Free March of the Legion by Marshall S. Thomas

monuments to all those who died, for peace!
    "The result we see before us—a Variant starport, a System base, two different species cooperating, for a common goal—peace in the galaxy, peace in our time, peace for all, peace for the Variants, peace for us. But now the Legion is here, and it's all going to end!"
    "You're damned right on that! What were you giving the Variants?"
    "Unitium. Unitium from the mines of Andrion Two."
    "Why didn't the Variants set up their base right there?"
    "They never revealed that. We believe they were concerned about the Legion. It was easier to camouflage the starport on Andrion 3. If the mines were discovered, there would still be no reason to suspect the Variants."
    "Do you know what they do with the unitium?"
    "Well, no—that was never clear, although we're fairly certain it's vital to their star drives."
    "This has been going on for almost a hundred years, you say."
    "Yes, that's right—a hundred years of peace!"
    "In exchange for a hundred years of unitium."
    "Yes. That's one way of putting it. But what's important is what we gained from the exchange, in terms of peace, and in terms of understanding."
    "So the Variants understand you?"
    "Well…no. That was never clear, either. There are many problems. But we understand them, much more than we did. We've learned so much!"
    "Have you learned how to kill them?" I could not resist interrupting. The Systie looked at me as if I had slapped him.
    "We are not authorized to conduct research in such subjects! And we don't want to. Our mission is understanding. The Variants are very powerful psychics —very powerful! We can hide nothing from them."
    "Redhawk," One broke in. "Progress report."
    "We're getting there, One! Not much longer! Priestess, will you hold the light steady, please?"
    Snow Leopard had his hand on his forehead. I knew he was weary. "Release him, Thinker." I touched the release and the Systie's bonds fell away. He moved his hands gingerly around to his front and began massaging his wrists. From time to time, he stole little glances at me. My face was a stony mask.
    "Give him water, Thinker." I unhooked a canteen and handed it to him. He took a sip, carefully, then a deep swig. He looked into my eyes when he finished.
    "Do we think we can fight them?" he asked. "Do us a favor—surrender now! Legion has no chance. It will not leave this planet alive."
    "Systie," One said patiently. "This is the last time I'm going to ask this question. If you don't answer it, we're going to kill you. Why are you here?"
    "We were negotiating with the Variants. We were communicating—deciding on a joint response to counter the Legion aggression on Andrion 2. Legion has no idea what tragic consequences its interference will have, for everyone."
    "A joint response. How do you do that—compromise?" Snow Leopard asked.
    "Well…no. We respect their wishes. We have no choice, if we wish to preserve the peace."
    "I see. Describe what happened here when we attacked."
    "It doesn't know? We're sorry, we can't help it. We were right here in the aircar base when its antimats hit. We had just returned from a visit to our science station when the alert went up, and they announced a full-scale attack against the starport. They launched all the aircars—except these two—and then its antimats went off. Incredible! We were talking with them—communicating! And it attacks with antimats. It's hard to accept."
    "It was just our way of getting their attention," I responded. I was beginning to dislike this Systie dip. He gave me a poisonous look.
    "It was simply barbaric. It certainly confirmed their worst suspicions about us."
    "What happened!" Snow Leopard was impatient.
    "It was very confusing. We lost commo with everyone. We had reports of Legion troopers landing. The starport seemed to be gone. The aircar control center didn't answer.
    "The duty crew at the hanger split up and left, to investigate the situation. They only left one unit to cover the