The Phoenix Crisis

by Richard L. Sanders

  “Princess, we saw footage of the attack ourselves,” said one of the representatives in the lower balcony. He was Caerwyn Martel, one of Capital World’s three representatives. Calvin recognized his voice immediately. He, like all of the other representatives, had a microphone of his own—though the network of microphones had been cleverly designed not to allow multiple microphones to be active simultaneously. Which, given the argumentative nature of politicians, was probably wise.

  “I have evidence with me now,” said Kalila, “that will acquit me and all of my people before you. I stake my name upon it.”

  Surprised reactions from the audience filtered throughout the room. Calvin noted that the various representatives seemed a lot more alert and attentive than they had when he’d first walked in.

  “And just how do you explain away the fact that your ship was visually accounted for at the scene of the crime?” pressed Caerwyn. Calvin knew that Caerwyn, along with his tycoon brother Zane, were sons of Brinton Martel. And while Brinton now lived a quiet and peaceful life far way in Thetican System, his family still owned MXR, which in turn owned other companies and subsidiaries. These companies had been linked—however frailly—to the cargo Raidan had destroyed. The cargo of alleged replicants bound for Capital World. Calvin didn’t know which, if any, of the claims were true. But he hadn’t forgotten that the link between the Martels and the Beotan Convoy’s cargo had been established, which made Caerwyn and Zane both suspects in his mind. Perhaps neither was a member of the Phoenix Ring, but most likely they were serving the Phoenix Ring’s interests. Whether they knew it or not.

  “I’ll explain that, Representative Martel,” said Kalila, “by saying that the ship that attacked Renora was not my ship. Indeed it was a replica of the Black Swan built secretly in Polarian space from military schematics unlawfully leaked to foreign agents.”

  “That is a fanciful fairytale if ever I’ve heard one,” said Caerwyn. “How dare you come before this body and waste our time with this foolishness.”

  “I am Princess Kalila Akira, Daughter of the King, Heir to the Andrevine, and Fourth in Line to the Throne! I will be allowed to make the case for my innocence. It is my right.”

  Her bold words provoked a noisy reaction from the body of Representatives. Caerwyn in particular looked unhappy, his face burned red. Calvin could see that clearly, even from this distance.

  “Order,” said Representative Tate, calling on her peers to settle down. “The circumstances are unusual, but it is the princess’s right to make her case before this body.”

  “I have brought with me evidence of my claims, evidence that clearly shows that foreign agents accepted our classified military material—including the schematics for the Black Swan—in exchange for a bribe and instructions to participate in a conspiracy. I have also brought further proof that the Black Swan was not at or near Renora at the time of the attack. This is in the form of months of uninterrupted flight logs that show exactly where the ship has been, including recorded images and video—all of which may be computer tested to ensure they have not been falsified. In addition, I have unedited flight recordings, computer records, positioning data, recordings from other ships that witnessed our presence elsewhere during the time of the attack, and the sworn testimony of the members of the Black Swan’s senior crew. I also put it to you that the crew of the Black Swan, and myself, had no motive to engage in such an attack. However our enemies, wanting to incriminate us, did. And those enemies have infiltrated our government deeply, some of them might even be seated here among us today.”

  Chapter 13

  As the evidence was scrutinized by experts and computers and the mood in the chamber became more palpably pro-Akiran, Caerwyn realized Kalila was going to be acquitted. Despite all the expense, and all the effort, to ensure that she and her family would be blamed for the attack on Renora, the case was evaporating all around him.

  Damn you, Zane. He blamed his brother. Kalila was not supposed to ever be seen on Capital World again. And she certainly wasn’t supposed to be allowed to state her case before the Assembly—and the general public. One of Kalila’s first requests had been for her statements and evidence to be broadcast across the networks for all the citizens of the Empire to see. A request that Representative Tate had foolishly chosen to grant. Damn her. And Damn Kalila. And Damn Zane. How had he let the princess slip through his iron grip? Him with all his plans, and all his schemes, and all his cleverness—always Father’s favorite—well he didn’t seem so clever now.

