Jessica smiled at him wonderingly. 'I'd appreciate it, Cale. You know, you are something of a miracle man. You always seem to have exactly what I need when I need it!'
Jessica studied long into the ship's 'night'.
' Senor Presidente,' Jessica said firmly as they met again in the morning. 'I wish you to understand that I do not like you, and I do not completely trust you. You have been the kind of politician I have opposed all my life, and I find your sudden conversion suspect and convenient.
'All that said, however,' She continued, 'I find that after considerable research, I cannot dispute your logic and your conclusions. As I mentioned, I have fought that kind of politician all my life, and your predictions sound all too plausible. So, I find myself reluctantly agreeing with your suggestion. Insofar as possible, I will cooperate with you over the next two years to overcome the anger and hatred. In that spirit, I offer these terms': She picked up her tablet.
'First, of course, all offensive action will cease, and all Santiagan forces will immediately depart Ilocano space.
'Second, Santiago will, at its own expense, rebuild the city of Homesafe to previous or better standards.
'Third, reparations will be required; however, given the pastoral nature of our planet, I doubt they will be onerous. Mostly, they will consist of victim compensation and rebuilding of facilities. I have been out of contact with Ilocan for some time. I cannot be specific.
'Fourth, Ilocano representatives will be assigned to Santiago, to monitor your armed forces and watch for clandestine rearmament.
'Fifth, a team of advisors will be sent to monitor your government's operations and to advise the Presidente. They are to have easy access to and have frequent and personal contact with that personage.
'Sixth, research will be conducted to determine the feasibility of trade between our peoples. Efforts will be made to find Ilocano products that might be of interest to the people of Santiago, and vice-versa.
'Seventh, Investigations will be carried out by the Ilocano government of any complaints of atrocities or war crimes, and trials under Ilocano law will be held after extradition from Santiago. Santiago shall have no right of veto over extradition for war crimes or atrocities, though they will have the right to examine the evidence, and may provide legal counsel. The standards applied will be those agreed between the Old Empire and the Alliance in 4253AE.
'All of these, except the first, of course, will be subject to negotiation and possible modification by special commissions appointed by each government over the next two years.' she laid down the tablet. 'Any comments or counterproposals, Senor Presidente?'
Calderon smiled. 'No military occupation? No puppet government or forced new constitution?'
Jessica smiled as she shook her head. 'No. We do not have the military forces to occupy the entire planet of Santiago. Nor would we want them. Any puppet government or forced constitutional change would only enhance the standing of those politicians we discussed. Besides, if I had anything to say about a new constitution, it would do away with all your government giveaways, and would only enrage the people.'
Calderon sighed and rose to begin pacing. 'Yes. Since the war failed, and we will be unable to deport our excess population, I must find a way to do the same thing without provoking riots. The economists all say that if the current situation continues, we'll be in a planetary depression within five years.'
Jessica's smile widened. 'You'll forgive me if I don't weep for you, since you were instrumental in establishing most of those giveaways.'
Calderon stopped pacing long enough to show Jessica a rueful smile. 'Yes, I was. I was a fool. We taxed the producers to buy votes until they moved off-planet, and then we extended our taxing authority until they left the whole system. Your raid took care of the few that remained. That is why we made war, Madam President. Desperation!'
Jessica shrugged. 'It's not my problem, Senor Presidente. However, have you considered colonization to draw off your excess? Living on the dole is not really very satisfying. Perhaps if you offered them a challenge…'
He stopped pacing and smiled. 'We thought about colonization. We decided it was too expensive. Maybe we should take another look. Thank you, Madam President. I have no immediate reaction to your demands. If you can provide me a copy, perhaps we could go into more detail tomorrow.' She agreed, and he suited up and clumped to the airlock, memory crystal in hand.
The two Presidents stood on the balcony overlooking Homesafe. The loud noise and controlled chaos of construction was everywhere. Government House was one of the few buildings in the city that had suffered only minor damage, though blaster burns and pits from projectile impacts were obvious.
'Madam President,' said Alfredo Calderon. 'I believe we have done well, so far. Your insistence that the rebuilding be at Santiago expense made it possible for me to ram through a law requiring those physically able to work to do so at government projects in order to receive their dole. And your willingness to accept labor in lieu of cash payment gave me something to put them to work at.
Jessica smiled. 'I take it your welfare rolls are shrinking?'
'Indeed. Many of our people have suddenly discovered that working for an employer pays more than drawing the dole from the government, now that they will have to work either way. Our unemployment rate is at half its previous level.'
'Yes,' Jessica replied, 'but it was the help of your 'communication consultants' that made it possible for me to accept that labor. There is a lot of hate among Ilocanos. Many here wanted to drain your treasury dry, and force every Santiagan into virtual slavery.'
Alfredo shrugged. 'I have had a lot of experience using propagandists — uh, 'communication consultants'. Luckily, they can just as useful in the service of good as in the service of evil. I made great use of them in pushing through that so-called 'Workfare' law. However, never forget, Jessica, that they are totally amoral; a two-edged sword. They can be as useful to your opponents as they are to you.'
They turned from the balcony and returned inside the President's office. 'Well,' she said, 'here are the two young men I wanted you to meet, Senor Presidente. This is Colonel Brot Tonis of the Ilocano Militia, now General of the Ilocan Defense Forces.'
Calderon smiled. 'A pleasure to meet you, General,' he said in his accented but fluent standard.
Tonis, with a grim expression, merely nodded slightly.
Calderon's smile only widened. 'Yes, General, I am the bastard who sent those other bastards. I hope someday you can find a way to forgive me. Have you met any, uh, 'Santies' recently?'
Tonis nodded again, and his stony expression softened slightly. 'I've worked with a few of your engineers on building requirements. They seemed okay.'
'No horns or fangs?'
A faint smile pulled at Tonis's mouth. 'No, sir. But then, they didn't have blasters, either.'
Jessica took Calderon's arm and turned him to meet the other young man. 'And this, senor Presidente, is Cale Rankin, the scrap dealer who won the war for us.'
Calderon looked at the slight, dark young man. So this was Ilocan's secret weapon. He seemed a normal enough young man, nothing special. Until you noticed his eyes. Those eyes were old. They had seen things a man in his thirties should not have seen — that no man should see. Alfredo had seen eyes like that before, as he presented a medal to a man who had ended a hostage situation by slaughtering eight gang members after spending a week infiltrating them. This young man was much more than a mere scrap dealer. 'Ah,' he said heartily, 'the hero who snatched victory from the very jaws of defeat. It is an honor, indeed, sire Rankin.'
Cale reddened. 'Really, Senor Presidente,' he replied, 'I merely offered the loan of a few credits and some scrapped ships.'
Calderon shook his head. 'And I understand that remarkable vessel in orbit with the huge laser is one of your stock?'
'Not anymore!' came a booming voice, as Ster Mong strode into the room. 'Pardon me for interrupting, madam President, but I could not miss the opportunity to meet the Presidente. Especially since I missed the opportunity when we visited Santiago!' His broad grin and outstretched hand removed any offense at his words.
' Senor Presidente, 'Jessica said, 'This rather forceful, tactless person is our Minister of Defense, Ster Mong. He commanded Ilocan's Revenge during the raid.
