011: The Tarsus Institute

[helvorn]

He looked around and took a deep breath. "Until Ciencia is stable I am pronouncing myself Imperial Regent. We won't go behind her back, she is my beloved wife and mother of my unborn children" he nodded to Jaelah, "But we will not lose time." William met the eyes of each person in turn, lingering on Aster. "Will you support the rightful Empress of the Third Imperium? Will you support the Third Imperium?"

Garvin interrupts his brooding study of the contents of his glass "I can't swear blind obedience to the Third Imperium because I know it's run by corrupt nobility. I'd be lyin' right out loud an' quietly to meself if I did. O' course I'll 'elp out my friends an' gladly follow the woman I love to me own destruction but I'm only savin' the Empire to change it for the better. I'll also follow the lead of the man who just made himself Emperor". He meets William's gaze "That was just so frightnin'ly easy an' looked like exactly the proper an' right thing to do didn't it? I'm not sayin' it wasn't - but even the chances we take where we seem to 'ave no choice can go wrong on us. We should be really careful takin' executive action".

He chuckles humourlessly as he acknowledges Jaelah with a wink and gives William a genuinely warm smile "There's a certain twist 'ere - bit of yer irony. Both our representatives of the much abused Imperial citizenry, funnily enough themselves representin' both the Rule of Imperial Law an'... I'll call meself... "The Self Preservation Society", are sayin' "Go steady" 'ere while those with Imperial military service 'ave already seized ultimate power. Didn't take us long to give the other side the chance to label us both "usurpers" and "False Emperor's of the Flag"... maybe "Emperor of the False Flag" might 'ave more of a ring to it... What d'you think? "We" also appear to be plannin' acts of unsolicited aggression against foreign diplomats that will give them casus belli by the bucketful an' the moral 'igh ground of self defence. Did I miss anythin' else?"

"Here's another option to consider - as well as not makin' yerself Regent. Rule by Imperial Warrant gives you both authority and legitimacy if we need it. Another thought - "What if we come clean - sort of?" Start hop couriers towards Core now denouncing Dulinor and confirmin' Ciencia's legitimate claim. If nothin' else we paint more of the map our colour an' as soon as Dulinor appreciates the speed at which our message has moved it's goin' to 'ave 'im lookin' over 'is shoulder for a hop drive equipped Fleet. Might put time on our side. In my experience you need that whether you're in a fight or runnin' a caper".

Flipping a star map up on his comm he adds "If a hop drive can vault the Rift we can 'ave word in Gushemege, Illeish and Daibei possibly even before Dulinor's proclaimed 'imself there. Let's stir up as much trouble for 'im as we can, eh?"

William met Garvin's gaze with eyes that carried immeasurable pain. "I don't offer nor do I think that Ciencia offers an Imperium of the status quo. We don't want it and it is not worth saving. What is worth saving are the people. Strephan and indeed Dulinor had or have plans to democratize and reduce noble power. We can follow those up and do it the right way. We can take Jaelah's dream across Charted Space." He shook his head. "Emperor? I think not but if necessary, I still think not. Executive action? Not without Ciencia but if she cannot act then we will act on her behalf. A trillion lives are at stake here. Dare we walk where angels fear to tread? We must. We must."

At Garvin's smile William finally chuckles a bit. "There is an irony here. A cruel irony for certain. I like Emperor of the False Flag; it has a piratical ring to it that will at least appeal to the Vargr." His laugh died quickly. "We will do no violence or disrespect to the Zhodani. We need to see that the Aslan Ambassador is treated properly. His goodwill will be important in the near future. Our weapon now is speed of travel. We need to use it while we can, while Ciencia's warrant is still valid ahead of the Jump six couriers. We can seize control of the depots maybe even the depot in Illesh. We need to be careful of how much of our hand we show."

[terrymixon]

William nodded reluctantly. "Dulinor killed him. The other version of Ciencia, the one sleeping next to you, and the Aslan Ambassador were severely wounded in an attempt to save him. I am ever so sorry."

