Shroud of Eden (Panhelion Chronicles Book 1)

by Marlin Desault

  “More delays. Well, it can’t be helped,” Camus blustered. “We go anyway. Tell all units to stand by for orders.”

  With shoulders drooped, Schwartz broached the subject Camus had so far ignored. “What about the Khepri, Admiral? They damaged Vesper and drove her from the CB Cluster.”

  “But most importantly the Khepri didn’t pursue Vesper. They can wait until after I deal with Fitzsimons. This engagement with the Khepri plays right into my hands. The threat they pose has provided me with the crisis I need to persuade the Senate that Fitzsimons is too weak to defend the Panhelion. I’ll request they vote on a new President.” Camus rubbed his hands together in glee. “Schwartz, I’ve waited a long time for an opportunity like this. Now it’s time to put my carefully laid plans into action. Once the Senate is in session, my military forces will ensure the outcome of their vote.”

  Admiral Delmar drummed his fingers on his work surface next to the comm display as he waited for Camus’ reply, his concern growing by the minute as he studied the screens in his Operations Center. “This is absurd. He’s stalling me.”

  At that moment, Eisler began rapidly tapping his console. “Admiral, take a look at this. Several Defense Command cruisers have broken away from their outer patrol positions. They’ve pulled in from the Oort Cloud and have parked in positions over the settlements.”

  “What in the name of Hades? Zoom the plot space to local.”

  On the far wall, split images blurred a moment and refocused to a new range. On one, the planets of the solar system blazed into view. A bright-red icon circled Mars. In the other plot space, a cruiser icon fell into orbital sync with the outer moons of Jove.

  “Cruisers, by God,” Delmar said. “Camus has set his cruisers in attack position inside our local system. Change of orders, Eisler. Get the President of the Senate on the line and alert my driver. I leave immediately for the Senate building.”

  Eisler blanched. “Two more Defense Command cruisers have dropped into attack position over Earth.”

  Camus glanced up from his display. His aide stood at the door of the observation booth. “Come in, Schwartz.” He returned his vision to the three-dimensional screen displaying the local system. “What’s the news from Niobe?”

  “Sir, as you ordered.” Schwartz crossed over to the front of Camus’ desk. “The entire crew of the Pegasus is under arrest, including Commander Van der Meer, Ambassador Drumond and Lieutenant Zirkel.”

  “Good, good. Zirkel no doubt told Tanner to contact me and have her released. For now, we say nothing about her. I don’t want to compromise her cover just yet. The only thing left is for Tanner to send his Marines to Niobe and find the prize.” Camus crossed his arms over his puffed out chest.

  Schwartz knitted his brows and scowled. “Tanner doesn’t know where it is, and the Niobians may resist.”

  “In that case,” Camus said with a broad smile, “he’ll just have to deal them a heavy strike. When they’ve had a taste of our weapons, they’ll give him what he wants. From Zirkel’s reports, the Niobians are a rather passive bunch. Tanner should find it easy to take Prometheus.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “Fill me in on the latest from the Comma Berenices Cluster.”

  Schwartz shook his head and focused his gaze on the overhead. “Vesper’s expected to make Ganymede, where she’ll undergo needed repairs. Demos remains at a safe standoff distance to keep watch on the Khepri, who’ve gone back to their own star system.” He maintained a mater-of-fact tone. “Delmar has ordered two more corvettes into picket position. They’ll be there within a few hours.”

  Camus gazed up at Schwartz. “Damn, bad timing, this encounter with the Khepri. We need to get Aurora into the action with that Niobian weapon. Send a message to Tanner. Tell him to make his strike against the Niobians and take Prometheus. Oh, and Schwartz, have Tanner’s Marines take Lieutenant Zirkel with them. She’s familiar with the weapon.”

  Schwartz winced. “Sir, moving this soon against the Niobians is a risk, is it not?”

  Camus stroked his lips as he pondered the comment. “I know that, Schwartz, but we can’t wait. Once we start Operation Orion’s Sword, both Delmar and the Panhelion Senate will know what we have in store for them.”

  The Comm display lit up with Admiral Delmar’s image. “Andre, I have distressing news from Niobe. Are you aware that the Niobian ambassador is a prisoner on the Aurora? I’m on my way to discuss this with the Senate President. You’ll hear from him.”

