Admiral's Fall
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“Execution?” Magnus scoffed.
“Believe it. I’ve seen more done for less. If you bungle this and get your fleet wrecked you might as well not bother coming back,” Simpers said levelly.
Magnus Davenport grit his teeth. “I see I’ll have to thank Triumvir Bellucci for her kind consideration in tapping me for the job in the future,” said the Imperial Admiral before slapping a hand on the table, “I’ll just have to hand the Empire a large enough win that they have no choice but to enthusiastically welcome my return and induct me into the senate. The Empire does not call it the Path of Glory into the Senate for nothing.”
“I don’t see how,” said Jenkins Simpers harshly. “Curb your ambitions. You don’t have time to do more than retrieve our Carrier and win a battle or two. Focus on that not the impossible.”
“It’s not impossible. After I’m done with Montagne and have them dancing in the palm of my hand, anything is possible. In order for both sides to save face, I’ll call for a plebiscite as part of the peace deal and then ‘willingly hand back’ any Imperial territory that would prefer to rejoin the Confederation.”
“How does that help?” Simpers' brow winkled.
“The 28th Provisional,” replied Magnus.
“Ah,” said Simpers, momentarily freezing.
“It’s time the Empire had a new Province, don’t you agree?” the Imperial Admiral asked with a smile.
“I’ll give you this: you don’t dream small, Admiral Davenport,” Simpers said with only a hint of dissatisfaction at the ambitious plans of the Admiral in front of him.
“Do we have a deal?” asked Magnus, extending his hand.
Simpers eyed that hand warily before leaning forward and taking it with one of his own, “We do.”
“Time to ride the tiger,” declared Magnus.
Chapter 17: Bluetooth’s Big Push
“Rear Admiral Bluetooth?! Congratulations again on the promotion, but what brings you to the bridge?” asked the ship’s new captain with surprise.
Bluetooth swelled with pride as he looked down at the pair of Admiral’s nebulae on his collar.
“They do look rather dashing don’t they?” asked Bluetooth before continuing. “Who’d have thought a year ago that I’d be trading in a Sector Guardsman officer’s uniform for a Confederation Admiral’s?” Bluetooth threw back his head and laughed uproariously.
The captain smiled politely and wisely maintained his silence.
“Well, enough of that, Kermit. The Grand Assembly has decided that we’ve recovered enough from the debacles of Black Purgatory and Hart’s World to renew the offensive,” Bluetooth said with satisfaction.
“That’s a relief. We’ve been chasing Confederation Fleet survivors for the past four months,” said the Captain.
“Reinforcements and a new voting delegation from Sector 22 are scheduled to arrive any day and the Grand Assembly has finally decided, in its infinite wisdom, to send us the first of the newly repaired and reorganized units formerly belonging to First Fleet,” Bluetooth said with determination.
“Great news! When do we hit Aegis and liberate our people from the jackboot of the Empire?” Kermit asked eagerly.
“Aegis?” Bluetooth glared at him. “What has Aegis done for the Confederation lately to deserve special treatment? And besides, it's the Confederation fleet that barricaded Aegis not the Imperial Navy.”
“Special treatment? What do you mean, Sir? How is kicking the old Confederation or the Empire out of Aegis special treatment? It seems to me only common sense,” retorted the Captain.
“That’s why I’m paid the big bucks and you just drive the ship, Kermit,” Bluetooth said harshly, reaching out to press a finger against the other officer’s forehead, “expand your mind and the answer will come to you. Why would the government send us back into Sector 26 instead of throwing us against that murthering big fleet dug in at Aegis?”
“I honestly don’t know…Rear Admiral Bluetooth,” the Captain’s voice had a bite to it as he retorted.
“Don’t get uppity with me,” warned Bluetooth.
“Sorry, Sir. But I’m just here to drive the ship,” the Captain said unrepentantly.
Bluetooth winced. “Alright, I’ll admit I went over the line there but my point still stands,” he said.
“So what about Aegis?” Kermit persisted.
