King David's Spaceship (codominion)

by Jerry Pournelle

  “No, sir. I’m certain it’s not. Do they say it is?”

  “No,” Greenaugh said.

  “Which is why this is no small matter,” Ackoff said. “And why Trader Soliman’s firm will provide them with the best possible legal assistance if it comes to trial.” He smiled thinly. “Very clever, that Lord Dougal of theirs. He pointed out to Soliman’s factor that if Prince Samual’s world is admitted as a Classified Member, then their importation of space-flight technology is quite legal. If not — then we’ve all failed in our duties. Especially Soliman.”

  “And the Navy,” Greenaugh said. “We inspected their cargo on return.”

  Jeff nodded. He’d been ready for that one. “To be exact, I did.”

  “Not that you’ll be the only one with his arse in a crack,” Greenaugh said. “I’ll have to stand up with you.”

  Dr. Boyd cleared his throat. “I really see little to discuss,” he said. “If we accept their application, we will look slightly ridiculous, but it’s not likely to become a notorious decision. Few families have been selected as colonists, and no important ones. The ITA won’t be troublesome. Quite the opposite; it’s very much in Soliman’s interest to keep things quiet. The Church has never approved of colonization, and I understand King David is preparing the documents submitting his state church to New Rome, which cannot displease His Holiness.” He ticked off points on his fingers. “Thus if we accept, there is little opposition to our decision. If we reject their application, we will be subject to well-financed appeals, including, I should fancy, a personal appeal from King David to the Royal Family itself.” He spread his hands wide and brought them together. “QED. Lieutenant, are you not prepared to testify that Prince Samual’s World has launched a spaceship and therefore technically qualifies as a world with limited space-faring capabilities?”

  “Sir, I’d hate to defend calling that thing a spaceship,” Jeff said. “At least not in a courtroom.”

  “With any luck, you won’t be in court,” Ackoff reminded him.

  And it’s obvious what answer they want, Jeff thought. How the devil did I get in this mess? But there sure as hell doesn’t look like but one way out. “I just don’t know.”

  “Let’s see how to put it,” Goldstein said. She looked thoughtful. “The supporting documents ought to be signed by Captain Greenaugh as well as the lieutenant. Captain, will you accept this: ‘In the absence of challenge by any interested party, we conclude that the craft qualifies as a spacecraft of marginal performance characteristics, and may be accepted as evidence of limited space-faring capability existing on Prince Samual’s World at the time of application for membership.’?”

  Greenaugh thought for a moment. “Yes. I can sign that. Jefferson?”

  “Of course, sir.”

  “Then are we agreed?” Ackoff asked. “Good. Madam Goldstein, if you would be so kind-”

  There was a slight whirring, and a paper emerged from a slot in the end table next to Ackoff. He took it and scanned it quickly, then passed it to Greenaugh.

  Greenaugh signed and handed it to Jeff.

  “If you please, Lieutenant,” Ackoff said. “Thank you.” He took the document and laid it carefully on top of King David’s parchment. “That’s settled, then.”

  “There’s another matter,” Greenaugh said.

  “And that is?”

  “We’ve been made fools of. Someone’s going to pay for that.”

  “I shouldn’t be too hasty,” Ackoff said.

  “Allow me, Sir Alexei,” Dr. Boyd said. “Captain, while your desire is understandable, have you thought through the consequences? What end would be served?”

  “You can’t let colonials make fools of the Navy and get away with it,” Greenaugh said.

  “It is hardly a situation likely to arise again,” Boyd said. “As to being made a fool, I’d rather be thought a generous fool than a mean and petty one.”

  Greenaugh stood and bowed coldly to Ackoff. “I see there’s no point in my being here,” he said. “With your permission, I’ll leave.” He turned and stalked out of the room.

  “That could be a problem,” Goldstein said. “He wants someone’s blood.”

  “I’ll speak to him later,” Ackoff said. “After all, we are the ones who must live with the consequences of what he does.” He looked thoughtful for a moment, then turned to Jefferson. “Lieutenant, I don’t think it would be wise to repeat anything you’ve heard in this room today.”

