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

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.

"Sir, this is a private party." The guard moved away from the curtained archway to block the intruder. His partner
approached from the other side.

Neither thought to reach for the illegal freezers in the belt holsters they flaunted.

"So...want to join the celebration. . , see the new masters...see what kind of government the Empire bought...how
much the sellout cost ... "

The sandy-haired man stood almost as tall as the two guards. All three were nearly half a head taller than the men
seated around the tables, even than the toastmaster. "Sir! "protested the lead guard, stiffening. The interloper
stumbled backwards, then kicked the heavy door shut. The toastmaster jerked his head toward the noise. "Sorry,
friends!"