Commander Henry Gallant (The Henry Gallant Saga Book 4)

by Alesso, H. Peter

  “All I’ve done is to make certain provisions and limitations clear to the new arrivals.”

  “No, my dear, that’s not all that you’ve done. You made it clear that you cannot be ignored, nor can you be politely sidestepped, nor can you be gently pushed aside. What you’ve so inelegantly done is drawn a line in the sand which will be swiftly crossed and you will be trampled underfoot without a second thought. You don’t realize what and who you are dealing with. You are not dealing with your polite friend, Henry. You are up against Anton Neumann and his father’s NNR Corporation, the most powerful entity in the United Planets. You have framed a situation where you, the government of Elysium, and this tiny community of Halo oppose the entire UP federation and the awesome power of NNR. There is nothing between you and destruction other than whatever shelter Henry can provide which wouldn’t be much, believe me.”

  There was an ugly cruelty in the words. Alaina sat down and squirmed in her seat. “What can they do?”

  “Well, they can start with financial pressure through the banks. Then they can remove you and your government, and replace it with one of their own choosing.”

  “That cannot be. All I have done is make a statement of fact, based upon the Elysium-UP treaty which I have every reason to expect to be honored.”

  “No. You’ve betrayed yourself and your people by refusing to compromise. You see my dear; Neumann’s father has bottled up the treaty you speak of, in a senate committee. It’ll never see the light of day for a vote. He knows the incredible wealth this planet holds and he intends to take the lion’s share for himself through NNR. That’s why such a large colonist contingent of NNR men and women was sent. They will vote as he says, and they will take over the mining and manufacturing facilities too. By directly opposing him, you’ve made yourself a target—and unfortunately, you’ve exposed Gallant to a conflict of interest. He will try to help you, I’m sure, and in doing so, I predict he too will feel Neumann’s wrath.”

  “What I did may have been controversial, but my people should not suffer and Henry should not be placed in a vulnerable position.”

  “That may be what you wish, but it is not what will transpire.”

  “Have I ruined everything? How can I repair this? How can I change the outcome?”

  “I don’t know whether that’s still possible. It may never have been possible, but a much more adroit politician could have danced on the edge of doom for a long time before falling victim. You have fallen immediately.”

  “Thank you for your harsh opinion,” said Alaina. “I will seek council from others.”

  “Yes, do that. One more thing, tread lightly. Do not lean on Henry. You may ruin him too.”

  The women looked at each other. Their body language spoke volumes. They were locked in a deadly competition to see who would get the prize.

  Satisfied she had said her piece, McCall left the wardroom, but both women knew the last word had not been spoken.

  ***

  A few minutes later, Roberts entered the wardroom.

  “Hello, Ms. Hepburn, I’m John Roberts, the executive officer.”

  He shook her hand and she said, “I’m please to meet you, Mr. Roberts. Commander Gallant has spoken highly of you.”

  “That pleases me, ma’am.”

  “He has a lot of demands on him.”

  “Aye, that’s true. He’s thinking all the time.”

  “I can believe that.”

  “He’s a great skipper.”

  “I have no doubt about that.”

  “Of course, he’s quick tempered with me sometimes, but considering what he has to deal with it, it’s understandable,” said Roberts with a broad smile.

  “You’re his friend, as well as his colleague?”

  “Yes, I’m his friend,” said Roberts. He nodded enthusiastically and added, “I like him.”

  “I’m glad he can count on you. He’s not easy to understand.”

  “It would do him good to spend a few carefree hours,” Roberts said.

  “Look, he’s come at last.”

  “If you’ll excuse me, ma’am, ship’s business needs me.”

  “Goodbye, Mr. Roberts.”

  “Ma’am,” he said and left just as Gallant walked into the wardroom.

  He said, “Aliana, the councilmembers are waiting for you in the shuttle bay. Are you ready to leave?”

  CHAPTER 11

  Election

  McCall’s warning proved prophetic.

  Alaina’s enemies made the election campaign painful and humbling. It began with news reports that criticized her professional judgement and stirred up controversy over her past decisions primarily about the planetary defenses which were an obvious sore point. Everything from water allocations for crops to employee payroll taxes were denounced as flawed policy. Wolfe appeared on nearly every televised broadcast with news of what he referred to as revelations of incompetence. She became further discouraged when she found there was little interest in her proposals for better cooperation between the NNR settlers or her plans for improving the industrial base of the community. But the bitterest pill to swallow was the personal attacks on her character—claims of immorality and corruption were scurrilously released without the slightest substantiation. Rumors were ripe with salacious gossip about her and several UP officers.

  Alaina was at a loss on how to respond to the deluge of unfavorable publicity. Was the slander driven purely by politics, or was there an element of spite? It could have been both.

  Gallant came to the town hall and asked her, “How is your campaign going?”

  She smiled wanly and said, “Not good. Polls are showing I’ve roused the people’s disfavor.”

  “Wolfe is gaining support?”

