Merkiaari Wars: 04 - Operation Breakout Read online

  Alex secretly thought the elders probably wore robes not to enhance their dignity and authority, but rather as a way of hiding their emotions. Shan were very emotive beings. They had many tells related to body language. Their tails especially could gesture in a wide range of motions, each having meanings to those who could read them. Covering themselves in the loose fitting robes must make the elders seem grave and unemotional. A useful illusion that. Alex could wish for something similar when confronted by irritating councillors.

  “There are many people here who wish to meet you,” Alex said bringing himself back to the present. “We shouldn’t monopolise your time, though I wish to. We’ll let you mingle for while and meet again later. There’s something we need to discuss before you leave.”

  Tei’Varyk looked intrigued, but he led his mate away to greet the other guests.

  “You’re going to tell him then?” Ludmilla asked as they watched the Shan join the party-goers.

  Alex nodded. “There was never any doubt of that, just the timing. Our people will be there within days if they’re not already.”

  “And Nathan?”

  Alex’s lips tightened. Nathan Mindel had helped him in the past, but he didn’t consider Northcliff’s councillor an ally. Far from it. Mindel was the current spokesman for the euphemistically named Border Worlds Party, and as such had been a thorn in Alex’s side for nearly his entire term in office. He owed Nathan a favour, and the information should pay the debt, but it went beyond that. Alex wanted Nathan’s help again, and he was sure he would be made to pay dearly for it. The Border Worlds Party was the primary instigator behind the proposal to rescind the Red One. Its members wanted the navy back where it belonged, covering their worlds against commerce raiders. Alex totally sympathised with them. They had all become accustomed to having navy protection in, if not every system, at least in systems close by. They wanted that protection back, but the Shan also needed the navy, and arguably had the better claim. Both parties deserved protection.

  Alex would love to give it to them, but the Merki threat meant Admiral Rawlins would strenuously resist any move to undo his strategic consolidation, and Fifth Fleet was hard at work helping the Shan rebuild their orbital infrastructure. The only answer was to build more ships; many many more ships, but that would come at huge cost to the economy, and no one wanted that. It was an insoluble situation. More ships, more soldiers, more fuel, more weapons... more more more! The military was voraciously hungry for resources at the best of times, and always had been, but now the precise balance achieved over long years following the last war was tipping toward deficit. The numbers were staggering. Taxes were already higher this year than last, and if the Red One wasn’t rescinded soon, taxes would surge. It would happen suddenly, but economists Alex trusted had warned him the signs were already there to see. The corporations were starting to mutter about a slowdown in growth. Nothing major yet, they were simply “viewing with concern,” but that wouldn’t last.

  “I’ll show him the data and play it by ear. Is he here yet?”

  Ludmilla shook her head. “Not yet.”

  “But he’s coming, you’re sure?”

  “His chief of staff confirmed the invitation.”

  Alex frowned. That really didn’t mean anything, but Nathan would probably show his face for politeness sake if for no other reason. That was probably the reason for his late arrival. No doubt he had other plans and would just stop in for an hour using the plans for an excuse. Alex had used that tactic a time or three.

  “As long as I get him for a half hour, I don’t care when he arrives. Don’t let me miss him, my love.”

  Ludmilla smiled. “I’ll bag him for you.”

  Alex gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and then turned back to business. He had schmoozing to do.

  Alex listened politely as Councillor Hartman discussed sending a trade delegation to the Shan with Tei’Varyk, and found himself nodding encouragement as they parlayed the pros and cons of doing so now, while the reconstruction was still underway. He was sure Tei’Varyk had heard many such proposals in his time on Earth. Everyone was curious about the Shan, and ships had already visited the system looking to gain advantage over rivals, but as far as he knew the Shan were being coy about granting any one world favoured trading status. Good for them. Damn good. Better to keep all the vultures at arm’s length and let them negotiate themselves to death before picking a few worlds from among the survivors. That’s how he would handle it. Turn away no one, but favour a select few. Let them strive to best each other in order to join that special group and earn Shan trade. Don’t just give it away. It sounded like Kajetan had given instructions to that effect or something very like it.

