Sol (The Silver Ships Book 5) (27 page)

“Witness Admiral Portland,” Olawale added.

“If the enclave felt sufficiently threatened, it would have two choices,” Alex mused. “Tactical strikes against specific targets to decapitate the Tribunal’s other two legs and then urge the pro-naval forces to capitulate or a massive, sneak attack against the pro-naval forces, hoping to catch them unaware and cripple most of their capital ships,”

“If the enclave’s actions were to be successful, it means everything we’ve done for Idona will be for nothing,” Renée stated angrily.

“Well, then I suppose we can’t let the enclave win, can we?” said Alex, slipping an arm around Renée’s waist and squeezing gently.

“I expect nothing less, my love,” Renée replied, kissing Alex’s cheek. “I’ll leave you and your friends to it. Get busy,” she added and swept out of the room.

“A most formidable woman,” Yoram murmured.

“Mmm,” Alex mused, his eyes following Renée’s exit from the room.

“So, what are the weak points of both the enclave and its pro-judiciary forces?” Julien asked the scientists.

A collection of corporate heads selected their conference comm codes at the appropriate time as directed. Many wondered why the call occurred at such an odd time in their day, but it was at Tribune Brennan’s request, and each one was anxious for an update about Idona.

“Greetings, as the Harakens say,” Brennan began the conference. “And before any of you ask, this conference is systemwide, and I’m calling real time from Idona, courtesy of the Harakens.” Brennan sat back in his chair, a huge grin on his face for Z, who was facilitating the comm call. “This is wonderful,” he mouthed to Z.

After giving the corporate leaders an opportunity to discover that they were indeed talking to one another still sitting on distant planets and stations, Brennan called the conference to order.

“We have much to cover so I need your attention. First, let me say that the transformation of Idona is nothing short of a miracle, and if you thought it’s entirely due to the Harakens, you would be wrong. They created the opportunity by removing the UE’s overarching policies, and the Idona people did the rest. Leaders, credits are flowing through this station at 11.5 times what it was before the Harakens arrived, and it’s still growing.”

“Can this be replicated?” someone asked.

“That depends,” Brennan replied, “and this is the reason for my conference call. Are we willing to change the way the UE conducts business … specifically the way we manage our government?”

“What do you mean, Tribune?” another asked.

“UE judicial guidelines were suspended at Idona. This is probably the greatest impact the Harakens made after they freed the rebels and suspended the militia’s authority. A review panel of five judges has applied an entire gamut of sentences to the guilty. Most petty criminals receive rehabilitation training, community service sentences, and then release.”

“Is the format working?” was asked.

“Here at Idona it is. That’s why I want to know if, as this system’s commerce leaders, would you be willing to support a fundamental change in our governmental policies toward the rebels, toward the guilty, and toward our people in general?”

“I don’t know about the others, but I believe this is something that would require careful study. It would take time to consider.” The individual’s statement created a flurry of comments as powerful people across the system attempted to make their opinions heard. More than once, Brennan tried to regain control, but he was ineffective. Finally, he looked painfully at Z, who smiled and sent a quick, harsh shriek across the conference comm.

“Now that I have your attention again,” Brennan continued, “let me say simply that we are out of time. This is not a decision to be made after your accountants have analyzed the numbers. Circumstances are spinning out of control.”

Brennan related the discovery of Tribune Lucchesi’s plan to send Admiral Portland’s fleet against the Harakens and his disastrous defeat. Next, he detailed the plan of the enclave of high judges to move against the Tribunal in some manner.

“So, what are you asking of us, Tribune?” came the question.

“It’s simply a question. Are you willing to back the military that wants a change in the way the UE operates in regard to the rebels and the punishment of the guilty, or do you wish to back the enclave and keep the status quo?”

“What about our supply of the convicted to work in our factories?” another asked.

