Ship Joyau, interrogative purpose.
Orbit control, Coalition ship Joyau, purpose of visit is business. Van pulsed the standard Coalition ID.
Ship Joyau, cleared to charlie three. Continue approach this time.
Van couldn’t help but smile. It was amazing how much more cooperative the controllers had become since his previous trip. Understand cleared to charlie three. Authorization follows.
Thank you, ship Joyau. Interrogative beacon.
We have the beacon.
Only a minute or so passed before another transmission filled the net. Coalition ship Joyau, this is the Bolvara. Interrogative Commodore Albert.
Van cocked his head, then replied. Affirmative, this is Commodore Albert, commanding.
General Marti requested we convey his regards if we saw you.
Thank the general for us.
He said to tell you that madmen can also be saints.
A wave of sadness washed over Van, unexpectedly, and he did not reply for a moment. If you would thank him for that as well.
We will, Commodore. If you need any assistance, the Bolvara stands ready.
Van understood that message, sent in the clear, was a message to Islyn as well. Your support is most welcome, although we trust we will not need it.
The Joyau had begun the final approach to lock charlie three when control transmitted, Welcome to orbit control, ship Joyau.
Thank you, control. Commencing docking this time.
Once the Joyau was locked, using station power, Van brought up ship gravity.
“Smooth approach, ser,” Alya said.
“Thank you. I won’t know what we’ll be doing until I talk to Director Rezi.” Van unstrapped.
“That’s fine, ser.”
From his stateroom, Van accessed the planetary commnet, first scanning through the news and media highlights. He started with Islyn political news.
Commerce Ministry Looks for Resumption of Info-Trade…
Cairen Volcano Quiet…Guard Units Released…
Quorum Repeals EEA…
Van hoped the story was what he thought. It was. The Islyn Quorum had unanimously repealed the Economic Equalization Act on the rationale that the economic and political situation in the Arm had changed with the recent joint-access treaty signed between Islyn and the Hyndji and Argenti governments.
“Court Affirms Decency Act…
Van nodded to himself. Some things would not change.
The rest of the news did look more encouraging, and definitely better than the situations in Samarra and Angslan. Van pulsed the local IIS office.
As before, he got the simmie receptionist. “This is IIS, Kahla. May we help you?”
“This is IIS Managing Director Albert. I’ve just locked in at orbit station—”
The simmie’s image was replaced by that of the dark-haired Rezi, who wore a cream singlesuit with dark brown cuffs and trim.
“Director Albert, it’s good to see you again.”
“We’re on orbit station, Director Rezi.”
“Will you have time to make a tour of the office and visit some of our clients?” Rezi offered a broad smile. “Matters have changed much.”
“I had hoped that might be the case,” replied Van cautiously.
“For the past week, I have been working out the transfer paperwork, now that the need for my duties as custodian for IIS is passing…”
That was a clear and welcome message.
“You endured a great deal, Director Rezi,” Van replied, “and I’d like to discuss some changes in those terms in order to ensure that you receive adequate and permanent recompense for your efforts and the risks that you undertook.”
Rezi bowed slightly. “IIS has always been known for rewarding loyalty.”
Van couldn’t help grinning.
“This time, you must come with me to Sian’s for the most wonderful meal.”
“I think I’d like that. Is it a favorite of members of the Quorum?”
“One or two of the ministers eat there, and if we find them there, they will be most pleased to see you. They are looking forward to a wider range of trade and commerce.”
Van understood that reference as well, but he would still wear his personal nanite shield. “This evening, perhaps?”
“That would be most possible.” Rezi bowed again. “I look forward to seeing you…”
After they discussed the details and locations, and Van broke the link, he stood, shaking out the stiffness as he pondered his next steps.
He would have to give Rezi a share in the outbound revenues, and he needed to calculate what was both fair, and what was workable. Still, if he and Rezi could come to an agreement, that would mean another functioning office, with ongoing projects and revenues, and one less headache for him, for Nynca, and for Laren and the rest of the staff.
Chapter 88
After turning left off the main corridor of Neuquen orbit station two, Van walked briskly along the corridor to The View. This time, the cherry-paneled walls felt both tired and affected, an attempt at evoking a time and place that had never been.
Van had been fortunate—he thought—that Marti had actually been in the Neuquen system, and that he only had been required to wait ten hours for an evening meeting with the general.
“You are with General Marti?” asked the waiting maitre d’hotel.
Van nodded, then followed the man to one of the private booths. Marti stood and stepped out of the booth as Van approached. Even from meters away, Van could see and sense the tiredness in the other’s face and carriage. Even Marti’s uniform shipsuit lacked its usual crispness.
“Commodore Albert…”
“General…you’re kind to take the time.”
Marti reseated himself. “For you, it is worth every moment.” A wry smile appeared. “It is also good to get away.”
Van slid into the booth and sat opposite the general. A tall pale ale was waiting. “You look as though you’ve been busy.”
“Fighting too many battles that are not battles.” Marti shook his head, then looked at the waiting server. “I will have the greens, the consummé, and the ascadoro con arroz.”
Van had to pick up the menu and scramble through it. “The greens, wild mushroom soup, and the duck cassis.”
Marti picked up the wineglass, half-empty. “And another glass of the cabernet.”
The server bowed and turned.
Van took a sip of the still-cold pale ale. “What sort of battles?”
“The kind that one cannot fight.” Marti took a long swallow of the red wine before setting the wineglass on the white linen. “If one insists that the fanatics accord nonbelievers equal rights and access