  Camus bit his lip. If Delmar had discovered the preparations for Orion’s Sword, a meeting between Delmar and the Senate President would necessitate the final showdown.

  He closed the link with Delmar. “Schwartz, change in plans. We don’t have time to wait until the attack squadrons are in final position. Give the order to execute Orion’s Sword, and have the New Imperium Security squads move into position around the capital.”

  Schwartz manipulated his input icon space. “Done. The NEOSECs are moving out now to secure the Senate and other government buildings.”

  In the corridor leading to the dais of the Senate chamber, Meath Fitzsimons, President of the Panhelion Senate, shook hands with well-wishers and policy supporters on both sides of the aisle. From behind, a voice called his name. Over his shoulder, he caught a glimpse of Admiral Delmar pushing his way through the crowd.

  Delmar, breathless and flush in the face, rushed up to him. “Mister President, I have something to tell you... something urgent.”

  “Jestin, good to see you, but I must say your timing is terrible. I deliver my speech, describing the CB2 attack on our ships, to the Senate in ten minutes. Your news will have to wait.”

  “Mister President, it can’t wait.” Delmar reached out and took Fitzsimons’ arm. “What I have to say is far more important than the CB2 threat. I believe Admiral Camus intends to execute a coup d’etat and install himself as the authority over the Panhelion.”

  Fitzsimons did a doubletake and studied Delmar’s face. It had the look of a man possessed. “Jestin, that’s ridiculous. Now please excuse me. I have an important speech to give.”

  “President Fitzsimons.” Delmar pressed. “Admiral Camus has placed several cruisers in attack positions over Earth, Mars, and the outer settlements.”

  Fitzsimons’ jaw dropped as he fought to process what he had heard. Ever the consummate politician, he composed himself within seconds and glanced toward the waiting dais.

  Delmar stepped in front of Fitzsimons to prevent him from leaving. “And Camus has arrested the Panhelion ambassador to Niobe. He wouldn’t defy the Senate unless he knew you would be powerless to stop him.”

  Fitzsimons took one step back and set his view on Delmar. “All you say may be true, but we’ll have to discuss it after my address to the Senate.”

  Delmar saw them first. From the corner of his eye, he made out several figures in dark uniforms pushing their way toward the President. The uniforms, at first glance, looked vaguely like those of the Fleet-Marines. The figures approached in charcoal gray uniforms, not the normal olive-tan duty uniform of the Senate home guard. They carried no unit patches on their sleeves.

  The men shouldered their way through the crowd toward Fitzsimons, clearing the corridor, roughly shunting some people from the hall while pushing others into a separate group. Turmoil erupted behind him, as more of the strange uniformed men closed off the way to the rear.

  With a firm grasp, Delmar seized Fitzsimons by the arm and pulled him into a side hall and toward a set of heavy glass doors.

