Spinward Fringe Broadcast 7: Framework by Randolph Lalonde Read Free Book Online Page B

ship you technically don't own. The Triton
is a stolen-”
    “Right,” Ayan cut him short. “Screw the
Triton. Screw the claim that was legitimised by the
Aucharians.”
    “That claim can’t be verified, their
government has collapsed and is still in a state of cris-“
    “I know!” Ayan burst. “For the hundredth
bloody time, I know!” She took a breath and went on.
    “Port law,” the negotiator said, red faced,
“states simply, ‘If her rightful owner doesn't claim her in five
years, the first claimant can pay her docking and repair fees then
the ship defaults to the most suitable claimant’ and that’s Lucius
Wheeler, then you, Commander. You should take comfort in that, it’s
a generous ruling because we don’t see any command codes, and the
Carthan War Act gives us the option of using the ship ourselves for
those five years. That is, unless you provide command codes.”
    Ayan felt like her blood was boiling; his
repetition of the law was making her angrier by the second. "Fine,”
she spat through clenched teeth. Ayan took a breath and continued.
“Since we're the second claimants in line we'll deal with that when
the time comes. For the time being, let's move these negotiations
to their logical conclusion, shall we?" Ayan stated bitterly. She
brought up the boardwalk they'd had the funeral service on and sent
the image to the map on the table. "I want that land, I'll pass on
your offer for the weaponry aboard Enforcer Eleven Oh Nine, take
fourty three million Galactic Currency for what's left of it, and
you'll give us a five percent increase on any captured food,
essential technology or building materials we bring you.”
    "Ayan, are you sure about this?" Jason asked
urgently. "We've gained a lot of ground over the last six weeks.
The contract we've negotiated so far is worth more than currency
and land: a say in politics for this hemisphere, orbital dock
privileges, departure arrangements for anyone leaving the crew, not
to mention rights to emergency aid."
    "Land ownership will get us the rights we
need to influence what goes on nearby, and we won't need emergency
aid if we can afford to feed ourselves. They're buying time because
they don't want to, or have the cash to pay us fairly. Everyone in
this room knows that," Ayan retorted. "To put faith in this
negotiation process is to let them set the time table, and we can't
afford that."
    “Your colleague brings up a few good points.
What will you do with departing crewmembers and workers if there
are no arrangements for them to join the Carthan work force or
leave the solar system?” Percy asked.
    “If they're so hot to leave, they can pay
their own way off-world with what they earn while they're working
for us. Let me finish giving you my demands,” Ayan said forcefully,
clearly. “The land you give us will be a full grant of property and
sovereignty. I know you've given parcels of land away to other
settling crews, so that shouldn't be a problem. Aside from that,
you'll provide us with an unregulated communications band to
operate on in your space, permanent passes for Navnet, clearance to
make our own recognised local idents and the Carthan government
will pardon everyone under my command of all crimes, no questions
asked.” Ayan brought up the legal documents that Jason had prepared
over the past six weeks. They were a comprehensive defence of Jacob
Valance and a petition to rescind the order to detain his crew for
questioning. There was also a land grant application with as many
useful options selected as possible, and their claim as an
independent government. "The Carthan government will ratify this
document without amending it. You'll also extend your legal
protection to the Samson crew, so they cannot be captured in your
space or allied territory."
    Percy began to skim through the document's
preamble.
    "It hasn't changed since we presented it to
your team four days ago," Jason said wearily.
    The negotiator inhaled sharply and started
to