18/02/2026 16:22

---

And there had been several smuggling convictions by the ConfederationTax Commission, though the Splennite reputation was worse than a fewconvictions would account for. If they'd havejust started mining with mechanicals and contract workers, the gookswouldn't have even known the Rombili were on the planet. Most of it was dark forest though. The army had lost 48 killed and 71 WOA on the ground, plusthree gunships destroyed with their crews, and four severely damaged.

Lord Jorn Nufkarm grunted. Not only had the forest been loggedthrough; the unmerchantable tops of fallen trees had been hauled away forfuelwood. A packetheld three ounces; it took about a minute to eat it. And Idoubt that Engwar worries about serf lives.