The Margrave of Montora (The Chronicles of Montora Book 2)

by Ward Wagher

  “Yes, well. As I see it, we need to determine the level at which the banks can generate loans without causing a significant level of inflation.”

  “We don’t have a central bank,” Daphne said.

  “True, but the Duke’s government could put some pressure on the bankers to adopt a less restrictive lending policy.”

  “Won’t work,” Daphne responded. “The biggest bank here is UBS and it’s controlled from off-planet. We don’t have any leverage.”

  “No, wait a minute Daff,” Franklin said. “I mean you’re technically right, but maybe Carlo Roma has enough clout to get UBS to loosen up a bit. I mean, right now, they don’t loan anything unless the client is gold plated.”

  “And if we don’t handle it right,” Daphne continued as if she had not heard Franklin, “we’ll get a bubble and eventually crash the economy.”

  “Oh, we can manage that,” Signe said. “We learned about this in Galactic Macro-Economics at school. If the money supply starts chasing too few goods, you get inflation. In this case we’re pushing it into the paychecks of the Navy…”

  “Who start spending it on a diminishing supply of goods,” Daphne interrupted. “Or worse yet, the money starts going off planet and we get a trade imbalance.”

  “In the short run either should be manageable, I would think,” Franklin said.

  “Oh, don’t be a fool, Franklin!” Daphne said. “This is how the western nations on pre-space Earth bankrupted themselves. It was for the best of reasons, but the result was the same.”

  “No, no,” Signe said. “They spent the money on social services. We would be making a direct investment in infrastructure. That is how you bootstrap your economy.”

  Franklin laughed. The others looked at him.

  “Louie had some trouble with the concept of pulling yourself up by your bootstraps.”

  “If you’d be nicer to the poor Woogie, he wouldn’t get so confused,” Daphne said.

  “Signe’s mother said much the same thing.”

  “So why don’t you listen to her?” Daphne said. “I still can’t believe you let him get wasted like that. He made himself the laughingstock of the whole duchy.”

  “Louie is my friend precisely because I don’t try to coddle him, or protect him from himself. Everybody else treats him like a slow child. I think he may be smarter than anybody in this room. How would you like to be treated that way?”

  “That’s the way you treat me. But you take advantage of him,” Daphne said.

  “I do not take advantage of him, Daff. If he wants to do something unwise, I warn him about the consequences. If he decides to go ahead, I figure he’s going to have to learn one way or the other. If he wanted to try something truly dangerous, I would do my best to stop him. I don’t even want to address how you think you are being treated.”

  “I just can’t believe you would be so calloused…”

  “Later Daff,” Franklin said.

  “But you just…”

  “Daphne!” he barked. “Just drop it.”

  Daphne closed her mouth with an audible click as she glared at him. It got very quiet in the room. Modest and Gerry busied themselves with their meals.

  Franklin turned to Signe.

  “Sorry about that, Signe. Daphne and I have these pitched battles from time to time. We usually both learn a lot, but today is neither the time nor place.”

  Daphne continued glaring at Franklin. He looked at her and shrugged.

  # # #

  “Thank you for your generosity in showing me around the village today,” Signe said.

  They were standing in the shuttleport lounge waiting for the evening shuttle to arrive from Paravel.

  “You are welcome. I honestly found it helpful to me as well. When I'm showing people around and answering questions, I notice things I otherwise have missed. “

  “Between you and your adjutant, or whatever Daphne's title is, I don't believe you miss much.”

  Franklin's smile was slightly lopsided. “I do apologize for that scene in the restaurant this noon. Daphne can often bring out the worst in me.”

  Signe reached out and touched his arm. “I thought you were remarkably patient. Not many people would be that understanding of a subordinate.”

  “Tolerant,” he replied. “She's the most important employee I have here, so I tolerate a lot. Besides, it's usually not as serious as it sounds. It's kind of the way we bounce ideas off each other. Alex, my guard captain, tells me the people around us keep score.”

