by Ted Mayes
School the next day was almost as exciting. When she brought her tool bag into the principal’s office, Dr. Andrews had asked how the rank of ‘primiprincipales’ should be translated. She’d explained that it literally meant ‘first lieutenant’, but what it really meant was something like ‘senior’ or ‘chief’ lieutenant. He’d grinned and told her that she’d find out why he asked during the morning announcements.
So when that time came, Dr. Andrews announced that, because of the overwhelming interest, a representative of the empire would speak at a school assembly during third hour and answer questions about jobs and education possibilities in the empire. Beth tried, as best she could, to ignore the conversations going on around her, but it was difficult. Since the day the Marines had shown up at the school in a floater, there had been unchecked interest in the empire. Most of the students were finding it hard to contain their curiosity.
When time for the assembly came, Beth was pretty sure that she recognized the speaker, and when the principal introduced him she was sure. James Radebe was praetorian primiprincipales, second in command of the praetorians after First. Anyone who was ranked second to the First Centurion, she was sure, was bound to be quite an impressive fellow. As she was taking her seat, along with the other students, Beth told Molly to record the assembly.
He was impressive. He stated that the topic of his presentation was ‘How to get into the Empire’ and asked for a show of hands of anyone who had already visited Ostia. Even Beth was surprised at how many hands went up – roughly half of the students, and most of the seniors she could see had visited. Radebe congratulated all those people for figuring out the easiest way to get into the empire. Also included in this ‘easy’ way was buying a ticket for a flight to the Moon.
Then he went on to deal with the other ways of getting into the Empire. By petitioning for Latin rights – after explaining what those rights were, he said the Empire looked for people with intelligence, honesty, courage, and a good work ethic. After an investigation and several years of probation, Latin rights could be granted.
The next way, the one some of the students might be interested in, was by way of the Imperial University. Anyone could apply, Radebe said, but the high schoolers had to remember that students came to the university from all across the globe. It was hard to get into the University, and it definitely was not ‘fun.’ It was very demanding, in fact, one Ivy League graduate thought that a freshman class was actually a graduate class (Beth recognized the story as one that Amanda had told her). Then he played the first few minutes of Jon’s politics class, although Beth was glad to see that Jon did not show up in the video. Looking around quietly, Beth could see a number of very sober faces, as if this university was not quite what had been expected.
The last way, Radebe stated, was the hardest, but offered the most rewards – Fleet and Marine. You might be stationed anywhere – here on Earth, on the Moon or Mars, or wherever the Empire might place you. It was the only way to gain Imperial citizenship (after twenty years of service) and the only way to gain access to the higher level science courses. However, it too was filled by applying and investigation, and applicants also came from across the world. Not only that, but one had to survive 10 weeks of basic training. Then he showed a 15 minute video of what basic was like. Thankfully, it wasn’t of Beth’s class, but it certainly brought back memories. Decurions yelling (all the time it seemed), although there were English subtitles. Running everywhere, hand to hand combat training, 0430 wakeup, 0500 physical training – and many shots of totally exhausted, or frightened, faces.
By the time that video clip was done, there seemed to be complete silence in the auditorium. One of her friends sitting, next to her, whispered, “Was it really like that?”
Beth whispered back, “Yes, but it went on for 10 weeks, not fifteen minutes.” Dr. Andrews announced that Lieutenant Radebe would be available later for questions and dismissed the assembly, but he also managed to catch catch Beth’s eye and he gave a small ‘come here’ signal that she assumed was meant for her. Saying good-bye to her friends, she made her way backstage. As she came up to the principal and the Lieutenant, she heard a guidance counselor saying, “One would get the impression, Mr. Radebe, that the empire doesn’t want young people to apply to the university or to other … careers … at Ostia.”
“That’s half right and half wrong,” Radebe answered in his deep base rumble. “We don’t want young people to think of us as a ‘fun’ place to go, like going off to party at college. We do want serious young people, who might be interested, to be fully aware of what they may be getting into.” He caught sight of Beth and continued, “If you would like, I will come to your office and discuss this more fully. Dr. Andrews has told me that you have had to endure this ‘enthusiasm’ more than most here.” Arrangements were made and the others moved away, leaving Beth alone with Radebe and the principal.
Radebe looked at her and she came to attention. “Sir,” she said.
“At ease, decurion,” Radebe said. “We three are here, because I need to share some information with Dr. Andrews. First, Al-Quaeda has declared war on the empire – you haven’t heard anything about it because they have yet to make a successful attack on us. However, we believe that the ‘attack’ on the high school was Al-Quaeda’s work, and there is some concern that there may be another attack before Miss Jordan can graduate. Now, we are confidant that the school and students can be protected, but we felt the school and the school district should be aware of the situation.”
Beth had no idea of how to respond to that so she remained quiet. Dr. Andrews was apparently thinking very hard, but he finally said, “After the ‘attack,’ I have no doubts in your security system, but I doubt that many would want the school and the students to go through another episode like that.” He thought again for a minute. “Beth is currently ranked number one in the school,” Beth nearly fell over from surprise at hearing that, “so maybe early graduation would be a possibility. Would ‘various groups’ become aware of her no longer coming to school here?”
