| |
Hectir turned off the broadcast.
He looked at the rest of his deputies and his guest. The DDI and DDO were present, while the DDG was somewhere in space.
For a few moments, nobody spoke. Then DDI Jeck Baryorn said, “I am really impressed by how he handled that.”
“Agreed,” said DDG Canta Berna’s hologram.
“So, what is our next move?” asked DDO Silvas vin-Aptu.
Hectir steepled his fingers. “We wait and see how many sign onto the compact, and take it from there.”
“Do you agree with my assessment?” asked Jeck Baryorn.
“I do,” Hectir said. “Now—we wait.”
Heads nodded all around the table.
“Is there any further business?” Hectir asked, but no one replied. “Very good. We will adjourn for now.”
With a nod, Canta Berna’s hologram winked out, and DDI Brayorn and DDO vin-Aptu bade them farewell and departed. Hectir remained seated with Avra.
“I agree with DDI Brayorn and Alvon’s assessment,” Avra said. “Those that sign the compact will probably turn to the CSA for guidance regarding coordinating with the Xorcerizts.”
Hectir nodded. “Most likely. I just do not know how that will look or precisely how we will handle that.”
Avra shook xerz head. “Your neutrality is both a blessing and a curse.”
Hectir laughed. “As the first, and likely only, android to serve as Director of the CSA, the last thing I would do is to end our neutrality.”
“Likely a good decision,” Avra said. “So, what will you do?”
Hectir considered that. “This will be a unique problem. I cannot put you in charge because you are representative of the Yalifira people and not a soldier. Further, you do not fall under the auspices of the CSA.”
He arose and began to pace as he said aloud all he was processing. “Our operations group has handled some major peacekeeping initiatives, but we are seldom more than a police force. We have employed independents to serve in a more military-force capacity, but it has always been defensive. Coordinating and mounting an offensive, especially with a third party against a mutual enemy, is way outside of anything the Agency has ever done in its long history.”
“The Agency must have ex-soldiers,” Avra said. “Surely there is someone in your ranks who could be the liaison between the members of the signatories of the compact and the Xorcerizts.”
“Of course,” Hectir agreed. “But none of them have dealt with the Xorcerizts directly. They would add a new unknown.”
He halted and turned to Avra. “The CSA can always designate one authority over another. That, however, might be interpreted as ceding our neutrality. Maybe they won’t sign the compact. Or maybe, if they do sign the compact, they will not turn to the Agency for guidance.”
Avra crossed xerz arms. “Really, Hectir? Wishful thinking?”
Hectir made an exasperated huff, as he had heard Humans and other races do. He shook his head. “Jeck, Alvon, you, and I agree. Silvas and Canta are not willing to speculate—but I know them well enough to know they do too.”
Hectir’s new android body processed data faster than his original body had. Despite androids not being hugely popular overall, their technology was constantly improving. As such, he had run all the scenarios through his quantum-microprocessor brain multiple times.
There was, he calculated, with all margin for error, a 99 percent probability that at least three races and certain Humans would sign onto the Xorcerizts compact. The Doolari, Zathru, Yalifira, and the Humans of the Nebula Conglomerate and B’Born system. It was, he calculated, 96 percent likely the Humans of the Zarahn Empire, the Therion Alliance, and the Proxitma system would sign, too.
Further, it was 90 percent likely that at least two of the Ravusq Q’suvar would sign the compact. Hectir could only calculate a 52 percent probability that all of the Q’suvar would join.
No matter who signed it, when it came time to combine military forces and join the Xorcerizts to combat the coming threat, there was a 90 percent likelihood they would turn to the CSA to act as liaison with the Xorcerizts.
While that could mean they might just want someone to orchestrate communications, Hectir also saw an 87 percent probability they would also desire leadership from that person.
The Agency had no standing military. Agents, operatives, detectives, and general officers were abundant. They were a capable police agency for law enforcement across the divides of the galaxy. But they were not a military.
When the CSA was employed for a peacekeeping duty, they contracted out. Vanguard had long been one of their go-to forces. Hectir, however, was displeased by their near enslavement of criminals and undesirables. It made him uncertain of employing them for something as delicate as serving as a liaison between so many powerful sovereign entities and the Xorcerizts.
Further, it was too indirect for his liking. He was certain he, or at least one of his deputies, would need to be present.
Hectir resumed his seat. “It may not be worth it to keep speculating down this line. Maybe we had best wait to see what happens. But I would rather have a plan or two in mind than be caught scrambling.”
“Do you still wish me to act as a liaison with the Xorcerizts?” asked Avra.
“Of course,” Hectir replied. “But if it needs to be a military liaison, that’s not something you can provide.”
“No, it is not,” agreed Avra. “But I have a thought.”
“Do tell,” Hectir encouraged xerz.
“What if there were a neutral party that could serve?” Avra asked. “One with a military background that is not affiliated with any single race, has ties and affiliations with other races, and could even be a direct connection to the CSA?”
Hectir considered that. It only took a few milliseconds to see where Avra was heading. “Do you think that’s an option?”
“That,” Avra replied, “is a question you may want to pass to Alvon Gargarm.”
<—>
Lord Dzstan was never one to mince words.
“We have a problem, Your Grace.”
