The Price of Liberty (Empire Rising Book 4)

by D. J. Holmes

  “Your terms are fairer than I expected,” Pennington said as she placed a hand on Maguire’s arm. “It doesn’t mean that I’m not alarmed by your vision of the future of our colony.”

  “I’m not surprised,” Fairfax responded. “Yet Pandora’s box has been opened. Your ancestors may have left Earth to escape our politics. That is no longer an option for you and your people. One way or another, Haven is going to change.”

  “Then let’s discuss another concern,” Pennington said. “If we are to remain a free people we wish to have the right to construct our own exploration ships and to continue to explore the space around our system. If we were to discover any new systems they would therefore become part of Haven. Nominally we would recognize they would become part of the British Star Kingdom. However, we would wish to hold jurisdiction over such systems and have authority over their colonization and development. Moreover, we would wish to be able to construct our own transport freighters and to compete with earth-based shipping companies.”

  “That I can compromise on,” Fairfax said. “To a certain degree anyway. I believe it will be acceptable to allow your Council to hold jurisdiction over any systems it discovers, provided they do not contain a habitable planet. However, all discoveries of habitable planets must be reported to the United Nation’s Interplanetary Committee. It may be if your exploration ships do discover a habitable planet we will have to offer it to the UN so that another Earth nation can colonize it. Therefore, any habitable planets Haven exploration ships discover will immediately come under the control of Parliament. That will include the entire system the planet is found in. That is non-negotiable.

  “As to your other concern, I see no reason why Haven should not be allowed to develop its own orbital industries, including shipping companies. However, whatever import tariffs you choose to place on foreign shipping companies cannot be applied to British companies. In turn, any shipping companies that are formed on Haven will be allowed to freely trade with all other British colonies and, under our current agreement with the People’s Republic of China, with all Chinese planets as well.

  “There’s one more concession in this area that I would be happy to make,” Fairfax continued. “Our only other protectorate, the colony of Bradford, is only permitted to build shuttle sized ships they use for customs control. Given Haven’s naval tradition, I would be willing to allow your Council to construct its own military construction yards and to build ships as large as destroyers. That way your council would be able to have a say in its own defense.”

  Admiral Cunningham stirred. His movements didn’t go unnoticed.

  “That’s ok Admiral, it is my decision,” Fairfax said. When Pennington raised a quizzical eyebrow Fairfax went on. “Cunningham suggested we restrict the size of ship you are allowed to build to the frigate class. With the possibility of expanding being renegotiated further down the line. I think, as a sign of good will, we can allow you to build destroyers. Once your people have the construction yards up and operating there would be nothing stopping them from presenting bids to the Admiralty to construct ships for the British fleet as well. There will be a lot of new technologies your engineers will have to get to grips with, but I’m told your people are good.”

  “You would share weapons technologies with us?” Maguire asked, sounding slightly shocked.

  “Of course,” Fairfax said. “Provided your people pass the same vetting our own have to, I don’t see why not. If you are to become a British protectorate then your colony will have access to all our technologies in time, military and civilian.”

  “We will take your offers under consideration,” Pennington replied. “They must be discussed among ourselves before we would be willing to agree to any such proposals. Your offer of tariff free trade for any of our shipping companies is generous. And allowing us to rebuild our fleet despite what it has been used for in the past is a welcome sign that your government would trust us going forward.”

  “I’m glad you are able to see our offers in the light they have been put forward,” Fairfax responded.

  “There is one more pressing concern I feel we must discuss in this preliminary meeting,” Pennington said. “Just what would be the role of this Governor in relation to the Haven Council?”

  “Are you familiar with the old American constitution? From before America’s second civil war?” Fairfax asked.

  “Vaguely,” Pennington answered. “All Havenite children are taught Earth’s history and I studied most of Earth’s democratic forms of government before entering the Council.”

  “Well in the old United States, a president was elected every four years. The president had veto powers over all legislation brought before him by the US Congress. To override the veto, a two thirds majority in Congress was needed. On Bradford the Governor there has the same powers. Any laws passed by Bradford’s Parliament must be signed into effect by the colony’s Governor. The Governor is appointed by Parliament and is there to look after British interests. If the Governor deems a law does not take into account both the good of the British Star Kingdom and the people of Bradford, he may then veto it. After this the Bill can only be passed into law if it receives two thirds of the vote within the Bradford Parliament. Even then Parliament in London can still rescind the law, though this has never happened to date. It is my intention the Governor of Haven would have identical responsibilities.”

  “And just who would this Governor be?” Pennington followed up.

  “You already know her,” Fairfax answered. “If the people of Haven vote to become a British Protectorate, then I will be appointing Lady Somerville as the British Star Kingdom’s first Governor of Haven. She is in a unique position to oversee both the interests of my government and your people.”

