uests
flashed their international identification and ship
numbers to the Conference Control Center to
report that they had formally arrived in response
to President Camari's invitation.

Concurrently, at a signal from the UIPS President's
ship Eagle, the station flashed an array of
multicolored beacons. Docking berths along the
Conference Site's rim opened and controllers
transmitted "Ready" signals to the visiting
flagships. Tugs, utilities, and emergency craft
took their stations.

The UIPS Eagle nosed forward and matched its
headings and moments to the Disk. Mass attractors
took over, fine-tuned the alignment and drift, and
gently drew the Eagle a third its length into the
dock. Mooring beams grasped the vessel and it was
transfixed. A red and white candy-striped umbilical
snaked out from the dock and sealed against the
Eagle's main portal.

Eagle, the host, had docked.

Turning to the guests, the "Ready" signals flashed
again. Taking the lead, Planet Pluto's Revenge
matched up and was drawn into its docking space.
The others followed. The disk was transformed
into a multi-spoke wheel spinning slowly against
the backdrop of sun, planets, satellites, space
colonies and stars.

The umbilicals' seals tested and secure, the Heads
of State disembarked, each followed by an entourage
of advisors, diplomats, strategists, economists,
interplanetary law specialists, sociologists,
philosophers, and others expert in the disciplines
appropriate to the agenda.

The parties walked along separate corridors from
their docking berth to an arched entry into the
conference theater at the hub. The pseudo-gravity
plates had been eased to a comfortable level
for the inhabitants of the Outer Region. The
representatives of Earth wore soft enhancer
boots to compensate.

The central hall was huge, and the round table at
its center wide enough to accommodate them all.
Massive chairs were at the table, and behind each a
row of smaller chairs to accommodate the lessors.
A holoview tank, suspended halfway to the overhead,
glowed softly. The walls were festooned with the
emblems and insignia of all Nations in attendance.

Arriving under the arch, the Leaders paused.
President Camari stepped away from his chair,
his open arms an invitation to all to enter and
join him at the table.

Entering and approaching the table, the Leaders
turned to right and left to greet each other.
Formality aside for the moment, they expressed
t