by Dale Musser
“Good, I think that should satisfy reporters and anyone else who may want to know where you were, in response to speculation after the press release about Wingutt’s death. I’ll also check on the whereabouts of your staff, just so we can be prepared to quell any of those suspicions right at the start and demonstrate that an unbiased and thorough investigation is already underway.
“You know, Tibby, up until your arrival in the Federation years ago in the TRITYTE, I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be serving the Federation in a position like this. Oh, I dreamed of one day perhaps reaching the rank of Captain, but never could I have imagined becoming an Admiral and head of the most secret intelligence agency in the Federation. I really owe it all to you.”
I laughed and replied, “Well, I never dreamt I would one day be here either – in the Federation, which I didn’t even know existed, let alone in the Galactic Federation Military as a Fleet Admiral. I guess, in the end, everything that has happened is on account of a criminal named Roiax, who stole the TRITYTE and, unwittingly, the solbidyum cargo over 600 years ago for the sole purpose of escaping a prison colony. Funny how things work out.”
“Rebadat Tonclin’s and Leader Pheosa’s testimony yesterday was quite a shock to me. Until then, I thought I was party to all the top secrets of the Federation, but I didn’t know about the executive order directing you to contact the androids,” said Wabussie.
“Yes, well, it wasn’t something they wanted to be known,” I replied cautiously.
“Yes, I surmised as much. Odd… I noticed that Tonclin was wearing a ring yesterday. I don’t recall ever seeing him wear one before,” Wabussie added with a knowing grin.
“I believe he wears it only on special occasions,” I replied. “He may never wear it again.”
“I see,” said Wabussie. “Well, it certainly seemed to bring you luck yesterday. But I wouldn’t want to test that luck too often.”
“Trust me, I hope it’s never needed again,” I replied. “I was unaware that luck was even going to play a part in the hearing.”
I saw Wabussie raise an eyebrow, but he said nothing.
After I left Wabussie’s office, I went to the MAXETTE. It was already morning and near the time I usually made my appearance there. Marranalis was already at his station in the War Room.
“Good morning Admiral. Corporal Neider informed me when I arrived for duty that Admiral Wabussie contacted you early this morning. I hope it wasn’t anything too serious.”
“Not for me it wasn’t. Senator Wingutt was assassinated yesterday shortly after the hearing. Wabussie just briefed me on the details.”
“I’ve not gotten any word about that and it’s not been in the news.”
“No, the FSO is delaying the press release until they’ve sufficiently advance the investigation to mitigate any immediate fallout from the press or other parties, who may try to fill in the blanks themselves with conjecture and trigger some unwanted hearsay. So don’t be shocked if the FSO comes to gather details about your activities over the past 24 hours and maybe that of others in my staff. Keep in mind that we’re not suspects. The FSO is simply confirming everyone’s movements so they can head off any questions or speculation that may surface.”
“That explains why someone from the FSO was here just a short while ago to request the duty roster and Cantolla Gate logs for yesterday. I thought that was a bit strange.”
“Give them anything they want. We don’t have anything to hide,” I said.
“So how did it happen, if I may ask?”
“All the FSO knows is that Wingutt was escorted from the hearing by two men who turned him over to two others and later he was found dead by a transient in a deserted building. Apparently he had been garroted.”
Marranalis gulped and rubbed his throat subconsciously. “That’s a bad way to go,” he replied. “Does the FSO have any suspects?”
“No, but I think Ming is behind it. Wingutt was supposed to deliver my head on a platter before the Senate and it backfired. Ming doesn’t take failure lightly.”
“By the stars, I’m glad he’s not my boss,” Marranalis muttered.
“So what’s new today that I don’t already know about?” I asked.
“The data gathered from the computers we seized from Alamar-4 is so far providing us with a lot of good information. The FSO thinks they have a lead on the location of the Brotherhood’s home base. Also, that commander we captured, Garmon, is now becoming very talkative. He says he’s willing to provide us with more information in exchange for assurances that he won’t be imprisoned with other Brotherhood members. He’s certain that he will be killed if he is.”
