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* * *
Stillman shook his head sadly. "I really thought things would be different for him after the fire."
Fraser shrugged. "I'd hoped so, too. But I'm afraid I hadn't really counted on it. Even while everybody was cheering for him you could see that nervousness s...
"Yeah." Lifting his gaze from the desk, Stillman stared for a moment out the window. "So they treat him like an incurable psychopath. Or a wild animal."
"You can't really blame them. They're scared of what his strength and lasers could do if he went berserk."
"He doesn't go berserk, damn it!" Stillman flared, slamming his fist down on the desk.
"I know that!" the councilor shot back. "Fine-so you want to tell everyone the truth? Even assuming Vanis D'arl didn't jump down our throats for doing it, wo...
Stillman's flash of anger evaporated. "No," he said quietly. "It would just make things worse." He stood up and walked over to the window. "Sorry I blew up, ...
"It's not your fault either, Teague. You can't take it personally." Fraser's voice was quiet. "The Army had no business doing what it did to Jonny, and then ...
Stillman's intercom buzzed. Walking back to his desk, the mayor tapped the key. "Yes?"
"Sir, Mr. Do-sin just called from the press office. He says there's something on the DOM-Press line that you should see."
"Thank you." Sitting down, Stillman turned on his plate and punched up the proper channel. The last three news items were still visible, the top one marked w...
Dominion Joint Military Command HQ, Asgard:
A military spokesman has announced that all reserve Cobras will be recalled into active service by the end of next month. This move is designed to counter a ...
"I don't believe it," Fraser shook his head. "Are those stupid Minthisti going to try it again? I thought they learned their lesson the last time we stomped ...
Stillman didn't reply.
* * *
Vanis D'arl swept into Mayor Stillman's office with the air of a man preoccupied by more important business. He nodded shortly to the two men who were waitin...
Stillman nodded, determined not to be intimidated, and gestured to the youth sitting quietly by his desk. "May I present Jame Moreau, brother of Cobra-three ...
"Alleged?" D'arl's voice was soft, but there was a warning under it.
Stillman hesitated, suddenly aware of the risk they were taking with this confrontation. But Jame stepped into the gap. "Yes, alleged. We know this whole thi...
D'arl looked keenly at Jame, as if seeing him for the first time. "You're concerned about your brother, of course; that's only natural," he said at last. "Bu...
"That's precisely our point," Jame said calmly, showing a self-control and courage far beyond his nineteen years. "The government is trying to solve the Cobr...
"And yet, the Cobras were generally unhappy in their new civilian roles," D'arl pointed out. "Perhaps this will actually be better for them."
Jame shook his head, his eyes still holding D'arl's. "No. Because you can't keep them there forever, you see. You either have to release them again someday-i...
D'arl's face was an expressionless mask. "What do you mean by that?"
"I think you know." For just a second Jame's control cracked, and some of the internal fire leaked out. "But don't you see? It won't work. You can't kill off...
D'arl looked back at Stillman. "If this is all you wanted, to throw out ridiculous accusations, then you've wasted my time. Good day to you." He stood up and...
"It isn't," Stillman said. "We think we've come up with an alternative."
D'arl stopped and turned back to face them. For a moment he measured them with his eyes, then slowly came and sat down again. "I'm listening."
Stillman leaned forward in his chair, willing calmness into his mind. Jonny's life was riding on this. "The Cobra gear was designed to give extra speed, weap...
D'arl frowned, but Stillman hurried on before he could speak. "I've done some reading on this in the last few weeks, and the usual procedure seems to involve...
"I know what it involves," D'arl interrupted. "Get to your point."
"Sending in Cobras instead of regular soldiers would be easier and cheaper," Stillman said. "Their equipment is self-contained and virtually maintenance-free...
D'arl shook his head impatiently. "I listened this long because I hoped you might have come up with something new. Committi H'orme considered this same idea ...
"Not necessarily," Jame said. "We could go past the aliens."
"What?"
"Here's what we have in mind," Stillman said. "The Trofts just lost a war to us, and they know that we're still strong enough to really tear into their empir...
D'arl was gazing into space, a thoughtful look on his face. "What if there aren't any habitable planets out there?"
"Then we're out of luck," Stillman admitted. "But if there are, look at what you've gained. New worlds, new resources, maybe even new alien contacts and trad...
"Yes. Of course, we'd have to put the colony far enough past the border that the Trofts wouldn't be tempted to sneak out and destroy it. With that kind of lo...
Jame leaned forward. "Then you agree with us? You'll suggest this to Committi H'orme?"
Slowly, D'arl nodded. "I will. It makes sense and is potentially profitable for the Dominion-a good combination. I'm sure the . . . trouble . . . with the Mi...
He was right. Less than two weeks later the announcement was made.
* * *
The big military shuttle was surrounded by a surprisingly large crowd, considering that only twenty-odd people would be accompanying Jonny from Horizon to th...
"Well, Jonny, good luck," Stillman said as they stopped near the inner edge of the crowd. "I hope things work well for you."
"Thanks, Mr. Stillman," Jonny replied, gripping the mayor's outstretched hand firmly. "And thanks for-well, for your support."