The Burden of Command, page 31
part #14 of Empire Rising Series
Chapter 26
A naval Captain is seen to hold a rank equal to that of a Colonial Senator. A Rear Admiral one equal to a Colonial Governor. Whilst this has helped to reduce the number of power struggles that inevitably crop up when naval affairs touch upon local colonial matters, it has far from eradicated them.
-Excerpt from Empire Ascendant 3015 AD.
Sevres, New France, (one day later).
James desperately wanted to tap his fingers on something, or fish his COM unit out of his tunic and fidget with it. He wanted something to distract him as he listened to apology after apology. At least, the colonial senators that he had managed to round up were saying as many pleasantries as they could without out right giving him an apology. James knew from copious dealings with politicians on Earth that their words were as close to an apology as he was ever going to get. Unconsciously, his hand moved towards his tunic as another colonial senator began to speak. He quickly snapped it back down to grip his other hand. He knew full well how any fidgeting would be interpreted. It was one thing to be impatient, it was another thing to show it. Finally, after nine colonial senators each apologized for their failure to stop Garnier, Governor Lannes stepped forward. James nodded to him and tried to convey as much respect as possible. Within an hour of Garnier landing on New France, his people had taken over most of the colony’s bureaucracy. Twelve colonial senators had rallied to his side. James already had them all locked up awaiting trial. To James’ amazement, Garnier had actually managed to place Lannes under house arrest. Some of the Governor’s own people had betrayed him, allowing Garnier or Teal’s armed thugs to grab him. The resulting confusion had made it far easier for Garnier to assert control over the colony. From the look on Lannes’s face, it was clear he understood that all too well.
“My Emperor, let me give you my thanks and the thanks of the people of New France for your swift arrival. Former Commoner Garnier betrayed us all, and his betrayal ran far deeper than we suspected. New France has let the rest of the Empire down by allowing his coup. I promise you; we will do all that we can to make up for the disruption and damage he has caused.”
“I am glad to see that you are safe and sound after your ordeal,” James replied, not willing to simply brush under the rug how easily Lannes had been captured. “Especially since so many of your staff turned to Garnier’s side. I expect your office will be hampered for several weeks as you seek to rebuild your administration.” James looked beyond Lannes to the Colonial Senators who were standing before him. Nicholls had insisted he sit on a large, ornate chair to receive them. It wasn’t quite a throne, but it gave off the same impression. “The same goes for New France’s colonial Senate. With a number of your members under arrest, others under investigation and quite a few still missing, presumably in hiding either from Garnier’s people or mine, the political situation here is quite the mess. It is for this reason that I have decided New France should hold new elections for the position of Governor and your Senate members.” At once, James had to hold up a hand to cut off the protests he saw welling up. “This is not a suggestion. I am informing you what will happen. Each of you will be able to run for your seats, of course, but by the end of today, I want the Colonial Senate convened and a bill passed to hold elections one month from today. Lannes, you cannot continue to govern without a fresh mandate from your citizens. Nor can the Colonial Senate continue to function with so many of its members under arrest or investigation. Fresh elections will give you a measure of respect back. Then together, New France’s Governor and Colonial Senate can decide if your colony wishes to begin to avail yourselves of the Imperial Constitution’s new provision allowing secession.”
“But Emperor,” Lannes said, “We weren’t scheduled to have fresh elections for another three years. Holding them now would be highly unusual.”
“And New France’s Governor being arrested by your own people and confined to your residence for nearly a month isn’t unusual?” Lannes’ face whitened. James couldn’t tell if it was from shame or rage; either way, he continued before he could respond. “But perhaps you are not in favor of fresh elections. That is no problem. If you wish, I can have my people open investigations into you and every member of the Colonial Senate. Of course, until they are done, and your name is cleared, I would have to enact direct Imperial rule during this time of crisis.” James leaned forward and held Lannes’ eyes. “If I was forced to do this, I’m sure you can imagine what one of my first acts would be?” James intentionally paused to force Lannes to answer.
