Read Online Rath's Gambit (The Janus Group Book 2) by Piers Platt - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Piers Platt
Ads: Link
commission a study to determine the possible societal impact.”
“Perhaps in concert with a limited pilot program in a specific region?” Mastic suggested.
“I’ll agree to the study, but no pilot,” Lizelle said.
“Mastic?” Blackwell asked.
“There’s no harm in viewing the study results first. I’ll go along,” she answered.
“We’re agreed then. I’ll dial her back in. Charl, will you share our decision?”
“Of course,” Senator Lizelle agreed. The phone rang, and then the line reopened.
“Encryption established,” a voice announced.
“I’m back online, Senators,” Director Nkosi said.
“Director, I want to thank you again. The proposal is compelling, and particularly the espionage role you suggest,” Senator Lizelle told her, his voice digitally scrambled beyond recognition.
“Thank you.”
“But in your proposal, you noted that we have constrained the Group’s growth in the past. That’s precisely correct – that’s our primary role in this relationship. We keep the wolf in his cage, and only let him out when it’s absolutely necessary. We give you some leeway to hunt, as it were, to sustain the wolf … but we’re not in the business of breeding more wolves.”
The director frowned. “Without additional personnel, the espionage services will have limited effect on your intelligence-gathering capabilities. Our existing workforce is already at capacity, and we’ll have to take a revenue hit while we retrain them.”
“I applaud your commitment to this as a business executive.” The senator paused. “But you’re forgetting a very important fact, I’m afraid. The Group is not, nor was it ever intended to be, a profit engine. It exists to serve the needs of the Federacy, when this Senate committee judges there is such a need. In order to do that, I recognize that you need to collect revenues from other clients – you have a business to run. And I’m sure that your family is ecstatic that you’ve been able to run it so well. But we asked your uncle to step down, and you to assume his role, not to grow this as a business – we brought you in merely to put it back on track. To maintain the status quo, if you will – with the ultimate aim of maintaining peace and order in the galaxy, as it always has been.”
“And we’ve delivered on that objective, Senator,” the director protested.
“Yes, you have. And your family has been amply rewarded over the years, for its leadership of the Group. I would suggest you refrain from becoming … greedy.”
“Senator, if I may—”
“Let me finish. At this time, we’re not approving a headcount increase. However, you’re authorized to commission an independent study of the effects of such an expansion, with an emphasis not on Group financials, but on the rates of violent crime and political instability across the Federacy and the Territories. We’ll table this subject until that study is complete. Thank you, Director – that will be all.”
The director heard the line click off. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes and gathering her composure. On the other side of the desk, the Chief of Operations cleared his throat.
“They were offline debating it for some time. That last committee member – whoever he or she is – is clearly opposed, but the other two may be more open-minded,” he guessed.
“I don’t think they are unanimous,” Nkosi agreed. “But as a body, they are more conservative than I had anticipated.”
“I can start searching for a think tank or research department that could do the study …,” the Chief of Operations began.
“Don’t bother,” she said. “The study’s just their way of saying no .”
She turned her chair and rose, staring out the window. “We move ahead as planned. Notify your recruiting leads, and start publicizing the increased incentives. I want to see the candidate pipeline at two hundred percent by end of month.”
“What about the Senate oversight
“Perhaps in concert with a limited pilot program in a specific region?” Mastic suggested.
“I’ll agree to the study, but no pilot,” Lizelle said.
“Mastic?” Blackwell asked.
“There’s no harm in viewing the study results first. I’ll go along,” she answered.
“We’re agreed then. I’ll dial her back in. Charl, will you share our decision?”
“Of course,” Senator Lizelle agreed. The phone rang, and then the line reopened.
“Encryption established,” a voice announced.
“I’m back online, Senators,” Director Nkosi said.
“Director, I want to thank you again. The proposal is compelling, and particularly the espionage role you suggest,” Senator Lizelle told her, his voice digitally scrambled beyond recognition.
“Thank you.”
“But in your proposal, you noted that we have constrained the Group’s growth in the past. That’s precisely correct – that’s our primary role in this relationship. We keep the wolf in his cage, and only let him out when it’s absolutely necessary. We give you some leeway to hunt, as it were, to sustain the wolf … but we’re not in the business of breeding more wolves.”
The director frowned. “Without additional personnel, the espionage services will have limited effect on your intelligence-gathering capabilities. Our existing workforce is already at capacity, and we’ll have to take a revenue hit while we retrain them.”
“I applaud your commitment to this as a business executive.” The senator paused. “But you’re forgetting a very important fact, I’m afraid. The Group is not, nor was it ever intended to be, a profit engine. It exists to serve the needs of the Federacy, when this Senate committee judges there is such a need. In order to do that, I recognize that you need to collect revenues from other clients – you have a business to run. And I’m sure that your family is ecstatic that you’ve been able to run it so well. But we asked your uncle to step down, and you to assume his role, not to grow this as a business – we brought you in merely to put it back on track. To maintain the status quo, if you will – with the ultimate aim of maintaining peace and order in the galaxy, as it always has been.”
“And we’ve delivered on that objective, Senator,” the director protested.
“Yes, you have. And your family has been amply rewarded over the years, for its leadership of the Group. I would suggest you refrain from becoming … greedy.”
“Senator, if I may—”
“Let me finish. At this time, we’re not approving a headcount increase. However, you’re authorized to commission an independent study of the effects of such an expansion, with an emphasis not on Group financials, but on the rates of violent crime and political instability across the Federacy and the Territories. We’ll table this subject until that study is complete. Thank you, Director – that will be all.”
The director heard the line click off. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes and gathering her composure. On the other side of the desk, the Chief of Operations cleared his throat.
“They were offline debating it for some time. That last committee member – whoever he or she is – is clearly opposed, but the other two may be more open-minded,” he guessed.
“I don’t think they are unanimous,” Nkosi agreed. “But as a body, they are more conservative than I had anticipated.”
“I can start searching for a think tank or research department that could do the study …,” the Chief of Operations began.
“Don’t bother,” she said. “The study’s just their way of saying no .”
She turned her chair and rose, staring out the window. “We move ahead as planned. Notify your recruiting leads, and start publicizing the increased incentives. I want to see the candidate pipeline at two hundred percent by end of month.”
“What about the Senate oversight
Similar Books