  “Yes, he’s solidified the backing from his father’s old councilmember cronies and a number of businessmen who are benefiting from an NNR relationship are funding his campaign—splurging on broadcast advertisements.”

  Galant said, “I know. I’ve seen some of the more disreputable ones.”

  Alaina blushed.

  He said, “He’s made frequent visits to the Achilles.”

  She said, “He’s openly promoting his relationship with Neumann to claim that NNR shares in the mining and manufacturing companies will mean more jobs and financial gain for everyone. He claims this would lead to long-term prosperity for Elysium and as with most of Wolfe’s claims, on the surface there appears to an element of truth about it, but I know jobs are actually being redistributed away from many locals.”

  “I’ve noticed that though he always gave the impression there was always something untoward going on behind the scenes, regardless of the words coming from his mouth.”

  “Elections are supposed to be the expression of the will of the people, but I’m amazed at how easily the people can be led astray by nonsense promises of prosperity being just around the corner.”

  Alaina shook her head and Gallant realized she had been caught in a whirlwind of another person’s ambitions.

  ***

  Aboard the Achilles, Gallant joined McCall in Neumann’s stateroom. He took a seat on an antique French colonial chair and antique table of similar style while trying to be as oblivious to the anachronism, as his two senior officers.

  Neumann asked, “How can I be of service?” He smiled broadly at McCall.

  McCall said, “I’m sorry to interrupt your day. I know how busy you are with task force responsibilities. However, Mr. Gallant has brought to my attention some problems concerning the planet’s population that I feel require your direction.”

  “I’m more than glad to lend a hand with resettling the new colonists. My understanding is that the settlers have made amazing progress on building homes and constructing new businesses and industries. I know the production of the mines is at an all-time high.”

  “Yes. Things with the NNR people and businesses are thriving.”

  Gallant shifted in his chair.

  McCall gave him a lo
ok that could only have been meant to freeze him. Then she said, “Well, the politics on Elysium are heating up over the election of new leadership. The popular support seems to favor the challenger, Cyrus Wolfe.”

  “Yes, so I’ve been informed. Hepburn brought that trouble on herself,” said Neumann. “I welcome a change in administration. Don’t you?”

  “I’ve found Hepburn to be intelligent, strong-willed, and determined. Although she may be difficult to work with, my opinion of Wolfe is that he is weak, disorganized, and feckless. He would be a poor partner going forward.”

  He said, with great deliberation, “I believe I can use Wolfe to my advantage.”

  Gallant looked uncomfortably at his two superior officers, but remained silent.

  “Pushing change on these people may ultimately prove to be counterproductive,” said McCall.

  “Your conscious is too restive,” said Neumann.

  “It’s a matter of strategic evaluation,” replied McCall.

  “Hepburn is not malleable. Wolfe is my man,” said Neumann. “I have no objection to a proper strategic move for the business of another’s need, but you are alienating a large faction of the population,” said McCall. “The NNR settlers have hardly landed and they are already having cultural clashes with the native population by insisting on building free genetic engineering clinics for all future births throughout the community.”

  Neumann scowled. “They’re just for the convenience of the population. There are no mandatory requirements that all embryo be treated, only those whose parents agree.”

  “There are those who feel the mandatory requirements are in the wings.”

  “Nonsense. Hysteria.”

  Unable to remain quiet any loner, Gallant said, “We can remove that concern by issuing an explicit joint policy statement from both the UP and Wolfe’s campaign that state the voluntary nature of the clinic going forward.”

  There was silence in the room. Neumann sat perfectly still, clearly working to restrain himself.

  “Mr. Gallant, your heritage leads you astray on this issue.”

  Gallant resisted the temptation to respond in kind.

  Neumann continued, “There are forces at play here that involve changes in the natural course of evolution. These things are complicated.”

  “Is that what you are? Complicated?” asked Gallant.

  “The superiority of the genetically engineered is unquestioned.”

  Unable to restrain himself, Gallant said, “I question it.”

  “By removing genetic imperfections and adding enhancements, the genetically engineered are superior.”

  “Removing some imperfections does not produce perfection.”

  “Genetics has enhanced our people.”

  “Perhaps in some aspects, but nature’s method of creating random variations offers opportunities for significant unanticipated improvements,” said Gallant.

  “You consider yourself to be in that category?” interjected McCall.

  “Perhaps.”

  Neumann raised his chin and said, “Humanity will plan genetic modifications that will ultimately lead to a more uniform and improved human species.”

  “That’s your opinion,” said Gallant. “But to achieve superior planning we would require a superior prototype to start with—one that will make no missteps. Otherwise, we would risk directing the population into a blind alley.”

  “The human race is not heading into any blind alley, I assure you,” said Neumann. “On the contrary we are moving humanity into an era of the highest achievement and success.”

  “Genetic prejudice is a powerful thing,” said Gallant. “And it’s never been a good thing despite its many and varied forms throughout history.”

  “That’s your opinion.”

  “Powerful men often believe that they can elude the consequences of their action, but NNR is overreaching and it will not end well,” said Gallant.

