Colin stood at attention in front of the desk, still staring at the wall. He schooled his face into a neutral expression while Henry yelled. Admiral Fraser needed to vent.
Henry continued, “Don’t we give you enough work to do here? You’re assigned build the Destroyers built, but instead, you are interfering with our political institutions. Where do you find the time? Why the silence?”
Colin broke his gaze from the spot on the wall and looked Henry in the eye before speaking.
“Admiral, when this started, I intended to help a friend resolve dodgy behavior from senior figures in the Democratic Party. Nobody would’ve known about my involvement. The problem is two-fold. First, several people plotted treasonous activities. The second one is they sent six thugs to assault my staff. We caught the criminals, and DNI became involved. They asked me to see it through to the end. By then, I was angry and agreed. Sir, the Navy doesn’t involve itself in politics, but this time, politics involved itself in the Navy. I visited Mr. Walker to goad him into a confession. I achieved my goal.”
“Commodore, this will decimate the Democratic Party. You might destroy our system of Government.”
“Sir, I agree, I caused damage in the short-term and discussed this matter with Teri Constantin. Ms. Constantin understood my point. I believe they intend giving the surviving Democratic opposition breathing room to rebuild. Sir, sometimes, you must use tough love. At worst, the people of Cambridge will have to restore our system of Government. I don’t expect that is necessary, these institutions will be stronger when they recover. The Democratic Party is working to stop people with Walker’s inclinations rising to the top again.”
“So, how do I handle the media?”
“Talk to DNI. They’ll help you craft a press release. Give that to them and if the media interviews you, stick to what the news release says. Keep the message straightforward and consistent. The media will lose interest when the next big thing grabs their attention, it won’t take long.”
“Hrmph, easy for you to say.”
“For what it’s worth, these fools had a workable plan to stop the Destroyer Project in its tracks. They used threats and bribery to coerce several suppliers into deliberate sabotage. I plan to visit those companies in the next few days. I’ll explain the gospel according to Colin to them.”
“So, they indulged in sabotage?”
“Oh yes. The Democratic Party leadership was up to their eyeballs in it.”
“That is a breach of Federation law. The penalties are much harsher. Get out of here; you’ve wasted enough of my time. Go annoy someone else. Oh, the President wants you, find out why.”
“I will, Sir, thank you.”
Elsewhere across Harmon, police raided homes and offices. They took members of the press along to record the arrests, making sure the public understood what happened. As the police arrested each suspect, they surrendered them to DNI for interrogation. The police took care to release only chosen excerpts from the evidence, so future trials weren’t compromised.
In a rare show of solidarity, the Liberals decided not to capitalize on the problems the Democratic Party faced. Right then, the opposition faced turmoil as people positioned themselves to gain an advantage. Through it all, Samantha Tallus moved with calm purpose. Because of her position near the top of the Party hierarchy, many expected the police to come for Sam. As the days rolled by, and she kept her freedom, more people relied on her to lead them from the mess.
Over the last few years, Randal Walker, and his cronies had destroyed opposition to their rule within the Party. They ruined reputations, beat people up, even resorted to murder. Now, these preparations made Sam’s job so much harder. The best and brightest had gone. The old guard subdued the rest. They weren’t brave enough to stand up and take charge. She trolled through her people finding the few who kept a spark. Beyond still doing its job as the opposition, they must rebuild their Party from the inside-out. The new leadership must rebuild and rebrand before everything collapsed. The worst-case scenario saw the Liberals become a dictatorship.
Government House
Edward Constantin sat behind his desk waiting for Commodore Colin Gordon to pass security. Credit where it was due, they asked for Colin’s help, and he complied. The President should have known how Colin would tackle the problem. Edward considered it unlikely this was finished.
Edward heard a knock on the door, and the escort showed Colin into the Presidential office. Commodore Gordon stood to attention and snapped off a salute to the President. The attendant withdrew, leaving the men together.
“Well, Colin. I asked for your help, and you gave us what we asked. The problem is, you stirred up a hornet’s nest. I would’ve preferred you didn’t visit Randal Walker in his office, it makes things more challenging for us.”
“I disagree with you on the last part Mr. President. The visit to Randal Walker will simplify future prosecutions. Handing over what we gathered and walking away was my original intention. Walker and his cronies sent thugs out to beat on my staff. This posed a challenge I couldn’t leave unanswered. Besides, by the time I went to visit the man, I wasn’t working for you any longer. By then, it had become a Federation matter, I was there under DNI supervision.”
“It’s that serious?”
“Oh yes, Mr. President. We found evidence of their involvement with deliberate sabotage of the Destroyer and other Federation projects. We have indications of corruption which we’re pursuing.”
“My God, I never knew. Here I intended to give you a reaming, but I can’t, can I?”
“Sir, you can, for me, it goes with the territory. But understand this, if it impacts on Federation funded activities, I have no choice and must pursue it to the end. Walker will be lucky to escape alive. I’m no longer looking at this for you alone.”
“What will you do now Colin?”