“Most likely,” Radebe answered, “since various intelligence groups seem to be keeping her under observation.” Beth was even more astounded to hear that she was being watched.
“Let me contact the superintendent and see if that’s possible. If it is, I’ll get in touch with Mr. and Mrs. Jordan and see if they agree. Hopefully we’ll know something by the end of the week.” He turned to Beth, “It would be sad to see you graduate early because it’s been a joy to have you around school this year, but it might be best for the other students.”
She briefly shook her head. “I’m still having trouble with your statement that I’m ranked first in the class.”
Dr. Andrews just smiled. “You should get on to the next class, Beth,” he said. Then, turning to Radebe, he went on, “I’ll escort you to the counselor’s office, Lieutenant. I must say,” he was saying as they moved away, “that your presentation should help tamp down some of the more energetic displays of enthusiasm. Hopefully, it will also cause some individuals here to think seriously about their future.”
Beth found the principal’s last words an accurate reflection of what she heard the rest of the day. Up to that point, there had been a number of people who’d been entranced by the novelty of Ostia or the authority of the Marines. Now, seeing what it took to join the Marines or enter the University, those had been most excited were noticeably more quiet.
When Beth stopped at Dr. Andrew’s office after school to get her tool bag, he told her that he had already talked with her parents, and that the superintendent was in favor of her early graduation if it would reduce the possibility of future ‘difficulties.’ He told her to think about it and talk with her parents and superiors, and hopefully everyone could agree on a common solution. Then he closed with something that really made her think. He’d said in a thoughtful voice, “I don’t think you’d miss this – you’ve moved far beyond high school this year.”
She w
as thoughtful herself on the way back to Ostia. Graduating early, not having to leave Ostia to go to the high school, being under observation – the thoughts kept swirling in her head. Halfway back, the comment that she had been under observation brought up a question. “Molly, is there anyone following me?”
“No one, besides the usual government car.”
“The usual government car?”
“Since the beginning of the school year, there has usually been a car registered to the US government following you when you’ve left Ostia. Most of the time it’s been driven by people with FBI badges.”
Beth felt herself responding with surprise. She wondered briefly why she wasn’t angry at being followed, but quickly realized that she was too used to the idea that the emperor could be watching. She was, however, surprised that anyone would be interested enough to follow her on the daily drive to and from school. Still, the confusion about the unusual situation continued until she walked in the door of Jordan’s – then it was her father who whisked her upstairs for a talk.
“We got a call from Dr. Andrews,” her father began. “He told us what the primiprincipales had told him, and about the possibility of an early graduation.”
“We are confidant that you would be safe,” her mother added, “but I have to admit that I would prefer that you would be somewhere ‘safer’.”
Beth started to protest she was safe, but her father intervened. “She’s safe right now, dear, but I agree that it would be better if things were less ‘complicated.’ What’s important, though, isn’t whether she goes through the formal graduation ceremony, but whether an early graduation would cause any problems entering the university here.” He turned toward Beth. “I’d suggest that you contact someone who might know, like Jon’s Dad, to see whether an early graduation would cause any trouble.”
It seemed like a good idea, so, when she went back downstairs, she found Jon waiting for her and shared the news with him. He contacted his Dad and together they went down to the Harrison house to talk with him. Dr. Harrison stressed that he was no longer in charge of the university so couldn’t speak officially, but said that a spot had been reserved for her in the university’s fall freshman class. It didn’t seem to him that an early graduation would jeopardize that, but he suggested very strongly that Beth needed to talk with her superiors at the Foreign Department about the situation.
Leaving the house Beth and Jon had shrugged their shoulders and gone to the Foreign Department so that Beth could report to her centurion. His report and recommendation moved up the chain of command quickly and by 1700, Beth had been officially informed that early graduation would have no effect on her future, other than to be noted that she had fulfilled her first big ‘assignment’ ahead of schedule. She contacted her parents, who had heard from Dr. Andrews again, and found that her early graduation was agreed upon. All she had to do now was return her textbooks to the school, and get ready to start her new assignment at the Foreign Department.
* * * * *
Michael had to admit, at least to himself, that it was harder than he thought to wait patiently for the time for the wedding to roll around. That didn’t mean he was about to do anything to hurry things up – he’d worked far too hard, and was way too close to retirement, to be willing to do something that might wreck what he’d been working on for so long. So, for now, he and Amanda spent as much time together as they could.
She dropped by in the morning for a while. They had lunch and dinner together. They spent most evenings together, often going to one of the events that various arts organizations were holding. They went to some concerts, several plays, and he even sat through a ballet. Sometimes they just sat in Jordan’s and listened to whatever was going on. He smiled to himself. Without even realizing it, he was slowing down, taking it easier, and he certainly wasn’t as tense as he used to be. He couldn’t even argue with Tommy’s pointed comments about how good Amanda was for him.
