The Burden of Command, page 13
part #14 of Empire Rising Series
“Legally, no,” Nicholls answered. “But if they wanted, they could hold some kind of referendum on Québec. Technically, it would be illegal. But we don’t have the resources on the planet to stop such a move. Then, if some kind of majority did vote to secede, what would we do? Send troops to occupy the planet? There are not many that would support such an idea.”
“Doing so would fracture the Empire immediately,” Grimshaw agreed.
“Then we have no other options?” Christine asked, the emotion on her voice was unmistakable. Her eyes were almost pleading.
“I am sorry Empress,” Grimshaw replied. “All the Commoners have had their chance to say their bit. Your speech has won over more than a few, I imagine. Yes, Patel and Farnsworth’s speeches have brought new disturbing possibilities to the minds of many. Yet we must trust in the process. Do not lose sight of how much your husband and you are respected by the people of our Empire, and therefore by their Representatives. This vote will be close, but I still have hope.”
Christine nodded to Grimshaw, but she turned to Fairfax all the same, her eyes still filled with the same emotion. Fairfax gave her a reassuring smile. “You have done your best Empress. If we make any kind of announcement now, it will seem desperate. Even if it swayed a few, it could turn more against us.”
Christine closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. James could feel her gathering her strength. “Very well then. If this is all I can do, then we will have to accept the outcome, no matter what.”
“And even if it passes today, this bill will still have to go through the Senate and the House of Servants,” Grimshaw reassured her. “There is still time.”
Christine nodded. James knew she was all too aware of that. Yet the Commons was where the Empire Loyalists and Constitutionalists held the most sway. If Bill Four Hundred and Ninety-eight passed the House of Commons, it would have an easier time passing through the other two houses. As Christine stood and moved over to the table with the refreshments, James clenched his teeth together. He couldn’t be nearly as serene as his wife, nor could he bring himself to think he would accept the results. Even after twenty years of constant effort, Humanity’s fleet was still not powerful enough to defeat the Karacknids if they ever united and turned the full force of their arms against Earth. After seeing so many of his comrades die fighting the Karacknids, and then spending two decades of his life working to prepare for the next war, he wasn’t going to simply let one vote start to undo everything. Though those were the thoughts going through his mind, he knew voicing them now would be fruitless. Instead then, he joined his wife in picking out a few small refreshments. At least eating them would help pass the time as they all waited to return to the chamber. As the others took some refreshments too, they all made feeble attempts at engaging in small talk, and then one by one, the other politicians filtered out to make last minute efforts to speak to Commoners who might still be undecided. Taking himself off to one side, James couldn’t help but start to think of many friends he had lost. Gupta, Lightfoot, Ya’sia, and all the others went through his mind. He didn’t know what he would do if the bill was passed and the fleet’s budget was slashed, but he was determined to not let them down.
“It’s time,” Fairfax eventually said. “We should return to the chamber.”
“You two go on,” Christine said to Fairfax and Nicholls. “We’ll be right behind you.” As they left, Christine moved to James’ side. “I know what you’re thinking,” she said as she took his hand. “I don’t blame you. If this bill passes, it will be a slap in the face for those we have lost. Yet you can’t let everyone else see that. If you get angry, it will only give our opponents more ammunition.”
James wanted to argue. He wanted to vent his frustration. Yet directing it at Christine was unfair. “I will do my best,” was all he could bring himself to promise. “If this passes, we could be in serious trouble. Not now, not even in six months or a year, but it will come.”
Christine squeezed his hand. “I believe that as strongly as you. Do not worry, if the bill passes, we will think of something. Losing a battle does not mean we have lost the war.”
James nodded. Of course that was true, yet losing a key battle could very well lose a war. “Let us go and see where the chips fall,” he said. At this point, he just wanted to get it over with. Keeping a hold of Christine’s hand, he led her out of the room. Together, they followed Fairfax and Nicholls back to the viewing gallery. The chamber below them was full of Commoners moving to their seats. James sat back down beside Christine. He couldn’t help but glance at the public gallery. Teal was there, the industrialist was still staring at him. James only gave him a glance. Whatever the man was up to, James had no interest in playing his games.
“Please, all representatives should take their seats,” the Speaker of the House called out after banging his gravel. “The time has come to vote on Bill Four Hundred and Ninety-eight. Please, take your seats.” Despite the Speaker’s words, it took another couple of minutes to get everything organized. Every Commoner elected to the House of Commons was present. There wasn’t a spare seat to be seen. “All right,” the Speaker said once everyone was finally in place. “I have activated your voting mechanisms; you may now vote.”
Below James, all the Commoners leaned forward as they accessed the voting buttons built into the tables in front of their seats. Despite the fact that they had a simple choice, it took an agonizing three minutes until every Commoner made their decision. The results were immediately sent to the Speaker. “Voting has been completed,” the Speaker announced. “The results are in. Bill Four Hundred and Ninety-eight received a total of seven hundred and forty-three votes. Eighty-three commoners chose to abstain. Three hundred and eighteen commoners voted in favor of the Bill, while three hundred and forty-two voted against. The Bill has failed. It will now return to the Spending Appropriations Committee for review. That is all. Today’s proceedings are over.” With another smash of his gravel, the speaker brought this session to an end.
