the fence about it, and felt in
the past, that for then we’d see how it goes. The world does owe you, no
one denies that. However, it wasn’t so much refusing to commit genocide,
as it is the political harm you caused from your disrespectful attitude towards
Sergei in front of our allies.”
I realized at this point that it had nothing to do with my
conversation with Sergei. Something had changed and they wanted me
defanged for some reason. Maybe they were getting some pressure from
their countries’ leaders? Still, I couldn’t let that ridiculous accusation go
unaddressed.
I cleared my throat, “With all due respect. It was his
bloodthirsty attitude and him basically calling me a coward that caused the
problem. He disrespected me first in front of our allies, and those
allies have respect for me. All I did was remind him the platforms didn’t
belong to him, hardly a great insult. He was the one that said I didn’t
have the stomach to do what was necessary. No council, it was his obvious
contempt of me that started this and prompted the Leiran commander to take a
stand with me on it. I find it hard to believe anyone viewing the
transcripts or audio/visual record directly would see it differently.”
Unless of course, they were just using it as an excuse to
finally take my ship away. That was the obvious conclusion, but accusing
the council of it would just make things worse. The Vice President’s next
word verified my suspicions.
Tanner asked quietly, “Are you refusing to give up your
military tech?”
I shook my head, “No, you haven’t even asked yet, just
hinted. I was in my own subtle way, saying you are full of shit.
This is just an excuse to take away what you’ve wanted to all along, with
something to spin to the media to justify it. Although, be warned, I have
a full transcript of the battle, along with the massacre that followed, and the
conversation.”
Tanner demanded, “Is that a threat?”
I sighed and shook my head sadly, “Is the truth now a
threat? Don’t lie to the press, and I have no need to do or say
anything. As for the military tech, of course I will hand it over if
asked. I won’t be happy, but I’m an American, and I’m a citizen of Earth,
what did you all think that I’d do?”
I really hated politics, all this crap of holding bogus
threats over my head, all they had to do was tell me to give it back.
Gerald said, “It’s the law, you have one week to return any
weapons tech.”
I nodded, “To be clear, that doesn’t include experimental
weapons correct? I mean, you still want me to develop new things right?”
Tanner looked disgusted, but he nodded. I wondered
what he had against me.
“Al, remove all plasma weapons from my command ship as well
as the lab ship. Disarm the two attack shuttles as well. Lock all
platforms down until they are purchased, and then turn over control to the USFS
at that time. Oh, and stop platform production immediately.”
“Will that suffice, or is holding stock a problem? I
can destroy them, or you can buy them now if it isn’t sufficient.” I asked the
council.
Nadia was red faced, “Yes, that works.”
I asked in an even voice, “How about the missiles on my
ships, both normal and shield I mean, you want to buy them, or should I scuttle
them?”
Nadia said faintly, “Just send me the manifest, and deliver
them to the admiral.”
I asked no in particular, “Did I miss anything?”
Al replied, “The gravity pulse weapon has finished
development.”
I smiled, “Right, disable those too. Anything else
ladies and gentleman, or are we done here?”
Tanner said sharply, “You can go.”
I stood up and walked toward the door, but turned around,
unable to resist some parting words, “And maybe next time you want to ask me to
do something distasteful, you should merely ask. This game playing is
beneath all of us. Well, most of us. Good day.”
Seriously, did they
the past, that for then we’d see how it goes. The world does owe you, no
one denies that. However, it wasn’t so much refusing to commit genocide,
as it is the political harm you caused from your disrespectful attitude towards
Sergei in front of our allies.”
I realized at this point that it had nothing to do with my
conversation with Sergei. Something had changed and they wanted me
defanged for some reason. Maybe they were getting some pressure from
their countries’ leaders? Still, I couldn’t let that ridiculous accusation go
unaddressed.
I cleared my throat, “With all due respect. It was his
bloodthirsty attitude and him basically calling me a coward that caused the
problem. He disrespected me first in front of our allies, and those
allies have respect for me. All I did was remind him the platforms didn’t
belong to him, hardly a great insult. He was the one that said I didn’t
have the stomach to do what was necessary. No council, it was his obvious
contempt of me that started this and prompted the Leiran commander to take a
stand with me on it. I find it hard to believe anyone viewing the
transcripts or audio/visual record directly would see it differently.”
Unless of course, they were just using it as an excuse to
finally take my ship away. That was the obvious conclusion, but accusing
the council of it would just make things worse. The Vice President’s next
word verified my suspicions.
Tanner asked quietly, “Are you refusing to give up your
military tech?”
I shook my head, “No, you haven’t even asked yet, just
hinted. I was in my own subtle way, saying you are full of shit.
This is just an excuse to take away what you’ve wanted to all along, with
something to spin to the media to justify it. Although, be warned, I have
a full transcript of the battle, along with the massacre that followed, and the
conversation.”
Tanner demanded, “Is that a threat?”
I sighed and shook my head sadly, “Is the truth now a
threat? Don’t lie to the press, and I have no need to do or say
anything. As for the military tech, of course I will hand it over if
asked. I won’t be happy, but I’m an American, and I’m a citizen of Earth,
what did you all think that I’d do?”
I really hated politics, all this crap of holding bogus
threats over my head, all they had to do was tell me to give it back.
Gerald said, “It’s the law, you have one week to return any
weapons tech.”
I nodded, “To be clear, that doesn’t include experimental
weapons correct? I mean, you still want me to develop new things right?”
Tanner looked disgusted, but he nodded. I wondered
what he had against me.
“Al, remove all plasma weapons from my command ship as well
as the lab ship. Disarm the two attack shuttles as well. Lock all
platforms down until they are purchased, and then turn over control to the USFS
at that time. Oh, and stop platform production immediately.”
“Will that suffice, or is holding stock a problem? I
can destroy them, or you can buy them now if it isn’t sufficient.” I asked the
council.
Nadia was red faced, “Yes, that works.”
I asked in an even voice, “How about the missiles on my
ships, both normal and shield I mean, you want to buy them, or should I scuttle
them?”
Nadia said faintly, “Just send me the manifest, and deliver
them to the admiral.”
I asked no in particular, “Did I miss anything?”
Al replied, “The gravity pulse weapon has finished
development.”
I smiled, “Right, disable those too. Anything else
ladies and gentleman, or are we done here?”
Tanner said sharply, “You can go.”
I stood up and walked toward the door, but turned around,
unable to resist some parting words, “And maybe next time you want to ask me to
do something distasteful, you should merely ask. This game playing is
beneath all of us. Well, most of us. Good day.”
Seriously, did they
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