Christmas’s face reddened and his mouth snapped shut.
“There’s no need to bait my fellow representatives, Admiral,” Kong Pao said with a warning look to his fellow.
“I’m baiting him? I don’t know if you’re aware, but I am not used to being slandered and slurred to my face by those supposedly here to negotiate for my favor,” I said coldly.
“Assemblyman Christmas spoke in error and haste. I’m sure he deeply regrets his words,” the Judge turned to his fellow delegate, “don’t you, Donald?”
Representative Christmas’s face went through several different expressions, at one point even baring his teeth in anger, before his head nodded jerkily. “My apologies, Admiral,” he said bitterly.
“Perhaps the delegate would prefer to inspect the quality of trillium he is looking to purchase, while the rest of us in here continue to discuss the price,” I said, my voice still as cold as space ice.
“I most certainly would not,” Donald Christmas said with outrage.
“Donald!” Kong Pao looked at him coldly.
“What?” sneered the other representative, shooting me a bitter look.
“The fate of billions potentially rests on these negotiations. Please take a walk and cool off,” said the Judge.
The Grand Assemblyman hesitated. “Of course,” said Christmas. He then turned and stalked to the door.
Instead of moving to open it, the armsmen guarding the door looked to me first.
It was only after I gave a measured nod that they opened the door for the Grand Assemblyman.
His shoulders stiffening, the Assemblyman paused before continuing out the door with a swish.
There was a pregnant silence after he left but it didn’t affect me. Who did these people think I was? I wasn’t some dog they could kick when they felt down or throw a bone to hope I’d be grateful afterward.
“I’m sorry for my friend’s attitude. It has been a tense and trying time for all of us,” Judge Kong said with a sigh.
“Not for me. Before this no one knew where Gambit Station was, and Tracto is now heavily fortified,” I said with a shrug. “We have the forces to stand off the shattered remnants of Cornwallis’s fleet. It would take a force of similar size to the original one we defeated to cause us grief.”
Kong Pao looked at me levelly. “The fate of billions rests on our shoulders. Possibly even on what we decide here in this room. I wasn’t lying when I said that to Donald Christmas. I truly believe it or else I would not have come,” he said.
“The fate of billions,” I said my lips pressed together in a thin red line on my face, “and yet you say you were outvoted? As if it were peanuts or a small matter of procedure or protocol when you and your fellow Grand Assemblymen voted to send the only person who you now say could save those billions. Where was your concern for the little man that day?”
“I did not say you were the only person. But other than that, we may be the Grand Assembly of the Spine but we still don’t have a crystal ball to see the future with. Mistakes were made. I have no trouble admitting that. If you want apologies, I will give them again. If, on the other hand, you’re interested in more tangible benefits, we can give them to you also. I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t think I could put this right, Admiral Montagne,” Kong Pao said, cupping his hands and then standing up first so that he could take a low bow.
He held the bow for almost half a minute before straightening.
“What’s your authority?” I asked when I could once again look him in the face.
He nodded his head with a serious expression. “I have been given specific guidelines from the Grand Assembly, but I asked for plenipotentiary powers before being sent on this mission and they were granted. As long as it doesn’t cross one of the pre-set hard lines mandated by the Grand Assembly, I can consider granting anything you want,” he said.
“Good, because while I still have no plans to do anything for you guys, except sell you some trillium at a vastly inflated price,” I stopped and nodded to my wife, “assuming my Hold-Mistress agrees of course,” to which Akantha nodded back, “I have no intention of making another deal with you that your superiors have no intention of fulfilling. This is, what, the second time you came to me for help, I gave it, and then was left out in the cold?”
“While I regret beyond your ability to understand the eventual results of your faithful service to the Spineward Sectors, I have the authority you’re asking about,” said Kong Pao.
“Good, because if this turns out to be another case of over promising and under delivering I’m going to take it personally,” I said. “Is that understood?”
“On my honor,” Kong Pao said, crossing his arms and bowing again.
