Red Star Sheriff

by Timothy Purvis

  Consular Dark Elf shrugged, “Senator Sonoros’ business is his own. The Aquilan Law Enforcement Bureau made the final determination that it was self-defense. Should Senator Sonoros choose to file charges is his own concern. We’ve yet to hear from him on the matter. That his encounter with Mr. Nielson turned violent is distressing, but we found it was not pertinent to the operation of this assembly.”

  Durante took a position behind three seats to the right of Aidele as her face flushed a shade so dark he started to worry. However, before she could retort, Garret held a hand up and turned to the consulars above.

  “Surely, a Union assassin trying to kill one of our elected officials is grounds for at least an investigation?” Garret’s eyes pleaded with the men. “The Union has sent agents to sow discord in the domains, they burned down our home, assaulted Mr. Weiss and my granddaughter. They were responsible for my son-in-law’s death. And all of this to obtain a journal written by him containing schematics that, should the Union acquire them, would absolutely be used against our world and our sovereignty.”

  Another of the consulars, to the right of Consular Dark Elf, a man not as tall with paler almost yellow-red skin spoke. He was thin with sallow cheeks. Consular Goblin… Durante thought immediately. “You speak in hypotheticals. The people make the determination what laws will be made and upheld. We only act on those determinations. We cannot make them for them. There is no need for concern, though. The Union has upheld our treaties for the last thirty years. We see no reason why they should cease to do so now. If there is a disparate element causing these issues, your local governor will address them. It is he who you should speak with.”

  Durante could hold his tongue no longer. “I was born on Hinon. I’ve been a Union scientist for years now. And I can tell you, General Berricks has his sights on our world. He has a fleet at his command. With this technology, he would be a force against us and the Union. The Wastelands governor is ill-equipped to deal with this megalomaniac!”

  “This suggests you disagree with the notion that it is a Union operation in effect,” the heftiest consular said. He was the shortest. Whereas Consular Goblin sported a long robe of Azure with copper trimming, and long flowing blue-black hair, this consular wore robes of ochre with emerald trimming, and a hairdo with a warrior’s topknot. He reminded Durante of an ogre with olive-red skin. And here we have Consular Ogre… “A division in the ranks, it would seem. Causing me to wonder if you shouldn’t take this issue to your governor? Regardless, we can bring this matter before the senators yet again if the five of you so insist,” Consular Ogre glared at Doan and Orros who said nothing in response. They were the ones to hastily put this meeting together and Durante couldn’t pity them. This was all going south too fast. “Let me make this clear, though, my young constituents. The people of Hinon fought for independence to determine their own destinies. This Council was formed to ensure that independence is defended. We cannot just basely accuse the Union, or this General Berricks, of ill doing without evidence. Wastelands justice in our halls is just that, Wastelands justice. Whatever this Mr. Nielson did to you, is between you and he. And he is now dead. That matter resolved. We will bring the matter up in the next session. Should the senate vote to take the matter up further, then it will be brought before the people to determine if even further action is warranted. Should the people determine that indeed Union incursions, or some other issue involving Union personnel, is of concern, then we will take measures on their behalf. But not before then.”

  Aidele spun in a circle, arms out in the air, a growl in her throat. “Are ya tellin’ us if’n the Union attacked tomorrow, ya’d jus’ do nothin’ unless there was a vote!?”

  Consular Dark Elf scoffed. “Don’t be hyperbolic. Were the Union fleets, unlikely though it is, to strike, our self-defense fleet would be forced to engage them. It would be a direct violation of the War Continuance Treaty. Even if two warships entered our space, only one would be granted orbital permissions. As of the moment, only the dreadnought Invicta has permission to be in orbit. And they are here on a diplomatic envoy with Domain Astrum. We’ve already spoken to Consular Endoman about it. If, for some reason, they sent ground forces to lay siege to our territories, our defense forces would be activated immediately.”

  “They’re laying siege to the Wastelands as we speak!” Aidele tossed her arms forward, palms up.

  “No, they burned down a ranch and destroyed a building,” Consular Goblin replied looking annoyed. “And you responded with the force you deemed necessary. Governor Fenil hasn’t contacted us with any concerns of an invasion. As such, we cannot act against his jurisdiction without just cause.”