  “All the same, I think you are doing a wonderful job here.”

  “Well, thanks. It's nice to get some outside confirmation after all the hard work.”

  They turned to the windows as the shuttle swept in for a landing.

  “There's my ride, I guess. Thank you again.”

  Franklin nodded. He hesitated for a moment. “Um... Dinner sometime?”

  “Yes. I think I would like that.”

  chapter seven

  Franklin sat in Major Boodles office as they went through the agenda. The weekly meeting developed more out of custom than any clear planning on their part. It was an opportunity to clear the decks of items that came up concerning the village, the regiment, or even the planet as a whole.

  “The renegade crew your father exiled into the Ducal Territories is moving closer to Montora,” Boodles said.

  “Been keeping an eye on them, Martin?” Franklin asked.

  “Yes. We were tasked with putting a drone up weekly to keep an eye on them.”

  “How dangerous are they?”

  “More of a nuisance, I think. Oh, I think they’d kill everyone here if they could.”

  “So, in the long term, they could be a problem.”

  “It’s more of an unresolved issue,” the Baltic Regiment Major said. “Your father stuck them out there so he could take care of other more pressing matters.”

  “Like an insane duke.”

  “Right. We left their women and children back in the Eastern Marches. The men are out there and Hercules Jones is still leading them. He’s quite capable.”

  “And meanwhile the food and support for the families is coming out of my pocket,” Franklin said.

  “That is so, Franklin.”

  “It’s almost like he’s wasted out there,” Franklin said.

  “He was ready to waste your dad when he was back here.”

  “I wonder…”

  Boodles looked at the Margrave. “Wonder what, Franklin?”

  “The Prime Minister told me the other continent was uninhabited. What’s it called?”

  “Parkland, I think.”

  “Will it support human life?”

  “I don’t know. I can find out. What do you have in mind?”

  “I wonder if the women and children would be willing to rejoin their men if we grubstaked them on a settlement in Parkland?”

  “That, my friend, is an interesting thought. Kind of like a penal colony.”

  “Right,” Franklin said. “I really don’t want to pay to keep people like this locked up. Leaving them where they’re at is a problem waiting to happen in the future. We just send them halfway around the planet and let them have at it. Tends to sort out the survivor types.”

  “A bit cruel.”

  “It’s a cruel universe, Martin. It’s cruel what we’re doing to them now. I really would not have any regrets about using our malcontents and criminals to plant another colony. In the long run it can only benefit Hepplewhite, and us, by extension.”

  “So how do we do this, then, Margrave?”

  “I’m glad you asked, Major. Let me talk to the Prime Minister. If everything works out, I’ll be glad to provide the tools and seed.”

  “A bit late to be starting crops.”

  “That is not my problem. Wait, Parkland is in the southern hemisphere, isn't it? So it would be late winter, early spring.”

  Boodles nodded. “They would have the whole summer to get themselves together.”
>
  # # #

  “I had forgotten about them,” Glenn Foxworth said.

  “How could you ever forget about the inhabitants of your ducal properties? Why, they must be heartbroken,”

  “Did you want something, Franklin, or did you call just to twit me?”

  “Moi? How could you suggest such a thing?”

  “Franklin, I have things to do.”

  “All right. Let me get down to it and then you can get back to your game of Solitaire. Dad left this group of men wandering about the Ducal Territories in northern Ducat. I’m having to feed a bunch of women and children in the eastern marches because their men are out of pocket.”

  “And? Is this something I should be worrying about?”

  “Did you fall out of bed onto the floor last night or something, Glenn, or is Monica still mad at you?”

  “Nice talking to you, Margrave. I'll see you at the meeting later this week.”

  “Hold on, Glenn. Gosh, you're touchy today! No, they are not an immediate worry to you. My idea, though, is to turn a liability into an asset.”

  “A neat trick on this planet. Of course, Franklin, you have no shortage of liabilities to work with.”

  “That is the truth. My idea is to take those men, put them back together with their women and children, then drop them in Parkland to start another settlement.”

