Read Online Retreat Hell by Christopher Nuttall - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Christopher Nuttall
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Others needed political solutions as well as the application of military force, the carrot as well as the stick. At least the Commonwealth wasn't backing a particular faction, not like the Imperial Army had often had to do in the days of the Empire. There wouldn't be a need to do whatever it took to ensure that their faction won, just because the faction had won the bidding war.
“So you would have us make an open commitment,” Councillor Travis said. “I confess this makes me very uneasy.”
“That isn't the issue,” Councillor Jackson snapped. “We made commitments to the Commonwealth. Are we going to abandon them merely because they prove inconvenient?”
Ed concealed his amusement with an effort. Both of them had been raised in an environment where their word was expected to be their bond. Even now, in politics, neither of them had devolved to the point where they believed in the tactical lie. But actually keeping their word – or Avalon’s word – would cause them some problems. Would Travis vote to uphold the commitments, thus damaging his campaign against off-world involvement, or try to break the commitments and damage his reputation for keeping his word?
“Colonel,” Councillor Travis said. “How do we know that the information we have in our databanks is accurate?”
“The crucial difference between Thule and Lakshmibai,” Ed said, “is that we have a large presence on Thule. We have followed local politics ever since we made contact with Thule and they applied to join the Commonwealth. The situation on the ground is well-understood, Councillor, and we will not be going in blind. We know what we will face if we get involved. But we also know the price for not getting involved.”
There was a long pause. “We will hold a vote after we take a break,” Councillor Stevens said. “But then we must return to the subject at hand.”
Ed sighed, inwardly. The Grand Senate could delay the conclusions of an inquiry until everyone involved was safely dead, if it felt like it. But the Commonwealth Council had no delaying tactics it could use. The Constitution specifically forbade any form of filibuster, let alone endless hearings and debates. Delay could not be tolerated.
He caught sight of Councillor Travis leaving the room, his face an expressionless mask that suggested he was trying to hide some strong emotion. Ed couldn't help feeling a moment of pity – he couldn't imagine what it was like to lose a son – which he ruthlessly suppressed. No matter the emotions driving the older man, he couldn't be allowed to tear the Commonwealth apart. But he was so likeable ...
The old Council had been composed of power-hungry men and women, some of which had indulged themselves to the point of becoming pederasts and perverts. None of them had really cared about Avalon – or about anything other than themselves. The Grand Senate hadn't been much better. But Councillor Travis genuinely cared.
No one ever told you that you would only face evil men , he thought, bitterly. There had been a few deployments when he'd sympathised more with the insurgents than with the forces he was supposed to support. They’d been murderers, rapists and thugs – but he’d been ordered to support them, because someone felt they deserved support. Sometimes, even good men can disagree .
Shaking his head, he strode from the chamber. There was a waiting room just down the hall, where he could get a cup of coffee and catch up on his mail. And wait, he knew, for the vote that would determine the fate of the Commonwealth.
And what will happen , he asked himself, if they vote against the deployment ?
He couldn't help wondering if it would be the beginning of the end.
Chapter Six
Or, perhaps worst of all, the ethnic/religious conflict on Morningstar, where one ethnic group became determined to convert or eradicate the other ethnic groups. The Empire attempted to keep
“So you would have us make an open commitment,” Councillor Travis said. “I confess this makes me very uneasy.”
“That isn't the issue,” Councillor Jackson snapped. “We made commitments to the Commonwealth. Are we going to abandon them merely because they prove inconvenient?”
Ed concealed his amusement with an effort. Both of them had been raised in an environment where their word was expected to be their bond. Even now, in politics, neither of them had devolved to the point where they believed in the tactical lie. But actually keeping their word – or Avalon’s word – would cause them some problems. Would Travis vote to uphold the commitments, thus damaging his campaign against off-world involvement, or try to break the commitments and damage his reputation for keeping his word?
“Colonel,” Councillor Travis said. “How do we know that the information we have in our databanks is accurate?”
“The crucial difference between Thule and Lakshmibai,” Ed said, “is that we have a large presence on Thule. We have followed local politics ever since we made contact with Thule and they applied to join the Commonwealth. The situation on the ground is well-understood, Councillor, and we will not be going in blind. We know what we will face if we get involved. But we also know the price for not getting involved.”
There was a long pause. “We will hold a vote after we take a break,” Councillor Stevens said. “But then we must return to the subject at hand.”
Ed sighed, inwardly. The Grand Senate could delay the conclusions of an inquiry until everyone involved was safely dead, if it felt like it. But the Commonwealth Council had no delaying tactics it could use. The Constitution specifically forbade any form of filibuster, let alone endless hearings and debates. Delay could not be tolerated.
He caught sight of Councillor Travis leaving the room, his face an expressionless mask that suggested he was trying to hide some strong emotion. Ed couldn't help feeling a moment of pity – he couldn't imagine what it was like to lose a son – which he ruthlessly suppressed. No matter the emotions driving the older man, he couldn't be allowed to tear the Commonwealth apart. But he was so likeable ...
The old Council had been composed of power-hungry men and women, some of which had indulged themselves to the point of becoming pederasts and perverts. None of them had really cared about Avalon – or about anything other than themselves. The Grand Senate hadn't been much better. But Councillor Travis genuinely cared.
No one ever told you that you would only face evil men , he thought, bitterly. There had been a few deployments when he'd sympathised more with the insurgents than with the forces he was supposed to support. They’d been murderers, rapists and thugs – but he’d been ordered to support them, because someone felt they deserved support. Sometimes, even good men can disagree .
Shaking his head, he strode from the chamber. There was a waiting room just down the hall, where he could get a cup of coffee and catch up on his mail. And wait, he knew, for the vote that would determine the fate of the Commonwealth.
And what will happen , he asked himself, if they vote against the deployment ?
He couldn't help wondering if it would be the beginning of the end.
Chapter Six
Or, perhaps worst of all, the ethnic/religious conflict on Morningstar, where one ethnic group became determined to convert or eradicate the other ethnic groups. The Empire attempted to keep
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