Contrarian, page 73
“And what about the Ultima?”
“They were aware of the potential difficulties, but … by itself…?”
“Suspicious, but not sufficient to justify legalistic remedies?” asked Dekkard.
“There are certain difficulties with legalistic remedies,” replied Konnigsburg, “or such has been indicated to me, which place the Admiralty in a difficult situation. It would be helpful to know how the investigatory subcommittee might be inclined to proceed from this point.”
“The investigatory subcommittee has no present plans to hold additional hearings, provided that the various processes now underway resolve the situation so that the five corporacions currently under investigation do not and cannot continue their past practices.”
Dekkard stopped as he saw the server returning with their orders.
Once everyone had been served, and had taken at least a few mouthfuls, Konnigsburg said, “Do you think the legalistic processes underway will prove sufficient to address the situation?”
“From the statements made publicly and privately, on the record,” replied Dekkard, “I personally have some doubts that the presidentes of either Suvion Industries or the Siincleer corporacions have any intent of making significant changes in their operations. Frankly, I also worry about the possibility of the Siincleer corporacions shifting their operations, or at least some of them, as well as their financial and other movable assets, to a location, such as Noldar, where they would face less accountability and scrutiny. It would disturb me greatly to have to hold hearings in the future about why something like that occurred.”
Konnigsburg nodded slowly, then said, “I also raised those possibilities to the few contacts who have proved trustworthy. They share those concerns. What they can or will do, I do not know.”
Dekkard caught the very slight emphasis on the word “know,” and replied, “I understand. At the same time, any action that effectively deals with the problems is likely to be … disruptive. I can’t see how Guldor can afford to pay artificially and unethically, if not illegally, inflated prices for military procurement and shipbuilding. Somehow, that needs to be addressed in a fashion that paves the way for a more competitive and efficient procurement system. I don’t see that happening if the violations and excesses of these corporacions continue. I also don’t see much change if the senior officials remain unaffected and the only penalties are limited to token financial settlements and sanctions against midlevel managers.”
“Do you see any alternatives?” Konnigsburg’s voice was even.
Dekkard offered a rueful smile. “More hearings remain an alternative, but they could continue for months, and, as in the instance of Eastern Ironway, the hearings never really addressed the causes or suggested a remedy. In the present instance, corporacions, and even the Imperial Banque of Machtarn, are investing more heavily in Noldar.”
“I don’t see that you’re suggesting much to be hopeful about, Steffan.”
Dekkard shrugged. “We’re all limited to the tools we have. I can hold hearings and require witnesses to testify honestly. I’m not familiar with all the tools the Navy possesses, but it seems odd that the Admiralty is reluctant to act against corporacions that have effectively contributed funds to an organization that fomented and attempted insurrection against the lawful government. There’s also the issue of why the Admiralty hasn’t taken a stronger stand against all the ‘irregularities’ in the procurement process, especially now that the New Meritorists’ funding has been revealed. Combining the two, some councilors might even question the correlation between rapidly rising procurement costs, corporacions indirectly funding insurrection, and the apparent unwillingness of the Navy to look into those corporacions and their practices. It might be interesting to hold hearings to discover the impact on the security of the Imperium.” Dekkard again smiled ruefully. “As a former very junior naval officer, I’d find that exceedingly painful, but if there’s no other resolution…”
“I did suggest to certain contacts that you might feel that way, and that other members of the subcommittee might also. I also said, and I hope I was not misspeaking, that I’d gotten the feeling that would be a last resort, but a necessary one.”
“Necessary, if no one else acts,” confirmed Dekkard, realizing that, if the Admiralty and the Justiciary Ministry didn’t or couldn’t act decisively enough, then he was committing himself to another round of hearings, if not worse. But what else can you do? If del Larrano and Daenyld aren’t stopped … He managed an amused smile and said, “After all this, it’s clear, again, that I would have had a short career as a regular line officer.”
