The Ties that Bind

by Hiroyuki Morioka

  According to the Empire’s stipulations, baronies and viscountdoms were the same in that they contained no inhabitable planets. However, a viscountdom always contained at least one planet that could be made inhabitable.

  “I think that sounds like a magnificent pastime, Your Excellency,” nodded the Ambassador of the Hania Federation.

  The passageway was impressively ornamented, but otherwise empty. Suddenly, it came to an end, leading into a wide open space. The Chancellor’s Office’s garden was carpeted in lawn grass, and centered around a fountain. Flower beds arranged in geometric patterns boasted a great variety of flowers in full bloom.

  “We’ve arrived, Ambassador,” said Chidoryac, parking the transporter by a long bench.

  “It’s beautiful,” he said, with no hint of insincerity. “I can’t say it’s particularly Abh-like, though.”

  “I heard it was the hobby of a Chancellor some chancellors back. As I told you earlier, there are many landworlders within the bureaucracy, and not many chancellors have had blue hair.”

  “Is that so? I’d be hard pressed to find a garden in this style even back home. But to the Abh, nature is just a gentle force that exists to be pretty. In the eyes of someone like me, who hails from a planet frequently bedeviled by floods, I find it’s missing a certain something.”

  “No offense,” said Chidoryac, “but you’re wrong. The Abh do sense nature as a threat often enough. Though their conception is different from us landworlders in that the first thing that springs to mind for them when talk turns to the perils of nature happens to be explosions on the surface of a star.”

  “Explosions on the surface of a star? That can’t be a very common occurrence.”

  “Not from our perspective, no,” he said, gesturing Gwen to sit. “But you should never forget that the Abh control many stars, and are always sailing through what amounts to the space between those stars. In the history of any given landworld, there may or may not be records of its sun acting abnormally, and rarely are there ever records of multiple different such episodes. To the Abh, however, it’s a relatively compelling, ever-present danger.”

  “Incidentally,” said Gwen, who took a seat and cocked his head, “are you not an Abh as well, Lonh-Bauchimr? You are speaking as though you aren’t.”

  Chidoryac just smiled faintly. He knew the Ambassador understood why that was. And Gwen didn’t pry any further into it, thereby proving it.

  The Imperial Chancellor sat beside the Ambassador.

  “May I inquire a bit more about something we discussed earlier?” asked Gwen.

  “Yes, ask away.”

  “You did me the kindness of explaining to me your personal reasons. Yet, am I mistaken in my assumption that there is also a larger reason?”

  “A larger reason, you say?”

  “Your Excellency, you stand at the very pinnacle of the bureaucratic mechanism that runs the Empire. You must harbor a fair amount of anxiety, and I’m afraid I’m not convinced that you’re content with your reward for conquering that anxiety being a star system that isn’t even inhabited.”

  “You never disappoint,” Chidoryac laughed dryly.

  “Oh? Have I said something that warrants such praise?”

  “Up until three years ago, the various sirs and madams that were the allies of your nation would have been satisfied with the answer that I gave. Apart from the obvious remuneration, they wouldn’t be able to think of what might motivate somebody to serve the ‘unprincipled’ Empire. But even a star system without a citizenry can yield wealth.”

  “Is wealth all that motivates you?” Gwen’s expression had reverted to the mask it was when he’d been using the translator.

  “It’s nothing to me either way you take it, but how’s this for a reason,” said Chidoryac, looking his conversation partner right in the face: “The Empire and its ways are the only thing that can seal the dragon that is modern times.”

  “I’m afraid I’m unclear as to what you’re trying to say...”

  “Are you really? No, forgive me, it’s unbecoming of me to doubt you so rashly. But I ask you to understand that I’m feeling some reluctance to explain it in any further detail. All I can say is that the people behind the Member-Nations of the Nova Sicilia Treaty Organization tend to focus too narrowly on the differences between the imperial and democratic systems of government, despite there being even greater chasms between the Empire and those nations.”

