Krasni and Pike turned to each other; then the Sodeskayan industrialist rose slowly to his feet. He wore a sport coat of deep blue yaggloz wool, a roll-neck sweater, heavy gray trousers, and soft Sodeskayan boots. "Your Highness," he began in perfect unaccented Avalonian, "no one in this room questions the importance of winning next year's Mitchell Trophy Race. We have duly conferred, as you requested, and in the brief time span available have agreed that a modified M-six can be built that will both house and cool a new Wizard Drive. Unfortunately, it will not be one of the new reflecting models we have under test, but a Wizard nevertheless—of significantly increased power output." He glanced for a moment at Romanoff, then nodded. "The cost of such a racing machine—roughly four hundred fifty-three thousand credits—is acceptable if shared between the two firms," he announced.
A very pleased-looking Onrad was about to reply when the Sodeskayan quickly continued. "There is more, however, begging Your Majesty's indulgence," he asserted, only a milliclick before he could be accused of interrupting.
"All right, please continue," Onrad said with a quizzical frown.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Krasni said. "As I indicated a moment ago, we all understand the need for a new racer, and we can build it, sharing the four hundred fifty-three thousand credits between ourselves. However, it is our studied opinion that with Nergol Triannic returned to his throne in Tarrott, we—our Empire—now has an even more pressing need of improved warships.
The League's fleet has been growing steadily since the Treaty of Garak, while ours has shrunken to a state of weakness unheard of in recent times." He glanced at Pike for a moment, then returned his gaze to the Prince. "Your Highness, the situation has so deteriorated—at least in the eyes of Sodeskayan intelligence organizations—that it is virtually irreparable in terms of conventional starships. The League presently holds an overall two-to-one advantage in nearly every category."
"I am aware of all of this," Onrad interrupted with an impatient edge in his voice. "That is why it is so critical that we win the Mitchell Trophy. We will soon need all the allies we can muster."
Krasni nodded patiently. "Yes, Your Majesty," he said with a little bow, "but there is more. And it is now time for my colleague Veronica Pike to continue in my place..." With that, he took his seat while Pike rose warily to face the Prince, whose countenance was rapidly turning from impatience to annoyance.
Wearing a bright crimson jacket over her white blouse and slacks, Pike continued with hardly a pause for breath, "Your Majesty," she began, "what we propose is to develop a completely new warship, powered by full-sized, fully reflecting Wizard Drives and based on a vastly enlarged M-six. We believe that such a ship would represent such a significant leap in technology that a much smaller number of them might temporarily establish a sort of parity with the League when they decide to renew the war. After their first attacks, our friends in the CIGA will be quickly silenced, and with the new starships holding the line, perhaps we shall be able to rebuild our Fleet before everything is lost." She nodded her head as if she were considering her own words. "If I remember correctly, Your Highness," she added, "it was very thin ranks of overworked ships that allowed us to rebuild our Fleet during the previous conflict."
Onrad nodded. "Your point is well made, Veronica," he said. "We do need a new class of warships. I take it you can't build both?"
"Essentially, that is correct, Your Majesty," Pike replied. "Since the war, times have been difficult for industries specializing in Fleet support. Even giants like Krasni-Peych have been severely pinched. Four hundred fifty-three thousand credits is far more than either of us can spend. Both of us have already been forced to secretly liquidate assets for operating capital." She shook her head as she spoke. "And it doesn't take much of a businessman—or businesswoman," she said, grinning at Anna Romanoff, "—to understand what desperate moves those are."
At the podium, Onrad shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry," he said, "I didn't know—about either of you."
As the Prince spoke, Brim heard the rear door open and a number of persons shuffle into back seats, but—fascinated by the unfolding drama before him—he neglected to turn around.
"Companies usually don't make all that much commotion about difficult times," Pike replied.
"One attempts to appear solid and confident to prospective customers," she added, glancing at Krasni with a grin.
The Sodeskayan touched the tip of his forefinger to his thumb. "Is true," he chuckled. "But in spite of hard times, Veronica and I can, together, raise that sort of capital. It will fund two racers—or the development of one warship, which can then be replicated under normal Fleet procurement processes. And in procurement matters, Your Highness still exerts as much influence as the CIGAs. It is for you, then, to decide which ship it will be."
"No!" an accented voice suddenly interrupted from the rear of the classroom. "We shall have both."
Brim whirled around. He recognized that accent. "Zoltori Jaiswal," he gasped at the small, muscular man standing solidly in the middle of the aisle, magnificently dressed in a great ebony cloak and velvet hat.
"You know him?" Moulding asked in a whisper.
"Met him once," Brim whispered, breaking into a surprised grin when he caught sight of Pam Hale standing in the background. Clad in a charcoal dress accented by red tartan scarves, she looked as if she had actually shed years since he'd last seen her waiting for Jaiswal to give her a lift in his limousine skimmer. Clearly, it had been an extended lift.
"I assume, Mr. Jaiswal, that you personally are prepared to ante up the necessary four hundred fifty-three thousand credits?" Onrad asked.
Jaiswal smiled. "Not alone, Your Majesty," he said. "I shall share the honor with an old friend and business acquaintance: the Carescrian magnate, Baxter Calhoun—at one time, Lieutenant Commander Baxter Calhoun, IF. You will no doubt remember that he served most honorably with Ms. Collingswood aboard I.F.S. Defiant during the war."
Brim's head spun. Baxter Calhoun again!
"The two of you will put up the credits for new M-sixes then?" Onrad demanded in astonishment.
"That is correct, Your Highness," Jaiswal answered, standing straight as a ramrod. "I transferred my half of the credits by KA'PPA moments after I arrived this afternoon. Calhoun's share was in place yesterday. He is much more wealthy than I."