“Sometimes,” returned Konnigsburg, “we’re fortunate enough to make the right choices, if occasionally for the wrong reasons.” He paused. “How do you think the High Court will rule on Ulrich’s appeal?”
“They should deny it, but I really don’t know,” replied Dekkard.
Konnigsburg looked to Avraal. “What do you think?”
“He’s guilty of so much more, but I don’t know how the High Court will rule, either.”
“Neither of you was asked to testify before the High Court,” Konnigsburg pointed out.
“No one testified,” Dekkard said. “It’s all a matter of law, and whether the question was relevant to high crimes or treason. Not what anyone feels or believes. Not whether the circumstances extenuate or mitigate. The subcommittee cannot try anyone. It can require that information be disclosed and be accurate, and that information can be used in a trial for misfeasance in office and for high crimes and treason. From what I know, Ulrich is guilty in both areas, but the High Court will have to decide that.”
“It’s hard to believe that he thought there wouldn’t be repercussions.”
“The Commercers and some of the corporacions have gotten away with offenses almost as bad for years. That may be why Minz helped them attack the Council Office Building and target Premier Obreduur. Last summer, Minz told me that without Obreduur, the Craft Party couldn’t hold power for more than a few months. He obviously believed it, and I’d wager Ulrich did as well.” Dekkard smiled sardonically. “But that’s speculation based on my recollection of what a dead man said. Not exactly the strongest evidence.”
“It does provide an interesting context for what happened.” Konnigsburg laid his soup spoon on the plate next to the empty bowl.
“Are you willing to speculate on what the Admiralty will or will not do?” asked Dekkard.
“No. I’ve learned that what I hope seldom happens, and what I fear often does. That clouds my judgment. So I’ve found it best not to speculate.”
“That’s an interesting way of looking at it,” said Avraal.
“What else can I say?”
“What about hearings before the Military Affairs Committee?”
“At the moment, no hearings have been officially scheduled.”
“And they won’t be until the situations with the Security subcommittee are resolved?”
“Chairman Mardosh hasn’t said, but that would be my guess.” Konnigsburg smiled warmly. “I hope that the Admiralty, the Justiciary Ministry, and the High Justiciary manage to obtain some sort of resolution before long, but I suspect we’ve done all we could for the present. I don’t know if this has been entirely productive, but I did enjoy the lunch and hearing some of the background of which I was unaware.” He looked to Avraal. “I also appreciate your forbearance with my rambling. Emilya and I do need to have you over for dinner, but for now I suppose we all should get back to work.”
“I, for one,” said Avraal, “appreciated your ‘ramblings.’”
“You’re too kind, but I appreciate the thought. Now, if you will excuse me.” Konnigsburg eased back his chair and stood.
Dekkard also stood, as did Avraal.
Neither Dekkard nor Avraal uttered more than pleasantries until they were alone back in Dekkard’s personal office.
“If I read that correctly,” said Dekkard, “Konnigsburg used or will use the threat of more Security hearings to press the Admiralty, and he wanted to make sure that I won’t back down.”
“That’s the way it felt. I also got the impression that this wasn’t a new feeling.”
“That’s been clear from the first time we talked. He’s close to dismissive of the abilities and understanding of the First Marshal and those officers being considered for the Fleet Marshal. Right now, all we can do is see where it leads.” Dekkard winced as soon as he realized what he’d said with his last words—once again.
“He was also surprised when you mentioned that comment of Minz’s.”
“I wish I’d recalled that sooner.”
“Maybe it’s better that you didn’t.”
Dekkard could see that.
“You have things to do,” said Avraal, “and I’d like to work some more with Nincya. She’s getting close to being able to pass the probationary test. Part of her problem is that she doesn’t sense emotions in the same way as most other empaths, and she needs to know how to describe what she senses in more standard terms.”
“‘Piles of feelings’ isn’t standard, I take it?” Dekkard grinned.
Avraal gave him a look of disgust, then grinned back, before leaving his office.