“He was too good a man for the universe we live in. I and others worried this was coming, but he never believed us. He would never have believed Dulinor would be the one to do it, either.”

She opened her eyes. “Our marriage was an arranged affair and while I can’t say I loved him, he was a friend. Don’t think me cold because I’m not destroyed. It hurts but there are things to do that we have to focus on and grief must wait.

“Ciencia will need us, though. This will crush her. She loved him so much. Help me up and find me something to wear. Is there anything else I need to know to advise her?”

"From what I know of him from Ciencia and my own research your husband was indeed a good man. Thank you for your willingness to focus. We have to worry about a Zhodani Ambassador that may have seen too much. Other than that you know the situation as well as I do." William sighed. "Unless we disappear and let Dulinor to take over or God forbid the Imperium fracture completely we have to act decisively and quickly. Ciencia must lead and firmly. We want to avoid an open Civil War but it may come to that. It may come to that no matter what we do. My intention is to support Ciencia in whatever she wants to do for the final decision is hers." While he was speaking William asked Roscoe over the net. "Can you provide clothing for both Ciencia's and the Dowager Empress please?"

He reached down and offered his hand to Iphigenia. "Keep the flame alive and burning. Give your daughter love and hope. She needs that now more than plans of vengeance or escape."

Roscoe indicates he will.

She sat up and looked exhausted. "As much as you can do, there are things that will end up being beyond you. A Zhodoni ambassador that knows too much is likely bad, but we will manage. Somehow.

"As for acting before there is a civil war, it is very likely already too late for that. Even if someone had killed Dulinor on the spot, without Ciencia right there--publicly--to snatch the circlet right off my husband's head, it would be too late. Have you ever dropped something and tried to snatch it out of the air, knowing full well that you aren't going to succeed? This is the political equivalent to that. The crystal goblet is already doomed, not matter what you do to try and save it. The same is almost certainly true of the Imperium, at least in the form it was."

She stood and sniffed at the medical tunic she wore. "I hate these things. The Imperium has been rotten to the core for a very long time and the number of people willing to tear it apart to get something for themselves is legion. The Moot despises Dulinor, but that won't mean they support Ciencia. Worse, everyone knows where she is. In fact, the warrant that appointed her Archduchess was filed and secretly backdated. There is no believable way she could just turn up. People--even those who know her--would suspect she is not herself. Medical technology is quite capable of making a clone of her and wouldn't that just be the kind of thing that someone tried to pull in a power vacuum?"

The door opened and a droid came in with folded clothes. The empress made a turnaround gesture and presumably started getting dressed. "Then we get to the Navy. Many of the admirals are political animals. Some will want the crown for themselves, but others will break away to support the contender they want. Those that might support us will want something in return. Even those that agree can hardly be trusted without the framework of the Imperium to hold them in check. Those that go rogue will try to set up their own pocket empires, probably.

"And then we have the megacorporations. Those leeches will work behind the scenes to protect their wealth and steal what they can from the Imperium. They will work hand in hand with the nobility and military to create their own factions. Then we have the Solomani, the Vargr, and the Zhodoni. They can hardly stand by. They will be wolves tearing the flesh off the dying Imperium and no one will be prepared to fight them. It will be a bloodbath. I'm done."

She's in a plain set of pants and blouse when you turn around. "The Imperium has never been ruled by law, but by man. That is perhaps its greatest flaw. Ruling by fiat means you can do whatever you want but it engenders no loyalty. Without the institutions that keep the nobles and wealthy satiated, they will take what they can and only once it is all over will something else form in its place. Perhaps that will be the Fourth Imperium, but it might not be. These will be hard times, but humanity will survive. It is my thought that we should focus on saving what we can and not get lured into disaster by the folly of thinking we can save it all. I know you want to, William, but even you and your friends cannot be everywhere at once. Do not bite off more than you can chew or you will choke on it."

