by R. A. Ender
When they were ready and the time was perfect, they pulled the trigger. Using the excuse of IAE killing one of their agents, which was never actually proven, the Watabaeg Militia struck out in multiple directions. First, of course, Abad led a powerful assault fleet in cooperation with the CAC led Northern Fleet to defeat the IAE at Tionaga. Likely, the IAE knew of Richard's planned assault from the Watabaeg, but again, there was no evidence.
But while Abad was presenting himself and his people as loyal allies, the rest of the militia was making strategic strikes into IAE space. Being on their border, Watabaeg knew exactly where to strike to clear and hold hundreds of systems. By the time hostilities ended with the armistice, the IAE had lost two hundred and fifty systems. Most of the systems were resource worlds, a dozen were strategic systems where Watabaeg garrisoned their forces to hold the territory. Watabaeg did not take any inhabitable systems, staying clear of any civilian populations. That is not to say that they did not expel tens of thousands of IAE laborers and administrators. For the next few months, they had a steady train of transports delivering IAE citizens back to the nearest inhabited system, Port Tobo, each train traveling under Militia protection.
Watabaeg's decision to enrich itself at the end of the war had been the biggest obstacle to peace. The IAE Emperor had been killed only days after the surrender at Tionaga. Though there was a short period of turmoil, eventually a more moderate coalition brought a new Emperor to the throne who was ready to end the war. The Senate was also keen to sign a peace treaty but had to consider public census results that were not prepared to forgive the IAE without a penalty. The terms of the peace treaty were agreeable to all except the indemnity. The indemnity that was sought was high but the IAE was not willing to accept unless their lost territory was returned to them. The Watabaeg flatly refused, claiming that they needed the strategic worlds to defend against future IAE aggression. The resource worlds also could not be returned as they would make the area indefensible.
The negotiations stalled for years. Nothing in the constitution of the Confederated Union of Worlds could compel a member state to give up sovereign territory they claimed as their own. The only tools available were to withdraw Defense Force protection or expel the member state from the Confederacy. In the long history of the Confederacy, no member state had been expelled, though several had come close when their governments had failed to uphold the minimum human life standards enshrined in the Constitution. But in all those previous cases, the government had been compelled to improve, received support from other members, or the government had been toppled.
The withdrawal of Defense Force protection had been originally thought to be the best coercive measure when the Confederacy had been founded. Originally designed as a mutual protection alliance organization, the Confederacy had eventually morphed into a more robust interstellar government. When the founders had written the constitution, they truly believed that withdrawing protection would compel any state to act properly. In reality, though, it had never worked. Its first use was when the Confederacy was first expanding its governing power and was punishing non-democratic members in an effort to force democratic governance on all worlds. The Royalist league, at that time several planets in and near the Old Colony Region, fought against this expansion of powers that they believed contradicted the terms and spirit of the Confederacy. After Defense Force protection was removed, most of the world's opted to leave the Confederacy and many left to found new worlds beyond Ka'Tak space, far from the Confederacy.
The Royalist League also faced removal of Defense Force protection during the Veselyy War, but again, they shrugged their shoulders and didn't care. By that time, they could defend themselves. This show of independence, over time, led to the Senate voting to return Defense Force protection and extend it to their reconquered world of Veselyy, a decision that led to the Veselyy Crisis and gave a young Richard Hilbornus his first experience in command and his first decoration in battle.
In this last case, the Senate could not even remove Defense Force protection, as Watabaeg had opted out of that protection long ago. All they could do was try to convince them to return the worlds for the sake of the whole of the Confederacy. Watabaeg held out for years, but eventually struck a deal that returned one strategic world and a handful of resource worlds. This minor concession meant that the Confederacy had to drop most of its indemnity request, keeping only the indemnity which was to be paid to Lochalsh, where the IAE had used mass drivers to scar the planet permanently.
After a decade, the public need to punish the IAE had waned to the point where the Senate was able to pass the treaty which had sat unchanged and collecting dust for the last couple of years. Mostly, it had been the work of a few senior Senators who had really pushed to have the treaty signed to put the war at an end and an opportunity to move forward with the new IAE leadership. The risk that another firebrand or arch-nationalist would rise on the anger of their citizens for years of punishment by their conquerors got larger every day that passed.
Richard knew this was a growing concern, as his old friend from the IAE had been a key player behind the scenes influencing the governing change. After the war, they had communicated far more frequently as Bazan now had the freedom to act without fear that he would run afoul of the ruling party. Almost every conversation eventually included Bazan asking about the progress toward peace and providing insight into any growing trouble that the delay was fostering. Bazan knew that Richard would report to the CAC, and he used his friend to communicate unofficially with them. Richard also did not mind helping, as he had become a strong advocate for an official peace whenever an appropriate opportunity presented itself. It was certainly a message all of his officer trainees heard while they were part of his crew for their three years of training.
