The ceremonious protocol of the Yills was impressive,colorful—and, in the long run, deadly!
Jame Retief, vice-consul and third secretary in the Diplomatic Corps,followed the senior members of the terrestrial mission across the tarmacand into the gloom of the reception building. The gray-skinned Yillguide who had met the arriving embassy at the foot of the ramp hurriedaway. The councillor, two first secretaries and the senior attachesgathered around the ambassador, their ornate uniforms bright in the vastdun-colored room.
Ten minutes passed. Retief strolled across to the nearest door andlooked through the glass panel at the room beyond. Several dozen Yilllounged in deep couches, sipping lavender drinks from slender glasstubes. Black-tunicked servants moved about inconspicuously, offeringtrays. A party of brightly-dressed Yill moved toward the entrance doors.One of the party, a tall male, made to step before another, who raised ahand languidly, fist clenched. The first Yill stepped back and placedhis hands on top of his head. Both Yill were smiling and chatting asthey passed through the doors.
Retief turned away to rejoin the Terrestrial delegation waiting beside amound of crates made of rough greenish wood stacked on the bare concretefloor.
As Retief came up, Ambassador[9] Spradley glanced at his finger watch andspoke to the man beside him.
"Ben, are you quite certain our arrival time was made clear?"
Second Secretary Magnan nodded emphatically. "I stressed the point, Mr.Ambassador. I communicated with Mr. T'Cai-Cai just before the lighterbroke orbit, and I specifically——"
"I hope you didn't appear truculent, Mr. Magnan," the ambassador saidsharply.
"No indeed, Mr. Ambassador. I merely——"
"You're sure there's no VIP room here?" The ambassador glanced aroundthe cavernous room. "Curious that not even chairs have been provided."
"If you'd care to sit on one of these crates——"
"Certainly not." The ambassador looked at his watch again and clearedhis throat.
"I may as well make use of these few moments to outline our approach forthe more junior members of the staff; it's vital that the entire missionwork in harmony in the presentation of the image. We Terrestrials are akindly, peace-loving race." The ambassador smiled in a kindly,peace-loving way.
"We seek only a reasonable division of spheres of influence with theYill." He spread his hands, looking reasonable.
"We are a people of high culture, ethical, sincere." The smile wasreplaced abruptly by pursed lips.
"We'll start by asking for the entire Sirenian System, and settle forhalf. We'll establish a foothold on all the choicer worlds. And, withshrewd handling, in a century we'll be in a position to assert a widerclaim."
The ambassador glanced around. "If there are no questions——"
Retief stepped forward. "It's my understanding, Mr. Ambassador, that wehold the prior claim to the Sirenian System. Did I understand yourExcellency to say that we're ready to concede half of it to the Yillwithout a struggle?"
Ambassador Spradley looked up at Retief, blinking. The younger manloomed over him. Beside him, Magnan cleared his throat in the silence.
"Vice-Consul Retief merely means——"
"I can interpret Mr. Retief's remark," the ambassador snapped. Heassumed a fatherly expression.
"Young man, you're new to the Service. You haven't yet learned the teamplay, the give-and-take of diplomacy. I shall expect you to observeclosely the work of the experienced negotiato