Dekkard had been working on responses for only about a third of a bell when the door opened. Avraal and Margrit both stood in the doorway.
“There’s a messenger here from the Justiciary Ministry,” said Margrit. “He needs you to sign for it personally.”
Avraal added, “No sign of anything malign.”
Dekkard rose from behind his desk and walked out to the front office, where the messenger waited.
After Dekkard signed, the messenger said, “Thank you, sir,” and tendered an envelope. On the outside was written:
Councilor Steffan Delos Dekkard
Chairman, Investigatory Subcommittee
Council Security Committee
Inside were two sheets of paper. The first was the High Justiciary’s denial of the appeal of one Oskaar Ulrich, declaring that the testimony before the investigatory subcommittee required a trial for high crimes.
The second was a note from Minister Kuta saying that the High Court had set the first of Springend as the beginning date for Ulrich’s trial, and that the High Court had accepted charges against Suvion Industries and Siincleer Shipbuilding and its subsidiaries. The initial trial date for the Siincleer corporacions was the thirteenth of Springend, with the trial of Suvion Industries to follow immediately. The ministry planned to file charges against Uldwyrk Systems, Eastern Ironways, and Northwest Industrial Chemical in the next day, along with a request for an injunction against granting any purchases or procurements from any of the five corporacions until the conclusion of their respective trials. In addition, custody warrants had been issued for the presidentes and senior legalists of both Siincleer Shipbuilding and Suvion Industries, and the warrants were in the process of being served and enforced by Justiciary agents.
Dekkard immediately asked Avraal and Roostof to join him and had them read both announcements.
Avraal read the documents first.
When Roostof finished reading, he handed the two sheets back to Dekkard. “Sir, what do you think?”
Dekkard smiled wryly. “You’re the legalist. You tell me.”
“I haven’t seen all the evidence, but I don’t see how they all won’t be found guilty of enough to be prohibited from procurement and sales. At the very least, they should be.”
“I’d agree with that,” replied Dekkard. “I’d guess that Johann Daenyld will be found guilty of personal involvement at some level, but that’s based on Ulrich. They’ll ask Daenyld about his relationship with Ulrich. If he refuses to answer or lies, then he’ll be declared stateless, and all his personal assets in Guldor will be forfeit. Of course, he’s likely got marks squirreled away in Noldar, but getting to them might be a trifle hard because these days, only the disassociated lands in Medarck welcome stateless exiles, and that’s for a ten-year indenture.”
“Daenyld will have planned how to buy his way out of that,” said Avraal.
“Most likely,” agreed Dekkard, “but he’ll find he won’t have much left after it’s all over.”
“Such a pity.” Avraal’s words were ice.
“What about Juan del Larrano?” asked Roostof.
“He’s smart and ruthless,” said Dekkard. “I’d wager that he’ll escape to Noldar.” In his high-speed armored yacht. “He’ll likely leave Guldor before that custody warrant even nears Siincleer. He’s got far more in the way of assets than Daenyld, since Siincleer is a family firm, and with what he can offer Noldar, they’ll ignore any requests for his return to Guldor.”
Avraal just shook her head.
Dekkard turned. “Svard, I’d like to see the afternoon editions of both newssheets. There might be something new there.”
“They might not have the news by then,” ventured Roostof.
“They’ll at least have the denial of Ulrich’s appeal.”
After Roostof left the inner office, Avraal said, “Do you really think del Larrano will walk away from everything?”
“I have to wonder if he’s walking away from that much.”
Avraal frowned. “That’s hard to believe.”
“Most of the last year has been hard to believe,” replied Dekkard sardonically, looking at the responses he needed to read and sign—or revise.
“I’ll leave you to that and go back to working with Nincya.” Avraal slipped out of the office, closing the door as she left.
Dekkard looked at the top response, dealing with spring flooding along the Lakaan River, then began to read.
Close to two bells later, accompanied by Avraal, Roostof returned with copies of the afternoon editions of the newssheets.
