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“That could change without warning. We all know how unpredictable his behavior is,” Zevon argued.
“I disagree. Jevara is ruthless and amoral, but he is not unpredictable. The war between Altor and Torret began over a disputed moon. Your refusal to train anyone from Torret or give them access to conduits fueled the smoldering animosity. This conflict is not, nor was it ever, one-sided.”
Zevon’s frustration sparked into open hostility for a moment before he regained control of his emotions. “That’s not the way I see it, but you are entitled to your opinion.”
“I’m not defending Jevara’s actions,” Movu stressed. He uncrossed his legs and scooted to the edge of his seat. “He deserves to die for what he has done. I’m simply cautioning you not to squander the goodwill you’ve begun to build with the rest of us.”
“Meaning?”
“If you want a true alliance, you must be willing to release your stranglehold on your most valuable resource in this star system.”
Comprehension sparked in Zevon’s expression and he narrowed his eyes. “Conduits.”
“Exactly. In the past, power triads were formed almost exclusively by the Altorian elite.” Movu paused and motioned toward Kyrex. “I’m pleased to see that you are starting to consider those with more varied backgrounds, but I suspect my son is the exception, not the rule.”
“There’s no need to be coy with me,” Zevon threw Movu’s words back in his face. “What do you want?”
“As of this morning, there are forty-four conduits not being officially courted. If you want the Wraiths to participate in a Torretian offensive, eleven will be reserved for Pyronese males. The other condition is that you secure a similar alliance with the Torretian rebels. Jevara can be taken out by a strike team, but his troops will keep on fighting until they are bested. That cannot be done without the rebels. No one knows the planet or Torretian military tactics better than Laidon and his rebels.”
“Laidon has broken my trust repeatedly.” Zevon shook his head. “I will not extend my hand again.”
“Laidon tried to steal a conduit because you would not allow him access to one. The thought has occurred to many of us. Laidon is just the only one bold enough to try it.” Challenge arched Movu’s brows and he paused to allow the implications to sink in. “The Citadel was established to supervise the training of conduits. Once they were trained, conduits were meant to be distributed evenly between the four planets. I’ve read the Charter. I know where things went wrong.”
“The vast majority of those changes took place before I was born,” Zevon pointed out. He was calmer now, but he still seemed annoyed.
“You took responsibility for their actions when you agreed to be president.” After disregarding Zevon’s excuse, Movu finished his point. “Your predecessors closed their fists around the most precious commodity in this star system so no one else could touch them. They have hoarded triads, making damn sure that no one else had access to that sort of power.”
“Conduits are not a commodity,” Kyrex objected sharply. They were treated like commodities all too often and the attitude needed to change.
“Figure of speech,” Movu dismissed, his attention still focused on Zevon.
“You want me to divide up the conduits into groups of eleven and ship them off to each of the planets?” Zevon shook his head, looking askance.
“If you want to build trust with the other planetary leaders, that’s exactly what you should do. You claim to be an agent of change, meaningful change. I say you prove it.”
Zevon’s troubled gaze shot to Kyrex then back to Movu. “Let me think about it.”
Kyrex understood his father’s perspective. The other planets were tired of the preferential treatment Altorians received. Yet Kyrex could also understand Zevon’s reluctance to give up control of one of the most valuable resources in the star system. Without triads, the Citadel was a rusted-out space station with a small army of semi-empowered soldiers.
“The board of governors will fight me on this every step of the way.” Zevon shook his head as he stared past his guest, likely imagining the coming confrontation.
“Then let me sweeten the deal,” Movu offered with a secretive smile. “We have guarded the fact carefully, but the terraforming on Cassita is complete. The moon is now inhabitable. It will take a few cycles before crops can be introduced, but you are used to surviving in space. Having access to fresh water and a breathable atmosphere will be a huge step forward for you. We are prepared to include sectors eight and nine as part of the alliance. Pyron will retain ownership, but the Citadel will have a full-use, cost-free lease for fifty years or as long as the treaty remains in force.”
“It’s not really cost-free though, is it?” Zevon crossed his arms over his chest. “The true cost is eleven conduits.”
“We are asking you to rebalance the power, to restore what was dictated by the Charter,” Movu insisted, his expression just as resolute as Zevon’s.
“Trust is easier to build one step at a time,” Kyrex stated clearly. He’d meant to listen and learn, but they were heading for a standoff with no benefit for any of them. “Proceed in stages. Send a conduit or two with a security contingent to establish the alliance. Then make the other conduits contingent upon measurable outcomes. A successful transition of power on Torret, or development of this newly transformed moon.”
Zevon and Movu just stared at him silently for a tense moment. Kyrex wasn’t officially a member of the Citadel or the Wraith Council. Had he spoken out of turn?
“That’s actually rather clever,” Movu decided. “It would protect your interests while demonstrating your determination to act differently than the self-absorbed pricks who you replaced.”
Zevon smiled, but his gaze still reflected uncertainty. “Most of those pricks are still on the board of governors, but I agree that it’s a good idea. Give me a day or two to convince them and then we can reconvene.”
“Your biggest challenge is going to be working with the rebels and my council won’t proceed without them,” Movu reminded. “I tried everything in my power to dissuade them, but they will not budge.”
Zevon nodded as he expelled a heavy sigh. “You have given me a lot to think about.”