  Pennington turned around in her chair to stare at Suzanna. “I don’t know what you did while you were on Earth Councilwoman, but you seem to have won the trust of these people.”

  “They have won my trust Councilwoman,” Suzanna replied. “Like us they are not perfect, they have their own Maximillians, but I think our future lies with them. If I become governor you can rest assured I will not sacrifice our own people just to keep the favor of the British.” Turning away from Pennington and towards Fairfax, Suzanna continued. “Just as you already know Prime Minister, I will not seek to use my position to wrestle Haven out of British hands.”

  As preliminary discussions wound down, James realized he didn’t envy his wife one bit. If she did become the Governor of Haven she was going to find her loyalties divided. Worse, there was no doubt that time and time again she would have to play peacemaker between the British government and whatever Council the Haven people elected. And I thought being a naval Captain was hard, James thought. I’ll take it any day.

  Once the meeting came to a close, Councilwoman Pennington walked around the table to shake Fairfax’s hand. Then she led her delegation away with the promise they would return tomorrow for more in-depth negotiations. Fairfax whisked his delegation into another room where he had already arranged for dinner to be served. As they ate, Fairfax grilled each of his advisers on their opinion of how the meeting went. With little expertise on the matter, James was able to enjoy his meal in relative peace.

  His hopes to spend some time with Suzanna before her public address were squashed as Fairfax took her off on her own to go over the final draft of her speech. Left to himself, James decided to go for a stroll around the Council Chambers’ gardens. A couple of hours later his COM unit beeped, requesting he return to the main Council chamber. It was time for Suzanna’s speech.

  When he got there he was surprised to see Councilwoman Pennington and a few of the resistance leaders standing off to one side. “They came?” he asked Suzanna as he nodded towards Pennington.

  “Pennington agreed to make an appearance if she was allowed to make a few concluding remarks.” Suzanna explained. “Fairfax thought it would be risky seeing as she won’t tell us what she intends to say. However, the fact she
is willing to appear publicly with me will hopefully do more good than harm so I insisted she be allowed to speak.”

  “I hope you know what you’re doing,” James said.

  “I hope so too,” Suzanna said as she reached out to squeeze James’ hand. “I’m glad you’re going to be standing beside me up there.”

  “I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” James replied. “I’ve read your speech, you’re going to do just fine. After this, there is something I want to show you by the way.”

  “Oh really Captain?” Suzanna asked with a mischievous grin. “Now is hardly the time for such talk. You’ll distract me from my speech.”

  James’ cheeks reddened a little, which only caused Suzanna’s grin to widen. “I didn’t mean that,” he replied with a slight shake of his head and a small smile of his own. “I’ll show you what I mean later.”

  “I look forward to it,” Suzanna said with the same grin on her face which caused James to shake his head again. “Now, take yourself over to the make-up artist,” Suzanna continued. “She‘ll want to make sure you are presentable for a planet wide broadcast.”

  “Yes boss,” James said as he turned to look towards the area Suzanna was pointing to.

  “Now get going,” Suzanna said as she saw Pennington approach her.

  As James sat down in the chair the make-up artist directed him towards, he looked over and saw Suzanna and Pennington engaged in conversation. It looked intense but cordial. James hoped this was a sign of positive things to come.

  When it was time for Suzanna’s speech James took his place beside her and put on as warm a face as he could. Suzanna’s speech focused on explaining her actions after she had fled Haven and the reasons supporting her decision to seek protectorate status from the British Star Kingdom. Fairfax planned to release all of Suzanna’s speeches from earth. His hope was as the people of Haven saw how valiantly Suzanna had argued for the protection of her planet, they would come to realize how important becoming a British Protectorate was. Pennington and the resistance leaders had been given an advance copy of Suzanna’s speech and the recordings of her previous speeches. With luck, Pennington may have something positive to say, James thought as he and Suzanna stepped aside to allow Pennington to address Haven for a few short moments.

  “Men and women of Haven. You all know me, and I know you,” Pennington began, words not dissimilar to how Suzanna had begun her speech. “I know the cost we have all paid to remove the Indian invaders. Yet, despite everything we have paid, we have to recognize we owe a great debt to the British. Without their fleet and their soldiers, our brothers and sisters would still be bleeding and dying for our freedom. For that I think we owe them the opportunity to make this proposal to us.

  “I have had some preliminary discussions with the British Prime Minister. He has come to Haven to negotiate the possibility of Haven becoming a British Protectorate. Negotiations will be ongoing for the next week between the Prime Minister and leading resistance members. For now, I intend to hold my judgement on this issue. It may be that once negotiations have concluded and we have a clear idea of just what this proposal will entail, I will lend my support to it. Despite all the success the resistance has had, it may be that becoming a British Protectorate is the only viable way Haven can remain free as a colony for Havenites led by Havenites.