  With little recourse, Caerwyn decided to speak up in Kalila’s favor. “After a thorough review of the evidence, and with all the integrity of my soul, I hereby move that we call an end to this investigation and proclaim our revered Princess free and innocent before the Empire. Clearly the evidence is overwhelmingly in her favor, that she and the Black Swan did not participate in the attack on Renora, and that she has ever remained true to the principles of our honorable government. I only hope that she has it in her heart to forgive us for ever doubting her.”

  He smiled his professional smile. The forced glow of his pearly-white teeth that he showed to his constituents, and to news reporters, and to anyone who saw him when he wasn’t behind closed doors. He hated the smile. Much like he hated the words he’d just spoken. They were filthy and the very last thing he believed—he did not want to see Kalila acquitted before the Empire. To undo some of the shame he and Zane had worked hard to plant onto the Akiran name. But there was no stopping her now. Kalila would be acquitted. And with her powers restored to her, there would be a thorough investigation. No doubt she would search high and low for the souls who’d tried to frame her for the attack. And if Caerwyn persisted in perpetuating the investigation into Kalila’s evidence—which was certain now to end in her favor anyway—he would only be painting a target on his face. True the Martels were famously unfriendly with the Akiras, but so were the Savets, and the Dorans, and the Conroys, and a host of other rival houses with ambitions for the throne. No reason to draw unwanted attention on the Martels…

  “I second the motion,” said Representative Conroy. He gave Caerwyn a suspicious look and then faced the center. He was always suspicious of everything Caerwyn did, never wanting a Martel to do something—or think of something—before he did. But that had its uses. Caerwyn had learned quickly that he could lead Conroy around like a dog on a leash, and all the while Conroy would assume he was acting to put the Conroys ahead of the Martels. Idiot.

  The motion was called to a vote and carried by an overwhelming majority. Caerwyn simply shook his head. This development was indeed a setback. But, so long as Kalila didn’t uncover anything truly detrimental, things would still work out in the end. There were forces already in play that were well beyond her control, and even surpassed her imagination. He just needed to make sure—no Zane needed to make sure—the Martel brothers and their closest associates kept their heads a little longer.

  ***

  Calvin was surprised by Caerwyn Martel’s motion to end the proceedings and officially acquit Kalila. It didn’t seem in his best interests, the man wanted the throne more than anything. Everyone knew that. And anything that made the Akira House look bad—such as an investigation into the Princess’s possible complicitness in a terrorist attack on Imperial soil—seemed like just the thing Caerwyn would want to prolong and draw attention to. And yet he hadn’t... Calvin looked at him and frowned, scrutinizing the fat representative. Trying to read more from the man’s plump face and features than one could usefully infer from this distance. But the man gave away nothing.

  The instant Kalila was officially acquitted before the Assembly and the whole Empire—and her powers as one of the Princesses of the Empire and a Royal Akira were restored—she made a declaration. Her voice was strong, determined, and carried over the mic for all to hear. Though she was physically quite small, she had a large and confident presence. She spoke with the authority of the King’s own voice and her words fell from her lips, echo
ing across the chamber, like laws dictated in iron.

  “I hereby declare Lieutenant Commander Calvin Cross a loyal citizen of the Empire. I revoke his fugitive status and call for all our public, official, military, and police authorities, local and Imperial, to desist any and all attempt to capture Mister Cross. His name is cleared of all wrongdoing and he is officially under the protection of the Akiran House.”

  Calvin had known this was coming, but he hadn’t quite imagined the exciting feeling that rushed through him as he stood on the Assembly Floor, facing the honored representatives of every corner of the Empire, and heard the princess herself call for his name to be cleared. For the slate to be washed clean.

