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When Mandus, wearing a grim expression, returned to the conference room and took her seat at the head of the table, Admiral VanReeth rose.
“Regent, during your absence, we discussed options.”
She cocked an eyebrow at him.
“Did you now. Clearly, you’d like to lay them out before me, so please, go ahead.”
“The idea of wholesale suppression is off the table. Fine. But few heard the name Lyonesse and are aware it’s expanding across the Coalsack and neighboring sectors. We know who they are and can swear them to secrecy in return for a prominent place in our own expansion plans. That way, we keep control of the story. Yes, we sent an expedition to Hatshepsut as a way of defining an expansion corridor now that we, the Hegemony’s Ruling Council, determined the time has come for enacting the Oath of Reunification. Without public worry about another polity taking away what many consider our birthright, we can manage recolonization at our pace. And not coincidentally, we would make sure certain elements in our society who might otherwise wish for full suppression see they have a stake in supporting the new policy.”
Mandus let out an amused snort.
“In other words, contracts for ships, colonization packages, and the like would go to the right people. And they, in turn, will do what is necessary, so this government persists no matter what.”
“While this government enforces social peace so the right people can do what is necessary and see that we meet Lyonesse on our terms.”
“In other words, the same old graft, only on a larger scale,” Chancellor Conteh said in a sardonic tone.
VanReeth turned a hard eye on him.
“Would you rather face unrest?”
“Of course not. I merely deplore the fact our political status quo rests on keeping the wealthy happy and the citizenry under both tight control and a smothering blanket of entitlements that kills any drive for change. It wasn’t always so in the centuries before the Ruggero Dynasty perverted a perfectly functioning, quasi-republican system under a Crown with defined powers who stayed above petty politics. Oh, the wealthy had their fingers in every pie, but at the star system level mostly, which limited the damage.”
“Pardon me, Chancellor, but has anyone ever mentioned your love of ancient history can be trying at times?”
“My wife reminds me every day, Admiral.” Conteh winked at VanReeth, then turned to Mandus. “Notwithstanding my comments, the Admiral’s proposal is sound. As much as I’d like to eliminate graft, we can’t do so in one fell swoop, and the Almighty knows how far the privileged will go to preserve their privilege. Better we use it as a way of expanding the Hegemony. Structural changes will follow in due course, though not as fast as some, such as I, would like.”
“If the Chancellor agrees, that means it’s unanimous. We suppress intelligence about Lyonesse but announce Task Force Kruzenshtern was our first move in enacting the Oath of Reunification.”
Everyone around the table nodded, as did the three off-world Consuls a short time later.
“Then a press release tomorrow morning announcing the success of Kruzenshtern’s expedition meets with everyone’s approval?”
More nods.
“Admiral VanReeth, you have the rest of the night to make sure no utters the name Lyonesse until we say so. Fortunately, as I understand, only Commodore Watanabe and a few Kruzenshtern personnel know the full story. If ever word gets out before we’re ready, we will run a disinformation campaign that paints it as an unsubstantiated rumor, but something we will check out in due course.”
“Yes, Regent.”
“What about Colonel Torma and Sister Ardrix?” Chief Commissioner Bucco asked. “They’re ground zero of this whole debacle.”
“Both will help further our plan in due course. And no, I won’t discuss what it is until we deal with the immediate fallout. In the meantime, I’ve arranged for their temporary disappearance from mainstream society, so no one can question them about their knowledge of this matter, and that includes you, Chief Commissioner, and anyone else in the State Security Commission. Consider them temporarily part of the Wyvern Regiment and under my personal command for all intents and purposes.”
Bucco inclined his head.
“Understood, Regent.”
But Mandus could hear resentment in his tone.
“Then we’re done here for the moment. It’s late, and we have a lot of work ahead of us. Thank you, everyone.”
With that, she swept out of the room as the displays went dark and the members present in the flesh stood, lost in thought. All save Chancellor Conteh called their aides on the way to the underground parking lot.
Conteh, who enjoyed walking between the Wyvern Palace and the Chancellery since it was a mere one kilometer, nothing for a man in decent physical condition, let himself out via the side door and arrived at his office even before the service chiefs reached theirs. As arranged, First Secretary Vermat waited patiently in the antechamber, reading from a tablet, coffee cup in hand. He made as if to stand, and Conteh waved him down before taking a seat.
