Star Risk - 02 Scoundrel Worlds Read Online Free PDF Page B

"our prospective presence will also be known to Cerberus, since I assume any politician talks about anything and everything to everyone."
    "Strong point," von Baldur said.
    "Not to mention we're going to be dealing with politicians," Goodnight added. "Double down, double down."
    "You shall be pleased to hear," von Baldur said into the com, "that we are as upset about this blatant injustice as you are, and have unanimously agreed to accept your commission. Our rate shall be twenty thousand credits per day, plus full expenses."
    Von Baldur listened to the sputtering from the other end for a moment.
    "I am sorry, Mr. Reynard, if your cause cannot afford proper representation in this matter, and that you were evidently misinformed about our fees. But our price is our price, and it is a pity that you feel it exorbitant. I might add that we never haggle.
    "I shall wish you luck in your search for justice for the unfortunate Legate Sufyerd."
    He listened again, and a smile came and went.
    "Very good, Mr. Reynard. Very good indeed. I'm delighted you decided to change your mind. We're looking forward to ending this gross miscarriage as much as you are, and will devote the firm's entire executive talents to it. We shall arrive on Montrois within the week."
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    SEVEN � ^ � The liner was luxurious, with everything from gaming to gymnasiums to around-the-clock gourmet meals.
    Star Risk didn't take much advantage of them, other than Grok's watching with great amusement the workout facilities for the humans, and von Baldur's dropping a thousand credits the first night out on the gambling tables.
    "Which," Jasmine, their bookkeeper, announced briskly, "shall not be allowed on your expenses."
    "When will I be able to convince you, m'dear, that honesty should extend only so far?" von Baldur whined.
    Jasmine didn't bother answering.
    The team was quite busy swotting everything the ship's library or its computer links could dig up on Dampier and Torguth.
    "Listen to this," Riss said to King. "From one of their local rags: �While I do not mean to imply in this mild critical essay that the good representative is a lily-livered scoundrel whose parents were never formally introduced, and who seems to have trouble with the simplest tasks, as witnessed by the constant urine stains on his trousers, I do think his qualifications for public office might be exceeded by the average ant-bear.' Whoo. And this writer was talking about a fellow Independent."
    "I guess these Dampierians have trouble with frankness," King said. "Not to mention that their libel laws are a trifle loose."
    "Interesting sort of army the Dampierians have," von Baldur told Goodnight, who was mooning at a young woman flipping through a fashion fiche in the library.
    "Um," Chas said.
    "They beat the Torguths badly the last time around, primarily through a system of constant attacks."
    "Um."
    "So now they have decided there is no value in defense, but attack, attack, always the attack, as one of their strategic writers wrote."
    "Um."
    "Which might be valid, but their defense spending is small, and being cut regularly."
    "Um."
    "You are not listening."
    "Yes I am," Goodnight said. "It sounds like one good hit and they'll fold up like sheets, and their morale'll go straight into the shitter."
    "Very good."
    "Yes," Goodnight said. "Yes, she is. Now, if you'll excuse me�" And he got up and went across the library to the young woman, who turned to him, smiling.
    "At least," Grok said, "we shall eat well. Very well. These Dampiers seem to export chefs to every expensive restaurant in the galaxy."
    "I just hope," von Baldur said, "that some of the local talent remains."
    "Our employer," King said, "is a very feisty man. He's fought half a dozen duels. One over his first wife, two over his second, three over his third."
    "Which would suggest," von Baldur said, "that each wife has been prettier and younger than