  “Furthermore, I hereby instate Mister Cross as a full citizen of the Empire.”

  This part surprised him. He was a half-citizen, and would be until his mother’s death—or so he’d thought. True, Kalila had once promised him that if he cooperated with her she would make him a full citizen, but he hadn’t expected that to be today—and wasn’t sure if she’d even remembered. He looked down at his hands, not feeling like the same person, and wondered what it would be like to no longer be secluded from places, no longer be restricted to a lesser version of the justice code, and no longer be frozen at Lieutenant Commander for the rest of his life—assuming the military was eventually restored to its proper status and he lived to see it happen.

  “With all my rights and privileges, and all the rights, privileges, and powers of the King, I am forming an investigative body to determine exactly how our classified materials came into the hands of our enemies, and to seek out those responsible for the slaughter of our citizens. They will answer for their crimes. In the name of the King, I promise you that.”

  Calvin knew that, since it was traditional for the Akira House to have a single voice on the Assembly Floor, and that Kalila’s father had long-ago selected her for that duty over even her older siblings, that meant Kalila did indeed speak for the King. Which meant a real investigation into the Phoenix Ring would finally be able to happen.

  “Princess, that is a matter for Intel Wing,” objected Representative Tate.

  “Intel Wing may run its own investigation as well,” said Kalila. “But if Intel Wing is responsible for leaking military secrets to foreign agents, and if Intel Wing was therefore complicit in the attack on Renora, then Intel Wing cannot be trusted to be the sole body investigating the matter. I shall conduct my own investigation, under the banner of the King.”

  “And who will lead your investigation, Your Highness?” asked Representative Tate. Certainly the Princess herself was not expected to personally direct such an undertaking.

  “I hereby create the title and position of Executor of the Empire. And I appoint Lieutenant Commander Calvin Cross to hold and execute that position until such time as it is dissolved or I designate a successor.” She motioned toward him and all eyes looked his way. Calvin stepped out to the center and joined Kalila at her side. “I am appointing Mister Cross as my official representative, with all necessary powers and authority. He will unilaterally direct this investigation. He is now the Executor of the Empire.”

  ***

  Calvin felt like a child with no swimming lessons who’d been dropped by airship into a vast endless ocean, kicking and punching the water with plenty of heart but no sense at all of what he was doing.

  “You understand that I am placing incredible trust in you,” said Kalila. They were in the car again, and the motorcade was making steady headway toward the gates leading to the Imperial Palace.

  “Yes, of course,” he said. The name Executor of the Empire rang in his head over and over, like an echo. And every time he heard it he felt a strange combination of pride and utter terror.

  “You’ve followed my instructions to the letter ever since I first met you on Tau Station, and you’ve seen me safely back to my home,” she gave him a short smile. “You have earned my trust. Now do not fail me.” Her sharp eyes pierced his. “Far too much depends on you now.”

  He nodded. He wasn’t sure what to say, or where exactly to start, but he knew that for the first time in his life he had serious resources at his disposal. And with them he was expected to get results. His fate was now irrevocably tied to the Akiran House. They would succeed or fail together.

  “The victory we had today will be short lived,” said Kalila. She looked out the window for a moment, staring at the masses of people, and then looked back at him. He watched her curiously, wondering what she would say. “Our enemies will double their efforts, and they will do everything in their power to see to it that my father loses his throne. Even now the attitude in the Assembly is grim. Seeds of distrust are being sown and, as the situation on Renora worsens, it is only a matter of time before the Conroys, or the Martels, or someone else challenges us for the throne. I don’t know who exactly is working for whom, but I do know this,” her eyes sharpened. “If we lose the throne, we lose the Empire.”

  “I understand,” said Calvin. “But… what do you mean Renora will get worse?” He hadn’t heard much about the ongoing revolt but had hoped it was winding down.

  “My Father has landed troops on Renora,” said Kalila, and she stared out the window. “Lots of them.”

