The Rise of Earth Read Online Free PDF

War.”
    â€œSeen the papers meself, Captain Huff. Weren’t forgeries, neither—I know a Port Town special when I seeone. These had a holo-seal and everything.”
    â€œWe believe you, Mr. Richards,” Diocletia said. “And you have my thanks for making your report in person. That was no enviable duty.”
    Richards ducked his chin gratefully as Diocletia turned to the other Hashoones.
    â€œLet’s get back to Darklands,” she said. “Sounds like there’s a lot to discuss.”

4
HIS MAJESTY’S PRIVATEERS
    Y es, the privateer is real,” said Carina Hashoone, Diocletia’s sister. “She’s called the Gracieux , and her captain is Jean-Christophe Allamand. He’s retired from Earth’s navy. Spent most of his career chasing Martian blockade runners in the Floras.”
    â€œSo the commission is legitimate,” Mavry said.
    Carina nodded. “Yes, and there are five others, all issued within the last six weeks. These new privateers have taken at least three Jovian vessels, all in the Cybeleasteroids, and have rescued two Earth and Martian vessels taken by our privateers before they could be condemned at admiralty court. These letters of marque have been issued by Earth’s new war minister, Threece Suud.”
    Tycho gaped at his aunt. Four years earlier, Tycho and Yana had discovered evidence linking Suud—then a secretary in Earth’s diplomatic corps—to payments made to pirates preying on Jovian ships. That had led to the Hashoones capturing the Hydra and discovering labor camps in which Jovian citizens were working as near-slaves. Earth’s government had been badly embarrassed, and Tycho had assumed Suud’s career was over.
    â€œWell, this changes things,” Mavry said. “Commissioning privateers is a lot more serious than saber rattling.”
    â€œLet them stuffed-shirt Earthmen come across the Kirkwood Gap—we’ll give ’em what-for,” Huff said, accepting a cup of tea from Parsons, Darklands’s gray, dignified majordomo. Huff’s forearm cannon sensed the old pirate’s agitation and began to spin, seeking a target. Parsons glanced mildly at the weapon and glided away with one eyebrow raised.
    â€œIf they’re in the Cybeles, they’re already across the Gap, Grandfather,” Carlo pointed out.
    â€œDon’t think that isn’t being discussed, Carlo,” Diocletia said. “On Ganymede they think—”
    Carlo’s reaction brought his mother up short—he crossed his arms over his chest, scowling, then turnedaway to look at Carina, who was blowing on her cup of tea.
    â€œDo you think it will come to war, Aunt Carina?” he asked.
    Tycho glanced inquiringly at Yana, who raised her eyebrows, clearly surprised. Diocletia drummed her fingers on the tabletop.
    Carina ran her thumb around the rim of her teacup, frowning, and Tycho could guess what she was thinking. Carina knew a captain’s authority—to say nothing of a mother’s—extended well beyond her ship. After all, Carina had been Huff’s choice to succeed him as captain, but vowed never to go into space again after learning her fiancé, Sims Gibraltar, had died from radiation poisoning suffered at 624 Hektor.
    â€œI believe your captain was answering that,” Carina said finally.
    â€œApparently my opinion isn’t valued on this particular subject,” Diocletia said in a low, dangerous voice, not looking at Carlo. “Go on, Carina.”
    Carina sipped her tea. The only sounds were the chuff of Darklands’s air exchangers and the plinks and clinks of silverware and plates from the kitchen.
    â€œWar would be a disaster for the Jovian Union,” she said finally. “Earth can build more ships in a month than we can in a year, and a trade blockade would starve us. And though things have been quieter than expected—recent unpleasant events