One Trade Too Many

by D. A. Boulter

“No entity from the manufacturer to the final receiver will be able to use a Family ship – ever. Utter, total and irrevocable boycott.”

  Minda stared at her. “NB Lines stock will crash. People – innocent small-time investors – will lose their shirts. NB’s employees will lose their jobs. They’ll hate us.”

  “Better to be hated than to be dead,” Colleen replied. “Further, any company employing any person currently on the NB Lines board of directors, or in upper management, will face a similar boycott. It’s no good punishing the pawns, like Little and Muncer. The only way we’ll make an impression, show what it means to engage in warfare with us, is to destroy those at the top, too.”

  Colleen shook her head.

  “The only way to stop war is to make those who cause it and direct it pay directly. That means the Generals, the Admirals, the Presidents and the Cabinets – as well as those who prosper from war: the makers of munitions.”

  Minda licked at her lips. “I see you’ve studied the old books.”

  “Yes. And humanity lost Sol System because only the little guys ever paid. The soldiers and the sailors who went into combat. Those behind the scenes profited and saw no need to stop profiting.”

  “The banks that finance NB Lines? Boycotted as well if they don’t call in their loans. NB will have to sell everything, every ship, every building, every warehouse, everything to pay off their loans – and even that won’t be enough.”

  Minda shook her head. “You’ll have everyone on every planet against us. They’ll only see that we’re punishing competition, and they will never forget or forgive.”

  “No,” Colleen said firmly. “We don’t crush competitors, we welcome them. We even subcontract some of our loads to local lines, and to some that have routes between planets. We help them. Everyone will understand that it’s only NB that has brought down our ire – and that by engaging in attempted mass murder. Everyone will understand. And everyone will learn the lesson: You compete with us? Fine. You try to murder our people, and we destroy you from top to bottom, with emphasis on ‘top’.

  “Killing ‘cannon fodder’ never stopped a war. If you make those with the most to lose lose it all, everyone at that level will pay attention. If you give them a slap on the wrist, they’ll just count it as the cost of doing business and continue on, same as before.”

  Colleen had just one more thing to say. “Nobody attacks Family and gets away with it. Nobody.” She took a deep breath and then let it out slowly. “Now, let’s get back to trading.”

  CHAPTER 23

  Space Station Haida Gwaii in orbit about Yamato

  Colleen Ydren laid it all out in front of the sum total of Family Heads and Reps on Haida Gwaii. That she had their undivided attention, she thought, would be to call it an understatement.

  When Captain Brian Yrden of Starfield detailed the sabotage rendered, she had seen shock on the faces around the great table. But Yvonne Yrden, Blue Powder’s engineering chief, captured their imaginations with her precise rendering of the horror which would have ensued had Blue Powder tried to jump with Mr Little’s attempted modification. All could easily see it happening to them on their ships.

  Colleen had thought that Jenna would have wanted to present the plan for retaliation, but she had demurred.

  “No, Colleen, they’ve all seen ‘the pirate-killer of Davix Prime’ in operation. And they would totally believe that such a plan for retribution might come from me. But to hear it from you, someone not born into the Families, will cause consternation. It will show that the Yrdens have the right to retain leadership of the Families; it will give pause to any who might decide to move against us, for fear of what might ensue – and not from me, whose years are coming to a close, but from someone young and vibrant and ready to back up words with deeds.”

  She had smiled then. “Do you remember the day you came to me, when I accepted you as a Member of the Family, worthy of the place, whether Clay decided to leave us or not?”

  “I remember.”

  “I told you that one day you might sit in my chair. I tell you now, that one day you will sit in my chair. The deal you worked out with the Paxtons—”

  “You can’t give me all the credit for that. In fact, Mr Telford, for his own reasons, suggested taking Tony Paxton and Max Treverston along.”

  “But you saw the merit, and ran with it. And the deal that you worked out with the Damargs, the very political healing that you effected by making that run a FTL route rather than an Yrden one, shows the soft side of the Family. When we say ‘Fair Trade’, even the Families can see that we mean it.

  “This, on the other hand, shows the hard edge, the ‘iron fist in the velvet glove’, as the ancients once termed it. Everyone will take note. This is your plan; you will present it. They will rightfully regard you with awe.”

  And, there in front of her, she saw the Family Heads or Reps regarding her with just that awe that Jenna told her to expect. No one spoke. Everyone sat there, frozen considering the consequences that such action would bring.

  In the silence, Clay stood, the second part of Jenna’s plan. He, like his father Tamm before him, would embody the softer side of the Family.

  “You all have heard the plan. In consultation with members of my crew and with my Family, I’ve come to the conclusion that to enact such retribution would cause much distress on New Brittain among the small investors, who had no say in any such action, who only wish to provide for their families.”

  He looked over the gathered personages. “It would, indeed, as I suspect many of you are thinking, engender a hatred for the Families. Thus I would offer this amendment:

  “We demand, as recompense for these dastardly acts against us, the NB Lines fleet, and all of their contracts.” He paused to let that sink in.

  Colleen could see the shock in the faces of many in the audience. Taken aback at this further plundering of New Brittain resources, they stared at her wide-eyed. She grinned to herself.

