Van stood there, cold inside, watching the blank holo projection for a long time, before his eyes dropped to the bowl and the ashes there.
Chapter 77
Threeday of the following week found Van walking into the hearing room of the External Commerce Subcommittee of the Commerce Committee of the Constituent Assembly of the Eco-Tech Coalition. A youthful-looking staffer gestured toward the console and chair before the antique style desk-dais, behind which sat six delegates. Three positions were vacant, Van noted, as he seated himself. He also noted that the session was closed, with no audience. That did bother him.
“For the record,” opened the chairman, Delegate Inaru, “please state your name and position.”
“Van Cassius Albert, managing director of Integrated Information Systems.”
“You are a resident noncitizen, are you not?”
“That is correct, ser Chairman, but my official residence is here in Cambria.”
“For how long?”
“It’s been almost three years—three years in Octem.”
“Thank you. I understand that you have been the managing director of Integrated Information Systems for less than a month.”
“That is correct, ser Chairman. Since Director Desoll was lost with his ship. That was unexpected.”
“You were the number two officer at IIS prior to becoming managing director?”
“That is also correct.”
The chairman looked directly at Van. “IIS has been noted for undertaking a number of enterprises and activities that would be considered, shall we say for lack of a better word, most unconventional by other governments. Since these activities have always ended in beneficial results for the Coalition, and indeed for most of the Arm, and since they generally lie outside the purview of this committee, we will not intrude into this area, although the committee would like to note that the Assembly does retain that right.”
“I understand and appreciate the committee’s power and discretion,” Van replied, wondering what would come next.
“The committee will also note that it is highly probable that there were IIS vessels near the Jerush system in recent weeks, but that, unless other information should come to light, it appears unnecessary to pursue the matter.”
“We defer to your insight and understanding, ser Chairman.” Van understood that part of the message very clearly, and the reason why the hearing was closed.
“The committee would also like to suggest that the value provided by IIS lies in its unconventional approach, and this committee would certainly not wish to suggest any change in the IIS operations.”
That was a slight surprise, but Van nodded as he answered. “I cannot foresee any changes in the operational outlook and plans of IIS.”
“Do you plan any specific and significant changes in the operations of IIS?”
“Director Desoll had developed a system and a plan for IIS that worked exceedingly well, ser. I see no reason to change the overall operational outlook or structure of the foundation. With the…change in the political and economic structure of the Arm, IIS will have to shift or close some planetary offices and open others, and we will need to change certain operational plans to reflect the changed economics. But I do not foresee any significant departures from the overall basic operations of the foundation.”
“That is good to know. In the past, IIS has been most forthcoming in sharing information with the Assembly. Do you foresee any changes there?”
“The function and mission of IIS is to provide information, as you know, ser Chairman. We would be most remiss if we did not share as much information as we could, and we intend to continue the policies that have worked so well in the past.” Van was very glad that Laren had briefed him on the types of questions he was likely to face.
“What position does IIS intend to take with regard to the Revenant protectorate?”
“IIS will review each planetary system as it has always done, in terms of economic opportunity and the chance to foster equality in competition—”
“A question, ser Chairman.” The interruption came from the minority side.
“A question for the representative from Jiaku,” the chairman announced. “One question, Delegate Mitsui.”
“Thank you, ser Chairman.” Mitsui looked gravely at Van. “Under your predecessor, IIS was known to accept large contingency repayments from foreign multilaterals. Some members of this committee have questioned whether this was proper for a foundation that pays no taxes on such revenues. Do you intend to continue this questionable practice?”
“As you know from the detailed reports IIS files with the committee and the government revenue office,” Van began, “IIS is not a business entity that pays returns to shareholders. Nor do we pay profits taxes, since we have none. We do pay employee support and welfare taxes, as well as real estate and other services taxes. In fact, IIS pays more of these taxes than a number of Coalition multis. I believe the committee received a report on this from Director Desoll. If there is any public question on the level of taxes, I would be more than happy to make that report public.
“I might also add that, while some of the payments for our expertise might appear high, our expenses in providing that expertise are also extremely high. Our contribution to the Coalition is measured in far more than credits. In all planetary systems where IIS has developed a strong presence, Coalition financial and commercial interests have also prospered, and the index of personal economic and social freedoms has increased in the vast majority of those systems. Increasing economic and social freedoms in the Arm are aims clearly spelled out in our charter, and I believe it is fair to say that we have generally been successful in those efforts. Not in all cases, but in the majority. Neither our charter nor the laws of the Coalition restrict our revenues, only their use. We have fully complied with both the charter and the laws,