Where is Bazan? Richard thought to himself, looking around the room. He started looking where the IAE group was still huddled together, but he could not see Bazan there. Looking in the crowds more generally, Richard just got lost in the chaotic mix of people from all corners of the Confederacy. It was clear that every dignitary and important person had decided to be in attendance and the amount was overwhelming. But, as if he could sense Richard's wish, Bazan suddenly emerged from the crowd of people and began to walk straight toward Richard's spot on the wall.
As he approached, smiling broadly and clearly thrilled that his wish for peace was finally being fulfilled, Richard spoke aloud as soon as he felt Bazan would be able to hear him.
"Are you a mindwalker now? I was just thinking about you." Richard said loudly enough to be heard, extending his hand to clasp Bazan's arm as they met.
"No," Bazan started, "I am not a mindwalker, just a nice coincidence." Turning his back to the glass wall beside Richard, Bazan waved his hand over the crowd. "This is a very impressive turnout. Given how many people are here to celebrate the peace, I am surprised it didn’t happen sooner. A real shame. The delay has made matters far more difficult at home."
"Oh," Richard said a little surprised. The last he had spoken with Bazan he had not mentioned any change.
"Yes, I'm afraid the decision to sign the peace treaty after so long has strengthened the nationalists quite a bit. I had to advise the Emperor not to ask his conclave to approve the peace treaty and instead just sign it using their past approval as authorization. I'm afraid the nationalists are now quite powerful and I fear the next Emperor will be from their ranks. All of our hard work, you and I, may be for nothing. It is a sad note on an otherwise happy day." Bazan explained with a sign of sadness in his eyes.
Richard thought about what to say for a moment before answering. "I'm sorry my friend," Richard said and decided to say nothing more. There would be plenty of time in the future to discuss and plan ways to keep the moderate forces powerful. Likely the longer peace lasts and as prosperity returns, the moderates will become stronger. I will be sure to talk to Shelbus about that, Richard thought to himself.
As though his mind was being read again, C
ommanding Admiral Shelbus came out of the crowd on course for where Richard was standing.
There has to be a mindwalker in this building! Richard thought with amusement but not really thinking there was.
As Shelbus approached, Richard stood up straight, leaving his position leaning on the wall, and positioned himself to offer an introduction to his two friends.
"Admiral, I was just thinking about you," Richard said. With a wave of his arm, he indicated toward Bazan. "This is the Vice Regent Advisor to the Emperor of the Imperial Alliance of Empires, Care de Bazan." Moving his arm toward Shelbus, he now spoke to Bazan. "Bazan, this is Commanding Admiral Bradley Shelbus, a member of the Confederated Union of Worlds Defense Force Commanding Admirals Council."
With that introduction, the two men clasp arms in the Confederate tradition, and then Shelbus took the step of placing both his hands on Bazan's shoulders and bowing his head. Bazan, without missing a beat, also gave the traditional IAE greeting, placing his hands on Shelbus' shoulders and bowing his head.
Bazan quickly spoke first trying to make sure he acknowledged Shelbus' gesture. "Thank you, Admiral Shelbus. I am honored to be greeted in such a warm fashion. Thank you."
Shelbus gave his usual big smile and said, "Vice Regent, it is a great pleasure to meet you. Richard and I speak often and he has always spoken very highly of you. I also want to thank you for keeping us up to date with your governing challenges. I assure you that that information was very useful in our efforts to settle the peace treaty."
Bazan suddenly seemed to perk up, obviously pleased that he had had such a direct impact on settling the peace treaty he had wished for since before the war.
"Again, thank you, Admiral. I am happy that I could help. This treaty will very much help my people. I only wish it could have come sooner."
Richard jumped in now to needle his superior officer and a good friend. "Well, the peace might have come much sooner if the Admiral hadn't decided to enjoy the luxuries of F'lwok before bringing his fleet back to the war!"
Richard made sure he had a huge smile on his face and gave a playful pat on the shoulder as he delivered his joke. Bazan, not being intimately familiar with human interactions, could have misunderstood unless Richard exaggerated a bit.
He knew that Shelbus would understand. Ever since the end of the war, Richard had constantly bugged him about not returning to the war faster, and not joining his fleet earlier. Joking and laughing about what could have been was a long established method of dealing with emotional pain from war. The Defense Force even included it in their soldier and officer training programs. Psychological pain needs to be expressed otherwise it can cause the individual to feel tortured and alone which can lead to serious issues and death.
After ten years, Richard truly was joking and held no resentment. He understood the reasoning for the CAC's decision and agreed with the rational and calculation they made. Only a tiny part of him still hurt over the men lost in the war that might not have been had they not held themselves in reserve.
Not surprisingly, Shelbus came to his own mock defense. "F'lwok is beautiful that time of year. It was hard to pull away!" Turning to Bazan with a huge smile, "I am joking of course! But Richard never lets me hear the end of it. Always the same joke, eh Fleet Admiral?"
Richard smiled, playing along, "Yes, sir, Commanding Admiral, Sir!"
