Solbidyum Wars Saga 4: Too Late for Earth

by Dale C. Musser

  “Which is why I am lending the ships to the Federation military; the Brotherhood is amassing fleets of ships all around the perimeter of the Federation territories in preparation for a full-scale invasion. There is no time to waste waiting for debates and long approval processes to decide whether the Federation will buy one or two ships to try out when hundreds are needed now!” I said emphatically. I could hear the buzz of conversation through the hall as I finished.

  “By whose authority— who told you that you could lend ships to the Federation?” Roritat exclaimed.

  “Admiral Regeny and the admiralty review board. I don’t know the particular article or paragraph giving him the authority to do so, but he assured me that he has the right, and since there is no cost involved to the Federation, he is not required to get approval.” I responded.

  “What? He can’t do that… it’s… it’s treason!” Roritat exclaimed. “He’s exceeded his authority.

  “Actually, Leader Roritat,” Justice Mastoeth interrupted, “the Admiral is quite within his rights per Federation laws to make such a decision. The First Citizen is correct. Admiral Regeny doesn’t need the Senate’s approval nor is he required to notify the Senate of any such actions beforehand.”

  For a few moments, it seemed that Leader Roritat was choking, but eventually he cleared his throat and began again, “Were there any senators aware of these ships being built and supplied to the Federation?”

  “I’m quite certain that a number of them were aware; all the senators of the planets where the shipyards building the Mirage Fighters are located were familiar with the contracts to build ships on their planets.”

  “And just who are these senators?” Leader Roritat demanded.

  “To be honest I’m not sure who they all are. I only pay for and own the ships, I leave the details to my attorneys and the Admiralty to work out. I don’t even know where they all are being built.”

  “So then how do you know the shipyard on Gaimse wasn’t building the ship you thought was stolen was for the Federation all along, and you didn't blow up a sanctioned shipyard?” Roritat asked.

  “Because it was the Admiralty that told me it was stolen. Furthermore, none of the contracts to build the ship are outside the Federation territories. Since the ship was not the Federation’s technically they had no right to go outside the Federation to retrieve it; I, on the other hand, being the legal owner, had every right to go and retrieve it wherever it was!”

  Roritat looked like he didn’t know what to say and he stood staring at the floor for a long time. At last, Justice Mastoeth said, “Leader Roritat, do you have any more questions for the First Citizen?” Roritat seemed startled by the question and then said, “Ahh, yes your Honor, I do. “Now then Tibby, explain why, if you had succeeded on your mission to prevent the secrets of your Mirage Fighters from being reverse-engineered that you went to Goo’Waddle, joined with the Ruwallie Rasson pirates and the androids in destroying the government there and taking over the planet.”

  “I went to Goo’Waddle in an effort to recover a stolen solbidyum shipment that was intended for the planet Lasalt,” I answered. There was a loud gasping sound from the senators in the hall followed by the buzz of conversation.

  “How is it no one has heard of this shipment being taken?” Roritat demanded.

  “Because the Admiralty wanted to avoid panic within the Federation; planets were expecting delivery and situations were volatile in some areas that were awaiting shipments. The Brotherhood was telling outer planets that the Federation intended to withhold some shipments and only give the solbidyum to more prosperous worlds. If the Brotherhood intercepted those shipments and the planets didn’t receive them, it would have appeared the Brotherhoods statements were true, and it would have turned many planets against the Federation.”

  “You don’t really expect the Senate to believe a tale like that now, do you?

  “Why don’t you ask the Senator of Lasalt?” I said. “I’m sure he will verify their shipment was stolen and there was a delay of several months until we could retrieve it.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” Roritat said quickly. “I’m quite sure the shipment was delayed, but I doubt it was because the Brotherhood took it.”

  I could see where I was being led into making a statement that would make me look like a liar; or where I would have to compromise the truth if I were not careful.

  “You’re right. The Brotherhood didn’t take the shipment. However, it was taken by an associate of theirs.”

