ARMS Helm's End: (Book 7)

by Stephen Arseneault

  "That might be a problem. We took a few precautions after your last raid. Processors from Midelon won't follow your commands."

  Bax smirked. "They're programmed. Programming can be changed. If you added some physical change, that change can be undone. Worst case, your efforts only cause a minor delay."

  The remainder of the day was spent getting statuses from various government entities. The following morning saw a flight to the Hosh-Morgan headquarters. As promised, seventy-two Banshee fighters sat parked on the tarmac, only lacking bot processors to make them operational. A shuttle had been dispatched to New Earth and was expected back momentarily.

  "What are your plans for this group of ships?" Harris asked.

  Bax replied, "Half will remain here for the purpose of showing authority. The remainder will be dispatched to the other colonies. When they return, I will select a suitable force to take to Midelon."

  "Are you and Croft actually married?"

  "What? Why would you ask that or even care?"

  "Just curious. You hardly speak to him. Doesn't seem like much of a partnership."

  "He provides much of the planning. He's the dreamer, I'm the doer."

  "I see. So are the two of you married?"

  "No. And it's a bit of a sore subject with me, so please don't press it."

  "Sounds like he promised but never delivered."

  "It's a private matter."

  "Don't know why I asked that. I'm not one for having relationships on that level. Can't reproduce, and I trained my whole life as a warrior. I wouldn't know where to begin."

  "It's called a date. You saying you've never had one?"

  Harris laughed. "Goodness no. Plenty. Just nothing I would consider a long-term relationship."

  "What about you and Freely?"

  Harris chuckled. "We'd kill each other. And I'm not sure if it's a DNA issue or what, but I haven't been attracted to any slugs. Don't get me wrong, Tawn is my friend and partner, just not in a romantic way. Kind of like my twin sister in that regard. How long have you known Croft?"

  "A dozen years. I was a follower of his philosophies. He used to be a professor, you know. He was good at painting a picture of a world you'd want to belong to. At least to me anyway. He took an interest in his pupil, and I've been with him ever since. But as I said, he's a dreamer and not a doer. It’s taken me years to realize that."

  "He became President. That certainly seems like he did something."

  "I put the team together that ran his campaign. Most of his speeches were written by my people. His advisors were my people. He got me into the DDI using his and my uncle's credentials, but it was my idea. I've been the heavy lifter in this relationship."

  "Sounds like you have some regrets."

  "Maybe. But nothing I can't overcome."

  "Could be why you're happiest when at work. Keeps you from thinking about your relationship, or lack thereof, with him."

  "What are you, a shrink?"

  Harris chuckled. "No. I just seem to give good relationship advice, or so I've been told. For whatever reason, I can see what they're made of, regardless of how my own have or haven't been."

  "So what would you suggest?"

  "If you're looking for happiness, you won't find it there. If you're looking for the satisfaction of accomplishment, stick with him as he's an obvious driver when it comes to that."

  "So I can be happy in love and a failure, or satisfied in work and unloved. Doesn't sound like a promising analysis."

  "Never said you couldn't have both. Just not with him."

  Bax stared for several seconds. "You suddenly look different today."

  Harris held up a hand. "None of that was a come-on."

  Bax squished up her face. "Ew. Wasn't talking about that. Just that you somehow went from a complete moron to someone who actually has some wisdom."

  "You know, every time I told Freely we should contact you to get information or help, she accused me of having a thing for you."

  "And did you? Ew. Never mind. I don't want to know the answer."

  Harris chuckled. "It was never anything like that. There was a fascination with what you seemed to be able to accomplish. You were always smack in the middle of everything we considered trouble. And you seemed to usually be a step or two ahead of us."

  "Wasn't hard since I was doing the planning and you were doing the reacting. So you found my actions fascinating…?"

  Harris sat silent for several seconds. "OK, this conversation has turned the corner to awkward."

  A blip showed on the nav display. "Bots are back. Should have our processors."

  A shuttle landed on the tarmac. A dozen bots scurried about loading processors into the waiting planes. Several minutes later, the boot signal was sent and the Banshees began to respond.

  Bax nodded. "Seventy-two greens. Gotta love Bannis Morgan."

  Twenty minutes later the qualified ships took formation beside the Fargo. New orders were expressed. Thirty-six of the Banshees rocketed skyward; another thirty moved off to various Domicile cities.

  Bax sighed. "Finally, a sign of real progress. Those ships will be back in four or five hours with statuses from all colonies. For the first time in our history, we'll be united under one banner. All Humans under a single government. Wasn't sure it was possible."

  The midday and afternoon passed slowly. Six hours after being sent out, the first of the Banshees returned.

  "Report?" Bax said over a comm.

  "The Viochan and Blewitz colonies are in compliance. Signed statements of acceptance of your rule were returned. The governors of each colony were rewarded with continued service. Each was passed a detailed document outlining the governmental changes expected from them over the coming months. Both governors seemed eager to comply."

  "Excellent. Return to the fleet pool for maintenance."

  Most of the remaining Banshees returned with a similar status. Visits to Gantway and Bella III were the exceptions.

