Red Canyon Deal
WHO: Jilleen Simmons & Conrad Pierce WHERE: Red Canyon, located near Tawa, Sagittaron. WHEN: 4 weeks after Banquet for Mars, Y03/01/06
The warm summer sun in Sagittaron’s morning sky beat down on the small group of horseback riders inside the wide red canyon. Two of them wore olive drab Colonial Forces uniforms and the others in civilian riding clothes. A 100 yards behind them on the dirt road they were followed by black security sport utility vehicles. Captain Simmons rode on a brown horse next to her Commanding Officer who had the newly confirmed Prime Minister of Sagittaron to his right on horseback. The three of them lead the small group of riders.
“I’m most concern about the shortfall of our grain harvest this season affecting the price of bread. It’s an important part of our stable diet and any sharp increase in cost would cause unwanted stress on my new government,” said the ruling majority party leader.
Jilleen instantly knew were this topic was heading when the Prime Minister shared his concern with the Admiral. The Colony of Aerilon was reluctant to extend further credit to Sagittaron after decades of subsidizing it with grain stock. Farmers back on her home colony were tired of getting less than market share for grain and many have refused contracts from the government. Besides the exploding population on Canceron demanded more grain and at fair market prices. She waited for the Admiral to respond.
“I understand and I’ve made it a point with the President that this is a security concern. We have monitored the effects of the drought on Younger’s Plain for the last two years and submitted reports to the Quorum.” The admiral explained. A shortage could cause widespread riots in some of the more unstable provinces.
“Of course you have,” the Prime Minister then looked past the Admiral Pierce to his aide. “What do you say Captain Simmons? What is your brother’s hesitation on the matter?”
It did not take him long to ask, as she had expected. Jilleen urged her horse to move slightly more ahead of Admiral Pierce’s horse, so she could look directly at the Prime Minister. “I’m sorry Sir. I cannot speak for Governor Simmons or the Colony of Aerilon.”
“Forgive me for being so forward, Captain. My predecessor … What can I say? He did little to improve our credit standing in the last couple of years. Your home world always came to our rescue during unrest which threatened famine. We will always be grateful for that. I’m just worry that all we have accomplished in the last few years can be undone.” The Prime Minister’s expression turned somber.
She and the Admiral already discussed the matter of grain shipments would come up during the ride. “If the Admiral will allow me,” she paused to wait for his approval which he nodded. “To be blunt the political pressures on Aerilon are such that it will be difficult to get approval from the House for another ‘hand-out’ as it is viewed back home. I’m not sure if it is possible this year.”
“I like your honesty, Captain Simmons,” said the Prime Minister. “I cannot blame the farmers of your world, since my family has struggled to farm this valley for generations. It does look bleak.”
“Indeed,” said Admiral Pierce. “There are limits to what I can do under my command, but I’ve asked the Captain for assistance.”
The Prime Ministered wanted to hear more, “How so?”
“We’ve come up with a plan to work around it,” he paused to glance at a grove of tree and gestured toward them. “Shall we discuss it under the shade?”
“Absolutely, Admiral.” They rode the horses toward the trees.
After a while discussing the details of the plan, the Admiral offered to execute it right away. “My chief of staff is due to leave for Aerilon this evening for a conference. Captain Simmons is prepared to go with him on my order. The sooner we can get this done the better outcome. Do we have an agreement?”
Jilleen looked at Admiral Pierce with her best blank expression. She was in no way prepared to leave tonight. No meetings were arranged yet, and there were no guarantee she would be able to meet with the right people on short notice. At least she had her father’s support since it was him that came up with the idea.
“Thank the gods they brought you and the captain to Sagittaron. You have my full support,” the Prime Minister extended his hand. “Agree.” They both shook hands on it.