ÿWPCU !ŽN¤kHØ@Ë4‹MÝiøynž§0YòÕP‹—{A =áŽfI”¼ ¤é@áïeºv„gøš·±Øh,wÕ¦‡{³F]à„/€”k©›ýÔ¸}O’ÀŽ2mSž¢¥ýý"¹®/9Aæ$ÍýÜÝ=%J)æÛNc¯)X6‡Xv§?°!øc¼¬Þf¡ÌC¤tÜÑ9ûxúkHnaãþIx`UuW$¦XÜ[À?ñ3áab€Bê½ „w7³0[’y Ú†º3²3ȬËÑ: ήŸ$ƒ‘7‰yï—§LØÚWt Óp\(²9½`€àP9ìÊuçbþ‹t‚e”„çQÂ)àH#xßVíLbk׎*A˜Þ(QÌ G¥C|Ô nI•¶®|ß Ìa¼õ¨ß/F vç\×Ô+@ÔRACµÜëÐí'Xa+=ÜœSÂ}PM™i¦ÿ²{dÉAÒoÂaY31¨4Â+í1<ß  ¿ Nœ=N7¼ü°Vº˜bH§ðcSVTæ¡[Þv@ÇÂû÷™‡ƒ¾–)Í×&ä,¶3Sp>|ëeÁ½Œ§ï 2³‚rŒÝâ[;†¡€n.<™z—_÷~ˆÚ<*õOÒMÇ^ Óõ¹Ã{å`õpš ô„²tÑ  #!¨UNÉ % 0(HEw@4Íáð mòUL ˜Epson AP-5000 ESC/P 2,,,,0x  Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡c:\Corel\Office7\Template\WP7US.WPT 3D4D5D6D7D8D9D: ;<DåEX&<‰ƒ3|x<ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀx  Z‹4Times New Roman ItalicÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý›ØØÓ  ÓÑ8€08XXdídÈ8ÑÓ XÓÐ e ÐFrom€Chapter€One€of€Ô‡ XÙXXXÔBeyond€the€QuestionÔ#†X08XX XÙ¨#ÔÐ Rí ÐÓ-ÓÓ  Ó(A€free,€downloadable€excerpt)ÌÐ , Ç ÐÓ"Óñ:ñAt€Luzon€it€was€8:23€a.m.€in€solar„Earth€day€clock€time€where€and€when€a€half„dozenÏaircraft€of€vertical„take„off„and„landing€(VTOL)€capability€descended€upon€the€tarmac€behindÏthe€three„story€mansion€of€Anton€Ligachev,€a€man€of€fifty„some„odd€ð ðyearsðð€of€continuousÏexistence€upon€the€planet€and€whose€present€rule€with€103€others€of€his€kind€as€Grand€DirectorsÏnow€proved€tenuous.€€€ÌA€half„dozen€armed€men€disgorged€from€each€VTOL,€fanning€out€to€reconnoiter€theÏsensible€space€available€to€them.€ÌWithin€five€minutes,€a€seventh€craft€descended.€Ibrahim€Nir,€Chief€of€Security€for€theÏGD€himself,€cautiously€exited€with€two€personal€bodyguards.€€ÌCarrying€an€automatic€machine€pistol€and€walkie„talkie,€Nir€hesitated,€looking€to€hisÏadvance€troops€to€assure€all€was€well.€One€had€secured€the€observation€deck€of€the€mainÏbuilding€and€now€waved€his€confirmation€that€the€high€ground€was€clear.€Ì"We'll€wait,"€a€still„cautious€Nir€instructed€the€two€by€his€side.€€ÌApproaching€alone€from€the€back€door€of€the€informal€ground„level€party€room,ÏMontgomery€Nelson,€Ligachev's€Chief€of€Staff,€waved€his€greetings€with€his€free€hand,€the€otherÏclasping€another€walkie„talkie.€€Ì"They€were€here€but€they're€gone€now,"€Nelson€stated€breathlessly.€€Ì"Just€need€to€be€sure,"€Nir€explained.€"ò òWhoó ó€was€here?"€Ð Öq Ð"Zokuhito's€people,€of€course,€but€how'd€it€go€on€your€end?"ÌNir€ignored€the€question€"How€many,€and€why'd€they€leave„€did€they€mention€their€boss?"€ÌSuddenly€indignant,€Nelson€backed€away.€"I€believe€I'm€number€one€in€the€GD's€absence,ÏMr.€Nir.€I€believe€you're€ò òstilló ó€to€report€to€me."€Ð ( ÐNir€smirked.€"Let's€get€it€straight,€Nelson...."€ÌHe€gestured€toward€the€nearest€supine€ð ðcorpseðð€of€a€three„meter„long€android.€It€lay€onÏits€back,€limbs€akimbo,€belly€and€head€bared,€electronics€gutted.€"You're€ò ònotó ó€the€acting€GD,Ð W ò Ðanymore,€and€this...€€ò òthisó ó€shows€the€reach€of€your€present€authority!"€€Ð G!â ÐHe€glanced€smugly€at€his€own€guards,€the€chagrined€Nelson€explaining,€"I€had€no€choice,Ïno€help...€thanks...€thanks€to€you."€ÌNir€smiled€at€Nelson,€his€tone€moderating.€"No,€I€did€ò òmyó ó€job."€Ð $¬  ÐHe€turned€to€his€men.€"Mr.€Nelson€and€I€will€speak,"€he€said,€and€the€guards€movedÏaway.€€ÌThe€gaunt€Nir€smiled,€his€wispy€eyebrows€lifting€off€the€sunken€orbs€which€were€hisÏeyes,€his€teeth€bared.€"So,€how€ò òdidó ó€it€go€for€you?"€he€asked€more€pleasantly.€€Ð È'c!$ ÐThe€resentful€chief€of€staff€explained.€"I€mean€I€had€ò ònoó ó€choice,€no€ò òchanceó ó€of€a€choice!Ð ¸(S"% ÐYou€had€all€the€men...€hung€me€out€to€dry.€There€must've€been€a€thousand€Zokuhito€men€here!"€€Ì"Splendid!"€Nir€exulted,€inexplicably€pounding€Nelson€on€the€back.€€Ì"How€can€you€say€'ò òsplendid,ó ó'"€asked€the€now„suspicious€chief€of€staff,€backing€away€andÐ ‚+%( Ðsquinting€through€heavy€eyebrows.€€Ì"I€mean€ò òsplendidó ó,"€Nir€mocked,€closing€the€spatial€gap.Ð _-ú&* ÐNelson€uneasily€now€held€his€ground.€"You€had€this€planned,€didn't€you?€I€was€theÏsacrificial€lamb."€Ì"Planned,€yeah,€but€with€no€real€danger€to€you.€We'd€never€abandon€a€ò òteamó ó€player,€youÐ ?Ú Ðknow."€Ìñ:ññ3ñà ` àñ3ññ:ñ"I€ò òwasó ó€a€team€player,"€Nelson€replied,€his€anger€mounting.