  Clay continued, “New Brittain has a fledgling trading company, who have entered into competition with us. Castle Lines has two tradeships, and they struggle to operate a small schedule, with thin profits. But they do have profits, and that bespeaks much of such a young company. They will grow with time.

  “Thus, I propose that we sell the ships of NB Lines to them, along with their contracts. Now, this will put an unacceptable strain on Castle, for the financing would likely crush them in the long run, despite the contracts. They will have to grow into it, and the growing pains could kill the company.”

  Colleen could see heads nodding to that.

  “So, we don’t ask for money, we ask for shares of the company, which will be used to buy out the first one thousand shares of every present stockholder of record in NB Lines at a level commensurate with where the stock value stands on the day we make our demands, not the crashed value of where it will stand the next day.

  “This will protect the jobs of the crews of NB Lines’ ships – innocents, as we can all imagine – as well as all of the minor stockholders, investors with no real say in the company, while punishing severely those who would let such an abomination go forward. By limiting it to those persons now in possession of shares, we prevent others from buying excess shares at depressed prices and then profiting from that.

  “Further, we will, upon request, aid the management of Castle Lines with the running of the greatly expanded company until they are competent to take over for themselves.

  “Finally, we will not punish Mr Little or Mr Muncer for their actions against us.”

  A gasp rose, and Colleen’s own echoed it. She hadn’t heard this before. It came from Clay himself, not Jenna’s plan, nor her own.

  “Instead, we will give them over to New Brittain to try and punish according to their laws and justice. We will leave it to New Brittain to dig into and uncover just how deep this conspiracy against us went, and to act accordingly. We will stay out of it.”

  He laughed. “The regular citizen
of New Brittain will recognize that we have no intention of usurping their sovereignty, or authority. Meanwhile those in power will understand that anything less than a full and comprehensive investigation followed by vigorous application of the law will result in something very unpleasant as the Families show their displeasure. By not making any demands, they will imagine the worst – total boycott of New Brittain.”

  Clay caught the gaze of each member of the assembly in turn. “Of course, we could never do this. Every planet would immediately begin preparations to defend themselves against a like action, and we would soon lose our place. Right now, we are the least expensive option, so no one wants to invest massive resources to unseat us. But if we ever threatened their trade, they would.”

  He paused a moment, and looked from face to face.

  “However, those in power in New Brittain will imagine this as an option we would consider, however unlikely. We make no threats, we just dump the whole mess in their lap and walk away.”

  Colleen considered this. It had a certain beautiful logic to it. The Families would incur no expenses in taking NB Lines to court, investigating their upper management to find who conspired and punish them accordingly – outside the boycott threat. Leave it all to New Brittain. An internal affair having nothing to do with the Families.

  Clay sat down to nods from around the great table.

  Jenna stood, and Colleen got the feeling that many of the Heads and Reps braced themselves for something even more vicious to come.

  “Fellow Heads, Representatives, aides. I think we have much to think upon. I suggest that we break for today so that we can look over the proposals in detail, examine them with respect to what this may cost us, and how they may benefit us, and what changes we might make. We can meet again in, say, two days time to discuss the final form they should take.”

  The Paxton Head stood. “Seconded.”

  With a collective sigh, the motion carried. As the members left the conference centre, Avery Paxton came over to her and Clay.

  “I received Tony’s report from Daiovan. Just wanted to say that in my considered opinion, you two operated in the best interests of the League as a whole. Well done.” He bit his lower lip. “This other? Well, that’ll take some thinking on.”

  They repaired to the Yrden Family quarters.

  “That went well,” Jenna said. “Now, go back to Blue Powder. I’m sure Minda has her hands full with Trade issues. She could use the help.”

  “Thank you, Mother,” Clay said. He went to pick up their bags – already packed.

  “And you, Colleen, magnificent. Now, when can I meet your Mr Korsh?”

  She laughed. “Get in line. He’s holding court in the cafeteria, I think. Every trader on the station wants a bit of his time. I’ve arranged for him to stay in Yrden Family Quarters here on Haida Gwaii while we’re engaged in trading. That way he can make as many contacts as he desires for Hittorsh Company. But you’ll have his undivided attention after work hours. He’s looking forward to meeting ‘the pirate-killer of Davix Prime’.”

  * * *

  When Korsh had reported back on board Blue Powder in time for the jump back to New Brittain, he had come to Clay brimming with curiosity.

  “Rumour on Haida Gwaii says that you proceed against a company based in New Brittain.”

  “Does it?” Clay asked.

  “It does.” Korsh took the seat opposite the trader. “I would like to observe this process.”

  Clay looked at the Damarg, wondering why he would want to get involved. He asked.

  “Hittorsh Company likes to know the actions of those with whom it deals. We evaluate, and our relationship with other entities develops according to that evaluation. This seems a good time to more thoroughly investigate.”

  And what would that mean for the Families in general, and for the Yrden Family in particular?

  “I’ll have to discuss that with my Family, Mr Korsh. We travel to New Brittain next, and, of course, you’ll have the freedom to access any newsfeed, which will cover any such process. More than that, I cannot guarantee.”