He hesitated for a moment, but then spoke. “You would order fresh elections to be held. Elections none of us could run in until the investigations into us were over.”
“Exactly,” James said as he forced a wide smile on his face. “And so you see why I am loath to do so. Each of you here remained loyal to the Empire. You did not go over to Garnier’s side. I have no desire to hurt your political careers more than they already have been.”
Lannes glanced around at the Colonial Senators on either side of him. “We accept your terms Emperor,” he said as he turned back to James. “I will order an emergency session of the colonial Senate to be convened this afternoon. We will pass a Bill along the lines you have outlined.”
“Very good, I’m glad we have come to understand one another,” James said. “Now,” he continued as he jumped to his feet. “I have other work to see to. It is my intention to break orbit with my fleet this evening or early tomorrow morning once your Bill has passed. I am going to pursue Teal and Garnier to New Delhi and dissuade them of their secessionist notions once and for all. I’m sorry I have to leave you all with your colony in the difficult position that it is, but I trust you and New France’s citizens can right the wrongs that have happened here.”
Unsurprisingly, the look on Lannes face softened at James’ words. James could see his mind working in his eyes. As soon as James was out of the system, Lannes would be free to use every political trick to try and hold onto his position in the upcoming elections. James was sure it was going to be a hard task. Already, public sentiment was turning against him. As much as the people of New France blamed Teal and Garnier for the death and destruction that had visited their colony, it had all happened during Lannes’ watch. He had allowed Garnier’s people to corrupt so much of New France’s bureaucracy.
“We understand your need for haste Emperor,” Lannes said. “And we wish you godspeed. We wish to see this rebellious secessionist movement ended swiftly.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” James replied. “My fleet will be requesting supplies and other materials be sent on to follow us to New Delhi. I hope your people will be able to meet our needs.”
“I will personally see to it,” Lannes promised.
James nodded as he stood and walked down to the governor and held out his hand. “I trust that you will,” he said as they gripped one another’s hands. He moved along the line of Colonial Senators and shook each of their hands as well. Then he nodded to them again as they turned and left.
As soon as they were gone, Nicholls moved to join him. She had been standing off to one side, observing the audience. “You really plan to leave today? New France is a mess. And Johnston’s marines haven’t rounded up all of Teal’s people. If we leave, the situation could become more destabilized.”
“Of that, I am all too aware,” James said as he turned to his Chief of Staff. “We’ll be leaving some of Johnston’s marines here to continue their work and provide backup for the colonial police. I suspect a large part of New France’s citizens trust the marines more than their own police at the moment.”
Nicholls nodded. “That will help. But as soon as we leave, Lannes and the others will see the Marines as just another pawn they can use in their political games.” James smiled at Nicholls’ words. Her eyes narrowed at him. “What is it?”
“I was already thinking along the same lines,” James explained as his smile turned into a grin. “That’s why I’m planning to leave you here as my official representative.” He spoke quickly so as to prevent Nicholls interrupting. “Only for a short period. Two or three weeks should be all that will be needed. Perhaps until the elections are held. I intend to make an official proclamation informing New France’s citizens that you speak and act on my behalf until the elections are held. Everyone knows you are a former Imperial Senator. You command respect on your own right, and not just as my Chief of Staff.”
Nicholl shook her head. “I should be with you. Especially since you’re going to New Delhi. Dealing with Governor Varma and Teal is going to be a delicate task. And the aftermath on the Indian colony will be worse than here, I’m sure.”
James spread his hands in front of him as he smiled again. “All the more reason to put you in charge here until the elections. By then, we will have secured New Delhi and you can come and re-join me. I assure you, I have no problem putting you in charge there as well. Think of this as preparation for the harder task to come.”
Nicholls stared at him for several seconds. “I can’t change your mind on this, can I?”
