Relentless by Jack Campbell Read Free Book Online Page B

me,” Geary replied. “I won’t do it.”
    Rione gave him a weary look. “Why do you think that is a critical factor? When we reach Varandal, those who want you to seize authority from the elected leaders of the Alliance will expect you to act.”
    Desjani replied this time, her voice cold. “Captain Geary will not violate his oath to the Alliance, no matter how badly the politicians leading the Alliance do their jobs.”
    Rione ignored her, speaking pointedly just to Geary. “They won’t accept your denials forever, and they know the vast majority of the fleet would support them if they acted allegedly on your behalf. They don’t need your approval to launch a coup in your name. You have to expect that they will do that and try to present you with a fait accompli. You need to have a plan for how to deal with that before the Alliance government is overthrown.”
    “All right.” He couldn’t help noticing that Rione was essentially offering the same advice as Desjani had earlier. No way was he going to be foolish enough to mention that, though. “Do you have any suggestions on a plan?”
    “If I were dealing with other politicians, it wouldn’t be too hard to come up with ideas,” Rione replied with an exasperated scowl. “But my grasp of the military mind is still limited.”
    Geary gave Desjani a sidelong glance. “Perhaps we should run with the military angle. Think of it as a military problem, a matter of strategies and tactics.”
    Rione’s expression altered as she pondered the idea. “That might be very useful.”
    Unseen by her, Desjani flashed a very unmilitary smirk.
    Geary tried to flick a cautioning look at Desjani, which, of course, Rione noted, and she turned slightly to watch Desjani with narrowed eyes, though too late to catch the mocking expression. “Can you do that?” Rione asked Geary. “Explain it to them in their terms in such a way that they won’t act?”
    “I’m trying to, but I haven’t yet thought of any argument powerful enough.”
    This time Rione snorted in derision. “Think in terms of disasters, because that’s what a military coup would be. A very big disaster, the biggest you can bring to mind.”
    Desjani lifted one eyebrow toward Geary. “That sounds like a description of the results of the attack on the Syndic home system that trapped this fleet far inside enemy territory.”
    “That’s good,” Rione conceded. “Very good. Something recent enough that the memories and emotions are fresh, and something that sounded attractive but was actually a debacle that could have lost the war. Surely you can come up with something drawing on that.”
    Geary nodded. “I just need to figure out who the enemy is in that scenario.”
    Rione exhaled in exasperation. “That’s the easiest part. Ask your captain, there. She’ll tell you. Or ask Captain Badaya. Who’s the enemy at home? I am, and every other politician. That’s what they believe.” Desjani nodded once, her eyes on Rione and all trace of mockery fled. “You see? Your strategy should be based on what people like Badaya already consider to be the truth. They’ll be much more likely to accept it if you do that. Then you can test out your ideas on this one. She has a military mind, and you haven’t got anyone more trustworthy.” That praise startled both Desjani and Geary into letting their reactions show. Rione smiled, her lips a thin, tight line. “I’m neither blind nor stupid. If you don’t keep that woman guarding your back, you’re an idiot, Captain Geary. However, will she tell you if she doesn’t think your ideas will be effective?”
    Geary’s mouth twisted into an ironic return smile. “I feel confident that Captain Desjani will let me know if there are any shortcomings on my part.”
    “Good. I don’t want the government of the Alliance overthrown by anyone claiming to act in the name of the great hero whose legend the government created, and I don’t want to have to deal with you if