Benedict 1 - A Talent for War by Jack McDevitt

Author:Jack McDevitt [McDevitt, Jack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, General, Adventure, Fiction, Life on other planets, High Tech, Fantasy, Unknown, Heroes, War
ISBN: 9780441012176
Publisher: Penguin
Published: 2004-06-28T05:02:55+00:00

"I'll tell you why," thundered a heavy-set man who was pursuing a doctorate in the classical

literature program. "They want a general commitment from us! We're in the combat area, and if we won't help ourselves, why should they risk their own people?" The crowd agreed loudly.

"You could be right," Leisha said. "But the plain truth is that Rimway and Toxicon mistrust each other considerably more than they mistrust the aliens." I'd moved closer during all this. I'm not sure I was ever more fearful in my life than I was during those moments. I'd located a few security people in the crowd, but had that mob gone for her, they'd have made no difference.

"If you're serious about fighting this war, "she continued, "we need to count what we have to fight with. As I understand it, Khaja Luan has one destroyer." She held out her hands, palms up. "That's it, folks. One destroyer. There are three or four frigates which last saw combat more than a half century ago. And there are a few shuttles, but they will have to throw rocks, since they're not armed. We do not have the facilities to build warships, so we'll have to buy them from someone.

"We're going to have to ram a hefty tax increase through the legislature. And eliminate state- paid educations." She paused and glanced back at the group of people seated behind her. Most prominent among them was Myron Marcusi, of the philosophy department. "I'm sure," she said, smiling brightly at him, "that Dr. Marcusi will be among the first to endorse whatever measures need to be taken to raise money."

"Damned right!" shouted someone in the rear of the crowd. Marcusi rose to the occasion. "We're not concerned about money here, Doctor Tanner," he said, trying to speak loudly, but having trouble. "There's a great deal more at stake than a few scholarships. We're talking about lives, and possibly human survival, unless we can unite against the common danger."

He ended in a squeal, but he got a loud burst of applause. And someone began to sing. Other voices picked up the rhythm, and Leisha stood watching, dejected. The song swelled and filled the Square. It was the ancient battle hymn of the City on the Crag. The "Condor-ni."

I spent the next few days linking in with university libraries and out-of-the-way archives, looking for whatever information might be available on Tanner. At night, I read myself to sleep with the works of Rashim Machesney. I managed a dinner with Quinda, and enjoyed myself thoroughly. For the first time, we did not pass the evening discussing the Resistance. Several nights after my ride on the Kudasai, Chase called to say she'd found something. She wouldn't tell me what it was, but she sounded excited. That didn't exactly come as good news: I was beginning to hope I might have reached a blank wall, one that would allow me to back off with a clear conscience.

She arrived an hour later carrying a crystal and looking immensely pleased with herself.

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