The Ecolitan Enigma by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

of Imperial politics was refreshing, if not unexpected. In view of your earlier efforts, you might be interested to know we took steps with regard to the elections on Hernando. The Popular Front had some setbacks in the balloting, and the Conservative Democrats have consolidated their government. They no longer need the Socialist Republicans." The Prime Ecolitan leaned back in his chair. "Would that our own citizens were as perceptive. Or our own honorable representatives." "What did the House of Delegates do?" Two compliments, reflected Nathaniel, meant real trouble. "At our prompting, indirectly, of course, they sent a communique to the Imperial Senate strongly suggesting it was in everyone's best interests if Hernando remained independent. The Imperial Secretary of External Affairs sent a reassuring response, and the Elders are patting themselves on the back, conveniently forgetting that the Institute carried everyone's oil. It works better that way." Pittsway grinned. "You did manage to terrify a few of the Imperials. That was obvious." The Prime glanced toward the green hills framed in the window. "I am not referring to the needle-gun attack." "I hadn't thought so." "We'll get to that in a moment. Even on Old Earth, you were obviously overtly formidable." "The synde bean plague on Heraculon helped." Nathaniel raised his eyebrows and waited. "Probably a great deal." "Nasty business, there. I've started a team on that." The Prime frowned momentarily. "I suppose you couldn'