  “No, sir.”

  “Also, you will probably want to put your affairs in order. I doubt that your ship will be in this system much longer. Given the changed state of affairs here, we will need a somewhat different sort of naval assistance.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Thank you for coming.”

  “Yes, sir,” Jefferson said. “If you’ll excuse me—” As Jeff left the office, Boyd was saying, “It does seem possible to comply with the captain’s wishes and at the same time solve another pressing problem—” Jeff let himself out of the office. By the time he reached the stairway, he was whistling to himself.

  Regular Navy not needed, he thought. Colonists not needed. Well, that’s one decision made for me, not that I really needed help making it. They won’t be accepting transfers from the Navy to the civil service. Particularly not mine!

  Now how am I going to tell Elaine?

  Tell her any damned way you like, he told himself. You’re going to space again!

  He took the steps three at a time.

  * * *

  An octopus of wires stretched upward to a bewildering array of dials and buttons. At one end the octopus terminated in electrodes attached to Mary’s abdomen; its other end vanished into a bulkhead of Tombaugh’s sick bay. She’d already learned to call it a bulkhead rather than a wall.

  The Navy physician removed the last of the electrodes from her belly. “You can put your clothes on now,” he said. He seemed quite impersonal, although he’d been friendly enough in the wardroom two hours before. He held a shadowy photograph to the light. She’d heard him call it an X-ray, and he’d told her it showed a picture of her insides. She would have liked to study it, but she didn’t quite know how to ask.

  “How am I doing?” Mary asked.

  “You’ll be all right,” Lieutenant Commander Terry said. He looked at the X-ray again. “That treatment should do it. If it doesn’t, we’ll need to do some slicing.” He saw her look of dismay. “Didn’t mean to scare you. Routine, actually. You’re a standard chromotype. Regeneration stimulators work fine on you. Problem is, sometimes it’s easier to remove something and get it to grow back than to fix the original parts. Either way, you’ll be fine.”

  “But what was wrong?”

  “Vibration. Enough to tear some intestinal mesenteries. They’ll grow back, but I’m worried about adhesions.”

  “That sounds serious.”

  “Not really. You’ll have to take it easy for a bit, that’s all. Nothing strenuous.”

  “I—” She was embarrassed, but it had to be said. “I was hoping to be married. Quite soon.”

  “Hmm. Honeymoon wouldn’t be very interesting for a while,” he said. “But we’ll get all that fixed, too. You’ll be fine.”

  “You’re sure?” The honeymoon could wait. It wasn’t as if they were impatient virgins. But — “Are you really sure?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Commander Terry’s smile was reassuring. “I may not have had a lot of experience treating women’s problems, but yours is quite simple. Nothing wrong with the reproductive system. Just intestinal tissue. I’ll have you right in a few weeks.”

  “I didn’t think you could treat colonials,” Mary said.

  “We can’t, as a usual rule, but of course the rules don’t apply to prisoners.”

  “Prisoner? But-”

  “Didn’t you know? Sorry,” he said. “I thought they’d told you. Captain Greenaugh sent up an arrest order three hours ago. You’ve been charged with interfering with the orderly dev
elopment of Makassar.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  HORSE COLLARS

  The Imperial Marine officer was polite, but very insistent. “Colonel MacKinnie, I have my orders. You are to accompany me to Empire House immediately.” He looked around Dougal’s office, then at Dougal. “I have a squad of Marines outside, and I am in communication with Marine Barracks.”

  “Calmly, calmly,” Dougal said. “We have offered no resistance. I merely asked what Colonel MacKinnie is charge with. I assume he is under arrest?”

  “I’d rather not put it that way,” the officer said. “But I could.”

  “But what am I charged with?” MacKinnie demanded.

  The officer shrugged.

  “What should I do?” MacKinnie asked.

  Dougal looked grave. “I would prefer that you go with him. Until this matter is settled, we should be prepared to go to any lengths to show how well we cooperate with the Imperial authorities.”

  MacKinnie shrugged. “All right.”

