Resilience (Warner's World Book 6) Read Online Free Page A

said “We will be fine. All is taken care of.” Tola’s facial expression gave away the fact that she didn’t believe him.
     

Chapter 10. Neeblo 0600, 8 September
    Meelanda Orocash, second tier aristocrat, ex director of research and development at the Likta Corporation and now interim president of the Cheklin Resistance, looked at herself in the mirror of her bathroom. She was momentarily blinded as a ray of sunlight hit the mirror and dazzled her. She ordered the window to partial blackout. She felt oh so weary. She would have rather not met this human Commodore but she knew she had to. He would be here any minute. It was too late for anything but to wash her face, get dressed and greet him.
    As she came out of her apartment she met Evie and envied her youth. She knew she had as little sleep as herself but she looked so much better.
    “He’s just landed” advised Evie.
    “Bring him in” she directed and then made her way across to the office they had constructed for her in the basement of one of the old deserted factories. Despite the outward façade it was quite comfortable inside.
    Her nephew and shadow, Erkum Polist, stuck his face through the doorway as she was sitting down in one of the seats around the low table. She waved for him to come and sit down. “Is it just the Commodore?” she asked.
    “No, Tola’s with him.”
    “OK make sure they enter unarmed and arrange for us all to have some breakfast. If I don’t get to eat something I’ll fall asleep.”
    Erkum gave her a smile and left just a minute before Evie entered with Julian and Tola.
    Meelanda took a degree of comfort from the weary look on her guest’s face as she was introduced. “I too find this early rise most uncivilised” she said to Julian.
    He gave her a tired smile. “An occupational hazard I’m afraid.”
    Meelanda nodded and with a wave invited everyone to sit down. “Refreshments will be coming directly. I take it you are here in relation to the command arrangements?”
    “Quite so. I wanted to convey to you that we see the merit in your proposal and to reassure you that we will be more than willing to place our forces under your command for the duration of the hostilities.” Pious paused there. He had rehearsed several times what he was going to say but nonetheless he faltered at this moment.
    “But?” asked Meelanda drawing him out.
    Julian tilted his head slightly acknowledging her. “But we reserve the right for independent action in pursuit of Federation interests should the need arise. Please don’t be alarmed by that. Our intent is to…how shall I put this…”
    “I think your expression is if the shit hits the fan.”
    “Exactly! I don’t envisage that happening but we do need to cover all contingencies.” Meelanda nodded. “Also we would require being consulted in the planning process for the commitment of any Federation assets.”
    “So the Federation tail will wag the rogan dog?”
    “No, no, not at all. But if we are to be partners then we need to consult. Otherwise we are but slaves to rogan authority and I’m afraid we cannot support that.” Julian set his expression endeavouring to convey seriousness without aggression. The adrenalin was kicking in now and he felt a little more energy but he knew he had to maintain a steady presence.
    Meelanda had already played this out in her mind before. It was going as she expected. She also knew that if the situations were reversed she would want nothing less than what they were now demanding. She still paused though searching for the right tone in which to convey her concurrence to his terms.
    Julian was used to such pauses in negotiations where the stakes were so high. But he started to get a little anxious and was about to ask if she understood his position when finally she spoke.
    “Would an exchange of staff officers at Fleet level suffice?”
    “A very good start but I would recommend that in addition we have suitably qualified political