Power Play - Anne McCaffrey [25]
“Too many people know I have just returned from Petaybee,” she said, rattling her fingers on the intricately inlaid wood of the desktop. “Far, far too many people have been apprised of everything—everything—about Petaybee. Anaciliact holoed in from this emergency mission of his, and when I told him what’s been happening he was livid—if you can imagine that consummate diplomat in such a state.” Marmion rose and began pacing the room, head down, one arm across her chest supporting the other as she rubbed her forehead. “I was right to give you that safety disk, and right to assign you guardians. All of you. I must remember to assign a few to myself,” she added with an impish grin. “Though with the security available on Gal Three, they might end up stumbling over each other while we’re dragged off through a service hatch or something.” Her smile indicated how unlikely that was.
“If you’re concerned about Petaybee, Marmion, don’t be,” Yana said, hoping to relieve her unusual anxiety.
“I don’t worry about Petaybee at all, Yana,” Marmion replied. “It has proved well able to take care of itself. It’s all the—the types that are homing in on it. There simply aren’t the facilities to cope with them, and I’m sure that’s one of the reasons they’ve been sent.” She frowned.
“You mean to discredit Sean’s abilities as administrator?”
“Precisely.”
“Did you happen to hear how soon the meeting we’re due at is going to convene?” Yana, too, didn’t wish Sean inundated with problems when he had no one trained to help. Even, and especially, Petaybee.
“Not soon enough,” Marmion said in what was for her a harsh voice. She flung up her hands in frustration. “I don’t think it’s all delaying tactics, and, of course, Farringer Ball is quite legitimately ill, some sort of a virus he contracted, so we do have to wait on his return to good health.” She made a little moue of concern over that delay. “However, Intergal has conceded—well, CIS has forced them to concede—that the planet has prior rights to its mineral and metal wealth and anything else that might be valuable. They’re pulling out—as fast as they can.” She made a face. “That’s unlike them, too. But then, they’ve never had a planet to face as an opponent. Must make a difference. No bribery will work in this instance.”
“Must make it very difficult for Intergal to change its modus operandi.”
Marmion grinned and chuckled. “If only you knew . . . But then,” she said more briskly, “you probably do.”
“Not on the level you do, Marmion.”
“Now, tonight,” the financier went on, “there are certain people I’d like you to talk to.”
“You mean, show me off to?”
“Well, that, too.” Marmion flicked her fingers at Yana’s qualification. “You’re the best spokesperson Petaybee could have.”
“Not Bunny? When she’s lived there all her life?”
“Her ingenuousness may be useful, to a degree, but you’re a military person with experience on many planets and situations. Your remarks will carry more weight. Also, these are the people Petaybee should get to know for the clout they have in intergalactic research and development.” She added quickly when she saw Yana frown, “The good kind, not the search-and-strip types of operations. It may well constitute a challenge to them, you see, and they need challenges.”
“ ‘Life gets ted-jus, don’t it?’ ” Yana asked with a fake yawn.
Marmion grinned. “Precisely. Been there, done that, seen this.”
“Care to give me a briefing?”
“It’s all here,” Marmion said, handing Yana a disk. “I have compiled vital statistics on all my peers. Some of them are even nice.” Then she saw Yana’s surprised expression and made a little face. “Well, they have them on me! Must keep track of the competition. Have a listen, and then if you’ve any questions—oh, blast it!” she exclaimed as her screen bleeped the Urgent code. Yana waved at her and left the room, a departure she sensed Marmion would appreciate.