“I don’t care about your honor, your authority, or your elected office or your judgeship. Today we’re just two men sitting in a room trying to come to a deal. If at the end of this year I am disappointed in your actions on my behalf, I will hold you personally accountable,” I said.
“There’s no need for threats; in the past we have both always put the needs of the people first. On that basis I believe we can come to an understanding,” Kong Pao said without so much as a flinch.
It was like he was made of stone for all the impact I was having. But I was beyond caring. He could have ice water in his veins for all I cared. I was past crying foul about being taken advantage of. I was in the big leagues now and in those leagues they played for keeps.
“I can’t just give you credits for some kind of settlement. I would if I could. But what I can do is set the price we pay for your trillium. So long as you can provide enough to keep the Fleet operating, and enough for us to funnel into the civilian carrying trade running to stave off mass starvation on dozens of worlds, you can almost name your price,” said Judge Pao.
My eyes flickered when he brought up starvation. I might be a cold-hearted blighter, but even I wasn’t about to hold closed the fuel nozzle when doing so would cause people to die from lack of food. However, there was no reason to weaken Akantha’s bargaining position by admitting that.
“I’m sure we can come to an understanding that keeps people from dying before food can be sent,” Akantha said with a regal nod.
Kong Pao ran a hand over his face and nodded his thanks. “I appreciate that. However it is my understanding that several worlds are suffering and people have already died,” said Kong Pao.
“Since this is the first we’re hearing about this, I believe you should look to the Grand Assembly if you want someone to blame,” I said coolly.
The bald Assemblyman beside Kong Pao finally stirred and set the cup of water in his hands down on the table. “If you hadn’t arbitrarily cut off our fuel source none of this would have happened in the first place, Admiral,” the Assemblyman said sternly. “We were willing to pay market price. It was you who decided to start this trade war.”
I blinked. “I thought we had this covered already,” I said looking at Kong Pao.
“I’m a ranking member on the Trade and Economic committee and I also have a seat on the War Committee. You may not like what I have to say, but you’ll just have to deal. In short: I’m going nowhere, Admiral,” said the Committee Member.
Kong Pao nodded reluctantly.
“I may be the head negotiator but this is not yet a dictatorship—thankfully so. With democracy comes certain unavoidable requirements,” he said.
“Like an impartial view of these negotiations, Judge,” said the Grand Assemblyman.
“As you say,” Kong Pao murmured.
“If there even is such a thing as an impartial politician in the Grand Assembly, Mr…?” I finished questioningly.
“I don’t think name is germane to this conversation but I am the current Representative for Hart’s World. That should do for now,” he replied evenly.
I sniffed. “I have no particular grievances with Hart, but be that as it may,” I shrugged, “the sad fact is that certain promises were made when the Grand Asse
mbly requested I take command of the New Confederation Fleet—promises which were not kept.”
“If I may,” the Hart’s World representative said stiffly, “it is my understanding that everything you asked for was given. Your Fleet requests were granted and you were given the highest office in the Region. Furthermore if you hadn’t decided to use bio-weapons without consulting the Grand Assembly, I don’t see how you can blame us for suspending you until a review has taken place. In short: a longer duration in office may have been implied, but no one promised to make your assignment a lifetime one,” said Hart’s Representative.
Akantha stirred, placing a hand on my forearm to stop me from speaking. “Just as we have filled every contracted fuel order to the ounce and cubic meter, just as with my husband’s appointment, a continuing arrangement may have been implied but Tracto made no promises to sell our precious resources at market prices in perpetuity,” she said coolly. “Perhaps when you are done reviewing my Protector’s actions—actions which led to the only victories the Spine seems to have obtained—we can see to a renewal of our previous arrangement. With a renegotiated price of course.”
“I’d like to point out your husband is not the only Admiral in our employ to have brought victories against the old Confederation Fleet to the Spine, Hold-Mistress,” Hart’s Representative said pointedly, “furthermore, holding our fuel hostage over your husband’s treatment isn’t just nepotism, it’s an injustice that has already cost this and other Sectors thousands of lives. That number could easily rise into the millions unless something is done.”