“By the stars, the Federation doesn’t give us a lot of latitude when it comes to treatment and placement of prisoners. I wanted to grant some concessions to a prisoner in exchange for information years ago and was told bluntly by Regeny that the Federation won’t allow it.”
“Perhaps, sir, but there may be some useful legal alternatives that are still on the books.”
“Like what?” I asked curiously.
“Well, sir, I heard once that an old clause still exists in a piece of legislation passed during the first Great Solbidyum War that allows for a prisoner who cooperates with the Federation to have their memories wiped, after which that prisoner can then be released. Many prisoners opted for this punishment over life imprisonment or execution.”
“I’ve never heard of that law. Where did you learn about it?” I asked.
“I heard it long ago from one of my earlier commanding officers. He used to cite the clause all the time and claim that he was going to have troopers who weren’t performing to his standards indicted and charged with treason and then carry out mind wipes on us.”
“It sounds like something he may have been making up, but I’ll look into it anyway. Thanks, Captain.
“Is there anything else?”
“Yes. Admiral Regeny would like to meet with you.”
“What now?” I sighed.
“I don’t know, sir. Would you like me to schedule a meeting?”
“Yes. Let’s get it over with,” I said. “In the meantime, I’ll be in my office.”
I assumed that Regeny would schedule something for later in the day and expect me to come to him; so I was taken aback when he showed up at my door only minutes later.
“I hope you don’t mind my somewhat unannounced visit,” he began. “Captain Marranalis indicated you were here and that you weren’t too busy at the moment, so I thought I’d stroll over.
“You know, I just love those Cantolla Gate thingies. It’s like every place in the universe is an extension of my headquarters on the Capitol Station,” he said as he plopped himself down in one of the large chairs in front of my desk and emitted a long sigh.
“Can I offer you something to drink before we get started?” I asked.
“No need to bother. I already instructed Marranalis to order us some pastries and foccee.”
“Well, now that you’ve done all that, there is little left for me to do. Perhaps I should retire,” I joked.
“Ha, like that’s all you do. Tell me, have you eaten today?”
“Well… err, no I guess I haven’t,” I said, just realizing my hunger at that moment.
“You do too much. That’s your problem, Tibby. You want to tackle every problem personally. Be it preparing foccee or single-handedly taking on the Brotherhood in combat.”
“Oh goodie, so you're coming here to tell me I can take a long vacation,” I said sarcastically.
“Uh… err… no. We can’t afford for you to do that just now,” he said as he sat back in his chair and took on a much more serious countenance.”
“So what is it you wanted to discuss?”
“Since the hearing yesterday, we must anticipate lots of talk about the war efforts and questions as to whether our military actions are really justified. Wingutt’s assassination may put a negative spin on much of it, as people will question what happe
ned and begin to form camps of theories as to the motives behind the war. We need to capitalize on the outcome of the hearing to stir up patriotism and demonstrate just what the Federation is up against.”
“Just what did you have in mind, sir?” I asked.
“I want you to go back to Alamar-4 and take a news crew with you. Film every nasty thing you see there. Deny the reporters access to nothing. I want live broadcasts, interviews with surviving citizens detailing what they endured at the hands of the enemy. Encourage them to take pictures of what’s left of historic sites and specific locations that illustrate the widespread devastation brought upon them by the Brotherhood. By the time we’re done, people will be fired up enough to put pressure on the Senate to amend the legislation, so we can go out there and kick some Brotherhood ass on their own ground.”
“Admiral, you must be a mind reader. I was just talking to Marranalis about doing that very thing yesterday. I’m glad to see we’re thinking alike on this,” I said.
