The Burden of Command, page 10
part #14 of Empire Rising Series
James allowed his complexion to change. He let his true feelings out. He was worried, though frustrated would be a better description. “I know just as well as you what is going on. I wouldn’t be in this costume otherwise. I just can’t stand that all we can do is sit there and watch. After everything we have done, after all the preparations we have made. We have devoted two decades to building up our defenses. We cannot allow them to crumple!”
Christine gave him a sad smile and reached out to squeeze his wrist. “We won’t my dear. And we will be doing more than just watching. We will be reminding everyone.”
James nodded. He understood what she meant, yet to him, it still felt like they would be doing nothing. But how will that be different than any other day? He asked himself as his mood got the better of him. It had been ten years since he had commanded a fleet from the bridge of a warship. Ten years of Admiralty meetings and playing politics with Christine. James was all too aware it had been wearing him down. He was a man of action, he needed to be doing more than playing the role of Emperor at Christine’s side. As it often did, James’ mind went to Tanaka-lan. News had come in just a month ago of another major battle in the Karacknid civil war. Tanaka-lan had defeated a fleet of over three thousand enemy warships. He had destroyed the fleet’s flagship and managed to win over nearly half of its remaining ships to his side. Though it was a great victory, it was just one in a long string of battles the Karacknid Admiral had fought over the last twenty years. Not all had been victories of course, many had been defeats. Yet James’ greatest rival was constantly honing his skills while James was stuck in the endless game of politics. A game he hated and yet one he knew he was bound to, for without it, the fleet he loved so dearly could find itself stripped of the resources it needed, right when the Karacknids might once again turn their attentions to Earth.
Tanaka-lan’s victory was just one in what James was growing to believe was the final stages of the Karacknid’s civil war. For the last two decades, nine contenders claiming the title of Imperator had risen, fighting to secure their position. That number had now dropped to just three. If the other two had allied against Tanaka-lan three years ago, the war would have already been over. Even as it was, outnumbered by more than fifty percent, Tanaka-lan was holding his own. The war was coming to a tipping point, James could feel it. Either Tanaka-lan or his rivals were going to gain a significant advantage. And when they did, James was sure the majority of the Karacknid clans would fall in line behind whoever gained it. Then the Karacknid war machine would be directed outwards once again, and their target would most certainly be Earth. James was the one who had killed the last Karacknid Imperator after all, so whoever managed to gather the Karacknid clans under one banner once again would undoubtedly wish to seek revenge. Though the odds were technically against him, James still had no doubts that it would be Tanaka-lan. Though Christine had often told him he was becoming too sentimental, James knew that he would have to face his opponent once again.
That was why he was so full of frustration now. As far as he was concerned, Humanity’s future was obvious. The Karacknid War might have ended in an uneasy peace, but that peace would not last forever. Humanity and her allies had to do everything they could to get ready for when hostilities would break out once again. Anything less than that would guarantee their species’ extinction. Another squeeze on his wrist brought James’ mind back to Christine.
“You are brooding again,” she said as she narrowed her eyebrows. “You’ve done quite enough of that lately. The Commoners need to see an Emperor who is optimistic, who knows we can win this vote and continue to secure the protection of our people, not someone who is full of doubts and concerns.”
“Maybe if they shared more of my doubts and concerns, we wouldn’t be facing this vote,” James complained.
Christine smiled again, though it didn’t touch her eyes. “Not everyone has seen what you have seen, my dear. It’s not the same seeing holo images or watching documentaries. There is a whole generation that has grown up with the Karacknids as just a distant threat. The Republic Caucuses’ demands are understandable. If it wasn’t entirely necessary, I would be on their side. They are not our enemies; we just have to win them over.” James looked away. He wasn’t sure he could bring himself to agree. Anyone who stood in the way of building up the Imperial Fleet and strengthening Humanity’s defenses felt like an enemy to him. “There, I think I’m ready,” Christine said as she stepped forward past her three aides. “And Fox has you looking as handsome as ever.” Christine held out her hand. “Shall we proceed?”