Ð  · Ðñ:ññ4ñà ` àñ4ññ:ñ"ò òAndó ó€you're€still€alive,"€the€security€chief€reminded.€€Ð  § Ðñ:ññ5ñà ` àñ5ññ:ñNelson€now€held€hope€of€getting€back€into€the€loop.€"So...€so€tell€me€about€it."€Ìñ:ññ6ñà ` àñ6ññ:ñ"We€didn't€tell€you€as€part€of€the€plan,"€Nir€answered€without€answering€at€all.€Ìñ:ññ7ñà ` àñ7ññ:ñScrew€you,€too,€Nir....€Rub€it€in,€you€bastard!€Nelson€was€livid.€"Did€you€have€to€ò òlieó ó€toÐ Ö q Ðme,€too?€I'm€not€stupid.€You€said€you'd€keep€Zokuhito...€Cabot...€Lodge...€ò òoffó ó€my€back.€Now€itÐ Æa  Ðseems€you...€you'd€ò òplannedó ó€the€opposite,€working€ò òwithó ó€them€ò òbehindó ó€it,€even€ò òknowingó ó€theirÐ ¶Q  Ðhenchmen€ò òwouldó ó€run€rampant€here!"€Ð ¦A  Ðñ:ññ8ñà ` àñ8ññ:ñNir€shrugged,€and€Nelson€physically€tensed,€mustering€the€will€to€attack€his€tormentor,Ïbut€Nir€raised€his€gun,€pointing€its€barrel€upward.€€Ìñ:ññ9ñà ` àñ9ññ:ñWhen€Nelson€prudently€relaxed,€Nir€said,€"We€ò òcouldn'tó ó€tell€you.€Had€to€protect€theÐ p  Ðoperation€first....€You€ought€to€be€thankful."€Ìà ` à"Then€you€ò òcanó ó€tell€me€now„€tell€me€the€ò òwholeó ó€truth...."€Ð Mè Ðà ` àNir€leaned€in€confidentially.€"They€took€out€your€communications,€didn't€they?"€Ìà ` à"Yesterday,€and€gutted€the€androids€as€you€can€see...."Ìà ` àNir€smirked.€"Then€you€really€ò òdon'tó ó€know...."Ð ² Ðà ` à"Damn€it!€Know€ò òwható ó,€you€sonafabitch!"Ð ¢ Ðà ` à"Don't€know€about€the€Americas...."Ìà ` àFor€Nelson€this€was€astounding.€"ò òWható ó€about€them?"€Ð ä Ðà ` à"We€secured€them."€Ìà ` à"Secured€the€Americas....€So€that's€why€you€left€me€in€the€lurch!"€Ìà ` à"Security,€Monty,€security.€You€can't€compromise€what€you€ò òdon'tó ó€know.Ð ®I ÐEveryone's€more€credible€under€duress€when€they€disclose€what€they€ò òthinkó ó€they€know...."€NirÐ ž9 Ðsmiled€knowingly.€"You€did€tell€the€Zokuhito€commander€we'd€respond€in€kind,€didn't€you?"€Ìà ` àHe€winked.€"You€probably€even€pointed€out€that€your€own€trade€value€to€themÏwas€greatest€alive€and€unharmed?"€Ìà ` àNelson€looked€away€nervously.€"You€assured€me€this€ò òwouldn'tó ó€happen€to€beginÐ U"ð Ðwith...."€Ìà ` à"Doesn't€matter,"€Nir€dismissed.€"We€all€covered€our€own€asses,€but€it's€the€ò òendó óÐ 2$Í  Ðthat€counts,€that€of€our€own€advantaged€truce.€Anyway,€I€thought€you'd€heard€about€it,€though€theÏGD's€meeting€with€Marcello€and€Rivas€even€now,€and€that's€under€wraps...."€Ìà ` à"Jesus!"€Ìà ` à"No,€Hay„soos,€Rivas€pronounces€it,€Hay„ò òsoos,ó ó"€Nir€joked.€€Ð é'„!$ Ðà ` àNelson€backed€away.€This€wasn't€funny.€"So€what€ò òaboutó ó€this€truce?€Come€toÐ Ù(t"% Ðthink€about€it,€except€for€here,€there's€been€no€war€yet...€especially€not€with€the€pleasureÏtwins...."€Ìà ` àNir€grew€serious,€leaning€in€on€him.€"War's€continuous,€Nelson,€a€truce€the€so„¼called€'ò òpeaceó ó'€between€hostilities...."€Ð ,+&) Ðà ` àThe€security€man€laying€a€hand€on€his€shoulder,€the€defensive€chief€of€staff€againÐ €-'* Ðdrew€back.€"So?"€Ìà ` àNir€leaned€in€again.€"Anyway,€the€pleasure„twin€thing€with€Marcello€and€RivasÏisn't€the€main€truce,€but€they€do€just€happen€to€control€the€largest€single€bloc€of€street€people€inÏthe€islands,€Resistance€most€critically€included."€Ìà ` à"So€even€you€don't€ò òreallyó ó€know€what's€going€on,"€a€now„gloating€Nelson€guessed.€Ð  ´ Ðà ` àNir€frowned.€"Not€completely,€but€at€least€my€VTOLs€now€ò òareó ó€on€line€here."€Ð  ¤ Ðà ` àNelson€pursued€his€initiative.€"So,€this€truce„€ò òmainó ó€truce„€with€the€ZokuhitoÐ ù ” Ðgroup...€we're€still€a€step€behind€if€we€didn't€also€take€out€ò òtheiró ó€home„island€hardware,€too....€DidÐ é „ Ðwe?"€Ìà ` àNir€threw€his€arms€into€the€air.€"Such€a€technocrat!"€Ìà ` àHe€leaned€in€again,€reclaiming€the€initiative.€"Don't€get€me€wrong,€Monty,€weÏò òneedó ó€technocrats€ò òwithinó ó€the€truces,€but€ò òneveró ó€negotiations....€As€it€is,€we€used€ò òouró ó€troops€ò òmoreó óÐ  ;  Ðproductively€than€Zokuhito...€could've€secured€more€borders€than€just€the€Americas'€with€€moreÏof€them...."€Ìà ` àHe€frowned.€"I'm€no€economist,€but€resources€do€sustain€armies..."€Ìà ` àNow€hopeful,€he€smiled.€"...but€it€also€first€takes€armies€to€control€those€sameÏresources...."