Rich Man's War (30 page)

Weir blinked, shrinking back in his seat. He glanced up the table as Jackson cleared his throat to break in before the exchange went any further.

“Now that we’ve all been introduced,” Jackson said, “we should move straight to the issues at hand. Archangel’s reforms have caused
considerable economic stress in recent months, reaching well beyond its own borders. Everyone here and the Union as a whole has an interest in reducing the current tensions.”

“Listen, for two hundred years, relationships like ours have tied the Union together,” Maria Pedroso
smiled, holding her hands out and open in a gesture of reconciliation. “We understand that the government of Archangel isn’t happy with how things have played out lately. Mistakes have been made. We can all concede that. But the very concerns where Archangel has focused its ire—areas like defense and education—these are the things that actually
unify
the Union. We have arms limits on warships with the express understanding that corporate security fleets will help fill the gaps without leading to an arms buildup among Union states. NorthStar, Lai Wa and CDC all provide educational programs with differences, sure, but those differences are vastly outweighed by their commonalities because we want to create a Union standard.

“Archangel has rejected all of that, with hardly any dialogue or discussion on how to address your system’s concerns. This has led to tensions on all sides, along with a few genuine tragedies. We need to come together on this before it goes too far.”

“We must resolve these differences and return to normalcy,” agreed Lai Wa’s representative. Lung-Wei’s tone did not rise to the warmth of Pedroso’s, but he, too, opted for a less confrontational tack. “We are all prepared to re-negotiate security services, educational contracts and a return of packet ship services. From there, we can address the issue of Archangel’s credit standing on the broader Union stage and other large concerns.”

“We’re not interested,”
replied Theresa.

Eyes across the table blinked in surprise. “Minister Cotton,” said Pedroso, “you haven’t yet heard our offers. We have a number of specialists on hand to address the particulars. We’d thought you would bring a delegation of similar size, but regardless, I think you’ll find our of
fers are to Archangel’s benefit.”

“Ms. Pedroso,”
Theresa began, “we didn’t bring much of a delegation because there was no need. Edith, if you would?” she asked, looking to one of the staffers sitting behind her. A young-looking blonde woman activated the holocom mounted on her bracelet and keyed in several commands to the resulting holographic screen.

“Mr. Vice Chair, ladies and gentlemen,” Theresa continued, “we have just uploaded to the conference room network a series of files outlining numerous operations by NorthStar, Lai
Wa and CDC targeting Archangel. For the past several months, Lai Wa and NorthStar have both exerted considerable pressure on independent packet ship services to prevent them from engaging in contracts with Archangel. In April of this year, NorthStar agents on Edison tried to hire a pirate crew to raid ships moving into and out of Archangel space. In May, CDC security fleet personnel fabricated evidence of at least two incidents of smuggling that led to arrests and charges against Archangel merchants traveling outside the system. We also have solid material evidence that NorthStar enlisted the aid of Prince Murtada’s forces during his invasion of Scheherazade in an attempt to kidnap Archangel consulate staff.”

Reactions on the other side of the table were mixed, but this in and of itself spoke volumes. Many kept a calm poker face. Some merely raised eyebrows. Others looked shocked. Jackson opened a holocom screen at his seat. Several more opened up at the conference table and among the seats behind it.

“In addition,” said Abdul, quieting the murmurs within the room, “you will find a copy of the algorithm set for distribution for this year’s Union Assessment of Academic Achievement—the Test.” At this, Pedroso’s placid demeanor cracked. Abdul continued. “As one can see from the introductory text, from the footnotes and from any in-depth analysis, the program reads a student’s academic records, physical stress indicators and performance during the Test in order to create an increasingly difficult experience. A small percentage of random students in a given cohort are offered a Test without these conditions in order to create a level of deniability. Notably, students in the Society of Scholars and highly gifted students are also not subjected to this extra difficulty. But for the vast majority of students, the experience is designed to take advantage of every vulnerability.”

“This is—I’m not sure where to begin,” said Pedroso. Her conciliatory demeanor faded. “This file proves absolutely nothing.”

“We don’t have to prove anything, Ms. Pedroso,” Andrea cut her off. “Not outside our own borders. Your company and its peers have gone out of their way to block or derail any attempt at interstellar regulation or oversight for the past two hundred years. There is no court with jurisdiction in matters like this, because you’ve made sure no such court was ever established. Archangel is well within her rights to rescind any and all contracts with NorthStar. As for Lai Wa and CDC,” she said, looking to the other representatives, “only a fool would look at the student success rates and debt ratios of students from your programs and NorthStar’s and suggest that you operate any differently.”

Lung-Wei scowled fiercely. “Lai
Wa provides a rigorous education—“

“All three of your companies take your students for a ride and then
mug
them on the way out the door,” said Andrea. “You aren’t interested in rigor. You’re interested in profits.”

“Ministers, ah—ladies and gentlemen,” Jackson spoke up. “These are grave allegations.”

“They’re outrageous!” blurted Jon Weir. “Who cooked up all this data? Do you seriously think anyone will believe this?”

“Again, Mr. Weir, we don’t have to prove this to anyone but the people of Archangel,” said Theresa. “The leaders of the legislature, the system governors and numerous other officials have already agreed upon our course of action.

“Mr. Vice Chair, ladies and gentlemen,” she continued, “if private companies within Archangel wish to maintain ties with your businesses, they will be free to do so under strict limits and government oversight. We have enough of a commitment to free enterprise not to stand in the way, but to be blunt, I wouldn’t hold out much hope. However, Archangel’s government will not renew any contracts with the companies represented here—not educational services, not security or relay ship services, not any material goods purchases. We’ll manage all that on our own.”