“If we back the military, that process would have to change. To what, I don’t know, but you wouldn’t have petty criminals serving life sentences anymore,” Brennan replied. “All I can tell you is that the productivity of this station is incredible, and its governing rules, for want of a better term, are operating on entirely different planes than the UE’s judicial system. I can tell you this, leaders; a decision has to be made soon. If we sit on the sideline when the judiciary moves its forces against the pro-naval forces, whoever wins will not take kindly to our having adopted a wait-and-see stance. I will convene the next conference call in twenty-four hours. At that time, I will ask for your vote by name and choice. I leave you with this final thought. It’s time to get off our precious-metal asses and take an active role in the direction of our future, and I don’t think this is a decision to be driven by data. It will best be made by addressing your conscience.” Brennan looked over at Z, who cut the comm in the midst of hundreds of voices yelling to be heard.

Shimada exited her shuttle into one of Idona’s bays and cycled through the airlock. A shiver slid down her spine. She had come and gone from the station several times since her attack, but entering the isolated, sub-level corridors of Idona forced her to remember the vicious moments, the pummeling and the kicking.

On exiting the airlock, she found Cordelia waiting. “My escort?” Shimada asked.

“No one sent me, Captain, if that’s what you’re asking. I thought we might walk together to the meeting.”

Shimada studied Cordelia’s face, but the SADE wasn’t giving anything away. Finally, Shimada shrugged and indicated their direction with a wave of her hand. Not a word was shared between them during the entire time, but Shimada felt her shoulders relax and was able to enjoy the walk.

When the captain and SADE reached the meeting room, Shimada paused at the door, studied Cordelia for a moment, and nodded to her before joining the meeting.

You’re welcome,
Cordelia thought. An assortment of algorithm clusters underpinned Cordelia’s love of creation, none more so than her empathy programs. She treasured them, nurtured them, and watched them develop as she gained her freedom and found her love beside her. Now, the interactions with the Idona children were adding a new dimension to these programs, which were gaining in hierarchy. It took only a moment to consider Captain Shimada’s emotional predicament when returning to the station for Cordelia to act to mitigate the captain’s anxiety.

They were the last two individuals to join Alex’s meeting. The president had taken the image that Olawale and friends had drawn for him of the UE factions and brought that to this next stage of his planning, assembling Tatia, Julien, Z, Cordelia, Nikki, Morris, and, at the last minute, inviting Captain Shimada.

Alex spent the first part of the meeting summarizing the facts and the conjectures of the calamity about to befall the system of Sol, including the potential outcomes.

“Will you be staying to witness the outcome, Mr. President?” Nikki asked.

“That question has come up several times, not the least from my own people. My answer is the same. Yes. Imagine if the outcome of the upcoming conflict produces less than desirable consequences for the people of this system, and it takes years, even decades, to recover. How will the Harakens be remembered if we run after having propagated these events?”

“Not well,” Nikki replied, nodding her understanding.

“As we have been told repeatedly, Nikki, once the cards are dealt, you have to play your hand,” Renée explained.

“Cards?” Nikki and Patrice Morris asked simultaneously, which caused the Harakens to laugh.

“An ancient game shared with us by an Ancient,” Renée added cryptically.

“Yes, well … Captain Shimada, what are your thoughts on the direction the enclave will take?” Alex asked.

“Please, Mr. President, if she is Nikki, and she is Tatia, and she is Cordelia, then in such company, I can be Reiko.”

“And I can be Alex. Welcome to the inner circle, Reiko.”

“And I’m Patrice,” Morris blurted, hiding her embarrassment behind a hand.

“Yes, you are,” Alex said and laughed.

Shimada wanted to bask in the warmth she felt from the inclusion, but Alex ended the moment by reminding her of the question.

“If the enclave hadn’t tried anything yet, I think it would have chosen subtler maneuvers that tried to weaken the other Tribunes and their key associates.”

“But, Captain … I mean Reiko … how could the enclave weaken something as substantial as Tribune Brennan’s associates, hundreds of industry leaders?” Tatia asked.

“That’s what I was going to explain, Tatia. The subtle intrigues would have taken time, a great deal of time, but that’s what the enclave likes … the long game, we call it. The enclave has the patience. But Tribune Lucchesi’s gambit with Portland has unmasked the enclave members. They have no choice now. They have to move quickly and forcefully.”

