Into the Hinterlands by David Drake; John Lambshead

Author:David Drake; John Lambshead
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science Fiction, Fiction, Space Opera, Adventure, General
ISBN: 9781439134610
Publisher: Baen
Published: 2011-09-06T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

The Councillors

The crowd surged forward when Allenson and Fontenoy stepped into the plaza. The majority screamed their hatred of Terrans, waving banners proclaiming “Deff To Tera,” “Kill The Basturds,” and so on. A hardy little group raised a “No War, No More” banner, provoking a howl of outrage from the patriotic mob. Allenson noted wryly that the peace mongers were better educated than the patriots, or at least better spellers. A fight broke out and rapidly spread, although it was not clear who was on what side.

The Lictors surged forward, ramming the various protestors back with their shields. A Lictor staggered as a banner pole struck him in the side of his helmet, end first, like a hoplite’s spear.

“Batons,” ordered the officer just behind the line of purple uniforms, his voice booming out from the amplifier built into his helmet.

Black clubs rose and fell in unison, beating back the crowd. Yellow sparks showered whenever a baton hit metal and over-discharged. Protestors dropped silently, limbs twitching.

The people in front turned to flee but were blocked by those behind pushing forward. Batons crashed into shoulders and legs, eliciting screams. The crowd swayed and then broke, pouring backward in streams like water from a broken damn. Small knots of protestors huddled together for protection, standing like sand islands in a torrent, eroding body by body until they were swept away.

The mob disappeared out of the plaza and down the alleys between the state buildings. The Lictors pursued them for a short distance until recalled to form an honor guard. The officer turned and saluted.

“It is safe to proceed now, Governor.”

“The Upper House has confirmed your appointment as Inspector General, Allenson,” Fontenoy said, continuing their conversation as if nothing had happened. “Your news of the Terran incursion has raised serious alarm.”

“No doubt—especially among those who have an interest in the Harbinger Project,” said Allenson cynically.

“Which is most of them, one way or another,” Fontenoy replied. “No, the problem is in the Lower House, particularly with a faction led by Rubicon.”

“Why is he objecting?” Allenson asked.

“You can ask him yourself,” Fontenoy replied. “We have an appointment to meet a delegation of the heads of the more important factions.”

Allenson was conflicted at having this dropped on him without warning. He had half a mind to protest to Fontenoy that he had not been given time to prepare, but he had no idea what preparation would be required and he knew that a delay would simply give him more time to fret. After all, this was what he planned, an entry into the political arena. That did not mean that he was going to enjoy the process.

“So, to sum up, the Upper House and the mob see the need for action to block further Terran expansion, but the Lower House doesn’t and is blocking my appointment as a way of negating the policy.”

“Quite so,” Fontenoy said. “You will have to change their collective mind.”

The Lictors stopped at the door to the Council House. Fontenoy was legally

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