  Alex approved, though he should remain neutral. As President of the Alliance and Chairman of the Council he was supposed to serve all worlds equally, but it wasn’t as easy as that. Some really were more deserving than others... or more needy might be a better way of thinking about it. Everyone deserved peace and prosperity. Some already had it, while others still strove to gain it. Was it right that the core worlds be denied a way to improve upon their already prosperous positions in favour of worlds still in the early stages of their rise? It was hard to say, though from a purely moral standpoint the answer was obvious. The problem with having morals, Alex mused, was that they could tie you in knots.

  In the real world the question was mute. There was nothing anyone could do to limit prosperity in favour of the needy. If it could be done it would lead to a race to the lowest common denominator and probably war. If not outright war, certainly secession and fragmentation of the Alliance would ensue. Why would any world agree to lowering or limiting its people’s standard of living?

  Anyway, everyone equal in poverty wasn’t his idea of progress; far better to allow each world the freedom to improve its own situation, while at the same time encouraging the weaker economies and protecting them from predation. The system wasn’t perfect, but it did work in most cases.

  New worlds joined the Alliance every few decades while new colonies were founded in the Border Zone every year. In the cases where worlds faltered, there were charitable organisations and government policies were in place designed to help with loans and expertise. In the most severe cases, there was always the military option, but the Alliance generally didn’t get involved in those unless invited, and even then only in special cases voted upon by the Council. Skirmishes between mercenary companies were far more common, and for the most part dealt surprisingly well with the problem.

  Arsenal, the home of the Mercenary Guild, wasn’t an Alliance member world but its trade in all things military was heavily regulated by the Council despite that. It had to be. Many of the Guild’s best customers were Alliance member worlds, hiring mercenary companies for planetary defence, training, or other similar things. Corporations often used them for security. The Guild was there to keep things within the realms of decency. Decency and war in the same sentence together would seem an oxymoron, but Human history was rife with conflicts that had gotten out of hand. Arsenal imposed the rules of war on all of the mercenary outfits registered with the Guild, and enforced those rules stringently by threat of expulsion or force of arms if necessary. The Council of Regiments, the closest thing to a world government Arsenal had, wanted no trouble with the Alliance.

  It was bad for business.

  “...medicines and of course the production of IMS compatible nanotech,” Hartman was saying. “Thorfinni is one of the largest manufacturers of medical grade nanotech. We’re always looking to expand into new markets in that sector, but of course it has become somewhat saturated in the core. The military is one of our best customers. Did you know we manufactured your wrist unit?”

  Tei’Varyk raised his sleeve to regard his wrist comp. “This was made on Thorfinni?”

  Hartman nodded. “By Intellicorp, one of our founding corporations. They’re still headquartered there, in our capital. I caught a glimpse of your unit earlier when you sa
mpled our host’s excellent wine.”

  Alex smiled. Hartman was really good at sucking up when he wanted to—the wine was merely good not excellent—but that wasn’t all there was to him. He could switch the charm on and off when the need arose.

  “If I do not offend, the rumour is that you and your mate are protected by military grade IMS because of the circumstances of your arrival on Earth the first time.”

  Tei’Varyk glanced at Alex who shrugged. It wasn’t a secret how Doctor Ambrai aboard Canada had saved the crew’s lives when they fell ill from a cross-species infection. To prevent a repeat he chose to administer the IMS (Integrated Medical System) nanites he had available to the survivors of Naktlon, and spent most of the trip to Earth monitoring and tuning them for compatibility with Shan physiologies. It had been an inspired but risky piece of work. Ambrai had received some criticism from colleagues for his actions since then. Some considered him to have acted rashly and without thought, but he’d been desperate. Many of the survivors had been near death, including Tarjei, and they’d needed surgery. Administering surgical nanotech to save lives was just one tiny step removed from installing the full IMS suit. A step he’d taken once he’d stabilised his patients.

