The Lost Stars: Shattered Spear (36 page)

“Thank you,” Iceni said. “I will also send half of my flotilla home immediately. The ones that remain will help guard the transports until we’ve sorted out who wants to go where. Will you need any help with the Syndicate troop transports that you convinced to join you?”

“No. They seem to be eager to avoid giving me any reason to destroy them,” Imallye said. “I will be leaving with the warships returning to Moorea, so I bid you farewell.”

Her image vanished, leaving Iceni with those of Rogero and Marphissa.

Rogero shook his head. “I’m glad we’re not fighting her.”

“Not yet, anyway,” Marphissa said darkly. “Madam President—”

Iceni held up a restraining hand. “I know. Don’t trust her. Keep our guard up. Imallye will either be a very good neighbor to have or a very dangerous threat next door. She might be both. But she knows I have commanders like you working for Midway, and I believe Imallye was absolutely sincere about not wanting to tangle with either of you. Anyone smart enough to have scammed the Syndicate the way she did, to have made that whole pirate queen act look real enough to fool everyone, is going to be smart enough to know that making an enemy of Midway would be a very big mistake.”

Marphissa nodded, mollified. “Will you really do what Imallye suggested?”

“Yes. We’ll see very quickly if Imallye is actually heading back to Moorea with half her force. I’ll leave you here in command of half of our flotilla, and take
Midway
along with the other half back home in case Captain Bradamont does need any help.”

*   *   *

GENERAL
Artur Drakon left his command center after watching the warships that made up Ulindi Star System’s new fleet jump back to their new home. He still didn’t trust Jason Boyens, but had to admit that so far he had done just the sort of things that Gwen Iceni had hoped for. Boyens would probably end up effectively ruling Ulindi within a few years, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing since someone so focused on self-interest and so high on the Syndicate’s execute-on-sight list should work to make Ulindi strong and stable.

He found Bran Malin waiting in his office and automatically wondered where Morgan was. The two had been linked in their jobs for so long, it was still hard to realize that time was gone. “Is something up?” he asked Malin as Drakon sat down.

Malin nodded, standing respectfully, keeping any emotion from showing. Same old Malin. “General, I wanted to report a lack of activity.”

From anyone else, Drakon would have suspected a joke. But not Colonel Malin. “On whose part?”

“Colonel Morgan and Mehmet Togo.”

Drakon digested the news before speaking again. “Do you have any reason to think that either one is dead?”

“No, sir.” Malin frowned slightly. “A lack of activity on both of their parts would imply both had died, and that seems very unlikely. I believe that both have gone to ground.”

“Meaning that whatever they are planning is ready to go and they’re just waiting for the right time?” It never occurred to Drakon to ask if either had given up. That didn’t fit Morgan or Togo.

“I believe so, sir.”

Drakon leaned back, pressing his palm against his forehead and closing his eyes to think. “Are there any clues to their plans?”

“Both have tested defenses, General. Togo here, and Morgan at President Iceni’s offices.”

“You’re certain now that it was Morgan who tried to get to her, and not Togo?”

“Yes, sir.” Malin hesitated. “She never made any secret of the fact that she thought you should be sole ruler of this star system. And now that you and the President have an openly acknowledged relationship, there is the possibility of a child. An heir.”

“Another heir, you mean,” Drakon said. “Morgan wouldn’t want any offspring from me with anyone else. She thinks our daughter will conquer half the galaxy.”

Malin seemed to grow a little colder. “There are reasons to believe that Morgan is . . . less able to separate reality from her dreams. She may have been injured at Ulindi in ways that affected her stability, and while physically recovered might still be mentally feeling the impact.”

“And what about Togo?”

“I cannot be certain, but going through what is known and what was observed, I think Togo has his own dreams, General. President Iceni was not simply a boss to him.”

Drakon grimaced at that. “I suspected . . . but Gwen . . . I mean, the President, told me that Togo never behaved inappropriately toward her. He never tried to go outside the bounds of their professional relationship.”

“Not all forms of obsession manifest as physical desire,” Malin said.

That tread perilously close to ground that Drakon did not want to get into with Malin. He had once thought Malin’s relationship with Morgan was simply mutual loathing. But that didn’t explain why Malin had stayed working next to her for so long and risked himself to save her life more than once.

