Thrawn Ascendancy Book 3: Lesser Evil
- Автор: Зан Тимоти
- Год: 2021
- Язык: английский
- Год: Random House
- ISBN: 9781473596580
- Жанр: Боевая фантастика
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“I think that unlikely,” Rivlex said. “The Irizi are quite heavy-handed with regard to their allies, and the Dasklo are hardly noted for their ability to work smoothly with others.”
“Maybe they’ve learned,” Roscu said. “Or maybe the impetus isn’t coming from either family.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning the suggestion may have come from the Xodlak.”
Rivlex’s eyebrows went up with polite skepticism. “One of the Forty pushing one of the Nine? That’s even less likely than the Dasklo learning some manners.”
“One of the Forty who used to be a Ruling Family,” Roscu reminded him. “And what if it wasn’t just the Xodlak? What if it was a newly formed alliance among the Xodlak, Erighal, and Pommrio?”
“Why would they—?” Rivlex broke off, his eyebrows abruptly lowering into a thoughtful frown.
“Exactly,” Roscu said. “Everyone’s been assuming the recent military action at Hoxim was either some absurd treasure hunt or else a huge mistake. But ask yourself this: How could three members of the Forty make the same mistake?”
“You think their meeting was a cover for something else?”
“Possibly,” Roscu said. “Or else they really were all lured out there somehow, but in successfully defeating the alien gunship attack they realized they worked well together.”
“Interesting theory,” Rivlex murmured. “But that’s not what I’m reading in the reports.”
“Reports made out by the participants themselves,” Roscu said. “Reports that could easily have been edited by the three families to say only what they wanted the rest of the Ascendancy to read. In that case, what Jixtus’s source may have recorded was a combat demonstration, the Xodlak coordinating with the Erighal to show the Dasklo what they can do.”
“It doesn’t make sense,” Rivlex said firmly. “Patriarch Kloirvursi would never accept overtures from one of the Forty. Alliances with the Dasklo invariably travel the other direction, from him outward.”
“Unless, as I said, we’re starting from an alliance among three of the Forty,” Roscu said. “I’ll also note that Sarvchi, where the Pommrio family ships and crews assembled for their trip to Hoxim, is home to a Dasklo stronghold.”
“One of their smaller strongholds.”
“But with an important manufacturing facility,” Roscu persisted. “For that matter, who says this dance among Xodlak, Irizi, and Dasklo is all that’s going on? If the Pommrio are part of it, what if they’re also trying to talk the Plikh into this new alliance? Or have already done so?”
“That makes even less sense,” Rivlex said. “The Plikh wouldn’t make any such deal without consulting with us first.”
“Wouldn’t they?” Roscu countered. “Just because our families have been allies for a couple of generations doesn’t mean they wouldn’t turn on us if something more advantageous came along.”
“It would have to be significantly more advantageous.”
“I submit that a solid alliance among them, the Irizi, the Dasklo, and three of the Forty would qualify.”
“The key word being solid.” Rivlex pondered a moment. “No. No, I don’t find your reasoning compelling. However,” he added, lifting a hand as Roscu opened her mouth for a protest, “stranger things have certainly happened throughout the course of Clarr family history. Just because I don’t believe this alliance is likely doesn’t mean we should ignore the possibility. Especially given that the Xodlak seem to feel the need to demonstrate military prowess to the Dasklo.”
Roscu felt her throat tighten. Family rivalries and challenges normally played out in the political and economic arenas. In this case, a combined Dasklo-Irizi group could bring the kind of pressure that might result in significant concessions from the Clarr. Some of the Clarr farming and processing facilities on Ornfra might change hands, or possibly the big electronics manufactory on Jamiron, both of which the Dasklo had been salivating over for years. It would all be neat, quiet, and civilized, and was the sort of thing that happened all the time in the Ascendancy.
But if the Dasklo and Xodlak were out in the middle of nowhere playing war games … “You have a plan, Your Venerante?” she asked.
“I do,” Rivlex said. “First, you’ll go back to Jixtus with enough to pay for this sample and the location where this event took place. If there’s more of this vid, you’ll purchase that, as well.”
“Yes, sir,” Roscu said. Both were points she’d been planning to suggest if he didn’t. “I didn’t ask him about the cost.”
“Whatever it is, pay it,” Rivlex said. “If this is all a fraud, we’ll find a way to deal with him later. After that, we’ll send one of our ships to check out the location and see if we can glean any more information.”
“Yes, Your Venerante,” Roscu said. “May I also suggest a quiet tour of some of our major holdings throughout the Ascendancy? If someone is plotting against us, there may be signs of that elsewhere.”
“A reasonable idea,” Rivlex agreed. “Do you have a suggestion as to ship and captain?”
“Yes, sir, I do,” Roscu said. “I suggest the Orisson, commanded by me.”
“Really,” Rivlex said, cocking his head slightly. “Forgive me if I’m mistaken, but I believe you already have an important position.”
“Lieutenant Rupiov is more than capable of handling homestead security in my absence,” Roscu said evenly. “More important, if the Dasklo and Xodlak are preparing something that involves their militaries you’ll want the Orisson commanded by the Clarr officer with the widest combat experience. That person is me.”
“Is it,” Rivlex said, a small smile twitching at the corners of his mouth. “You have a high opinion of yourself, Captain.”
“I’m merely stating facts, Your Venerante,” Roscu said. “And the most critical of those facts is that something happened at Hoxim, and something happened out there with Dasklo and Xodlak warships. We don’t have nearly enough information on either incident, and we need to.”
“I’m afraid I have to agree,” Rivlex conceded, his smile fading. “Very well, Captain. I’ll order the Orisson prepped, and inform Commander Raamas you’ll be taking over. Go pack whatever you need for the voyage—your shuttle might as well take you directly across to the Orisson after you’ve dealt with Jixtus. And make it quick; I want both you and the Whetstone gone before the Venturous arrives.”
“Understood, Your Venerante,” Roscu said, standing up. “Thank you.”
“Yes,” Rivlex said, his voice going a little odd. “One final question.”
“Sir?”
The Patriarch’s eyes bored into hers. “I trust this doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that Jixtus apparently approached the Mitth first. Or the fact that Senior Captain Thrawn was also present at the Hoxim incident.”
“Not at all, Your Venerante,” Roscu said, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “Not on either count.”
“Because I know how you feel about him,” Rivlex pressed. “Whatever’s happening here, it’s too important to be compromised by other considerations.”
“Trust me, Your Venerante,” Roscu said. “The fact that Thrawn’s involved won’t affect my investigation, my judgment, or my conclusions.”
“Good,” Rivlex said. “Go get packed. I’ll speak with you again before you leave.”