Page 186 of Commander’s Mate

Atmospheric scrubbers in two contaminated regions.

Construction equipment.

Food.

We had enough survivors on the surface to rebuild something.

We did not have enough resources to rebuild quickly.

The Consortium knew it.

“How much?” I asked.

Tivid brought up the numbers.

My breath stopped.

Enough to reopen three regional hospitals.

Enough to restore power to Waysatu and four agricultural districts.

Enough to feed the surviving population through winter.

Enough to matter.

Degatu’s face became unreadable.

“What do they want?”

Tivid changed screens.

Return one dreadnought to Consortium control.

Submit the Ursaga intelligence archive for joint anti-trafficking review.

Provide a complete manifest of all rescued persons aboard Farseek vessels.

Recognize Consortium jurisdiction over future disposition of rescued citizens from member worlds.

Suspend unsanctioned military operations in Sargus commercial zones.

In exchange, reconstruction aid would resume.

Criminal charges against Farseek command would be “held in administrative abeyance.”

Pyrr stared.

“They want us to stop.”

“Yes.”

“They want the slave records.”

“Yes.”

“They want the people.”

Tivid did not answer.