Helfort's War Book 4: The Battle for Commitment Planet Read Online Free PDF

humanspace: Jeremiah Polk, chief councillor of the Hammer of Kraa Worlds.
    It was an intoxicating thought, and his head swam as he imagined how it would feel to stand a man alone, with all of humanspace at his feet.
       Polk stared at Viktor Solomatin, councillor for foreign relations, while the man found his seat. Solomatin was one of the least attractive human beings Polk had ever had the misfortuneto work with. Given the way the Hammer Worlds’ political system favored amoral thugs, that was saying something.
    Not that Solomatin was an unattractive man. Far from it: Men and woman alike loved his raffish good looks and effortless charm. No, the man’s ugliness was all on the inside: His good looks concealed a vicious temper fueled by a dangerous combination of sadistic brutality and ruthless opportunism concealed under a veneer of urbane sophistication. A tiny shiver caressed Polk’s spine with icy fingers; one had to know Solomatin to find him unattractive. If the man thought for one second it would be to his advantage, he would reach out across the desk and strangle the life out of Polk with his bare hands.
    “So, Councillor,” Polk said. “I’ve read your report. I must say I am surprised our Pascanician friends are being so accommodating.”
    “You shouldn’t be, Chief Councillor,” Solomatin grunted; he waved a dismissive hand. “They are venal, mercenary scum, which is why they refused to join the allied trade embargo after the last war: too much money to be made smuggling contraband. They’d sell their mothers for a buck. I think it’s that simple. They see the upside, and we both know it’s huge. With the Feds on the ropes, there’s not much downside for them. We’ll need to keep a lid on this, though. If the Feds find out before it’s a done deal, they could still make things difficult.”
    “I agree. We’ll hold off briefing the rest of the council for the time being. What’s the next step?”
    “Well, we have agreement on the main principles, so now it’s down to the details.”
    “How long?”
    “Hard to say, Chief Councillor. Agreeing on the time of day with the Pascanicians is like negotiating with a barrel of snakes, so it’s not going to be easy, but I’d say year’s end at the latest. I’ve agreed with Minister Felgate that we’ll work toward a December meeting between you and the Pascanician president to tie up any loose ends. Provided we can, I think you’ll be able to sign the treaty there and then.”
    “That’s doable?” Polk said, doubt creasing his forehead andnarrowing his eyes. Solomatin did not do the Pascanicians justice; they were worse than a hundred barrels of snakes.
    “Yes, it is,” Solomatin said, radiating an easy confidence. “Most certainly it is. Believe me, Chief Councillor, those greedy sonsofbitches want this every bit as much as we do. We stand to gain what we want and more, but so do they.”
    “Year’s end,” Polk said. “I think that would be most satisfactory. Of course the Feds will find out, but when they do, it will be far too late. Well done, Councillor, well done.”
    “Thank you, Chief Councillor,” Solomatin said.

Saturday, August 4, 2401, UD

FWSS
Redwood,
in pinchspace en route to Nyleth-B

    “How are you feeling, sir?” Ferreira said.
    “Not so tired … you know …” Michael’s voice trailed off into silence. He was lying, of course; he felt drained to the point of exhaustion.
    Redwood
’s executive officer nodded. “I know,” she said. “I’ve been thinking about what you told me. I have some questions for you.”
    “Okay.”
    “First, is Anna that important to you?”
    Michael sat bolt upright, anger flooding his face. “What do you mean, is Anna important to me? Are you going to tell me I should just walk away, let Hartspring’s goons—”
    “Steady, sir,” Ferreira said, her voice calm, reasonable. “I’m not the enemy here. I’m just trying to understand things, okay?”
    “Ah, okay,” Michael