“If we must,” James said as he allowed Christine to hook her arm around his elbow. He hesitated for the briefest of seconds as she tugged on his arm and then he followed his wife out of their quarters.
Deborah Nicholls, James’ Chief of Staff, was waiting for them in the corridor. She frowned as soon as she saw the look on James’ face. James rolled his eyes when she glanced at Christine and they shared a knowing look. It wasn’t hard to guess what passed between them. “Everything is ready Emperor, Empress,” Nicholls said as she gave them both the slightest of bows. “Your shuttle is waiting. Fairfax has gone ahead to make the necessary arrangements at the House of Commons. The debate has begun, but none of the main speakers have had their time yet.”
“Then let us proceed,” Christine said. “And as we go, maybe you can convince my husband to cheer up a little.”
“I’m afraid that wasn’t in my job description Empress,” Nicholls said. “I’d say wrangling a bunch of Constitutionalist Senators to vote on an extension to your personal allowances would be easier than that.”
Almost, Nicholls’ words brought a smile to James’ lips. Nicholls had served her two terms as a Senator in the Imperial Senate representing the colony of Utah. After her terms, Christine had recommended that James recruit her as his chief of staff. Even before he had become Emperor, James had come to respect Nicholls. Her work as one of the leaders of the Imperial Loyalist Party in the Senate had endeared her to him even more. Even so, Christine and he had gone through quite the fight over the matter. Having a civilian Chief of Staff went against every fiber in James’ body. Yet as always, his wife’s advice had proven wise counsel. For almost ten years now, Nicholls had helped him navigate the numerous political pitfalls that came with trying to be Humanity’s Emperor.
“Oh, come on now,” Christine said with a wave of her hand. “The Constitutionalists are not nearly that bad. If they hear you comparing them to my husband, they’ll be insulted.”
James rolled his eyes. “I think you have had your fun ladies. If I promise to keep a sour look off my face, will you leave me alone?”
Christine nodded. “That’s what we were going for. Promise accepted.”
“I suppose someone better tell me what is expected of me next,” James followed up.
Nicholls grinned, “I’m glad you asked Emperor. You haven’t been to the House of Commons before?”
“Just for the opening ceremony,” James replied.
“Well, we’re taking you in one of the back entrances. No one knows you are coming. Fairfax will inform security once we are in the air. There is a private corridor to the Imperial Gallery. We shouldn’t be interrupted until we get to it. Then, all you have to do is make a grand entrance and take a seat and listen to their arguments.”
“You make it sound so easy,” James said as he filled his voice with sarcasm. “How many Commoners have requested to speak?”
“Thirty-three,” Nicholls answered. “Including almost half of the Republic Caucus.”
James groaned. The Republic Caucus had split from the Constitutionalists nine years ago. Initially, their main goal had been to push for an end to his and Christine’s positions as Empress and Emperor. With the war over, they wanted the three houses of the Imperial Parliament to elect a leader. Now however, they were pushing more for a reduction in military spending. Thanks to James and Christine’s popularity within the Empire, their initial policy hadn’t won them much support. However, with every year that passed causing the memory of the Karacknid War to fade in people’s memories, their constant cries against the Empire’s military spending were proving much more popular. As a result, they were swaying more and more independent Commoners to their side. James hadn’t believed it at first, but in the last two years, a growing trend had become undeniable. For the first time since forming the Empire, he had started to think limiting elected representatives to just two terms had been a mistake. With a much more transitory Parliament, party loyalties were not nearly so strong. It meant a small party like the Republic Caucus could gain significant support without having to spend decades building up their appeal throughout the Empire.
Christine gave James’s elbow a squeeze with her hand. “Think of it as practice, my dear. It’s been two decades since you led a fleet into battle. Pretend you’re sitting on the bridge of one of your warships again. Put on your stoic expression and convince your crew that you’re no more scared of charging in against a Karacknid fleet as taking Lexi for a walk. Only this time, you just have to convince several hundred Commoners you are not bored by their talks.”