  Earth

  -

  Panhelion Senate

  ~~~

  With the President of the Panhelion Senate in tow, Admiral Delmar fled through the glass doors. Just off the main chamber of the Panhelion Senate, they entered a lounge area appointed with large upholstered chairs and tables constructed of polymers that simulated various exotic types of wood. Portraits of past and present Panhelion statesmen graced the walls, among which President Fitzsimons�
�� picture hung prominently in the center.

  Delmar released his grip on the President’s arm and glanced around for an exit.

  Fitzsimons’ eyes went wide as his trembling hand pointed around the corner. “Jestin, the elevator to your left goes to the main entrance. If we can get to your headquarters we may escape Camus.”

  Delmar broke stride and jabbed the call icon repeatedly in an effort to bring the car. Several anxious moments went by as he and Fitzsimons watched the gray uniformed toughs pummel the locked, glass doors.

  A bass voice from the right side of the room boomed out, “Gentlemen, you’re in time to see me appointed as leader of a new government.” Camus strolled over to the glass doors and released the lock, flooding the room with his security staff.

  The elevator doors opened and more men clad in dark gray rushed out.

  With a haughty jaunt, Camus approached Delmar and Fitzsimons. “May I introduce you to my New Imperium Security squads? And now, if you step this way you will have the pleasure of seeing me nominated as Regent of the New Imperium, and you may be assured the Senate will confirm me to that post by unanimous acclamation.”

  Camus crossed his arms, daring either man to challenge him.

  Fitzsimons’ eyes narrowed and his voice deepened to a growl. “Regent? The Senate will never grant you that power, Andre.”

  “Ah, but Mister Fitzsimons, you don’t know the present makeup of the Senate. Your time is over. We are on the brink of a new government and a new Senate. You may recognize some of them.”

  The fact that Camus did not address Fitzsimons by his title of President was not lost on either the President or Delmar. Several security troops escorted them into a glassed-in booth overlooking the Senate chambers.

  Camus followed with a self-satisfied grin.

  Delmar took stock of the chamber floor. Less than one third of the seats were occupied.

  Fitzsimons widened his stance and refused to budge. “Where are the others?”

  Camus shoved him into a chair and gave an unexpected answer. “Those who choose not to support me find themselves unable to attend. You need only concern yourself with the members you see before you. They’re loyal to me and will vote as I have instructed them.”

  The gray-clad troops pushed Delmar roughly into a chair, and Camus made his way out to the podium on top of a crystal platform to address the rump Senate. A few members in the chamber below applauded mechanically as he stepped to the dais.

  Camus thrust his chin out and glared out over the chamber. “Members of the New Imperium Senate, we are here to reform our government in the face of a crisis. The Khepri aliens have overwhelmed our military forces. In the face of this crisis, the present, weak leadership of the Panhelion can only read and report the disastrous news from our combat ships, as the enemy moves inexorably toward us from the Coma Berenices Star Cluster to inevitably threaten our system.”

  His eyes flashing steel gray, Camus gripped the sides of the podium and continued. “We must have a new leader, a decisive leader, one that can defeat the Khepri. I am that leader. I have the weapon that can stop them and save the Earth and our settlements. To do this, I must have plenary powers, powers that stem from a new, more powerful position in a new government.”

  At the mention of plenary powers, Delmar exchanged a mystified glance with Fitzsimons.

  Camus paused and sipped from a silver cup next to the podium. “My defense forces possess a weapon of sufficient power to defeat the Khepri. The strike cruiser Aurora is now en route to deliver it to me. With this new weapon and plenary power of the New Imperium, my forces will conquer the Khepri. You must elect me as Regent of a successor government to the Panhelion, with the power to rule by decree.”

  Fitzsimons shifted around in his seat and stared intently at Delmar. “Does he really have such a weapon?”

  Delmar shrank back as a murmur drifted up from the Senate members below. “If he has, God help us. There’ll be no stopping him.”

  Fitzsimons gripped Delmar by the arm and whispered in his ear, “We must find a way to prevent this madness. Can you rally your ships to oppose him?”

  Delmar shook his head and cupped his hand next to the president’s ear. “My captains would support me in defying Camus, but my ships are too lightly armed. They’re no match for Camus’ cruisers even without the weapon he mentioned. There is only one chance to end this madness. We must get word to Ambassador Drumond. He must get Prometheus before Camus, if it’s not yet too late.”

  By now, the full impact of the situation dawned on Fitzsimons. “Think of something. I beg of you, for the sake of the Panhelion.”

  New Imperium squads filtered among the few members on the floor of the Senate.

  Camus scowled and returned to his speech, his eyes focused on the faces staring up at him. “Do any of you object to my appointment?”

  None did.

  Camus folded his arms and set his jaw in smug grin. “I accept your unanimous decision.” He waved his hands, palms down, out in front of him to silence those below. “And now, as your new sovereign with plenary power to rule Earth and the settlements, I declare this session at an end.”

  He shot an approving smile to the throng.

  The senators glanced back and forth at each other as if in a quandary. At the prodding of the burly, NEOSEC troops, the few Senate members voiced a muted cheer.

  The acclaimed Regent marched back to the enclosed gallery and to Fitzsimons and Delmar. Chin high and exuding a newfound pomposity, Camus strutted into the gallery and confronted his prisoners. “Gentlemen, you see how it is. As for you, Mister Fitzsimons and you, Admiral Delmar, you are both relieved of your responsibilities and placed under arrest. My security forces will be constantly at your side to ensure your comfort and compliance.”

  Commander Schwartz, who had kept himself in the background until now, joined Camus and his cadre.

  Camus nodded, and a squad of his security staff escorted Fitzsimons and Delmar out of the building.

  The new Regent motioned his security contingent and his aid to follow him to the office of the former President.

  Once there, he plopped down in the great chair normally occupied by Fitzsimons. “And now, Schwartz, I have two orders. The first is to all units and ships of all commands. The second goes to the Aurora.” He handed Schwartz the doc-projector.

  Schwartz projected the first document.

  PRIORITY - ECCO - PRIORITY

  FROM: NEW IMPERIUM SPREME HEADQUARTERS.

  TO: ALL DEFENSE AND EXPLORATON COMMAND SHIPS AND ALL MILITARY AND PARMILITARY UNITS OF THE PANHELION.

  SUBJECT: NEW COMMAND ORGANIZATION.

