Price of Ransom by Kate Elliott Page B

because so few returned, and soon after that the Empire decided to annex League space. We had no choice but to accept annexation into their Empire. Many decades later a man of Terran birth named Charles Soerensen led a revolt against them that almost succeeded. For some reason—and you’d have to get a xenologist who had studied them to explain it to you—the Kapellans ennobled him rather than executing him. Thereby putting him in a difficult position, you see. After many years, Soerensen put together a network of saboteurs, based on information—well, let me make this as short as I can—”
    Scallop shifted and began to stand. “If you’ll excuse me a moment. My daughter—”
    Hoshea stood up and came swiftly over. “I’ll change her. You stay here.”
    “Thank you.” They transferred the child smoothly, and Hoshea disappeared out the door.
    “In any case,” Thaelisha continued, “they began to disable by sabotage the industry and communications and transport web, and so on, of the Empire, especially within old League space and the regions bordering it. So that in time, when Soerensen launched a second revolt with a number of other leaders, the saboteurs had undermined enough of the Kapellan superstructure, and continued to do so throughout the revolt, that the League was able to sue for peace and gain autonomy and a large neutral zone which we call The Pale. Privateers are given a free rein within it, but must accord to strict covenants without, which is why we are surprised to see the Sans Merci here. But that’s another story.”
    “I don’t understand.” Jenny, moved by this tale, spoke up unexpectedly. “Why would you want to lock these people, these saboteurs, in prison? I’d think they would be heroes.”
    Thaelisha folded her hands in her lap, a quiet gesture. “You must understand that the methods these people used were often ones that normal people find repugnant.” She paused. “Quite repugnant.”
    “Disgusting,” said Provoniya decisively. “They had—still have, one supposes—the ability to kill without remorse or even a second thought.”
    “You mean they enjoyed it?” Jenny asked, unable to comprehend their revulsion.
    “Some might have, I suppose. When one has already crossed the line it scarcely makes much difference. At least the mentally ill ones are treatable. The others”—Provoniya shuddered and glanced at Scallop and Thaelisha as if for confirmation—“are simply sociopaths.”
    “I see,” murmured Jenny. It was clear to Lily that she did not see at all. Lily herself could only guess at the assumptions that grounded their statements from things Kyosti and Heredes had said to her.
    “That isn’t entirely fair.” Scallop addressed himself to Jenny. “It is true that without the saboteurs we could not have extricated ourselves from the Empire. We may deplore their methods, their willingness to use violence to solve what is better solved by negotiation—”
    “You know, Ska-morian,” put in Thaelisha to Scallop, “some still say that at that time we had no ground on which to negotiate with the Empire.”
    “How hard did we try?” demanded Provoniya. “To find civilized solutions and not opt out once again for the easy solution of violence?”
    “There was no widespread fighting,” said Thaelisha gently. “We were spared that much.”
    Scallop chuckled. “I’m afraid we’re confusing our visitors. What I meant to say, min Seria, is that a certain undercurrent of, shall we say, admiration—”
    “Morbid fascination,” muttered Provoniya, unrepentant.
    “—for the saboteurs has always existed. Stories still circulate, more legends, really, by now. The engagement at Betaos led by a handful—no more than five—saboteurs, who held off an entire Kapellan battalion.”
    “Massacred one, you mean. They are life just as we are, and deserve the same respect. Common soldiers.”
    “That woman Motley who actually snuck into the Imperial capital and wreaked