The Conscripts: Fight or Die (Blood War Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

priorities. Those of lesser importance will not be missed, so it is logical to send them instead.”
    “By ‘of lesser importance’ you mean poorer. Do you not?”
    “Of course. If they were not lazy they would not be poor and in debtors’ prison. A time in service to the Confederation will help them develop the skills they need to make more money.” Barish smiled as if this were perfectly obvious to everyone.
    “Is it not also true that you changed the debt ceilings for debtors’ prisons and most of your conscripts come from such prisons?”
    “Of course, but you should understand such practices. After all you were a Legionnaire, were you not? The Legion was filled with men and women who were sentenced to service in the Legion instead of jail. They were the dregs of society. Of course, their officers—such as yourself—were an exception. So it is the same, is it not?”
    Barish smiled again and seemed very pleased with himself. Kat felt the tension in Dasan’s arm grow, and his face flushed as he took a step toward Barish.
    “The Legion was an entirely different thing from pulling people out of debtors’ prison and throwing them together as a unit. Every Legionnaire had to pass through a selection process. Over half never made it through, and of those who did, another quarter died in training. Becoming a Legionnaire was a process that few could complete, and those who did found that the Legion had become their breed. Most volunteers and those sentenced chose the Legion as their career once they made it through selection. They were the true heroes of Rift. Those men and women did the fighting and dying so you and those in this room could stand here today. If you look around the room now, the men and women who are standing guard, providing you with protection, are all former Legionnaires. Every one of them is a veteran of Rift.”
    “Now see here, General…” Barish sputtered.
    “No, you see here, Senator. You are sending me ill-trained, under-equipped troops whom I fear will not stand up to the Xotoli or their hybrids. I will have to live with sending them into combat because I do not have a choice No, Rigel Kent is not contributing to the defense of the Confederation. I fear it is only sending poor men and women to the slaughter.”
    Barish’s face reddened. “General, do I need to remind you that the military is simply a tool for the political will, and the political will is a reflection of what is best for business? The economy is the engine of the Confederation, not the military. What is best for corporations is best for the Confederation. It is your responsibility to lead men and women into combat to protect those interests. You will lead the divisions from Rigel Kent, or I will personally see that you are removed from your command. If they are slaughtered, as you say, then I will hold you responsible. It is no different than a business operation. You have been given a task and resources. Now it is your job to accomplish that task with those resources or pay the price for failure.”
    Dasan took a step toward the Senator. Kat pulled his arm and he stopped. When Sand took the step toward Barish's his Von Fleet security detail appeared out of nowhere behind Sand, ready to grab him should he take another step forward. They were the typical Von Fleet security type—large and menacing. Sand glanced back and just smirked. Out of the corner of her eye, Kat caught the sight of the Marines who had been standing like statues around the room suddenly moving quickly and silently toward Sand and the Von Fleet security detail.
    “Only a well-trained veteran looks good in a dress uniform. These men and women are all veterans of Rift and 703. If I were you, I would not call any of them dregs of society. You, sir, would end up in the hospital if you were lucky.”
    Sand glanced back at a woman Marine who had stepped between him and the Von Fleet security detail. While Barish's goons were at least a head taller than