  “We will protest to the High Commissioner at once,” Dougal said.

  “While you’re doing that, get them to set Freelady Graham free,” MacKinnie said, “We’ve got a wedding scheduled.”

  “We will do our best,” Dougal said. “I’ll talk to the King immediately.”

  * * *

  Nathan sat in an ornate chair in the study at Government House. A cheerful fire burned on the hearth, but he hardly noticed it.

  Where is Mary? Have they brought her here, or is she still up in that ship? Damn them, damn them to hell. They’ll have to let her go. They can’t hold her, she’s the most famous person on Samual, better known than King David.

  That thought was disturbing. Dougal would see that, too. What would Dougal do about it? He can’t have one of David’s subjects more popular than the king, not if he plans to control the development of this planet.

  Wonder if he’ll get that control? He’s certain the Empire is going to approve his application for Class II status. He seems to know a lot about Ackoff. Or says he does, and I’ve no evidence one way or another.

  Suppose he’s right, they approve David’s application and bring Samual into their Empire. What happens then? What have they done with Mary?

  The door opened and a large man, formally dressed, came in. “Colonel MacKinnie? I am Dudley Boyd, First Secretary. His Excellency will see you now.” MacKinnie stood, remembering that it was in this room that he’d first met the Imperials. That seemed like a long time ago.

  And it is interesting, MacKinnie thought as he followed the diplomat down the hall. The First Secretary for escort. I’ve come up in the world …

  Mary was in the High Commissioner’s office. He went to her without waiting to be introduced to the Commissioner, but then he stood self-consciously. He wanted to hold her, but old habits die hard. “Are you all right ? You look pale.”

  “I’m fine-”

  “The Navy’s surgeon says she will recover,” Boyd said. “There was internal bleeding, and perhaps an intestinal adhesion may need minor surgery.”

  “Was it bad?” Nathan asked.

  She grinned lopsidedly. “No worse than the carts on

  Makassar.” Her reserve broke, and she stepped toward him. He opened his arms and held her.

  Boyd cleared his throat. “Your Excellency, may I present Colonel Nathan MacKinnie. Colonel, High Commissioner Sir Alexei Ackoff.”

  “Your servant,” MacKinnie said automatically.

  “Hardly,” Ackoff said. “Have you any idea of how many man-hours of planning you two have wrecked? No, I wouldn’t suppose you would. Sit down, Freelady, Colonel. We have much to discuss.” He led the way to the comfortable couches arranged at the far end of his office. “Would anyone care for a drink? This will be quite informal.”

  “Informal but official,” Boyd warned. “Colonel, you and Freelady Graham have been charged with interfering with the orderly development of a primitive world, to wit, Makassar.”

  “But we didn’t interfere,” Mary protested.

  Ackoff waved impatiently. “Don’t be nonsensical, There’s always interference when an advanced people move among primitives.”

  “I see,” MacKinnie said. “You were embarrassed by our ship, and you’ve chosen us to pay for it.”

  “Pronouns,” Dudley Boyd said.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “Wrong pronouns,” Boyd said. “You said ‘you,’ meaning us, and that’s not true. You’ve been arrested by Navy orders, not ours.”

  “Makassar is under Navy jurisdiction,” Ackoff explained. “There is no civil government there. Captain Greenaugh is within his rights, and he could try you by court martial. You would then have the right to appeal to civil authority, which is to say, to me. We’re trying to save time by dealing directly with you.”

  “But what did we do?” Mary asked.

  “Captain Greenaugh is still building his case,” Ackoff said. “But as it happens, I can put one precise specification to his charge. Horse collars.”

  “Horse collars?” MacKinnie frowned. “I hadn’t thought the Empire concerned itself with trivia.”

  Ackoff laughed. “Trivia? Colonel, the horse collar effectively ended slavery on Earth in pre-atomic times. I see you don’t understand.

  “Consider that if you harness a horse by fastening a strap around its neck, the poor beast can’t pull very hard because when it pulls it strangles itself. Improperly hitched horses can do about five times as much work as a man. But a horse eats five times as much as a man. Given the choice between a horse and a slave there isn’t much in it.

