Leaders of a Civilization

"Fine, but what do you intend to pay? Let me make this clear first: we will not accept your currency. You will need to offer something of equivalent value for the trade."

The Collectors cluster reminded the Kort Merchant Guild.

Although currency did not exist within Amoeba, the Collectors traded with other alien civilizations, and their economic knowledge was far from lacking.

They understood perfectly well what an economic bubble was and what a virtual economy was. Anyone hoping to fleece the Collectors through trade was merely indulging in wishful thinking.

The Collectors' trade goods had always corresponded to actual value.

The Collectors cluster's warning did not surprise the Kort Merchant Guild. Even before communications had been established, they had considered it impossible to trade using currency. They simply had no idea what standard the Collectors would use for trade.

"What do you need? Our Kort Merchant Guild can do everything in our power to provide it," the Kort Merchant Guild asked.

"Matter. Any kind of matter will do. Mining takes time, but we do not remain in each star system for long, so we do not acquire much material through mining," the Collectors replied.

Mass was the standard. It was impossible to falsify; every gram corresponded to actual value. In the Collectors' value system, one gram of gold was equivalent to one gram of iron, with no excess value inflation.

Of course, this standard had certain problems. For instance, one could trade an equal mass of stones for an equal mass of gold, thereby increasing wealth within one's own civilization.

But as a standard for an initial transaction between civilizations, it was exceptionally suitable.

This trading standard also satisfied the Kort Merchant Guild, which advocated fair trade.

"Deal!"

One week after the Collectors and the Kort Merchant Guild reached