“What?” exclaimed
Weir. Pedroso looked on in shock. Lung-Wei, too, watched with wide eyes.

“Per executive order issued before we set out for this meeting and effe
ctive as of today,” added Abdul, “any and all Archangel government entities with investment capacity will divest themselves of stocks and bonds relating to your companies. The trades are likely being made now in the exchanges in and out of the Solar system, give or take some timing issues.”

“You’re dumping our stock on the market?” Covington gasped. “That’s—that’s an attack!”

“No, Mr. Covington, that’s the free market. Your companies represent an unsound investment. If your agents are concerned about your stock value going down, they could always buy up the shares themselves.”

“Archangel will continue to pay taxes and maintain all other ties to the Union,” said
Theresa, focusing her attention on Jackson at the head of the table. “However, in the face of overwhelming evidence of fraud and malfeasance dating back decades, Archangel considers her outstanding primary debt to NorthStar, Lai Wa and CDC null and void.”

“Additionally, in light of this evidence,” said Abdul, “members of the legislature have already drafted measures to free Archangel’s citizens from any domestic laws enforcing educational debt to your companies. Those citizens may well choose to keep making payments in order to address any concerns outside of Archangel
space, but they will no longer be under any domestic obligation to pay for an education designed to put them in debt from the very start.”

With that, all three Archangel
representatives at the table stood. Their staffers quickly did the same.

“You’re out of your minds!” Weir blurted. “No one will do business with you! You’ll be frozen out of the Union economy!”

“We would have to be insane to continue on as we have,” frowned Abdul. “The rest of the Union will have to decide how they feel about it on their own. Regardless, Archangel has four inhabited worlds and several other settlements within our borders. I’m sure we’ll get by.”

“Minister Cotton, Minister Abdul,” said Jackson, rising from his seat, “please, you
must
remain and discuss this. What you are suggesting—I can’t begin to imagine the damage this will do to the economy of the whole Union.”

“Again, Mr. Vice Chair,” Andrea replied, “if the Articles of Union provided a court with jurisdiction over interstellar commerce, we would take our case there. These corporations have managed to kill every effort at establishing such a court for two centuries. They have demonstrated time and again that they won’t submit to an Archangel court for matters at this level. We’re not talking about a lawsuit for a botched construction job here. This is systemic fraud and extortion impacting every one of our citizens. We’re done with it.”

“Mister Vice Chair, we thank you for your time,” said Theresa. “We have a long flight back home and we’d like to make it in time for President Aguirre’s Annual Address in two weeks, whereupon he plans to announce the bulk of these policies to the system and the Union at large.”

“You mean you already decided to do all this?” Covington
practically shouted. “Why in the hell did you even come out here then?”

“The President decided that waiting until his Annual Address to inform you of this decision would be too much like an ambush,” Andrea shrugged. “Now you have almost two weeks’ forewarning.”

“Two weeks?” Covington burst, becoming increasingly exasperated. “We’ll all lose more than half of that time in transit back to our corporate headquarters! You know damn well how long it takes information to travel from one system to the next!”

“
We’ve given you far more of a head start than you deserve. What you do with that is up to you. Spin it. Issue preemptive denials. We don’t care. Our decisions are final. Mr. Vice Chair, thank you again for your time. Good day.”

Archangel’s foreign minister led her delegation out of the conference room without another word
.

Everyone heard Jackson slump back into his chair. It was the only sound anyone made in the room.

“I wasn’t making some sexist comment before,” muttered Weir. “I was just—“

“I know that!” snapped Pedroso. “God damn it, Jon, everyone at the table knew that, including her! You opened yourself up for a cheap punch and she took it, and then she had you flustered right out of the gate. You just sat there like an idiot the whole time.” Her fingers came up to rub her temples.

“Well, that could’ve gone better,” sighed Jackson. His eyes were on the holo screen in front of him displaying Archangel’s complaints and evidence.

“They must be brought to heel,” said Lung-Wei.

Jackson favored Lung-Wei with a sour look. “Like the lady said, it’s not like you can bring them to court. You people have all made sure of that. What a mess…”

“It is far worse than you know.”

“Lung-Wei,” Pedroso murmured, throwing her counterpart a warning look.

“We have not time to shuttle back and forth to our superiors and our boards of directors, Maria,” Lung-Wei said. “It will be at least nine days before you
or this news can reach your headquarters at Fairhaven. You and I both know the implications of this, here and now, as do others in this room. We must contain the damage with all possible speed.”

“He’s right,” gr
oaned Covington.

“You don’t think we can talk about this privately first?” she pressed.

“Maria,” said Covington, “the markets will tank on this. You know it, and you know why. And then we will have a run on
our banks
and the markets will nosedive all over again.”

“What are you talking about?” broke in
Jackson from the head of the table. “You are the most powerful companies in the Union! How thin are your cash reserves, anyway? Archangel’s economy isn’t
that
big. Surely you’ll be able to adjust. This has been building for months. Haven’t you people insured yourselves for potential losses?”

“Mister Vice-Chairman,” said Lung-Wei, “when the largest corporations in existence wish to purchase insurance, do you think they turn to the smaller companies for coverage?”

Jackson’s answer caught in his throat. He quickly processed the uncomfortable expressions on the faces before him. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me,” he breathed.

“It’s all very complicated,” Covington tried to explain. “We have insurance with smaller companies on top of all that, but it’s not like they can provide everything we need. And if we did have to invoke all of those
small-provider policies, we’d still see huge losses. So, naturally, we’ve learned to rely on each other.”