James shook his head. “If only it were that easy,” he replied. “I’m more worried about losing my temper than looking stoic.”
“Well don’t,” Nicholls said in a more serious tone. “If you do, it will play into their hands. They may have a growing support base for cutting military spending and taxes. But it wouldn’t be hard for them to spin that support into an opposition to you directly. If people think you are trying to browbeat them into accepting your policies, it will backfire.”
“I know, I know,” James assured his Chief of Staff. “You and Christine have been reminding me of that every month of every year since I’ve known you both. I know… But it doesn’t make it any less frustrating.”
Christine laughed. “The challenge of democracy, my dear. Even when you know best, you still have to waste copious amounts of precious time and energy convincing everyone else.”
“Maybe we should have just set ourselves up as dictators,” James murmured.
Nicholls and Christine shot him dirty looks. “Don’t even joke about that,” Christine warned. “Not even in private. One recording and you could lose ten approval points.”
James ground his teeth together. There was another thing he hated. Approval points were irrelevant to him. Yet he couldn’t go a week without someone updating him about his. In the years immediately after the Karacknid War, no one had bothered. He had been the hero of Gayla after all. He had personally killed Taranaki and won peace at the cost of his arm. Still today, that bought him a lot of goodwill with the Empire’s populace, yet it was fading. As James led Christine and Nicholls out into the Palace’s main foyer, James’ mood brightened. General Johnston was talking to two Imperial Guard Captains. “General,” he called out. “I didn’t know you were visiting the Palace.”
Johnston stopped what he was saying and turned to grin at James. His smile widened when he saw what James was wearing. “And just what do we have here?” He asked. “An old Admiral coming out of retirement?”
James shook his head at Johnston. “You’re older than me by a couple of decades. Who are you calling old?”
Johnston turned back to the Captains, said something quickly and then nodded to them. When they turned and marched off, he came closer. “It suits you. You should wear it more often,” he said as he gestured to James’ dress uniform.
“That’s what I’ve told him,” Christine said.
“And you’re looking rather fetching yourself, if I may say so my Empress. Are you both off to some function I don’t know about?” Johnston asked.
“The Commons debate, we thought we’d pop in and observe for a couple of hours,” Christine answered.
Johnston’s eyebrows rose. “Well, I’m sure they’ll enjoy that. I hope it works.”
“As do we,” Christine said.
“And what are you doing here?” James asked, more interested in Johnston than what he and Christine were about to do.
“I just had to meet with a few bean counters,” Johnston said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “A joint exercise I’ve been trying to organize with the Navy. Someone wanted the funds to come out of the Marines’ budget rather than being split. I’ve convinced them of the error of their ways.” Johnston stood up straight and glanced down at the medals on his chest. “Two can play at your game Emperor.”
James laughed. “I’m glad it worked for you. You and Clare are still on for tonight? Emilie and Alvarez are able to come after all.”
Johnston clapped his hands together. “We certainly are. I’m looking forward to it. Though will you be back in time?”
“We should be,” Christine said. “If not, you can start without us.”
“We will be,” James countered. He glanced at his wife. “At least, I will be. If our Empress wants to stay up into the small hours of the night listening to the same issues be debated over and over again, she is more than welcome to.”
Johnston grinned as he looked back-and-forth between the both of them. “If only you could meet with each Commoner individually. I dare say you’d be able to convince them to vote your way… At the very least,” he continued as his grin widened. “You put their fears that the two of you have secret plans to take over the Empire and rule together with an iron fist to rest. If they could see how much you disagree, they might just think having a husband-and-wife as Emperor and Empress is the best check and balance our constitution has.”
Christine’s face tightened and she raised a hand to scold Johnston. Johnston quickly jumped back, showing off his augmented reflexes. Christine shook her hand and waved her head dismissively. “We have no time for this. I’ll be telling Clare what you said later though.” She smiled when Johnston’s grin faded. “That’s more like it. Now, let us be on our way. We have plenty of time to catch up later.”
