Horizon Storms - Kevin J. Anderson [181]
Roamer workers continued to blunder through the ruins of the forest while pretending to offer assistance. Obviously, the space gypsies were here for their own purposes, their own profits, regardless of the altruistic claims they made. Since Basil wanted her to take on her rightful role as the new Mother, Sarein requested a private meeting with her parents inside the main meeting chamber.
“We are glad that you’ve come back, Sarein.” Alexa smiled. “There’s so much we need to catch up on.”
Sarein’s nostrils flared as she drew deep breaths, in and out, calming herself, remembering her diplomatic training. “I only hope I’ve arrived in time. Don’t trust the Roamers. Do you think they’re doing this out of the kindness of their hearts?”
Outside in the forest, machinery continued to level the debris, scraping the forest soil clean, dumping chemical fertilizers, spreading seeds for fast-growing groundcover. Buzzing haulers lifted away one giant worldtree trunk after another, taking it to distant Roamer processing colonies. The operation reminded Sarein of graverobbers stealing corpses.
Alexa said, “My daughter, what are you talking about? The Roamers are helping us greatly, and the green priests and Theron workers have made exceptional progress in the past month. We’re all working together.”
“You’re letting treasure slip through your fingers! Can’t you see the enormous effort the Roamers are putting in here? Such help comes only for a price. Have you asked yourselves what they are trying to gain?”
Idriss scratched his thick black beard. “Offering aid in the wake of a disaster is what good-hearted people do. We would have done the same for them if we had known, and if we were capable. Remember, Speaker Peroni was betrothed to Reynald. We were going to have family alliances, Roamers and Therons.”
Her parents were so painfully trusting. Sarein recalled why she had been eager to leave stifling Theroc and go to civilized Earth.
“Roamers have always been kind to us, Sarein.” Alexa leaned closer, frowning. “Why must you think the worst of the clans?”
Her frustration finally boiled over. “Because Speaker Peroni cut off the Hansa from ekti supplies and other vital goods, right when we need them the most.” She held up her hand and ticked off other reasons she had heard Basil use. “Because the clans refuse to be counted like any other Hansa colony. Because they pay no taxes except what we can impose upon them as trade tariffs. Because we don’t even know where most of their settlements are or what they’re doing behind all that secrecy.” She waited in vain for some sign of agreement from her parents. “Doesn’t that make you the least bit suspicious?”
Idriss shook his head. “Frankly, we need their help. I don’t see any downside.”
Sarein let out an exasperated breath. “Look at all the worldtree wood they’re taking away from Theroc. They’ll turn that into a valuable commodity and make enormous profits from it.”
“We offered the worldtree wood as payment for their help,” Alexa said with extended patience. “Without being asked, Cesca Peroni promised to share some of those profits with us.”
“Do you have anything in writing? Did you negotiate proper terms for Theroc? What sort of percentage are the Roamers going to give back?”
Idriss sat back in his chair. “I’m sure it’ll be fair. She had no obligation to do so in the first place.”
“Hundreds of Hansa traders and businessmen would have bid for the right to process and distribute the fallen worldtree wood. You didn’t even ask for competitive plans. You simply handed it all to the Roamer clans. That makes no sense