ROMA

by R. A. Ender

  Bazan’s eyes smiled with that comment. As they walked into the waiting lift, he turned to Richard. “And what of your love, Heather? Is she still unrequited or have you two formalized matters?”

  Bazan’s latin was still limited in some respects, but he asked about Heather every visit, so Richard knew what he meant. “Yes, we are still together but nothing is formalized. She’s having a lot of success as head of New Earth’s military.”

  Bazan began to nod. Oddly, every species in the known universe, even the oldest of the old-timers, nodded their heads, whatever the shape, when expressing understanding. Richard had an opportunity to ask a Bxtozil friend once for a reason why. As was typical for all old timer species, his friend’s answer seemed to convey understanding but upon reflection was absolutely confusing.

  As the lift began to move them to the observation dome, Bazan continued.

  “Yes, I had seen that she had done well. I saw a report not long ago increasing the defense rating of New Earth in the eyes of the military bureaucrats. Why they continue to bother rating your worlds while we are in a peaceful truce, I will never know. I suppose it will take until the end of time to convince those residing on Imperialis that your Confederacy is not a military threat. I still can’t tell whether they truly believe it or if it is just a politically useful point of view.”

  Richard, seizing an opportunity left open by his friend, began working to obtain the information he needed. “And has that type of thinking become better or worse since Espartero came to power?”

  Bazan looked over at Richard for a moment before returning to stare at the lift doors, smiling. “So, this pleasant social visit has an important purpose, hmm?” He said, not fooled for a moment by Richard’s maneuver.

  “I’m afraid so. I hope we have some information we can trade because I have a lot of nervous military brass who are looking for answers.”

  Bazan nodded, “Oh, we can do business, though the price may be fairly high for your Admirals.”

  With that, the lift doors opened, allowing Richard and Bazan to exit into the observation dome.

  CHAPTER 12

  Bazan had to duck down slightly to avoid the top of the lift door frame. Compressing his legs provided the needed space without having to move his head.

  It was not the first time Bazan had walked onto the observation deck of the Caesar Augustus, but every time it awed him. The observation deck was a large circular room with three wide levels. A few tables and chairs were scattered around, along with a few stations for work and entertainment. The main feature though was the massive clear domed roof permitting a complete celestial view of space from anywhere on the deck.

  During normal operations, the dome was covered with retractable hull plating. The purpose of the observation deck was to host visitors and dignitaries, providing an awe-inspiring experience. Though many high-end pleasure ships had similar features, it was unheard of on a military vessel.

  And that was why Bazan continued to let himself be awed and enjoy the view. Even the most magnificent ship in the Imperial Navy did not have such an impressive design feature. In terms of comfort, the Romans are well ahead of us. And sadly, Bazan thought, they were ahead in many many other ways.

  As he and Richard walked toward the centrally placed table they always sat at, Bazan pushed any negative thoughts from his mind and willed away any belief that the Confederacy was superior to his homeland. When it came to negotiations he needed to keep the homeland first and only in his mind. He was no traitor! Circumstance had thrust him and Richard together. A long term friendship based on mutual trust had furthered their relationship.

  And it was mutually beneficial. It had certainly prevented one war, in the past. It had also allowed open communication over the past twenty years between the two militaries, and speaking to one another was always the best way to avoid a future war. That was always a strong motivating factor for Bazan.

  It was not so long ago that war and the Imperial throne had stolen from him a great deal of his life’s joy. His eldest son had died while serving in the Navy. He had tried to motivate his son toward another path, one of intellectual refinement and education. But, his son meant to continue his family tradition of service, despite the sad family history of service. Bazan was the longest serving member of the family, having come nearly to his 30th year in the service. No one else had even managed to make it to their 20th.

  But, I will make sure future families are spared what ours has suffered! Bazan thought. Peace is worth fighting for. And that was why he was here today.

  Taking their seats opposite each other, Richard offered drinks.

  “Yes, of course,” Bazan answered. “A glass of calda would do nicely. I still haven’t managed to find a supplier in the entire Empire. I guess the taint of trading in a Roman drink is simply too much for a business. It is a fine beverage, though.”

  Richard smiled as he retrieved the freshly produced mugs of steaming calda. Placing one in front of Bazan, he sat down. The rich flavor rose in the steam and tickled Bazan’s nose. Grasping the mug, he sipped carefully.

  “So, what brings you out this far?” Bazan asked without hesitation.

  Richard gave his traditional half smile, sipping from his own mug, before placing it back on the table.

  “The Commanding Admirals have a concern about your Empire and have sent me to get a few answers. It is, as always, in the interests of peace, so I hope you won’t find the questions too pointed.”

  Bazan sat back a little, more for show than comfort. “We have known each other too long for me to be offended by questions which demand treasonous answers. I’ll tell you what I can, for peace.”