  “Well, you are speaking with rather literary flourishes,” said Gwen, referring to his use of the words “dragon” and “chasms.” “You’re certainly not all-business. But in any case, allow me to correct you on one point. I remind you that we, the Hania Federation, is also one of ‘those nations.’ We still uphold our end of the Nova Sicilia Accords. We’ve simply refrained from aligning with our allies on this matter.”

  “Oh of course, I know that, Ambassador. Yet your nation strikes me as a tad different from the others, so it appears I forget from time to time.”

  “Different?” Gwen’s eyes lit up.

  “Oh, never mind me, Ambassador,” said Chidoryac, averting his gaze from Gwen’s face toward the dazzlingly full-bloom orchids in front. “I should leave the abstractions to others; it doesn’t suit a business-type like me.”

  “Don’t worry, you haven’t hurt my feelings,” said the Ambassador, waving his hand. “It’s undeniable that the history of the formation of our Federation stands out.”

  Almost all interstellar powers had experienced annexing or merging with other nations, to say nothing of the Empire. But the Hania Federation had never assimilated any other nations. The beginnings of the Federation lay in the civilization that was the first in human history to bring planar space navigation to fruition — the Sumei Star System. The Sumeinians made use of planar space to settle myriad low-population systems en masse, expanding their might and influence along the way. Those large settler populations then agreed to be incorporated into the Federation, and while it did employ tactics that could be called “invasionary” depending on one’s point of view, history attested that the Federation never once expanded through means of military pressure or the cooperation of its allied powers.

  “Now, may I at last ask you the real reason Your Excellency has deigned to show me this garden?”

  “Whatever do you mean?” Chidoryac played dumb. “I had yet to engage in a personal conversation with you, so I just thought I’d use this opportunity, Ambassador.”

  “A conversation with an ambassador who will be stepping down?”

  “I’m not that devoted to the work side of things, you know. What’s running through your mind?”

  “So you want me to come out and say it, I see,” said Gwen, grinning wryly. “Very well. I know that your nation has its concerns regarding our Federation. You fear that in the end, the Hania Federation will be loyal to the Nova Sicilia Accords, and that really, we’re just waiting for the perfect chance to rejoin the fray and strike the most brutal and effective blow possible.”

  “Contemplating the worst-case scenario is just part of politics. It’s a regrettable eventuality, but I ask you kindly to understand. I must say, though, I fail to comprehend what that has to do with our stroll. Even if I asked you something of the essence, you would never answer, Ambassador.”

  “Even if I answered, you would never believe me, Lonh-Bauchimr. But nothing is stopping you from trying to get a feel for our Federation’s true intentions through my responses.”

  “I’d never,” said Chidoryac, stroking his face. “It may be different in your nation, but in the Empire, bureaucrats have their hands full simply carrying out everyday affairs. We don’t make a habit of meddling with matters of great importance, or nation-level shifts.”

  “You are being humble. It goes without saying that a mere ambassador such as myself doesn’t know much, but I reckon that if I learn how Central is treating me, it may be of some assistance. Am I off the mark?”

  “Ambassador, it is you who are bein
g humble. I’ve heard that your position matches that of a cabinet minister’s in prestige,” was all Chidoryac said in response.

  “You overestimate me. Don’t get me wrong, your nation is more than important enough to send a delegation equal in status to cabinet ministers. But that isn’t me.”

  “Come now, I don’t believe you,” said Chidoryac, passing it off as a joke, but this may have been the one time his words reflected his actual opinion. “Though I suppose it would be rude of me to gainsay you like that. Now then, may I ask you a personal question, Ambassador?”

  “But of course.”

  “Forgive me in advance for my rudeness and my prying, but if and when the Empire wins this war, then your honorable nation would be left in an overwhelmingly vulnerable position. What do you think the Federation should do in that case? Would your peoples feel fear at the prospect of holding their own with the Empire without any allies?”

  “My my, Your Excellency; that is not a question I would call ‘personal.’”

