Jack Campbell - Perilous Shield

“More than she hates you?”

Malin’s smile was wan. “I doubt it, General. I am keeping an eye on Colonel Morgan.”

And she’s keeping an eye on you. We’re all keeping an eye on each other. How the hell do we get anything else done? “Thank you, Bran. Make sure President Iceni’s people know that the snake agent is to be kept alive. I want you to get custody of that agent and put her in a maximum-security setting with a few apparent holes in the security.”

This time Malin smiled with understanding. “And complete surveillance of the holes so we can see who tries to use them. Yes, sir. I’ll get it done right away.”

President Iceni put on her best smile. That was a bit easier to do now that she had left the command center and returned to her own governing complex. Being on familiar ground, at her own desk, was a welcome thing after the tense days spent waiting for the enigmas to destroy them all. “Admiral Geary, I want to express my personal thanks for your actions in defending all of human-occupied space and the Midway Star System from renewed attack by the enigma race.”

Now for the delicate part. “Midway continues to recognize its obligations under the treaties made with the Syndicate government on Prime,” Iceni continued. “However, since we are now an independent star system, there will be a need to renegotiate agreements. I assure you that we seek agreements that will mutually benefit us and the Alliance, and do not anticipate any problems reaching such agreements.” There. Keep it short and a little vague. Don’t say anything that sounds like groveling or threatening. CEO Boyens still has a flotilla hanging near the hypernet gate, and the last thing I need is to make Black Jack upset. But I can’t have him taking me for granted, either. “For the people, Iceni, out.”

Iceni rubbed the back of her neck, trying to relax tense muscles. “Make sure a copy of that goes to General Drakon so he knows I’m not communicating with Black Jack behind his back,” she instructed Togo. “Notify me the moment a reply comes in.”

“Yes, Madam President.”

“Nothing has come in from CEO Boyens?”

“No, Madam President. One of the light cruisers is on its way to be able to intercept tight-beam transmissions between the Syndicate flotilla and the Alliance flagship, but will not be in position for another hour.”

She glowered at the display showing the light cruiser apparently creeping toward an orbit between the forces of Black Jack and Boyens. The display indicated the warship was actually moving at point two light speed, impressive by even space-travel standards. I could berate Kommodor Marphissa about how long it is taking, but I know full well that her forces were tied up in chasing the enigmas by my orders. Not that such facts would have held back some of the CEOs I have had the misfortune to work for. But I did learn from such screamers that far from motivating people, such tactics usually cause them to slow down either out of resentment or fear. I hope Marphissa appreciates my restraint.

“The ambassador from Taroa is waiting to see you,” Togo said.

“Send him in.”

Taroa, like other star systems that had revolted against the Syndicate, had suffered some serious attrition of older, more experienced officials. Some of those officials were dead, some had managed to flee, and others were in prison. The ambassador was one of the new officials, a former academic who had been rapidly boosted into high rank because of personal connections with the new government.

At least he knew that official protocol required visits like this to be in person.

Iceni smiled politely and gestured the ambassador to a seat, watching as he warily sat down and gazed back at her with the evident nervousness a more experienced official would have concealed. Iceni had been a CEO before retitling herself President; Syndicate citizens learned not to look CEOs in the eye, and a lifetime of habits died hard even for newly minted ambassadors. “You have received our offer?” Iceni asked.

The ambassador nodded. “Yes, Madam President. It appears to be… extremely generous.”

“And you’re wondering what the catch is?”

Her candor surprised him, setting the new ambassador off-balance, which had been what she intended.

“If you wish me to be blunt—” the Taroan ambassador began.

“Please. It saves time.”

He smiled hesitantly. “You are offering us partial ownership of the main orbiting facility once more, as well as the battleship under construction there, and are asking only for certain mutual-defense agreements in exchange.”

Iceni smiled back, broadcasting confidence and artificial candor. “You undervalue the importance to us of those agreements. Battleships we can get. We’ve already acquired two. But dependable allies in a region of space where threats may come from anywhere at any time is another and far harder thing to find. Midway can’t stand alone, even with all of the advantages we get from our jump points and the hypernet gate. Taroa can’t stand alone, either. We were happy to help Taroa throw off the yoke of the Syndicate.” It never hurt to toss in an explicit reminder of what Midway had done for the Free Taroans. “Together, with the resources of two star systems, we can much better defend ourselves, and even launch expeditions if necessary to help other star systems.”

The ambassador nodded eagerly, giving away how much he wanted this deal to go through. “Yes. I’m certain that my government will understand that. No one wants to be reconquered by the Syndicate. Perhaps Kane could use help?”

The latest reports from Kane spoke of ongoing chaos, with dozens of small groups competing for control after the total collapse of Syndicate authority and subsequent failure of several weak successor governments. “Kane would be a dangerous place to intervene,” Iceni said. “If Taroa wants that, we can talk about it. But my people believe that Kane is very likely to fracture into several competing governments within the star system. I am inclined to let that process shake out a little more before we commit our own, limited resources there.”

“I understand, Madam President. Forgive me, but I need to be certain. Your offer is made on behalf of both you and General Drakon?”

“That’s correct. You need to emphasize to your government that we cannot wait forever for an answer. If we get close enough to finishing that battleship in Taroa on our own, we won’t require Taroa’s assistance with that anymore.”

“Yes, Madam President. I will emphasize the need for quick action.”

“Thank you,” Iceni said, her tone making clear that the meeting was over. The ambassador left, beaming with happiness at the offered agreement, which he would surely claim credit for negotiating.

Iceni gestured to Togo. “Get me an updated report on our agents of influence in Taroa. I want to ensure we have enough agents in the right positions to get that agreement approved without delay, and without too many questions about how much authority Midway will have under that agreement over military forces belonging to Taroa. Coordinate with Drakon’s staff to ensure the agents reporting to his people have the same instructions. I want those instructions sent to Taroa on the same ship that carries the offer.”

“Yes, Madam President. In order to ensure the rapid approval of the agreement by the Taroan government, it may be necessary to expend more in bribes than previously budgeted.”

Iceni’s smile this time was wry. “Perhaps not. I’m finding that bribing elected officials can be significantly cheaper than bribing appointed bureaucrats. The bureaucrats have a much clearer understanding of their value. But extra payments are authorized if needed. We can’t afford to depend on Black Jack for defense of this star system.” Colonel Malin deserved an under-the-table bonus for suggesting the agreement in the first place, but he would probably refuse it. Whatever Malin’s motivations were, they didn’t include a desire for wealth.