However he was at his desk early today, because there were some things he wanted to keep his eye on. Ari and Jon appeared and got busy organizing all the paperwork. Michael first glanced at all the summaries. Fleet reported that as of today, information was being provided to Terran scientists from and about four of the six main moons of Saturn, as well as Jupiter and it’s four main moons. The experiments on Mars and Venus were continuing, and a tentative decision had been reached to allow ‘other’, non-Latin settlers to come to Mars. The first Terra-class transport was almost completed and Operation Puzzle was ready to start, once Enterprise-class ships were available. Ark 1 was coming along nicely, the ‘seed’ pairs of animals were settling down (and yes, per request, some species of birds and insects had been started as well), and Ark 2 was in the last stages of planning.
Commerce and the Imperial bank reported that businesses were doing well, and tourism was up at Capitol. There was a note that various requests had been received to open a casino (or more) at Capitol, and that was due to be discussed at the next Imperial Council meeting. Agriculture and Natural Science reported that almost all the excavations for villages at Capitol was complete and that soil production, with the greater number of residents and tourists, was accelerating.
That led to the Foreign Department’s report that excavation of the Kepler colony was continuing, although with some changes in plans (and colonists for Kepler were arriving at Capitol), a ‘refugee’ colony was being planned for Mare Imbrium (north of Capitol), and planning was continuing on colonies for India, China (and interestingly enough, Taiwan) and Russia. It was also reported that a letter had been delivered to the major Al-Qaeda leaders, asking them to rescind their declaration of jihad. In connection with that, Marine HQ reported their detailed plan for a second phase against Al-Qaeda in case they decided to continue trying to attack the empire.
He was still studying that Marine plan carefully when Ari interrupted him. “Sir, you are scheduled for an interview with Henry Gallagher this morning. Do you want Jon and I to leave during that time?”
“No, stay and keep on working.” He thought one more time about all the aspects of the plan. Then he scribbled a quick note to the emperor, stating that he would put phase two of the plan into operation at the end of the week, if Al-Qaeda had taken no steps to end the jihad, and told Samuel to see that the note was delivered to the emperor.
By that time, Michael looked up to see Gallagher entering the residence. Jon jumped up and brought a bench over for him to sit on. “Good morning, Mr. Gallagher. Amanda tells me that you’re both cautiously optimistic about the future of the Imperial Press.”
“Good morning, Consul. So far things seem to be going well. Do you mind if we get right into the interview?”
“Fire at will.”
“I know quite a bit about your background, Consul. Your mother, your years in the juvenile care system, your living on the streets, your classification as a juvenile delinquent, your police record.”
Michael shrugged. “None of that is secret, nor is it particularly important.”
“You were arrested a number of times on suspicion of shoplifting. Would that indicate a tendency toward criminal activity?”
“As you pointed out, there were suspicions and arrests, but no trials and convictions. And I wouldn’t think it necessarily indicated a criminal tendency, as opposed to, say, taking information from a sealed juvenile record.”
Gallagher smiled. “I have been informed that this information, though obtained illegally, was made known some years ago. I bring it up partially to get an answer and partly to demonstrate that the Imperial Press is not going to take it easy on anyone.”
“As I understand it, the purpose of the Imperial Press is to publish the truth, although I hope that interviews are also courteous as well. To expand on my answer, which seems to be your desire, I was accused of several crimes at a time when I was 12, 13, 14, without parental supervision or support, during a time when New York City was struggling with poverty and crime. Under those circumstances, it seems to me
that no trials and no convictions is more of a positive statement than a couple of arrests is negative.”
“How did you survive, then?”
“Odd jobs when possible, dumpster diving for food and things to pawn or sell, starving when nothing else worked.”
“And you were rescued by the emperor, I understand. When was that?”
“No comment. Protection of the emperor's privacy.”
Gallagher looked slightly surprised. “That could help determine the emperor’s identity?”
“Some ten years ago a number of intelligence groups thought it would help them.”
Gallagher waited briefly for Michael to say something else, then went on. “The first ‘appearance’ of the empire was the appearance of Imperial Ecological Services as a non-profit organization in 1974, correct?” Michael nodded. “It started in a small Missouri town, taking over a dump/landfill, charging a lower price, but it made a steady ‘profit’ by selling recycled materials to industry. However, is it fair to say that immediate controversy arose because the process by which those recycled materials were recovered was not known?”
“Controversy might be too nice a word. There were a number of people who were very insistent on knowing what that process was.” Gallagher sat quietly, obviously waiting for Michael to continue. “There were a number of tests conducted that demonstrated that recovery of the materials was taking place, but the process is still unknown. There were several attempts at sabotage and theft, but the perpetrators were caught and such attempts eventually stopped. The city and the state investigated the company a number of times, but eventually they realized they couldn’t find anything illegal. Outside of a small percentage set aside for expansion, all ‘profits’ were directed at charitable activities – a food bank, support of youth organizations, paying off lay-aways at Christmastime, donations to the county budget.”
