Metal Swarm - Kevin J. Anderson [74]
'I need to set up a meeting with Ambassador Sarein to discuss commercial transactions.' Rlinda was sure the Theron ambassador would be a sympathetic listener and, she hoped, more rational than Chairman Wenceslas. After escaping with BeBob, no doubt she had burned her bridges with the Chairman, she hoped there wasn't an arrest warrant out for her as well. If so, the Curiosity's souped-up engines could outrun any patrol ships in the vicinity.
'Be advised that increased tariffs have been imposed on all new trading.'
'Of course they have. Somebody's got to pay for all this reconstruction.' Sooner or later, though, Earth's importance would dwindle as the Confederation grew. Once the Chairman got his head out of his butt, this kind of nonsense could be over.
As she started her final approach to the Palace District, Rlinda sent a message to Sarein, and after about fifteen minutes a familiar voice came over the comm system. 'Captain Kett, I would be pleased to meet with you.' The ambassador didn't sound pleased so much as uncertain, even shaken. Not at all the confident young woman who had represented Theroc to the Hansa. 'Security measures are much tighter than you're accustomed to. Just stay with your ship. I'll… I'll come there in person.'
'Whatever you say, Ambassador. I'll be here waiting.' She went into her galley and prepared a special feast of Theron treats that she was sure Sarein missed. The young woman had often complained about her backwater home planet, but Rlinda knew that Sarein had a kind heart, despite her hard exterior.
After brusquely instructing her uniformed escort to stay outside the ship, the young woman came aboard. Rlinda immediately saw the changes in Sarein. She had lost an unhealthy amount of weight, her face seemed pallid, and lines of concern showed around her mouth and eyes. 'Captain Kett, it has been a long time,' she said formally. Suddenly her expression melted. 'I'm so glad to see you.' She spotted the Theron delicacies and flashed a genuine smile. 'Are those for me? I haven't had any of this for so long!'
'Be my guest. Put some colour back into your cheeks. I've got some messages for you, too.' Rlinda bustled about, bringing out two hand-written notes and a small message player with a chip already loaded in it. 'Your parents each wrote you a letter. I didn't read them, of course, but I can guess that they want you to know how much they miss you. Your little sister Celli recorded a message, and so did Estarra.'
Sarein's expression wavered, and Rlinda could only imagine the emotions flowing through her. She clutched the notes and the message player as if they were lifelines. 'Even Estarra?'
'She's still your sister. If you ask me, you'd be better off on Theroc than here. Are you sure it makes sense for you to stay on Earth? What do you hope to accomplish?'
'I don't know, Captain Kett. I really don't know. I just keep hoping to influence Basil, convince him to make good decisions.'
Rlinda snorted. 'Or fewer bad ones.'
Sarein wavered, then strengthened herself again. 'The Chairman wants all citizens to pull together, to work hard and make sacrifices - but they're growing restless. The Hansa still hasn't even publicly explained what happened to the King and Queen, so the rumours are running wild. Basil is going about it in the wrong way, antagonizing the citizens rather than earning their loyalty.'
Rlinda blew out a long breath. 'If you all just join the Confederation, then everybody benefits. Didn't Chairman Wenceslas always say we should look at the big picture? After only a month, the Confederation has a hell of a lot more people and planets than the Hansa does.'
Sarein looked at her blankly. 'He's… he's making his own plans.' With a frown, she pushed her plate away, thought better of it, then continued picking at the familiar treats. 'How do you know so much about all this, Rlinda? Have you been spending time on Theroc?'
Rlinda considered, then took a