Artistic License – Economics: At the end of the story, Sil gets word from his own planet that an alternative source of zeiton-7 has been discovered, so he must accept the Varosians' best offer. In reality, an alternative source would strengthen Sil's hand in the negotiations, not the other way round.
The message Sil gets does not say that he must accept the Varosians' offer because an alternative source has been discovered. On the contrary, it says that Sil must accept the Varosians' offer because zeiton-7 is still required urgently even though an alternative source has been discovered.
The message Sil gets does not say that he must accept the Varosians' offer because an alternative source has been discovered. On the contrary, it says that Sil must accept the Varosians' offer because zeiton-7 is still required urgently even though an alternative source has been discovered.