He changed the subject. “How confident are you that we will be able to spot them if either of them makes their move?”

“Not confident at all,” Malin said.

“Is there anything else we can do?”

“No, sir. Only wait, and keep our guard up.”

Drakon sat at his desk, doing nothing, for a while after Malin left. He wondered how things had gone at Iwa. Hopefully, they would receive some word from there soon. Hopefully, Gwen was all right.

He wondered what Morgan was thinking. Her contact number had been remotely wiped soon after he had left her that message.

He wondered where his baby daughter was, and what she looked like.

After a long time, Drakon got to work, trying to forget everything else.

But even that effort was frustrated, because before the day was over the light arrived showing that an Alliance courier ship had popped out of the hypernet gate. Immediately after arriving, the ship had broadcast a coded message with an urgent priority heading.

THE
message wasn’t addressed to him, and the code was one used only by the Alliance, but Drakon had no intention of letting an Alliance ship communicate directly with someone in this star system without his knowing what was being said.

He called
Manticore
.

“I assume that you are in receipt of the message from the Alliance courier ship, Captain Bradamont. I also assume that you have the necessary codes to read it. While we have respected your right to maintain security about Alliance matters, I nonetheless need to know if the message contains anything that bears on Midway Star System in any way. You may consider this a formal request for anything in that message that I or President Iceni should know. For the people, Drakon, out.”

Fortunately,
Manticore
had remained fairly close after escorting Boyens’s little flotilla to the planet. It only took fifteen minutes for the reply to come in.

“General Drakon,” Captain Bradamont said. She had her most professional attitude on, was wearing an immaculate uniform, and looked
very calm and very determined. Bradamont was not on
Manticore
’s bridge, but in the privacy of her stateroom. “I am in receipt of both the message from the Alliance courier ship and your message asking for its contents. I should first inform you that the message is classified, but I am using my discretion as the senior local Alliance officer to override that classification and discuss the matter with you.”

Bradamont paused, then spoke slowly. “The message contains orders for me. It informs me that Admiral Geary’s orders assigning me as liaison officer to Midway Star System have been canceled. I am directed to return to Alliance space aboard the courier ship for further assignment.”

“Damn,” Drakon muttered. Part of him felt relieved that his upset was focused on how this would impact Donal Rogero and not on the negative effects it would have on Midway’s own defense. But it very definitely would hurt to lose Bradamont.

She was still speaking, but was having trouble keeping her voice steady. “My intent . . . General, my intent is to . . . to request that you grant me approval to remain at Midway in service to you and President Iceni. If you are willing to do so, I . . . I . . .” Bradamont paused, then got the words out. “I will inform the courier ship that I am resigning my commission as an officer in the Alliance Fleet and will not return with it. I hope you will regard my request with favor, and grant me a position here. Please inform me of . . . your decision. I will await your reply before answering the courier ship, which is demanding an immediate response. To the honor of our ancestors, Bradamont, out.”

Drakon stared at the image of Bradamont for several seconds. He knew her well enough to know how hard that decision must have been. And how much it would mean to Rogero. But he could not let that drive his own decision, not given the stakes involved and how much they would impact everyone in this star system. He touched the reply command. “Captain Bradamont, I want you to know that I appreciate how difficult this is for you, and how much I personally appreciate your
request. However, given my responsibilities, before making a decision I must receive some answers to critical questions. First, will this action create ill will with Black Jack? We can ill afford to have that happen. Second, are you allowed by the Alliance to resign rather than obey that order? Will this action place you in violation of Alliance law? And, third, are you motivated in this matter purely by your relationship with Colonel Rogero, or are there other factors involved? Is your wish to serve Midway Star System conditional on Colonel Rogero?

“I require your answers before I can make an interim decision. I say interim because in a matter of this importance President Iceni would have to approve any final deal. For the people, Drakon, out.”

This time the fifteen minutes spent waiting for Bradamont’s reply seemed to take a very long time to pass.

