"Blaine Lee Pardoe - Battletech - Battlecorps - Betrayal Of Ideals Part 1" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pardoe Blaine Lee)

The Wolverines merchant caste had attempted to undermine the
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sales of commercial products, products whose production had
been restricted. The imposition of production guidelines had been
done by Nicholas to ensure that no one clan could gain economic
advantage over the others. His was a Warrior-based society, not
one driven by economics and rivalry by the lower castes. The
Wolverines had violated that, resulting in Nicholas challenging
McEvedy to a combat trial–one that Nicholas had won.
“If there is a point that you wish to make, I would suggest that
you do so.”
“Those of us here,” Karrige waved his hands to the other Khans
who stood a few paces behind him, “are concerned about the
Wolverines. They seem to be having a difficult time adhering to
laws and edicts that we are all bound to. Each violation positions
them in a better–stronger position. While you have checked their
actions, these are simply the violations that we are aware of. They
could be doing more to usurp our ways of life.”
There, he had planted it–doubt. Karrige stared at the ilKhan to
see if the seed took root.
For a few seconds Nicholas said nothing. He turned slowly to face
the small cadre of Khans. They leaned in to hear his words. “If you
worry that the Wolverines are becoming too powerful, there are
ways that you can counter them that are within our laws and rede.
Use trials of combat to whittle away at their resources. Challenge
them on the field of battle for their assets. Apply pressure to their
warrior caste. This is the way of the Clans, you know this.”
“We will,” replied Khan Karrige. “Our fears are that, in the mean-
time, their rebellious nature might spread to our own lower castes.
What if we all were faced with strikes or uprisings?”
Khan Osis spoke up. “My own clan has experienced trouble with
our merchant caste. Having heard that the Wolverines are relaxing
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their caste structure, they wanted the same treatment. I have sup-
pressed such moves, but the risk is there. If word of this spreads, it
can only create strife with our people. Our non-warrior castes risk
falling into their old ways of thinking.”
Nicholas took in his words, saying nothing for a long moment.
“I understand. Since the end of our civil war there has been peace
but no defined enemy. Without a foe, an enemy, to face, our peo-
ple might fall back on their old ways.”
“Affirmative, ilKhan. That is our concern as well,” Karrige knew
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