"Ecolitan - 01 - Ecologic Envoy" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

The Admiral glared around the conference table that circled an empty space, then tapped the flat control panel.

The panel flashed twice before settling into a steady amber glow to signify that the full security screens were on-line and functioning.

A tap on another panel stud brought the holo star map into being in the once-vacant center of the encircling table.

The Admiral lifted the light pointer from the console and rapped the table. Once. The low murmur from the dozen senior officers died.

Guiding the pointer into the holo map, the Admiral focused the tip on a G-type system on the far side of the Rift.

“Accord. You can see how it controls the trade lines. Particularly since the Secession.”

The pointer tip moved from the holo and jabbed at the Commodore.

“Let's have your isolation strategy report.” The Commodore stood stiffly and gestured at the blank wall to the right of the senior officer. A segment of the holo, blown to larger dimensions, appeared. On the inner edge of the Rift, the Imperial side, three stars appeared in red. .

II “Haversol, Fonderal, and Cubera. Until the success of our recent operation, Haversol was the largest out-Rift trade staging point on the Imperial side dealing with the Coordinate traders. The economics dictated that we hit Fonderal first, and that was completed before we even planned the Haversol campaign. The embargo on Fonderal was a simpler matter, of course, because of its lack of an internally supported infrastructure. Even they couldn't tackle that kind of rebuilding job, not in the short run, and especially with Haversol still open.

“Next came the flanking movement. We managed to get adequate support to the statist insurgents, who, in turn, were able to topple the monarchy. Of course, the new provisional government asked for Imperial assistance, and the Fourth Fleet was close enough to provide the necessary support.” .

“That left Hernando and Haversol along this corridor, and we've just about completed the establishment of the military support agreement with the new government of Haversol.”

Another system on the holo blowup began to alternate flashing white and red. “That leaves Hernando.”

The Commodore coughed twice, reached down, and took a sip from the tumbler before returning to the presentation.

“Obviously, this is all just a sketch, but the next step will be harder. Hernando is considerably more stable than the other systems. Still. . .if we can get a more favorable government in the upcoming elections or, failing that, generate enough civil unrest to demonstrate a certifiable lack of control, we would have the basis for another control action, citing the threat to Imperial commerce. That would just about close down Accord's access to the Limber line.”

The Commodore looked back at the Admiral. “Any questions, Admiral?”

“What's the best possible time line?”

“The midterm elections on Hernando are more than a standard year off, and to generate any real results will be hard in such a short frame, but we intend to try. Certainly, by the next elections after the midterms—”

“Aim for the midterms. Giving Accord time to react could put us on the defensive.”

The Commodore nodded. “Full speed ahead on Hernando it is. Admiral.”

...III...

Tipsy, that the man definitely was. Otherwise he would not have staggered down the hallway and elbowed his way through the heavy wooden door into the private party in the second dining room of the Golden Charthouse.

Twenty people, fourteen men and six women, sat around the two rectangular tables, enjoying the first course of dorle soup and the thin and genuine wheat crackers and anticipating the days of power to come. Only six weeks remained before the upper chamber elections.

A tall man, clean shaven and attired in a formal, deep blue tunic and contrasting cream sash, was standing to make the first toast.

“To the people of Hernando and to the Popular Front, the government to be.”

The drunk, a sandy-bailed fellow, lurched inside the room.