“If Grand Admiral Manning is so wonderful then why do you need my Protector?” Akantha asked sharply. “Why not stay with him for your fleet leadership needs? Or perhaps you can’t because his victories have been too costly to allow more ship movements?”
Hart’s Assemblyman ground his teeth together. “And the people who have starved because you withheld our fuel?” he demanded.
“Understand one thing: that trillium belongs to us. It was never ‘your fuel’ except where we had sold it to you,” Akantha said sharply.
“You are a member of the Spineward Sectors Assembly! Your world has a duty to the Region,” shot back Hart’s Representative, “it is a common duty shared by every world in the assembly!”
“Tracto is a provisional member without voting rights,” Akantha snapped, “it was this very issue which kept us from full membership and you would do well to remember it! Tracto will never countenance taxation without representation. We are a sovereign world that bows her head to no man! If we have no vote, fine! But never will we let others vote away our goods when we have no voice in their councils. Tracto will never recognize the tyranny of the Assembly; if you want what is ours you can ask or you can take it at the end of sword.”
The Grand Assemblyman looked like he was about to have an aneurysm, and Kong Pao took this chance to smoothly interject himself into the conversation. “Let’s set aside the rights and the wrongs of it. What we need is fuel. Fuel to keep our people from dying in their homes because there is nothing to eat,” he said.
“Then you had best talk to my Protector because he is the bleeding heart in this room. As far as Tracto is concerned, we have already done our duty to you Starborn and been spit in the face because of it. If you want more from us then you must bleed for it,” she said crossly. “Where was your government when the Bugs came to rape our world, when the pirates invaded and conquered our cities, when we sent our warships to your defense and you deprived us of full representation! Your people want to eat? My people were eaten and you never heard me complain about it.”
Leaning back in her chair, she folded her arms and glared defiance at the representatives on the other side of the table.
Everyone over there looked taken aback. Clearly the notion that the Tyrant of Cold Space was the bleeding heart liberal on our side of the table was a total shocker, as were the unanswerable questions Akantha had just shot at them like a broadside.
“I have no interest in seeing people starve when we can come to an arrangement,” I said leaning forward, “let’s put that out there as a statement of principle and agree we can talk numbers later. What more do you want from us, other than fuel to save lives?”
“Let me be blunt now that the fuel issue has been resolved. The Grand Assembly will agree to temporarily clear Grand Admiral Montagne of all charges in exchange for a return to duty,” said the Judge.
“What kind of duty?” Akantha asked sharply.
“Your new assignment will be to lead the effort to free Sector 26 from the threat of the Reclamation Fleet,” said the Sector Judge.
I looked at the delegation in surprise. “The Reclamation Fleet...not the Old Confederation remnants fleets?” I clarified.
“Grand Admiral Manning has done an admirable job of keeping the Old Confederation Fleet contained in Aegis,” the Grand Assemblyman from Hart’s World was quick to inform me.
I looked over to Kong Pao, who nodded. “Despite his fair number of critics for not already having liberated Aegis, my colleague in the Assembly is correct. Grand Admiral Manning has the support of the Grand Assembly, if not necessarily the hulls, to prosecute his campaign against Cornwallis’s remnants in a more…forceful manner. Right now they’re pinned at Aegis,” he said.
“Interesting,” I said, rubbing my chin. Manning’s successes at Hart’s World were no surprise, he’d had his face plastered all over the galactic news channels for it, but that he had successfully cooped the remainder of Cornwallis’s fleet up at Aegis was news.
Akantha chose that moment to chime in. “If the New Confederation already has its golden boy Grand Admiral, why does it feel the need to take my Protector for good measure as well?”