James could hardly believe it. He had been expecting the worst. He spun around to Christine. He didn’t care about her concern they were being recorded. He shot her a grin. Suddenly, all the weight he had been feeling left his shoulders. They had done it. No, he told himself. “You did it,” he whispered to Christine. Of course she did, he chided himself. He never should have doubted her, not after her speech. Though Christine kept most of her emotions from her face, she did give him the briefest of smiles. Then, she turned and stared out at the Commons chamber. The news broadcasts would be zooming in on her face along with the leading politicians who had favored or opposed the Bill. The best shots would be used for this evenings holo news reports. James did his best to match Christine’s expression, though he did spare a second to glance up at where Teal had been sitting. He was pleased to see the industrialist had already left along with Governor Varma. It brought James more than a little pleasure to know they would be seething.
When Christine felt they had given the holo recorders enough footage, she stood and gestured for James to lead them out of the Imperial gallery. As soon as they were in the corridor, her regal expression vanished, and she turned and threw herself at James. James welcomed the hug. “I’m so relieved,” she said into his chest. “You have no idea.” She shook her head against him as she spoke. “It was so close in the end. If just a few of those who had abstained had voted another way.”
“But they didn’t,” James said as he rubbed her back. “And you know your speech was what kept them from doing it.” Raising his head, James looked over Christine to where Fairfax and Nicholls waited for them. “You can send our thanks to Commoners Havertz and Lafayette. Make sure they know that we owe them.”
“I will speak to them before they leave,” Fairfax promised as he shuffled off.
James gently prized Christine from him. “You have done very well today, my dear. Now, let us go home and celebrate. We still have Johnston, Clare, Emilie, and Alvarez coming over. Now we can actually relax and enjoy ourselves.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Christine said as she beamed at him.
Even though James returned her smile, he caught something else in her eyes. She doesn’t think it’s over yet, though to himself. It wasn’t hard for him to figure that out. He felt the same. He couldn’t help but think back to that first grin Teal had given him. It had been too sinister to think whatever Teal was planning would go away with just one Commons defeat. But that’s a problem for another time, James thought himself. They had won today, now it was time to enjoy it.
Chapter 12
It is a strange thing for an old Admiral when the ones you have fought so long to protect step up to fulfil their responsibilities within the Fleet and become the ones who now fight to protect you.
-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.
Imperial Palace
“Let me propose a toast,” James said as he raised a glass. “To family.”
“To family,” everyone around him repeated as they clinked their glasses together.
“Now, let’s tuck in,” James encouraged. “Otherwise, Fox will have the main course out and we won’t have even begun.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Johnston said as he began to reach for the nearest plates of food. To no one’s surprise, he went for the largest bread roll and began to break it apart with his hands. Then, he moved to dip a slice into his soup.
Clare swatted one of his hands. “Dear, you are in the Imperial Palace. Please try and show some manners.”
“What?” Johnston complained as everyone laughed at him. “James said we are to make ourselves at home.”
“And do I allow you to do that at home?”
“Well, not when you are looking,” Johnston replied, then using his augments, lightning quick he popped a slice of bread in his mouth, bringing more laughs, especially from the teenagers.
Clare gave him a dirty look. It was strong enough that Johnston set down the rest of the bread he was holding and reached for a spoon. James shook his head. “I’ve seen you go face-to-face with a Karacknid warrior and not flinch. You’re losing your touch in your old age, General.” As Claire turned her gaze on James, he quickly shut up.
“That’s more like it,” Christine said as she raised a hand to cover a smile. “You put him in his place.” As she spoke, Christine lowered her chin and pointed her nose towards James. “And if you don’t, don’t worry, I will.”
Seeing both their fathers being scolded led Georgia, Edward, Rachel, Sophia, and Noah to exchange smiles with one another. None were brave enough to crack their own jokes, however. They knew Christine or Clare’s ire would be directed at them next.
Their exchanges weren’t lost on James. “Let’s have less laughing at your fathers’ misfortune and more eating,” he instructed them. Instantly they all began to reach for food themselves.
Glancing up to the other side of the table, James saw Emilie and Scott sharing a look. “This is what you have to look forward to,” Scott said as she gestured towards the other end of the table.
Emilie smiled and half-turned to look over her shoulder. When she did, James was able to see past to the small cot behind her and Alvarez’s chairs. It was gently rocking as little Samuel slept. “We have a few years to wait yet,” Emilie said as she turned back. She then looked back around and stuck her tongue out at James and Johnston’s kids. “And besides, my kids will not be nearly so impudent.”
All five of the kids laughed at Emilie’s words. Georgia rolled her eyes. “Come on Emilie, you’re the worst of us all. If Samuel is anything like you, you’re going to have your hands full. Never mind if you and Mark have any more. Speaking of which, you don’t have any news for us?”
