by M D Cooper
She blushed. “All right, so maybe I keep finding a way to channel my passion. But I’m making it up as I go along. That much is true.”
He grinned. “Don’t we all?”
* * * * *
Pharis kept a measured pace as she was escorted back to the Charlemis manor atop its hill. People in the underground passageways gave the party a wide berth, but Pharis did her best to make eye contact with the workers and nod to them as she passed. It was a subtle gesture, but most highborn would ignore servants. She wanted to do everything she could to reinforce the messaging about her, which was no doubt already spreading through the ranks.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked the lead guard, Connor, when there were no servants present in the corridor.
“To the manor.”
“Yes, but where?” she pressed.
“Your mother has requested an audience,” he finally revealed.
“I’m sure she’s thrilled about your delay in bringing me to her.”
“I communicated the delay. You were tending to business, like you said.”
Is that an opening for me? She stepped closer to him. “I appreciate your discretion.”
“And I yours.” He flushed slightly, glanced at his men to make sure they weren’t too close to listen.
Pharis and Connor pulled away from the group.
“What Cyrus was saying…” Connor began in a hushed voice, but faded out.
“I’m glad my mother has been able to find a measure of companionship,” Pharis told him. “I’ve had plenty of my own exploits.”
He wisely didn’t comment on the matter.
“Look,” she continued, “I know you walk a fine line with your work. You serve my mother, but you also serve this family, and all of Gallas. Those duties demand that you act in the best interest of the people.”
“I know what you’re trying to do,” he said. “It’s dangerous to offer so much to people who’ve never known what it is to be free.”
“Dangerous how?”
“You need to learn to walk before you run.”
He checked over his shoulder again, but his men were still a good distance back. “We have a way of doing things in Serenity. Our rules keep people orderly. Break one rule, and the whole system could come crashing down.”
“Maybe that’s what we need.”
Connor shook his head. “People need a beacon. We’ve lived for too long with the High Table, you can’t just get rid of it and have nothing in its place.”
“That’s not what we’re suggesting—”
“Forgive me, my lady, but you didn’t hear what the people were saying when they left that secret meeting of yours—the one that didn’t happen, if anyone were to ask me. I overheard them talking about electing their own leaders and taking the houses’ wealth for themselves.”
Pharis swallowed. “Then I’ll position myself as a leader worth electing.”
“A fine aspiration, but watch your back. Messages have a way of getting twisted.”
Connor fell silent for the rest of the walk to the manor, leaving Pharis to her thoughts.
When she’d started discussing the power shift with Cyrus, she’d felt confident in her ability to garner the favor of the people; after all, she’d spearheaded dozens of charity projects and other initiatives to demonstrate goodwill.
But as much as it upset her to think about, she realized that the people didn’t owe her anything. She’d done those things because she wanted to make her position have meaning. To the recipients, it probably just looked like someone trying to ease a guilty conscience about living the high life while others toiled away in dead-end jobs.
In other words, the truth.
Those past gestures didn’t make her worthy of their loyalty or trust. She’d need to earn it, just like she’d told them she would in the meeting. She could only hope that they’d give her the opportunity to do that before they dismissed her outright.
She still had time to demonstrate why she was the right person to lead. Her mother held power now, and she wasn’t going to give it up. Therefore, Pharis’s immediate concern was convincing her mother to embrace whatever changes the workers requested, thereby securing House Charlemis as being a government serving its people, not the other way around. The people’s support would be their greatest source of power, and ensure the family’s future position.
By the time Pharis reached her mother’s preferred salon, she had her talking points in order.
Justina sat on one of the black leather sofas with her face drawn in a scowl.
You’re doing the right thing, Pharis told herself to combat her sudden nerves. Don’t doubt yourself now.
“Oh, Pharis, what have you done?” Justina asked.
Pharis cautiously sat on a chair across from her. “I’m not sure what you mean, Mother.”
“Don’t play dumb.”
Pharis knew she’d need to tell a version of the truth if she was going to have any chance of getting her mother on her side.
“After what you said about Nebracken when we spoke at breakfast, it became clear to me that we can’t afford to ignore our people.”
Her mother tilted her head. “What were you doing at the port? It’s unbecoming for someone in your position to be sneaking through servant passageways.”
“I agree. I would have strolled down there openly if I thought you’d approve of it.”
“So you knew such a visit would upset me, and you went anyway?”
“You have groomed me as a leader, and always encouraged me to trust my instincts. While we haven’t always agreed on which of those instincts are good or bad, we have always been on the same page when it came to securing the best possible future for House Charlemis.
“As far as I’m concerned, Jeslan’s actions show that she’s willing to hand our house over to Nebracken. It might not happen right away, but they would worm their way into our operations and take away our autonomy. I won’t let that happen. Our best chance at remaining an independent entity is to have the people support us, because they—”
Justina held up her hand. “Oh, Pharis, I’d hoped your fanciful dreaming would fade once you got older, but I see now that there’s little hope for your thinking to evolve.”