€€Ìà ` àNelson's€head€bobbed€as€he€focused€on€a€few€of€the€cannibalized€androids.€"AndÏthese..."€he€mused€aloud.€€Ìà ` àNir€shrugged.€"Militarily€useless,€can't€even€get€out€of€their€own€way.€It's€theÏOMNI's€robotic€harvesters€ò òasó ó€resourcesò ò€ó ówhichò ò€areó ó€more€key..."€He€smiled€hopefully.€"...€and€ò òweó óÐ ø“ Ðnow€control€the€American€ones.€Meantime,€Scholl's€troops€are€the€wildcard€ò òasó ó€we€move€back€toÐ èƒ Ðtruly€productive€human€employment."€Ìà ` àA€more€confident€Nelson€now€moved€closer€to€Nir.€"Where€by€ò òyour€ó óenhancedÐ Å` Ðmilitary€presence€we'd€eventually€control€ò òalló ó€those€resources...€right,€Ib?"€Ð µP Ðà ` àThe€new€fully„fledged€military€commander€smiled.€"Now€you're€catching€on...."€Ìà ` àThe€nominal€chief€of€staff€returned€the€smile.€"So€that's€ò òalsoó ó€why€the€GD's€takenÐ ’- Ðthis€Lasher€fellow„€this€economist„€out€of€mothballs...."€Ìà ` àNir€frowned€and€holstered€his€weapon.€"It's€a€new€game,€Monty...€€and€we'reÏahead...."€Ìà ` àTouchy€about€this€new€guy,€huh,€Ib?€Good....€Nelson€again€affected€anÏingratiating€smile.€"And€as€ò òtoó ó€these€ò òmainó ó€negotiations...."€Ð 6#Ñ Ðà0 ` àNir€grew€animated.€"Think€of€it,€Montgomery!€While€we€deployed€to€theÏAmericas,€theyÐ ` (#` (# Ðchased€a€red€herring€here€and€also€stayed€home€to€defend€against€attacks€we€never€made!ÏApart€from€Scholl,€only€the€Zokuhito€group€even€ò òhadó ó€the€forces€to€stop€us,€but€we€outfoxedÐ í&ˆ # Ðthem..."€Ìà ` àHe€grew€even€more€excited.€"...€and€now€it's€ò òinó ó€their€interest€ò òtoó ó€settle€for€theÐ Ê(e"% Ðremaining€continents."€Ìà ` à"Then€you€actually€expect€they'll€honor€such€terms?"€the€chief€of€staff€furthered.€€Ìà ` à"Can€you€see€another€ò òrationaló ó€option€for€them,€my€technocratic€friend?"€Ð ”+/%( Ðà ` àDamn€him€anyway!€Still,€control€yourself....€"Not€at€present...€but...."€Ìà ` àNir's€facial€muscles€tightened.€"But€what?"Ð q- '* Ðà ` àNo,€drop€it...€don't€bring€up€the€obvious,€get€the€whole€picture€first....€"What's€inÏit,€say,€ò òforó ó€the€pleasure€twins?"€Nelson€inquired.Ð Rí Ðà ` à"That's€simple,€access€to€the€Continental€market,€of€course."€Ìà ` à"The€American€market,€you€mean...."Ìà ` à"Yes,€with€others€to€come€ò òifó ó€they€play€along€ò òfromó ó€the€start."€Ð  · Ðà ` àNelson€fought€not€to€show€his€skepticism.€"And€the€Continentals€who€outnumberÏall€of€us€twelve€to€one.€How€can€ò òanyoneó ó€control€ò òthemó ó?€Your...€your€quarantine€can't€be€all€ò òtható óÐ ù ” Ðcomplete."€Ìà ` àNir€fidgeted.€"Most€swallowed€the€original€OMNI€bullshit,€mostly€hiding€from€usÏlike€we€were€aliens€or€treating€us€like€gods."€Ìà ` à"They€don't€resist?"€Ìà ` àNir€regarded€Nelson€suspiciously.€"Hell€no."€Ìà ` à"Then€where's€the€difficulty?"€Ìà ` à"I€didn't€say€there€was€a€difficulty.€Did€I€say€there€was?"€Ìà ` àNelson€shrugged€conciliatingly.€"Not€in€so€many€words."€Ìà ` àNir€frowned,€his€already„thin€lips€vanishing.€"The€real€difficulty€is€they€don'tÏreally€show€any€willingness€ò òtoó ó€produce,€either."€Ð >Ù Ðà ` à"Huh?"€Ìà ` à"Damn€it,€man,€they€just€don't€produce!€They€can't€even€see€a€relation€betweenÏtheir€jobs€and€the...€the€androids'€deliveries€on€this...€this€new€OMNI's€so„called€'first„come,€first„¼served€basis'€even€when€Islandic€free„lancers€and€a€Continental€few€ò òdoó ó€let€them€through.€€We'reÐ õ Ðlooking€at€mass€starvation€or„€if€they€ever€ò òdoó ó€get€the€balls„€domestic€violence,€and€we€ò òdoó ó€lack€theÐ å€ Ðforces€to€change€that."€Ìà ` àSo€much€for€finesse....€Nelson€was€dumbfounded.€"You're€no€bleeding„heartÏhumanist„€and€I'm€not€either....€Why€should€ò òweó ó€care?€ò òLetó ó€them€kill€each€other.€We're€none€theÐ ¯J Ðloser.€Our€people„€Islandic€people„€even€the€street€people€did€the€real€producing€all€along.€WithÏmanagement€adjustments,€we'll€be€okay.€Let's€just€protect€our€own€turf,€for€Chrissakes!"€€Ìà ` à"You€just€don't€see€it,"€Nir€ulteriorly€understated.€€Ìà ` àNelson€was€encouraged.€"Face€it,€Ibrahim,€using€the€OMNI/AI€to€give€themÏmakework€once€did€keep€them€in€their€place,€but€that's€all€gone€now!€Who€needs€them?"