Once again, she spoke with careful precision, trying to keep emotion from her words. “General, the orders I have received were not issued by Admiral Geary but by the admiral in charge of the fleet staff. Technically, that admiral has authority to issue such orders. From what I know of Admiral Geary, and from what he told me privately the last time I saw him, he would not approve of those orders. I believe that he would support my decision. I intend sending a private message to him back with the courier ship, explaining my reasons. As long as he knows this decision is mine, made freely, he will not hold it against you or anyone at Midway.

“If this were still a time of war, I would be prohibited by Alliance fleet regulations from resigning my commission. However, the Alliance is no longer legally at war. I took the time to research the regulations covering my current situation, and I am permitted to take this action. I . . .” She hesitated, her steely façade once again wavering a bit, “I am nonetheless likely to be branded a renegade and possibly a traitor to the Alliance by . . . certain parties. Legally, though, I have every right to make this decision as a citizen of the Alliance.

“You ask for my motivation. I would hope, based on those services I
have been able to provide Midway Star System, that I would have earned the right to base my actions solely on my desire to remain with Colonel Rogero. But that is not my only reason. I have sacrificed that relationship to duty before this, and I would do so again if I believed it was necessary. Instead, I believe that duty now directs me to do all I can to continue to support you, and President Iceni, and all of those who fight to defend this star system and the new government you have built here.

“I want to stay and continue to help you, General, you and all of the citizens of this star system. I recognize that my status will have to be redefined, but I hope that can be accomplished in ways that allow me to follow my duty as I see it. To the honor of our ancestors, Bradamont, out.”

Drakon smiled as he thought about her reply. He should have expected that Bradamont would have all of her official ducks in a regulation row. “Captain Bradamont, on my authority as commanding officer of Midway’s ground forces and acting president in the absence of President Iceni, I hereby agree to your request, subject only to the approval of President Iceni upon her return, the exact terms of your remaining at Midway Star System to be determined later by mutual consent. Midway already owes you a great debt. I, personally, am extremely gratified that you wish to remain with us. Acknowledge receipt of this message and provide your acceptance of the terms I stated. For the people, Drakon, out.”

This time, Bradamont couldn’t hide her emotion. “Thank you, General. I accept the terms stated. I will inform the courier ship of my decision and my . . . resignation, and also provide it with the message for Admiral Geary. I will provide it as well with an update on the situation here which I have been keeping current in the event I would have an opportunity to send it. I cannot allow you to review that update before transmission because it is an official Alliance document, perhaps my last official act, but I assure you that nothing in it reflects badly on you or the president. I . . . thank you, sir. To the honor of our ancestors and our people, Bradamont, out.”

It wasn’t until the next day that he heard from her again. Bradamont looked a bit angry this time. “General Drakon, the courier ship’s commander has responded to my messages. He insists that I must return to communicate my decision in person, and that I must comply with the orders I received. In light of the diplomatic aspects of this situation, I am informing you of this matter and request your guidance. Bradamont, out.”

She
was
upset. Drakon considered the diplomatic issues, and the likelihood that Bradamont was as upset by the tone of whatever message the courier ship commander had sent as by the contents of that message.

A courier ship. An
Alliance
courier ship. And its commander was trying to play high-and-mighty with Captain Bradamont, who, all other issues aside, had always behaved with immaculate professionalism and was now effectively one of Drakon’s subordinates.

He felt a little upset, too.

Drakon touched the message command. “Captain Bradamont, I will be sending a reply directly to the courier ship, copied to you. Drakon, out.”

He checked the star system display, confirming that
Gryphon
and her escorts were orbiting within a few light minutes of the courier ship.

“To the Alliance courier vessel which has entered Midway Star System and so far not conducted routine identification and clearance procedures with Midway Star System authorities, this is General Drakon. I understand that you have a problem regarding an officer aboard one of our heavy cruisers. I have been assured by that officer that her response to you is within her legal and professional rights as a citizen of the Alliance, and I assure you that she has always represented the Alliance in a manner that has impressed everyone with whom she has come in contact.”