  Korsh had found that acceptable. Now he occupied himself by continuing his studies.

  * * *

  Colleen regarded Korsh, as he sat in the library poring over his reader, at times massaging his temples.

  “Problems, Mr Korsh?”

  He looked up and bared his toothridge in a Damargian smile. “Your language at times gives me headaches. But I make strides!”

  She sat across the low table from him. “I understand you wish to observe our process against NB Lines when we reach New Brittain.”

  Korsh set aside his reader and regarded her. “I do.”

  “Remember when we talked and I told you if anyone ever threatened me or mine to just watch?”

  “I recall this.” He looked at her intently. “Has someone threatened you or yours?”

  “They have. And if you want to understand us, then, yes, I’ll allow you to watch at close quarters.”

  Korsh lowered his head in a slow bow. “I thank you, Ms Yrden. I shall watch with great interest.”

  She nodded in return, stood, and went to speak with her husband.

  Clay had his reservations. “Why would you want him to witness this?”

  “Recall when Minda came with the word that Hittorsh Company had invited us to Pallinteth. They specifically asked for us. You, me, and Adrian. I talked with Max. He told me that the Damargs had resisted all attempts to give permission for a route into their space until they heard about how Jenna dealt with pirates. Then they offered it to her, but Max and Tony told them that she no longer plied the trade routes.”

  “Yes,” he said, “and then we got the invite as Jenna’s children.”

  “No, and then we got turned down because they considered us the victims of the attack on Liberty. Only when Max and Tony told them of how we foiled the attack, escaped by force of arms, and then sent Adrian to wipe out those who had attacked us, did they relent and ask for us.”

  “We didn’t send Mr Telford after the gang.”

  “True, but that’s how they told the story.” She shrugged. “Everyone believes it. We can deny it all we want, but no one will accept our denial.”

  Clay regarded her. “And your point?”

  “They’re still rather on the fence. They haven’t offered us a regular route, or routes. They’re still in the process of evaluating, as Korsh, himself, told you. What better way to give them something to evaluate then to have him on the inside?”

  He looked away, then returned his gaze to her face. “Alright. It’s your plan of action. If you want Korsh to witness it, then that’s your choice. I won’t argue with you over it.”

  “I’d prefer your blessing,” she said, wondering if this might drive a wedge between them.

  “I can’t give it. I feel it’s a mistake. At least assure me that you didn’t come up with this plan for destroying NB Lines just to impress the Damargs.”

  Colleen shook her head. “They never even entered into the equation.”

  * * *

  Topside, New Brittain

  Testimony at New Brittain came from those directly involved, including video of Muncer spilling everything. The Germans had extradited Roger Camden, the liaison who worked at the Deutschland-1 branch of NB Lines, along with the results of his interrogations at their hands.

  Tom Vickers identified Little as the one who had assaulted him, and Korsh had testified to the chase and ultimate apprehension of Little, who remained in possession of the damning module and plans for installing it so that Blue Powder would fail jump and destroy herself.

  Arnold Delmond, CEO of NB Lines met the Yrden delegation in the post-trial settlement, officiated by New Brittain Justice.

  “They worked alone,” he said. “Any claims by the convicted to the contrary are mere attempts by them to avoid responsibility.” He shrugged. “Because they acted while employees of NB Lines, we’ll accept a fine – not as an admission of gui
lt, but as compensation for the trouble our employees caused the Yrden ship, Blue Powder.

  “No proof exists that the alleged sabotage of Starfield came about through any effort by any employee of NB Lines.” He named a figure for compensation. “I’d advise you to take it. That’s our first and final offer.”

  Colleen, heading the FTL delegation – which included Korsh – smiled coldly at Delmond.

  “We’ll leave it, thank you. We have all the proof we need that officials high up in your company both instigated and authorized this attack on the Families.”

  “You have nothing that will stand up in a court of law,” Delmond sneered. “You have nothing at all. You’ll spend years, and get nowhere.”

  “Oh, but we have no intention of going to the courts, Mr Delmond,” Colleen said, causing him to look sharply at her.

  “Then we’re done here.”

  “You’re done. I hope you like manual labour.”

  He glared at her. “Is that a threat? Do you think you can abduct me and not suffer the consequences?”

  She laughed as if genuinely amused, which threw him off balance.

  “No, Mr Delmond, we have no intention of touching a hair on your head. Instead, we have, as of the conclusion of this trial, instigated the following measures – as is our right as a corporate entity.”

  She then listed everything that the Family Council had decided on. Delmond grew red in the face as she started, then the colour drained away, leaving him pale and shaken.

  “You can’t do this.”

  “I’m sorry, but we just did. As of publication of our decision – which means in one hour – companies on New Brittain will have just three days to begin divesting themselves of any ties to NB Lines or face our boycott. Companies on other worlds served by NB Lines will have three days after we serve notice on those worlds.”

  Avery Paxton listened to someone who had come in and spoke to him. He gave Colleen a high sign.

  “We have gone to the New Brittain stock exchange. They have stopped trading on NB Stock. Any trades through any other exchange, or private deals made after this moment in time, will find themselves ineligible for our compensation package.