Yo Folkes,
I've vaguely watched some of the debate on the takeover
of Glisten. I don't have my spinward marches map with me on
this trip so some of the following points may be off but bear
with me. The one crucial fault I find in most for the arguments
is this:
STOP THINKING LIKE AN ASLAN MALE.
THINK LIKE AN ASLAN FEMALE.
I think it is easy enough to prove, as many have done, that
a military takeover of Glisten by an Ihatei fleet is laughable at
best. However if you think about it from a non-military point of
view it may not be so funny...
Picture this: An Aslan male sits at home having breakfast
with his four wives and associated residents. The wind blows
through the veranda and a bird gurgles in a nearby cage. The third
setting of tea has been brewed, stewed, and served.
Husband: "Wife #1. I am experiencing... the urge."
Wife #1 quickly considers the impact on her schedule versus
the political advantage of having a daughter to marry off (Remember
the women are the medical technicians. Fertility treatment and
control? You bet!) Lightning quick whisker flicking and ear movements
pass between the four wives as the negotiating starts all unseen
by the husband who is inhaling the vapours of his tea. "My Lord."
Comments #1 verbally, It's been... so long."
Husband: "Yes, but. I remember you speaking to me about
biological determinism. It is simply something I must do. The
Imperium will be a great enemy." He serenely takes a sip of tea.
All the body-language fencing between the wives stops
instantly. "But they would outnumber us 50 to 1 and they have
a much more advanced fleet!" said Wife #4 who hadn't learned the
bloodymindedness of men yet.
"Yes, it will be a great fight." He blows little bubbles in
his cooling tea. "Number four, you will arrange a meeting with
my brother's family, Number three, you will see to the maintenance
of the ships and thingies, Number two, um. Well, Number one, you
know about these things, see to it." He then goes back to
blowing bubbles in his tea. Well pleased with himself.
Aslan males seldom think without acting. Whereas Aslan
females seldom act without thinking. In this sort of situation
the women are faced with the irremediable bloodymindedness of
the men and take what contingencies they can. Delays can be laid
but the inevitability of it all has to be catered for.
The prime focus of a high-status woman (wife or sister)
is that of a corporate executive. The forces she has to bear are
not military. One family unit may not present much military or
economic power but given that the male Aslan "itch" for land is
not an isolated occurrence there are likely to be quite a few
wanting to seek their death amongst the rather superior Imperials.
For every male with enough ships and arms to even think of
getting to the Imperium there are at least two or more wives and
female relatives running the economic concerns that support the
unit.
With the above scenario repeated several times over the women
are going to start getting together to pool their resources.
The Aslan have, on average, a lower tech level than the Imperium.
This means that their money is worth less, or, more importantly,
an Imperial credit goes further buying Aslan goods. Pushing
trade links into the Spinward marches, naturally heading toward
Glisten, trade centre of that area, is facilitated for the
Aslan because of this. Effectively exporting cheap Aslan labour
does create a trade deficit but remember this is the women's
equivalent of moving the economy onto a war footing. The deficit
can be padded by reinvesting the capital in high-tech Imperial
goods. These can be sold further back in Aslan territory and
much of the loss recuperated. It is a long trade link but here
the women are converting capital reserves into economic investment.
Considering the alternative is putting the money into military
hardware that is almost certainly going to get blown away it
is the better choice.
So we have the Aslan pushing their goods in Glisten
sub-sector and creating an export market for Imperial goods.
An aid to this process are all the Aslan who have moved there
looking for land pre-rebellion quite peacefully which is
well documented. Don't just think of the Aslan males squatting
quite happily on their new sandboxes but again, for every
man there are several women conducting and setting up business.
Ireland experienced something similar when it took in
400 of the Vietnamese boat people. Although they had no money
they came from a middle class background. In a country where
unemployment hits 21% in areas after five years not a single
one was not working. Most in businesses they had created
themselves
If Imperials are reluctant to buy into the new Aslan trade
opportunities the recent settlers certainly will. And again,
many of the have settled quite peaceably and probably have
full citizen rights which enables them to act as a local agent
for the entrapenurial Aslan.
The Imperium is unlikely to get too protectionist about
the trade either. With echoes of the rebellion bouncing around,
the markets are bound to be bouncy and domestic Imperial
investors cautious. People usually vote with their pockets and
if strong Aslan trade looks to bring chance for prosperity to
an otherwise depressed economy then it becomes a very attractive
option.
So as Aslan trade influence waxes so too follows legal
and political influence. Generous donations to parties and
co-operation in paying taxes are likely to influence politicians
toward more favourable Aslan laws. More settlers? No problem.
Plenty of Aslan-Imperial cultural exchanges.
More and more Aslan come. Invaders? No! Settlers! Lots
of nice press photos of local system defence navies welcoming
joint Aslan patrols of their system. With the uncertainties of
the Rebellion echoes doubtless self-defence is high on the mind
of many citizens with the pull back of components of the Imperial
fleet.
The Alsan settle on previously uninhabited or unused areas
(check your charts, there's plenty). How do they support
themselves? They just have to continue as the women started.
Running the economy. I've just been through Hong Kong, Taiwan and
Singapore on the little (!) business trip. You don't need
natural resources to be incredibly prosperous!
The Hivers may excel in manipulation but you have to
remember: three quarters of the Aslan population (the women)
consider economics and corporate management as the elite profession
of choice. ("What do you want to be when you grow up, little girl?"
"I want to be a corporate investment strategist!")
The Scout service may have marked Glisten down is being
controlled my the Aslan but it is likely that this would have
been a surprise to Glisten itself!
The limousine picks up the Aslan husband from the domestic
spaceport and brings him to his house via a long circutorious
route across his new lands. His four wives await him on the veranda.
He smells and blows bubbles in his tea. "It isn't quite
what I expected."
All the wives look concerned in unison. "Are you displeased
in any way, my lord", asks #3.
He concentrates, takes a long sip, and then tries to remember
what he was saying. "Well, I just thought there would be lots of
guns and things."
Wife #1 steps forward. "My lord, I could not have your serenity
disturbed as such. The Imperials are not worthy opponents. We merely
arranged a leveraged takeover of some local interests with clan
capital and ..."
"Pah", interrupted the husband. "None of this woman's talk."
He inhales his tea once again, his eyes surveying the landscape.
All his. "I wonder if there is good hunting..."
The bird in the nearby cage gurgles.
Jo Grant. [email removed]