  “The survivors of Naktlon all have the IMS you speak of, that is a truth. May I ask why this interests you?”

  Hartmann nodded. “Mainly for the reason I suspect you have guessed. Your people back home haven’t been offered the longevity available to all through the application of medical nanotech. The longevity you and your mate now enjoy. I would have heard if such a deal had been struck.”

  Tarjei whispered something that Alex didn’t catch, and Tei’Varyk responded in Shan but using a dialect Alex couldn’t understand. He watched the rapid fire discussion and pondered the meaning of Hartman’s move. Hartman had an interested smile on his face as if he understood what Tarjei and Tei’Varyk were discussing, but Alex doubted very much that he did.

  “No deal has been struck,” Tei’Varyk said finally. “Many offers have been made and are under consideration.”

  Oh well done! Alex wanted to laugh as Hartman’s smile slipped. He had to be wondering if he’d missed any of the offers made to the Shan and what they might be.

  “I’ve been asked to offer something to your people. It’s perhaps a little radical if compared with the other offers you mention. Will you consider it?”

  Tei’Varyk’s ears flicked and he nodded, but he was looking at Hartman very oddly and his nostrils were flaring. Alex suddenly wondered if Shan could scent evasiveness or lies. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t considered that before now. It was easy to forget that Tei’Varyk was special in more than his race. He was Tei, which meant from a Human perspective that he was a very strong empath. That wasn’t precisely correct but it served. He’d read everything he could get his hands on regarding the Shan, and he still didn’t understand what Tei were. They were empaths, so much was certain, but they were more than that. He had no words for all they could do, but combine those abilities with a Shan’s natural senses and you would have something very close to an infallible walking lie detector. Alex tried to go over everything he had ever discussed with Tei’Varyk in his head, and decided he was in the clear. He’d never lied to the Shan.

  “This radical offer is made by your government?” Tei’Varyk asked.

  Hartman coughed. “Not precisely, no.”

  Here it comes, Alex thought as Tei’Varyk cocked his head and that busy nose twitched.

  “My government is aware of the offer and approves my relaying it to you, but no, it’s not a government deal. Thorfinni will benefit indirectly of course. Taxes and the like being what they are. The greater the profit Intellicorp makes, the better my government likes it.”

  “I see,” Tei’Varyk said. “Please continue.”

  “First of all, this isn’t an offer to sell you medical nanotech in bulk or anything like that. It’s an offer to invest directly in your economy with a turnkey solution.”

  “Turnkey?”

  “It’s what we call a complete solution,” Alex explained. “It basically means everything required to solve a problem. Materials, software, training... everything necessary no matter how large or small.”

  Hartman nodded without rancour at having his sales pitch interrupted. “Precisely. Intellicorp proposes to send ships and engineers to build a nanotech facility on your homeworld. Your elders will decide where to build it and supply the land. Once built, Intellicorp will train a workforce to understand and operate it.”

  “Why would you do this?”

  “That’s the radical part. Once complete, the entire facility will be donated to your government at no charge. The idea is that your people can replicate the facility as many times as needed at no cost to the corporation. Your people can then produce as much of Intellicorp’s medical nanotech as they will ever need... under license of course.”

  Ah! Things become clearer. The Shan shoulder all the costs apart from the very first facility, but have to pay a license fee to use it for its designed purpose. Sneaky. The fee was likely to be significant and in perpetuity. Talk about passive income! The profits over time would be huge. Intellicorp would have a lock on Shan trade where medical nanotech was concerned. After all, why would the Shan purchase a competitor’s product when they could manufacture their own on planet? No shipping costs either.