“And?”
“Vigdis convinced them they should accept reality, make the Kruzenshtern expedition their idea, and announce the start of a recolonization program, but without mentioning Lyonesse. Those few who know about it will be told silence on the subject is a good career move. In other words, we obtained most of what we wanted. It might take a few years, perhaps even a few decades longer than if Lyonesse’s existence was made public now, but military rule will end in due course. The admirals and generals will inevitably come back under civilian control because they’ll be too busy spearheading the Hegemony’s expansion and adapting to a radically different outlook than the one that has governed us since the empire’s downfall. You and I may not see that day, at least not in our current roles, but it’s coming.”
Conteh allowed himself a sigh of contentment as Vermat put down his cup.
“Excellent news, sir. I confess I was doubtful when you came up with the plan of sending out fishing expeditions in the hopes one of them would bring back something that could shake the Council out of its torpor. It took almost five years, but Jan Keter hit the motherlode. Anonymously denouncing him to Crevan Torma when we found out what he discovered was a piece of genius, by the way.”
Conteh smiled at his first secretary and de facto Deputy Chancellor.
“Torma was the right man at the right time, but I can’t take credit for thinking of him. That was the Archimandrite’s doing, based on what he knew from his people in the Commission. Wheels within wheels, Gelban. I do hope Keter’s still alive and well, by the way. I’d hate to think our sole successful dupe died because of this.”
“He’s under the Order’s protection, tucked away in one of their houses and undergoing a Friar’s training.” A frown crossed Vermat’s face. “Wait a minute, sir. Was the Archimandrite in on the fishing expedition scheme?”
“No. I simply asked whether one of his people worked with a senior officer known for doggedness, who didn’t fear his superiors and focused on doing the right thing. I don’t doubt he eventually suspected a connection with Keter’s illegal travels but was so captivated by the mystery and the possibilities for his Order that he didn’t breathe a word to anyone.”
“Wasn’t it risky?”
Conteh shook his head.
“He’s motivated by self-interest, just like the rest of us. Besides, if anyone asked, I’d simply have said Keter came to my attention via a backchannel, and I wanted his case investigated by a senior officer who wouldn’t bury it out of political expediency.”
“We do love our backchannels.” Vermat chuckled. “What happens next?”
“Considering the hour, we go home, sleep and come back in the morning. Other than that, it depends on Vigdis.” Conteh climbed to his feet. “Good night, Gelban.”
“Good night, sir.”
Vermat didn’t leave right away. He strolled over to the nearest window and gazed out at the sleeping city. Come tomorrow, everything would change, one way or the other. Either Mandus officially announced a recolonization and naval expansion plan like none before and to hell with those who’ll howl at the dismantling of the status quo, or there would be a coup d’état ousting the entire Council and replacing it with a junta. Since a coup would have made him acting Chancellor, Vermat privately acknowledged slightly mixed feelings at the missed opportunity. But better this than blood in the streets. Besides, Conteh was a decent man and a fine administrator. He didn’t deserve arrest at gunpoint, especially since his views coincided with those of the Network. Wheels within wheels, indeed.
**
General Cameron Bucco and Admiral Marco VanReeth met at the former’s residence after exchanging a few quiet words on the way to the Wyvern Palace garage. As head of the Hegemony’s powerful paramilitary police, Bucco ensured his property was the most secure spot on the planet where no one could overhear conversations or observe those within. If someone were watching, he or she would see VanReeth’s staff car enter the grounds but not discover anything more.
Once in Bucco’s study, whiskey glass in hand, they settled into comfortable chairs facing each other across a low table.
“I found Vigdis surprisingly eager to disrupt the status quo,” VanReeth remarked after taking a sip. “And in such a hurried manner. It’s as if she has another agenda. You’d think a prudent Regent would take her time and study every possibility, perhaps even consult with relevant people outside government before shaking up the masses with news we were heading back into the galaxy. Watanabe and his ships returned what? Less than ninety-six hours ago, and Bolack didn’t bring word until this morning. Did you ever know her capable of making momentous decisions so quickly?”
Bucco shook his head.
