Star Force: Marauders (SF63) Read Free Page B

What they’re talking about is a lot of
low level interaction with the Voku, the sort of stuff they’d never get
involved with. Us lessers do, so they want to brainstorm. Nothing official, and it’s not like they’re
taking a vote, but they’re quietly asking around and Steve wanted me to have a
chat with you about the Benoid while I’m here.”
    Garen looked over his
shoulder and telekinetically dragged two chairs over, sliding one behind his
fellow Archon. “We’re not talking militarily here, I assume,” he said, sitting
down.
    Victoria twirled her chair around and straddled it,
resting her arms on the backrest. “Davis wants free flowing commerce and travel
permits between the two empires, but we can’t really do that until we get a
trade route linkage set up. The Voku’s own convoys
are shipping out necessary equipment and personnel, but there’s no civilian
angle as of yet.”
    “I didn’t think the Voku had any civilians.”
    “They don’t have lazy ass freeloaders, but they do
have independent ventures. It seems only their top tier is dedicated to the
empire round the clock, with the rest supporting it more like a hobby. That
leaves a lot of down time that they fill with other things. And no, that’s not
in the database, just word of mouth I’ve got from Steve. Davis wants the Voku
to be able to access our transportation grid and involve themselves as much as
they like within our society, and if we can do that the Benoid is going to be
on the primary trade route connection.”
    “What do the Voku want with this?”
    “Their empire is split in two, and rather than try and
colonize a string of worlds across the gap they’ll just use our
infrastructure.”
    “So we’re a rail link for them.”
    “Will be, eventually. But Davis wants to make it more
personal than that. ‘Teammates’ was the word that was used.”
    “Territorial acquisition?”
    Victoria shook her head. “I don’t think so. At least
not within our borders, but you never know going forward. That’s why they’re
looking for input from local commanders like you. I assume you’re still going
to stick around here for a while?”
    “I don’t like other people playing in my sandbox.”
    “Star Force is our sandbox. You’re just sticking to a
small corner of it.”
    “Point taken. Other than self-defense, what is Davis
looking to get from the Voku here?”
    “Nothing specific. He just wants to open the link up
and see what develops. But we’re all encouraged to make use of any
opportunities that arise to include the Voku where beneficial.”
    “So the Benoid is going to become a way station and
you want to set up some stores to take advantage of the traffic?”
    “Metaphorically speaking, yes.”
    “And you’re here to plow the road for more colonies to
be established.”
    “I’m here to mow the weeds. Others will do the
plowing.”
    “Are we pulling back the extensions to the other trade
route branches?”
    “Not pulling back, but the Voku line is taking
priority. Once we get that established we’ll branch off of it heavily.”
    “That’s a change of procedure, and is going to hinder
our ability to get out ahead of the lizard creep rimward of here.”
    “I know. Steve thinks this is the better tradeoff.”
    “Warship traffic?”
    Victoria nodded. “Once we make a connection and Voku
ships are moving along the route it’ll be a lot more secure than through just
our own efforts. That’ll allow us to build it up faster…”
    “…and then we branch out. I get it, but we’re still
going to be losing systems to the lizards that otherwise we could have saved.”
    “You think we shouldn’t then?”
    “I think the Voku should build our way as well.”
    “Not happening. They’re pouring their resources into
what used to be Nestafar territory. Word has it they’re getting ready to hit
Orica.”
    “Ambitious bastards.”
    “Their new toys are rather impressive. I’m told that
most of them are staying in