  “Do you always hold people responsible for the actions of their associates?”

  “No, but in this case we had information linking the Brotherhood to the associate and the event, it was a plan of the Brotherhood, but their associate, a man named Logden decided to double-cross them and take the shipment for himself.”

  “Do you have any proof of that?” Roritat demanded.

  “Actually, we have several items of proof; I believe that Logden is now being held here in the Federation prison for interception and theft of a Federation shipment. I’m sure that if called and questioned, his testimony would verify my statements.”

  “Perhaps later,” Roritat mumbled. “So we’ll accept, for the moment, that this Logden stole the solbidyum shipment. Why were you involved retrieving it and not the Federation? This should have been a matter for the Federation Office of Investigation and the military, not a glory seeking citizen.”

  “The Admiralty and the Federation military were involved as far as they could go, but when the shipment trail led outside the Federation, they could go no further because of restrictions of authority and treaties with planets outside the Federation. I, being only a citizen and not in the military was not held to such restrictions, so we followed Logden’s trail to Goo’Waddle and retrieved the solbidyum.”

  “And you allied yourself with the androids and the Ruwallie Rasson while you were there, establishing a small militia that you could use to take over other worlds, using these Mirage Fighters you are having built,” the Leader accused.

  By now, I was getting tired of his leading statements and accusations, and I exploded.

  “Right, I took over all the businesses, put everyone out of work and raped and pillaged the planet and set myself up as King!” Instantly the truth indicator on the vid screens turned bright red. I heard a few laughs from the senators in the hall and noted Roritat’s face turn almost as red as the indicator.

  “First Citizen,” Justice Mastoeth interrupted, “I realize your frustration in these questions but please keep yourself to the truth and not sarcastic false statements to prove your point.”

  “I’m sorry Your Honor. I won’t let it happen again.” I replied.

  “You may continue with your questions, Leader Roritat,” Justice Mastoeth said.

  “Right, so what did you have to do to get the Ruwallie Rasson to cooperate with you? It must have cost you a fortune because they are not known to be very cooperative.” Roritat asked.

  “Actually, it didn’t cost me anything. One of my crew members defeated the leader of the Ruwallie Rasson in the Kandi Mondong and ended up becoming the new leader of the Ruwallie Rasson.”

  “Kandi Mondong? I’ve never heard of that.”

  “The Kandi Mondong is a challenge for right of mastery by a slave over his master. If the slave wins he not only gains his freedom, but he gets all the properties and authorities of the master he defeats.”

  “So how was this member of your crew able to make the Kandi Mondong challenge if he was not a slave?

  “At the time he made the challenge he had just become a slave of the Ruwallie Rasson leader.”

  “I don’t understand. How did he become a slave?”

  “When we arrived at Goo’Waddle we had no idea where Logden was; he was being hunted by the Brotherhood as well, so finding him was going to be very hard. We believed one of the best ways to find him was to go undercover, so some of us went disguised as slaves.”

  “With
you as the master no doubt!” Roritat sneered.

  “No, actually I was a slave also.” I responded. I noted Roritat look at the green bar on the vid screen in amazement.

  “So how did the androids become involved in all of this? They hate humans and tried to exterminate us all.” Roritat asked.

  “One of the androids recognized me. Their powers of observation are very keen, and they don’t forget anything. He agreed not to tell the Brotherhood or anyone else of our undercover operation if I agreed to help the androids find a world of their own and transport them there after our task was completed. He said they no longer wish to fight or exterminate humans; they just want a place of their own and to be left in peace. He also promised to help us in our task.”

  “So you accepted the help of two sworn enemies of the Federation to find Logden and the solbidyum, but you wouldn’t accept the help of the Brotherhood?” He said while turning to look out at the senators, as though he had somehow just proven a point.

  “I’m afraid the Brotherhood was NOT in any mood to assist us. They were going to kill us when they captured us.”