“So, Reiko, the enclave is forced to choose an overt move. Is it tactical assaults that remove key leaders or an all-out attack by pro-judiciary fleet forces?” Alex asked.

“Why let the enclave have a choice?” Z asked.

“Oh, isn’t he the loveliest of individuals?” Tatia said, sidling next to Z and throwing an arm across his immense Cedric shoulders. “I agree. Why can’t we go on the offense and take away the initiative?”

“A fascinating idea,” Alex replied, “if we can figure out a means by which we remove the enclave member’s choices and force them into the open. The narrower the window of activation of the judicial forces would mean they would have less time to play their games and that would be in the pro-naval forces favor.”

“Agreed,” Patrice chimed in, “if the enclave gets to choose, we are passive and on defense. If we take away the choice and force an open conflict, we will know which commanders are enclave lackeys.”

Nikki stared at Patrice for so long the lieutenant shot back, “What?”

“You are UE militia, right?” Nikki asked.

“What I am is an Idona Stationer!” Patrice declared.

“Yes, you are,” Nikki replied, offering her hand to Patrice, who shook it with determination.

Julien sent privately.

Alex returned. “People, I’m in favor of the idea, but it’s lacking a key element,” Alex said thoughtfully. “On many levels, this is a political battle as much as an engagement of forces. In part, it needs to be won in the hearts and minds of the people of Sol much as it’s been won here at the station.”

“If … let me rephrase that …
when
this escalates into open conflict, will the Harakens participate?” Reiko asked.

The room went silent, everyone waiting. For the Earthers, there was no understanding of whether the Harakens were communicating via their implants or whether they too were waiting.

“We will defend Idona Station and the surrounding space,” Alex said. “It’s the best neutral stance we can maintain after having initiated this system’s dissolution.”

Reiko glanced at Tatia, who was gently nodding her head in agreement with the president’s decision.

“You realize that Idona will become a huge target for the judiciary forces, and I can think of one admiral, in particular, who will have it out for you and your people,” Reiko challenged.

“Then we will need to be clever and pare down the judiciary forces before they gang up on us,” Alex replied confidently.

Reiko started to offer a tart retort, but what Alex said gave her pause, and an odd thought crossed her mind.

Tatia was about to speak but Alex commed the Harakens to remain quiet, even hand signaling Nikki and Patrice to wait.

Reiko was about to speak once or twice, but continued to remain quiet, a deep frown forming on her face.

“Yes, Reiko?” Alex finally prompted.

“I have an idea, but I don’t see how to implement it,” Reiko replied.

“That’s why we’re here, Reiko,” Julien said. “Share your idea and we’ll help you discover a means of implementing it.”

“Okay, be patient while I lay this out. It’s our concept that we need to force the judiciary forces into the open to identify them. Suddenly, we’ll have two opposing naval forces in a systems-wide battle, but what will every ship need?”

“Supplies … personnel, food, water, servicing, armament,” Z replied.

“Exactly, my huge friend,” Reiko said, warming to her audience. “Both forces will need the stations, enclaves, and colonies to resupply them. And this is especially true for the outer rim.”

“Why not the inner planets?” Renée asked.

“A lot more complicated loyalties there,” Patrice supplied. “You have heavy industry and enormous populations, which will not take kindly to interference from either of the forces. It’s hard to say which way things will go there.”

“Right,” Reiko agreed. “Besides, my concept will work best in the outer planets where the situation is a combination of colonists, militias, and rebels. I think if we can figure out how to recreate the cooperation that’s developed at Idona, we can determine who gets supplied.” Reiko beamed at the room’s individuals as if she just hatched the most brilliant plan in the world.

“It took us a while to transform this one station, much less the enormous number of places you’re talking about,” Tatia objected.

“I know,” Reiko said, her enthusiasm waning, “that’s where my idea fell down.

“On the face of it, it has merit,” Cordelia said. “The concept is one of bonding the militias, the stationers, and the rebels in a common cause, which could be used to deny services and supplies to judiciary forces.”