After months of delaying maneuvers by their opponents, Donner Jackson had received word through Lawson that Randall Benchley’s refiled brief was to be taken up by the UN courts. Randall thought he had an excellent chance as the smaller countries were coming on board. These countries saw the brief as a way to prevent the more powerful countries from dominating the Belt. They had been beaten too many times to salvageable resources, usually off their own coasts, by the larger nations or their corporate clients. And they figured dealing with independents would be easier than dealing with large bureaucracies or corporations.
So, Randall had hit upon the perfect wedge issue to turn the smaller, predominant members of the UN against the larger members. It was a question of right versus might in the minds of many. Randall was appalled by all the publicity but was pleased to be on the side of the underdogs. Donner had relayed the good news to Martin several days before.
For his part, Donner was preparing to ask for an update from Lawson when the message alert on his Annie rang out. Donner opened the document, it was encrypted, and it was from Martin.
Decrypted it read, “Finally arrived. Situation changing rapidly. Have met opposition here. Threatened action by UN forces. We must move quickly, can’t wait for the results from brief. I am meeting with independents, if unanimous we will be taking action.” – Martin.
Donner was alarmed at the last sentence. He wondered what action Martin was talking about. He worried for the safety of his son.
How did the UN forces become strong enough out there to threaten the local autonomy movement? Someone obviously knew a lot about the movement’s plans and had prepared a counter move. If that was the case then Martin was right of course, the venue of the law was moving too slow, autonomy or not would be decided out in the Belt.
Donner prepared a message for his son, it read simply, “Good luck.” - Dad.
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