Raja Lkahn Am had been watching the engineers on the new royal yacht examining the Xorcerizt Multi-Phasic Universal Source Shield Generator. He had requested a delay of the installation for several weeks to study the shield in the hope of reverse engineering it. But the unusual aliens – the Xorcerizts - worked on their own schedule, so it would be done when it was done.
His best scientists were on it. However, they assured him that reverse engineering it was impossible. The technology was way beyond anything they had encountered before.
Lkahn Am had wanted to be present for the installation but had been warned that while no problems were expected, the risk was unacceptable.
He had also wanted to be there for this examination, but again, none of his top people were comfortable with the vast number of unknowns.
Thus, he was watching them look it over remotely. It was fascinating and beautiful, but also baffling.
Taking his attention away from the feed, he looked up at his vizier. “What is it?”
“We have lost our Shardaelian contacts.”
Lkahn Am set down the datapad he’d been watching. “Come again?”
Lord Dzstan sat down across from the Raja. “It would seem that the regent, prime minister, and foreign minister have been removed from power.”
Lkahn Am leaned back. “A coup?”
“No,” Lord Dzstan said. “Ashira Aeshar.”
Lkahn Am felt a combination of deep anger and unpleasant fear in the pit of his stomach. “Explain.”
Lord Dzstan kept his tone level. “Ashira Aeshar presented herself to the Council. They confirmed her identity through DNA. She then ceded all executive authority to the Council, and they arrested Erit Palto, Lon Comaer, and Aneera Golmar.”
“What about the palace guard?” asked Lkahn Am. “Were they not loyal to Erit Palto?”
“They were supplanted by Cosmic Security Agency forces that arrived with Ashira Aeshar,” stated Lord Dzstan. “The palace guard have been relieved.”
Lkahn Am took a deep breath, then released it. “Has Ashira Aeshar reclaimed the throne, then?”
“No,” Lord Dzstan stated. “She has given all authority to the Council. They are now in direct control of all governmental acts, and all of the authority figures of the Kingdom report directly to them.”
“What of the Prince?” asked Lkahn Am.
“Gone,” Lord Dzstan replied. “Ashira Aeshar took him and left Shardaeliana. It is unclear the future of the crown.”
Lord Dzstan changed his tone. “And before you ask—no, I have been unable to learn how Ashira Aeshar either arrived or departed from the palace. I have lost my hook into Admiral Gipto for feeding misinformation, and it appears that everything about the specifics of this change in power is protected.”
Lkahn Am considered this news. “How will this impact our plans?”
“We will be forced to go through diplomatic channels to communicate with the Kingdom,” Lord Dzstan said. “I suspect that if Ashira Aeshar had enough information to remove our contacts, then the new government is aware of your involvement.”
The Raja shook his head. “That is unacceptable. Tell me - do we know where Lord Ftann has gone?”
“Lady Akharn has been working with Lord Kptrog to keep tabs on him,” Lord Dzstan replied. “Ergo, yes, we know where he is.”
“I want him executed,” said Lkhan Am without further preamble. “Ashira Aeshar’s survival is his fault. I let him off too easily. Have him found and removed.”
“It will be taken care of,” said Lord Dzstan. After a moment’s pause, he asked, “What of Lady Akharn?”
The Raja took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “Were it not very evident to me that she has gone to great lengths to fix the security flaws that Ashira Aeshar exposed, and clear that she is loyal, I would order her execution as well. But much as I wish to blame her for this, I do not, and cannot. Would you not agree?”
“I do,” replied Lord Dzstan.
Lkahn Am arose. “What about our allies in the Kavarma Union?”
Lord Dzstan did not answer right away. “They will be...concerned...about this turn of events. Aneera Golmar was their primary contact, and her loss will be felt. I cannot say how her spouse will continue his business dealings in her absence. I have Lord Kptrog’s office digging into the complete picture of the aftermath of Ashira Aeshar’s return home.”
“Damn her,” Lkahn Am spat. “I should have followed your counsel better and killed them both together. I underestimated her.”
Lord Dzstan waited a moment before speaking again. “Our agreements with the Union Trade Federation are legitimate, so that will not be a problem. But the favorability of future negotiations between the Raj, the Union, and the Kingdom are in question. And that brings us round to the biggest problem.”
“What might that be?” asked Lkahn Am softly.
“Ashira Aeshar is alive,” Lord Dzstan began. “She has done nothing any could predict of her and, on top of that, has yielded her power and authority. This may very well reshape a great deal of how things occur between all the powers in this part of space. That’s the first problem.
“The second is that the Shardaelian Starfleet has taken up a defensive posture on our border. They are making it quite clear that any military attempts on their territories will be met with an aggressive response.”
“Which means they know our part in the removal of the Queens,” said Lkahn Am.
“Undoubtedly,” replied Lord Dzstan. “Which brings us to the final problem. Aneera Golmar set up the situation with the Karvama Union. They were not privy to the arrangements the Raj had with Golmar and Comaer. Upon learning about our involvement in the assassination of Petra Aeshar, our alliance and new trade deals with the Union could be dismantled.”
The Raja took a breath and released it through his teeth. His temper was fighting his inherent unease over this mess. “What would that mean for all we have achieved these past few years?”
Lord Dzstan did not immediately answer. But when he did, it took everything Lkahn Am had not to scream. “It means we not only return to where we were before this began, but we may have set back any potential future progress. This might not just stifle our newfound economic growth. It could discredit us and prevent any future growth—so long as you remain in power.”