Imperium: Betrayal: Book One in the Imperium Trilogy

by Paul M Calvert

  “You’re an old softie at heart Vimes, admit it,” she thought back, a little annoyed with herself that Vimes has thought of it before her. “Good idea, please see to it.”

  Later, once everyone had finished eating and had a chance to contribute to the meeting, Christine thanked them all for attending and made her exit. Everyone stood up and bowed as she left the room.

  Today’s schedule was long and tight so she headed straight for a transit tube to take her to the audience room where dignitaries from all over the Empire were assembling, seated patiently in rows to be formally introduced and invested with sundry awards for long service, good works, philanthropic acts and the like.

  “Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be anyone particularly famous or interesting on the guest list today,” she thought ruefully, entering the tube.

  Exiting a short while later, she walked towards the massive, ancient wooden double doors that led into the main chamber. Waiting patiently for her, Christine was met with a smile and a raised eyebrow by the Master of Ceremonies, along with numerous Courtiers. She acknowledged them all with a smile of her own and a quick nod of her head, then indicated to him she was ready for the doors to be opened to make her entrance into the large hall beyond. With that signal, the Imperial fanfare began, only slightly muffled through the heavy doors. After a short time, the fanfare finished and the last echoes faded away. The doors slowly opened, silent on well-maintained hinges and Christine walked into a wave of applause, feeling the sudden surge of excitement from the assembled group as they caught sight of her.

  “Here we go again,” she thought.

  Scene 8, Suspicion

  Alexander, together with Ambassador Gallagher and his aide 2nd Lt. Collinson, watched the interrogation of a captured citizen through a one-way, smart-metal wall, listening to what was said via the ships AI. It was running a sophisticated translation programme, capturing every inflexion and nuance of the conversation. As the interrogation progressed, their earlier suspicions had been confirmed. It became apparent that a third party had been secretly active on the planet for a number of years, well before the Empires presence was officially made known. This third-party had kept itself hidden from the watching Imperial monitors who had been tasked with ensuring non-interference, implying a well-organised and obviously well funded conspiracy. The prisoner currently being interviewed was a mid-level cleric, literally tripping over his words in eagerness to demonstrate how they had seen through the Empire’s lies and deceits. As he spoke, the full picture began to emerge.

  Subtly, and over many years, long before the Empire formally introduced itself as a prelude to Ascension, the infiltrators had turned the planet's global religion against the idea of off-worlders, spreading stories of how Emperor worship would, on pain of death, forcibly supplant their own faith and enslave the population. Tales of planets being sequestered and their populations moved into death camps were promoted, until the ranking religious leaders ordered the faithful to fight these devilish strangers and declared holy war. The prisoner’s story matched all the others who had been questioned, including those taken in subsequent snatch raids on the surface.

  From a four-thousand-year perspective of scientific and social enlightenment, it was hard for Gallagher to understand how an otherwise intelligent, well-educated and advanced society could become so wrapped up with religious fervour and fear.

  “What are we going to do now Alex?” Gallagher asked, “Do we bomb them back into the Stone Age and come back in several hundred years; let them be but isolate them completely with a small task force for a similar period, or try and show them the truth? Whatever we chose it’s going to be very costly in public opinion, manpower, resources, time, effort and lives.”

  Alexander shook his head. “Whatever we do will have unintended consequences, Patrick. Any of the three options would work, but I’m not in the right state of mind to make a rational decision now, not immediately after the loss of my Marines and the problem of Adam.”

  Patrick nodded and looked sympathetic. “We have two days before the Ascension fleet arrives that was meant to bring the planet into the Empire. It can support any decision you or the Imperial Council make. As it was planned to be on station for several years without relief, we can leave them here, return home and either pass this hot potato on to the Council for a decision or rubber stamp whatever you decide here on the ground. For what it’s worth, do you want my opinion, Alex?”

  “Whenever haven’t you given it to me, wanted or not, hmmm?” Alexander replied, smiling. He looked his friend in the eyes.

  Patrick returned the gaze and began. “These people were duped into attacking us. Stupid of them, yes, but without outside influences turning them against us the result might have been a new planet instead of a new problem. Let’s surprise them by not doing what they are expecting and seeking revenge. However, leaving them alone would simply increase the problem over time, perhaps resulting at some future point in our having to sterilize the planet and starting again from scratch with colonists.” He continued, “No, let’s take the hard option and use the Ascension fleet to educate and show them what the Empire really stands for. It’s the hardest and costliest option but the one I believe we should take.”

  “You do realise there is a strong possibility they won’t even engage with us at all, Patrick?” asked Alexander.

  “I never said it would be easy, did I?” came the reply. “But it’s the right thing to do. Let’s give the Ascension fleet three years and if there’s no progress at the end we always have options one and two. Who knows, someone might even come up with a better idea in that time.”

  Turning to Collinson, Alexander took him by surprise by asking him a question, “What do you think Lieutenant? What would you do if you were in my position?”

