Of Fire and Night - Kevin J. Anderson [242]
Cain cleared his throat. "We've already established priorities and the distribution of responsibilities based on our last meeting. Now we're ready to move on to the next step."
Basil tried to drive back his persistent headache. "In the coming weeks, we will complete detailed damage assessments and strength projections--but they must be kept entirely confidential." He looked meaningfully at Lanyan, then at Deputy Cain. "Under no circumstances will the general population be allowed to know how badly we've been hurt."
When they nodded, Basil was glad to see full cooperation for a change. If everyone he relied on had supported him all along, the Chairman could have led them safely through this mess from the beginning. "We'll pull together the resources from our colonies. Across the Hansa, we need a full-scale effort to construct new battleships, encourage trade, strengthen bonds among the planets, and make the Hansa blossom again. And the effort will need to be far superior to what the human race has managed in recent years."
They were fine words, but in his heart Basil realized that such an effort would also mean cripplingly high taxes and very lean years. And now Peter, Estarra, and Daniel had vanished. He narrowed his gray eyes, focusing on Sarein. "Are you sure you have no idea where your sister or the King have gone? It's been days! We need a strong spokesman to prepare the people, to get back in touch with our orphaned colonies." He thought he might have to haul out his unexpected alternative after all.
"I . . . I don't know where they are, Basil. I haven't spoken to Estarra since just after Daniel's banquet, when you made me show her the greenhouse you destroyed." She was clearly trying to hide her distaste. "As you well know, she was under tight guard--for her protection."
Basil scowled. Was that sarcasm? Among the many unbelievable things that had happened during the attack, the hydrogue derelict had disappeared. He had assigned Deputy Cain the task of investigating the matter thoroughly, but with so much going on in the past several days, it wasn't Cain's highest priority.
A secretary appeared at the door of the penthouse office. "A green priest to see you, Mr. Chairman."
"Send him in. Maybe he has news." Basil took a seat at his desk. "It's about time he decided to report to me."
Nahton walked proudly into the chamber, tall, thin, and determined. The high windows looked out into the bright morning. The green priest stared into the golden sunlight for a moment, then turned to face the Chairman.
"Well, what is it?"
"As a courtesy, Chairman Wenceslas, I have been asked to bring you a message from King Peter and Queen Estarra."
Basil shot to his feet. "Where are they? I demand that they return to the Whisper Palace immediately."
"The King and Queen have relocated their throne to Theroc. From there, they will establish a human confederation and preside over a new seat of government."
Basil could only bark a short, dry laugh. "That's ridiculous! And it distracts us at a time when we must all pull together."
"We are pulling together, Mr. Chairman. We're just doing it without you." Nahton's voice was emotionless, a delivery system for a formal proclamation. "The Therons have endorsed this new confederation and have agreed to join it. The green priests who were dispersed to former Hansa colonies have also made the announcement to their settlers. Representatives are already being chosen."
"What do you mean, former Hansa colonies? They have never--"
Nahton interrupted him. "Sixty-three orphaned worlds have torn up the Hansa Charter and agreed to join the confederation."
"That's a declaration of war!" Lanyan shouted.
"It is an appropriate and completely legal response. Since the beginning of the hydrogue conflict, the Terran Hanseatic League has cut them off from vital materials, denied them food and medical supplies. You