“You’re worse than a tick on a boar. Listen up: we’ve lost more worlds to the Reclamation Fleet in Sector 26 than are occupied by the entire Glorious Fleet of Liberation. If we go back into 26 we can liberate worlds, win a PR bump and at the same time maybe pick up a few warships,” said Bluetooth.
“Even so, that Fleet of Glorious Liberation ships…” Kermit trailed off unhappily.
“I’ll tell you the same thing Speaker Isaak told me when I voiced some of the very same complaints,” Bluetooth grunted.
The Captain looked at him expectantly.
“The Glorious Fleet in Aegis is too strong to root out right at the moment. Leave Aegis to Admiral Manning and let him worry about it. In the meantime, you and I can do our careers some good by liberating worlds and gaining more votes for the Speaker,” advised Bluetooth.
“It just seems wrong to divide our strength like this. First Fleet is still tied up in dry dock and the Glorious Fleet could sally out at any time!” said Kermit.
“I said don’t worry about the GF,” Bluetooth said harshly, “we’ve been given the green light to renew our activities in Sector 26 and by Murphy that’s what we’re going to do,” said the new minted Rear Admiral, clouting the smaller man on the shoulder.
Kermit promptly produced a thin smile, “You’re the Admiral, Sir.”
“It’s time for the big push,” Bluetooth said with gleaming eyes.
Chapter 18: Acting Commodore McCruise Appears before the Grand Assembly
“Commodore McCruise, I’d like to thank you for appearing before this august body to account for the actions of the Reserve Squadron and Wolf-9 Starbase while under your command,” said the orange-haired Speaker and leader of the One Way Party
Synthia McCruise motioned she wanted to speak and the Speaker nodded to her. “Just to be clear: I only assumed command of the expanded Squadron and remains of the Wolf-9 e complex after the Starbase was already destroyed,” said the Acting Commodore.
Assemblyman Charles Thomas, co-chair of the Armed Services Committee, leaned forward.
“Thank you for that clarification, Officer McCruise. Please continue,” he said, speaking into his microphone.
Beside him, Assemblywoman Irene Gravity looked absolutely furious.
“To clarify,” said the Speaker leaning, forward while behind him a number of army, Lancer and Marine generals looked on, “I have initiated this blue ribbon fact-finding panel to get to the bottom of the reports of incredible events taking place in the Spineward Sectors. It will be headed by myself and Assemblyperson Gravity, and it is why you have been summoned here today.”
“Thank you for that clarification, Speaker,” said Synthia McCruise impassively.
“To start off, what do you know about the massive defeat that Senator Cornwallis and our fleet suffered at the hands of the Spineward Sectors Rebellion?” Irene Gravity cut in angrily.
“I don’t know, Assemblywoman. As you know, I’ve been here for months waiting to see someone in authority and report the status of the Wolf-9 expanded reserve squadron. That battle, and the events you are referring to, took place literally months after I left the region,” said the hatchet-faced Acting Commodore.
Orange Hair cleared his throat. “Be that as it may, and not to step on my friend from Absolute Choice’s feet, you are the only local resource we have from that region of space. As such we’d like to hear your opinion on what’s actually happening there and what, in your opinion, we should do going forward,” said the Speaker.
“Well, Sir,” McCruise turned from the Assemblywoman back to the Speaker, “it all started when this Assembly granted a twenty ye
ar old provincial noble an honorary commission which put him in command of a Multi-Sector Patrol Fleet.”
Grand Assemblywoman Irene Gravity jumped to her feet “Check your fake news, McKraken!” shrilled the Assemblywoman. “Our records clearly indicate Montgomery was only ever intended for ceremonial command. Arnold Janeski of the Imperial Rim Fleet was given operational command.”
“It’s McCruise, Assemblywoman, not Bracken, and in case you didn’t notice—” the last commanding officer of Easy Haven was cut off.
“You can address me as 'Assemblyperson' for the duration of this fact-finding commission, Fleet Officer,” shot back the 3rd in command of the Absolute Choice Faction.
Synthia McCruise frowned, looking at the Assemblywoman patiently.
