“Marmion de Revers Algemeine,” Farringer Ball began at his most pompous, “do you actually subscribe to the theory that this planet is sentient?”
“I most certainly do. And so do Sally Point-Jefferson, Millard Ephiasos, and Faber Nike, and you know very well, Farrie, that none of them are the least susceptible to ‘illusions’ or ‘hallucinations,’ not with the reports they have submitted to you on various occasions which I need not specifically mention.”
Matthew interrupted with a contemptuous gesture and his silkiest tone. “Madame Algemeine is a beautiful, intelligent woman, quite talented at making money, well adapted to survive under civilized circumstances, but she is used to dealing with people of the same sensibility. Here, I fear that she has fallen under the influence of the same primitive passions that claimed the major’s good sense and caused her to cast disrepute on her previously outstanding military record. A lady of such refinement as our chairperson …” Matthew shrugged, but was gratified by the rising color flooding across the delicate flesh on Marmion’s aristocratic cheekbones and slender neck. “In the best interest of Intergal, I’m requestingno, demandinga purge of all residents on this colony planet due to their almost unanimous obstructive behavior, the deliberate sabotage of Intergal expeditions, and subversions too numerous to list. And I charge Major Yanaba Maddock with treasonable activities; captains O’Shay and Greene for deliberate acts of sabotage and treason to this investigation; Dr. Sean Shongili for willful acts, including homicide, against the best interests of Intergal, whom he has contracted to serve; Clodagh Senungatuk for” He paused to look down at his list.
“Oh, great stars in the sky, Matthew,” Marmion said, with a laugh, “how many people did you steal away from their homes in the middle of the night to remand on such ridiculous, trumped-up charges?”
“Don’t laugh too soon, Marmion,” Matthew said severely. “Not when community leaders have been slain to prevent them from disclosing local lodes to Intergal officials.”
Unfortunately, his long list had given Marmion time to recover her composure and her rather deplorable sense of humor. “And please remember to indict whoever it was you allege seduced me to primitive passions, Matthew.” She winked at him in a childish way, then added disparagingly, “Do be sensible, Matthew, and face the facts you’ve helped gather. The autopsy reports clearly state death by misadventure”
“A highly toxic plant was purposefully allowed to infest the ore locations”
“To spring up overnight? That’s quite a green thumb, Matthew!” Marmion snapped back. “How can anyone, other than by actual planting and nourishing over a considerable period of time, tell a plant where to grow? Besides which, you’ve been so busy quizzing innocent folk about all kinds of misdemeanors that you never took a look at the records of four of those ‘murdered’ men. James Satok, James Unidak Reilly, Clancy Nyungaruk, and Soyuk Ishunt were dishonorably discharged from Intergal for fraud and black-market activities involving Intergal supplies.”
“No such report reached my desk,” Matthew said, turning to Braddock. The younger man shrugged, but his startled face expressed guilt and chagrin. “Moreover, I have proof positive that that highly toxic coo-berry bramble thorn was deliberately placed in the caves at four or more different settlements to prevent entry and discovery of rich ore-bearing seams!”
“Wait a minute!” Farringer Ball said, banging a fist on the table. “All this is beside the point, Matthew. Especially if Marmion says we can harvest pharmaceuticals and get at least some ores … which ones, Marmion?”
“That is to be decided,” Marmion replied, “but drills, excessive use of explosives”
“secretary-general Ball!” Matthew all but roared. “You cannot believe the aberrant notion put forth by Chairperson Algemeine that this planet is sentient?”
“No, I believe in cutting losses and getting what we can out of a place that’s causing far more fuss than it’s worth,” Farringer replied.
“It’s a ball of rock, an inanimate object …” Matthew was pounding the table with one fist and almost bouncing on his feet in his protest.
Suddenly he was catapulted onto the table, face down, his nose spurting blood, as seismic activity produced a havoc that had everyone in the room either grabbing their chairs to stay in them or being bounced about the committee room. Grinding sounds were so loud that people clapped hands to their ears, as the building shook and more mist poured in from the cracked seams of floor, walls, and ceilings.