by G. P. Hudson
“That makes no sense. Why would you do that? How do I know you won’t just have me arrested the moment we surrender?”
“Do I look like I’ve been arrested?” Premier Reese said.
“Maybe. You could be doing this under duress.”
“Trust me, Stohl. I’m not. As Admiral Reynolds has pointed out, I had no interest in fighting a losing battle. Nor did I want to have the blood of millions of my people on my hands,” Reese said emphatically.
“She is also still the Premier,” Reynolds added.
“We are not the Avars,” Stohl said angrily. “You cannot trounce us.”
“Maybe not,” Reynolds said. “But we will defeat you. My fleet can beat yours without the Avar ships. With their addition, you are woefully outnumbered. This is reality, Mr. President. I advise you to use reason. Why inflict this armageddon on your people?”
“Our allies will come to our aid. With their help, we will drive you out of this system.”
“I don’t think so. I can take this system, and I can hold it. That’s just reality. The only question is how much suffering your people will endure in the process, not to mention whether or not you will go to the gallows.”
Stohl seemed to lose some of his bluster. “I need time to think about this.”
“You’re free to think about it as long as you like but consider this. This offer will no longer be available later.”
“That’s absurd. Are you saying you won’t accept our surrender?”
“Oh, I will accept your surrender, but the offer will change. My next offer will be that you surrender to avoid me bombing your cities. You, however, will be arrested and sent back to Earth. I’m sure you’ve heard about my reputation. You know I don’t make idle threats. My advice to you is to accept this offer now, while you still can. Of course, the choice is yours. It’s good to have choices, don’t you think?”
“You’re a bastard, Reynolds.”
“What’s your answer, Stohl?”
President Stohl leaned back in his chair and looked at someone off camera. He nodded and turned back to Reynolds. “Very well, I accept your offer.”
A grim smile spread across Reynolds’s face. “Order your ships to stand down and advise them of the change in the command structure. And don’t try any tricks, Stohl, or I will make an example of you and this star system. Am I understood?”
“Yes. I’ll issue the necessary orders immediately.”
Chapter 25
“Have you lost your mind, Reynolds?” Emperor Cherenko pointed a finger at Reynolds as he spoke, his face a bright red. “You did not have Imperial approval for any of this.”
“I took the initiative, majesty,” Reynolds said, white-hot fury building inside him. “The Avar system fell with minimal losses. I added their warships to my fleet and invaded the Tran system. The speed of the invasion caught the Tran off guard, ensuring my success. It was a tactical decision.”
“Tactical decision?! Who the hell do you think you are? I made you, Reynolds, or have you forgotten that? You were an insignificant captain on the fast track to retirement. You are an admiral because of me. I gave you that fleet, and I can just as easily take it away.”
“Yes, majesty. I only seek to serve the Empire. I believe I have done just that by repatriating two rebellious star systems.”
“Your orders were to invade the Avar system only. You were not given any authority to invade the Tran system. Nor were you authorized to grant amnesty to Premier Reese, or President Stohl.”
“Yes, your worship. But again, that offer of amnesty allowed me to take both systems with minimal bloodshed. We did not lose as many ships, and I was not forced to bomb the civilian population. In fact, my reputation pushed them to make this deal. They knew I would bomb their cities otherwise.”
“You were supposed to bomb them, you goddamn fool! You were supposed to make an example of the Avars, not hand out candy to their leaders. You are the Butcher of Allimania. If I wanted to engage in diplomacy I sure as hell would not have sent you in.”
“But majesty, if we can use the carrot, why use the stick?”
“That is a question for your Emperor, and the Admiralty, not you. You are the stick. Your job is to make populations tremble with fear. Your appearance in a star system should be enough to bring a government to its knees. Unconditional surrender, or devastation. That is how you are supposed to negotiate. When I send you into a system, I am flexing. I am showing the populace what happens to those who oppose me. Do you understand what you just did? You told the rest of the Empire that they can rebel against us and all will be forgiven. You gave them leverage against us.”
“Forgive me, majesty, but in this case, I felt a different approach would yield better results.”
“Well, luckily for the Empire I am not bound by your decisions.”
“Majesty?”
“Premier Reese and President Stohl will be taken into custody immediately, along with the rest of their cabinets. They will then be sent back to Earth to stand trial for treason. The Avar and Tran militaries will be disbanded, and their ships reassigned to other UEDF fleets.”
“But majesty, I gave my word as an Admiral in good faith.”
“Are you suggesting that your authority supersedes that of your Emperor?”
“No, your worship. Of course not.”
“Good, because as the Emperor, I am countermanding your orders. I am also reorganizing your fleet. Your Zeta battleship squadron will be broken up, and each ship reassigned. I made a grave error giving you the entire Zeta squadron. Each Imperial fleet needs to have access to those battleships.”
Reynolds seethed. It was just as he had thought. The Emperor was breaking up his fleet and giving his ships to the nobility. Soon, Cherenko would force him out of the UEDF, into retirement. The writing was on the wall. But what could he do about it? He wasn’t sure, but the rational part of him chose to bide his time and think things through. “As you wish, Majesty.” He bowed his head in deference, hoping to placate the enraged Emperor before he made any more decrees.