€Ìà ` àHe€nodded€conclusively,€adding,€"Now„€ò òouró ó€people...€we€give€ò òthemó ó€a€littleÐ @"Û Ðincentive€and€they'll€respond€to€ò òreallyó ó€produce€as€they€always€have!"€Ð 0#Ë Ðà ` àNir€took€a€half„step€back€to€appear€hesitant€and€uncertain.€"I'm€no€economist,ÏMonty,€and€you're€not€either.€You€might€be€right„€if..."€€Ìà ` à"Of€course,€I'm€right,"€a€gloating€Nelson€interrupted€at€Nelson's€baiting€pause.€"IfÏwe're€to€have€a€truce,€why€don't€we€ò òalló ó€just€agree€to€keep€them€where€they€ò òareó ó...€ò òletó ó€them€die?"€Ð ç&‚ # Ðà ` àNir€repeated€himself€as€if€patient.€"You€might€be€right€ò òifó ó..."€Ð ×'r!$ Ðà ` àHe€suddenly€glared.€"...€you€knew€what€the€hell€you€were€talking€about!"€Ìà ` àHe€took€a€half„step€forward.€"I€was€there!"Ìà ` àNelson€literally€now€was€back€on€his€heels.€"I€know€one€thing,€I€know€I€don'tÏknow€what€the€hell€ò òyou'reó ó€getting€at,"€he€replied.€Ð Ž+)%( Ðà ` àNir€poked€a€finger€into€the€other€man's€chest,€that€man€now€taking€a€half„stepÏbackward.€"You€didn't€hear€me€say€that€many€of€them€never€ò òwouldó ó€break€out€in€appreciableÐ k-'* Ðnumbers,€did€you?"€Ìà ` àNelson€was€flustered.€"I€just€figured...."Ìà ` àNir€pressed€his€advantage.€"So€figure€this!€We€just€don't€have€the€manpower€nowÏò òtoó ó€stop€them.€In€but€four€short€days,€a€few€even€ò òenjoyó ó€turning€the€tables€on€the€androids„€ò òenjoyó óÐ , Ç Ðboarding€supply€ships€to€Islandia,€especially€when€some€Islanders€find€it€useful€to€enlist€theirÏaid."Ìà ` àThe€"technocrat"€rubbed€his€receding€chin.€"Islandics€even...€even€do€help€them?"Ìà ` àNir€withdrew€his€finger,€his€demeanor€becoming€confidential„€even€fraternal.Ï"That's€right,€the€Resistance€networking€them€while€Marcello€and€Rivas€play€it€cute€on€whoÏreally€calls€the€shots."€Ìà ` àAn€abashed€Nelson€looked€away,€eyeing€the€nearest€"eviscerated"€andÏ"debrained"€android,€as€Nir€placed€a€hand€on€his€shoulder.€"Bottom€line,€Monty?"€Ìà ` àHe€looked€back€at€Nir.Ìà ` à"Just€remember,€the€OMNI's€shipping€lanes€still€do€move€in€ò òbothó ó€directions."€Ð q  Ðà ` à"And€we€can't€control€at€all€the€points€along€the€way..."€Nelson€reluctantlyÏconcluded.€€Ìà ` àNir€placed€a€hand€on€the€man's€other€shoulder.€"You're€learning,€Monty....€There'sÏno€real€choice€in€the€matter...€no€isolation€ò òfromó ó€the€Continental€masses€anymore."€Ð (à Ðà ` àNelson€drew€away€from€the€offending€hand.€"Aren't€you€overplaying€this€a€tad,ÏIbrahim?"€€à ` à"I€suppose€you'd€like€to€offer€ò òyouró ó€security€expertise..."€€Nir€scoffed,€then€to€pointÐ   Ðhis€fingers€again€into€the€other's€chest€and€push€him€back€another€half„step€and€enjoy€his€sense€ofÏcommand€over€the€other€man€as€never€before.€"Is€that€it,€Montgomery,€you'd€like€ò òmyó ó€job?"€Ð â} Ðà ` àNelson€looked€away.€"Of€course€not."€Ìà ` àHe€looked€back€as€Nir€dropped€his€hand€and€smiled€to€explain,€"We're€trying€toÏwork€all€this€out€with€the€pleasure€twins,€but€we've€an€edge€with€the€Continentals€either€way€itÏgoes."€Ìà ` àDamn€this€being€out€of€the€loop,€anyway....€"What€edge?"Ìà ` à"Though€the€OMNI€no€longer€deals€with€aliens,€we€credibly€still€must€have€them.ÏIn€the€Americas€at€least....€We'll€ò òplayó ó€to€that,€play€it€by€ear."€€Ð ` û Ðà ` àNelson€scratched€his€visible€scalp€through€his€shortly€cropped,€sparse,€red€hair.Ï"What€the€hell€are€you€talking€about,€Ib?"€Ìà ` àNir's€lips€imploded€while€he€considered€to€accept€his€need€to€play€it€straight.€"TheÏshit's€hit,€Monty,€and€we're€to€be€the€ò òliberatorsó ó,€not€the€aliens.€This€so„called€'CollectiveÐ $²  ÐIntelligence'€of€the€OMNI€had€them€believing€ò òwe''dó ó€be€the€aliens.€€So...€so€we've€used€the€OMNIÐ %¢! Ðitself€to€make€the€whole€thing€unclear...€the€OMNI€itself€the€alien...€maybe...."€Ìà ` àNelson's€flaccid€arms€and€hands€tightening,€his€face€turned€nearly€as€red€as€hisÏhair.€"Maybe!€You've€lost€it,€Nir...€lost€it!€What's€happened€to€you,€anyway?€You're€over€yourÏhead."€Ìà ` àSeeing€Nir's€hand€move€holsterward,€he€unclenched€his€fists€and€shrugged.€€Ìà ` àNir€waved€his€hand€and€his€guards€relaxed.€"Right€now,€we're€in€a€holding€action,ÏMonty,€and...