A2-06 An Impossible Compromise

You think of a compromise.

Perhaps... you don't have to choose between yourself and Wade.

You secretly contact Wade. In an unmonitored safe house, you sit down face to face.

"Mr. Wade," you say, "I have a proposal."

Wade's eyes are like two blocks of ice. "Go on."

"I run and get elected as Swordholder. I'm the face the public trusts — humanity needs someone who puts them at ease. But behind the scenes, you serve as my security advisor, with backup control over the button."

Wade says nothing, but his eyebrow lifts slightly — for him, this already constitutes a strong emotional reaction.

"In other words," you continue, "if I'm unable to make the decision at the critical moment — you execute it. That way, the credibility of deterrence doesn't depend on me alone."

"You're talking about a failsafe."

"Yes."

Wade is silent for a long time. Then he says something you didn't expect:

"No."

"Why?"

"Because dual control means dual hesitation. If the moment comes and you hesitate, and I need to intervene through the backup system — the time lag in between would be enough for the Trisolarans to destroy the antennas." Wade stands and walks to the window. "Deterrence is not something a committee can do. It can only be one person, one finger, one button."

He turns around. "And — what if this arrangement leaks? Trisolaran sophons are everywhere. They'll know you're not the real Swordholder. Deterrence wouldn't just fail to strengthen — it would collapse entirely because of a 'puppet Swordholder.'"

You realize he's right.

The power of deterrence comes from its simplicity and absoluteness. Any complication is a weakening.

You are back at square one.

Before you lie only two paths: take the role yourself, or let Wade take it.