[Thumper]

Deleted…Walt was not privy to this convo

[terrymixon]

If Walt heard the Empress:
“My point exactly. The war has started. The Imperium is dead and doesn’t even know it yet. We have an opportunity granted by time to consolidate a part of the former Imperium under Ciencia’s and William’s control and prepare it to protect its citizenry from the ravages that otherwise will come from Trailing and . Either Corridor, Deneb, and the Marches is the place or the environs around our pocket universe is the place. Ciencia is and is known to be in Deneb. We already have Glisten and Metz’ manufacturing capacity with which to build a technologically and numerical advantage while the rest of the empire exhausts its resources. That consolidation of political unity in the Frontier and techno power may determine the Zho from assaulting here.

From that position info strength, perhaps Ciencia can pull diplomacy to help quell the fires of civil war. If not, at least some sectors can survive and thrive. We focus on what we can do, not what we wish to do.

With that said, I still want to eliminate Dulinor as a player. When nobility make war, people die. I want to bring him to trial and just punishment for what he imposed on the people. But that is a secondary matter.

Securing a chunk of former Imperium territory and preparing it in hopes of deterring aggression from both Spinward and Trailing directions is a worthy strategic objective. It is what we CAN do…for the citizenry. We remake this corner of space as it should be.

I believe that to be possible. I don’t know the first political steps to take. Militarily, I think Metz should start rolling out a TL16 navy and pumping out goods to be used by Ciencia and her mother, and to raise standards of living for all in her and William’s realm.”

He is not present. He is asleep with Bona as it is early the next morning, before normal wake-up time. Save this as I’m sure it will be repeated.

[helvorn]

She sat up and looked exhausted. "As much as you can do, there are things that will end up being beyond you. A Zhodoni ambassador that knows too much is likely bad, but we will manage. Somehow.

"As for acting before there is a civil war, it is very likely already too late for that. Even if someone had killed Dulinor on the spot, without Ciencia right there--publicly--to snatch the circlet right off my husband's head, it would be too late. Have you ever dropped something and tried to snatch it out of the air, knowing full well that you aren't going to succeed? This is the political equivalent to that. The crystal goblet is already doomed, not matter what you do to try and save it. The same is almost certainly true of the Imperium, at least in the form it was."

She stood and sniffed at the medical tunic she wore. "I hate these things. The Imperium has been rotten to the core for a very long time and the number of people willing to tear it apart to get something for themselves is legion. The Moot despises Dulinor, but that won't mean they support Ciencia. Worse, everyone knows where she is. In fact, the warrant that appointed her Archduchess was filed and secretly backdated. There is no believable way she could just turn up. People--even those who know her--would suspect she is not herself. Medical technology is quite capable of making a clone of her and wouldn't that just be the kind of thing that someone tried to pull in a power vacuum?"

The door opened and a droid came in with folded clothes. The empress made a turnaround gesture and presumably started getting dressed. "Then we get to the Navy. Many of the admirals are political animals. Some will want the crown for themselves, but others will break away to support the contender they want. Those that might support us will want something in return. Even those that agree can hardly be trusted without the framework of the Imperium to hold them in check. Those that go rogue will try to set up their own pocket empires, probably.

"And then we have the megacorporations. Those leeches will work behind the scenes to protect their wealth and steal what they can from the Imperium. They will work hand in hand with the nobility and military to create their own factions. Then we have the Solomani, the Vargr, and the Zhodoni. They can hardly stand by. They will be wolves tearing the flesh off the dying Imperium and no one will be prepared to fight them. It will be a bloodbath. I'm done."

She's in a plain set of pants and blouse when you turn around. "The Imperium has never been ruled by law, but by man. That is perhaps its greatest flaw. Ruling by fiat means you can do whatever you want but it engenders no loyalty. Without the institutions that keep the nobles and wealthy satiated, they will take what they can and only once it is all over will something else form in its place. Perhaps that will be the Fourth Imperium, but it might not be. These will be hard times, but humanity will survive. It is my thought that we should focus on saving what we can and not get lured into disaster by the folly of thinking we can save it all. I know you want to, William, but even you and your friends cannot be everywhere at once. Do not bite off more than you can chew or you will choke on it."