“Not just us,” Regeny replied. “Leader Pheosa and I have been discussing reforms to our public relations strategy. He thinks – and I agree with him – that this war has been going on so long that people have become desensitized to it and have begun to take their currently safe and unaffected lives for granted. They overlook the daily reports, because they’re basically all the same, and they simply push the war out of their minds. It’s only the worlds and populations directly attacked by the Brotherhood who see the real horror of it, but their voices are not being heard by the bulk of the Federation. Pheosa thinks, if we take the people to the action via vid screen feeds and show them what’s happened on the ground to individuals and families on planets captured by the Brotherhood, it will make them sit up and take notice of the deadly pestilence that is actually festering not far from their own back yards.”
“I guess it can’t hurt anything. How soon do you want this to take place?” I asked.
“The quicker, the better – and your personal appearance in these vid feeds and interviews will be critical for bolstering your image since the hearing.”
“I suppose you want me to take some senators along on this trip as well…?”
“Now it’s you reading my mind, Tibby. Pheosa has already put together a list of senators he wants you to take. He’s more or less tricking them into believing that their senatorial involvement is a committee fact-finding mission to learn firsthand how Federation troopers implement recovery and restoration protocols on planets liberated of Brotherhood terror campaigns.”
“By the stars, not another bunch of whiney pacifists who believe we are the enemy and that the Brotherhood is a club of really nice guys just trying to lift up their worlds from Federation oppression?”
“No I don’t think so. Pheosa made it sound like these are genuinely concerned senators who really have no idea what the conditions are on worlds under Brotherhood control and who would truly like to see it for themselves. They just have no idea what kind of devastation they’re really going to encounter, and Pheosa isn’t going to offer them much in advance, as far as details.”
“Let’s just hope this doesn’t turn out like the lunar prison colony visit did years ago.”
“Oh, I don’t know, Tibby, I think that visit turned out very well. It certainly rekindled patriotic fervor with the Senate. After that visit, our biggest opponent in the Senate even voted in favor of huge funding increases.”
“True, but only after he’d been attacked and wounded by a prisoner of war. However, I see your point. I’ll see what I can arrange for an informative site visit, as we’ll call it. We’ll aim for four days from now, so I can discuss it with Admiral Marranalis and so the press and senators have time to make the necessary adjustments to their schedules.”
I managed to finish my day and get back in my suite on the NEW ORLEANS early that day. To my surprise Kala and both of the twins were there. Kala decided it would be nice to have a “special” meal to celebrate the family being together for a change, so she contacted Piesew, our ships major-domo, to make the request. As usual, Piesew went out of his way to make the meal extraordinary. As we dined and enjoyed each other’s company, I mentioned Admiral Regeny’s request that I take a group of reporters and senators to Alamar-4.
“I think it’s an excellent idea, Tib,” said Kala. “I don’t think the general public really has any clue what the conditions become after the Brotherhood has enslaved the people and decimated the urban areas.”
Reidecor abruptly stopped eating and listened intently as Kala and I talked.
“Yes. Conditions there are not unlike those on Goo’Waddle when we first went there,” I replied. “Most of the citizens there have been enslaved as forced laborers or prostitutes the same way. But Alamar-4 is even worse. Buildings and infrastructure are in complete ruins. Many areas are without power and most buildings are either unfit for habitation or they’ve been burnt to the ground. The agricultural areas are largely intact, but they’ve been used only to cultivate what was to the benefit of the Brotherhood. The citizens are starved and malnourished.
“Dad, Reide interrupted, “may I go with you to Alamar-4?”
His request took me by surprise. “Why do you want to go there?”
“I hear you and mom talk all the time about what things are like on these worlds that are outside of the Federation, but I can’t imagine what it’s really like. I want to see it for myself.”
I looked at Kala, expecting to hear her voice some objection. Instead, she said nothing and simply looked at Reide in contemplation.
“I don’t know Reide,” I said. “It could be dangerous down there. We still expect to encounter some rogue Brotherhood troopers that have refused to surrender. There could be sniper attacks or other unexpected incidents.”