“No,” James said as he shook his head. “I need to know that New France is secure. I can’t have it revolting again and cutting the fleet’s supply lines. But I trust your judgement; if you think things are on track and the elections will go smoothly, you can leave early and re-join me.”
Nicholls laughed. “There’s fat chance of that. I could be stuck here for months even after the elections.”
James gave Nicholls a conciliatory smile. “I’ll be leaving you express orders for you to follow me once elections are held. You may not think it, but I do need you. And besides, I’ve already sent word back to Earth. I’ve requested Christine and Fairfax put together a delegation to come and help oversee the elections and take over for you.”
Nicholls sighed. “Okay, I guess I understand. I’ll do my best.”
James winked at his Chief of Staff. “I expected nothing less.”
*
New Delhi, 7th December 2508 AD, (eight days later).
Governor Varma paced back and forth across the spaceport’s main arrival hall. Her fast footsteps echoed off the metallic floor filling the empty space. She had ordered the spaceport emptied. Only her personal protection unit and Commoner Patel were present. Her head shook as she turned to walk another length. She couldn’t believe it! New France had already returned to the Empire! She didn’t know what was making her more furious. The fact that Emperor Somerville thought he could use force to get his way, or the complete failure Teal had turned out to be! He had promised warships, loyal crews, and enough armed ‘volunteers’ to prevent the Imperial Navy from capturing their planets easily and to put down any citizens that might get a notion of remaining loyal to the Empire. Next to New Delhi, New France had been the most important planet to secede, and yet Teal had lost it within hours. As soon as his makeshift fleet had arrived and sent word to her residence, she had ordered Teal and Garnier to meet her in person. She wanted answers! And, she reluctantly admitted, she needed to know what was coming against her. News of New France’s fall had shaken her confidence in her own position and in the sentiment of New Delhi’s people.
“The shuttle is approaching Ma’am,” one of her security officers said as he stepped in from the shuttle landing pads.
“Bring them right here,” Varma ordered. She stopped her pacing. Drawing herself up to her full height, she composed her features as best she could. Showing Teal her frustration or fear would not be productive. She knew he would just try to use it against her.
Moving far quicker than she had ever seen him before, Teal almost marched into the spaceport. He stopped cold when he saw Varma. “Governor, I was not expecting you.” He glanced around the empty spaceport. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you,” Varma replied, letting some of the ice she felt into her voice. “What are you doing here? How have you allowed such a catastrophe to happen? You have put everything we have worked for in jeopardy! Both of you!” Varma added as Garnier stopped beside Teal.
“We were betrayed,” Teal said as he lifted his chin. He gestured a hand out towards Garnier. “People we thought were loyal to us betrayed us. Some of our people on New France and many on the battlestations changed sides when Emperor Somerville showed up.”
“Of course they did!” Garnier snapped. “Somerville turned up with the entirety of Home Fleet. You would have surrendered if you hadn’t been able to run. Even at that, we barely escaped their fighters. We were unprepared. That is why we failed.”
Teal’s eyes flashed at Garnier. Even Varma was surprised at the spite in the Commoner’s words. Clearly, the power dynamic in their relationship had shifted. “Whatever the reason,” Teal growled. “We can still remedy this situation.” He turned back to Varma. “Are you confident in your people? If Somerville comes here, will they stand against him?”
Varma felt Garnier’s anger well up within her. “Of course they will,” she assured him. “I have put my most trusted people on our battlestations. They believe in our cause. They will not fail me.”
Teal actually smiled as he nodded. “Good, then we are far from defeated. I sent word as soon as we fled New France for all of our ships to gather here. They will be arriving as quickly as they can. New Delhi’s defenses were always more powerful than New France’s. We can make our stand here. If Admiral Somerville wants to hurl Home Fleet at your defenses, we will destroy his ships and maybe even kill him. Then we can return to New France. There are still key people loyal to us; if we can retake the orbitals again, the colony will turn back to us, I know it. This actually works in our favor,” Teal said as his smile widened. It looked almost feral. “If we defeat Emperor Somerville, it will give far more credence to our secession than any written document. And once we have defeated him, everyone will fear us. We will be unstoppable!”