“As you wish Empress,” Johnston said as he winked at James.
James smiled back, and then allowed Christine to direct him past his friend. As they approached the Palace’s main entrance, six Imperial guards appeared and began to march along behind them. Four more went out before them to secure the closest landing pad. Their Imperial shuttle was already sitting waiting for them. Its engines were glowing a dull blue as they waited to boost the shuttle into the atmosphere. When they got to its rear access ramp, James let Nicholls and Christine go first. He paused for a moment before stepping up himself. Taking a moment, he looked around at the beautiful Swiss Alps that surrounded the Palace. He allowed himself to take a deep breath of fresh mountain air. Despite living in such a beautiful place, he so rarely got to go outside. The duties of Emperor kept him busy almost every waking hour. That will have to change, James thought. The constant politicking was getting to him. He needed to be taking more time for himself, both he and Christine did. When all this is over, he promised, knowing full well it was far more of a wish than a promise.
Moving up the shuttle, James sat down beside Christine and strapped himself in and donned his flight helmet. “All passengers aboard and seated?” A familiar voice asked. James frowned for a moment as he tried to place it.
“All aboard,” the Imperial Guard Lieutenant in charge of James and Christine’s protection unit replied.
“Very well, Imperator I lifting off in ten seconds. Pilot Georgia Somerville in command.” The hint of a smile on the pilot’s lips was unmistakable in her voice.
James and Christine sat forward in their flight chairs. They both turned to Nicholls. Nicholls was smiling. “She didn’t tell you? She just joined the roster of Imperial pilots. When I saw her name there, I requested her for this flight. I thought it would be fitting.”
James didn’t know whether to be proud or upset that Georgia had kept it from them. He could tell Christine was thinking the same thing. At twenty-two, their daughter was a grown woman now. Yet he still thought of her as his little baby. Though it was a long time since a threat had been made on his or Christine’s lives, he still didn’t like the idea of Georgia flying their shuttle. It was a danger she didn’t need to be in. Despite his concerns, he kept quiet, he had learned years ago voicing such things only got him in trouble. Instead, he let his pride come through in his voice. “Glad to have you as our pilot, Flight Lieutenant Somerville. Just keep the flight simple please, there is no need to show off.”
“Copy Emperor, I will keep the number of barrels under ten then,” Georgia replied.
James rolled his eyes. He kept his mouth shut though. The shuttle had begun to take off. He didn’t want to give his daughter any excuse to do something that would get her in trouble. Instead, he reached out and took Christine’s hand. It was a proud moment for the both of them. Raising Jonathan, Georgia, Edward, and Rachel was their greatest accomplishment. Especially given the constant pressure each of their kids had been under. Growing up as the sons and daughters of Humanity’s first Emperor and Empress had come with many challenges even Christine, who had grown up as a Princess in the British Royal family, hadn’t anticipated. On James’ insistence, they had been given the strictest of privacy. For the most part, the holo news broadcasters had kept his wishes. Though neither he nor Christine had pressured any of their children to serve the Empire, Jonathan, Georgia, and Edward were all doing so in their own way. Rachel was still in school, but by all accounts, she had the same ambitions. Though James wasn’t particularly pleased Georgia had decided to become a pilot, it was far better than becoming a celebrity or leveraging her heritage in some other unseemly way.
As the shuttle rose above the Palace and banked towards Geneva, James found himself focusing on every slight turn and jolt that ran through the shuttle for the first time in many years. He was pleased to find his daughter was a very capable pilot. It brought a smile to his face. Mentally, he made a note to thank Flight Admiral Hawthorn. He knew the senior commander of the Imperial fleets fighter force had played a part in training Georgia herself. James had been concerned that other instructors would have gone easy on his daughter. Hawthorn, he had known, would have shown no such favoritism.
