Read Online Empery by Michael P. Kube-McDowell - Free Book Online

dimmed, a hexagonal section of the floor at the center of the arena rose slowly until the metre-tall screens on each of the six faces were fully exposed. The “exploding star” logo of the Defense Branch appeared in white on the black screen, then dissolved into a polar map of the twelve-planet system.
    “The exercise involved a simulated attack on Ba’ar Tell by two Mizari intruders,” Wells narrated. “All elements of the Defender system were involved: the deep-space pickets, the C3 center on Ba’ar Tell, and the mobile weapons platform—in this case, the Rampart— ”
    Sujata studied the screen intently as Wells continued.
    Preoccupied by the enormous task of gathering up the unraveling threads of the bloated and inefficient Resource branch, she had made a conscious decision to postpone the rest of her education. Since there was little Resource could do for Defense that Wells was not busily preparing his branch to provide for itself, Defense matters had gotten the shortest shrift. Consequently much of what she was seeing was new to her.
    “The attack drones were given every reasonable capability—the supercee speed of a Sentinel, the firepower of a Defender, the detection gear of a Shield element,” Wells was saying. “The battle-management computers on board the drones were given free rein to attack any and all elements of the system when detected. However, Rampart ’s drift mode deployment successfully concealed its position and enabled it to strike the first blow—”
    It was an impressive display of carnage, even on the small screen. Most compelling were the screen-filling views of dissolving hulls and splintering bulkheads captured by the relays mounted on board the drones. Though it was merely one high-tech robot destroying another, it was nevertheless a level of violence to which Sujata had never been exposed. She found it as disquieting as it was fascinating.
    At the height of the attack, she averted her eyes, and was startled to find Wells studying her with cold curiosity as he continued his narration.
    She found herself unable to look away for a long moment. What do you want? she wondered, feeling invaded by the directness of his interest. Then the chamber lights began to brighten, and she looked away to see the now darkened screens retreat into the floor.
    “We will, of course, continue testing and learning,” Wells was saying. “But from this point on, the goal will not be development but honing our operational readiness.”
    Bree, the Journan Observer, spoke up. “Comité Wells, what is the status of Defender deployment?”
    “Six of the eight Defenders that have been authorized are complete,” Wells told him. “The second Defender for Journa and the third for Earth are nearing completion under an accelerated construction schedule.”
    “And are any further Defenders planned?” asked Denzell from across the Chamber. “No.”
    “Then what use will be made of the shipbuilding capacity brought into being for this project?”
    “As funds and facilities become available, new cargo carriers are being built for the Defense branch. I reviewed our plans in this area at a meeting several months ago.”
    Denzell’s cheeks colored at the implied reproof, but he had nothing to say—or was given no opportunity to say it. Meanwhile Erickson had gained the floor. “Comity Wells, do you mean to say that you are fully confident the Defenders can blunt a Mizari attack?” she asked. “Or does this represent some lower level of confidence related to their mechanical readiness?”
    “We are more capable and secure than we were. We are less capable and secure than we should be,” Wells said gravely. “I will have more to say about that when I control my own time. I’m afraid I have consumed all of Observer Berberon’s.”
    Ambassador Ka’in spoke up then. “My time is next, and I will gladly forgo it so that we may pursue the Chancellor’s question. How much confidence should we place in the