  “And how will this be financed, I am almost afraid to ask?”

  “Oh, I’m planning to cover the cost. Basically it will be tools and seed, plus some foodstuffs to tide them over. I just need your approval to do this, plus your shuttle to help with the transport.”

  “And that’s it?”

  “Well, if you could see your way to contribute some building materials...”

  “I knew it! I knew it. Another raid on the privy purse. I was beginning to be convinced you were doing this out of the goodness of your heart.”

  “Why are you so touchy today?”

  “He says, as he uses my daughter to get leverage over me.”

  “Oh, give me a break! You know better than that. I wouldn't do that and Signe wouldn't let me.”

  “I'm sorry, Franklin. I woke up with a migraine and all Signe would talk about at the breakfast table was Franklin Nyman and Montora. I just got a little tired of hearing about it.”

  “I... don't quite know how to respond to that.”

  “Just forget I said anything,” Foxworth said. “Monica usually doesn't let me out of the house when these things come on. She says it impacts my judgment. And now that I left that straight line hanging out there...”

  “Hey, don't worry about it. Let's get this conversation done, then you can go home.”

  “Too much to do.”

  “Listen to yourself, Glenn. You're not making sense.”

  “Yes, and Monica just walked in the door. I guess I'm going home.”

  “Real quick then, back to the settlement. This gets us another human settlement on the planet for minimal cost. Another way to eventually create some wealth.”

  “And it gets them off dole, and out of your pocket,” Foxworth said.

  “They’re on the dole now. As I said, I’m paying to feed the women and children. It’s a chance to make them self-reliant and get them out of our hair.”

  “Okay, okay. I’ll have somebody put something together and get with you.”

  “Thanks, Glenn. I really think this will work out to our advantage.”

  “I certainly hope so. It would be a pleasant change.”

  # # #

  “And so, we are giving you the opportunity to rejoin your women and children. You will be landed on the western coast of the Parkland continent, which is the most fertile. We will provide tools and seed. We’ll also provide enough food to get you through the season. You get to establish a new settlement.”

  Franklin Nyman stood on the rear ramp of the combat shuttle as he spoke to Hercules Jones and his gang. They had flown into the forests of the Ducal Territories that morning to the gang's current camp.

  “Yeah,” Jones called. “You’re going to finish the job your old man started. Probably going to toss us out of the shuttle over the ocean.”

  “Okay, so what if I am?” Franklin shouted. “Be quicker than rotting out here in this wilderness. Who wants to take the chance?”

  “Come on, Herc,” one of the gang called, “whadda we got to lose? We’re dyin’ out here.”

  “I just hate giving in to this black hearted fake. He probably killed his old man.”

  “Once again, so what if I did?” Franklin said. “If I was willing to off the old man, do you think I'm worried about you? Wanna take a run at me?”

  “Ha! Don’t want to hurt Daddy’s precious boy.”

  Franklin grinned at him and hooked his thumbnail on an upper tooth, then snapped it at Jones.

  Jones growled and stepped forward. The troops around the loading gate of the shuttle brought their weapons up. Franklin held a hand up and then stepped forward. “I can handle this.”

  Jones ran forward with a roar and swung a pair of beer-keg sized fists at Nyman.

  Franklin stepped in, knocking Jones’ fist out of the way and slammed his fist into Jones’ ribs. He stepped back out again as Jones bent over to one side.

  “You wanna try it again? I can catch the other side for you.”

  Jones made another run at Franklin, this time trying to protect his ribs, swearing the whole time. Franklin feinted towards his side and then stepped in to box him in the side of the head. Jones stumbled away.

  One of the enlisted men sidled up to the Major. “He’s a quick one, Sir.”

  “Lot like his dad in that regard,” Boodles said.

  “I can keep this up as long as you can, Herc,” Franklin said. “It’s not going to change the end result, though.”