  “You were captured? I suppose you used your magical skills to defeat them and got away without a scratch,” he said sarcastically and with a look of disgust. I was really wondering just why he hated me so much.

  “No, and if it hadn’t been for the androids coming to our help at the last minute, we probably would have died.”

  “So since you are here and the solbidyum has been recovered, and you say Logden is in custody, I guess we are to assume that your mission was successful. I have no further questions at this time Your Honor,” he said as he turned to face Justice Mastoeth, “but I reserve the right to question both Thibodaux James Renwalt, his defenders and witnesses after they have given their testimony.”

  “Very well, Leader Roritat, it’s late in the day, so we will end the hearing for today and resume tomorrow morning at the same time. Once the defense testimony is completed you will be called back for our last round of questions.

  “The Senate guards will please come forward and escort the accused to the diplomatic suites and provide adequate security for his station.”

  “But… but…” Roritat stammered, and the Justice said. ”This meeting is adjourned until tomorrow.”

  I’m not sure how the Senate security guards got to me so quickly, but I barely looked up before they were at my side.

  “If you would be so kind as to follow me, First Citizen,” the captain said.

  “Certainly,” I replied as I glanced back over my shoulder to see Roritat staring at me while he spoke to one of the men by his side, a look of anger and confusion on his face.

  I was led to a room behind, and off to the opposite side, of the Senate hearing hall from where I entered. There behind a large curtain was a concealed door. The captain placed his hand on a palm screen by the door, causing it to slide back to reveal an elevator. As we entered the captain said, “Diplomatic suite,” and instantly the elevator began a long climb upwards.

  “Why am I being moved to another suite?” I asked.

  “You never should have been housed in the one you were, nor should you have been in the custody of the troopers who brought you here. You also should have been allowed visitors and to consult with your friends and others, all that was denied you as well, even though your friends tried to reach you. It was a complete breach of protocol directed by Leader Roritat.”

  “But why?” I asked.

  “Your guess is as good as mine, First Citizen. I think you did very well in the hearing today. I’m at a loss as to why Leader Roritat didn’t rescind his charges against you after your honest answers. Your responses were most convincing. I am sure once the Admiral and Commander testify tomorrow, on your behalf, there will be no doubt in anyone’s mind of your innocence.”

  The elevator went all the way to the top floor; when the door opened I found myself facing a huge penthouse suite with large windows that provided a vista of the Capitol. As I stepped into the suite I instantly heard, “TIB, I’m so glad you’re all right!” I turned seeing Kala and Admiral Regeny standing in the room, and behind them I noticed Jenira, without her swords and looking a bit sullen.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked as Kala came over and wrapped her arms around me.

  “Oh, and just where do you think I should be, if not here with you at a time like this?” she said.

  “Tibby, we would have been here much sooner but until the hearing started we had no idea where you were. Leader Roritat bypassed protocol in taking you into custody the way he did. Fortunately several of the Senate guards are also FSO agents; once you were turned over for the hearing, they become responsible for you. Leader Roritat complained profusely that his guards needed to maintain custody of you, but long established rules and protocol said otherwise; Justice Mastoeth told Leader Roritat that he had no jurisdiction to overrule those protocols.”

  At that moment, an alarm sounded at the elevator and the door opened to reveal Senator Tonclin. “Honored First Citizens,” he said in his high-pitched voice, nodding to Kala and me, “It is good to see you both again, though I wish it was under better circumstances. You did very well today, Tibby; I was concerned a few times with some of the questions Roritat asked you. He framed his questions in ways that could make you look bad if you were not careful, but you seemed to see through his tricks and answered his questions in the best possible yet honest way. I must confess I laughed when you told him that you ‘took over all the businesses, put everyone out of work and raped and pillaged the planet and set yourself up as King!’ I thought for a moment that Leader Roritat was going to have a heart attack. I even noted Justice Mastoeth grin before he reprimanded you. That actually was a very smart move, it showed that the truth detector was working properly, it also showed the ridiculous nature of the Leader’s questions.”

