The Insurrection

However, we must insist that some clear understanding be reached." "Naturally. We propose a joint offer of repatriation for any who desire it, this offer to include relocation of families and personal property only. The Republic is prepared to guarantee equitable liquidation of investments and real estate if the Federation will do likewise.

Repatriation and relocation costs will be shared evenly by the two governments. Is that acceptable?" "It will certainly do for a first presentation to the Assembly, ma'am. However, there remain the matters of sequestered property and war losses." "War losses," Tatiana retorted, "are just that: war losses. If not covered by insurance, the injured party will, unfortunately, be unable to recover. On sequestered property--was she allowed herself a sharklike grin that turned Hadad's blood suddenly cold his-comthe Republic is willing to be reasonable. We are prepared to stipulate that the respective governments shall compensate their own nationals for their lOSS-ES." She leaned back cheerfully as a strangled sound came from Dieter's Minister of Finance, and Ladislaus hid a smile as Hadad's face fell, though it was difficult when he saw the toothy grin Sanders directed at Tatiana.

"B-b-b-but you've seized property worth well over two trillion credits!" Amanda Sydon half-screamed. "The property sequestered by the Federation amounts to less than three percent of that figure!" "In fact," Tatiana agreed sweetly, "the value of property seized by the Federation is approximately sixty-seven billion credits, while that expropriated by the Republic had a pre-war tax value "Dieter winced; given the sleight-of-hand Corporate World accountants had routinely perpetrated against Fringe World tax assessors, the tax value could be multiplied by at least two his-comof two trillion three hundred and seventy-two billion. The Republic, however, stated at its Constitutional Convention that no Federation citizen's property would be expropriated unless our nationals" propertggst was seized." She shrugged pleasantly. "Since the Assembly was in possession of that declaration before passing the Sydon-Waldeck Expropriation Act, we can only assume that the Federation wished to embark on a policy of mutual expropriation. Therefore" Ladislaus and Sanders leaned back and smiled at one another as Tatiana and Sydon went after each other hammer and tongs, and Dieter sighed.

"Well, Lad," Tatiana sighed and leaned back in her lounger, "I think we've done it." She chuckled. "lhe Corporate Worlds shrieked like a gelded rnegaovis over the economic $1auses--they think its immoral to end a war without showing a profit--but they can't carry a majority on them. Dieter's really cut them down to size since the war began." "Aye." Ladislaus nodded slowly from his own reeliner. "It's a mortal long voyage we've had, but it's to seem we've reached port at last." "Yes." Tatiana rose on an elbow. "Will you go to the vote?" "No, lass. I swore to myself I'd never stand in that chamber again, and no more will I be doing it. You go; I'll have the watching of it on HV." "But you're our president] If you don't go, none of us should." "Tatiana," Ladislaus never opened his eyes, "it's an impertinent young thing you're after being.

It's no matter of policy but a personal thing-one I can't have the changing of even for Oskar Dieter, who's to be deserving better of us. Go, lass." His obvious exhaustion silenced her, and she studied his face, seeing the lines worn there by the past six years, the almost invisible gray creeping into his blond beard and hair. She felt a sudden tenderness for the huge man who'd carried the personal burden of the Fringe World's fight for so long.

"All right, Lad," she said after a moment. "But I wish--was She broke off. "Lad?" He didn't respond. His massive chest rose and fell slowly, and Tatiana smiled gently as she rose and left silently.

Thev had matured, David Haley thought, looking out over the quietly restive Chamber of Worlds with almost paternal pride. The delegates who'd stampeded this way and that in the early days of the crisis they'd created had won their adulthood the hard way, but they'd won it. Now they sat almost silently, waiting as the computers tabulated the vote.

The peace terms represented major concessions on al- most every point, he reflected. The Republic had been careful not to humble the Federation's pride, except, perhapsmhis lips quirked--on that matter of expropriations, but it had been firm, as well. The Fringers had come through fire and worse to reach this moment. They were no longer suppliants, and they would not retreat a centimeter. It only remained to see if the Assembly had been sufficiently tempered to recognize the essential fairness of the settlement before it.

A light flashed on his panel, and a small screen lit with the results of the vote. He studied them briefly, then rapped his ceremonial gavel sharply, and an electric tension filled the chamber.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Assembly," Haley said clearly, "it is my duty to a

Only then did the applause begin.

L'ENVOI Oskar Dieter stretched out on the recliner under the night sky and pondered the vagaries of fate. He, who had never expected to be more than Simon Taliaferro's shadow, was prime mlmster--comofa diminished Federation, perhaps, but one once more at peace --comand Simon was gone.

A throat cleared itself, and he looked up to see Kevin Sanders.

"Good evening, Mister Sanders." "Good evening, Mister Prime Minister." Sanders" voice was gently mocking, but his smile was friendly@u "To what do I owe the honor?" "Curiosity." Sanders' eyes narrowed slightly. "Tell me, Mister Dieter, did you realize I was tapping your conduit to the rebels?" "Please, Mister Sanders! To the Republic, if you please." "To be sure. The Republic." Sanders paused. "Did you?" "Well.... "Dieter cocked an eyebrow at his guest, and then, for the first time in Sanders' memory, he laughed out loud. He nodded slowly. "I did. I realized it before I asked you to leave ONI to join my government." "You did?" Sanders looked briefly crestfallen, but he rallied gamely.

"Of course. Your silence convinced me you were a man of initiative and discretion. I needed you."

"You needed me because your foresaw this outcome from the begi

"More or less." "I hope you'll pardon my pointing this out, sir," Sanders said dryly, "but that's rather an odd thing for a wartime leader to admit." "Is it?" Dieter chuckled again, softly. "I suppose so. But if you disagreed, you should have said so at the time, shouldn't you?" "Agreed. Still, I wish you'd satisfy my ceaeauriosity in one more regard. As a return favor, as it were.

"Of course, ff I can." "Why?" Sanders asked, his humor suddenly gone.

"Because someone had to do it," Dieter said slowly, "and I owed a debt." "To Fio