Read Online Firemask: Book Two of the Last Legion Series by Chris Bunch - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Chris Bunch
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appoint a regent to moderate the Council, report to me, and present my views on pertinent matters so you may help me implement them.”
Now there was a yammer — “can’t do this,” “sovereign state,” “violation of Confederation laws,” “goddamned pirate,” and so forth. One woman stayed silent, Rao noticed, Jo Poynton, who had a smile of tight amusement on her face.
Redruth waited for a moment, then rapped sharply with his knuckles on the table.
“As I said,” and now his voice was steely, “this is not a matter for debate, but for you to implement as rapidly as possible, or face severe consequences.
“My plans are — ”
“Excuse me,”
Caud
Rao said. “As you know, my Strike Force is part of the Confederation military, and is sworn to defend Cumbre’s
present
government. Are you declaring war against the Confederation?”
Celidon smiled thinly. “I hardly think the matter is important enough to be called war.”
“What Celidon means,” Redruth said, “is we have no intention of interfering with your Force. However, since you lack a naval element, we shall be providing that. I see no reason that my security forces and yours cannot coexist comfortably in keeping order.”
“Unfortunately, I do,” Rao said. “You’ve announced plans to usurp authority. We must stand against it.”
“I don’t think things will come to a confrontation,” Redruth said. “Particularly if the Council welcomes my presence, realizing the choice is very simple: either my protectorate or conquest by the Musth. That would make the slight change I propose within legal boundaries, and therefore not the concern of you or your Strike Force.
“Don’t lose your temper,
Caud
Rao. Consider this. The Cumbre system is on the edge of nowhere, barely self-sustaining. Allied with Larix and Kura, there’ll be not only safety, but increased trade, increased wealth flowing into this system.”
“And what will be flowing out?” Poynton asked.
“Certain exports,” Redruth said. “But we’ll hardly be appropriating them. We’ll pay an honest price.”
“Starting with the mines,” a Councilman said cynically.
“That is one of the most important areas of concern,” Redruth said. “Is there a representative of Mellusin Mining present?”
“Jasith Mellusin,” a man said, “has recently married. She and her husband are honeymooning. A message was sent to their island as soon as you summoned us for this meeting. I don’t know if it was received, but I’d assume it was, and she is on the way now.”
“Good,” Redruth said. “We can begin with the ores on C-Cumbre, then discuss other matters, such as the minor increase in your present taxes necessary to support my garrison here.”
“Which will be of what size?” Rao asked.
“That’s still undecided,” Celidon said. “It’ll depend on how easily these meetings go, won’t it?”
“I see,” Rao said, hand unobtrusively pressing a transmitter taped to his side under his tunic. The transmitter sent a one-second beep.
“How much,” a Councilwoman asked, “will you be increasing our taxes?”
“Initially, no more than one percent on all products, although you might choose to increase the present income tax instead. I have no interest, by the way, in what method of taxation you choose, or the percentage called for from any particular income group.”
“In other words,” Poynton said, “if we decide to soak the poor, you could give a damn.”
A man turned and scowled at her.
“Dammit, this is hard enough, without your ‘Raum bullshit!”
“Excuse me,” Redruth said. “I understand your recent problems, but I see no reason to bring them into this matter. Now, let’s consider just what of Cumbre’s products are most important to the continued security and welfare of our mutual systems …”
• • •
All commanders in the Legion, and all combat aerial and ground vehicles had secondary receivers tuned to Rao’s
Now there was a yammer — “can’t do this,” “sovereign state,” “violation of Confederation laws,” “goddamned pirate,” and so forth. One woman stayed silent, Rao noticed, Jo Poynton, who had a smile of tight amusement on her face.
Redruth waited for a moment, then rapped sharply with his knuckles on the table.
“As I said,” and now his voice was steely, “this is not a matter for debate, but for you to implement as rapidly as possible, or face severe consequences.
“My plans are — ”
“Excuse me,”
Caud
Rao said. “As you know, my Strike Force is part of the Confederation military, and is sworn to defend Cumbre’s
present
government. Are you declaring war against the Confederation?”
Celidon smiled thinly. “I hardly think the matter is important enough to be called war.”
“What Celidon means,” Redruth said, “is we have no intention of interfering with your Force. However, since you lack a naval element, we shall be providing that. I see no reason that my security forces and yours cannot coexist comfortably in keeping order.”
“Unfortunately, I do,” Rao said. “You’ve announced plans to usurp authority. We must stand against it.”
“I don’t think things will come to a confrontation,” Redruth said. “Particularly if the Council welcomes my presence, realizing the choice is very simple: either my protectorate or conquest by the Musth. That would make the slight change I propose within legal boundaries, and therefore not the concern of you or your Strike Force.
“Don’t lose your temper,
Caud
Rao. Consider this. The Cumbre system is on the edge of nowhere, barely self-sustaining. Allied with Larix and Kura, there’ll be not only safety, but increased trade, increased wealth flowing into this system.”
“And what will be flowing out?” Poynton asked.
“Certain exports,” Redruth said. “But we’ll hardly be appropriating them. We’ll pay an honest price.”
“Starting with the mines,” a Councilman said cynically.
“That is one of the most important areas of concern,” Redruth said. “Is there a representative of Mellusin Mining present?”
“Jasith Mellusin,” a man said, “has recently married. She and her husband are honeymooning. A message was sent to their island as soon as you summoned us for this meeting. I don’t know if it was received, but I’d assume it was, and she is on the way now.”
“Good,” Redruth said. “We can begin with the ores on C-Cumbre, then discuss other matters, such as the minor increase in your present taxes necessary to support my garrison here.”
“Which will be of what size?” Rao asked.
“That’s still undecided,” Celidon said. “It’ll depend on how easily these meetings go, won’t it?”
“I see,” Rao said, hand unobtrusively pressing a transmitter taped to his side under his tunic. The transmitter sent a one-second beep.
“How much,” a Councilwoman asked, “will you be increasing our taxes?”
“Initially, no more than one percent on all products, although you might choose to increase the present income tax instead. I have no interest, by the way, in what method of taxation you choose, or the percentage called for from any particular income group.”
“In other words,” Poynton said, “if we decide to soak the poor, you could give a damn.”
A man turned and scowled at her.
“Dammit, this is hard enough, without your ‘Raum bullshit!”
“Excuse me,” Redruth said. “I understand your recent problems, but I see no reason to bring them into this matter. Now, let’s consider just what of Cumbre’s products are most important to the continued security and welfare of our mutual systems …”
• • •
All commanders in the Legion, and all combat aerial and ground vehicles had secondary receivers tuned to Rao’s
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