaching across his desk, he depressed the com button and summoned his adjutant.
        

Chapter Three
        
        “The plan,” Anka announced, “is to convince the humans of what we want them to believe before we send them back.” He discovered when he’d surveyed his audience that most of the officers were staring at him blankly and annoyance flickered through him. His adjutant, Minh, signaled a wish to speak and he nodded at him.
        “Just so that we’re completely clear, Sir. What is it that we wish them to believe?”
        “We wish to convince them that we are prosperous, strong, and powerful and that any challenge will be met with absolute ruthlessness. We will condescend to trade with them, in the interests of promoting friendly relations between neighbors, but we have staked our claim upon this planet for colonization and will not tolerate any interference.”
        Most of them merely gaped at him at that announcement, but a few, he was pleased to see, looked thoughtful. Rafi signaled a wish to speak and he nodded at him.
        “Given what we know about them, I understand, and I can certainly see a benefit in trading with them, although I’m not sure what we have to offer. However, I’m confused about the plan you outlined to convince them, Sir.”
        “They understand power and respect it-and very little else. It’s essential to our survival to convince them that we have the power to crush them or they will not consider it in their best interests to form any sort of alliance-even to trade. On the contrary, they are far more likely to attack us and take what they want-or try-and we can’t afford the attempt that would force us to expend resources in defending ourselves.
        “We must convince them that they need us far more than we need them. To do that, we must appear successful. To appear successful, we will need to prepare a place to convince them we are, gather together what we have and set a… stage to perform on, pool together what we have to make a grand show of prosperity and comfort. We will allow them to have freedom to move around on this ‘stage’ and examine it as they please.
        “Will behave in a cautiously friendly manner at all times and allow them to know that we are open to the possibility of friendship.”
        He surveyed the group. “Make certain that your people understand this. Anyone who doesn’t feel that they can behave accordingly should make certain they steer clear of the humans.
        “We will be on double rations until the humans depart. Unfortunately, this will require half rations for a while afterwards, but it can’t be helped.