William shook his head. "It is hard to believe that the imperium is so rotten at the core. I thought there were more honorable and loyal people at all levels." He thought for a moment as she finished dressing. "I thought perhaps that Ciencia and Isis could bridge the gap before the moot. We may not be able to appeal to honor and reason with many but an appeal to stability represented by the dynasty should garner sufficient support I would think even among the megacorporations."

[terrymixon]

She sat up and looked exhausted. "As much as you can do, there are things that will end up being beyond you. A Zhodoni ambassador that knows too much is likely bad, but we will manage. Somehow.

"As for acting before there is a civil war, it is very likely already too late for that. Even if someone had killed Dulinor on the spot, without Ciencia right there--publicly--to snatch the circlet right off my husband's head, it would be too late. Have you ever dropped something and tried to snatch it out of the air, knowing full well that you aren't going to succeed? This is the political equivalent to that. The crystal goblet is already doomed, not matter what you do to try and save it. The same is almost certainly true of the Imperium, at least in the form it was."

She stood and sniffed at the medical tunic she wore. "I hate these things. The Imperium has been rotten to the core for a very long time and the number of people willing to tear it apart to get something for themselves is legion. The Moot despises Dulinor, but that won't mean they support Ciencia. Worse, everyone knows where she is. In fact, the warrant that appointed her Archduchess was filed and secretly backdated. There is no believable way she could just turn up. People--even those who know her--would suspect she is not herself. Medical technology is quite capable of making a clone of her and wouldn't that just be the kind of thing that someone tried to pull in a power vacuum?"

The door opened and a droid came in with folded clothes. The empress made a turnaround gesture and presumably started getting dressed. "Then we get to the Navy. Many of the admirals are political animals. Some will want the crown for themselves, but others will break away to support the contender they want. Those that might support us will want something in return. Even those that agree can hardly be trusted without the framework of the Imperium to hold them in check. Those that go rogue will try to set up their own pocket empires, probably.

"And then we have the megacorporations. Those leeches will work behind the scenes to protect their wealth and steal what they can from the Imperium. They will work hand in hand with the nobility and military to create their own factions. Then we have the Solomani, the Vargr, and the Zhodoni. They can hardly stand by. They will be wolves tearing the flesh off the dying Imperium and no one will be prepared to fight them. It will be a bloodbath. I'm done."

She's in a plain set of pants and blouse when you turn around. "The Imperium has never been ruled by law, but by man. That is perhaps its greatest flaw. Ruling by fiat means you can do whatever you want but it engenders no loyalty. Without the institutions that keep the nobles and wealthy satiated, they will take what they can and only once it is all over will something else form in its place. Perhaps that will be the Fourth Imperium, but it might not be. These will be hard times, but humanity will survive. It is my thought that we should focus on saving what we can and not get lured into disaster by the folly of thinking we can save it all. I know you want to, William, but even you and your friends cannot be everywhere at once. Do not bite off more than you can chew or you will choke on it."

William shook his head. "It is hard to believe that the imperium is so rotten at the core. I thought there were more honorable and loyal people at all levels." He thought for a moment as she finished dressing. "I thought perhaps that Ciencia and Isis could bridge the gap before the moot. We may not be able to appeal to honor and reason with many but an appeal to stability represented by the dynasty should garner sufficient support I would think even among the megacorporations."

"You trust in human nature to want something that is good for the whole," she said with a shake of her head. "I trust in human nature to want what they can take for themselves at the expense of the whole. In the circles of the so-called nobles and the wealthy, I know what I have seen time and time again. It will fall to Ciencia to make the call, and I hope she wants to believe in your vision, but accepts that mine is more realistic in how things are playing out. If we want to avoid another long night, we can't take chances."

She looked over at the version of her daughter in the adjoining autodoc. It is the one that doesn't look like her usual look. "Shall we wake her and start down this dark road?"