  Jones straightened up and came at the Margrave again. Franklin side-stepped him and stuck out a leg as he went by. As Jones started to trip, Franklin clasped his hands together and slammed them into Jones’ kidneys. Jones hit the ground like a sack of potatoes.

  Jones struggled to his feet again and turned to Franklin. He hit him again on the side of his head with the heel of his hand. Jones started to list sideways. Franklin took the opportunity to slam a couple of punches into the ribs on the other side as Jones collapsed again.

  “Had enough, clown?” Franklin said.

  “Okay, okay, you win,” Jones slurred out as he pulled himself to his feet. “What’ve we got to lose anyway.”

  “I knew you’d see reason,” Franklin laughed. “Just needed a little persuasion.”

  “Come on boys,” Jones said.

  “Hold on a mo,” Franklin said. “We’re going to do this in four trips. You have to be shackled before you get on board.”

  “Awww!” Jones said, and suddenly whipped around on Franklin.

  He had clearly been waiting for it, and rammed his knee into Jones’ crotch. Jones went down with a gurgling moan.

  “Okay, go ahead and shackle him. Herc, I ought to dump you into the ocean on general principles. You’re almost too stupid to be allowed to live. But guess what, you survive to fight another day. Just because I’m a naturally generous fellow.” He turned to the other men in the group. “Okay, who’s next?”

  The Regimental troops quickly selected a group of the men in the forest and shackled them before bringing them aboard. Within five minutes, the shuttle was back in the air. Boodles dropped into the seat next to Franklin.

  “So far, so good,” he breathed.

  “I hope Daphne is doing okay on her part,” Franklin said.

  “It was good of the Prime Minister to loan us a shuttle for the women and children,” Boodles said. “And I don’t anticipate Daphne having any problems.”

  “I’m not worried about Daphne dealing with problems. I do worry about her methods sometimes.”

  “To change the subject,” Boodles said, “it took you a little longer than your father to take down our estimable Mr. Jones.
”

  “Dad took him down?”

  “Yes, in about two shots.”

  “It’s because I was trying not to break anything. Whatever I may think of Herc Jones as a person, we need him running this crew. When Dad gets into something like that, he simply doesn’t care. His philosophy is to take them down as quick and dirty as necessary.”

  “He certainly did in Herc’s case,” Boodles chuckled. “I wonder if I might convince you to train with my folks occasionally?”

  “What, you think my technique needs improvement?”

  “Not necessarily. We just could use some fresh meat.”

  Franklin raised an eyebrow. “Might be fun.”

  # # #

  The pirate cruiser Santa's Workshop slid into orbit around Hepplewhite, and Manfred Higginbotham looked at his tactical screens in satisfaction. The planet had no orbital station and the ground control accepted his identification as the ISV Faerie Queen without question. The planetary authorities were expecting two shuttle-loads of tourists and wouldn't they be surprised when the shuttles disgorged one-hundred armed and avaricious pirates to sack their toy town.

  Byron Greene, the executive officer stepped over to face Higginbotham and saluted crisply. “Sir, CIC confirms there are no spacecraft in detection range of the planet. It appears we will have no problem holding the high orbitals.”

  Higginbotham nodded. “Very good, Mr. Greene. I think, though, we should remain at quarters for the time being. I wouldn't want to be surprised.”

  “Aye, aye, Captain. I'm sure we can encourage our people to remain alert.”

  Higginbotham smiled briefly. It was a cold smile that did not touch his eyes. “See that you do, Mr. Greene. Now let me have a final word with the landing parties.”

  He punched a button on the arm of his command chair. A moment later a woman in combat armor appeared on the screen at his knee. “Yes, Captain?”

  “Major Rice, we have determined there will be no opposition in orbit, so you can debark according to your original schedule. Let me remind you once again that though we expect to encounter only the local police forces, you are to watch out for any significant opposition and deal with it as necessary.”

  “Aye, aye, Captain,” Major Leticia Rice said. “Per plan we will suppress any resistance, then visit the castle and the downtown banks. Once local forces are down, we will send one of the shuttles to the Montora Village.”