  Bax asked, "What happened?"

  "The governor refused to comply."

  "And?"

  "After repeated attempts at convincing her of the seriousness of the requirement, she was forcibly replaced."

  Harris winced. "Forcibly?"

  "Terminated with cause. A plasma weapon was her choice for returning a denial. Under the authorized protocol for a hostile situation, the threat was eliminated. The lieutenant governor stepped in to accept the agreement."

  "So we're all good, then?"

  "Yes."

  Bax turned. "Unfortunate for her, but she chose her fate. And now for our last one. Bella III. Report?"

  "I was greeted by more than fifty citizens... all bearing arms. They declared their independence from all other governments and colonies. I chose discretion in this case given the number of hostiles. No agreement was reached. No retribution or corrective action was taken since I was not fired upon."

  "You followed directives, good. Looks like we'll have to pay a visit to Bella III. I'll have the governor comm them directly to let them know of the full situation. He'll fill them in on the alternative to non-compliance. Those people have always had an independent streak. Just need to be talked down."

  Harris said, "They know who I am. If you like, I could give it a shot."

  "And why would you want to do that?"

  "I have a good idea of where this would go if not handled right. They need to be convinced that it's in their best interest to stick it out with you. They can always seek independence later."

  "They won't be seeking independence, ever."

  "If we convince them to join and they see benefit, the whole independence idea will peacefully die. You go in there with a plow and you’re only sowing the seeds of revolution. Unhappy colonies have a way of causing problems at the worst times."

  "And how would you know this?"

  "I've been dealing with the truce worlds for the last two years. Try trading with a colony that doesn't trust you, much less one that hates you."


  "Interesting. I think we have a trip to Bella III coming up, right after Midelon."

  Harris shook his head. "I would handle this first. The discontent there is growing this very minute. A threatening visit by your warship probably has a hundred meetings being arranged right now. You let this grow and you'll have to kill people to stop it. We nip this early and no one has to die."

  Bax tilted her head to one side. "Hmm, Harris the humanitarian. Another surprise."

  "I swore to protect the free citizens of Domicile and her colonies. That hasn't changed."

  "It has in that the governing body you made that to no longer exists. Any deals or sworn statements or commitments you had to that government is officially over. Gone. No more."

  "Fine. I see your point. But my offer still stands. I'd like to speak with the leaders on Bella III."

  Bax sighed. "OK. But immediately following, we hit Midelon."

  Twenty-two minutes later the Fargo was landing on the tarmac at Bella III. An airtaxi was dispatched, picking up Harris and delivering him to the old familiar building of Bella Sports, Inc. The lieutenant governor was waiting along with a dozen armed associates.

  Harris introduced himself. "Many of you know me from years past. Harris Gruberg. And yes, I'm a stump, a Biomarine with the Domicile military."

  A hand was held out. "James Hargill, lieutenant governor."

  Harris shook a strong hand. "Mr. Hargill, I believe there was a misunderstanding when the Maxter fighter showed up here earlier."

  "That the Domers out there? If so, we're ready to vote on our independence. And we're willing to fight for it."

  Harris held up a hand. "Before we go down that road, hear me out. There have been a lot of changes in power and control of late. Allow me to straighten those out with just the pure raw facts. After that, you can ask me any question you want. Following that, I'll fill you in on the current state of affairs."

  Hargill gestured toward a set of double doors. "We're reasonable people, Mr. Gruberg. But I can tell you that our minds are made up. Domicile cut us off and left us hanging when both the Denzee and the Burrell were coming. We don't see that we have any allegiance to them."

  Harris took a seat. "Things have changed, Mr. Hargill. Drastic changes. Did you hear about New Earth?"

  "We heard they were attacked by the Denzee."

  "Wiped out by the Denzee. More than a billion lives lost."

  "Good riddance, if you ask me. All they wanted was war."

  "I won't get into the semantics about the Emperor and his desires. Those are now irrelevant, as the Emperor of the Earthers is dead, as are most of the Earthers."

  "And the Denzee?"

  "Also dead. This time by another species called the Hoya. Who are also dead."

  "And the Burrell? We expecting an attack from them?"

  "The Burrell in this system are also dead."

  Hargill looked around with a grin. "Sounds like all our issues have been solved."

  The other men chuckled.

  Harris shook his head. "Not really. We have a new Emperor and Empress."

  "Thought you said the Earthers were dead."

  "They are, mostly. Several Earther colonies still have inhabitants, but they're irrelevant at the moment. What is relevant is that Max Croft, our former President, and Baxter Rumford, his associate, have taken control of the only fleet left flying in this sector of the galaxy. They've declared themselves to be the Maxter Empire, and all Humans their subjects. Everyone has agreed except you here at Bella."

  "Domicile relented? The government there is no more? No army and no fleet?"

  "The remains of the military and the government are now under full control of the Maxter Empire. Which is why I'm here."

  "You're a Maxter?"

  "Well… I guess I am. And while I'm not thrilled with it at the moment, it is the current state of affairs. I came here today to fill you in and to ask you to join, peacefully."

  "Now why would we do that? We're willing to fight for our freedom!"

