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government has also released its plasm reserves to the Provisionals. . . .
They're beaming staggering amounts across the border to the enemy mages.
We're going to have to expect much more powerful sorcery to be directed
against us.
Constantine absorbs this. Rapid calculation glows in his eyes like a furious
heat.
"The next decision is a political one," he says. "I will need to see the
triumvirate." He turns to Aiah. "We will need you as well," he says. "Get
the latest figures on our plasm expenditure and report to the Crystal Dome at
once.
"Sir." It is General Arviro, anguish plain on his face. "My Marines," he
says. "They're behind enemy lines. Without a breakthrough to reinforce them
...
Constantine nods. "Yes," he says. "I understand. I will raise the issue at
the meeting.
BATTLE RAGES ACROSS CARAQUI FRONTPROVISIONALS HOLDING AGAINST GOVERNMENT
ASSAULT "It is not an insuperable position," Constantine says. "We are
likely still to win we're in a much better position than we were yesterday,
and the Provisionals in much worse. Many of their units have been wrecked.
But pressing the war will take time, and casualties on both sides and among
the civilian population will be formidable.
"Vengeance now!" Parq cries. "Invade Lanbola at once!" His face is gaunt, and
his eyes are hollow. He laughs, tugs at his disordered beard. "Why do we
bother to discuss this?" he says. "The Dalavan Guard is being wiped out even
as we continue this pointless discussion. We must rescue them!
"General Arviro has asked me to mention the Marines," Constantine says. "They
remain behind enemy lines. Many of them are cut off, and they are only
lightly armed. Evacuating them will be risky, and we cannot supply them by
teleporta-tion forever." He looks at his notes. "Knowing this situation might
arise, we have made plans for the invasion of Lanbola. Our mobile reserve
alone can accomplish it within a day, should the triumvirate so order. We
hope to be able to arrest most of the government as well as the Provisionals.
"I will not support the invasion of another metropolis," Hilthi retorts.
"Hegemonism is insupportable at any time, for any reason. This war with the
Provisionals is the natural price we pay for our centuries of misrule.
"And the Lanbolan artillery?" President Faltheg speaks hesitantly. "Can't
they be said to have opened a war against us? How can we fight this without an
invasion?" He shakes his head. "We could file another protest... I suppose."
He looks at Hilthi. "Mr. Hilthi? Do you have a suggestion?
Hilthi looks troubled, but makes no reply.
Constantine turns to Aiah. "Miss Aiah?
Aiah testifies as to the availability of plasm. Caraqui's reserves have been
cut in half by the first day of the offensive, and the ability of the
government to support their assaults is fading.
Faltheg turns to Constantine. "Your recommendations, Minister?
"I do not offer this advice lightly," Constantine says. "But it seems to me
that there would be far less suffering, less damage, if we went into Lanbola
and ended the war at its source." He gives an uneasy shrug. "The political
problem of what to do with Lanbola," he adds, "may be dealt with afterward.
Aiah looks at her hands. It is the wrong move, she thinks, but she can't
explain why. And she has no acceptable alternative.
"Make them pay!" Parq says. "Make them pay for our suffering! Their wealth
can make Caraqui a paradise!
Hilthi sits stiffly in his chair, his eyes locked with Constantine's. "I will
not be a part of a hegemonist government," he says. "I will not countenance
the looting of another metropolis. If I am outvoted in this, I will resign.
Faltheg's tongue runs round his lips. He sighs heavily. "I must reluctantly
agree with Triumvir Parq and Minister Constantine. The Lanbolans' actions are
intolerable.
"You will have my resignation before the shift is over," Hilthi says. "I will
go into opposition.
Constantine turns to him. "Triumvir, I am sorry about this, and I hope you
will reconsider. But may I ask you to delay this action for another day or
two? Disarray in the government now will only encourage our enemies.
Hilthi hesitates, then nods. "I will do as the minister suggests.
Aiah turns to Sorya, sees the triumph glittering in her green eyes. This is
what she has wanted all along, and Aiah wonders if she has somehow managed it
all.
The meeting ends. As they head back to the command center, Constantine takes
Aiah's arm. "I would like to use Karlo's Brigade in the assault on Lanbola.
They are near the border, ideally placed, and they are not yet committed to
the bridgehead.
It is, Aiah thinks, the only way to save Landro's Escaliers and the others in
the bridgeheads.
"Yes," she says. "But I want to talk to Ceison personally.
"I will arrange it.
And so, a half hour later, she finds herself talking to Brigadier Ceison, and
giving him her personal assent to the invasion, along with her best wishes for
its success.
Within another two hours, Karlo's Brigade spearheads the assault into Lanbola,
moving deep inland without oppo- sition while assault troops are landed by
helicopter on enemy buildings to seize control of the seat of government.
Other airborne units engage and capture the Lanbolan artillery.
Within twenty-four hours, its political leadership dispersed or under arrest,
the army of Lanbola surrenders without ever having left the vicinity of its
barracks.
A day later, the Provisionals have collapsed and the war is over, and
Constantine because there was no one else, no one at all has taken Hilthi's
place in the triumvirate.
TWENTY-TWO
Sea Mage Motor Craft Take a Voyage to Victory!The golden letters burn for a
moment in the sky, a garish display, complete with a Marine striking a heroic
pose in a motorboat. The sight makes Aiah want to cheer. Not because the Sea
Mage company had contributed to the last, triumphant campaign, though they
had, but because the plasm advert is there at all. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]