Horizon Storms - Kevin J. Anderson [99]
“Mmm. At least we can use it for additional cheery propaganda.” He stared at the military compies, not meeting Lanyan’s gaze. The machines moved one after another in perfect lockstep, according to their programming. It was breathtaking. Soldier compies would never hesitate. They followed their instruction set and did not argue, did not question the moral basis of any orders…and did not behave like children. Basil had had enough of that in recent months from Prince Daniel, from Peter, from the green priests, from the Roamers.
He said, “It’s good to see somebody do exactly as instructed, for a change. If only we could process and train human recruits so efficiently.” He knew that King Peter still had his paranoid delusions about the new compies, but the Chairman kept Peter on a short, tight leash to prevent any further irrational outbursts.
Engineering Specialist Swendsen and Chief Scientist Palawu had done a fine job getting these compy factories running to optimal specs. After sending Palawu to Rheindic Co to analyze the Klikiss transportals, Basil had instructed Swendsen to devote his research to the hydrogue debris brought from Theroc. The factories were functioning well enough without the two men.
Lanyan continued: “It may also be wise to use Soldier compies to fly recon ships to hydrogue gas giants. At least they’ll be more reliable than our conscripted human pilots. According to my records, two more of our drafted scouts have simply vanished. That makes thirty quitters so far, and we haven’t been able to find any of them.” His expression darkened. “Each deserter is a personal slap in the face. I can’t imagine what these people consider to be more important than serving the Earth Defense Forces in this time of war.”
“The Roamers seem to have similar ideas.” Basil rounded on Lanyan. “Speaking of lost ships, General, now that we’re here in private and off the record, would you care to tell me exactly what happened with this destroyed Roamer cargo ship that’s gotten Speaker Peroni so incensed? Is she telling the truth?”
“I’m sure the Roamers are overreacting, Mr. Chairman. They’d rather blame the EDF than admit that one of their pilots could be incompetent.”
Basil scowled. “Yes, General, that was in the official press release issued by King Peter. But I don’t believe it for a moment, and neither do you. Speaker Peroni would never challenge us unless she thinks she has proof. To me, that means you must have done something without my knowledge or consent.” He narrowed his gray eyes. “Tell me what really happened so I can figure out how to deal with this mess.”
Not meeting the Chairman’s eyes, Lanyan continued to watch the flow of Soldier robots. “To my knowledge, sir, it happened only once…an indiscretion for which I accept full responsibility.” In a brisk, bare-bones manner, he described how his patrol Juggernaut had encountered a Roamer cargo ship along one of the nearly empty trade routes. When they’d discovered that Captain Kamarov meant to deliver his ekti cargo to customers other than the EDF, General Lanyan had invoked executive privilege and confiscated the stardrive fuel. The incensed Roamer captain had vowed to file formal complaints.
“He would have caused great problems for us, Mr. Chairman. Therefore, I removed myself from the bridge, and one of my subcommanders, Patrick Fitzpatrick the Third, decided in my absence that it would be best if the Roamer suffered an…unfortunate mishap. I never expected anyone to find the wreckage or be able to analyze it for jazer residue.”
Basil simmered with irritation at the problematic revelation. “That was your second mistake, General. Your first was not to think through the consequences in the first place. Where is this Fitzpatrick now?”
“He died a hero at Osquivel, Mr. Chairman.” Lanyan’s brow furrowed, as if he didn’t like what he was about to suggest. “I suppose we could admit that Fitzpatrick acted without orders, and that we do not endorse his actions. Would it be a sufficient