Dekkard took Gestirn first. The story about Ulrich made the front page.
FORMER PREMIER CHARGED WITH HIGH CRIMES
Late this morning, the High Justiciary denied Oskaar Ulrich’s appeal of his incarceration by the investigatory subcommittee of the Council’s Security Committee. The former Premier, now a vice-presidente of Suvion Industries, contended that questions posed to him by the investigatory subcommittee were not relevant to the scope of the subcommittee’s stated inquiry.
In addition, the High Court set a date for Sr. Ulrich’s trial on counts of high crimes … speed of the decision by the tripartisan body suggests little doubt about the relevance, accuracy, and applicability of the testimony before the subcommittee …
… that verdict, and the Justiciary Ministry’s ongoing investigation, strongly suggests that the five corporacions involved will face a series of charges for acts involving Capitol Services, a business reputedly established by Sr. Ulrich when he was a councilor … Capitol Services aided the attackers who shelled the Council Office Building, an attack that killed former Premier Axel Obreduur and three other councilors …
When Dekkard finished reading the Gestirn story, he handed that newssheet to Avraal and picked up the Tribune, concentrating on the differences as he began to read.
HIGH JUSTICIARY BACKS CRAFT-DOMINATED SUBCOMMITTEE
For reasons not stated in its brief decision, the High Court upheld the inexplicable incarceration of former Premier Oskaar Ulrich … appears Ulrich may be the scapegoat because the Craft government is seeking to tie powerful corporacions and Commercer political figures to the New Meritorist terrorists who savaged Machtarn …
Dekkard shook his head. As usual, the Tribune was close enough to the facts for the remainder of the story that the Justiciary Ministry would have been hard-pressed to sanction or censor the newssheet.
When Dekkard laid the Tribune on the desk, Roostof looked at him.
“Typical for the Tribune,” Dekkard said. “No matter what happens, it won’t change.”
“They didn’t attack you this time,” said Avraal.
“For the moment.” Dekkard looked to Roostof. “Thank you, Svard.”
Once Roostof had left, Avraal said, “No one’s been trying to kill you lately. Why not?”
Dekkard shrugged. “I don’t know. My guess is that there’s no longer a point. The Justiciary Ministry and the High Court are looking into everything. Shooting me now would just make matters worse for the Commercers and the corporacions, because most people would believe they were behind it.” He grinned wryly. “Besides, I’m now more valuable to them as a convenient newssheet target.”
“I can see that. Fredrich is almost a cipher. Haarsfel’s a legislative bureaucrat, and you’re someone the corporacions can hate.”
“Especially after what’s happening.” Dekkard looked at the few responses left to sign or revise. “Let me finish these, and we can head home. Nothing much of importance is likely to happen this late in the day.”
70
EVEN with all his wondering and worrying, Dekkard slept decently and woke close to his regular time on Tridi morning, only to find Avraal already awake and looking at him. After stifling a yawn, he asked, “What’s the matter?”
“Should anything be the matter?”
“When you’re awake before I am, there often is. Or you’ve thought of something that I’ve overlooked.” Dekkard failed to stifle a second yawn.
“Well, I was thinking…”
“Yes?”
“I was thinking about what else we need for our house.”
Dekkard caught the slight emphasis on the word “our,” and said, “The Council is scheduled for a recess the last week of Springend. Are you asking if we’re going to Gaarlak? I said we would. That way, we could…” Dekkard broke off. “Am I missing something?”
“You’re definitely not. You just haven’t said anything recently, and I wondered.”
“There have been a few other matters to occupy us,” Dekkard said wryly as he sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. “And those aren’t settled yet.” He paused. “But then, I’m not sure anything is really ever totally settled. Even if Minister Kuta is moderately successful in prosecuting the five corporacions, then something else will happen. Don’t ask me what. A year ago, I certainly couldn’t have predicted everything that’s happened, or that I’d be a councilor, and especially not that I’d be married to you. I didn’t even dare think about that.”