[helvorn]

"You trust in human nature to want something that is good for the whole," she said with a shake of her head. "I trust in human nature to want what they can take for themselves at the expense of the whole. In the circles of the so-called nobles and the wealthy, I know what I have seen time and time again. It will fall to Ciencia to make the call, and I hope she wants to believe in your vision, but accepts that mine is more realistic in how things are playing out. If we want to avoid another long night, we can't take chances."

She looked over at the version of her daughter in the adjoining autodoc. It is the one that doesn't look like her usual look. "Shall we wake her and start down this dark road?"

William could only nod wearily. "Or perhaps a middle path." He moved to the autodoc. "It is time." William activated the release mechanism and stepped to the side.

[terrymixon]

"You trust in human nature to want something that is good for the whole," she said with a shake of her head. "I trust in human nature to want what they can take for themselves at the expense of the whole. In the circles of the so-called nobles and the wealthy, I know what I have seen time and time again. It will fall to Ciencia to make the call, and I hope she wants to believe in your vision, but accepts that mine is more realistic in how things are playing out. If we want to avoid another long night, we can't take chances."

She looked over at the version of her daughter in the adjoining autodoc. It is the one that doesn't look like her usual look. "Shall we wake her and start down this dark road?"

William could only nod wearily. "Or perhaps a middle path." He moved to the autodoc. "It is time." William activated the release mechanism and stepped to the side.

When you activate the mechanism, the lid lifts and she begins waking. Then she puts her hand over her face and cries a little. “God, that hit other me even harder than it did me. Maybe because I was there and had a little time to accept it.”

She dropped her hand and looked at you with a mixture of sadness and fury. “He’s gone and now we have to do… something. Help me up and let’s get other me. We’ve got a lot to go over. I can cry later.”

[terrymixon]

He looked around and took a deep breath. "Until Ciencia is stable I am pronouncing myself Imperial Regent. We won't go behind her back, she is my beloved wife and mother of my unborn children" he nodded to Jaelah, "But we will not lose time." William met the eyes of each person in turn, lingering on Aster. "Will you support the rightful Empress of the Third Imperium? Will you support the Third Imperium?"

Garvin interrupts his brooding study of the contents of his glass "I can't swear blind obedience to the Third Imperium because I know it's run by corrupt nobility. I'd be lyin' right out loud an' quietly to meself if I did. O' course I'll 'elp out my friends an' gladly follow the woman I love to me own destruction but I'm only savin' the Empire to change it for the better. I'll also follow the lead of the man who just made himself Emperor". He meets William's gaze "That was just so frightnin'ly easy an' looked like exactly the proper an' right thing to do didn't it? I'm not sayin' it wasn't - but even the chances we take where we seem to 'ave no choice can go wrong on us. We should be really careful takin' executive action".

He chuckles humourlessly as he acknowledges Jaelah with a wink and gives William a genuinely warm smile "There's a certain twist 'ere - bit of yer irony. Both our representatives of the much abused Imperial citizenry, funnily enough themselves representin' both the Rule of Imperial Law an'... I'll call meself... "The Self Preservation Society", are sayin' "Go steady" 'ere while those with Imperial military service 'ave already seized ultimate power. Didn't take us long to give the other side the chance to label us both "usurpers" and "False Emperor's of the Flag"... maybe "Emperor of the False Flag" might 'ave more of a ring to it... What d'you think? "We" also appear to be plannin' acts of unsolicited aggression against foreign diplomats that will give them casus belli by the bucketful an' the moral 'igh ground of self defence. Did I miss anythin' else?"

"Here's another option to consider - as well as not makin' yerself Regent. Rule by Imperial Warrant gives you both authority and legitimacy if we need it. Another thought - "What if we come clean - sort of?" Start hop couriers towards Core now denouncing Dulinor and confirmin' Ciencia's legitimate claim. If nothin' else we paint more of the map our colour an' as soon as Dulinor appreciates the speed at which our message has moved it's goin' to 'ave 'im lookin' over 'is shoulder for a hop drive equipped Fleet. Might put time on our side. In my experience you need that whether you're in a fight or runnin' a caper".