Now it was Emilie’s turn to give a dirty look across the table. “I’ll have you know one is more than enough for us at the moment. If you want to talk babies, though, maybe we could tell your father about a certain young fighter pilot I caught you chatting with the other week at the Admiralty? He certainly seemed to scarper pretty fast when he realized who I was.”
Georgia’s face went bright red when everyone around the table turned to look at her. “What’s this?” Edward asked his twin as he elbowed her in the ribs. “I haven’t heard about him.” Georgia fought off her brother’s hand and then lowered her face almost close enough to her soup that she could slurp it up.
James found himself sitting up straighter in his seat. Before he could speak however, Christine tapped him with her knee. “You shouldn’t let your Cousin make fun of you like that. Not when you have far more important news,” Christine said, saving her daughter from any more embarrassment, or her husband from putting his foot in it. “Can anyone guess who was piloting the Imperial shuttle as it flew us to the House of Commons today?”
“Congratulations Georgia,” Clare said as she beamed at the young pilot. “That’s quite the accomplishment.”
“Indeed it is,” Emilie joined in. “Are you on the rotation now, or was it a one-off?”
Before she answered, James caught Georgia mouthing a thank you to Christine. It made James even more suspicious. Did Christine know about this new boyfriend? If so, why didn’t he? He made a mental note to bring it up with Christine later.
“I’m on the full rotation,” Georgia said with pride. “I will be flying the shuttle one day a week, and then serving as co-pilot a second day.”
Emilie nodded. “That will look good on your CV. How does she handle? I guess she is nothing like a Hellcat?”
“Not even close,” Georgia said as she glanced at Christine again. “But it’s far better than being stuck in a simulator all the time. And it’s getting me flight hours. That’s the most important thing.”
James sensed Christine stiffen beside him. Since Georgia had first declared her intention to become a fighter pilot, there had been a constant struggle between the two of them. Both he and Christine knew all too well the survival rates of fighter pilots. Having their daughter become one had added a few grey hairs to both of their heads. At least flying shuttles was far safer, but if war broke out, James knew she would be called back to her squadron. Christine fretted about it constantly. It had been bad enough when Jonathan had signed up to join the Navy. At least on a large dreadnought, Christine could imagine him safe. The idea of her daughter on a small Hellcat fighter was not a comforting one. James felt the same, yet he knew he couldn’t hold his daughter back from putting herself in harm’s way. Not when he had done so a thousand times at her age. Not when she had grown up hearing stories of everything he, Emilie, and Scott and so many others had done fighting the Karacknids. “And we are both very proud,” James said as he placed a hand on Christine’s. “Aren’t we dear?”
“Of course,” Christine said a little rigidly. “It was a nice surprise to have you flying us today.”
“Speaking of which, I believe congratulations are in order for you too Empress,” Emilie said. “You managed to defeat Bill Four Ninety-eight. I know everyone at the Admiralty was celebrating when we heard.”
“They certainly were,” Mark replied.
“It was close,” Christine said. “Alarmingly close. At least it is behind us for now. The Commoners who spoke against it just managed to carry the day.”
Clare chuckled causing everyone to turn to her. “You’re being too modest as always Empress. I was watching the live holo feed. It was your speech that turned the day. After what Patel and Farnsworth said, the bill might have passed if you hadn’t intervened.”
“What did they say?” Edward asked. “I wanted to watch, but I lost track of time.”
“With your books and not a young woman, I imagine,” Georgia said as she grinned and elbowed her brother in revenge.
As Edward’s cheeks reddened this time, James felt a little sorry for his son. Unlike his older brother and twin sister, he hadn’t joined the frontline Navy. Instead, he was working to complete his PhD in advanced astrophysics. Scott was one of his direct supervisors. James didn’t fully understand the project. He knew they were working on some new weapons systems with the Navy’s Research and Development Division which Scott headed up. He knew first-hand Scott was a hard taskmaster. It was highly unlikely Edward had any free time to be dating.
“Patel suggested there could be riots, and Farnsworth even mentioned the possibility that some planets could end up considering secession,” Clare explained.
“What!” Emilie snapped. “Secession! That’s insane. He really said that?”
“He did, and let me tell you, it wasn’t lost on many of the ambassadors,” Claire said as she turned and held Christine’s gaze. “Frolomain and Kintail were in close discussion after the vote.”
James sensed his wife’s mood change once again. Frolomain and Kintail were the Ambassadors from the Varanni Alliance and Kulreans respectively. They were Humanity’s two most important allies. Clare was one of the chief diplomatic liaisons who worked with all the alien Ambassadors stationed on Earth. If she thought they were worried, it was because they were. “I will schedule a meeting with each of them this week,” Christine said. “I understand their concerns, in fact, I share them. Hopefully, I can put their minds at ease.”
“Those ungrateful gits,” Johnston said turning conversation back to Patel and Farnsworth. “Just because their planets are furthest from the Karacknid Empire they think they are safe. They are fools. I’d love to give them a piece of my mind and remind them of just how much danger they are in.”