Pharis crossed her arms. “My thinking has evolved plenty. I believe it is actually you who needs to update your sensibilities.”
“You have greatly misread the forces at play, and now you’ve put everything at risk.”
“What do you know that you aren’t telling me?”
Her mother pursed her lips. “I don’t know what to do with you.”
“Mom, what—”
“Oh, it’s ‘Mom’ now, isn’t it? You only even use that term of endearment when you want something.”
Pharis looked down. Even though they didn’t get along, her mother did know certain aspects of her personality all too well. She wasn’t sure what to say that could correct the error, so she elected to say nothing.
After several seconds, Justina sighed. “I knew your sister was planning a move with Silvan before she left here. What kind of house leader would I be if I couldn’t keep track of my own children?”
“Why are you letting her do this?”
“A better question might be why I have permitted you to engage in your flights of fancy.”
It was a valid point, so Pharis again remained silent to allow her mother to make an explanation in her own time.
“You and your sister are both dreamers, but you took very different paths with your aspirations. I do appreciate your sympathetic ear toward our people. I really do, Pharis. But I’d hoped you’d come to see that people need a firm hand to rule them. Just like a parent can’t allow their child free rein, a leader must set rules and boundaries for their people.”
“Those ‘rules’ require people to work long hours every day of the week. We pay them, but the conditions aren’t—”
“Don’t you dare.” Justina’s voice was laced with ice. “Our cultur
e is not to be mocked or disparaged. Other places may not follow our same practices, but we have lived in relative peace here for thousands of years, while the rest of the galaxy seems bent on tearing itself apart. Our people are fed and safe. That can’t be said for subjects in other systems.”
Pharis couldn’t argue that. With freedom came the potential for people to bring trouble on themselves. As seriously as the houses took their feuds, rarely did the conflicts result in more than a handful of people dying, or even getting injured. Serenity wasn’t serene, but it was an oasis from the truly dark evils in the universe.
She chose her words carefully. “I think there’s a balance to be had. We can progress without losing what makes this system special.”
“Igniting an underground revolt hardly seems like a small shift in governance.”
“I didn’t want it to come to that, but you were ignoring all of my suggestions!”
“Because you are young and your passion lacks focus!” her mother bellowed. “You can’t simply give handouts. People need to work to see the value of what you offer.”
“You don’t get it.” Pharis shook her head.
“I don’t? After centuries of life, I am the one who can’t see the difference between facts and wishful thinking? It is you who don’t understand.”
“You know most civilians only live seventy or eighty years?” Pharis murmured. “How can you extend your own life knowing generations are withering away in the work tunnels beneath this manor?”
“That is what it takes to keep Serenity prosperous and stable.”
“I contend that there is another way.”
“And that is your right, my dear. Believe what you want, but so long as House Charlemis is under my stewardship, our ways will stand.”
“Your ways, not mine.”
Justina tsked. “I really don’t know what to do with you. I can’t name your sister in your place without compromising our position with Nebracken, but frankly, I don’t trust you, either.”
Pharis took a deep, calming breath. “I haven’t been a very good daughter, and especially not a worthy successor-in-training, but I’d like to try.”
“At another juncture, I may have thought that was a genuine offer. I’m afraid the timing of your statement now has made your motivations clear. You’re stalling.”
“No. While that’s partly true, I know the only true way forward is for us to work together to reshape the power structure in Serenity.”
“And I’m telling you, that’s not going to happen.”
Pharis’s pulse pounded in her ears. She didn’t know how to counter the definitive statement. If the matter wasn’t open for discussion, there was no option except—
Justina’s long-standing advisor, Greta, barged into the room, her face flushed. “Please, forgive the intrusion, but you need to see this right away, my lady.”
PREPARATIONS
STELLAR DATE: 12.24.8938 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: Laurentia Estate, Acadia, Serenity System
REGION: Orion Freedom Alliance, Perseus Arm
A smirk spread across Kristina’s face. Of all the nerve.
The news broadcast was delayed from Gallas, but she was watching the report as close to real-time as the light delay allowed. Workers had gathered in city streets outside the Charlemis estate, and they’d asserted that they wouldn’t go back to their jobs until their working conditions improved.
When Cyrus had proposed a revolution, Kristina never dreamed they’d actually be able to spark a newsworthy movement. Perhaps Terry was more persuasive than she’d given the woman credit for.
Unfortunately, Terry and Cyrus’s success put her own plans at risk.
“Fools.” She scoffed at the protest displayed on the screen, people shouting like their words were worth hearing.
Kristina had voiced her support of Cyrus and Terry’s plan purely as a way to gain their trust. She knew the risks of giving too much power to the people, just as her mother had. While she could never forgive her ancestor’s deceits, she did have new appreciation for the steps that had been taken to ensure the houses of the High Table would retain their standing.