“Simple Sir, I plan to finish what I started. We’ve had a few problems with the Destroyer Project. Those issues arose because of Democratic Party meddling. After this, I’m planning to bang heads together and prove to these people I wield a bigger stick. Expect to receive complaints soon.”
“Why would they complain, Colin?”
“These companies signed contracts with the Cambridge Government. They are not the standard contract intended for these activities. Our staff assures me that the Federation Charter has passages allowing us, the Navy, and the Government to walk away without penalty. I will give those businesses an opportunity to fix the problems. I’ll forgive them if they do. If they refuse, they will lose that contract and the ability to bid for others. I don’t expect to do that. The Democratic Party thugs threatened them. We’ll help them resolve that problem. Remember, my stick’s bigger.”
“You won’t go in there and assault them, will you?”
“No, physical punishment will prove counterproductive. If those businessmen don’t come clean when we discuss options, a physical beating will seem preferable.”
“I can’t dissuade you from this course of action?”
“No, Mr. President, you cannot. We won’t play nice anymore.”
“Okay, you should talk to Samantha Tallus before you go. The woman has a difficult job, Walker and company decimated the Democratic Party, she may help you weed out the thugs who are terrorizing people. While she isn’t too happy with you, she should recognize the value of cooperation. Don’t go too hard on her though, give her a chance. Samantha is the last hope for the Democratic Party.”
“Mr. President, I prefer not to terrorize people. It isn’t in my nature. Will she want to talk? I destroyed her Party’s leadership.”
“Sam is okay with you now. Tomorrow, after she comes to terms with what happened things may be different. Colin, I am still angry with you. I would’ve preferred to handle this another way. You’ve caused us problems too.”
“That’s your right Mr. President. I’m sorry I’ve disappointed you. I’ll drop by and visit Ms. Tallus.”
“Do that Commodore. T
eri wants you to visit next week, Wednesday night? Goodbye Commodore, I have a mountain of work.”
After visiting the President, Colin visited Samantha Tallus. He came away from the meeting understanding she was a formidable woman. By the end of that meeting, they respected each other. They would never be friends, but they understood each other’s point of view on a range of subjects. Most important for Samantha, she appreciated that Colin had no wish to witness the Democratic Party’s demise.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
DESIGN COMPLETE
Harmon
Admiral Henry Fraser, Commodore Sonya Nicholson, and Commodore Colin Gordon stood at the head of the table. The Chief Executive Officers (CEO’s) of eighteen suppliers to the Destroyer Project filed in and took their places. Colin forced several people to come, expecting problems with them before they left.
Colin allocated each CEO a seat at the table, and staff made sure everyone sat in the correct place. A tablet with copies of their contracts with the Cambridge Government and relevant extracts from Federation and Cambridge law sat before each CEO.
With everyone looking in his direction, Colin stepped forward to speak.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome. Many of you are wondering why we asked you here. I’m sure a few hold suspicions. Hint, you signed contracts to supply equipment for our new Destroyers.”
Colin surveyed the faces in the room, picking the ones he thought may cause problems.
“To be blunt, we found complications with the products your companies supplied, and this meeting is to resolve these problems. Without pointing the finger at anyone, a few people in this room accepted bribes from corrupt officials within the Democratic Party. Thugs bullied others and terrorized them into complying. A sorry few are complicit, willing to risk your company’s future because you supported these criminal’s agenda. Those corrupt officials are now sweating in interrogation rooms around Harmon. As we find those who are complicit in these treasonous activities, we will arrest them. Before I continue, questions?”
Daniel Simmons, one of the CEO’s rose to leave. Colin asked, “You wish to say something, Sir?”
“I refuse to stay and listen to you berating us. You have no right.”
The reply was no surprise to Colin, he expected problems with this man. The fool considered himself above the law, immune from prosecution. Colin planned to watch him learn his mistake soon.
Colin’s voice was like a whiplash, “Sit, Sir. There are two choices. Work with us, or if you’re lucky, spend time in jail. One way not open is for you to enjoy your ill-gotten gains. You won’t walk away from this, Sir, I promise.”
The fool did not listen and continued.
Colin barked, “Stop now, or face the consequences.”
Simmons ignored him. The second Simmons left the room, guards shot him with a stunner in full view of the other attendees. Two Marines stepped over and dragged him away before the door closed. Colin wasn’t displeased with the outcome, the others proved much more receptive to his message now.
“In case you didn’t see, Cambridge is still under a heightened state of alert. The military takes precedence. Everyone here is in a privileged position, your companies offer goods and services the military needs. Several of you will go bankrupt without our contracts. Do you wish to place yourselves in that position?”
Colin watched heads shaking around the table. Even a woman he expected problems with shook her head. The issue wasn’t resolved yet, but they were closing on a resolution.
Colin continued, “In front of you is a tablet. We placed a copy of the contract you signed with the Cambridge Government to provide materials or equipment. We highlighted paragraph 47.5 of your contract. You will find copies of valid Federation and Cambridge laws. I encourage you to read and understand these things together. I’ll tell you this for free, your companies are breaching their contract. A few of you had extenuating circumstances, I accept that. When you are on the verge of bankruptcy, and someone offers a lifeline, why not take it? If someone threatens your partner or children, you do anything to protect them, that is natural. Understand this, I do not work by threatening innocent people. I hold extensive investments here in Cambridge, and those investments include shares in many of your businesses. I don’t want or expect excuses from you. What I need from you is a fix to the problems with your products. Are there questions?”