“Of course, Assemblyperson; to misidentify a person is something that any person of moral fiber would immediately attempt to rectify. I apologize for referencing the name plate in front of your seat, which indicated you were an Assemblywoman, and will make the appropriate adjustments,” she said after a moment.
Irene Gravity flushed. “No more of your lies then, Fem, or I’ll see you sanctioned before the General Assembly,” she snapped and sat back in her seat, arms crossed as she glared daggers at the Acting Commodore.
“In case it has escaped the Assemblyperson’s attention, the Armed Services Committee is in charge of censuring, commending, or—dare I say—promoting Fleet Officers. In short any such actions as the Assemblyperson is suggesting fall under our purview,” Charles Thomas interjected, locking eyes with Irene Gravity.
An ugly expression crossed the Assemblyperson’s face. “Your Committee, of which you are merely the Ranking Member, can be overridden by the direct will of the Grand Assembly, Assemblyman. You would do well to remember that it is the Grand Assembly that wields absolute choice in any situations,” Irene warned.
“You mean unless we absolutely support your every decision, is that it?” the former Admiral asked with a hard glint in his eye.
Grand Assemblyperson Gravity started to reply but the Speaker leaned forward. “Enough of this bipartisan bickering. I would like to finish hearing the Commodore’s report sometime today,” said the Orange Haired Coalition Leader.
“Acting Commodore,” Irene Gravity immediately corrected the Speaker with a frown.
The Speaker waved his hand irritably and then turned to Synthia McCruise.
“Ronald, dear, if you would just—,” Irene Gravity interjected, her voice now sounding like dripping honey.
“Irene, please, you’re beautiful. Now shut up. Enough with the gender morphic interruptions; let’s just put aside side issues and get down the business, yes?” said the Speaker.
Irene Gravity looked immediately put out.
The Absolute Choicer immediately stiffened with impotent fury. “I have never been so insulted in all my life,” she exclaimed, glaring around the room.
“Assemblyperson, you’re beautiful. I assure you. Now please let Commodore McCruise speak,” said the Speaker. He then turned back to McCruise, “Please continue.”
“I’ll remember this, Ronald,” Irene glared daggers at everyone in the room before turning away with a loud huff.
“As I was saying before,” McCruise continued, “when Arnold Janeski abandoned the Multi-Sector Patrol Fleet, the only officers he left behind where a trio of Junior Lieutenants and the Fleet’s nominal commander, Acting Vice Admiral Jason Montagne. My understanding is that it was a political sop to stroke the egos of the local worlds into providing warships,” continued McCruise, as if she hadn’t just heard a lot of back and forth well above her pay grade.
“Despite every ship in the patrol fleet, including his own flagship, deciding to withdraw from the MSP and go home, the man Janeski left in charge thought you, this body, actually put him in command of the defense of the Spine and proceeded to act accordingly,” she said and then sighed. “And he was more than willing to show as evidence his honorary commission and writ of fleet command when prompted to do so. In short: you created a monster, one who believed he was acting on your behalf and with your authority,” she continued with a level gaze as her eyes pierced every member sitting on the blue ribbon fact finding commission in front of her.
“This is preposterous,” Assemblyperson Gravity huffed turning around, “it reads more like fiction than an actual event.”
“For once I am inclined to agree with the Assemblyherm… oh, wait, I meant Assemblyperson,” Charles Thomas said, at first serious and then at the end unable to resist ending with a dig at the Absolute Choice Whip.
“You see the sort of intolerant attitude I have to deal with when working with the BIM’s?” Irene Gravity demanded, glowering at Charles Thomas.
“You had your chance to get rid of me once and for all and took a pass, Irene, choosing to go with Senator Charles Cornwallis instead,” Charles Thomas’s smile had an edge to it, “we’ve all seen how that worked out for you. And please, it's Border Integrity Movement not BIM.”
“Ronald!?” snapped Irene, still glaring at the former Admiral and current Minority Faction Leader.
“We’re here to find out what happened, Assemblyperson,” the Speaker soothed absently, “how can you expect me to make a deal and fix this mess if you insist on insulting everyone who sits across the table from you?”
“I’m sorry, Speaker,” the Assemblyperson said after taking a few breaths.
