Let's Make a Deal (Bob and Nikki Book 11), стр. 52
The Emperor looked at Natti, stunned. “You mean to say that the Commodore could supply the wonderful walnuts to our people at affordable prices? That our people could have had them at any time, had this cartel not have been so greedy?”
“Exactly, Your Majesty.”
“And these, my Admirals, are in the pay of these cartels, even though they are sworn to me?”
“I have no way of knowing if all of them are, but it is nearly certain that some of them are.” There was a ruckus, and we heard several clangs, like something hard hitting metal. Then Dixie said, “Good job, fellas. None of them got through.”
The Emperor said, “Once again I am in debt to you people for saving my life. It looks as if I am in the market for some new Admirals, since all of these are more loyal to the walnut cartel, than to me. Would you mind escorting them outside?” The lead Marine spoke up again, and that reminded me that I needed to learn his name. He said, “We don’t have a problem with that, as long as we can wait till the fellow that guided the other bunch gets back. We wouldn’t want to be wandering around this big old ship with dangerous prisoners. That’s a good way to get somebody hurt.”
“That’s wise. I’m sorry, but our bots aren’t as sophisticated as you. I’m amazed at how well you handle things.”
“Well, Your Majesty, I’ve been in charge of my unit for fifty thousand years, give or take, while we’ve been marooned. Even a dumb bot like me picks up a thing or two, after that long.”
The Emperor startled. “Fifty thousand years, you say?”
“Fifty thousand in Earth years. That’s what we’ve been using since we got recovered. Somewhere around 43,000 in Commonwealth, and I don’t have any idea what you folks use for years.”
“Close enough. How did you manage to stay functional all that time?”
“We had a freighter we were able to scrounge for some things we needed, and a small printer that lasted us quite a while before it quit working. Several of my people weren’t functional anymore when we were recovered, but with the printers on the ships that picked us up, we were able to get everyone up and going again.”
“Sounds like quite an adventure. Here’s Crikki, now.” The Marines collected the Admirals, and headed out. The Emperor said, “Well, now I need different Admirals, but I thought those were trustworthy. How will I do better this time?”
Snappi said, “Your Majesty, I may be able to offer a solution to your problem, but it would involve getting a favor from the Commodore.”
“What sort of solution, Captain?”
“The humans have a method of detecting whether a person is being deceitful, or not. One of the Commodore’s Captains is a master at the method, and has made a training program to be used with the teaching machine. It is made for humans, of course, but I have taken it, with no ill effects.”
“You think the Commodore would let me take this course?”
“If he thought it would help to make peace between our people, I don’t think he would hesitate.”
“Please see if you can arrange it, then.”
Saucy said, “Incoming call from Snappi, Boss.” I jumped up, said, “Your ship, Topper. Route that call to my comm, Saucy.” and ran for the ready room. I didn’t want echoes from the screen giving away the fact that we had been listening in to their conversation. Once I was inside the ready room, I answered, “Commodore Wilson.”
Snappi said, “Commodore, something has come up I need your help with.”
“I’m not on the bridge right now, but I can relay firing instructions to Topper for you. What do you need destroyed?”
“Nothing. The Emperor would like to take the cold-reading course that I had.”
“That’s a bit of a problem, Snappi. I don’t have a problem with him having the knowledge, but I don’t quite see how to administer the course.”
“I don’t see the issue. Just send the course and operator over on a small ship.”
“That is the issue, Snappi. Lakki is the only tech I trust to administer the course. She was given a hitch in the Navy, instead of time in jail when she was caught hacking. Before her term was up, I captured the ship she was on, and she decided to come to work for me. So, technically, she is a fugitive from Imperial justice. Her setting foot on the Imperial yacht would amount to surrendering to serve out her sentence.”
Snappi said, “I see. Isn’t there anything that would change your mind?”
“Well, I suppose the Emperor could pardon her, so that she needn’t worry about serving out the rest of her term, if he really wants the course that badly.”
“Let me put you on hold, while I confer with His Majesty.”
“Certainly.” The line went quiet, and I said, “Gene, put the feed we were watching on the bridge up in here, please. Be sure and mute it when Snappi comes back on the line. Oh, and page Lakki to the ready room, if you would.”
“On it, Boss.” The feed came up on the wall screen. Snappi was saying, “Your Majesty, there seems to be a slight hiccup in that plan.”
“What might that be, Captain?”
“The tech that administered the course to me, who the Commodore says is the only tech he trusts to administer it to one of our people, is a fugitive from Imperial justice, and therefore cannot set foot on this ship, without being taken into custody.”
“What