Mike Resnick - Birthright

The aide acknowledged the orders and left the office.

“I realize that you've taken a great personal risk in coming here,” said Broder. “May I assure you that no record of this meeting will be kept, and that should your presence become known, I will authorize safe passage for you to whatever destination you desire.” Connough grunted, still looking around. “You are free to examine the room,” offered Broder. Connough took one last look, then shook his head. “That won't be necessary.” “Fine,” said Broder. “Now let's get down to business. First of all, just how did you manage to get here without credentials?”

“I have credentials,” said Connough, flashing them. “I expressed myself poorly,” said Broder. “I realize, of course, that you would have the necessary identification to reach my office. What I'm curious about is how you ever got out to the Rim and back without being detained at one end or the other.” “I have my ways,” said Connough.

“Not good enough,” said Broder. “If I am even to consider entering this enterprise I must have straight answers. Otherwise you're just wasting my time and yours.” “It's a big galaxy, Admiral, and it's impossible to guard every spaceway. My organization has numerous small trading ships, and it was a simple matter to forge credentials to the effect that I owned and operated one, and that I had trading rights to several of the frontier worlds. Belasko knew I was coming, and I had no problem getting through his military cordon around the Belthar system.” “Belasko!” said Broder. “You met him in person?” Connough nodded.

“Can you prove that to me?”

Connough withdrew a small plastic card. “You'll find Belasko's thumbprint on this. Run it through your computer and check it out.”

Broder did so, and a few minutes later the computer reported that the thumbprint did indeed belong to Belasko, the kingpin of the loosely knit confederation of warlords. “How did Belasko react to your proposition?” “Pretty much as I anticipated,” said Connough. “In exchange for Sirius V, Lodin XI, and their spheres of economic and military influence, he'll do what we ask.” “And what, precisely, is that?”

“That he make a feint at the Binder system when instructed, and that he publicly acknowledge his loyalty

to Deluros in exchange for total amnesty.” “In that order, I hope,” said Broder with a smile. “This is deadly serious business, Admiral,” said Connough. “I fail to see any humor in the situation.” “No, I don't suppose you would,” said Broder. “All right, on to the next point. How many men are in your organization?”

“That, I am afraid, is privileged information until such time as you commit yourself,” said Connough. “Fair enough. Answer this much: Do you have at least twenty thousand men on Deluros VIII?” “No.”

“I thought not,” said Broder. “Ten thousand?” “I'm not here to play guessing games, Admiral,” said Connough. “Let's just say that we have more than enough.”

“I very much doubt it, though I'll let it pass for the moment,” said Broder. “You haven't asked the question that must be the most important to you,” remarked Connough. “Oh?” said Broder. “And what is that?”

“Why, of all people on Deluros VIII, we contacted you.” “The thought did cross my mind,” said Broder. “However, it wasn't all that difficult to deduce. To begin with, nothing in my writings or speeches could have given you any indication whatsoever that I might be sympathetic to your cause, or that I wouldn't have you put to death for treason. And with an enterprise of this nature, you sure as hell didn't draw my name out of a hat. So it wasn't too difficult to figure out that what you wanted wasn't necessarily me, but the man holding my job. I just happened to be here; depending on the timing, you could have used my predecessor or my successor just as easily. “The only question remaining was: Why my job? After all, I'm only second in command to Admiral Klare. But Klare's brother-in-law is on the Oligarchic Council, which means he's probably too loyal to chance even sounding him out. It also means, or so I surmise, that Klare will probably be murdered at the earliest opportunity, placing me—temporarily, at least—in charge of the system's defense fleet. “Now, why should it be essential to your plans to have me in that position? The only answer I can come up with is that at the proper moment I will be expected to misdirect it. Most likely,” he added, looking sharply at Connough, “when Belasko feints toward Binder. Correct?” Connough nodded.

“Let me continue, then,” said Broder. “Since Belasko has neither the strength nor the inclination to fight the main body of our forces, the only reason you want the fleet kept busy is so that they won't be tempted to interfere with whatever it is you're planning to do on Deluros VIII, and will return to a fait accompli. And, with less than twenty thousand men—and probably only a quarter of that total—I

imagine you'll try to kill the seven Oligarchs.”

“Not quite, Admiral,” said Connough. “Only six of them.” “Who gets to live?” asked Broder.

“It doesn't make much difference. But if we kill seven, everything will be up for grabs. Whereas...” “Whereas if you leave one alive, you'll have succeeded in turning the galactic Oligarchy into a monarchy in one swift stroke. Under those circumstances, I'm sure none of them will turn you down. Especially,” he added, grinning again, “with a swift and certain death as the only alternative.” “That is correct,” said Connough.

“Not necessarily,” said Broder. “The whole thing hinges upon whether or not you can really deliver six swift and certain deaths to the best-protected men in the galaxy. What makes you think it can be done?” “We have men highly placed on each of the Oligarchic staffs. It won't be too difficult.” “I doubt it. They have one hell of a lot of bodyguards highly placed on each staff as well. Furthermore, the matter of timing becomes a vital factor; all six must be killed before any of the others becomes aware of the situation and strengthens his security. How do you plan to circumvent that little problem?” For almost an hour Connough spelled out every detail of the planned assassinations. Broder listened intently, occasionally asking a question, less frequently offering an opinion. At the end of that time Connough leaned back in his chair. “Well?” he asked. “Personally, I think the odds are somewhere in the neighborhood of a thousand to one against you,” said Broder “First of all, you've no idea how the remaining Oligarch will react to it. Even if he liked the idea of playing Emperor, he'd probably have you executed before you caused him any embarrassment. And, of course, if he was truly outraged at your actions, he'd have you executed for that. “Second, with the Oligarchy in a state of momentary chaos and the chain of command in doubt, Belasko might very well carve out a huge chunk of our territory. Or he might expose the whole thing and be swept to power on a tide of public sentiment.

“Third, I very much doubt that you'll be able to kill more than one Oligarch before the sky falls on your whole organization. I figure that with exceptionally good luck, you'll kill two of them. Certainly no more than that.

“Fourth, your scheme depends, to a considerable degree, on my complicity. As yet, I see no reason why I should come over to your side, and I see numerous reasons why I shouldn't.” “I cannot answer your first three objections, Admiral,” said Connough. “But as for your last one, I will give you my pledge—in writing, on voicetape, or in any other form you desire—that upon the successful completion of this affair, you will be made commander in chief of the entire armed forces of the Oligarchy. Or of the Monarchy, as the case may be. “That's very impressive,” said Broder. “It would be even more impressive if I knew you would be in power, or even alive, at such time as I wished to assume command.”