That wasn’t good enough. What would matter to Alliance people? Oh, yeah, that thing. “Her honor is unsurpassed and unblemished. It
has deeply impressed all who have met her. Given the services that she has rendered to the Free and Independent Midway Star System, under her orders from Alliance Admiral Black Jack Geary, I have accepted her offer to remain here and continue the tasks that she was given by Alliance Admiral Black Jack Geary. Since Alliance Admiral Black Jack Geary personally negotiated with me the terms of Captain Bradamont’s assignment here, I will not have them redrawn by anyone but him, subject to the wishes of Captain Bradamont. I repeat that Captain Bradamont is aboard one of our warships, and that we will protect her from any threat or attempted coercion. You need not worry about her personal safety.”

What else? There had to be something else. What had Bradamont spoken of the most?

“I must add that Captain Bradamont has always championed the principles which she says the Alliance stands for, and has done much to make this star system a freer and more just place. If you have any further questions, direct them to
me
, as senior authority in this star system as acknowledged by Alliance Admiral Black Jack Geary. If you intend remaining in this star system, then you must request clearance. Heavy cruiser
Gryphon
will assist you in that process if you have any questions. For the people, Drakon, out.”

A little heavy-handed maybe, but no one listening to it could doubt that Bradamont had represented the Alliance well, and that Alliance Admiral Black Jack Geary wanted her here.

About nine hours later, Drakon was informed by his watch team that the Alliance courier ship had entered the hypernet gate, departing from Midway Star System without Captain Bradamont. He knew that it did have aboard not only his response, but also Bradamont’s message to Black Jack and her report to the Alliance about this star system. None of those things worried him.

The return of half of Midway’s flotilla to Iwa a few days later caused an initial rush of worry both because of so many ships not present and
the battle damage visible on those that had returned. But coming in the wake of the light heralding their arrival were messages announcing the outcome of the Iwa campaign.

Drakon made a public announcement of the victory and of President Iceni’s return, declared a half-day holiday for all workers, then sat in his office, smiling.

“Aren’t you going to go out and celebrate, too?” Colonel Gozen asked.

“I’m celebrating,” Drakon said. “Why are you still here?”

“My boss hasn’t dismissed me,” Gozen said. “Otherwise I’d be out getting seriously drunk already.”

He gave her a look. “Be careful. The last time I got seriously drunk I did something seriously stupid.”

“I think everybody who ever got seriously drunk can say the same thing.” Gozen ran a searching gaze around the office. “I’m doubling security around the headquarters tonight. Anyone who wanted to get in might try to take advantage of the celebrating.”

“Good idea. Thanks.”

She left, and Drakon sat some more, then began assembling an update message for Gwen Iceni. That was his form of celebrating her return.

*   *   *

GIVEN
the time for light to cover the distance to Iceni aboard
Midway
and back, her eventual reply came late that evening. “Thank you for the congratulations, though I had far less to do with the outcome than others did. I’ll respect Captain Bradamont’s wishes and not inform Colonel Rogero before we reach you. I have to say, Artur, that your responses were surprisingly diplomatic. Not as diplomatic as they could have been, but from you they were models of careful phrasing.

“We’ll be in orbit the day after tomorrow. In light of her change of status, I’ve directed Captain Bradamont to turn over command of her flotilla’s ships to Kapitan Mercia and to take a shuttle down so she can
meet us when our shuttle arrives. I am concerned by your news regarding our two loose cannons and hope that between us, you and I can figure out a way to deal with them. See you soon, Artur.”

He spent most of the intervening time reviewing and overseeing security for the return. Ideally, he would have brought Iceni’s shuttle down in the middle of a vast deserted area with the several kilometers closest to the landing site swept clear of every piece of cover and a vast array of weaponry pointed outward.

But Gwen wanted the people to see her. He knew why and how important it was, so Drakon tried to work out a way to have her among the citizens yet safe from attack.

The day of Iceni’s return was windy, wet, and gray at the shuttle landing site. That didn’t discourage the people who wanted to cheer her arrival and packed every open spot around the cordoned-off landing site. Drakon had put together an “honor guard” which was actually composed of his deadliest and most dependable special forces soldiers, commanded by Colonel Gozen, and arranged them so that they could cover every possible approach to those leaving the shuttle. Colonel Malin had seeded the crowd with countless microsensors designed to spot weapons before they could be employed and was monitoring the actions of Iceni’s own security teams.