“No, and I agree, there has to be something else behind her unusual behavior. It’s almost as if Vigdis was aware of Task Force Kruzenshtern’s expedition from the start.”
“Could she and Bolack be cooking up something we won’t like?”
“Without a doubt. Then, there’s her making Torma and Sister Ardrix vanish right after Bolack’s visit. What better way of removing them from circulation than arrest by the Wyvern Regiment.” Bucco tasted his drink, then smacked his lips. “Good stuff. It’s a shame we can’t tap into the Regent’s private conversations without leaving a trace. I’d pay good money to know what she and Bolack discussed during our break tonight. Those two have been in cahoots for a long time.”
“So, they’re scheming. But to what end?”
“I can make a few guesses.” Another sip. “The most obvious is Vigdis seeing a way of increasing her power with Bolack’s help by springing the news on everyone and grabbing what she can in the turmoil. Without a constitution or a supreme court, the only thing that stops her from disbanding the Council and becoming Regent for life is two hundred years of accepted protocol and procedures and, ultimately, the Guards Corps. However, she owns the Wyvern Regiment, and I’m sure sentiment in the Navy and the Ground Forces will be such that anyone perceived as impeding her call for expanding the Guards and recolonizing former imperial worlds will be deemed an enemy of the state. In effect, Vigdis could be making a bid for the imperial Crown under the blessing of the Almighty via his servant Archimandrite Bolack. Historically, it’s always been a tiny step between Regent and Sovereign.”
VanReeth nodded thoughtfully. “Plausible. Extremely plausible, if worrisome. Vigdis always was ambitious, which is why she’s one of the youngest admirals whoever became Regent.”
Bucco let out an amused chuckle.
“Do I hear jealousy in your voice, Marco?”
“My commission predates hers by two years, and we received our fourth star at the same time. I should be Regent in her stead, but she outmaneuvered me with her predecessor and the Conclave.”
“And if she seizes absolute power, you’ll never get the chance.” Bucco fell silent for a bit, eyes on his glass. “Did you ever hear of an obscure prophecy uttered by a mystical Sister shortly after the Hegemony’s birth concerning the reunification of human worlds? Jessica was her name, I believe.”
“No. What manner of nonsense is that?”
A shrug.
“Void nonsense. I came across it years ago when I was digging into religious matters during an investigation. The Order suppressed the prophecy almost from day one due to the political implications at a delicate time in our history. I can still recall the wording, however. When both halves of that which was split asunder merge once more under a new, glorious Crown, humanity will fulfill its destiny in the Infinite Void. Apparently, she uttered a lot of obscure rubbish like that. I doubt many of the Brethren remember her name, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the records of her visions were passed down from Archimandrite to Archimandrite. They do like their mysticism, and this is just the stuff that’ll give them a frisson.”
“No matter what’s driving Vigdis and Bolack, we face a problem. If she’s intent on sidelining the Council and the Conclave, then we must do something.”
Bucco gave his colleague a sardonic smile.
“I’m open to proposals because I can’t think of anything that’ll stop her now. She timed it much too well for any real pushback, and if the Navy and Ground Forces chiefs of operations were involved in the Kruzenshtern expedition from day one, the Council is effectively helpless. Should it reach that point, my folks will obey the Regent before they obey me, and they definitely won’t take up arms against the rest of the Guards Corps, let alone the Wyvern Regiment.”
“Don’t you use professional assassins?”
“Sure, but once Vigdis makes her announcement in a few hours, the ball will start rolling, and then, even if one of my people takes her out, it’ll be too late. Someone else will seize power and carry on with the plan. Your man Sandor Benes, perhaps.”
“Why can’t one of us seize power?” VanReeth took a healthy slug of his drink and sat back, scowling.
“I can’t because no one will accept a Commission officer as Regent. You won’t because the moment Vigdis falls to an assassin, the rest of us will fall victim to a coup d’état.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because logic dictates that if Vigdis had opted for suppression, we would shortly have found ourselves in cells or dead, perhaps caught in the crossfire between the Wyvern Regiment and enough rebellious Guards Corps units to wipe it out. Please don’t tell me you didn’t figure out Benes and his cabal wouldn’t stand by idly once my folks start executing senior officers. They made their plans well before the task force came back.”
“Which leaves us where?”
“Damned if I know.”