€and€even€if€we're€ò òalló ó€in€over€our€heads,€we've€set€our€course....€Are€you€ò òwithó ó€us...Ð …+ %( Ðup€to€it?"€Ìà ` àA€resigned€Nelson€nodded.€"So€how€does€Bush's„€he's€still€tight€with€the€ZokuhitoÐ b-ý&* Ðpeople,€you€know„€and€Scholl's€joint€command€of€the€ò òoldó ó€global€defense€forces€shake€out€now?"€Ð e Ðà ` àNir€shrugged.€"Don't€know€yet.€Hopefully,€the€GD's€already€getting€a€betterÏhandle€on€it."€He€forced€a€smile.€"Meantime,€we'll€monitor€the€VTOLs€for€reports€and€wait€forÏthe€GD's€return,€Monty."€Ìà ` àA€still„disgruntled€chief€of€staff€barely€nodded.œñ:ññ;ñAt€Luzon€it€was€8:23€a.m.€in€solar-Earth€day€clock€time€where€and€when€a€half-dozenÏaircraft€of€vertical-take-off-and-landing€(VTOL)€capability€descended€upon€the€tarmac€behindÏthe€three-story€mansion€of€Anton€Ligachev,€a€man€of€fifty-some-odd€ð ðyearsðð€of€continuousÏexistence€upon€the€planet€and€whose€present€rule€with€that€of€other€surviving€Grand€DirectorsÏnow€proved€tenuous.€€€ÌA€half-dozen€armed€men€disgorged€from€each€VTOL,€fanning€out€to€reconnoiter€theÏsensible€space€available€to€them.€ÌWithin€five€minutes,€a€seventh€craft€descended.€Ibrahim€Nir,€Chief€of€Security€for€theÏGD€himself,€cautiously€exited€with€two€personal€bodyguards.€€ÌCarrying€an€automatic€machine€pistol€and€walkie-talkie,€Nir€hesitated,€looking€to€hisÏadvance€troops€to€assure€all€was€well.€One€had€secured€the€observation€deck€of€the€mainÏbuilding€and€now€waved€his€confirmation€that€the€high€ground€was€clear.€Ìð ðWe'll€wait,ðð€a€still-cautious€Nir€instructed€the€two€by€his€side.€€ÌApproaching€alone€from€the€back€door€of€the€informal€ground-level€party€room,ÏMontgomery€Nelson,€Ligachev's€Chief€of€Staff,€waved€his€greetings€with€his€free€hand,€the€otherÏclasping€another€walkie-talkie.€€Ìð ðThey€were€here€but€they're€gone€now,ðð€Nelson€stated€breathlessly.€€Ìð ðJust€need€to€be€sure,ðð€Nir€explained.€ð ðò òWhoó ó€was€here?ðð€Ð Öq Ðð ðZokuhito's€people,€of€course,€but€how'd€it€go€on€your€end?ððÌNir€ignored€the€question€ð ðHow€many,€and€why'd€they€leaveð"ð€did€they€mention€theirÏboss?ðð€ÌSuddenly€indignant,€Nelson€backed€away.€ð ðI€believe€I'm€number€one€in€the€GD's€absence,ÏMr.€Nir.€I€believe€you're€ò òstilló ó€to€report€to€me.ðð€Ð z ÐNir€smirked.€ð ðLet's€get€it€straight,€Nelson....ðð€ÌHe€gestured€toward€the€nearest€supine€ð ðcorpseðð€of€a€three-meter-long€android.€It€lay€onÏits€back,€limbs€akimbo,€belly€and€head€bared,€electronics€gutted.€ð ðYou're€ò ònotó ó€the€acting€GD,Ð D!ß Ðanymore,€and€this...€€ò òthisó ó€shows€the€reach€of€your€present€authority!ðð€€Ð 4"Ï ÐHe€glanced€smugly€at€his€own€guards,€the€chagrined€Nelson€explaining,€ð ðI€had€no€choice,Ïno€help...€thanks...€thanks€to€you.ðð€ÌNir€smiled€at€Nelson,€his€tone€moderating.€ð ðNo,€I€did€ò òmyó ó€job.ðð€Ð þ$™! ÐHe€turned€to€his€men.€ð ðMr.€Nelson€and€I€will€speak,ðð€he€said,€and€the€guards€movedÏaway.€€ÌThe€gaunt€Nir€smiled,€his€wispy€eyebrows€lifting€off€the€sunken€orbs€which€were€hisÏeyes,€his€teeth€bared.€ð ðSo,€how€ò òdidó ó€it€go€for€you?ðð€he€asked€more€pleasantly.€€Ð µ(P"% ÐThe€resentful€chief€of€staff€explained.€ð ðI€mean€I€had€ò ònoó ó€choice,€no€ò òchanceó ó€of€a€choice!Ð ¥)@#& ÐYou€had€all€the€men...€hung€me€out€to€dry.€There€must've€been€a€thousand€Zokuhito€men€here!ððÌð ðSplendid!ðð€Nir€exulted,€inexplicably€pounding€Nelson€on€the€back.€€Ìð ðHow€can€you€say€'splendid,ðððð€asked€the€now-suspicious€chief€of€staff,€backing€away€andÏsquinting€through€heavy€eyebrows.€€Ð \-÷&* Ðð ðI€mean€ò òsplendidó ó,ðð€Nir€mocked,€closing€the€spatial€gap.Ð e ÐNelson€uneasily€now€held€his€ground.€ð ðYou€had€this€planned,€didn't€you?€I€was€theÏsacrificial€lamb.ðð€Ìð ðPlanned,€yeah,€but€with€no€real€danger€to€you.€We'd€never€abandon€a€ò òteamó ó€player,€youÐ / Ê Ðknow.ðð€Ìð ðI€ò òwasó ó€a€team€player,ðð€Nelson€replied,€his€anger€mounting.Ð  § Ðð ðò òAndó ó€you're€still€alive,ðð€the€security€chief€reminded.€€Ð ü — ÐNelson€now€held€hope€of€getting€back€into€the€loop.€ð ðSo...€so€tell€me€about€it.ðð€Ìð ðWe€didn't€tell€you€as€part€of€the€plan,ðð€Nir€answered€without€answering€at€all.€ÌScrew€you,€too,€Nir....€Rub€it€in,€you€bastard!