Star Brigade: Resurgent (Star Brigade Book 1) (10 page)

Today the Bicameral Chamber crackled with delicious tension. A veneer of murmured civility veiled the usual squabbles and powerbrokering Bogosian had grown accustom to witnessing from these politicos. This was a normal prelude to the Monthly Inquest where Union Senators would grill, or at times attack the Chouncilor on his job performance. Some Senators probed out of genuine interest for the Galactic Union’s current state, usually the Temperate and Technocratic Parties. Others—mainly with Populist Party ties—focused on how his policies affected their worlds. Then came the fanatical Theocrats, ultraconservative Imperialists and other minor parties, generally out to vilify the Chouncilor for not having a more centralized government or some other petty slight. Bogosian welcomed the onslaught.

Numerous holovid recorders stationed along the vaulted ceiling broadcast the Senate session to every planet in Union space. The Inquest arbiter and Prime of the Bicameral, Vice-Chouncilor Morje’Huijadan, rose from his seat below Ari to recognize a Senator’s question. Ari sighed heavily. Never could he voice how annoying this whole Inquest was, especially in front of the guest sitting beside him.

“The Senate will now recognize Senator Onthar-Khada of Kintare,” the Voton’s voice boomed across the amphitheater. His green skin emitted a soft glow, as did the three crests on his bald head. Bogosian eyed him proudly; glad to have the Voton as his assertive and intimidating second-in-command.

The chamber’s floating viewscreens focused on Onthar-Khada with his short yet smooth coat of black fur. “Chouncilor,” the feline Senator purred, rising to his towering six-foot-seven-inch height. The Kintarian’s gold-flecked eyes zeroed in on Ari as if he were prey. “I understand the significance of our trade agreement with the Kedri Imperium. But in building the proper comm spires and monitors for this trade route, Kintare’s own trade routes and spacelanes have been severely compromised. We need this lessened in order to properly function.” Onthar-Khada asking this wasn’t surprising, given that Kintare’s Senators were usually moderate Populists. The other two Senators at his divan nodded in agreement, both strikingly different from their fellow Senator and each other in feline attributes. One Kintarian more massive in size than Onthar-Khada sported a luxurious shaggy mane around his face, which complemented his auburn fur and golden stripe patterns. The other, a female shorter and slimmer in build, had a glossy white coat spotted in black.

The murmurs hushed as Bogosian stood behind his podium sonor-amp. The Union-Imperium Trade Merger was his brainchild. It was also the first time that the warlike Kedri had ever done any peaceful collaboration of this magnitude with another hyperpower. Bogosian planned for all in the Union to benefit from this historic endeavor. “V’Gandu,” Ari addressed the Senator by first name. “I understand your concerns, but those issues are only short-term negatives to a wealth of long-term positives. Kintare is one of the focal points of this new trade route, so imagine the boost it will give all Union worlds in its swathe.

“The construction near Kintare will finish within the next month, roughly three weeks before the official date of the Trade Merger. And I have it on good authority that the Imperium is most interested in doing business with the Kintare for its diversity of arboreal resources.” Bogosian sat back down. Onthar-Khada, seemingly satisfied, also sat and went into a soft purring discussion with his fellow Senators.

“The Senate will recognize Senator Guilloche of Rhomera.” Bogosian barely held back a scowl. Even the Vice-Chouncilor betrayed irritation when speaking the name. The chamber atmosphere seemed to tense up. Holovid cameras and floating viewscreens zoomed in on the Senator rising from his divan.

There could not have been a more dissimilar species from the graceful, catlike Kintarian Senators. Guilloche, with his oily and cream-colored skin, had numerous tentacles instead of legs, all covered by lavishly expensive robes. Like all Rhomerans, he had no humanoid-like nose, only a high ridge with millions of tiny holes for breathing. Just under that ridge was a curtain of several fleshy wattles hanging down near Guilloche’s throat, constantly twitching to express his emotions. In their culture, Rhomerans had made such art forms out of spying, power brokering, backstabbing and character assassination, their methods were actually studied at universities. So fixed were Rhomerans with gaining power that they would even professionally cripple any parent, sibling or progeny if they became a threat to them. And Mre Guilloche was one of the worst, or according to other Rhomerans, one of the best.