  “The universe does not have to conform to your personal code of honor. You are dangerously close to insubordination,” said Neumann standing.

  “Relax, Commander, we’re all just having a friendly discussion here. Nothing more,” said McCall.

  ***

  The election results were not surprising and though her loss was hard to accept, Alaina did so with grace, hoping the future would take care of itself.

  Wolfe became the new leader of the Elysium Council. Even as the people celebrated their new government, Wolfe was already appointing a committee to draft a new constitution. The council quickly adapted the constitution to nullify the previous common-wealth arrangement with the UP in favor of a protected mining colony under the auspices of the NNR Corporation.

  “Damn Wolfe! Damn him!” were Alaina’s parting words.

  CHAPTER 12

  The Mansion

  Surrounded by long-stemmed white flowers, a single scarlet geranium poked its nose out of the garden of the President’s mansion—one of the few grand buildings in Halo. Why such a lonely specimen should have found its way into that patch was a mystery, but its survival was short-lived.

  Originally built by Cyrus Wolfe Sr., the mansion possessed a grand ballroom—an impeccable ebony wood and glass room with furnishings equally lavish by Halo standards. A sweeping stairway climbed past a marble fireplace and granite tile paved the entryway. The Wolfe family, for all its many scandals, was still highly regarded, as much for its wealth and power as for its accomplishments.

  A piano played for the entertainment of the guests. Several gathered around it as the pianist played a classical piece followed by something more contemporary. The music filled the room and was greeted with hardy applause. The music touched something fundamental in their spirit as they celebrated Cyrus Wolf’s new office.

  When Gallant received his invitation to the inaugural festivities he was surprised and concerned. He didn’t know how Alaina would respond. It said the evening would be an opportunity for everyone to meet the new president. He hoped there would be a chance to talk freely with both Wolfe and Neumann about the future of Elysium.

  When he asked Alaina to attend the event with him, she said, “No, Henry. Go, if you must, but I shan’t. I’m not their sort, and this is not my occasion.”

  As a result, Gallant found himself standing unaccompanied in the crowded ostentatious ballroom. The elite of the colony’s society attended. Murmurs carried throughout the room. The perfume of the flowers filled the warm evening air and mingled with the scents of the men and women in their finery. There was a band already playing and several couples began dancing. There was slightly more men than women which allowed the women to be in demand.

  “Commander Gallant, I’m so glad to see you. What do you make of the settlement arrangement?” asked Councilman Rothschild.

  “Must you talk business?” asked his wife.

  Rothschild set little store on fashion, but his wife advanced their social status by strictly observing the latest trends and fads. She wore a flower-colored dress of the finest synthetic silk fabric with gold embroidery. An unsuitable dress to have packed for traveling from Earth to another planet, it set a stunning standard for the crowd now gathered. The man’s wife was handsome, happy, and of a merry disposition. She had a tendency to laugh over trivialities. She was much younger than him and as a consequence attracted other men. The real evil of her situation was that she had the power to have her own way too often. He rarely denied her anything she desired. The danger was that she had developed a lack of judgment.

  “Business?” he repeated. In truth, he did prefer to talk business. This gnarly old man had lost his temperament for polite conversation many years ago, but to placate his wife, he smiled wanly.

  Gallant nodded. He threaded his way between the chatting couples and the rustling dresses looking for that special someone. To his great surprise, she actually appeared.

  There was a moment of stunned silence. Perhaps the silence was due to her political fall from grace, but it might equally have been due t
o her beauty. She too wore a magnificent gown that she must have begged for, borrowed, or bought at great cost, from one of the wealthy new arrivals because it could never have been fabricated by Elysium’s fledgling clothing industry.

  With mixed feelings Gallant watched as she crossed the room. He stepped forward to escort her through the crowd, but before he took two steps, Liam miraculously appeared and claimed her.

  “So this is the former president,” said Mrs. Rothschild. “I don’t see why there was so much fuss about her.”

  “Here dear, have another drink,” said her husband while he gawked at Alaina.

  Gallant waited patiently until Liam left Alaina alone, possibly to get them drinks, and then approached her.

  “You’re very persistent Henry,” she said.

  “Only because you’re very stubborn,” he smiled.

  “I hope you find what you’re looking for,” she said, as if he were merely passing by.

  “What if I’ve already found it?”

  She was unreadable; he couldn’t discern her temperament. They sat down together at a table while those around them began dancing to the music.

  He was proud of Alaina’s aplomb in such an awkward situation. Her quiet unassuming dignity carried throughout the event. She appeared glad to have survived her ordeal. She hummed and sang softly to herself.

  Gallant thought . . . I’m happy to be with her.

  She came close and Gallant wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She didn’t protest and leaned into him, pressing close. He heard her heart beating and felt her breath on his neck. Her body was familiar to him, but that was a different time and place.

  Gallant wiped his emotions away and tried to talk bravely about the future. He wanted to explain his next mission and why he must soon leave her yet again. He wanted to ask her to wait. Wait for him, but he couldn’t find the right words.

  They went for a walk on the veranda and the moonlight framed her face.