€Nelson€was€livid.€ð ðDid€you€have€to€ò òlieó ó€toÐ Æa  Ðme,€too?€I'm€not€stupid.€You€said€you'd€keep€Zokuhito...€Cabot...€Lodge...€ò òoffó ó€my€back.€Now€itÐ ¶Q  Ðseems€you...€you'd€ò òplannedó ó€the€opposite,€working€ò òwithó ó€them€ò òbehindó ó€it,€even€ò òknowingó ó€theirÐ ¦A  Ðhenchmen€ò òwouldó ó€run€rampant€here!ðð€Ð –1  ÐNir€shrugged,€and€Nelson€physically€tensed,€mustering€the€will€to€attack€his€tormentor,Ïbut€Nir€raised€his€gun,€pointing€its€barrel€upward.€€ÌWhen€Nelson€prudently€relaxed,€Nir€said,€ð ðWe€ò òcouldn'tó ó€tell€you.€Had€to€protect€theÐ `û  Ðoperation€first....€You€ought€to€be€thankful.ðð€Ìð ðThen€you€ò òcanó ó€tell€me€nowð"ðtell€me€the€ò òwholeó ó€truth....ðð€Ð =Ø ÐNir€leaned€in€confidentially.€ð ðThey€took€out€your€communications,€didn't€they?ðð€Ìð ðYesterday,€and€gutted€the€androids€as€you€can€see....ððÌNir€smirked.€ð ðThen€you€really€ò òdon'tó ó€know....ððÐ ¢ Ðð ðDamn€it!€Know€ò òwható ó,€you€sonafabitch!ððÐ ÷’ Ðð ðDon't€know€about€the€Americas....ððÌFor€Nelson€this€was€astounding.€ð ðò òWható ó€about€them?ðð€Ð Ôo Ðð ðWe€secured€them.ðð€Ìð ðSecured€the€Americas....€So€that's€why€you€left€me€in€the€lurch!ðð€Ìð ðSecurity,€Monty,€security.€You€can't€compromise€what€you€ò òdon'tó ó€know.€Everyone'sÐ ž9 Ðmore€credible€under€duress€when€they€disclose€what€they€ò òthinkó ó€they€know....ðð€Nir€smiledÐ Ž) Ðknowingly.€ð ðYou€did€tell€the€Zokuhito€commander€we'd€respond€in€kind,€didn't€you?ðð€ÌHe€winked.€ð ðYou€probably€even€pointed€out€that€your€own€trade€value€to€them€wasÏgreatest€alive€and€unharmed?ðð€ÌNelson€looked€away€nervously.€ð ðYou€assured€me€this€ò òwouldn'tó ó€happen€to€begin€with....ðð€Ð E#à Ðð ðDoesn't€matter,ðð€Nir€dismissed.€ð ðWe€all€covered€our€own€asses,€but€it's€the€ò òendó ó€thatÐ 5$Ð  Ðcounts,€that€of€our€own€advantaged€truce.€Anyway,€I€thought€you'd€heard€about€it,€though€theÏGD's€meeting€with€Marcello€and€Rivas€even€now,€and€that's€under€wraps....ðð€Ìð ðJesus!ðð€Ìð ðNo,€Hay-soos,€Rivas€pronounces€it,€Hay-ò òsoos,ó óðð€Nir€joked.€€Ð ì'‡!$ ÐNelson€backed€away.€This€wasn't€funny.€ð ðSo€what€ò òaboutó ó€this€truce?€Come€to€think€aboutÐ Ü(w"% Ðit,€except€for€here,€there's€been€no€war€yet...€especially€not€with€the€pleasure€twins....ðð€ÌNir€grew€serious,€leaning€in€on€him.€ð ðWar's€continuous,€Nelson,€a€truce€the€so-calledÏ'ò òpeaceó ó'€between€hostilities....ðð€Ð ¦+A%( ÐThe€security€man€laying€a€hand€on€his€shoulder,€the€defensive€chief€of€staff€again€drewÏback.€ð ðSo?ðð€Ð ƒ-'* ÐNir€leaned€in€again.€ð ðAnyway,€the€pleasure-twin€thing€with€Marcello€and€Rivas€isn't€theÏmain€truce,€but€they€do€just€happen€to€control€the€largest€single€bloc€of€street€people€in€theÏislands,€Resistance€most€critically€included.ðð€Ìð ðSo€even€you€don't€ò òreallyó ó€know€what's€going€on,ðð€a€now-gloating€Nelson€guessed.€Ð , Ç ÐNir€frowned.€ð ðNot€completely,€but€at€least€my€VTOLs€now€ò òareó ó€on€line€here.ðð€Ð  · ÐNelson€pursued€his€initiative.€ð ðSo,€this€truceð"ð€ò òmainó ó€truceð"ð€with€the€Zokuhito€group...Ð  § Ðwe're€still€a€step€behind€if€we€didn't€also€take€out€ò òtheiró ó€home-island€hardware,€too....€Did€we?ðð€Ð ü — ÐNir€threw€his€arms€into€the€air.€ð ðSuch€a€technocrat!ðð€ÌHe€leaned€in€again,€reclaiming€the€initiative.€ð ðDon't€get€me€wrong,€Monty,€we€ò òneedó óÐ Ù t Ðtechnocrats€ò òwithinó ó€the€truces,€but€ò òneveró ó€negotiations....€As€it€is,€we€used€ò òouró ó€troops€ò òmoreó óÐ Éd  Ðproductively€than€Zokuhito...€could've€secured€more€borders€than€just€the€Americas'€with€€moreÏof€them....ðð€ÌHe€frowned.€ð ðI'm€no€economist,€but€resources€do€sustain€armies...ðð€ÌNow€hopeful,€he€smiled.€ð ð...but€it€also€first€takes€armies€to€control€those€sameÏresources....ðð€€ÌNelson's€head€bobbed€as€he€focused€on€a€few€of€the€cannibalized€androids.€ð ðAnd€these...ððÏhe€mused€aloud.€€ÌNir€shrugged.€ð ðMilitarily€useless,€can't€even€get€out€of€their€own€way.€It's€the€OMNI'sÏrobotic€harvesters€ò òasó ó€resourcesò ò€ó ówhichò ò€areó ó€more€key...ðð€He€smiled€hopefully.€ð ð...€and€ò òweó ó€nowÐ !¼ Ðcontrol€the€American€ones.€Meantime,€Scholl's€troops€are€the€wildcard€ò òasó ó€we€move€back€to€trulyÐ ¬ Ðproductive€human€employment.