The Rise of Earth Read Online Free PDF Page B

notwithstanding—we still haveto contend with the Ice Wolves. Losing Titan to them would be nearly as bad as a war with Earth.”
    â€œI hadn’t heard about anything happening at Titan,” Mavry said.
    â€œAs far as we know nothing is,” Carina said. “But on Ganymede there’s a lot of worry that it’s the Ice Wolves’ real target. Titan is the economic engine of the entire outer solar system. If we should lose it . . .”
    Her voice trailed off and she shook her head.
    â€œHere’s what I don’t understand,” Yana said. “Earth knows we’re caught between two enemies. So why not take advantage of that?”
    â€œBecause a war would be a disaster for Earth, too,” Carina said. “Any disruption in the delivery of raw materials from the outer solar system—particularly from Titan—would cost their corporations trillions of livres.”
    â€œIt all comes down to money, doesn’t it?” Yana muttered disgustedly.
    â€œOf course it does,” Carlo said. “For us and everybody else in the solar system. Don’t be naïve, sis.”
    â€œI’m not naïve—I just think there are more important things than money.”
    â€œSuch as?”
    â€œHow about freedom? And self-determination? And not wanting to be bullied?”
    â€œPeople don’t worry about that stuff unless they have enough livres to feed their families,” Carlo said with a sniff.
    â€œThat’s enough, you two,” Diocletia growled before Yana could reply.
    â€œHis Majesty’s forces would have trouble defeating us,” Mavry mused. “Their supply lines would be too long to defend, and Earth’s task forces can’t operate indefinitely without fuel and food. We’d prove a tougher opponent than our old friend Mr. Suud might think.”
    â€œYes, we would,” Carina said. “But that brings us back to Titan. Earth’s fleets could get all the fuel they needed if they occupied it—which a lot of His Majesty’s ministers would consider worth a war. If you ask me, that’s what’s kept the Ice Wolves quiet. Seizing Titan could ensure their independence—but it would also lead to Earth’s intervention.”
    For a moment there was no sound but the squealing of Huff’s agitated blaster cannon.
    â€œFortunately, you can bet Earth’s war ministers have considered this same dilemma,” Carina said. “If His Majesty wanted to retake the Jovian Union, he’d be signing a declaration of war, not letters of marque. And we have to remember, Earth has problems of its own—the Martian separatists blew up a military communications array on Deimos last month. Issuing letters of marque is a provocation, and a dangerous one. But it’s still only a provocation.”
    â€œSo it won’t be war,” Tycho said.
    â€œI didn’t say that. Nobody wants a war, but sometimes everybody gets one anyway. Dangerous events have a momentum of their own.”
    Carina smiled and nodded at Parsons, who’d reappeared to place a platter of sandwiches on the revolving server in the center of the table. The sandwiches were real bread, with ribbons of in vitro beef peeking out.
    Tycho spotted Yana eyeing a particularly robust-looking sandwich and hastily spun the server before she could take it. He grinned triumphantly at his sister, then looked over to see his father had nimbly intercepted the sandwich as it passed in front of him.
    â€œFortunately, there’s some good to come out of all this trouble,” Carina said. “The Jovian Union is offering rich commissions on prizes seized in the Cybeles, and paying a premium for ships willing to serve as escorts.”
    Huff’s face twisted in disgust.
    â€œEscort duty? Playin’ shepherd for a bunch of tea wagons ain’t pirate work—more like deep-space babysittin’. Talk to me when there’s a bounty