  Snapping to attention Collinson immediately answered, “Oh, well, Sire I’d um, not make any decision just yet. It's apparent religion plays a large part in these people’s lives and the religious leaders have a great deal of control over how they think. In light of this, are they really ready to join the Empire at all, despite their meeting the criteria? I’d attempt a dialogue with the spiritual leaders first, as they are the ones to convince and get onto our side. After that, the sheep will follow, Sire,” he finished, relaxing a bit now that he had spoken.

  Alexander nodded, “Good points Lieutenant. Thank you for your advice.” He turned back to Patrick. “I’ve two days to make my decision, then we will return home with the flagship. I’m afraid your family will have to wait a few days longer before they get to see you, old friend. I sent the yacht I’d promised you away with Adam, along with a full copy of Vimes to keep him company and the others aren’t really suitable for such long flights.”

  Before replying, Patrick paused for a moment, remembering something from long ago and wondering to himself where all the years had gone.

  “Given their current relationship, sending Vimes along was cruel but necessary, Alex. If neither this experience nor Vimes can’t get Adam to face up to his responsibilities, nothing will. Either way, he’ll certainly come back a changed man.”

  Alexander looked away from his friend and back to the interrogation. “If only all our problems could be sent away, Patrick. If it were only that simple.”

  They listened to the interrogation for a while longer, until it became apparent nothing else of use would be achieved by continuing, so Alexander ordered it to cease and the prisoner sent back to a holding cell to stay with others. Secretly listening in on what was being discussed in the holding cell had already added to their understanding, providing valuable insight into the peoples’ faith, the true nature of which had been carefully concealed from the Imperial diplomats sent to smooth the Ascension path. Parting company, Gallagher went off with his aide while Alexander retired to his private offices to catch up on business.

  On reaching his offices, Alexander asked Vimes to run a security sweep and lock down his suite.

  “I’ll be sending
a number of private messages to Christine and need to warn her to be on guard,” he thought to Vimes. “Also, you can update yourself back at the Capital and upload all the latest developments from home.”

  “Rooms are locked down and clear Alex,” Vimes confirmed after a few seconds. “I’m linking now with the ships AI to ensure we won’t be disturbed.”

  A few minutes later the secure, ultra-secret real-time Quantum Attraction communication device had made contact with the version of Vimes back on Capital. As Alexander sat down behind his desk, a holographic display appeared in front of him. Showing nothing except static it resolved itself into the simulacrum that Vimes used when he needed a public face. “Good evening Alex, I trust my doppelganger has been behaving himself?” the Vimes on Capital asked with a smile.

  “You should know,” Alex replied. “Is Christine about?”

  “No Alex, she retired to bed several hours ago after a long day. Forgetting to check the time difference before calling is not a good sign,” Vimes replied, pausing as he synced with his counterpart, “Ah, I see why now. I’ll begin discretely arranging transports and arrangements for the families of the injured and bereaved so once the official news has reached them in a few day’s time, everything will be ready and the needed support in place.” Vimes continued, “Shall I wake Christine?”

  “No, thank you Vimes. Please let her sleep,” replied Alexander. “I’ll record a personal message for Christine to read when she wakes. After she has, please see to it that she isn’t disturbed for a while. Re-arrange meetings if you have to.”

  The image of Vimes grew serious. “I have already begun increasing security levels and will inform the Palace Guard to begin a series of “exercises” over the coming days. Anything else you would like me to do?”

  “Just one thing Vimes, whoever planned this needed access to information and more importantly, money and ships to get here without using Jump Points, which means through normal space. Financing both will have been costly given our control over shipping. Start checking financial records of the major Corporations and Conglomerates for signs of curious transactions, unexplained drops in cash-flow, that sort of thing.” He stopped and thought for a moment before continuing. “Check ship manifests, departures and arrivals and anything else you can think of near this system. Begin querying the financial affairs of Dukes, Marquises and Earls, paying particular attention to, and starting with, those nearest to here, then move outwards. Oh, I nearly forgot; pull the servicing records of all privately owned ships over the past five years and look for anomalies such as soil and vegetation samples from air filters etc. that match with this planets profile.”

  “Yes, Alex. When ready, did you want me to copy Christine with the findings then forward them to yourself as we are communicating now or await your return to Capital?” Vimes enquired.

  Alexander considered for a moment.

  “Yes, send immediately you have anything of note and copy in Christine. Finally, please check five years’ worth of sales on antique markets, collectors’ forums and memorabilia auctions for any items offered for sale which match anything in this planets database. Someone may have become greedy or decided to make some additional money on the side.”

  “Noted. Good idea, Alex,” replied Vimes. “Unless there is anything else you want me to do, I’ll stay on-line and await your private message.”

  Alexander nodded at the image on the screen, before recording the message updating his wife on what had transpired and why he had brought forward plans to send their son away. It was going to be a long one…

  Scene 9, Raigmore Hospital, Isle of Skye

  It was seven in the morning and dawn was beginning to break on what promised to be another cloudy and overcast day in early March. Senior Trauma Doctor Karen McLeod had already been awake for an hour, getting herself ready for work and her last shift of the week. Her things were all packed for tomorrow’s trip, apart from the clothes she was going to wear for the journey. Except for her toiletries and bath towel, everything was ready to go.