  Pausing for a moment to sip his calda, Bazan continued. “And, as it turns out, I have been asked to coordinate a project which I believe only you could help me with. Your timing is perfect. What are your questions?”

  Richard pulled out his infopad and keyed up the request. Bazan knew that the questions were certainly memorized, but he himself knew the importance of asking the question in just the right way. Reading them removed any risk of saying the wrong thing.

  “Well, the first few questions are from the CAC directly. The last is my own. The first question is whether you are aware of any current plan to invade the Confederated Union of Worlds? The second question is whether the political climate in your Empire is ripe for an outward expansionist call to arms that we should be preparing for? The third question is whether Emperor Espertaro has a proclivity for historic dates and lays his plans out according to those dates?”

  Pausing for a moment to let Bazan enter that information into his own infopad, Richard took another sip.

  “Finally, my question is about a ship I encountered ten years ago from your Empire.” Richard turned his infopad around to show Bazan the picture of the silhouette of the unknown ship. “Do you know what this ship is, and do you have the technical details for us to have?”

  Richard motioned that he was going to leave his infopad on the table for Bazan to pick up and examine, but Bazan waved it off. He did not need to see more detail, he knew the ship instantly.

  Considering the questions for a moment in his mind, Bazan organized them easily. The answer to the first question cannot be given, he thought. Not because he knew of any invasion plans, quite the opposite, he thought the chances were zero. Had a major invasion been planned, his province would have to be involved, as one of the border provinces, and a border with the F’lwoka rebel world.

  That said, the pointed question did raise a little doubt in his mind. The Confederacy was not a paranoid society, always fearing an invasion. If they had legitimate cause for concern, perhaps he should investigate. If he was being avoided due to his past actions supporting peace, that would only be the first step leading to his arrest. Or murder, given the current political establishment in power.

  Regardless of his feelings, it was a state secret. He would never give even a hint. The second question was easier since that answer could be
arrived at just by monitoring the state media. Many times he and Richard had discussed the politics of the Empire. It was a fascinating subject for politicos such as they were.

  The third question was more interesting and would be a tempting treat to extract the major concession he would have to ask for.

  Richard’s question seemed more personal. The tone of his voice, which Blessal hearing was quite attuned to hear, seemed to indicate a personal hurt. Obviously, his ship had encountered one of those ships in battle.

  Despite his empathy for his friend, he knew that technical details of the ship could also be used to extract his needed concession from Richard. And since the ship was flawed and obsolete, he doubted that any even existed still, it was, in fact, no loss for his Empire.

  Taking a quick sip of calda before he spoke, Bazan put forth his plan.

  “The answer to your last two questions I am willing to give you in trade. But, you must know that your first question I cannot answer. Also, do not try to discern any hints of an answer, for I will give none. But, of course, you knew that before you asked.”

  To that comment, Richard nodded and smiled.

  “As a show of faith, I will answer your second question before asking you my questions. It is true that the political atmosphere has changed substantially in the past decade.”

  “Since the Supreme Council Oligarchs fell from power, including my family, few remain but Espertaro’s handpicked clients and clients of his faction’s leading families. I am, in fact, one of the few high-profile members of the older oligarch families still in a position of power. And with good reason. My continued presence offers an appearance of unity and reconciliation. I continue to offer hope to those outside of Espertaro’s clique that they can still advance in the Empire. Most importantly, I never strongly favor any faction except that which offers peace. Espertaro has cultivated that feeling while he has rebuilt the Empire and consolidated his power. Some dictators use external conflict to avoid internal problems, Espertaro has taken the bold step of fixing the rot of the Empire before presenting his Empire to external threats.”

  “And likely it is a wise move. The Empire has not been successful in external conflicts for many centuries and the last disaster of an attempt led directly to the collapse of the Supreme Council oligarchs. Espertaro is no fool.”

  “Whether the political climate is such to permit an external move, I would think no. The state has spoken endlessly about building from within for ten years. They have not changed that. To simply turn the page and have the people ready for war, I think is unlikely.”

  “But, we are not a democracy as most of the Confederacy is. The herds do not truly matter. And they will follow, or at least the majority will, and that is enough for the ship of state to move where it will.”

  “I think that the Emperor is the key. His personality is what determines where the Empire moves tomorrow. There is always a herd to support any decision he makes. An even larger herd will support the Emperor because he is the Emperor. If he decides to move, he will have the internal political support to do so. It is up to his whims.”

  And with the heavily hinted final statement, Bazan gave his answer and left enough low-hanging fruit on the tree to force Richard to pursue his effort to have question three and four answered, regardless of the cost.

  At least Bazan hoped. He knew in advance that what the Emperor had asked him to obtain would be a tall order. But, the Emperor had shown him the importance. With this trade route established, it would foster goodwill with the Confederacy as well as provide much-needed resources to the Empire for internal improvements. Bazan knew he was being manipulated, appealing to what mattered to him, but the logic could not be ignored.