Shelbus smiled and then transitioned to a more even tone. "In all seriousness, though, it just came down to travel time. Without our Olympus Jump Gates, it took a long time for the few remaining Old Colony Region Fleet ships to reassemble at F'lwok. We had a very good idea as to who had survived and it took time to pull them back together. Then," Shelbus now waved his hand over toward Richard. "Just like Richard, once assembled we flew as fast as we could to Watabaeg but it takes a long time to travel from F'lwok to Watabaeg without those Jump Gates. We were thrilled when we arrived and learned about your success at New Earth. At that point, we had to choose between helping Richard and creating an armada only equal in strength to the IAE forces which could have drawn more IAE reinforcements into the Old Colony region. Or, what we decided, to remain in reserve and act only when the tide was clearly changing or when Richard failed. And not surprising, he did not fail. The best commander I have ever met, by far. I don’t think I say that to you enough." Shelbus said, looking directly at Richard and conveying that sentiment strongly.
"Thank you, Admiral. I don't think you can ever say that too much." Richard said with a smile.
"And besides," Shelbus said still looking at Richard and appearing to set up another joke. "I was speaking with a group of professors from the New Rome Academy in that crowd who were picking my brain about the war. Apparently, they are researching the war to determine if the IAE had lost before they even fired their first shot. They are convinced, and I quizzed them a great deal, that we were destined to win. Your efforts were irrelevant and you had nothing to worry about. I thought that was amazing to hear!"
Richard was a little baffled. "Care to explain that a bit more?"
"Oh yes, you'll really love this,” Shelbus said, now moving into an explanation that his tone and body language clearly indicated he thought very little of. "They claim that our individual efforts were irrelevant because we could not have lost the war, regardless of your efforts. They claim that we were just the lucky person to act first. They explained how overextended the IAE Empire was. They needed to use almost their whole fleet to invade us, leaving them vulnerable to internal issues. Furthermore, if we had let them conquer the Old Colony Region, it was impossible for them to hold it, and their control would eventually have eroded."
Shelbus took a sip of wine to wet his throat before continuing to repeat the judgment of the scholarly class. "So, they claim had we simply remained in the Royalist League, in your case, and the CAC remained in F'lwok, once the IAE was weakened, we could have moved in with our fleets and pushed them out without a fight."
"Their main argument is that technological advantage determined the outcome. They point out that the TeleGod network disruption had been resolved in fairly short order, and the network operated fine outside of the Old Colony Region, meaning we had a technological advantage over the IAE in coordinating our remaining forces and maintaining the integrity of our borders."
Another sip of wine, "And finally, they also point to Olympus Jump Gate technology as a critical advantage. They say in the long run that quick transit would have meant our nation would continue to be more productive and rich than the IAE and that would also lead to them losing control of the Old Colony Region."
"They concluded our discussion saying that it had nothing to do with individual effort, but all the result of technological and social factors."
Shelbus now turned to Bazan and cracked a huge smile. "Now, I told them that that was an interesting perspective and that they should talk to the IAE delegation about how they were doomed to fail, weaker and dumber than us. So far, I haven't seen any of them work up the courage to take my suggestion, but if one of your people ends up getting into a fight, now you know why. Go easy on them!" Shelbus finished with a chuckle.
Bazan seemed to understand the sarcastic humor, which is impressive for a non-human. That is typically the hardest humor to learn.
"Had I but known of our inevitable defeat," Bazan chimed in. "I would have spent my days at my cottage and waited for the Emperor’s downfall. I could have saved myself a great deal of stress!" Bazan said with his own degree of sarcasm, to which Shelbus responded with a swift smack on the shoulder which Bazan was not expecting but bore well.
"Richard, I see why you like this guy! I'll make sure we stay in touch." Shelbus said.
Richard thought for a moment before offering a more sobering thought, and said with a sad twinkle in his eye, “Funny, I don’t remember the war that way. There are a lot of brave soldiers who lost their lives fighting for our freedom who didn’t feel that history would give us victory by default.”
Shelbus held
his glass of wine aloft and said, "Jupiter hears that. Amen."
CHAPTER 45
Heather was watching the sun set behind one of the seven hills. Its light had already left the city cradled within the valley, but now even the Senate lost its light as the sun fell below the horizon.
I never get these beautiful sunsets at LaGuardius Seccus! Heather thought to herself.
She very much enjoyed the spectacle. The rich New Earth atmosphere often created a wonderfully deep red and orange sunset, one of the most beautiful in the galaxy. Only Aquarius, one of the smaller inhabited systems had more impressive daily displays. Nearly covered in water, the atmosphere was rich in water vapor and reflections off the endless oceans were a sight to be seen.
Despite the beautiful views, Heather would much rather have been accompanying her husband to the peace conference instead of having to wait outside for him. Heather had expected to be an invitee, being the head of New Earth Defense Alliance. But, the decision had been made to have only Defense Force present as a representative of the military. The rationale was simple if she was invited every planetary general of note would be demanding an invitation. It didn't matter how key New Earth's resistance to the siege had been or that it had been a base for the Defense Force Fleet during its war against the invasion.
Though Heather thought to herself, catching her mind from its spiral into resentment, At least I don't have to smile and clasp arms all night! I'm always more popular than most at those functions.