For what seemed like the first time, Varma thought she was truly looking at Teal. He was a fanatic. Worse, he was full of hatred. It oozed out of him every time he mentioned Somerville’s name. Disgust filled Varma. Much of it was for Teal, yet almost as much was at herself. She had trusted him. She had taken his money, listened to his plans, and committed herself and her colony to them. Now that she was seeing him clearly, she felt dirty. She had always known Teal saw New Delhi as a pawn in his own schemes. Yet she had accepted that, for as long as their ultimate goals were aligned, she had been able to use him as much as he had used her. Yet there was no using a fanatic. But what choice do I have? She asked as the horror of just what she had committed herself to began to dawn on her. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, Teal had his fingers as deep into her people as she did. He held the purse strings after all. And he will not back down. He will fight Somerville to the end. Varma shook her head. From everything she knew about Emperor Somerville, he was just the same. She had already saw the speech he had given the people of New France. She knew he believed every word of it. In the political realm, that was what made him such an easy adversary. He lacked guile. Yet now, when the battle lines had been drawn, Varma was realizing one of his greatest weaknesses was in reality a strength. And he’s coming here! “How far away is Admiral Somerville’s fleet? How long do we have to prepare?” Varma demanded.
“We have time. Two weeks, maybe three or more,” Teal answered confidently. “It will take him time to pacify New France, and then he has other nearby secessionist colonies he will have to deal with. We have time to prepare a warm welcome for him.”
Varma shook her head. There was no way Somerville would delay setting out for New Delhi. She had seen the passion in his eyes when he had confronted Teal in New France. “You are a fool! You have underestimated Somerville once, now you would do it a second time? He will be here as soon as he can. He is no fool, he knows New Delhi’s importance. If we are removed from the secessionist movement, every other colony will give in. They cannot stand without New France and New Delhi. We have a week at best!” And we have made our bed, Varma thought with despair. There was no way out now. Somerville would never accept their surrender, at least he wouldn’t accept a surrender were she got to remain free. Varma turned to Patel. “Either we fight and try to win, or we will spend the rest of our lives rotting in some black site prison. We must do everything we can to prepare our defenses.” Patel nodded, the determination on her face told Varma she too grasped the seriousness of their predicament. Varma put a stern look on her face as she turned back to Teal. “I am putting Rear Admiral Sobti in charge of all of our forces. He is my most loyal officer. If we must face Somerville, I will trust no one else to lead our forces.”
Teal’s eyebrows narrowed. He hunched his shoulders and opened his mouth to protest. Varma’s hand snapped up and her eyes flashed. She finally allowed the anger she had been keeping down to show. “This is my system! My people will be defending it. Your people have already run away from a fight once. They will not be in position to do so again. I will be sending out an order, any ship that tries to leave the system will be destroyed. You either accept that or turn around and leave my system here and now, you can try hiding in one of the other smaller colonies if you like.”
Silence engulfed the spaceport as Teal stared back at Varma defiantly. Varma could see his mind working behind as he rapidly assessed the situation. Suddenly though, Garnier stepped in between them. “Of course we are not going anywhere Governor. We came here to join our forces and accept your hospitality. As we have said many times before, we must all stand or fall together. Of course your commander can lead our forces. His experience will be warmly welcomed.”
Varma nodded to Garnier. “I’m glad to hear it.” She glanced past him and raised an eyebrow at Teal.
He hesitated for just a second, but then he relented and gave the slightest of nods. “My ships will follow your commander. But do not think this changes things between us. Don’t forget who is bankrolling all of your activities. I can cut that off at any moment. If I do, something tells me many of the people you think so loyal, will suddenly have a change of heart.”