ðð€ÌA€more€confident€Nelson€now€moved€closer€to€Nir.€ð ðWhere€by€ò òyour€ó óenhanced€militaryÐ î‰ Ðpresence€we'd€eventually€control€ò òalló ó€those€resources...€right,€Ib?ðð€Ð Þy ÐThe€new€fully-fledged€military€commander€smiled.€"Now€you're€catching€on...."€ÌThe€nominal€chief€of€staff€returned€the€smile.€ð ðSo€that's€ò òalsoó ó€why€the€GD's€taken€thisÐ »V ÐLasher€fellowð"ð€this€economistð"ð€out€of€mothballs....ðð€ÌNir€frowned€and€holstered€his€weapon.€ð ðIt's€a€new€game,€Monty...€€and€we're€ahead....ðð€ÌTouchy€about€this€new€guy,€huh,€Ib?€Good....€Nelson€again€affected€an€ingratiating€smile.Ïð ðAnd€as€ò òtoó ó€these€ò òmainó ó€negotiations....ðð€Ð r  ÐNir€grew€animated.€ð ðThink€of€it,€Montgomery!€While€we€deployed€to€the€Americas,€theyÐ Ðchased€a€red€herring€here€and€also€stayed€home€to€defend€against€attacks€we€never€made!€ApartÏfrom€Scholl,€only€the€Zokuhito€group€even€ò òhadó ó€the€forces€to€stop€us,€but€we€outfoxed€them...ðð€Ð <#× ÐHe€grew€even€more€excited.€ð ð...and€now€it's€ò òinó ó€their€interest€ò òtoó ó€settle€for€the€remainingÐ ,$Ç  Ðcontinents.ðð€Ìð ðThen€you€actually€expect€they'll€honor€such€terms?ðð€the€chief€of€staff€furthered.€€Ìð ðCan€you€see€another€ò òrationaló ó€option€for€them,€my€technocratic€friend?ðð€Ð ö&‘ # ÐDamn€him€anyway!€Still,€control€yourself....€ð ðNot€at€present...€but....ðð€ÌNir's€facial€muscles€tightened.€ð ðBut€what?ððÌNo,€drop€it...€don't€bring€up€the€obvious,€get€the€whole€picture€first....€ð ðWhat's€in€it,€say,Ïò òforó ó€the€pleasure€twins?ðð€Nelson€inquired.Ð ­*H$' Ðð ðThat's€simple,€access€to€the€Continental€market,€of€course.ðð€Ìð ðThe€American€market,€you€mean....ððÌð ðYes,€with€others€to€come€ò òifó ó€they€play€along€ò òfromó ó€the€start.ðð€Ð w-'* ÐNelson€fought€not€to€show€his€skepticism.€ð ðAnd€the€Continentals€who€outnumber€all€ofÏus€twelve€to€one.€How€can€ò òanyoneó ó€control€ò òthemó ó?€Your...€your€quarantine€can't€be€all€ò òtható óÐ Rí Ðcomplete.ðð€ÌNir€fidgeted.€ð ðMost€swallowed€the€original€OMNI€bullshit,€mostly€hiding€from€us€like€weÏwere€aliens€or€treating€us€like€gods.ðð€Ìð ðThey€don't€resist?ðð€ÌNir€regarded€Nelson€suspiciously.€ð ðHell€no.ðð€Ìð ðThen€where's€the€difficulty?ðð€Ìð ðI€didn't€say€there€was€a€difficulty.€Did€I€say€there€was?ðð€ÌNelson€shrugged€conciliatingly.€ð ðNot€in€so€many€words.ðð€ÌNir€frowned,€his€already-thin€lips€vanishing.€ð ðThe€real€difficulty€is€they€don't€really€showÏany€willingness€ò òtoó ó€produce,€either.ðð€Ð —2  Ðð ðHuh?ðð€Ìð ðDamn€it,€man,€they€just€don't€produce!€They€can't€even€see€a€relation€between€their€jobsÏand€the...€the€androids'€deliveries€on€this...€this€new€OMNI's€so-called€'first-come,€first-servedÏbasis'€even€when€Islandic€free-lancers€and€a€Continental€few€ò òdoó ó€let€them€through.€€We're€lookingÐ Né  Ðat€mass€starvation€orð"ð€if€they€ever€ò òdoó ó€get€the€ballsð"ð€domestic€violence,€and€we€ò òdoó ó€lack€theÐ >Ù Ðforces€to€change€that.ðð€ÌSo€much€for€finesse....€Nelson€was€dumbfounded.€ð ðYou're€no€bleeding-heart€humanistð"ðÏand€I'm€not€either....€Why€should€ò òweó ó€care?€ò òLetó ó€them€kill€each€other.€We're€none€the€loser.€OurÐ £ Ðpeopleð"ð€Islandic€peopleð"ð€even€the€street€people€did€the€real€producing€all€along.€WithÏmanagement€adjustments,€we'll€be€okay.€Let's€just€protect€our€own€turf,€for€Chrissakes!ððÌð ðYou€just€don't€see€it,ðð€Nir€ulteriorly€understated.€€ÌNelson€was€encouraged.€ð ðFace€it,€Ibrahim,€using€the€OMNI/AI€to€give€them€makeworkÏonce€did€keep€them€in€their€place,€but€that's€all€gone€now!€Who€needs€them?ðð€ÌHe€nodded€conclusively,€adding,€ð ðNowð"ðò ò€ouró ó€people...€we€give€ò òthemó ó€a€little€incentiveÐ ™4 Ðand€they'll€respond€to€ò òreallyó ó€produce€as€they€always€have!ðð€Ð ‰$ ÐNir€took€a€half-step€back€to€appear€hesitant€and€uncertain.€ð ðI'm€no€economist,€Monty,€andÏyou're€not€either.€You€might€be€rightð"ð€if...ððÌð ðOf€course,€I'm€right,ðð€a€gloating€Nelson€interrupted€at€Nelson's€baiting€pause.€ð ðIf€we'reÏto€have€a€truce,€why€don't€we€ò òalló ó€just€agree€to€keep€them€where€they€ò òareó ó...€ò òletó ó€them€die?