Cluster Command: Crisis of Empire II by David Drake, W. C. Dietz Read Free Book Online Page A

whistle.
    “All right. That’s enough. Form up in alphabetical order.”
    As they sorted themselves into alphabetical order, Merikur noticed that some were hurt, but as far as he could tell, none seriously. For the most part the damage seemed limited to bumps, bruises and pride. Some of both races were a little wobbly, but if he sent them to sick bay now he’d have to send their partners to the brig. Better to wait and let them drop by sick bay on their own—or tough it out if they chose.
    When they had formed up Merikur stepped forward. He swept them with what he hoped was a steely gaze. “Now listen up. That was the only time you’ll ever fight each other outside of carefully designed drills. At least it had better be. I hope you learned what the exercise was designed to teach. This is an integrated unit. You will be treated as equals and you deserve each other’s respect. Anyone who objects, please step forward now. You’ll be released from the Hundred without dishonor. If you stay, be prepared to fight and die with your brothers.” No one moved. Merikur smiled. “Welcome to the Governor’s Hundred.”

    ###

    As Merikur handed over the Hundred to Keedor and Costas for calisthenics, Bethany Windsor watched from the circular track above the gymnasium floor. She usually ran five miles a day, although she found the circular track incredibly boring.
    She’d watched Merikur with an almost morbid fascination. He was her husband after all, and a force to be dealt with. Who was this man with the serious eyes and white hair? She watched the way he commanded their attention, the obvious intelligence in his eyes . . . the quiet strength of his body.
    She caught herself. No, damn it, no! How could she?
    With a little cry of pain, Bethany ran all the way to the sleeping cabin and locked herself up inside.

    ###

    Nola Rankoo sat on the veranda of her villa and looked out over a portion of her property. On paper it took up more than a hundred square miles of prime agricultural land. In reality it was much larger, including a great deal of Augustine, capital planet in the Harmony Cluster, and goodly portions of the Cluster as well. Not directly, since with the exception of her personal estate, it all belonged to the company, but indirectly, because she was the third most powerful person in the Haiken Maru.
    The prospect before her was indeed a beautiful sight. Starting at the edge of her veranda, the Sweetberry vines grew in rippling purple rows for as far as the eye could see. The blossoms bathed her with perfume.
    This was her favorite time of day, when the light lay soft on the land and the sun was about to set. It was a time to savor and enjoy. Rankoo smiled and sipped Sweetberry wine. And there was much to enjoy.
    For the most part business was good. She had Victor Trent, the outgoing governor, to thank for that. Interested only in completing his term and returning to Terra, Trent had maintained a very low, if personally profitable, profile. As a result Rankoo had been free to run wild along with her profits.
    Yes, things had gone very well indeed, with the possible exception of Teller. The human and Cernian workers there were a constant source of trouble. She’d asked Trent to send some marines, but he’d refused, citing the imminent arrival of a new governor. It was bullshit, of course, but on this one issue the old bastard had been adamant. Afraid of a bad report from his replacement, of course.
    The new governor sounded as though he might be a problem. From all accounts he was a flaming liberal, spouting all sorts of garbage about giving the aliens equality as the only way of preserving the Pact.
    The new governor might side with the very aliens she was trying to subdue. And then there was this general, what’s his name, Merikur. What position would he take?
    The tiny recording device had arrived by high-speed courier only hours before. Although she’d already listened to the message twice, she picked it up and