Robert Pirx sitting at the table in the bar, read a book about history of the Earth. From time to time he looked at the news on the big monitor in the corner. He couldn't concentrate neither on the book nor on the news, because he was thinking about his fellows - Zoners, his business and his future as a Zoner.
He landed on the Planet Gran Canaria yesterday. The space of the system was empty. It was strange, last time he was here, he had to wait to dock, because of traffic.
Robert asked bartender about this. He answered, that people are afraid of war, they willing to stay home.
Robert asked about Corsairs and Bretonians living on the Planet. Bartender quietly said that they are worried too, they are refugees who escaped from a war or to find better life and new home, and now the war can catch them again.
Robert thought: "They all are Zoners now".
He ordered another coffe and returned to book. He forgot which page he read, he turned over several pages, and then his eye noticed a short text from a very old document from Earth. He took his pencil and quick changed a few words in this document, and then he started reading:
Quote:
We, therefore, the Representatives of the Zoners, Corsairs and Bretonian Colonies of Omega 49 and Omega 50, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the Sirius Sector for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent Republic; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the any House or Empire, and that all political connection between them and the any House or Empire, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent Republic, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent Republic may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of fate Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
Robert smiled faintly. "It is only a dream, you naive fool".
He paid the check, took his book, smiled to bartender and left the bar.