Guilloche, leader of the Imperialist Party and one of the most powerful Senators in the Bicameral, was also Bogosian’s biggest detractor on just about every issue—especially the Union-Imperium Trade Route. And for obvious reasons—Guilloche wanted the Chouncilorship. His bulging black eyes focused on Bogosian. “Chouncilor,” his voice sounded like a human gargling mouthwash. “I ask about a relevant topic that you seem to have forgotten in the past several months, the Galactic Union’s economy.”

Bogosian frowned. “What about the economy? It’s in surplus, Senator.”

“I haven’t asked my question yet,” Guilloche retorted, his tone bordering on discourteous. “According to your Job Creation Act, forty million new jobs should have been created in the span of the last six months. Where are they, Chouncilor? And are they actually unrelated to the Trade Route?”

Some of Guilloche’s supporters murmured in agreement, others shouted. Their sentiments echoed off the Senate Chamber walls. As Bogosian rose in rebuttal, a hush swept over the assembly. He knew the Rhomeran Senator was trying to embarrass him, not just in front of the Union holovids, but also his guest. Bogosian would not let that happen. Many Senators watched in anticipation for the latest round of verbal sparring between the most powerful being in the Northeastern Milky Way and his most vocal rival.

“First off, Guilloche, you said you had a question when it was actually two!” The Senators rippled in a collective titter. Guilloche stood like a statue, the only signs of life were in his twitching wattles.

“Secondly, my Defense Initiative—the one you voted against—includes upgrading the planetary defense arrays for all Union memberworlds, colony-worlds and territories over the next two years.  This renovation will require more hires from our defense contractors.

“Now, according to the figures drawn up by my Executive Ministry, the jobs created will be triple that of the forty million I originally predicted and will start well within the six months that I projected. Did that answer your questions, Guilloche?” Bogosian leaned in on his sonor-amp with a cold smile.

The Rhomeran wattles flapped crossly as he gargled out a retort. “I voted against your Defense Initiative because an upgrade of this magnitude was needless. Those arrays are in superb condition.”

“Is that the real reason, Guilloche?” Bogosian cocked an incredulous eyebrow. “Or is it that your lobbyist friends at ArmoryTek were outbid on the contract to build the new arrays?” The whole chamber let out an “Oooh” in response, like a high school class reacting from a well-placed insult. Guilloche vibrated his wattles furiously and gurgled something nasty in the Rhomeran tongue. Clearly one-upped, he sat down sullenly and went into quick discourse with his fellow Rhomeran Senators. Bogosian eased into his seat, grinning from ear to ear. That last jab struck a bit hard, but he frankly didn’t care. Putting the Rhomeran in his place was always so satisfying.

After a full macrom of laughter, Morje’Huijadan stood up on his podium. The Senatorial Chambers went quiet once more. “Due to other matters on the agenda, the Union Inquest is adjourned early today. And with great honor, I give the floor back to Chouncilor Ari Bogosian.”

Out came a thunderous applause as Ari stood up once more. He raised his hands to silence the raucous crowd and they did so agreeably. “Thank you my fellow Unionists, thank you. Today, I’m here to talk about Senator Guilloche’s favorite topic, the Union-Imperium Trade Route.” More laughter rippled through the crowd. Guilloche’s quiet gurgling practically turned into snarling. “In less than two months we will initiate the largest trade agreement in history benefiting every world from Terra Sollus all the way to Kedria,” Ari boomed. Another spattering of applause, yet not as ecstatic as before. “On top of that, the Imperium is joining us to build a battle station, the
Amalgam,
which will help patrol the Trade Route.

“It evokes Earth’s first contact with the Galdorians in 2079. Without their help, it might have taken centuries for earthborn humans to reach beyond the Solar System. There’s still much we can learn outside of our diverse culture. I believe the Kedri can help us continue these learnings.

“So let me introduce the sentient behind the Amalgam. Representing the Kedri Imperium, Prime Potentiary Biros of House Nor!” Ari pointed to his guest and began to clap. At this point, all the holovid recorders shut off. However, the internal viewscreens stayed on, as the Senate was about to discuss matters not yet ready for public consumption. Many Senators followed Bogosian’s lead and clapped politely. Surprised murmurs grew more audible when the Kedri diplomat rose to his full height.