  “I am asking you for your personal opinion, Ambassador, sir. Is that not ‘personal’ enough?”

  “My personal opinion, eh?” Gwen folded his arms. His mien of deep reflection came across as slightly affected. “I’m afraid that since I haven’t given the idea much thought, I don’t have an answer for the sudden question.”

  “You’ve never given it thought?” Chidoryac looked surprised.

  “That’s right. Not to repeat myself, but I am a mere ambassador. Even if I ponder the future of nations, nothing of value will result from it. So I don’t have a personal opinion. I can, however, introduce you to a certain train of thought.”

  “Oh?” The Chancellor narrowed his eyes with intense interest.

  “As you know, we have obtained many planets through settling. But it was not our goal to obtain those planets; that was simply the end result. Put another way, we terraformed planets in order to secure living space for our burgeoning population. And before we realized it, we had a multitude of star systems under our control.”

  “I see.”

  “Our Federation is akin to one giant family, with the Sumei Star System as the parent standing above her children. Planets that have only just begun being settled need support from more developed planets, and can’t maintain security on their own. For a variety of reasons, the descendants of the Sumeinians consolidating the systems into one overarching federation was very much the natural course of events. And yet, with hindsight, one must wonder whether a ‘family’ really needs a single locus of power. In any case, the point is, when a population grows, there needs to be new living space.”

  “A fascinating history, Ambassador.”

  “On the other hand, we can’t seem to shake the habit of thinking of ourselves as ‘Sumeinians.’ Sumeinian culture holds to a unique logical framework, you see. Obviously, that Sumeinian lifestyle has spread to every corner of the Hania Federation. And there’s nothing we detest more than outsiders chiming in on our systems of thought. At least, that is one of our core values. Which is why Sumeinians desire worlds comprised solely of Sumeinians if at all possible, and a lot of worlds at that. To elaborate even more, they want those Sumeinian worlds to multiply at some point. Although, to be fair, acquiring more worlds would be the outcome, not the goal. Ultimately, if Sumeinians get their way and set up worlds of nothing but Sumeinians, a Sumeinian federation of systems — a single locus of power — would no longer be strictly necessary.”

  “That... that is quite an unshrinking opinion.”

  “It isn’t my opinion, and I implore you to avoid that impression. I’ve just recounted to you an opinion, one among many.”

  “But with powers like the United Humankind around, that desire will never come to be.”

  “Correct,” said Gwen, nodding vigorously. “Over there, it’s one’s personal liberty where they settle, and a star system government can’t deny their decision. The Greater Alkont Republic and the People’s Sovereign Stellar Union are no different, either. As far as I know, there is only one power that grants star system governments the right of settler selection.”

  “‘Landworld administrations,’” Chidoryac corrected him, “not ‘star system governments.’ That is the term used in that one power.”

  “Right, of course.” Gwen joined his hands and rested his chin. “But the point stands. If we manage to fulfill that condition, then we don’t need an interstellar state of our own. At least, that is what many believe.”

  “I see. So if the Empire collapses, then Hania can just continue as normal, and if the Empire wins, then there’s no urge to try to deal with an enormous galactic power on equal terms.”

  “According to that train of thought, yes. But needless to say, there are many who don’t think kindly of that view. In fact, many go beyond the realm of mere disagreement; they feel that opinion cannot be allowed to exist.”

  “No matter where you go, there are always people who receive preferential treatment from the state.”

  “That is the truth. As such, Central may indeed be waiting for the perfect moment to strike, just as your honorable nation fears. I, a mere ambassador, am not privy to such matters. But I urge you not to fly to conclusions. Since we are a part of the Nova Sicilia Treaty Organization, there is little chance our Federation will lend a hand to the Empire’s cause. But that does not necessarily then mean that we will assist in the efforts to defeat the Empire, either. There is a distinct possibility that we remain silent observers.” Then Gwen got up to his feet. “Now then, Lonh-Bauchimr. I couldn’t possibly take up any more of Your Excellency’s valuable time, yet regrettably, I must ask for a guide, for I don’t know where the exit is.”

