Metal Swarm - Kevin J. Anderson [55]
Seize the opportunity. This would solve all the Hansa's problems and win the match in one breathtaking move.
* * * * *
He found Admiral Willis working with Cain in the EDF's subsidiary admin office in the Hansa pyramid. She and the deputy stood among cheerful poster-projections of brave soldiers and spiked-diamond warglobes. 'Damn, if this doesn't get cheery recruits to sign up for the EDF, I don't know what will,' Willis said with a snort. 'Maybe we should just promise them free beer, while we're at it.'
Cain was more detached. 'Remember, we are trying to scrounge volunteers from the most stubborn segment of our population - those who didn't step forward when our situation was most dire. We have to appeal to them somehow.'
'We're scraping the bottom of the barrel.' On the poster Willis tapped the freckled face of a new corporal who seemed immensely satisfied with his job. 'This kid looks like he's thinking EDF rations are the most delicious thing he's tasted in his life.'
Basil interrupted them, his voice harsh. 'We should not need to lure soldiers with promises and prizes. They should see our need, feel their obligation, and do what is right.'
Willis rolled her eyes. 'Fat chance of that happening.'
Basil could not keep the resignation out of his voice. I'm afraid you're right.' He closed the door, so that no one could overhear them. 'Admiral, you wanted something significant to do?'
'Well, writing up rah-rah ads and monitoring a bunch of disorganized shipyards is not entirely up to the level of my capabilities.'
Basil frowned at her bitter tone. After Lanyan had left for Rheindic Co in her Juggernaut, Willis had done a solid job managing the shipyards, and - for all her grousing - he expected this recruitment drive to be reasonably successful, as well. But she could do so much more.
'I want you to save the Hansa, Admiral. I've come up with a mission that can end the rebellion, unify the human race, and put us on a direct road to strength and prosperity.'
Willis's lips quirked in a smile. 'That sounds significant enough.'
Cain rotated the projections of the template posters to the opposite side of the display table. The one in front had giant, bold letters positioned above an orbital image of Earth. EDF: NOW. The chain-of-stars logo arced over the black backdrop, while a small, blackened piece of space wreckage from an unidentifiable ship hung ominously in the foreground.
Basil stepped to the display table, inserted his encrypted datapak, and called up in large-scale format the succession of images from the spy flybys. Willis saw the implications immediately. 'You want me to attack Theroc. You want me to overthrow the new Confederation.'
'I want you to bring it under control,' Basil corrected. 'And arrest Peter. We'll neutralize him and set an acceptable King back in place. That'll be the end of all this nonsense.'
Cain kept his face stony. 'Very dangerous, Mr Chairman. Politically speaking, I mean.'
'If you want me to do this, it would be a damned good time to have my Juggernaut back,' Willis added.
'Nonsense. Look at the screen. Four or five Mantas should certainly be enough for a job like this.'
After a brisk knock at the door, Captain McCammon entered the recruiting office, looking apologetic. 'You summoned me, Mr Chairman?' His crimson beret sat at the perfect angle on his pale hair, his colourful uniform was immaculate. Basil had never stopped wondering how McCammon, with his flawless service record, could have botched everything so badly by letting Peter, Estarra, and Daniel get away.
As Willis replayed the images of the trader ships circling Theroc, the Chairman said, 'Captain McCammon, we are about to engage in a dramatic operation. I require your assurance that the intractable green priest remains under your control and that he will not have a chance either to observe our preparations or communicate his suspicions through the treeling.'
McCammon's brow furrowed.