  “But. Add the rigid horse collar so the load goes on the shoulders, and the horse can do ten times as much work as a man — and it still eats only five times as much. Horses are then clearly preferable to humans for heavy work. Prior to the invention of horse collars there were as many slaves as free people on Earth. Afterwards, slavery became fairly rare and only imposed on people thought inferior. And I see I am indulging my tendency to lecture.

  “My point is simple. I know from the reports — from your own admissions — that you introduced rigid horse collars. Probably a lot of other seemingly minor innovations will have a profound impact. Privately, I expect you did them far more good than harm, but if we want to charge you, we have all the evidence we need.”

  “And you can’t say you weren’t warned,” Boyd said. “Captain Greenaugh is adamant on that point. He warned you himself.”

  “But—” Graham protested.

  Nathan shook his head. “They’ve obviously got more to say. Let’s hear them out.”

  “A good attitude,” Ackoff said. “Colonel, you know very little of Imperial politics. I can be certain of this, because it’s true of everyone on this planet. That’s going to change, of course. Once Prince Samual becomes an actual member world, there’ll be travel and trade. And intrigue. I doubt that King David and Lord Dougal have any suspicion of what’s in store for them, of how hard it will be for them to maintain control here when new technology begins to flow unrestricted.

  “Have you any place in that struggle?”

  “Not much,” MacKinnie said. “I thought of that already. Even that Dougal might see us—” He took Mary’s hand. “Might see us as a threat.”

  “Discerning,” Ackoff said. “And actually — the situation is more complicated than I described it.” He pointed upward, out the arched window above his desk. “Out there in Trans-Coalsack Sector they’ve discovered aliens. The fleet’s being sent there. Sparta’s attention will inevitably follow. There won’t be a lot to spare for Samual. My staff will remain, and we will bring in our intelligence people, but this will be, after all, a rather minor provincial world for some time to come. You two have won King David the right to a measure of independence, and he’ll have to endure the consequences.”

  “I don’t see where we come in,” MacKinnie said.

  “Think upon it,” Boyd said. “The contest for power on this planet is hardly
over. You two will shortly be the best-known people on Prince Samual’s World. You cannot avoid being drawn into politics.”

  “That’s not my game,” Nathan said.

  “It is tempting, “Mary said. “We could-”

  “To be blunt,” Boyd said, “you can work with Dougal or be killed; and it will be difficult to fit into Dougal’s plans. Also, understand that there’s no way we could protect you even if we wanted to. Pardon the interruption, but were I you I would think of few less tempting alternatives.”

  “Nor could we allow you to raise an army of your former soldiers for protection,” Ackoff said. “We will not permit a civil war on this planet.”

  “You’re working up to something,” MacKinnie said. “Make your offer.”

  Ackoff nodded. “You are admirably direct. But then you’re a soldier, not a diplomat. There is one other point of background you ought to be quite certain of. Captain Greenaugh does not like you.”

  Mary Graham laughed. “We hadn’t expected him to.”

  “The matter is serious,” Dr. Boyd said. “The Navy has great influence, and Captain Greenaugh is adamant. Someone must be punished — visibly punished — to assuage his embarrassment.”

  “And we’re elected,” Mary said.

  “It seems that way,” Boyd said.

  “The Navy arrest warrant is quite genuine,” Ackoff said carefully. “It cannot be ignored. But we would very much prefer to avoid a trial.”

  “Why?” MacKinnie asked.

  “No one would win,” Ackoff said. “Your King David would defend you, but I doubt his heart would be in it. He’d want us to win, and thereby prove that we are tyrants. We, on the other hand, would prefer to lose the case and thus demonstrate the fairness of Imperial justice. If Greenaugh insists on a court martial, then you will appeal. If we grant that appeal, Greenaugh will insist the case be opened at a higher level. A waste of time all around, with no profit for anyone — and unpleasant for you in the bargain. Fortunately, there is an alternative. You can plead guilty and ask for Imperial clemency.”