Atonement Read Online Free

his own. The captain had no reason to believe the general was not living up to that promise.
    â€œVery good, General,” Cin said. As soon as the words had left her lips, the doors to her suite opened and her Leodt first consul, Lant Dreeg, entered quickly and moved to stand directly in Cin’s line of sight.
    â€œForgive me, Presider, but I have received the CIF’s latest report, and I cannot allow you to risk destroying the accord that was purchased with so much Confederacy blood less than one day ago. The Kinara have what they want. They are prepared to continue negotiating with us in good faith. You must not allow any personal concerns you might have for Admiral Janeway to cloud your judgment at this critical juncture.”
    The presider squared her shoulders. Her tendrils stiffened behind her and remained taut as she said, “General Mattings, have you assumed command of the Third Calvert ?”
    â€œYes, Presider.”
    â€œStand by,”Cin ordered. Locking her bright green eyes on the black stones set below Dreeg’s brow ridge, she said, “I appreciate your concerns, First Consul. As always, I will bear them in mind before I reach my final decision regarding the Kinara . For the moment, I do not require anything further of you.”
    â€œPresider,” Dreeg said.
    â€œLant,” Cin said sharply, taking him aback. “Before my mission to open negotiations with the Kinara had begun, you worked behind my back to secure an agreement favorable to the Market Consortium but on terms you knew would be unacceptable to your presider. You did so because you did not trust me to act in our people’s best interests. You betrayed me. You betrayed Admiral Janeway. You have grossly overstepped your authority. That ends now. Your counsel is noted. Leave my presence and do not presume to access it again until I request that you do so.”
    â€œThe people of the Confederacy—” Dreeg began.
    â€œElected me to lead them,” Cin finished. “And I will continue to do so until another is chosen to take my place.”
    Undeterred, Dreeg said, “You realize, of course, that the Consortium may call for a vote of no-confidence at our discretion.”
    â€œI do,” Cin acknowledged. “You might best use the rest of the current cease-fire to return safely to the First World and begin collecting the necessary votes. In the meantime, I will do what I can to mitigate the damage you have caused.”
    Dreeg nodded warily and departed. As Chakotay watched him go, a newfound respect for Presider Cin took root. He had wondered up until now what might have caused Kathryn to risk so much on the Confederacy’s behalf. Finally, he was beginning to understand.
    â€œPresider,” he said softly, “is it your intention to order the CIF to rescue Admiral Janeway, or merely to end the Kinara ’s hold on this region of space?”
    â€œThat determination has yet to be made,” she replied. “The Kinara indicated that they wish to place the admiral on trial forher past transgressions against them, and she willingly agreed to participate in that trial.”
    â€œOnly because she feared that her refusal would result in the loss of every CIF vessel in the area,” Chakotay noted. “Do you honestly believe they intend to give her a fair hearing?”
    â€œThat remains to be seen,” Cin said.
    â€œPresider Cin, we are receiving a transmission from the Manticle,” the communication officer’s voice reported.
    â€œPut it through to my suite,” Cin ordered.
    Chakotay turned to face the large viewscreen that sat opposite the presider’s desk. It took every ounce of self-control he possessed to remain where he stood rather than returning to Voyager. Or better yet, arm myself with two phaser rifles and transport directly to the Manticle.
    This was the only location from which he could take the Confederacy’s temperature moment