  Richard seemed pleased with his explanation. Leaning forward, he asked, “What do you want from me to get the answer to the last two questions?”

  It was Bazan’s time to smile, bouncing his eyes up and down. “Ah, my friend, it is a tall order. But, I think once you consider it more fully, you’ll see the advantages. The negatives remain, but over time they will fall to nothing.”

  “I have been asked to find a way to trade with the Lanwouk in a legal capacity. Whether you are aware or not, our Empire trades with the Lanwouk currently. However, the means to do so are long, costly and risky.”

  “Instead, we hope to create a new trade route which would be secure and legitimate. Unfortunately, the only available route is straight through the Confederacy.”

  “Now, before you worry and say no, here is what I have managed to create. The trade would be Imperial arms for Lanwouk resources. The arms are all either extremely out of date or they fall into the personal category for planetary security. Though the Lanwouk might be impressed by ships powered by nuclear fusion, they do not threaten your Confederacy nor my Empire. So the risk is minimal.”

  “The route I’ve worked out runs along our common border to the B’taliyx Hive. At the point where our three borders meet, our ships can enter the Confederacy at a controlled point. After entering Confederate space, our convoy can follow a route through your space, avoiding all space lanes, before entering Lanwouk space.”

  “The transport ships would only be IAE, never would a Lanwouk ship enter Confederate space. We can promise our ships would be unarmed and would never leave the space lane.”

  “Only two things prevent our using this route today. Most importantly is that we do not wish to instigate an incident with your government. The second is that we have no means of avoiding your Apollo detection grid on our border and in the neutral zone, as the route must pass through Domitianus outer systems.”

  Not even wanting to leave a moment for Richard to object, Bazan barreled on without taking a drink.

  “Now, I can see all the negatives you see. But, consider the positives. We would be ending our alternative trade route. Therefore, at any time, if you had concerns, you could interrupt the trade to inspect. Now, if this was done regularly, it would mean an end to our trade deal, but having that power and choosing not to exercise it, would build trust. It would mean you could have faith that the arms were below your technological threat threshold.”

  “The trade agreement would also open communication and facilitate better relations between our two governments and peoples. As we do not want to publicly be working with you, this could remain secret, allowing your government to avoid dealing with the negative political aspects of allowing arms trading with the Lanwouk.”

  “The only real challenge is that you need to deliberately weaken your patrol of Domitianus to allow our transports to pass unnoticed.”

  Pausing now for a moment to drink, Bazan moved to encourage Richard to his side. “As I see it, it is a risk for both sides, but, if success is achieved, it is a path to a more permanent peace between neighbors, instead of hostility and mistrust. At the end of the day, I see this as a means to help my Empire become a peaceful player in the galaxy. I need your help, though.”

  “Acceptance of this plan, for which I will provide you all the details on your infopad,” Bazan touched a button to send the information to Richard instantly. “Acceptance is mandatory for answers to your questions. I think the information is worth the trade.”

  Richard picked up his infopad and took a deep breath. He tapped his finger several times while he thought.

  “Do you really think this is legitimate? It seems a little crazy. I also don’t relish keeping the trade secret as that could really blow up in the face of our Senate. The Commanding Admirals will not like diverting patrols either.”

  Bazan jumped in, fearing the negative aspects were overwhelming Richard’s willingness to help. “Perhaps they won’t Richard. Or, perhaps they will see the advantage. They know we trade with the Lanwouk, I assure you. They may see a big advantage to having some control over any future trade. Does this mean you want to make a deal?” Bazan asked.

  Richard seemed a little surprised at the question. “Bazan, you know this is too big for me to answer. I need to call the CA
C. Do you have anything else I can give them, any other assurance?”

  “Only my word. I have explored this deal to see any hidden threats. I cannot see any. This seems like a peaceful deal I am proud to support. I hope my word carries some small meaning with your Admiralty and your Senate.”

  “Let’s hope so,” Richard said with a smile. “It will be a bitter pill to swallow and an even scarier pill to consider swallowing.”

  “I will call them,” Richard said as he leaned back in his chair with his calda.

  “First, I want to catch up. Business is always first, but pleasure is second. Please, tell me all about your family?”

  Bazan’s eyes bounced, smiling to their fullest. Though both were always thinking a little about business, for the next hour they reminisced, shared family stories and were friends, regardless of the politics that divided them.

  CHAPTER 13

  Despite his orders to avoid contacting CAC directly, Richard really felt he had no choice. What Bazan wants I cannot authorize on my own! Richard thought to himself. And since time was of the essence, he needed to communicate and get the deal done today.

  Sitting at his station in his cabin, it took very little effort to place an interview request for Commanding Admiral Shelbus. No matter where the Admiral was, he would be alerted to the request instantly, and would likely come on within moments.