  “I will guide you, all the way to the entry to the Chancellor’s Office.”

  “That is too kind of you, I couldn’t...”

  “Please, it’s no trouble at all. This is an expression of my gratitude. Though I do feel as though you may have just talked me into doing you this favor.”

  Lafier was freed from her status as Lady Agent of the Countdom of Aptic about two weeks later. Granted, the only duty she’d actually carried out as Lady Agent was approving Macrit Tallas for the landworld administration, but she was still deeply grateful to be released from this position, because it kept her bound to Aptic, unable to return to her mission in the Star Forces. In the meantime, the title of Countess of Aptic would go to Empress Lamagh, with an experienced magistrate dispatched to take care of all of the actual work. Once the magistrate arrived, Lafier hurried to board a carrycraft and headed for Vobayrneh Astrobase. Jint, who had been foisted with the truly ill-defined designation of Roïcfariac (Adjunct to the Lady Agent), came too, with Dyaho tagging along for the ride.

  As they put Aptic behind them, the enemy fleets were still fighting to the best of their ability in Wimber. But if they didn’t surrender, most believed it would only be a matter of time before those forces were no more. After all, the Star Forces had laid claim to the surrounding portals, reinforced their fleet, and put an ever-tighter squeeze on the remaining enemy ships. It wouldn’t take long before the military could resume their supply-line strategy. The enemy no longer had the numbers to hinder the Abhs in the area.

  Fresh new ships were being taken to Vobayrneh without pause. Facilities capable of constructing interstellar ships resided solely in the imperial capital, so all warships, too, were crafted in Lacmhacarh. Typically, the whole crew would board the new ship at the capital before taking it on a familiarization voyage, but in this time of war, they couldn’t afford to abide by that tradition. Replacing downed warships, in particular, was now a task for astrobases. Large ships would be taken to their destinations by a small number of navigation crew, while smaller ships would be taken within supply ships.

  Inside the chatting lounge room of the carrycraft Baururh, which had passed through the Vobayrneh Portal, Lafier was gazing at the footage of the outside. It was a collection of spheres with a number of tubes floating in the vicinity — the Locrh B
hobéïrnair (Vobayrneh Construction Site). And around the construction site hovered countless enormous supply ships. Astrobase construction sites were a bit of a misnomer, as they couldn’t construct ships, but they could easily repair them. In fact, the assault ship that Lafier rode was undergoing its final round of inspections there now.

  “Looks like we can finally hitch Dyaho a ride to the Royal Palace of Clybh,” said Jint.

  Said cat was currently dozing on a couch in that room, which was occupied only by the duo and their pet, since this carrycraft flight was arranged for their sakes.

  “At first I thought he was just super friendly with everybody, but now I know better. He’s just got no desire to engage with anything. He musters plenty of energy when I try to get him washed, but apart from that, he’s lazy as sin.”

  “Ah, I see now,” said Lafier, hitting upon a new realization. “I thought you and Dyaho were similar, but I couldn’t put my finger on how. But now I know.”

  “Would you stop,” frowned Jint. “I’m not lazy; I’m calm and collected.”

  “And how do you know Dyaho isn’t ‘calm and collected’? How can you tell the difference between ‘collected’ and ‘lazy’? You can’t tell through your actions.”

  “I don’t scratch people during bathtime.”

  As soon the word “bath” left Jint’s lips, Dyaho perked up an ear. Clearly, he was on high alert.

  “It’s the only word he knows,” Jint shrugged. “If I take a single step toward him, he’ll sprint off.”

  “Then don’t. If he damages the furnishings, I’ll have the Unit Commander to answer to.”

  “I won’t. Dyaho’s a hurricane when he’s running away. He may be small, but he’s a beast of tooth and claw.”

  “Is he now? Well, in that case, you are different from him. Because even when you’re fleeing for your life, your expression is lax as can be,” she said. For Lafier, this was not poking fun; she was merely stating her unvarnished estimation.