Metal Swarm - Kevin J. Anderson [33]
Nahton did not bother to contradict him. They had discussed the matter many times. 'Do you plan to execute me, Mr Chairman? Is that what you consider fair punishment for refusing the orders of an outlaw government?'
'Peter is the outlaw government.' Basil forcibly calmed himself. 'I will not argue with a green priest. I'll offer you one last chance - and I mean it. One last chance. I have a statement for you to read. You've issued plenty of King Peter's announcements, now let them hear the words of the Chairman. That will at least let the colonies make an informed decision.'
Nahton didn't bother to look at the document Basil extended. 'I can't do that, Mr Chairman. All green priests have agreed: No message from the Hansa or the EDF will be transmitted until you resign and Earth reaffirms its allegiance to King Peter and joins the Confederation.'
Basil dropped the document on a table next to the treeling. He waited. Nahton waited. The silence stretched out for several minutes. Finally Basil made a sound of disgust. 'Captain McCammon, please remove the treeling from the green priest's possession.'
Nahton stiffened. 'The treeling belongs to me and to the worldforest. You have no right--'
'I'm the Chairman. This is Earth. I need no other right.' Basil gestured toward the document. 'I can change my mind as soon as you agree to read this.'
'I will not.'
Two royal guards came forward to pick up the treeling. McCammon said casually, 'Shall we place it in Queen Estarra's conservatory, Mr Chairman?'
Basil shot him a look, and Nahton realized that the Chairman had not wanted him to know where the treeling would be kept.
'Place additional guards outside the green priest's quarters - and set a watch over the treeling as well.' Basil sniffed and sent the green priest a sidelong glance. 'It is not my way to be so harsh, but you give me no choice.'
'You cannot change what's happening out in the Spiral Arm by taking my treeling away. The only difference is that you will be more poorly informed than before.'
McCammon and the guards walked away with the treeling. Nahton stared after it, barely hearing the Chairman's parting shot.
'By controlling information, I can control attitudes, and by controlling attitudes, I can change reality.'
Eighteen
Chairman Basil Wenceslas
It was a frivolous ceremony, a waste of time, but the gullible public required it. Though Basil spent most of his time behind the scenes, he knew that people needed their parades and memorials. He had always used such events as levers to pry more work or sacrifices from the Hansa's citizens. Now that the Chairman had neither King Peter nor Prince Daniel to perform the showmanship, he did it himself. Basil squeezed his eyes shut. So few people he could count on! At times he wondered why he worked so hard and dedicated his entire life to save these people who did not deserve his leadership.
He and Deputy Cain stood at the lip of the glassy crater, all that remained of the compy-manufacturing facility that he had been forced to blow up when the Soldier compies went berserk. He was accompanied by his four surviving grid admirals: Willis, Diente, Pike, and San Luis. General Lanyan had also just arrived for the ceremony.
Basil took his place at a makeshift podium with the banner of the Terran Hanseatic League fluttering behind him. Dark blue flags sporting the EDF's chain of stars ringed the entire crater. It was an impressive show for the crowds and newsnet reporters, although Basil felt that he and his inner circle could ill afford to waste the time. Maybe he should have had the Archfather of Unison deliver this well-crafted speech.
'We cannot forget our fallen. Those who perished here fighting the Soldier compies are only a small number of those who died in a great war. Our hearts grow heavy with the knowledge that this is only a microcosm of all we have suffered. These soldiers sacrificed