“The truth is we need your help. The assessment in Fleet Headquarters is that our forces might have won if we’d had enough trillium to back it. As it is the Flotilla pushed deep into Sector 26, winning several key engagements and liberating dozens of worlds before running out of fuel. The Reclamation Fleet's counterattack has been devastating. A dozen worlds already reclaimed by the Imperials and our ships unable to aggressively defend our new territory due to lack of fuel. We’ve sent what we can but...” Kong Pao shrugged helplessly, “I’m afraid the Reclamation Fleet had enough time to rally its garrison and now outnumber the Confederation Flotilla they’re facing two-to-one.”
“I don’t see how that’s any of our problem,” Akantha said callously.
“Surely you can appreciate the concerns of the citizens of Sector 26 who have only just been freed from Imperial oppression only to discover now they’ve put their necks out the Imperials are returning to power over their worlds?” asked Kong Pao.
“I feel for them, with my own world having been in a very similar place when Blood Lord Jean Luc took control of our orbitals and invaded our world…,” Akantha paused, “although I don’t recall where anyone outside of this room was when all of this was happening to Tracto?”
“Events that happened before you joined the Spineward Sectors region as a participating member, while regrettable, are not our responsibility,” said Hart’s World.
“You’ll note we are still not a fully participating member of the Spineward Sectors Confederation,” Akantha shot back, “it makes one wonder if that means we owe the same level of responsibility as suggested by the Grand Assemblyman from Hart?”
“I never suggested any such thing!” exclaimed the Grand Assemblymen.
“The events of the dark years after the Imperial Withdrawal happened before we had the capability to do anything about them. But now that we do have the capability, the Assembly begs for the loan of enough trillium to enable our fleet to resume combat operations and the assistance of the MSP in defeating the Reclamation Fleet. We do not stand idle when dark days such as those experienced by your home world are afoot.”
“Comforting words for a world that has seen no sign of help from any organization in the Spine except from my Protector and the Multi-
Sector Patrol Fleet. Not that we need it,” Akantha said viciously, “what we object to is being treated like second class citizens even after experiencing all of this, or perhaps it is because of the treatment we received. Which makes me wonder if we should be similarly concerned for the worlds recently liberated from Reclamation rule?”
“All Sector 26 worlds have been given full membership in the Grand Assembly as their chosen representatives arrive to our body,” said Kong Pao.
Akantha sniffed loudly.
“State your terms?” asked Kong Pao, turning away from Akantha and looking at me directly.
I looked back at the Sector Judge, wondering if I should make it that easy for him. “I’m not sure,” I said finally, “it sounds like you already have the man you need at the helm of the warships. I’m worried that adding me to the mix will just cause issues and hard feelings. I mean clearly even some members of your own delegation think I’m some kind of power mad tyrant,” I stopped for a moment to look at the empty seat in the room recently vacated by Donald Christmas before continuing, “this despite the fact that, when summoned, I come and when sent, I go,” I motioned around, indicating the wider Gambit star system around us.
“And we greatly appreciate the gesture you made when you invited us to this star system. It was a show of trust that I, for one, deeply appreciate,” said Kong Pao.
I suppressed a snort. Trust? I didn’t even trust the Sector Judge, let alone the Grand Assembly behind him; they’d sell me out in a heartbeat if they thought it in their best interests. No, everything they saw here today would soon be transferred to a star system far far away.
Those Jump Spindles were a key part of my plan.
Keeping my expression clear, I nodded as if conceding something.
“So you’ll help then?” Kong Pao asked hopefully.
“I have a few conditions,” I said.
“Tell me,” the Sector Judge encouraged.
“Jason,” Akantha said warningly.
I turned to her. “The New Confederation is pressed on two sides right now by the Reclamation Fleet survivors and the Old Confederation Fleet. Right now one front is holding, Manning versus Aegis, while the other is in open retreat in Sector 26. If both those fleets combine and the Spineward Confederation falls, I don’t think they’ll just forget about us,” I advised her. “Neither of those Fleets has any reason to leave us alone, and several good ones to make us the period on the end of the sentence when they conquer the Spine.”
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