Flipping a star map up on his comm he adds "If a hop drive can vault the Rift we can 'ave word in Gushemege, Illeish and Daibei possibly even before Dulinor's proclaimed 'imself there. Let's stir up as much trouble for 'im as we can, eh?"

“She has the warrant, not him,” Roscoe said. “It only applies to her. She can’t delegate it and no one else can use it. It flows from the emperor alone and to her alone. And once his death is known, it may be worthless. At least some will claim it invalid though warrants need to officially be revoked.”

[helvorn]

When you activate the mechanism, the lid lifts and she begins waking. Then she puts her hand over her face and cries a little. “God, that hit other me even harder than it did me. Maybe because I was there and had a little time to accept it.”

She dropped her hand and looked at you with a mixture of sadness and fury. “He’s gone and now we have to do… something. Help me up and let’s get other me. We’ve got a lot to go over. I can cry later.”

William lifted Ciencia from the auto doc. He gave her a hug and a gentle kiss and set her down near her mother. "There are clothes for you and the others should be waking soon. We need to wake your other self. I can do that while you and your mother get settled and get some coffee or tea." Before he left William's face softened and his hand stroked her cheek. "I love you and I am here for you in whatever way you need me."

Departing the medical bay William stopped to get a cup of coffee and went to his state room. He set on the edge of the bed and softly kissed Ciencia. "Time to wake up my darling. I brought you your favorite coffee."

[terrymixon]

When you activate the mechanism, the lid lifts and she begins waking. Then she puts her hand over her face and cries a little. “God, that hit other me even harder than it did me. Maybe because I was there and had a little time to accept it.”

She dropped her hand and looked at you with a mixture of sadness and fury. “He’s gone and now we have to do… something. Help me up and let’s get other me. We’ve got a lot to go over. I can cry later.”

William lifted Ciencia from the auto doc. He gave her a hug and a gentle kiss and set her down near her mother. "There are clothes for you and the others should be waking soon. We need to wake your other self. I can do that while you and your mother get settled and get some coffee or tea." Before he left William's face softened and his hand stroked her cheek. "I love you and I am here for you in whatever way you need me."

Departing the medical bay William stopped to get a cup of coffee and went to his state room. He set on the edge of the bed and softly kissed Ciencia. "Time to wake up my darling. I brought you your favorite coffee."

She will wake and looked weirdly similar in reaction like her other self. “Mornings are hard on normal days. This one is not one of those. Gods. Dulinor will die by my hand. I swear it. Give me that coffee. We’ve got so much to go over. Then I can grieve. Is my mom okay?”

[helvorn]

She will wake and looked weirdly similar in reaction like her other self. “Mornings are hard on normal days. This one is not one of those. Gods. Dulinor will die by my hand. I swear it. Give me that coffee. We’ve got so much to go over. Then I can grieve. Is my mom okay?”

William handed Ciencia the coffee. "Your mother is fine. She has recovered physically and mentally. Your other self is with her and should be in the wardroom soon once she is dressed." He nodded his head grimly. "You are at the head of a very long line to deal with Dulinor." William looked introspectively for a moment. "I know you are close friends with Isis. Do you think talking to her ahead of the news would do any good?"

[terrymixon]

She will wake and looked weirdly similar in reaction like her other self. “Mornings are hard on normal days. This one is not one of those. Gods. Dulinor will die by my hand. I swear it. Give me that coffee. We’ve got so much to go over. Then I can grieve. Is my mom okay?”

William handed Ciencia the coffee. "Your mother is fine. She has recovered physically and mentally. Your other self is with her and should be in the wardroom soon once she is dressed." He nodded his head grimly. "You are at the head of a very long line to deal with Dulinor." William looked introspectively for a moment. "I know you are close friends with Isis. Do you think talking to her ahead of the news would do any good?"

"I can't imagine how. What are you thinking?"

