That's why they haven't attacked already.

That's why they haven't attacked already.

It's not a threat, not a hostage-taking, that they have in progress.  They have every selfish interest in obtaining Keltham's genes, his heritage, even if that wouldn't change at all whether or not Keltham would ash their country.  If, having pursued their own interest in having half-dath-ilani children, not conditioned on Keltham's reaction, that fetus then becomes ensouled?  If it then happens that Keltham, informed of this, would no longer destroy their country for misusing his teachings, because he wouldn't want to send his child as a scarcely formed fetus to the Boneyard?  Well, too bad for Keltham and good for Cheliax, according to the crystal logic of decision theory.

It's not a threat, not a hostage-taking, that Cheliax has in progress.  They have every selfish interest in obtaining Keltham's genes, his heritage, even if that wouldn't change at all whether or not Keltham would ash their country.  If, having pursued their own interest in having half-dath-ilani children, not conditioned on Keltham's reaction, that fetus then becomes ensouled?  If it then happens that Keltham, informed of this, would no longer destroy their country for misusing his teachings, because he wouldn't want to send his child as a scarcely formed fetus to the Boneyard?  Well, too bad for Keltham and good for Cheliax, according to the crystal logic of decision theory.

It's not a threat, not a hostage-taking, that Cheliax has in progress.  They have every selfish interest in obtaining Keltham's genes, his heritage, even if that wouldn't change at all whether or not Keltham would ash their country.  If, having pursued their own interest in having half-dath-ilani children, not conditioned on Keltham's reaction, that fetus then becomes ensouled?  If it then happens that Keltham, informed of this, would no longer destroy their country for misusing his teachings, because he wouldn't want to send his child as a scarcely formed fetus to the Boneyard?  Well, too bad for Keltham and good for Cheliax, according to the crystal logic of decision theory.

That's what they're waiting for.  That's why they haven't attacked already.