The Far Shores (The Central Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

or secrecy,” Gaul said frankly, allowing a little of his dislike
for the fastidious man to come through in his voice. “I plan on negating
threats proactively, before they can approach Central. I plan on disposing of our
enemies entirely, before they can commit any actual harm.”
    That caused a stir. He
pressed his advantage.
    “We will need new
Auditors, of course. The original complement and more, to do what needs to be
done, to provide the effort with sufficient soldiers.”
    “You intend to create a
private army!”
    Miss Luna, of the Oaxaca
Cartel. Shrill as always.
    “Recruitment powers will
be transferred from the Board directly to the Chief Auditor, to avoid any
possibility of outside interference in the selection. Also, the ban on cartel members
serving as Auditors will be removed, to further negate the possibility of
bias.”
    “Your emergency
powers...will they extend to intercartel conflict?”
    Anastasia Martynova’s
question sounded innocent enough. It was hard to find her menacing, perched
beside her father like an attentive schoolgirl, but Gaul knew the truth. If he
failed to convince the younger Martynova, the entire effort was doomed.
    Which is why he had met with
her earlier, and acceded to a variety of demands in order to secure her support.
One of two very risky steps Gaul had taken to ensure the passage of the act. He
tried not to focus on the potential cost of these actions.
    “Unfortunately, no.” Gaul
shook his head sadly at the concession. “The purview of the expanded powers
pertains to matters related to the Anathema only.”
    “This is too much power
for any man,” North objected. Gaul wondered cynically if he would say the same,
if the powers were intended for his use. “I share Miss Luna’s apprehension.”
    “The Chief Auditor’s purview
will be expanded,” Gaul said heavily, knowing the awful potential futures he had
created, simply by saying the words, “to include any and all matters regarding
Central. Including the Director’s. An Audit will be undertaken,” he said,
speaking over the sudden muttering that filled the room, “of the fitness of my
actions to this point. It will continue as the situation progresses. If, at any
time, the Chief Auditor requests it, I will step down.”
    No one, it appeared, had
anything to say to that.
    “Naturally,” Gaul added
pleasantly, “I will need an expanded budget...”
    “The Academy,” Miss Luna
said, narrowing her eyes. “You can’t intend to continue to militarize a school
after the loss of so many students?”
    Her criticism was valid,
and that stung. Of all the morally dubious steps he had taken, putting the
students in harm’s way had been the most regrettable necessity.
    “Arrangements have been
made,” Gaul said reassuringly. “The Audits department, along with all students
currently enrolled in advanced combat training, will be removed to a separate
and secure facility.”
    “An intriguing
proposal,” Lord North allowed. “Pending further review, sir, I believe...”
    “...that you have
thought of everything, Director,” Anastasia Martynova said smoothly. “What more
is there to consider? The Black Sun is ready to vote, per my father’s wishes.”
    Josef Martynova looked
as surprised as anyone to discover that information, but he confirmed it with a
grudging nod nonetheless.
    “Very well. We have
received amotion from Josef Martynova to bring the Emergency
Powers Act to a vote. Is there a second?”
    Rebecca Levy could have
spoken here, using the seat she held in the Committee, a relic from the
otherwise exterminated cartel who had adopted her before she joined Audits –
but Gaul preferred not to second his own motions. Particularly not when he
could see the disarray and blatant distress on the Hegemony side of the aisle,
as room was reluctantly created for a very unexpected group of late arrivals.
    Well, unexpected by most.
Gaul had signed the pardons himself the previous day, so it hardly came as