[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

the heart of the matter. The Vanrishi Corporation is filing claim to Lyask, the planet that has come to your attention
these past two days. We humbly request the immediate removal of Sarza Command forces from the latest addition to
Vanrishi holdings.
A discordant flurry of activity among the senators in attendance--an unusually high number Julienne noted--drowned
out Ettore Draven, the Sarza Council s president. He finally managed to regain order.  Why has the Vanrishi
Corporation chosen to interfere with a scientific expedition of Napol IV? Your show of aggression was unwarranted.
file:///D|/Pub%20Folders/NCP%20Publishing/Text%20an%20HTML%20bks/AnnaleeBlysse%20StarlitDestiny%20NCP.htm[2/5/2009 4:21:20 PM]
Starlit Destiny
 The official record indicates not a single Vanrishi weapon was fired. The Lyaskans protected their own during an
illegal invasion by Sarza Command troops. We arrived after the fact, and will only stay as long as is needed to protect
our holdings.
Julienne noticed a tic in Draven s cheek.  A task force will be assigned to look into these allegations.
 I have no need to wait for their findings. I am pressing formal charges against Commander Baccata, the man who
directly oversees the outpost on Lyask, Julienne said, adjusting her headset so she could be clearly understood.
 Baccata will stand trial for his war crimes. As will those below him, those others your task force will help discover.
 By what authority?
 Section Nine of the Vanrishi Compact, Julienne said impatiently.  Vanrishi III has already identified a prior claim to
Lyask.
There was a flurry of noise within the Council chambers. When an official came forward on his own volition,
Julienne s aide whispered in her ear that he was the commander in question. She studied the man as he was formally
recognized by the Council.
Baccata was not a young man. His was emaciated, his skin hung on his frame, dark shadows beneath his eyes. His
hands were malformed with arthritis, dark blue veins visible across the room. She doubted Baccata had ever set foot on
Lyask.
 Mr. President, Commander Baccata spoke, his voice much stronger than expected.  There was no prior claim to
Napol IV when we arrived.
Julienne watched the Ettore Draven closely, knowing the man was treading on thin ice. Julienne s eyes swept across
the sea of faces in the Council chambers. There were few senators present who would vote against the Council of
Twelve.
The President finally spoke.  Vanrishi III will need proper documentation to verify a claim.
 In good time, Julienne said.  But first I would like Commander Baccata to explain why his scientific expedition was
not made public knowledge. We have searched the official record. There is only a fourteen year old entry indicating
Napol IV, Lyask, was determined uninhabitable.
 A data entry mistake. Commander Baccata spoke evenly.
Julienne asked,  And at what point were you planning on correcting this data entry mistake? I have access to any one
of ninety-one million inhabitants of Lyask who are willing to testify that the Sarza Command has been occupying their
planet the past fourteen years.
The commander s pallor lessened as he grew red in the face.  The resident human population of Napol IV had no
knowledge of the Federation. Primitive as they are, perhaps they are confusing Sarza Command troops with someone
else.
Draven motioned for him to stop speaking.  The Committee for Controlled Scientific Exploration and Advancement
has received a rough draft of Commander Baccata s report. Napol IV was rediscovered only one month ago, at which
time the official claims were sent through the proper channels. All of this will be made public upon completion of the
final report.
Julienne sighed in relief. One month. That fit her plan. She pushed a few buttons on her comm-unit, activating an
overhead module. A vidclip played for the senators, showing the footage of the official story of her grandson s
supposed death.  As you can see, the Sarza Council acknowledged the death of Krys Bazluhr fourteen years ago.
Many of my colleagues remember I was greatly saddened at this event. Krys Bazluhr is more than the heir to my seat
file:///D|/Pub%20Folders/NCP%20Publishing/Text%20an%20HTML%20bks/AnnaleeBlysse%20StarlitDestiny%20NCP.htm[2/5/2009 4:21:20 PM]
Starlit Destiny
on the Council of Twelve, he is my beloved grandson.
 I am sorry for your loss, Draven said.  But if the Vanrishi III cannot produce evidence of prior ownership of Napol
IV, this session was called for naught.
 With your respect, Mr. President. That is exactly what I am doing. The silence in the Council chambers became
tangible. Julienne felt all eyes on her.  I have recently discovered that my grandson did not die in that tragic accident.
As Commander Baccata s beady black eyes shifted uncomfortably, Julienne decided he had known of the coverup.  It
is my own grandson who has taken claim to Lyask.
 She s lying! Baccata yelled. Julienne was taken aback at the commander s loss of control; she decided that he
definitely knew about the coverup.
The Council President ignored the outburst and turned to face her.  Krys Bazluhr has not made official claim as
required under Section Nine of the Vanrishi Compact.
Julienne motioned for her aide to bring forth a printed copy of the Vanrishi Compact, a sizeable volume that weighed [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]