Last Measure of Devotion (TCOTU, Book 5) (This Corner of the Universe) Read Online Free PDF

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    Admiral
Wallace pointed toward the final paragraph of his casus bellum draft.  He
had taken an extra day to word it perfectly.  The standard language was
intricately woven into the summary along with the listed requirements necessary
to ensure the cause of war would be expedited to take effect in mere weeks.
    IaCom’s
chief operating officer, Duke Alcott Hughes, grinned upon finishing his
review.  “This is fine work, Viscount.”  He casually flicked his index finger
across his datapad, shuffling through the pages of the document until stopping
at the proposed order of battle.  “I see you shall enter Seshafi with a much
more appropriate force this time.”
    Wallace
nodded.  “Indeed, sir.  Subtlety is out the airlock now.”
    “As
it should have been the first,” Hughes muttered.
    Wallace
dipped his head.  “With respect, Duke, my plan was perfectly conceived and
would have granted us the entirety of AmyraCorp in a single, painless stroke. 
I could ill-afford to have entered Seshafi with a larger force because Admiral
Cooke would have known that the stakes were higher than they initially
appeared.  My plan, one of the boldest in corporate warfare history, would have
been successful if not for the interference of that damned privateer.”
    “Whom
you must deal with directly now,” Hughes reminded Wallace.
    The Red
Admiral grumbled.  “Yes.  He has assumed the role of Lord of the Admiralty for
Seshafi with Piers’ death.”
    Hughes
snorted.  “What is the status of their grievance regarding Cooke’s death?”
    “Mired
in court procedure.”  Wallace raised a knowing eyebrow and added, “For now. 
Our casus bellum will be scheduled before the hearing.”
    “Are
you not concerned about it?” Hughes asked.
    “I
would be,” Wallace confessed but smiled winsomely.  “However, I expect the new
leadership of AmyraCorp to dismiss the suit by the time the hearing comes up.”
    Both
men shared a laugh over the remark.  Hughes was reaching for a bottle of
limited edition malt resting upon the sideboard when an assistant dashed into
the corner office.  The aide’s face was a ghostly white as he worked furiously
on his datapad.  “Excuse me, Viscount.  This just came via standata.”
    Concern
etched deeply into the naval officer’s brow as he awaited the update and then
set to work to open the document.  The man’s knuckles turned white as he read
the simple contents.
    “What?”
asked Hughes, anxiety creeping into his voice at the sight of his colleague’s
rapidly blanching face.
    Wallace
looked up.  “We’ve been served notice of war,” he said quietly.
    “What!”
Hughes bellowed.  “Who?”  He reached across the desk for the datapad.
    “Seshafi
has filed a casus bellum against us,” Wallace said unbelievingly.  “It
was filed sub rosa five days ago and has been officially entered into
the calendar.”
    “ They are attacking us ?”  Hughes was incredulous.  “When?”
    “In
just under a month,” Wallace answered while skimming the brief legalese.  “This
document barely constitutes a casus bellum ,” he lamented while waving
his datapad.  “We could easily contest it but that would just play further into
their hands and delay things.”  He slammed the thin instrument onto the desktop.
    “This
destroys our timetable,” Hughes spat angrily.  “By law, two parties must resolve casus belli in order of filing.”
    “I
know,” snapped Wallace but quickly recovered his temper.  “And by the time
we’ve defeated them in Sade, The Courts will hear the Cooke grievance.  If they
prevail in that hearing…  I could be chastised by The Courts.”  Wallace
shuddered slightly at the thought.
    “That
mustn’t happen,” Hughes said gravely.  “I will talk with the board at once to
strategize.”
    “Do
we have enough influence to push through a favorable verdict?”
    “It
all depends on the number of favors each judge owes the board and which members
are