ððÐ @"Û ÐNir€repeated€himself€as€if€patient.€ð ðYou€might€be€right€ò òifó ó...ðð€Ð 0#Ë ÐHe€suddenly€glared.€ð ð...€you€knew€what€the€hell€you€were€talking€about!ððÌHe€took€a€half-step€forward.€ð ðI€was€there!ððÌNelson€literally€now€was€back€on€his€heels.€ð ðI€know€one€thing,€I€know€I€don't€know€whatÏthe€hell€ò òyou'reó ó€getting€at,ðð€he€replied.Ð ç&‚ # ÐNir€poked€a€finger€into€the€other€man's€chest,€that€man€now€taking€a€half-step€backward.Ïð ðYou€didn't€hear€me€say€that€many€of€them€never€ò òwouldó ó€break€out€in€appreciable€numbers,€didÐ Ä(_"% Ðyou?ððÌNelson€was€flustered.€ð ðI€just€figured....ððÌNir€pressed€his€advantage.€ð ðSo€figure€this!€We€just€don't€have€the€manpower€now€ò òtoó ó€stopÐ Ž+)%( Ðthem.€In€but€four€short€days,€a€few€even€ò òenjoyó ó€turning€the€tables€on€the€androidsð"ðò ò€enjoyó óÐ ~,&) Ðboarding€supply€ships€to€Islandia,€especially€when€some€Islanders€find€it€useful€to€enlist€theirÐ n- '* Ðaid.ððÌThe€"technocrat"€rubbed€his€receding€chin.€ð ðIslandics€even...€even€do€help€them?ððÌNir€withdrew€his€finger,€his€demeanor€becoming€confidentialð"ð€even€fraternal.€ð ðThat'sÏright,€the€Resistance€networking€them€while€Marcello€and€Rivas€play€it€cute€on€who€really€callsÏthe€shots.ððÌñ;ññ<ññ;ñÐ  ¡ Ðñ;ññ<ññ;ñAn€abashed€Nelson€looked€away,€eyeing€the€nearest€ð ðevisceratedðð€and€ð ðdebrainedððÏandroid,€as€Nir€placed€a€hand€on€his€shoulder.€ð ðBottom€line,€Monty?ððÌHe€looked€back€at€Nir.Ìð ðJust€remember,€the€OMNI's€shipping€lanes€still€do€move€in€ò òbothó ó€directions."€Ð Í h Ðð ðAnd€we€can't€control€at€all€the€points€along€the€way...ðð€Nelson€reluctantly€concluded.ÌNir€placed€a€hand€on€the€man's€other€shoulder.€ð ðYou're€learning,€Monty....€There's€no€realÏchoice€in€the€matter...€no€isolation€ò òfromó ó€the€Continental€masses€anymore.ððÐ —2  ÐNelson€drew€away€from€the€offending€hand.€ð ðAren't€you€overplaying€this€a€tad,€Ibrahim?ððÌð ðI€suppose€you'd€like€to€offer€ò òyouró ó€security€expertise..."€Nir€scoffed,€pointing€his€fingersÐ t  Ðagain€into€the€other's€chest€to€push€him€back€another€half-step€and€enjoying€his€sense€ofÏcommand€over€the€other€man€as€never€before.€"Is€that€it,€Montgomery,€you'd€like€ò òmyó ó€job?ðð€Ð Qì  ÐNelson€looked€away.€ð ðOf€course€not.ððÌHe€looked€back€as€Nir€dropped€his€hand€and€smiled€to€explain,€ð ðWe're€trying€to€work€allÏthis€out€with€the€pleasure€twins,€but€we've€an€edge€with€the€Continentals€either€way€it€goes.ððÌDamn€this€being€out€of€the€loop,€anyway....€ð ðWhat€edge?ððÌð ðThough€the€OMNI€no€longer€deals€with€aliens,€we€credibly€still€must€have€them.€In€theÏAmericas€at€least....€We'll€ò òplayó ó€to€that,€play€it€by€ear.ððÐ â} ÐNelson€scratched€his€visible€scalp€through€his€shortly€cropped,€sparse,€red€hair.€ð ðWhatÏthe€hell€are€you€talking€about,€Ib?ððÌNir's€lips€imploded€while€he€considered€to€accept€his€need€to€play€it€straight.€ð ðThe€shit'sÏhit,€Monty,€and€we're€to€be€the€ò òliberatorsó ó,€not€the€aliens.€This€so-called€'Collective€Intelligence'Ð ™4 Ðof€the€OMNI€had€them€believing€ò òwe''dó ó€be€the€aliens.€€So...€so€we've€used€the€OMNI€itself€toÐ ‰$ Ðmake€the€whole€thing€unclear...€the€OMNI€itself€the€alien...€maybe....ððÌNelson's€flaccid€arms€and€hands€tightening,€his€face€turned€nearly€as€red€as€his€hair.Ïð ðMaybe!€You've€lost€it,€Nir...€lost€it!€What's€happened€to€you,€anyway?€You're€over€your€head.ððÌSeeing€Nir's€hand€move€holsterward,€he€unclenched€his€fists€and€shrugged.€€ÌNir€waved€his€hand€and€his€guards€relaxed.€ð ðRight€now,€we're€in€a€holding€action,€Monty,Ïand...€and€even€if€we're€ò òalló ó€in€over€our€heads,€we've€set€our€course....€Are€you€ò òwithó ó€us...€up€to€it?ððÐ $µ  ÐA€resigned€Nelson€nodded.€ð ðSo€how€does€Bush'sð"ð€he's€still€tight€with€the€ZokuhitoÏpeople,€you€knowð"ð€and€Scholl's€joint€command€of€the€ò òoldó ó€global€defense€forces€shake€outÐ ÷%’" Ðnow?ðð€ÌNir€shrugged.€ð ðDon't€know€yet.€Hopefully,€the€GD's€already€getting€a€better€handle€on€it.ððÏHe€forced€a€smile.€ð ðMeantime,€we'll€monitor€the€VTOLs€for€reports€and€wait€for€the€GD's€return,ÏMonty.ððÌA€still-disgruntled€chief€of€staff€barely€nodded.ñ;ñœ