by Lindsay Peet
CHAPTER THREE
Hours later when I emerged after meditating, showering and shaving, I was eagerly anticipating dinner and was in my robe, about to put on my freshly cleaned uniform. People are people and once you read them you can work them. I figured to work the greed and fear levers hard that night.
There was a knock. “Enter” I bade, imperiously I thought. “Mr. Daskal, Ambassador An-Tine is asking if he might visit with you.”
It’s a bit early, I thought, so this had to be good, I smiled to myself. “By all means, show the good Ambassador in.”
An-Tine must have been at the servant’s heels, as he appeared immediately. “Thank you, Mr. Daskal. Your visit to Caliuga is welcome, coming at a time when we are just beginning to organize and consolidate our communities.
“It is our belief,” he continued, “that the Planetary Union can be an integral part of the Emperor’s plans to re-integrate Caliuga and her colonies into the Empire. I was hoping that you and I might, face-to-face, begin sorting out some of the more awkward aspects of this process, out of the public eye. It would help to reassure the citijects who, after all, might have misgivings about losing the freedom of the frontier for the safety and security that comes with gaining our Emperor’s embrace, since until now he’s been only a remote legend.”
I mused a bit, and said “I see your point, and appreciate your forward-looking thinking. You know your fellow Caliugan’s better than I could, and might well be the best man to be put in charge of the process.” Stroke him, lead him, tease him.
He smiled. “Mr. Daskal, I’m extraordinarily flattered by your response, but let me reassure you that in no way was I soliciting the honor, or the job. My only goal here is to open channels of communication with the Empire’s delegation, to smooth the road to reconciliation.”
I smiled – nicely deflected. “I understand that, Ambassador, and I apologize if my suggestion took you off-guard.” Like hell it did. “But, the Inspector General and I are new here, we have much to learn, and much to do, and while I can see that your wise counsel is indispensable, any promotion must wait.
“What were the issues you had in mind, the potholes on that road to reconciliation?” I finished.
“Mr. Daskal, please remember that any suggestions I make are just that, suggestions. Far be it from me to order about the Emperor’s Inspector General, or to be upset should he decide to take another tack.
“Having said that, I thought the best course, since your group is so small, and we are so scattered and diverse, is to allow the Planetary Union to complete its unification of Caliuga, to develop the Assembly and its law-making, and to regularize and systematize the governing of the planet along lines which you would direct. In that way, all the ‘heavy lifting’ will have been done already, and the Empire won’t have to trouble itself except for regular visits by an Inspector General, and the remittance of the taxes collected.”
I’d perched myself on the back of a sofa, not terribly dignified but this was a private conference. Now I stood and walked slowly about, lost in thought. An-Tine wanted to say more, but had enough sense to know when to hold his tongue, when to let the silence speak for him. After a bit I stopped and pivoted to him. “The tax collecting reminds me, I understand the PU has been collecting them for some time, looking ahead to Caliuga’s eventual integration with the Empire. Is that not so?”
The Ambassador looked both coy and sly. “It is, Mr. Daskal.”
“And these collections have been scrupulously monitored and recorded?”
“Our books are open to you, Mr. Daskal. We trust that you’ll find everything in order, but if any small adjustments must be made, we’ll be quite willing to accommodate you in any … corrections, on behalf of the Inspector General and the Emperor.”
Well, at least we’d gotten the bribe mechanism out of the way – the amount could wait. The negotiations might be fun, but I had something bigger in mind, and I could see the Ambassador did, too. “Thank you, Ambassador An-Tine. I’m sure everything will be found to be to the Inspector General’s satisfaction. As for your proposal, I’ll take it to the Inspector General for consideration, with my recommendation. Is there anything else?”
“Mr. Daskal, the next might seem, um, paradoxical in light of my previous request. However, we believe that, aside from some inconsequential conflicts at the margins, interplanetary trade need not wait on planetary consolidation.
“In short, Mr. Daskal, the Planetary Union and Solip City are wondering how soon normal commercial relations with the rest of the Empire might be established?”
“Ambassador An-Tine, commerce is ruled by contracts, and contracts are interpreted by courts, and those decisions are enforced by – well, by various entities and forces. Surely you understand that, unless and until the Inspector General is reassured that these are in place, and that all your dealings will comply with the Empire’s Rules of Commerce and Contract, we cannot allow your existence to be known, much less opened for business opportunities. Besides, it appears to me that you’re progressing nicely here, so I don’t understand what it is you need to import.”
“Yes, yes, of course I understand Mr. Daskal, and I agree, to a point. But understand this, too, please Mr. Daskal – we don’t seek to import. Without tipping our hands too much, sir, I feel I can let you know that the unique mix of cultures and circumstances on Caliuga has created an environment that produces works by our artisans and artists that we feel are unique. We feel strongly that, once the Empire discovers our cultures and their artifacts and products they will be much sought after, and will provide the Emperor with another ‘take’ on humanity, its shared dreams, hopes, and yearnings. We believe our works can also provide the Empire with not insubstantial tax revenues, too.”
I knew better than to press the issue; from what I’d seen thus far neither Caliuga City nor Solip City was a beehive of artistic endeavor and ingenuity. Besides, whatever these ‘artistic works’ were, another year or five wouldn’t hurt them. Something else was going on, of course, probably smuggling something in those artifacts. Why should Caliuga be any different than anywhere else? People are people. I would find out was really up soon enough. An-Tine could hardly wait to spill, to share, to make me a conspirator, but I couldn’t appear too eager, nor too cheap – not befitting the IG’s aide, after all. “I will take the matter up with the Inspector General also, Ambassador, and will have a reply for you soon.”
“Perhaps tonight, Mr. Daskal?”
“Soon. And now I must bid you a good day, Mr. Ambassador. We both must make ready for this evening, yes?”
An-Tine winced slightly, realizing he’d pushed too hard, then bowed, pivoted, and left.
Wanliet had as much as told me to trust my instincts, so I decided I didn’t have to fill him in on what had just happened. I wasn’t entirely sure myself. The money part was falling into place nicely, but this trading stuff was completely off the wall. What was it that An-Tine really wanted to export?
Money would only be good if we made ourselves secure on Caliuga, or if we could spend it elsewhere, in the Empire. Just then money by itself meant nothing to us.
