"The obvious leverage point," Joe continued, "is that the refueling station at Jupiter has a certain ongoing value to the Galactic Union whether we are members or not. It would be difficult for them to access it if we withdrew from GU membership and had a third-party protectorate agreement. They would probably offer to purchase the protectorate contract from that party, then declare formal war on Earth, which would invalidate licensing contracts in both directions. After declaring war, they would place a couple ships out past Mars, effectively annexing the outer solar system, then offer us immediate peace terms without anyone firing a shot. We'd have to accept or face annihilation. The peace terms would reinstate licensing under draconian terms for existing products and likely even all Earth IP."
"Unless we had other allies ready to step in on our behalf… and make the war more difficult. Or we could threaten to destroy the station…" I mused.