  The others in the room raised their weapons and voices.

  Harris nodded. "Believe me. I fully understand what it is you want and why you're willing to fight for it. But right now is not the time and this is not the place. There are thirty-six of those fighter-ships out there. You have nothing that can defeat even a single one. Any effort to resist will be met with overwhelming force."

  "So you're saying it's war, then."

  "No. I'm advising you to take the current deal. Keep all your people alive. Keep the dream of independence alive. I believe you'll find that your day-to-day lives will remain almost exactly as they are. There won't be any conscription into the military. You won't have to go off and fight anyone. The overwhelming majority of your affairs here will be settled here, by you. And I know I said it before, but you all remain alive."

  "I don't think the people will agree to this. Just saying."

  Harris crossed his arms, leaning back in the chair. "Can I at least give you a week to mull it over and discuss it? You don't have to decide right here and right now."

  "A week is not a lot of time. How about a year?"

  Harris chuckled. "I like your negotiating tactic, Mr. Hargill. The offer of a week was my doing and I believe it to be generous. The Empress is ready to assume control today. I convinced her to let me talk to you first. If you still choose to resist, that is your choice to make. I just wanted you to be making an informed decision."

  Harris reached up, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mentioned the current state of affairs earlier. I have yet to give you the bigger picture. There are two hostile species out there. The Burrell and the Frizoid. The Hoya worked for the Frizoid. We beat them back with tens of thousands of ships. Same with the Burrell. Baxter Rumford's fleet defeated the Burrell after they defeated Domicile's fleet. Almost all of her fleet was destroyed."

  "Then what's the issue?"

  "The issue is those thirty-six fighters parked above the tarmac. That is half the Human fleet right now. We need to rebuild that fleet and we need a unified government to do that. We have that, except for you here on Bella III. We need your help and cooperation, because the Burrell and Frizoid could show at any time. And I can tell you straight out, this third option, becoming part of the Maxter Empire, is a far superior option."

  "Independence is what we want."

  "Unfortunately that's not an option. So I'll leave you with this, war is coming to this space. It may be in six weeks or six months, or not for six years, but it is coming. We can all pull together and with our combined efforts field a capable defense, or we can fight among ourselves, weakening us all at a time of ultimate peril. Our choices at the moment are to prosper united or to fall apart. And that doesn't preclude you here on Bella from seeking independence at a future date."

  Harris stood and walked the room. "I wish this was different news I was bringing here today. But it's the reality of where we stand. Half of humanity is already gone. I'd like to see the other half preserved. So please, ask me any questions you want. I'll answer to the best of my ability. After that, take your week to discuss it."

  — Chapter 24 —

  * * *

  Harris stepped up into the hatch of the Fargo.

  Bax asked, "Well? We good?"

  "We'll find out in a week."

  "What? I made no such offer."

  "I took the liberty in the name of peace. I gave them the hard facts. You should take this opportunity to have Fritz do a full media blitz about the positives of joining. If you get the people behind the empire, you won't have any future problems. If you have to kill the patriots of Bella III to assume control, you'll have nothing but problems from here on out."

  "They'll have nothing but problems."

  "Remember what I said about planting the seeds of revolution? This is your chance to plant the seeds of peace. Maybe a few overt gestures like legalizing their firearms. Give them what they want short of full self governance. Show them the empire comes with benefits
and that independence won't come, but attempted independence at this time will come with a heavy toll on their families and their businesses. The people will listen and get behind you. It only makes sense."

  Bax stared for several seconds. "That was a good speech. You almost had me convinced."

  "What?"

  Bax shook her head. "I can't give them time to dilly-dally around. Word of that will spread and the other colonies will be seeking the same gestures or commitments or whatever you want to call it. Bella III is not an independent colony. It belonged to Domicile and now it belongs to me."

  Harris took in and let out a deep breath. "I'll go back and let them know your decision. Can we at least give them a day?"

  A comm was opened to the Banshee closest to the store. "Are the rebels still congregated at the sporting-goods store?"

  "Yes, Empress."

  "Take them out."

  Harris reached for her arm. A security bot nearby raised its Fox-40.

  Bax looked down at his hand with a glare as a cavalcade of tungsten pellets destroyed the Bella Sports, Inc building. Deep pits of earth and debris were all that remained of the once popular site.

  "You gonna pull back that hand or lose it?"

  Harris released his grip. "You didn't have to do that."

  A comm opened. "I did." Bax turned. "Governor Sharp, I take it you just received my message."

  "We did."

  "And your decision?"

  "You haven't left us a choice. Bella III will be joining your empire."

  "Good. I'll be leaving one of my bots as a liaison to get things started. And, governor, I'll be counting on your full cooperation. Anything less and you will be replaced."

  "Understood."

  The comm closed.

  Bax smiled. "Now that's how you negotiate. Those fools at the store had big ideas but no way to see them through. Instead they wasted their lives."

  Harris sat. "A week and it would have all gone in your favor."

  "Five minutes and it's all in my favor now. You ready to have Midelon join? I actually like those people, so I might be willing to stretch the negotiating period out to ten minutes."