Star Risk - 02 Scoundrel Worlds by Chris Bunch Read Free Book Online Page A

deadly earnest in having designs on first the Belfort System, then on Dampier itself.
    "Their members come from the hierarchy of the military, as well, and frequently include church authorities. Plus they've retained your enemies, Cerberus Systems."
    "A heavy load of guilt," Grok said. "Please continue."
    Missing Grok's sarcasm, Reynard went on. "The army, Sufyerd's own, has turned against him as well, and will be well content to end this matter with his execution."
    "Why?" Riss asked.
    "Because they are embarrassed by the sale of these state secrets, and wish the matter ended as quickly and quietly as possible."
    "You told us," Jasmine King said, "that Sufyerd is also hated because he is a member of a cult."
    Reynard sighed. "My solar system is not perfect. Yes, the Jilani have always been discriminated against. They're an ecstatic, pacifistic cult, but mean no harm and keep themselves and their ceremonies to themselves.
    "At one time, our church, now fortunately driven from power and in decline, used them as the whipping boys for any problems. There are still those archconservatives and the uneducated, who see them as a threat."
    "You say the Jilani are pacifists," Goodnight said. "But Sufyerd was in the army� a career officer."
    "I know," Reynard said. "But don't all of us carry contradictions with us?"
    "Perhaps," von Baldur said. "Go on. So the army's Supreme Command is leagued with the Universalists."
    "Certainly. It's said of the Universalist politicians that they never met a weapons system they didn't like. Not," he added hastily, "that we Independents are unaware of the building danger with Torguth. We merely wish defense spending to be sensibly and properly allocated."
    Which most likely meant, Riss thought, they wanted their own contractors to be feeding at the trough, rather than the Universalists'.
    "What about the secret police?"
    Reynard reflexively glanced over his shoulder and lowered his voice. "The Dampier Information Bureau claims to serve the state and its current rulers. Of course that means it has its private agenda. The DIB is headed by a cunning, dreadful rascal named L'Pellerin, who, it's said, is so crooked that he can walk a straight line down a spiral staircase.
    "As far as Sufyerd, they failed to winkle out the real spy within Strategic Intelligence, which is generally called Ha�and so of course, like the army, they wish the matter over and settled. They will be on the side of the winner, which, gentle people, we must be, not only for poor Sufyerd's sake, but for the men and women of the Belfort Worlds and my own, dearly loved people of Dampier."
    Riss was slightly impressed�Reynard had managed that last sentence without taking a breath or seeming winded at its end.
    "Quite a roster," von Baldur said. "So who is on our side?"
    "I am, of course. Those Independents who've remained true to their oath and duty to Dampier." Reynard made a face. "There is also Fra Diavolo and his band of crazies, which I'm not sure aren't more of a handicap than a benefit.
    "Diavolo�of course, that's not his real name�is a sometime novelist, sometime pamphleteer, sometime politician, sometime revolutionary. The people�by that I mean the workers�love him, and have made him very rich. He spends this money not only on a lavish lifestyle, but in supporting a rather large armed band, who will do his every bidding without question."
    "Why is he backing Sufyerd?" von Baldur asked.
    "Because he loves setting himself against the powers of the establishment. When I was premier and the Independents were in office, he was our enemy. Now, for the moment, Brother Devil is on my side. As I said, I'm not sure if I'm grateful."
    "We happened on a bit of a riot yesterday," Riss said. "Pro-Sufyerd. They were being harassed by a dozen or so armed thugs wearing masks. The police made no attempt to stop them."
    "The Masked Ones," Reynard hissed. "They're nothing but Universalist goons, and some suspect in the secret employ of