Better to Beg Forgiveness

Baker & Taylor
When word comes that President Bishwanath, the local honest leader of Celadon, is dead, every corrupt politician and ruthless megacorp in the universe set out to seize control of the planet, unaware that Bishwanath is not dead, his mercenary bodyguards are loyal to a fault, and every rule in the book is about to be broken.

Blackwell North Amer
Celadon, a poor nation on a poor planet, engaged in civil war and a haven for every type of villainy in space, is ripe for cleanup. The military could pacify it handily, but it would take a statesman to fix it.
But statesmen have ethics, which politicians and megacorps find inconvenient. Celadon's President Bishwanath compounded the sin by being astute, ambitious and capable. Something had to be done, because a working nation isn't much use for pork and graft.
When the word comes down to replace him, the politicians move on with a new plan, reallocating resources, and finding a more pliable president to put in place.
There are three problems with this solution. Bishwanath does not want to be replaced. His mercenary bodyguards are more loyal than the politicians. And if they're not on contract - there are no rules.

Baker
& Taylor
When word comes that President Bishwanath, the local honest leader of Celadon, is dead, every corrupt politician and ruthless megacorp in the universe sets out to seize control of the planet, unaware that Bishwanath is not dead.

Simon and Schuster
Celadon, a poor nation on a poor planet, engaged in civil war and a haven for every type of villainy in space, is ripe for cleanup. The military could pacify it handily, but it would take a statesman to fix it.

But some statesmen have ethics, which politicians and megacorps find inconvenient. President Bishwanath compounded the sin by being astute, ambitious and capable. Something had to be done, because a working nation isn't much use for pork and graft.

When the word comes down that he is dead, the politicians move on with a new plan, re-allocating resources, and finding a new, more pliable president to put in place.

There are three problems with this solution. Bishwanath is not dead. His mercenary bodyguards are more loyal than the politicians. And if they're not on contract, there are no rules.