  ~~~

  ALL PANHELION MILITARY UNITS AND GOVERNMENT ENTITIES ARE NOW SUBJECT TO THE AUTHORITY OF THE NEW IMPERIUM MILITARY SUPREME HEADQUARTERS.

  ONLY ORDERS FROM AND AUTHORIZED BY THIS SUPREME HEADQUARTERS ARE VALID. EXTREME PENALTIES WILL BE IMPOSED FOR DISOBEDIENCE.

  SIGNED: ANDRE CAMUS, REGENT AND SUPREME COMMANDER, NEW IMPERIUM.

  Schwartz flipped to the second message.

  PRIORITY - ECCO - PRIORITY

  FROM: NEW IMPERIUM SUPREME HEADQUARTERS.

  TO: CAPTAIN POLAND TANNER, STRIKE CRUISER AURORA.

  SUBJECT: PROMETHEUS.

  ~~~

  MOVE IMMEDIATELY TO TAKE PROMETHEUS.

  DRUMOND IS HEREBY STRIPPED OF HIS RANK OF AMBASSADOR. HE IS TO BE KEPT IN CONFINEMENT UNTIL NOTIFIED OTHERWISE.

  SIGNED: ANDRE CAMUS, REGENT AND SUPREME COMMANDER, NEW IMPERIUM.

  Niobe

  ~~~

  Ariela hurried along the corridor of the Refectory’s basement level spurred on by the urgent news she carried for Proconsul Wimund. A fear of imminent invasion hung in the air like an oppressive vapor.

  She entered the proconsul’s office, and the two exchanged a worried looks. “My orbital shuttle just returned. I came as soon as possible.”

  “Are our plans in place?” Wimund bowed his head and placed his folded hands in front
of his chin. “Our observers just informed me that the Aurora has moved to a new orbit, one that will put her in position close to Petra. From there, a minimal change would allow the ship to launch invasion forces against Niobe.”

  “Everything is ready,” she said. “The tunnels on Petra have been cleared and the trigger mechanism set. I can do no more.” She addressed Wimund squarely, her outstretched hands open. “If they land on Petra and follow the radiation trail we planted, we may be safe. As for an invasion of Niobe, we can only wait.”

  “And the evacuation? Have you cleared the Refectory, the villages?”

  In silent prayer, she put her palms together and her fingertips to her mouth. “The last of our people will be safely in the redoubt within the hour. Then you and I will be the only ones in the Refectory.”

  “And none too soon.” Wimund exhaled a weary breath. “A smaller craft has left the warship. Ariela, I commend your effort in organizing our defense. Still no word from Ambassador Drumond?”

  “Nothing since he departed for the Aurora.” Her gaze went to the floor as she intertwined her fingers “Those who command the ship must have forbidden him to return or to contact us.”

  Deep in thought, Wimund shook his head. “I share your concern. I had hoped we could count on him to help us. If our plan succeeds, he may yet find a way to join us.”

  Ariela lowered her head. “I worry those on the warship may have harmed him. I wish these people from Earth had never found us. Except for him.”

  “That’s quite all right.” Wimund hugged her and patted her back. “We’ve always known our cousins from Earth would come someday. You have a great affection for Ambassador Drumond, don’t you?”

  She gazed over his shoulder. “He is very special to me.”

  He pulled out a handkerchief and offered it to her. “Here, here, dry your eyes. For the moment, you have to put all that aside. We must complete our preparations.”