She stood and headed for the common area.

A soft chime sounds in everyone's sleeping area, even if they are off the ship. Then Roscoe informs you that Ciencia is awake and about.

[helvorn]

William handed Ciencia the coffee. "Your mother is fine. She has recovered physically and mentally. Your other self is with her and should be in the wardroom soon once she is dressed." He nodded his head grimly. "You are at the head of a very long line to deal with Dulinor." William looked introspectively for a moment. "I know you are close friends with Isis. Do you think talking to her ahead of the news would do any good?"

"I can't imagine how. What are you thinking?"

She stood and headed for the common area.

William held the door for Ciencia and followed her into the common room where he poured himself a cup of coffee. "I was thinking that a joint appeal to the moot by the two of you might gain you support. The other possibility is using her influence and your warrant to neutralize Dlan and the Depot before the jump six couriers reach that area. It's a wild roll of the dice I admit."

[terrymixon]

William handed Ciencia the coffee. "Your mother is fine. She has recovered physically and mentally. Your other self is with her and should be in the wardroom soon once she is dressed." He nodded his head grimly. "You are at the head of a very long line to deal with Dulinor." William looked introspectively for a moment. "I know you are close friends with Isis. Do you think talking to her ahead of the news would do any good?"

"I can't imagine how. What are you thinking?"

She stood and headed for the common area.

William held the door for Ciencia and followed her into the common room where he poured himself a cup of coffee. "I was thinking that a joint appeal to the moot by the two of you might gain you support. The other possibility is using her influence and your warrant to neutralize Dlan and the Depot before the jump six couriers reach that area. It's a wild roll of the dice I admit."

“The warrant is a dead letter to anyone that knows my father is dead,” she said flatly. “Maybe some people would honor it because it’s supposed to be cancelled, but just as likely they won’t. I love Isis more than a sister, but her father killed my father. I don’t see hugs in our future. Whether she knew what he was going to do or not, she’s committed now. I would hope she was clueless, but there is no way to know for sure without her in hand. As a hostage, though, she might have some value. That is something to think about.”

She’ll turn when her other self and her mother comes in, drawing them all into a hug. Now they’ll cry together.

[Thumper]

Walt strides out of his stateroom in pair of shorts and T-shirt and bare feet. He strides over to the kitchenette and pours himself a cup of black.

[terrymixon]

Walt strides out of his stateroom in pair of shorts and T-shirt and bare feet. He strides over to the kitchenette and pours himself a cup of black.

Bona follows, yawning widely as she scratches her butt which is in nicer shorts.

[Thumper]

Walt pours a mug for Bona, admires her fine backside to which she is calling his attention, then looks over at the Ciencia's:

"So, we gonna carve out the Corward Spinward Frontier for a stable peaceful remnant under Ciencia's control and go kill Dulinor? He deserves a painful one for the chaos and suffering he's already imposed on so many people?" he says in a hushed voice.

[helvorn]

William nodded slowly and then turned away to give Ciencia and her mother privacy. He stepped over to Walt. "Give them a moment to grieve together." William sat a bar stool next to his friend. "Exactly right I think. We need Corridor, Deneb, the Marches and the Trojan Reaches."

[Tiglath]

Garvin muses "There's something else we've overlooked with the Zhodani. Now William and Walt have 'em pegged as the enemy after a military career of trainin' to fight 'em and locally the OutWorld Coalition are the "other side" right enough but our main enemy right now is within the Imperium not without".

"The "other thing" is that as well as learning of the assassination the Zhodani can't 'ave failed to notice that we're all naturally shielded. I think we might need to adjust our thinkin' a bit 'ere because as far as the Third Imperium goes there's now another set of sneaky nobles with nasty psionic powers on the scene. The rise of a psionic nobility in the New Domain is likely a strategic goal the Zhodani never dreamed they could facilitate. I'm not sayin' we should trust 'em but I'll bet whatever plans they 'ad for the Marches will now adjust to maybe not include "regime change".