“You think the people on the frontier are different.” Stark’s response was immediate, a statement, not a question. Stark knew what Dutton thought of the colonists. He even agreed, but only to a point. “I know they are not the same as the people here, but how much different are they? Fiery speeches and revolutionary slogans are one thing, but risking everything they have, putting their families’ lives on the line…that is quite another. We have seen how people on Earth react…they sell their freedoms cheaply.”
There was a momentary pause as both men thought quietly. Dutton broke the silence. “Gavin, the realities of early colonization forced a break with our usual ways of dealing with the masses. In many ways, we encouraged in space what we stamped out on Earth. Government dependency works well to control the population at home, but it wasn’t much use when sending 200 adventurers to colonize a new world where there was no higher authority. The colonists are a different breed and now, on many worlds, the culture they created is a century old and deeply rooted. I think it is dangerous to compare them to the middle classes and Cogs on Earth.” He paused, looking down at the desk. “I think they are going to fight a lot harder than we have planned for, and I think it will take one hell of a lot more to break their will than you are expecting.”
Stark looked down at his hands and rubbed his palms together. “Well, we’re going to find out one way or another. Confrontation is inevitable. We are too dependent on the resources produced by the colonies, and it will only get worse the longer they are unrestrained. What would happen to our economy without the resources from the frontier?” He didn’t wait for an answer; he supplied his own. “The Alliance would collapse.” He looked up at Dutton. “We have to do this now.”
The old man sighed and returned his younger friend’s gaze. “I agree.” He swallowed hard. “I don’t like it, and I think it’s going to be a lot worse than you imagine. But it is necessary, and it will only be harder if we wait.”
“So you agree, then? We move on Garret immediately?”
Dutton had tried to think of a way to avoid the disaster he saw coming, but for all his experience and wily intellect, he came up with nothing. He said nothing; he just nodded his assent.
“Good. I will advise Number Three to commence End Game at once.” Alex Linden had been Number Six, and she’d coveted the third chair since it was left vacant by Andres Carillon’s abrupt departure from the scene. Stark left it empty for some time, but finally Alex had convinced him to name her the new Number Three. That convincing had been partly the result of her competence as an operative and partly her other, more intriguing, methods of persuasion. But the promotion came with a mission of extreme importance, one for which Alex was ideally suited.
“I am sure Number Three will complete the mission with her usual success.” Dutton managed a smile. “She’s been waiting some time for my exit; I doubt she will fail now that the vacancy she seeks is so close at hand. Don’t forget, my friend, that when I am gone and she is Number Two there will be nothing left for our pretty little flower to crave other than your seat.”
Stark cut short a laugh. “I am quite aware that our beautiful Alex has an expiration date, though in the interim she is both useful and entertaining. And you have been warning me of your imminent death for quite some time, my friend. I maintain that you are too mean to die.”
“This time I fear I shall be right. I will help you start this operation to restructure the colonies, but I think you will have to finish it alone.” There was no sadness in the old man’s voice when he spoke of his own death, only aching fatigue.
Stark just grunted. For as many people as he’d killed without remorse, either directly or by his orders, he was uncomfortable discussing Dutton’s impending mortality. Even a soulless viper takes pause at the notion of being totally, utterly alone.
“The matter of Epsilon Eridani IV is also of considerable concern. We were correct that keeping the discovery there secret was an impossibility.” Stark looked right at Dutton. “Your suggestion that we announce it was wise. I resisted at first, but I was wrong. We have gained, if not trust, at least the avoidance of the deep suspicion that would have resulted if it had been discovered despite our efforts to maintain the secrecy.”
Dutton smiled weakly. “Yes, a total secret would have been preferable, but under the circumstances, the announcement bought us time. It also allowed us to propagate the suggestion that the site appears to be a religious shrine of some sort. If the other Powers discover the true purpose of the facility, I suspect we would soon find hands forced.” Dutton paused. “If we are ever able to decipher its technology and replicate it, the consequences on human history and the balance of power are incalculable.”
Stark nodded. “That’s an understatement. If the relic is truly what we suspect, the Powers would destroy each other to control it. I doubt even the Treaty of Paris would prevent war on Earth itself.” He paused, considering the implications of what he had just said. The Treaty of Paris had ended the Unification Wars, and its primary provision was an absolute prohibition against war on Earth. Man had come close to destroying himself utterly, and the treaty created a flawed but lasting truce, at least on Earth itself. The Powers took their wars to space, to the systems beyond Alpha Centauri, which were not covered by the treaty provisions. But at least entire civilizations were no longer being wiped off the map by nuclear and bacteriological warfare.
Stark’s demeanor was almost always calm, but he was visibly nervous when he spoke of the ancient alien artifact that had been found on Epsilon Eridani IV. The greatest battle of the last war had been fought there, largely for control of the astonishing discovery that lay deep in a remote cave accidently uncovered by prospectors searching for heavy metals. The Alliance had been victorious, though not before fighting one of the most brutal battles in modern history.
“We have been quite successful in wasting time assembling the College of Scientists to research the facility.” The Alliance had proposed that an international council be established to research the artifact. It was a ruse – Stark, at least, had no intention of letting any of the other Powers get a look at the alien device. “Fortunately, the bureaucrats seem perfectly willing to allow the greatest discovery in history to sit idle while they argue about who will sit in what chair.” He gave Dutton a wicked grin. “Of course, they only think it is idle.” He paused, the concerned look returning to his face. “I only hope we are able to utilize the technology before we expend the effectiveness of our delaying tactics.”
“You may have a difficult choice to make, Gavin. You will be able to delay a few years more, most likely, but sooner or later we will have to share or fight.” Dutton wasn’t as sure as Stark that the Alliance would be able to avoid allowing the other Powers access to the new technology. “It is too alien, too far ahead of our own science. I fear you are overly optimistic about how quickly our research can be put to practical use.” He hesitated for a few seconds and added, “After all, we have been there for almost two decades already, and we have precious little of practical use to show for it. The machine extends to the very core of the planet. It is thousands of years beyond our technology.”
Stark frowned, but didn’t argue. Dutton was right, and he knew it. “All the more reason to deal with the colonies now. If we face the prospect of a showdown with the other Powers, we have to have our own house in order. We can’t deal with rebellious rimworlders and the rest of Earth at the same time.”
“This is our opportunity.” Dutton was still uncomfortable with the whole thing, but it was undeniable that if there was to be a showdown, now was the time. “We are in a strong position. The Caliphate and CAC are still recovering from their defeat, and it will be some time before either will be ready to resume hostilities. The Caliphate, in particular, is struggling to overcome the loss of so many vital systems.” The Alliance had captured the Gliese 250 system, a major nexus leading to a number of rich mining worlds, and the Treaty of Mars had confirmed its possession of the conquered systems. The effect on the Caliphate was devastating, and the Alliance’s former rival was now struggling to remain in the top tier of Powers. It was a treaty that virtually guaranteed another war, but after fifteen years of bitter fighting, a victorious Alliance had dictated harsh terms.