  I looked about the room. “I don't mean to interrupt, but where is Commander Wabussie?”

  Admiral Regeny responded. “He messaged earlier and said he would be unable to make it tonight. It seems something very important has come up, a promising lead that he is looking into. If all proves out he says, it will blow the lid off the Brotherhood’s operation, clearing you on all counts. He said he will be at the hearing in the morning, but he may be late and for us to proceed without him.

  “Tibby, you did remarkably well not revealing anything about the FSO; I was afraid that Roritat would ask you questions that might force you into saying something about them, but you avoided it. Tomorrow though, the FSO will have to be revealed when Commander Wabussie testifies; that’s going to be a real shocker to the Senate. What do you think, Tonclin? How will it be received?”

  “I’m not sure,” the Senator responded, “a lot will depend on Commander Wabussie and what he reveals. He’s going to need to clearly show the FOI was compromised and information from them could not be trusted, otherwise it’s going to look very bad for the high command and for you as well.”

  “I don’t think Wabussie will have any problem demonstrating that,” Regeny said. But, I am wondering how much information he is going to reveal.”

  “First Citizen Tibby,” Senator Tonclin began, “I’m planning to reveal to the Senate in my testimony tomorrow that I have been aware of many of the things you have been doing, especially regarding the fabrication of the fighters you have been lending to the Federation military. It’s better that Senate knows that you didn’t just do this all on your own without guidance and consultation. If necessary, I am sure senators from other planets involved in fighter fabrication will add testimony, but after the poor showing Leader Roritat made today, I don’t think it will become necessary. As for my involvement with the FSO, inasmuch as the Senate doesn’t know of the FSO, I think, for the moment, it best I not reveal my involvement. Admiral, do you know is Commander Wabussie planning to reveal the existence of the FSO in his testimony tomorrow?”

  “The Commander and I have discussed it, but we never c
ame to a decision about it. I told Wabussie it was entirely up to him and to do what he felt best. At some point in time, it will be necessary for the information to come out; this might be the best time.”

  “How will you introduce Wabussie to the Senate tomorrow?” the senator asked.

  “Either as my aide or as head of the FSO, at the moment I don’t know which.”

  “”Maybe one of you can explain just what is going on? I mean it’s obvious that Leader Roritat dislikes me, and that he believes the Brotherhood is not a bad organization, but why?” I blurted out.

  “That’s one of the things Wabussie is working on. I just wish he was here to tell us what he knows,” the Admiral replied.

  “I do know that a lot of the senators, with leanings favoring the Brotherhood, have been spending a great deal of time with the Leader. I think he has gotten a skewed view on things,” Senator Tonclin added.

  “Well, I think he is just jealous of Tibby and all he’s accomplished. I think he wants the attention that Tibby gets,” Kala said with a grin as she put her arm through mine.

  Admiral Regeny laughed, “You just may be right, Kalana-- from what I have seen he is a real attention seeker who gets upset when he’s not getting it.”

  “Where is Marranalis?” I asked.

  “He wasn’t allowed to come,” Kala answered, “Since he is the head of your security team Federation rules prohibit him from attending to you while you're in the inquisition period. Your security is the sole responsibility of the Senate Guards until you leave here. Jenira had to give up her swords to come here, and let me tell you that was no small matter.” I glanced over at Jenira, who pretended to be pouting with her head bent down, but I noted a faint smile on her lips when Kala said she didn’t give up her swords easily.

  “Speaking of the Senate Guards,” I said as I looked around and noted that they had all stepped outside, “the captain of the guard told me he’s an FSO agent. I was shocked to find that out.”

  “I would not repeat that or even mention it again,” Senator Tonclin said. “Like all the FSO agents, he is undercover and it needs to stay that way. I’m sure he is reporting everything that is happening to Commander Wabussie and keeping him well informed.”