  It had to be the deal of the millennium. One corporation supplying two habitable planets with medical grade nanotech from the start and with no competitors? Huge! Every single living Shan would need a full IMS suit, and periodically there would be adjustments, boosters, and upgrades to consider. Shan females gave birth to five cubs at a time, and if his reading was right, they might have multiple litters in a lifetime... a lifetime that was about to increase fourfold. The sum profit Intellicorp was about to make was literally incalculable. It would most likely catapult the company to the top spot in its field.

  It was an inspired offer and a good deal from the Shan point of view too. Kajetan would accept. There was no doubt in Alex’s mind. It might even save her life if the plant could be built quickly, though he doubted that would sway her. Besides, she could’ve had the IMS treatments that Tei’Varyk had been given already if she’d been so inclined. Fifth Fleet had everything necessary on hand, but Alex suspected she wouldn’t accept the treatments until her people could also have them. He hoped she could hold on long enough. He would like to meet the tough old lady he’d read about.

  Tei’Varyk was speaking. “... inform them for us?”

  “I can do that. It would be my honour to do that for you.”

  Tei’Varyk bowed. “Then, on behalf of my people, I thank you and accept Intellicorp’s gracious offer. It is understood that we reserve the right to reject license terms up to the time ground is broken and work to build the facility begins?”

  Alex smiled. He had left himself and his people an out. If negotiations failed or went poorly, the only ones out of pocket would be Intellicorp investors.

  “I’ll inform them, but I’m sure they’ve considered that. There are risks inherent in every deal after all.”

  Tei’Varyk’s ears flicked and he nodded.

  Councillor Hartman having delivered his offer took his leave. Alex watched him go, knowing he would race back to his embassy with his news. It would’ve been a big deal no matter the world involved, but Thorfinni was now the first world to nail the Shan down on something, and it was a huge nail. There could be none bigger. None he could think of anyway.

  “You’ve made him very happy,” Alex said.

  “And he has given long life to millions of my people,” Tei’Varyk responded.

  “Billions in time,” Tarjei said. “This is a huge boon to us.”

  “I can see that, but nothing is free. You’re locking yourselves into exclusivity with Intellicorp.”

  “Not so,” Tei’Varyk said. “The license will be for producing nanotech using Intellicorp’s designs. We are grateful and
will honour that deal, but there’s nothing stopping us from taking what we learn and producing our own designs. It will take orbits... years, perhaps many years but it won’t take forever. Besides, there are many uses for nanotech. We can reverse engineer and learn as we did after the first alien war. Merki equipment taught us much. Artificial gravity was one direct result.”

  Alex nodded. Tei’Varyk impressed him more and more. He had taken a long view regarding Hartman’s deal. He was about to suggest they head over to the buffet table for a bite to eat when he spotted Ludmilla escorting Councillor Mindel toward him.

  “I have something I would like you both to see,” Alex said. “Councillor Mindel will be joining us.”

  “Of course. We’ll be happy to view whatever it is.”

  Tarjei’s ears flicked showing her agreement.

  They wouldn’t when they saw the content of what he had to show them, but he wouldn’t say that. He shook hands with Nathan and introduced the Shan, though of course Nathan knew who they were from the council chamber. Alex didn’t think they had ever met socially however.

  “Sorry I’m late. I’m in a rush today, but managed to pry myself loose for an hour.”

  Alex smiled, but didn’t laugh at the obvious falsehood. “You’re here now, that’s what counts.”

  “Just for an hour I’m afraid,” Nathan grimaced. “More meetings. You know how it goes.”

  Alex nodded and noticed Tei’Varyk’s nose was twitching again. He nearly laughed then, but the thought of a possible Merkiaari incursion in progress in the Border Zone sobered him. Nothing funny about that. He waited while Nathan exchanged Shan handshakes with Tei’Varyk and Tarjei, and listened to the pleasantries as he asked after their well being and Tarjei’s pregnancy. He exchanged a look with Ludmilla and she nodded slightly.