  Twenty-eight years old, slim, five foot eleven inches tall with highlighted brown hair, she was looking forward to staying tomorrow at her uncle’s empty house on the Isle of Skye, while he and his wife went away for a few weeks cruising around the Mediterranean. Working straight shifts in the Accident & Emergency Department of Raigmore Hospital had left Karen feeling tired to her bones and she was in need of the three-week long break she had lined up.

  “Once I’ve dealt with today’s early drunks, heart attacks and road traffic accidents I can relax and think about what to do next with my life,” she thought. “Three weeks’ peace and quiet, that’s just what the Doctor ordered!”

  She had moved temporarily into the Hospital’s accommodation block a few days previously, after her long term partner, Ian, had unceremoniously dumped her via email from the US and given a month’s notice to quit his flat. Whilst it had been her home for the past four years, she had no hesitation in moving out immediately he’d made his feelings known.

  “I don’t want anything to do with that bastard,” she’d thought after being dumped, and had moved out the following day, arranging for her few things to be placed in storage. Fortunately, she was never one for many possessions, believing a simple life was far more preferable to being weighed down with clutter. “They only attract dust,” was a phrase she often used when asked why.

  The split with Ian had been brewing for months, ever since she had refused to follow him to New York where he had been offered a job at the Columbia University Medical Centre. “Why should I give up my career just for him, if our relationship had meant anything surely he would have stayed here with me?”

  She tried to think calming thoughts as she felt her blood pressure start to rise.

  “No, I’m not going to go there today,” she said to herself, “Think happy thoughts.”

  Moving out had been on the cards at some point, as he’d made it known he was going to sell the flat they shared in Inverness as part of his move abroad, but she hadn’t thought he would be so ruthless, so quickly.

  “Just goes to show that it doesn’t matter how long you have lived with someone or think you know them, there no guarantees,” she said out loud to herself. Karen thought for a moment. “How does that old Japanese saying go I read once; let’s see now...got it.”

  She spoke out loud, “Every person has three hearts: one that they show in public, one that they show to close friends and family, and one that only they and their God sees. Try to see through to the heart that is reserved for themselves and their God, for that is the heart most trustworthy.”

  Feeling pleased she had remembered it, and not a little proud of her near photographic memory which had helped her get through Medical School, Karen picked up her mobile and pager from where they had been charging overnight. Not bothering to make breakfast, for she could get a full English in the Hospital canteen, she headed for the door, making sure it was locked before moving through the corridor and entering the cold morning air. She hadn’t bothered with an overcoat and although the early March morning was crisp and sharp, Karen was used to the cold by now and paid it little attention.

  “Anyway,” she thought, “it’s only two hundred yards or so to A&E.”

  Striding briskly along the footpath, she passed the car park on her right and entered A&E, sandwiched between the main entrance on her left and Outpatients. The warm air hit her as the automatic doors opened and she was greeted by the familiar smell of antiseptic with an overlay of stale, spilt beer that a cleaner was mopping up together with a few dark blood spots by the entrance.

  “No doubt from a broken nose or something similar,” she thought to herself, nodding at the cleaner as she walked past towards her station. After checking nothing serious was outstanding before taking over the shift, she decided there was just enough time to get to the canteen and back with a sandwich and large coffee before getting down to business.

  “That’ll keep me going till I get
a chance to grab something more substantial,” Karen thought, dispensing with the idea of a full English as she walked through A&E and turned left towards the canteen.

  Fifteen minutes later, Karen was sitting at her workstation, checking through the notes of the patients left over from the previous night’s intake. One of them, Mr McKinley, was a regular to her A&E with chronic alcoholism and incipient liver failure. He was under observation in one of the curtained off treatment booths. Karen shook her head on looking at his stats.

  “If he keeps this up for another year we’ll need to find another poor soul to hold the record for most attendances in a month,” she thought sadly, feeling sorry for the man. He had obviously fallen onto hard times emotionally, but was unfailingly polite, even when blind drunk.

  The red emergency phone rang, making her jump and startling her out of that particular train of thought.

  “Christ Almighty,” she thought, annoyed with herself for being startled, “if I’m this jumpy now what state will I be in at the end of the shift?”

  Frank, one of her team, answered the telephone and was busy writing down the incident details with his left hand whilst cradling the handset between his neck and right shoulder. Finished speaking, he put the telephone back into its cradle and called out.

  “Hill climber, male, twenty-five years old, compound fracture of the right tibia, possible mild hypothermia. Air Ambulance bringing him in, ETA thirty minutes,” he called out to the assembling team in a slightly camp voice.

  Karen watched her staff start preparing for the arrival with quiet efficiency. Satisfied everything was OK, she went back to her notes and coffee, smiling as she remembered Franks half-hearted attempts to seduce her at the last Christmas party where everyone had just a bit too much to drink that night.