SCMR Chpt 89

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==Chapter 89 - Self Configuring Modular Robot==
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"I completely support the efforts of the...
..National Exchequer in bringing down the conspiracy of corruption." Melissa Steiner-Davion said the words in front of the cameras. "This massive auditing of the national finances is long overdue."
The approach was a little shocking in more than one of the Successor states, as conventional political wisdom is more aligned with 'if you find massive corruption on this level you hide it to protect your position'.
Instead, Lohengrin, Loki, and MIIO were doing a huge business arresting nobles from Filtvelt to Mainstreet. The word "Purge" was being used in foreign press, several prominent officials have been caught at the borders, trying to escape a nations-wide sweep, and the courts were becoming clogged with white-collar crimes cases.
Meanwhile, the market prices were plunging on the Tharkad and New Avalon exchanges as the real costs of commodities started to be released.
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"What do we do with them all?" the list of 'bad actors' was growing exponentially on a daily basis. Putting Elizabeth and her people in charge of the audit had seemed to be a way to keep the girl where she could be observed, a task that fit her bullheaded work-ethic but didn't include playing with dangerous scientific equipment or hauling off on JumpShips to play space cowgirl.
"A lot of these people have held military commissions." Hanse noted. "Many of them are still young and healthy enough to serve..."
"Draft them? Give them weapons??" Melissa scoffed, "My dear, that would be inviting a coup attempt!"
"Yeah. It would," he agreed. "but hear me out...we can't imprison them all. We can't really execute them all. It would be a ****** nightmare, but they DO need to make restitution..."
"Not all of them can be redeemed."
"But some can. maybe even enough." he said. "An offer of redemption, of forgiveness." he explained, "It's worked with Pat Ngo's collection of ex-pirates."
"We're really considering this?" Melissa asked.
"I think we might have to." Hanse noted.
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