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The bartender bypassed the closest bottle on the shelf behind hi froled up, no doubt A little theater Alex probably arranged just to irritate him

As the drinks were poured, Russell took stock of the busy roo to do?"

"Work, drink, screw, as the saying goes up here," Alex said "It’s good to lass

"Sláinte," Alex said

They both drank The chatter in the room had all but died, Russell realized He toyed with the idea ofa speech to the locals After another drink, he decided

"Enough dog and pony," Russell said "Let’s go to your office and chat"

The dreary roos consisted of a faux granite desk and two simple metal chairs No personal touches adorned the desk or the walls; et the job done

"Nice view," Russell said The roo The realization made the place seem even smaller

His counterpart offered him a chair, and Russell sat The seat was hard as rock, uncomfortable in the extreme

Alex became serious He rested his elbows on the chair’s arether "I need to ask you so with the clies?"

The accusation stunned Russell A flash of anger gave way to pride Pride in knowing Alex thought hi at so it to "off’ with ait to "on" Russell threw his head back and laughed "No," he said "No, but it’s not a bad idea I ht ask you the same question"

"We’re as baffled as you are," Alex said

"That’s … terrifying, frankly"

Alex gave a slow, thoughtful nod "Well, thanks for starting the cli the council," Russell said "I live for it"

A pregnant pause followed Alex deflated slightly in his chair, his eyes dancing from one side of the table to the other

Russell cleared his throat "How’s our old friend Platz?"

Alex Warthen sht Russell off guard "What the hell does that mean?"

"I heard about his visit last week"

Russell felt his cheeks groar "What are you on about?"

Alex grinned

"Are you fucking withhi sloppy or the old man has friends in low places"

Russell winced He didn’t like implication He didn’t like the pun, either "Well, what the hell was he doing there?"

"According tofroain "Buying what?"

"I’ on that," Alex said

Russell felt lost in the possibilities "Perhaps I should look into it Pay Prumble a visit--"

Alex raised a hand in opposition "Exercise sos develop"

The revelation boiled Russell’s blood If it proved to be true, the consequences were unsettling Strict control over what cohtcliff was one of the few pieces of true power Russell held It h unnoticed

Russell wanted to break soe the subject, he decided "Any progress," he said, "on my request?"

A sour look crossed Alex’s face, if only for an instant "The council voted it down ‘It’s the Orbital Council Mr Blackfield is on the ground’ Their words, not ht He forced hiround It’s not just dirt and rock, you know We have air and water, too"

Alex spread his hands "Processed at facilities owned by Platz "

"Shipped through facilities run by"The council will have none of that"

Russell spread his hands "They’d probably order you down there with your more-than-capable forces"

"Which," Alex said, "would clearly be a surprise to you"

"I out, two at a ti," said Alex

A silence followed Only the sound of air being pushed into the room by machinery hidden in the walls could be heard It served as a nice echo to Russell’s argument

He tapped the thick novel on the table "War and Peace It’s the gray area in bethere we live, you and I"

Alex kept his face still "It see to toss ?"

"The idea was mentioned …"

"Your idea, or the vaunted council?"

"Sa," the man said "I’m a member, after all"

"True," Russell said "The only uards In fact, between us we coHis face betrayed nothing

Russell continued "We own the choke points, you and I I don’t see e have to listen to anyone Especially the old goat, Neil Platz"

Still no reaction

Russell took that as a good sign, and went on "A lot of power in our hands, eh?"