Sunday February 12, 2006
Book 7: Emperor Pius Dei — Part V: Glamour Assault


NArrator: In the conning tower aboard the mercenary warship Touch-and-Go:
Tagon: I need options, people. Kevyn, let's see one of those brainstorms of yours.
Kevyn: Um... Captain? Brainstorming is what we're doing. It's a group thing. Everybody thinks together.
Tagon: Well, get on with it then. I'm in a hurry.
Ennesby: We could just skip this round of paychecks, and tell everybody we need to find customers.
Kevyn: Brash, but it is an option.
Tagon: Do you remember how I reacted when Doctor Lefrench stiffed us? Multiply that by fifty, and use less restraint.
Kevyn: Do you really think so? Even among merchanters mutiny is a serious offense.
Tagon: Among mercenaries, so is not making payroll.
Thurl: Captain, if we withhold pay from just the officers and senior enlisted, we can squeak by.
Tagon: So you want to dock pay from the people we trust the most in order to placate the people we don't trust.
Thurl: When you put it that way it starts to sound immoral.
Tagon: Immorality is our stock in trade. Okay, people... we have a "Plan B". Now, If any of you want to get paid this month, let's have "Plan A".