  “Why hasn’t word gotten out?” asked Calvin. He certainly hadn’t heard anything about this, and there was no mention of it during the Assembly proceedings.

  “We have made great efforts to keep it quiet. But it’s only a matter of time before the news spreads across the Empire. Probably sooner than later.”

  “Why keep it a secret?” asked Calvin.

  “My Father hoped to restore order and put an end to the violence swiftly, and then allow the news to spread. Let success be the first thing people hear.”

  “But—?”

  “The situation is not going well. Word will get out, and when it does, it won’t be good news people hear…”

  “Ah…” Calvin looked away from her and turned his thoughts inward for a moment. He wondered what was happening on Renora, and why the plan to restore order wasn’t working. Had they sent inadequate forces? Or was the populace more defiant than expected? The most likely answer was that the Phoenix Ring had its own plans for Renora and was working hard to oppose the King’s interests.

  “This is why I need you to get results, and to do so as fast as you possibly can,” she said. “I need names, and evidence, and everything you can get your hands on that explains what is going on and ties everyone together. It has to be straightforward, irrefutable, and clear. Clear enough that even the Assembly can understand it.”

  He smirked but realized her last statement hadn’t been meant to be lighthearted.

  “I will,” he said, reassuring her. “I will get to the bottom of everything.”

  “Good. And be swift,” she looked at him once more. This time her eyes were pleading—those beautiful, majestic brown eyes of hers.

  “I will. I promise. I already know where to begin,” he said.

  She looked at him curiously. Actually he had several ideas and was going to follow up on all of them, but rather than explain all of that to Kalila he decided to tell her about the most important one—the one that he kept fixating on. “One of my people… a friend, went missing here on Capital World not long ago. I’d sent him here to investigate the conspiracy. After he’d dug up a few things, he disappeared. No one has heard from him since. I intend to use all of the resources at my disposal to find him, and find him soon.”

  “As you should,” Kalila said approvingly. “I hope that you find him soon, and that he leads us to the enemies of the Empire.”

  “Princess,” he said, pausing for a moment. She raised an eyebrow. “Thank you for all you’ve done, for making me a full citizen and clearing my name.”

  “Of course,” she said. “You’d be a useless Executor if you couldn’t get in anywhere and everyone was hunting you,” she smiled at him.

  “Yes and thanks. But I have to ask you… why didn�
��t you clear the names of everyone aboard the Nighthawk? My crew, my friends. Technically they’re still at large.”

  “When I can,” she looked at him sincerely. “When this is all over, I promise you, I will see to it that all their names are cleared. But doing so now would have been too bold and too soon. It was already an overreach that I created a new office and positioned you in it.”

  He nodded, having no real choice but to accept her reasoning. He did miss his ship though, and now that he wasn’t there to keep an eye on things, he worried about his crew’s safety. Summers can handle it… he reminded himself.

  “There is something else…” said Kalila. “I didn’t tell you before, but now you should know.” The words came out slowly. Pensively.

  “What?” asked Calvin, feeling a trickle of anxiety. I wasn’t like Kalila to mince words.

  “It’s about your mother,” she said.

  “Is she alright?” Calvin felt his heart jump to his throat.

  “I don’t know. When I decided we would be coming here together, I knew your mother would be in danger—especially after clearing your name and granting you powers—so I tried to get her moved into my own protective custody. But, when my people got there, she was gone. And the neighbors said they hadn’t seen her for days.”

  Calvin’s mind raced and he immediately began thinking of scenarios that could possibly explain this information. Perhaps his mother had moved and not told anyone or perhaps she’d gotten wind that something was amiss and had decided to lie low—no that was too much to hope for. He knew the likeliest answer was that she’d been taken. Probably by the Phoenix Ring. But where? And had she been harmed? “How long have you known?” he asked, looking at Kalila very carefully. For once able to study her body language without being swept away by her charms and beauty.