Cherenko seemed satisfied and terminated the comm without another word.
Reynolds stared off into space, the Emperor’s words weighing heavily on him. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t suppress his rage. He struggled to stay rational and think clearly. Still, the fury overcame him. Cherenko. The nobility. Who did they think they were? The only reason Cherenko became Emperor was that he assassinated Emperor Detlev. A cowardly attack in the middle of the night. He wasn’t worthy of wearing the purple.
The more Reynolds thought about it, the more he saw the truth. Cherenko and the nobility were cancerous tumors that needed to be cut out.
The computer interrupted his thoughts, announcing that Premier Reese requested entry to his office. Reynolds granted permission, and the door slid open. Reese locked eyes with him the second she entered.
“I see your meeting with the Emperor didn’t go well?” she said as she took a seat in front of his desk. Even now, amid his rage, she impressed him.
“No, it did not. Cherenko has ordered me to arrest you, and Stohl, along with the rest of the Avar and Tran leadership.”
If his words frightened her, she didn’t show it. “I see,” she said stoically. “Am I under arrest?”
He studied her. She exuded strength. Pride. Power. “No. You are not under arrest.”
Reese nodded slowly. “What will you tell the Emperor?”
“I am considering my response. Cherenko also wants to reorganize my fleet. He has ordered the Avar and Tran militaries disbanded, and their ships dispersed among the other UEDF fleets. He has also ordered my Zeta squadron broken up and distributed to the other admirals.”
“Forgive my saying so, but the man is a fool. You bring him two star systems and this is how he rewards you?”
She was playing him. He knew that. But he didn’t disagree with her statement. “He is angry that I stole all the glory for myself. I am supposed to be a one trick
pony. I’m supposed to go in and kill millions. Reynolds the Terrible. The Butcher of Allimania.”
“Your actions make you dangerous. Cherenko sees you as a threat now. He will continue to undermine you until he is finally rid of you.”
“Yes, that is how I see things playing out as well.”
“He thought he could control you, but you have shown him otherwise. He realizes that you are ambitious and smart. That you may one day take the purple form him like he took it from Detlev.”
Reynolds hadn’t thought of that. Cherenko took the throne from Detlev, so it made sense that he would fear someone taking it from him in the same way. The problem wasn’t that he took two systems. The problem was that he had grown too powerful and showed independence. The very qualities that could enable him to seize the throne one day.
“But this can be an opportunity,” Reese continued.
Reynolds was still too angry to think clearly, but Reese wasn’t. She was analyzing the situation. Reasoning. “Go on, I’m listening.”
“Cherenko fears you. He realizes that he cannot control you. You have become too powerful, and he now seeks to take away that power. But you don’t have to let him.”
“He’s the Emperor. How can I stop him?”
“He is an illegitimate Emperor. He took the throne through assassination. He and his cohort of nobles are the reason the Empire is in the state it’s in. As far as I see it, you are not obligated to take orders from them.”
“You are advocating treason.”
“No. Not treason. Glory. You are the most powerful Admiral in the Empire. Keep that power. Use it for a greater purpose. Fight against this corrupt regime. Bring back the Empire’s golden age.”
She was right. Even as she tried to manipulate him, he agreed with her. He had been too angry to realize it. This was his real purpose. He would return glory to the Empire. The more he thought about it, the more he saw the truth. He was Reynolds the Terrible. Only it wouldn’t be the population that would tremble with fear at the sound of his name. It would be the nobility.
“I am not strong enough to take on the Empire,” he said.
“So, get stronger. You already have the Avar and Tran fleets at your disposal. Take your combined fleet and bring the other Frontier Alliance systems under your banner.”
“Do you think they will join me?”
“Of course. Give them the same choice you gave me, and Stohl. They will join. Then, when you are strong enough, you can move against Cherenko.”
“Yes. My forces will march on Earth and cleanse it of the nobility’s influence. The Empire will be united once again. The dawn of a new golden age.”
“You will become the greatest emperor in a thousand years.”
Reynolds lost himself in a vision of the future. One of triumphs, and an adoring population. He suddenly realized that all the events of his life had led him to this inevitable moment. This inevitable decision. This destiny.
Chapter 26
Emperor Cherenko could barely contain his anger as he waited for the comm link to be established. Neither the Avar nor the Tran leaders had arrived at Earth. Nor had any of the captured warships. He knew why. Reynolds was stalling. He was trying to find a way to redeem himself, but he only succeeded in sinking deeper into the quagmire. This time, Cherenko vowed to be rid of the man for good.
It indeed was a shame. Cherenko had seen promise in him, as did Detlev. Reynolds was smart and capable, despite being a commoner. Unfortunately, his successes had made him arrogant. He forgot who he was. Forgot how grateful he should be for all he had been given. Worse still, he now came perilously close to insubordination, something Cherenko could not tolerate.
Cherenko didn’t necessarily have a problem with how Reynolds conquered the Avar and the Tran systems. He had always believed in results. If Reynolds had only explained his plan, Cherenko would have given his blessing. But he didn’t contact his emperor, and Cherenko couldn’t let that go.
