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be record, then make the record dear, Skilly have nothing to do with that, and
neither do any other allies." The heavy-Iidded eyes swept the others at the
table, before she turned on her heel and left.
"Your comments are noted," Karantov said.
"Colonel Owensford, your request is reasonable and will be granted. Copies of
the relevant portions of this hearing will be furnished to all registered
military organizations.
"We now adjourn meeting until I and my officers can consider this matter. That
will be all, gentlemen, ladies. Your Majesties. Stay for a moment if you
would, PRINCE OF SPARTA 149
Lieutenant Colonel Owensford." The CD commander emphasized his role by using
Owensford's rank within
Falxenberg's Legion, a registered military organization....
"Please be seated, Piotr Stefanovich." Karantov touched a button to summon the
steward. "Vodka and tonic, please. And you, Colonel?"
"Whiskey and water, thank you." They raised their glasses.
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"Spacebo, Colonel. And congratulations on your promotion."
"Cheers, Colonel Karantov. May you not regret yours." Owensford sighed. "You
played that pretty hard-nosed, Boris," he said. "On the Spartans, I
mean."
The older man shrugged. "No more than I must."
He looked to be certain that the recording cameras were turned off. "Of
course, Piotr Stefanovich, it is dear that this is Armstrong's Black Hand
apparat, no connection to the Spartan government. But this I can-
not say in public. No more can I say Grand Admiral wishes most earnestly that
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you put down this revolt quickly." He paused, looking into his vodka and then
snapping it back with a flick of his wrist. "No politics in the Fleet. Bah.
Now is all politics."
"Maybe its time for you to choose sides."
"Sergei and I wish you victory; Grant too, but we
Russians most of all," the Russian CD officer continued softly. "This Croser,
we Russians know his kind all too well; and the Thibodeau woman, yes. The True
Believer, mad and brilliant, and the bandit killer follower... too many times
has our suffering country seen the likeofthem." Hecrossed himself in Orthodox
fashion, right to left. "We must hope that sin does not lie so heavy on Sparta
as it does on the poor rodina."
150 Jerry PoumeUe 6 S.M Stxrfang
"So why are you "
"My friend, this is not the time. Some power remains, to the CoDominium, to
the Senate. Enough to have me removed here if I give cause. Another time "
"Another dme may be too late."
"I think not. Your war goes badly? Surely you do not lose."
"Let's say we're not winning. Boris, the Fleet holds all the power out here."
"Power? Power to destroy, perhaps. Not to build.
Not yet."
"Dammit, certainly enough power to intercept off-
planet supplies to the rebels?'
"Yes, probably."
"So why "
"Commodore Guildford has Navy command here.
He is typical of new Fleet officers," Karantov said. "He chooses sides, not by
principle, not by which is right side, but which side wins, which is how he is
Commodore when sector like this would not rate more
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"And he thinks Bronson will win?"
"He thinks he does not know. He thinks that by doing nothing he will anger
neither side, be able to deal with winner." Boris Karantov shrugged.
"Sometimes that tactic works."
"It also ensures that whoever does win will have no use for you," Peter said
carefully.
"Agreed. Is this warning, Rotr Stefanovich? I tell you again, I do all I can.
More andtheywill remove me."
"More a warning to Cuildford, I think. Dammit, Boris, a surveillance satellite
would make a lot of dif-
ference!"
"I will speak with Captain of Fleet Newell. You will understand, Piotr
Stefanovich, there is much sympathy
PRINCE OF SPARTA 151
for you in Fleet units here. Many have families here, many have retired here,
many more think to retire here. Is not popular to watch this planet destroy
itself."
"We are not destroying ourselves. We are being destroyed. There is a
difference."
"We, Piotr?" the CD man asked ironically.
"Yes. It's as much my fight as the Spartans. I've found something worth
fighting for dammit, it can be your fight too."
"Da. I know."
"Then for God's sake help us."
"I tell you again, it is not yet time." Karantov reached into his attache
case, and pulled out a mes-
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sage cube. "The latest from our observers at New
Washington; somewhat more recent than official channels." A CD Fleet courier
could take a direct route, through unsettled systems with no refueling
stations, if there was need.
"In brief, Astoria has fallen to the Legion, and your
Colonel is tearing up the Columbia Valley to meet the
Friedlanders." He smiled wanly. "A swift campaign, glory or defeat, and an
honorable enemy- It seems like a vision of paradise, no?"
"So Falkenberg has won?"
"When this message was made, he was winning his war," Karantov said. "He will
hold the important parts of the planet. After that " He shrugged. "Is
politics, again."
"Thank you for the message."
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"And is this. From Grand Admiral Sergei
Mikaelovitch, news so secret that it cannot be sent except by word of mouth.
The Grants have done all they can to make Bronson relinquish this feud- He
will not"
"What does he want?"
Karantov shook his head. "Some say he is mad. Me, I
152 Jerry PoumeUe is S.M. Stirling believe not. But whatever his plans, he is
spending fortunes, and we dare not come to an open break with him. Not yet."
"We can tie him to the murder. That was his Grand
Nephew there with Thibodeau! I can't think Adrian
Bronson wants to be associated with atrocities."
"Nor I. Your pictures will go to Sergei Mikaelovitch, and to Grand Senate. I
can do no more than that."
"It may be enough."
"And it may not. My friend, Earth s life hangs in this balance. Sergei
Lennontov is no longer sure that we have one year, much less the ten we have
all planned.
Certainly we do not if things come to open fight with
Bronson faction. My friend, we have done what we could!"
"Its nice to know you tried," Owensford said dryly.
Karantov snorted laughter. "Still ami, thinking the problem will yield to *can
do,' eh, my friend?"
"Boris, I'm beginning to doubt I can do bloody any-
thing. This war..."
The other man nodded. "Some help I can be, per-
haps. The Admiral sends you Fleet Intelligence report on Kenjiro Murasald; we
are certain now that he is mercenary Bronson has hired for Croser."
"Bronson hired him directly?" Owensford said, bal-
ancing the message cube in his lingers and then slipping it into a pouch on
his belt.
Karantov nodded. "Which may yet be cause of great regret to Croser. Be
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