Her own aspirations would require a careful balance of alliances and shows of power to secure her place as a leader. She was in a precarious position as a childless house leader with few friends. House Charlemis might be her closest ally, but those relationships were strongest with the scion who was almost certainly getting a tongue-lashing from her mother at this very moment for embarking on such a reckless endeavor.
“Sigmund!” Kristina summoned her advisor.
He appeared in the doorway and quickly took a seat across from her. “I see that you’ve acquainted yourself with the current state of affairs,” he observed.
“Honestly, I thought it would fizzle out before they made any headway.”
“It still might. This one demonstration is an isolated incident.”
“Have you heard any rumors about the message spreading?”
He hesitated. “Well, I might have.”
She tilted her head expectantly.
“I was just scanning for other reports from Gallas. Apparently, there’s a commercial port in the north where the workers have halted operations, as well.”
“That’s not a trend yet.”
“It appears others may soon follow. I haven’t heard any rumblings on Acadia yet, but I will certainly stay apprised of any new developments.”
Kristina frowned. “This doesn’t help our cause.”
“It also doesn’t hurt it as much as you might think. I know this was only meant to be a distraction, but it does offer an opportunity for you to get close.”
“How? They won’t be reliant on us if their plan comes together.”
“Success can be just as good a reason to pay your visit as failure.”
Kristina thought about it. She’d planned on Terry being forced to retreat to the Perseus when their plan failed, but Sigmund brought up a valid point that they could arrange a visit to discuss the plan’s success and next steps. In the end, the important thing was for her to meet with the AI Dana up close.
Investigations into her mother’s dealings had revealed how the AI had been trapped in the first place. She needed Dana to be on her side, and revealing her findings might be enough to persuade the AI to see her as a friend. To put the next phase of her plan in action, the Perseus needed to be under her own control.
For all the talk about support from the people being the greatest source of power, Kristina knew better. Power was power. The greatest tool—and weapon—in Serenity was no doubt the Perseus, with its ability to literally shape entire star systems. With such a vessel under her control, Kristina didn’t need to find her place in Serenity. She could start her own empire.
She leaned back on her sofa while she evaluated Sigmund. “All right, so say we let this doomed revolution run its course. How, exactly, do I make my way to the Perseus and have Terry vouch for me to Dana?”
“Well, an invite there will be easy, what with Cyrus being your fiancé.”
“True, and Terry seems to follow him everywhere he goes. If I win her over, perhaps that will be enough.”
“I suggest you keep your arrangement with him purely professional. A marriage of convenience.”
“No trouble there.”
Sigmund leaned forward. “The higher the stakes are raised, the greater the fall. It might be prudent to fan the flames on Gallas to make the revolution’s failure that much more salient.”
“Assuming it does fail,” Kristina replied.
“For it to succeed, Justina Charlemis would need to fall from power, and that’s not going to happen any time soon.”
“Fair point,” she agreed. “Begin laying the groundwork. We want them begging for my help.”
BUILDING MOMENTUM
STELLAR DATE: 12.24.8938 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: Star Ember, Gallas, Serenity System
REGION: Orion Freedom Alliance, Per
seus Arm
“Is this really happening?” Terry watched the protest below from the Star Ember’s cockpit, along with Cyrus.
She’d wanted to participate on the ground, but they’d backed off and taken to the air when the Guard began moving in on the crowd.
“I have to admit, this got bigger a lot faster than I was anticipating,” Cyrus replied.
“What did Pharis have to say? How’d your mother take it?”
“About as poorly as could be expected. Reading between the lines, Pharis can either shut down the protest, or find herself replaced.”
Terry frowned. “Not with Jeslan…”
“I don’t know. Either way, we’re in one of those ‘make or break’ times right now. Pharis wants to press forward all the same.”
“Good, because we’re in too deep to turn back now.”
“I’m worried the movement might collapse on itself at the first sign of trouble. It’s only been half a day. When people start to feel the impacts of not getting paid, it could get rough.”
“I’m worried about what’ll happen way before payday,” Terry said. “If your mother really wants to stop this from progressing, she can cut off access to food and other necessities to make people fall back in line.”
“Not a great way to garner support.”
“Oh no, it would be terrible for her approval. But when people are hungry, they’re willing to do just about anything for their next meal. Trust me, there’s not a lot of extra anything laying around down in the barracks. If the supplies stop coming in, it’ll only take a day or two for those people to start feeling it in a bad way.”
“By design, I’m sure, for situations just like this.” Cyrus fell into silent contemplation for a minute. “You know, that might actually be perfect.”
“People starving?”
“No, no. I mean if Mother tried to pull that kind of stunt. Provided we can furnish people with alternative resources, the strike can keep going, and Mother will look like a monster. Pharis will be the savior.”
“Right… but how would we do that?”
He smiled. “Well, we happen to have a ship. And a bunch of smuggler friends.”