One person asked, “What if we can’t fix a problem?”
“Can’t? What does that word mean? The word ‘can’t’ isn’t in my vocabulary.”
Now Colin observed understanding dawn upon the faces around the table. The meeting continued for another hour, but it was far more productive. Afterward, one person, a woman asked to speak to Colin alone.
Colin took her to his office to speak in private.
“Commodore, thank you for seeing me and thank you for not requiring us to explain our actions. Can you guarantee our safety and the safety of our families?”
Colin regarded her for a moment before replying, “No. I can’t make an absolute guarantee. If you have something that helps us remove these people from circulation, we do whatever we can.”
The woman dug in her case to extract a picture and a slip of paper with text. The picture showed two children, ten or twelve years old. Behind them stood a rough looking man with his face blurred.
She said, “These are my children. I received this, and the paper, the day after I signed the contract. Please, help me protect my babies from these fiends.”
Colin examined the photo for a few moments, then called Anne. “I need Lieutenant Stark and Dave Bach, I have a job for them. We have a lead on our targets.”
Anne replied, “I’ll begin straight away, Sir.”
“We’ll find him, and the others. While we do that, can you fix the problems in your equipment? If you can, I doubt these people will know until after we catch them.”
“Yes, the problem is a simple software fix. We’d met the specifications before I received this. I told no one we made the changes, but kept the original software.”
“Okay, help us fix this while we catch our troublemakers. My people will watch over your children, you should go.”
“Thank you, Commodore, can somebody visit my business in plain clothes so I can give them the software?”
Cambridge Naval Headquarters
Back at Headquarters, the designs came together as Navy design teams resolved most of the identified issues. The progress pleased Colin. The Sensor suite wasn’t ready yet, but Colin accepted the blame after he set Dave on a different task. Dave Bach promised Sensors far better than the Federation had. With the demise of a few figures at the top of the Democratic Party, Colin convinced the supplier companies to be more proactive in resolving issues.
Sometimes, Colin had to threaten penalties if they didn’t. One CEO who Colin expected trouble with, fell into line. Another spent a few grueling days with DNI while they interrogated him to extract useful information.
Anne entered Colin’s office, and they worked their way through design changes over the rest of the rest of the day. Colin was ready to approve most, but several needed more effort, although he liked the direction they took.
During the afternoon, Doug Corbett contacted Colin and explained that he’d received completed designs for the launch and recovery systems. Those systems were better than hoped, usable for the small craft a Destroyer carried. For the first time in months, Colin believed they were making progress.
When they finished, Anne said, “What now, Commodore?”
“First, Lieutenant, we meet the design teams and work through final approvals for these. When can we do that?”
“Dave Bach asked to meet you at the training-base. There’s nothing tomorrow. Is that acceptable?”
“Tomorrow is perfect, Lieutenant. I’ll meet our design teams in two days, we’ll approve everything ready for implementation.”
“Yes, Commodore, I’ll make immediate arrangements for tomorrow and set up the meeti
ng for the next day.”
“Thank you, Anne, I’ll brief the Admiral on progress. Then I need to stretch my legs, so I’ll go for a short walk.”
“Make sure you take your security with you.”
“No choice there Anne. They’ll be with me no matter what I want. Those Marines aren’t intimidated by my reputation.”
“Good, you need people of that caliber surrounding you, or your ego might grow too big.”
“Yeah okay, so, its beat on Colin day, right?”
Anne didn’t reply to Colin’s last comment, just grinned. The banter continued until Anne stopped for a moment, her eyes glazing over as her brow furrowed. It was evident to Colin, she had an incoming message.
A moment later, her face cleared, and she said, “Sorry about that, Sir, we have visitors on their way. Two Destroyers from Cotoni arrived in Cambridge. Their Captains are requesting to meet you and Admiral Fraser when they dock. I’m sorry, Sir, that’s all I know.”
“Thanks for the heads up, Anne.”
Anne hadn’t been able to engage her boss in a light-hearted banter for far too long now. Commodore Gordon was under so much pressure and stress he didn’t notice her sense of humor anymore. Now the pressure should ease up, she hoped.
After Anne left his office, Colin sat staring at the wall for a few moments. He needed a break soon but needed something to occupy his mind, or he’d go insane. If Colin weren't busy, he’d brood over his family and sink into depression. It had been so long since he’d seen them, four years as far as he could tell. Colin shuddered, shook his head then left his office to report progress to Henry before his walk.
Training Base
Kelly Downer waited as Colin’s air car settled on the tarmac. The Lieutenant worried when Colin first asked her to work for him. Now Kelly considered coming here the best decision she ever made. Commodore Gordon kept finding exciting work for them to do and plenty of it.
Colin alighted from the vehicle and made his way over to meet her.
Star Strike: Book 3 of the Star Man Series Page 18