  “However, I understand for many of you hearing this tonight, perhaps for the first time, such a suggestion will sound like another way for a foreign nation to enslave us. Believe me when I say, I understand those feelings, I share them myself. That is why I cannot give my approval to any such idea at this stage. But for those of you who feel this way, I ask that, as a sign of respect for what the British have done for us, you reserve judgement until the final details of the proposal are released. Once they are released, you have my assurances I will make my opinion on the matter clear to you. I hope I have won your trust to help guide us through this new situation we face as a people. If I have, then let us wait and see what the British propose. Until then you have my word that I, and the other resistance leaders, will be negotiating as best we can on your behalf. Good evening to you all.”

  Her speech over, Pennington turned away from the podium and walked out of the Council chamber, the resistance leaders with her followed close behind. As she passed where Fairfax was standing watching the proceedings, she gave him a slight nod.

  “I think that went well,” James said to Suzanna, not entirely convinced.

  “It certainly did,” Suzanna said with a lot more enthusiasm. “Havenites are stubborn. The very fact Pennington is advising the populace to reserve judgement until the negotiations are completed was very positive. Now all we have to do is convince her that becoming a British protectorate is in Haven’s best interests. Reading between the lines, it sounds like at least a part of her wants to be convinced.”

  “Well you do know her better than me,” James said. “What she said didn’t exactly sound like a ringing endorsement of the idea.”

  “Even if she does give her approval to the final proposal, I don’t think she’s ever going to become a pro-British supporter,” Suzanna said as she put her arm through James’. “It took marrying a dashing, handsome, heroic and self-sacrificing British naval officer to sway me. Unless there’s another one of you kicking about Captain Somerville, I think we will have to settle for convincing Pennington her interests at least lie along the same path as those of the British.”

  “There are far better Captains out there than me,” James replied still embarrassed by his wife’s praise. “Even so, I don’t think that’s a tactic we could use to convince all of Haven to join us.”

  “No,” Suzanna agreed. “But I think it may be a tactic that will win us one more convert. Did you notice how Clare Edwards and Major Johnston were looking at each other throughout the negotiations?”

  “Clare? She was your informant in the Council Chambers when all this began wasn’t she?” James asked. “Her and Major Johnston?”

  “Yes and I think so,” Suzanna replied. “I haven’t read all of Major Johnston’s mission reports from his time fighting with the resistance. Yet Clare appears more than once in the ones I have read. I know you are usually oblivious to these kinds of things my dear but next time you see them together try and pay a little bit more attention,” Suzanna finished as she playfully poked James in the ribs.

  After fighting off her offending finger, James turned Suzanna towards the door out of the large chamber. “Do you think Fairfax will want to speak to you anymore this evening?” He asked.

  “I expect so,” Suzanna replied. “He’ll just have to make do without me though, let’s make an escape.”

  “That sounds good to me,” James said as he picked up his pace.

  “So what is it you want to show me?” Suzanna asked once they were out of sight of anyone who could call them back.

  “It’s this way,” James said as he led her through the maze of corridors that crisscrossed the Council Chambers.

  When they got outside, James took her on a long stroll through the Council Chambers’ gardens. It was late in the evening and the sun was just above the horizon, casting its final light on many of the flowers and fountains that had survived the battle between the British and Indian ground forces.

  “Look,” James said as they rounded a stand of bushes and a large section of the garden came into view.

  “I don’t understand,” Suzanna said as she looked at the damage and a large hole that had been blown into the side of the nearest wall of the Council Chambers.

  “I know you haven’t had the chance to get out and see Liberty or the rest of the planet yet,” James explained. “And I doubt you’re going to get much of a chance for the next few days while these negotiations continue. Yet I wanted you to see this. Look at what these workmen are doing. They’re rebuilding the damaged gardens. They’re replanting plants and trees. Soon this damage will be a thing of memories and the Council Chambers’ gardens will be pristine once aga
in.

  “And look at the damage to the Council Chambers. Can you see where the workmen have begun to close the large hole blasted into the wall there? You may not recognize it, but through that hole is the reception room where we first met. Soon it will be restored to the way it was before the Indians arrived. I wanted you to take a moment to appreciate everything you’ve done. We wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t come to warn me about Maximilian. The British fleet, all the marines out patrolling the city, none of us would be here. Pennington and the others would still be fighting the Indians on their own if it wasn’t for you. I know you’re going to be busy over the next weeks but I wanted you to take a moment to enjoy being home, to enjoy being free.”

  Suzanna couldn’t reply as she looked at her surroundings with fresh eyes. After blinking back a few tears she turned to James and pulled him into a deep kiss. “Thank you,” she whispered as their lips parted. “Thank you,” she said again a little bit louder. “This is just what I needed.”