Charles Thomas smiled contentedly while she leaned over and hissed.
“You listen to me, Minority Leader: the day will come when we no longer sit still while the Minority oppresses our Majority. A change is coming, one that you can believe in,” she said in a low voice, “and you can take that to the bank!”
“I’m oppressing you? Are you certifiable, Grand Assemblywoman?” asked the Minority Leader.
“Minorities have oppressed majorities for centuries, at least until right-thinking individuals who are against hate and oppression have stood up and said 'no more',” Irene Gravity assured him in a threatening voice.
“Please continue,” said the Speaker, ignoring the byplay and motioning to Synthia McCruise to continue.
“Yes, please help us to understand,” agreed Charles Thomas, ignoring the Assemblyperson and her threats.
Synthia McCruise blinked and then paused a moment to gather herself.
“It's simple. The rest of us, who had been abandoned in place, didn’t have the rank or authority to say the Vice Admiral was wrong, so he took it upon himself to rebuild the Patrol Fleet, which at that point consisted of just his flagship. He then started fighting every threat in the Spine, from pirates to Droids to uplifts and rogue Imperials, all in the name of the Confederation Fleet,” McCruise pursed her lips disapprovingly, “or at least he did up until you violated the Confederation Charter and sold his fleet and home world out from under him—and to the Empire no less.”
“Preposterous! Outrageous! We didn’t violate anything. Those worlds were auctioned off for back taxes,” snapped Irene Gravity, “we have the right to eminent domain! It was only after there were no longer sufficient unsold worlds to form a conclave that the Sector administrative districts in the Spine were dissolved and the region handed over to the Empire.
“Actually that makes a lot of sense, Captain. It's improbable but I can see it,” said Charles Thomas, “as for my fellow assemblyperson’s words, they are so ludicrous that while I can understand each and every individual word when taken as a whole they make less than no sense.”
The Orange Haired Speaker of the Grand Assembly looked back and forth between his two advisers and fellow Grand Assemblypersons and frowned.
“The Commodore makes a certain level of twisted sense...if you accept the premises she puts forth,” the Speaker said after moment.
“This is complete poppycock. You can’t be honestly listening to this, Ronald?” Irene Gravity’s brows rose with alarm. �
��There’s no way a tax evader such as the Acting Officer has described could have possibly defeated an Imperial Praetor like Senator Cornwallis! Why, the Paetor is a former Imperial Admiral! I still think it’s all lies and rumors designed to mislead and confuse us. There’s absolutely no way,” Irene finished, shooting daggers at McCruise like Synthia was her personal enemy.
The Speaker turned back to look at McCruise questioningly. “You say he defeated Admiral Cornwallis?”
“Look, I wasn’t there, and I’ll be frank: I didn’t think he could do it,” Synthia McCruise blinked, “but that said...I’m not surprised. Not really. If anyone in the Spine could do it, take on an Imperial Admiral and win, it’s him.
“You almost sound as if you admire this rogue, this tax evader and traitor to the Confederation and Empire. Remember that he threw his lot in with the rebellion, Acting Captain!” snapped Irene Gravity, rising to her feet and thrusting a finger at Synthia McCruise, “the Spineward Sectors Rebellion!”
“Why do you continue to misidentify and malign me, Assemblyperson?” McCruise finally rose to her feet and met Irene Gravity’s eyes levelly. “Quite frankly I detest the man, and I object to this body ever giving him his honorary commission in the first place. I consider it a stain upon the honor of the Grand Assembly and the Confederation Fleet,” said Synthia McCruise in a calm level voice, “at the same time I have eyes and I can recognize a successful officer when I see one. That he should never have been placed in command of a fleet is beside the point, as is the fact that Rim Fleet and Grand Assembly negligence placed him in a position to command the defense of three entire Sectors in the first place. It doesn’t even matter that there is every chance Jason Montagne will turn into a warlord of the first stripe now that he’s turned his back on the Confederation. None of that matters. The fact is he’s lucky, and I don’t mean the kind of 'here today, gone tomorrow' luck. Expect the unexpected from him, that’s all I’ll say,” said McCruise.