Though he and Biros had met many times in the past, Bogosian still marveled at the male Kedri’s commanding presence. Aside from his blood-red skin tone, he resembled an ordinary Kedri male of seven feet in height. The Kedri’s physique, thick with powerfully-built muscle, jutted out beneath his flowing black and green robes. The Kedri’s skin was thick and scaly, like a reptile. Multiple dagger-like bony protrusions or kutaa studded each side of Biros’s broad jaw. Thick ivory-white hair, tumbling past his broad shoulders, was tied in a semi-taut plait at the base of his neck and cut in the traditional Kedri shorlong style—short in the front, long in the back. His overarched forehead flaunted an intricate, yet symmetrical, design that nearly all Kedri were born with, albeit some variances. Biros’s stance bordered on arrogance. His beady dark eyes, partly concealed by his brow, swept coolly over the settled body of Senators.

Ari beamed proudly and took his seat as Biros approached his sonor-amp. Militaristic, territorial and with an unquenchable thirst for war best described Kedri culture. Their ‘attack first, ask questions never’ brand of diplomacy had led to a rather abrasive relationship with the Galactic Union over the centuries. Yet, after years of talks, today a Kedri addressed the Union Senate. Again the chamber quieted down.

“Senators of the Galactic Union,” Biros’s brusque Kedri accented voice boomed across the Chambers. “I bid you greetings on behalf of the vast Imperium and Sovereign Orok of House Kel.”

More applause sounded from the assembly. “The Amalgam is a pooling of GUPR and Kedri resources to make a mobile battle station that also serves as a living community. Here we can start the first step in having Kedri and Union citizens living together and understanding each other. A bridge, if you will, between two of this galaxy’s preeminent hyperpowers.” The Kedri paused to slip a tiny datacard into the console under his sonor-amp. A quick tapping of the console activated the floor podium’s TriTran, a small rod rising in front of Biros’ dais.

In nanoclics, light pulsed from the rod’s tip, followed by a huge 3-D image that sent a ripple of surprised exclamations through the Senate Chamber. The Amalgam, or at least its blue hologram equivalent, was spectacular to the eyes. The station’s main body was smooth, shaped like a globe that had to be the size of a small moon. A single, wide cylinder jutted off the globe’s North and South poles. Obsidian in hue, this sphere was wreathed in a pair of rings slowly rotating around the main sphere. The Kedri influence in Amalgam was obvious, as noted in its colossal size and surfeit of weaponry. But the simplicity in its design and the basic patterns incised all along the hull, spoke fluently of Union crafting.

Biros folded his arms across his massive chest, wearing an expression akin to contentment. “I will send a diagram to all in this chamber. Its weaponry is also a mixture of Kedri and Union technology. The station’s mobility allows it to reach the most basic of FTL speeds, but we’re working on improving that as time progresses. This is just the first of many joint efforts between my Imperium and the Union.”

The applause was much louder and more enthusiastic this time. Biros acknowledged this by raising his massive hand at the crowd. Bogosian sighed and relaxed in his seat. This could work after all.

Morje’Huijadan spotted another inquiry. “The Senate recognizes Hechnod Eightronic, Senator of Ferronos Arietis, to speak.”

Biros snapped his head in the Thulican’s direction. Surprise briefly contorted his face. “I thought my diagram and speech answered any inquiries.”

Bogosian stood and motioned Biros over. “That’s not how it works, Biros,” he whispered, away from the sonor-amp so no one else would hear. “These Senators are representing their planets and just want to know about all aspects of this deal.” As Biros nodded in understanding he returned to his seat.

“Yes, Senator,” Biros gestured in Hechnod’s direction.

The Thulican Senator rose from his divan seat. Standing just over five feet, the gold and white sheen of Hechnod’s metal skin gave him the semblance of a petite mechanoid instead of a technologically-based organism or technorg. Despite Hechnod opposing the merger, Bogosian had always found the staunch Technocrat open-minded if the logic was sound. “Greetings, Primary Potentiary,” the Thulican’s voice had an electronic resonance. “Will mainly Kedri operate Amalgam or a mix of Union citizens and Kedri?”

Biros gripped the podium, his massive hands almost enveloping it. “Given that the Kedri designed it, of course we will have a predominant presence in its operation. But as time goes on, as agreed in the Amalgam’s charter, we will instruct Union workers and ease their presence onto the station.”