The Ascendant Stars - Michael Cobley [135]
As the picture faded to black, Greg sat back in his chair, noting the grim faces all around him.
Well, how would I feel if I’d found out that something like that had happened during the early years of our colony? In fact, it could have happened when we discovered the Uvovo on Nivyesta. Were we just lucky enough to hold on to reason?
‘So, have many of your people seen this?’ Greg said.
‘As soon as the Bund became aware of its existence, via some unknown source, it was banned, declared an illegal propaganda tool designed to break our unified will,’ said Braddock. ‘So naturally people then began actively seeking it out. At the same time, several pieces of corroborating evidence started showing up, century-old diaries, secretly recorded group testimonials, even a couple of hundred-year-old commandery reports hinting strongly at disturbing events. In short, Alecto City has become a simmering pot of allegations, accusations and denials, even administrators who seemed to be in danger of being thrown out of their offices.
‘But then Becker’s Shadow Watch troopers began arresting the more vocal critics, as well as their associates. The last we heard, the clampdown was so heavy-handed that some districts of Alecto have refused to permit entry to any city officials.’
‘I didn’t know that the situation had become so charged,’ said Berg. ‘How has it affected the Nightwalker Commandery?’
‘There was fighting outside the barracks when Shadow Watch troopers tried to arrest a couple of our men.’ Seeing Greg’s puzzlement, Braddock explained: ‘Before Captain Rawlins became Preceptor of Veterans, he was Captain of the Nightwalkers, highly decorated and well liked. Our current captain, Eisler, is unfortunately one of Becker’s sycophants, which if anything has intensified our loyalty to the memory of Sam Rawlins.’
‘I see,’ Greg said. ‘So what you need to know is how welcoming a future Darien government would be to an immigration of Tygrans, aye?’ He leaned forward. ‘Assuming that we survive the drittstorm that’s about tae come down on our heads!’
Braddock met his gaze. ‘That’s correct, Mr Cameron.’
‘Well, I tell ye, my people are as cantankerous, difficult and opinionated a bunch as you’re ever likely to meet. We’ve a saying – put a Scot, a Rus and a Norj in a room and after an hour ye’ll have six different arguments not just three!’ Everyone around the table laughed. ‘Of course, that just means that we don’t enter into friendships that easily, but – if someone goes out of their way to help us, even risking their lives to do so, then you can be sure that when they need help we won’t let them down. Does that answer your question?’
‘It’s as good an answer as I could hope for,’ said Braddock. ‘Especially now that our Ezgara cover identity will soon be completely blown.’
‘Aye, well, in the meantime we should concentrate on staying alive, I reckon. Oh, and I probably don’t need to say this but hold off talking about the Rawlins testament with anyone from the Vox H or the Imisil, right?’
Braddock gave a sardonic smile. ‘Yes, Mr Cameron, it goes without saying.’
‘Of course, which is why I said it.’ Greg stood, as did the others. ‘Lieutenant Ash and the new ranking Imisil commander, First Proposer Conlyph, are putting together a definitive defensive battle plan, in consultation with the Vox Humana. Ash should be in touch after we’re away, to let you know where you fit in. Also I think the survivors of the Firebrand are going to be gathered by shuttle from the Vox H ships they ended up in, then brought here.’
‘That is excellent,’ Braddock said. ‘My thanks.’
With that the meeting was over and Greg and Lieutenant Berg were escorted back to the airlock. On the way Berg reminded Greg about the Vox Humana admiral’s request for a meeting, which she was now adamant should go ahead. All through the audience with Braddock, Berg had been receiving updates from the commentary network grouping