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“They’re not complying.”
“That’s not my problem, Mr. Lynch.”
The former soldier’s face twisted in rage, briefly, before he regained control.
“Director Hartman, I know you have connections –”
“I will not use any so-called ‘connections’ to try to convince anyone to turn themselves over to a criminal government for what will probably be their own execution!”
“We don’t know that Director,” Lehman said. “The request specifically states any personnel who are repatriated to Artemis –”
“They’re not being repatriated, Counsel. They were never residents or citizens of Artemis. We’re being asked to extradite them, hand them over to a government who seemingly has already convicted them.”
“I suppose, in a technical sense, you’re correct,” Lehman admitted with evident reluctance. “But we are obligated to accede to their demands.”
“If we can get our hands on the people Artemis wants.”
“Precisely.”
“Which brings you two useless pantywaists back to my problem,” Lynch snarled. “They have told me, ever so politely, to get stuffed.”
“And I have told you, Mr. Lynch, that it’s not my problem. Well. Back where we started. Before you ask me again, no, I will not use my ‘connections’ to the Cassidys to persuade them!”
Lynch’s fist clenched but otherwise he showed no other signs of the fury Hartman knew was bubbling. He was trapped; on the one hand he had been there for the creation of the alliance with the Cassidys and was familiar with the basic framework. That provided ample material to pressure Hartman. Of course, he couldn’t reveal her involvement without revealing his own role which would make for some awkward questions.
As if reading his thoughts, Hartman continued.
“Has HLC turned over the project hulls?”
“They have,” he answered. “Gutted. Oh, the frameworks for everything is there, but none of them have engines, or weapons, or even environmentals!”
“Did they explain why not?”
“Their lackey at HLC, a woman named Culbertson, said they were exactly on schedule but if we insisted on delivery before the agreed-upon date we were getting them as-is. I tried to convince her to finish the work, but she won’t bend on the timetable. We can have them now, as they are, or next spring.”
Hartman shrugged, and Lehman said, “Without seeing the contract, I can’t speak authoritatively, you understand.”
“Yes, yes.”
“If you have stated the case correctly, and their contract specified a delivery date, then they are fully within their rights to insist on holding to that date for completion. Demand for early delivery voids the completion cause.”
“What good are five dozen empty hulls?”
“I can’t answer that, Director Lynch.”
“And, on top of that, if we intend to use them we have to pay their launch fees!”
“Was that part of the contract?”
Lynch looked to Hartman. “I don’t know; were they?”
“I’d have to look, Mr. Lynch. I haven’t been tracking the project closely, but I think they were.”
“Again, if it’s in the contract, then you probably have little recourse,” Lehman said. “If you’ll excuse me, Directors?”
Hartman nodded her acquiescence. As soon as the door closed, Lynch was speaking.
“You utter bitch! Is your loyalty so cheap?”
“Loyalty? Is that what you want to call it, Roosevelt?” she blasted back. “What about loyalty to the people who’ve backed us? Backed your idea to get the Union off our backs?”
“You mean the people who broke my jaw and embarrassed me?”
“Are you still bitching about that? Not to be blunt, but you were being a complete ass. You’re fortunate that Master Chief Stone was so restrained.”
Lynch changed his tactics.
“Mya, how the hell am I supposed to do this job?”
“Frankly, Roosevelt, I would have turned it down. There’s no way we can do this job; we don’t have the equipment, the resources, or, honestly, the right to do the dirty work for Artemis.”
“But I have to do it!”
“Roosevelt, you’re going to have to figure out where your honor lies. Is it following the rules? Or is it doing what you know is right?”
He didn’t have an answer for her.
“Now, if you don’t mind, I have other work to do, as I’m sure you do.”