He needed to make an example of Reynolds. He needed to keep the rest of the Admiralty in line. His claim to the throne was shaky at best. If he showed leniency to Reynolds, a mere commoner, the rest of the nobility would walk all over him. How long would he hold the throne then? He would be assassinated before the end of the year.
No, he had no choice in the matter, and Reynolds didn’t know when to back off. His defiance was forcing Cherenko’s hand, and barring some unforeseen explanation, he now had to take Reynolds’s command. It was a shame, but he saw no other option.
Of course, Reynolds would be honored in the process, and the Empire would see a decorated officer retiring after a lifetime of service. The masses would see a commoner who rose to the Admiralty. They would believe the vital fiction that they could do the same. But the influential people would know that he had been kicked out. Punished for his hubris. The rest of the Admiralty would think carefully before crossing their emperor.
With the comm link finally established, Cherenko’s display flickered, and Reynolds’s weathered face appeared. Cherenko briefly wondered how old Reynolds was. Being a commoner, Reynolds didn’t have access to the usual rejuvenation therapies that made it harder to guess a noble’s age. Reynolds looked old and tired. Not exactly the face of the Empire Cherenko wanted to project.
“Majesty,” Reynolds said, but irreverently did not bow his head, or even salute. That blatant disrespect brought Cherenko’s blood to a full boil.
“What are you playing at, Reynolds?” Cherenko demanded. “Where are the Avar and Tran leaders? Where are the captured warships? If you think these stalling tactics will work on me, you’re sorely mistaken.”
“I am not stalling.”
“Never mind. I don’t care anymore. I’m done with your excuses, Reynolds. I am relieving you of your command, effective immediately. Your retirement is long overdue. You will receive full honors and pension. The Empire will recognize you as a hero with all the requisite pageantry.”
“I see.” Reynolds remained stoic, which surprised Cherenko. He knew that retirement was the last thing Reynolds wanted, and he expected to see some show of emotion, however slight. “Who will be replacing me?” Reynolds said.
“Your fleet will be broken up. You’ve actually convinced me to reorganize the UEDF into fewer, more powerful fleets.”
“Well, that might be difficult,” Reynolds said, giving Cherenko the distinct impression that he was being toyed with.
“Careful Reynolds, my patience is wearing thin,” Cherenko warned. “Now explain yourself.”
“Things have changed, Emperor. I no longer take orders from you.”
The declaration sent a chill down Cherenko’s spine, surprising him. “I am your emperor!”
“No, you are not. You murdered Emperor Detlev and stole the throne. Your reign is illegitimate, and I am not obliged to follow your orders.”
“That is treason!”
“No, Cherenko. You are the real traitor. Your reign is a farce, one I no longer support.”
“I will crush you like the worm you are, Reynolds.”
“Go ahead. Try. I look forward to facing you, or one of the other so-called nobles in battle.”
Cherenko shook his head in disbelief. “After all I’ve done for you, this is how you repay me.”
“Are you joking? Did you conquer the Pallian system? The Allimanians? The Avars? The Tran? Did you defeat Zeta, or did I? What is it exactly that you think you did for me?”
“You would have never conquered those systems without my support. I made you an admiral. I gave you a fleet. Without my support, you would have remained nothing more than a commoner.”
“And you are a dinosaur. Already extinct. You just don’t know it yet.”
“Is that a threat, Reynolds?”
“Do you know why the Empire is in the shape it’s in, Cherenko? Entitled nobles like yourself. What have you earned? What battles have you won?”
“I-”
“Don’t bother. You and the rest of the nobility are
a cancer, destroying the Empire from the inside out. But you know what? I’m a patriot. I love the Empire, and I will no longer be part of this farce.”
“You goddamn traitor. Your days are numbered, Reynolds. I’m going to mount your head on a pike and-”
Reynolds disconnected the comm, disappearing from the display. Cherenko sat in silence, seething. Reynolds had caught him completely off guard. How could he have missed this? How long had Reynolds been a traitor? How long had he plotted this rebellion?
He had to do something. But what? The nobility would come for him now. They would smell blood. Weakness. Opportunity. He had to act fast.
He opened another comm, this time with General Turov of the Imperial Guard. The comm flickered again, and the influential Turov appeared.
“Yes, your worship,” Turov said.
“General, I am worried that there may be an assassination attempt against me,” Cherenko said. “I will need you to double my personal guard.”
“Of course, Majesty. Do you have any more information on the plotters?”
“No, not at the moment.” Cherenko wondered how far he could trust Turov. The man had betrayed Detlev to put Cherenko on the throne. Should he tell him about Reynolds? If he didn’t, Turov would find out anyway. Better to try and control the story. “Admiral Reynolds has turned against the Empire and sided with the Frontier Alliance.”
“What?”
“I know. He betrayed us all. I worry that he has co-conspirators among the Admiralty and that they are planning to move against me. Until we uncover the other conspirators, I’ll need eyes on all members of the Admiralty.”
“Of course, your worship. Leave it to me. My men will root out the traitors.”
“Thank you, General. I knew I could count on you.”
Turov bowed his head in response. “I seek only to serve.”
