"L. E. Modesitt - The Ecolitan Institute 01 - Ecologic Envoy" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

"I know. I wish I had your personal support as well." The Admiral stood and turned to leave, then half faced the
woman again. "Take care, Marcella."

"Thank you."

The Special Assistant looked across the wide and empty office at the closed portal for a long time before returning to
her console, where the panels flashed, each light clamoring for her attention.

...VII...



"Best simulation results indicate forty percent probability of successful trade negotiations; twenty percent
probability of failure; ten percent probability of direct armed conflict; thirty percent unquantifiable." Despite the
pleasant sound of the terminal, the evenness of the word spacing rendered the report mechanical.
 The Director turned to the three people at the conference table. "Forty percent chance that the situation can be
resolved without war. If we can come up with these figures, so can the Admiral's staff. What's the chance of success if
the present Envoy is removed?"

"Personality profile not a major component of success probability. Personality profile is a major component of
unquantifiable component." The Director frowned.

"What that means," offered the dark-haired woman across the table from the Director, "is that the personality of the
Accord Envoy will shift the unquantifiable component into other areas. The current success probability is based on
the structural situation. In short, we could still get a peaceful solution, though that could change at any time."

"What would happen if Defense could assassinate the Envoy?"

"Probability of war rises to fifty-five percent," answered the computer.

"Probability of Imperial victory twenty-four percent. Probability of significant loss to Empire approaches unity;
probability of destruction of Accord approaches unity."

"Any other significant probabilities?"

"Probability of loss of Rift and Sammaran Sector approach unity; probability of survival of Ecolitan Institute
approaches unity." The Director leaned back in her swivel. "So...if Defense is allowed to force the issue, we're all likely
to get blackholed." The man in the group cleared his throat. "That assumes one thing...that Defense can successfully
operate a covert assassination. How likely is that if we oppose it, and if External Affairs is opposed, and if their Envoy
is warned?"

The Director tapped the table to still the quick rustles. "You forget that we cannot officially oppose Defense. Nor
could we directly ever feed that kind of information to an Envoy from Accord. That sort of behavior would have even
the Senate slapping riders onto our authorization, and we've avoided that for too long to go back to that sort of
interference again."

"Could I have an answer to the probability questions?"

"Yes. Let's have the readout on those," the Director agreed.