“But you’ll have lots of troopers with you to protect the senators. I know we’ll be safe. Besides, I’d be with you and you’ll protect me.”
“Reide, it’s not that simple. There could be an – ”
“Tib, I think you should take Reide with you,” Kala interrupted.
Her comment caught me off guard. I sat open-mouthed and dazed for a moment, as I never expected Kala would even consider letting Reide go.
“To be honest,” she continued, “I think it would be a good thing if you took both of twins with you. It wouldn’t hurt for them to see firsthand what it is you’ve been fighting for – and against – all these years.”
“Are you sure? Kala it’s going to be dangerous down there. Just because we’ve gained control of the planet again doesn’t mean there isn’t any risk.”
“I think it will be safe enough,” Kala said. “Both Lunnie and Reide are trained in self-defense and I dare say they are probably as skilled as some of your troopers.”
“Maybe the clerical staff, but hardly the troopers,” I said.
“Don’t be so sure, Tib. Have you seen them in practice lately?”
I had to confess I hadn’t. In fact, it had probably been over a year since I’d last watched either them in drills. Besides that, Reide did say that he threw Padaran in their last sparring match.
“Alright then. They can come along. But I will assign a trooper to be with each of them at all times, since I won’t be able to give them much attention. I’ll be rather preoccupied with the reporters and senators.” I glanced at Lunnie, hoping she would object to going. Instead, she appeared to be pleased by the plans, so I knew there was no way I was getting out of it now.
As the site visit to Alamar-4 drew near, I began to feel rather exhausted and rattled. Fortunately, the treatment for my degenerative condition was scheduled for the day before. I wasn’t looking forward to the treatment. I never was. I dreaded this session even more than usual, because this time Kala would be there and I really didn’t want her to witness the excruciating pain and unrelenting illness that gripped me during and afterward. Nevertheless, I had told her she could accompany me. Since there was no longer any need for me to conceal my treatments from K
ala, there was no longer any need for Marranalis to assist me in my secret visits to A’Lappe, though I still wanted everything kept secret from my guard detail. So, instead of going from my study to the auxiliary med unit via the maintenance tunnels, I accessed the tunnel directly from the bathroom in my own suite.
Kala had only been in the maintenance tunnels a few times on those rare occasions when we still had the ALI that was docked in our private hangar. She was a bit confused by all the twists and turns of the passages and all the cables and piping that filled the space. At one point she marveled, as she recounted her memory of the incident when Reide and Lunnie managed to get lost in these tunnels when they were still toddlers. I told her she would need to memorize the route for our return, as it was different than the usual route to my study and I wasn’t sure I would remember it in the state I’d be in after the treatement. I alerted A’Lappe beforehand that Kala now knew about my condition and would be accompanying me. We had barely entered the auxiliary med unit before Kala began questioning A’Lappe about my condition.
“A’Lappe, I’ve been concerned. Tibby seems to be aging a lot faster than he should. I know that his condition and his treatments are hard on his body, but isn’t there something that can be done to slow down the aging process?” Kala asked.
“You’re correct, Kalana. I’ve been aware of this particular side effect and thinking about it quite intently. Part of this issue has to do with the biochemical responses that make up his body’s rejection to the synthetic nerves and the other part is a result of the treatments. Both of these processes are virtual onslaughts that put a huge strain on his liver. There’s not much we can do about it, I’m afraid, and the liver can only take so much stress. However, we can clone for him one or more livers and replace them periodically. This approach would certainly extend his health and lifespan. I’ve retrieved the existing liver and stem cells from the secured tissue bank that were collected after the crash. With your approval I can start cloning at least one new organ now. The primary challenge to this solution is that the actual transplant requires several weeks of recovery, even with the use of Nano-bots to speed up the healing process. We’ll have to get creative so we can report a viable excuse for Tibby to be out of action for about two weeks.”