  Aidele tossed her hands up again and grumbled as she paced the aisle. Orros and Doan said nothing when Garret looked to them for help. They only gave sympathetic smiles. Garret sighed deeply. Durante took in a deep breath and grabbed the back of the seat before him. Then looked up to the consulars.

  “You’ve made it clear that if the Union attacks you would respond. However, an individual attack can be dealt with on our own terms, right?”

  Everyone looked to Durante. Aidele stopped pacing and stared at him. Consular Dark Elf seemed emotionless and undaunted as he replied, “Yes. What of it? We cannot intervene without a house vote on the matter.”

  “Precisely. Let’s suppose this is just a warped plan by General Berricks and he means to do us, in the Wastelands, harm. If we went after Berricks to bring Wastelands Justice, would that concern you?”

  Everyone looked up to the consulars whom looked to one another with only mild consideration. Consular Dark Elf looked to Durante and gave a slight shrug.

  “How you choose to handle your business in relation to General Berricks is your concern. You have the right to respond in any fashion your domain sees fit and allows.”

  Garret chuckled. “Even if that means bringing conflict between the Union and Hinon?”

  Consular Ogre waved a dismissive hand. “You keep raising these hypothetical conflicts we’ve yet to see evidence for. We would deal with such an insurgency with all due reciprocal force.”

  “Or if the people vote to respond to such a concern,” Consular Goblin added.

  “An’ how long would it take ta hol’ such a vote?” Aidele asked with a scrunched face.

  Consular Dark Elf offered up another shrug. “A month. Maybe two. Should the senate consider to take the issue up again, of course.”

  “The chances of that are incredibly slim,” Orros Calgary offered.

  Aidele stared slack-jawed for a long moment, then turned and marched back up the aisle. Durante looked in turn to each one and started after her. Garret shook his head.

  “Thank you for your time, consulars. It would seem we’ve taken enough of your attention. With your leave.”

  The consulars nodded and Garret turned to his friends. “Orros, Doan. Always a pleasure. We’ll speak again soon. I hope.”

  Doan nodded. “May the Spirits favor you, Garret. I regret we were not able to assist you more… thoroughly.”

  Doan glared at Consular Dark Elf who met the look with a grimace of contempt. Garret hurried to catch up to Aidele alongside Durante.

  AIDELE CAME TO a stop in the middle of the foyer, scowling so hard it hurt her jaw. It was impossible to fathom let alone accept. How could the Council ignore the evidence, turn a blind eye to how everything was interconnected? How could they not see that a Union assassin was sent to murder one of their senators? How could they refuse to act unless there was a vote on the matter? It was positively ludicrous. Durante came to a stop next to her and she kept her gaze firmly fixed on the floor, fists clenched.

  “How can they be so damn blind?” her voice so low Durante had to inch closer. “How can they be so… unwilling to act?”

  “Price you pay for freedom, I guess.” She lifted her gaze to him and he raised his hands as if to ward off a punch. “The Council regards individual independence so highly it’s willing to stand back on matters such
as these. Let the local authorities make the determination of best course of action. Unless there’s a consensus among the civilian populace that it’s an issue needing addressed. In the Union, you’re well cared for. Hell, I don’t even think there are any homeless people. But the cost there is absolute fealty to the Union and individual freedoms are limited to what the government tells you they are. One time, I wanted to take a day trip to the Philadelphia Americas Amusement Park and I was told that there was a three-month waiting list and that I’d need a state’s visitor pass first before I could even be added to the list. Just for a day out. I went to a movie instead. Less paperwork.”

  Aidele pursed her lips, her demeanor a darker seriousness. “And… did you swear fealty to the Union?”

  “Oh… Uh… actually, funny story. As soon as you’re a Union citizen for longer than six-months, they send you a summons to appear before the High Court. You kneel on one knee and swear to honor the Union until you die.” He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. “I guess there was an oversight with regards to me, because, in the ten years I served the Union and lived there, I never once received a summons. Soon as I got my masters, they had me onboard science vessels and frigates working out technical solutions to burning problems. This last tour was the first time I’ve ever served aboard a dreadnought. Given the Invicta is a capital ship, you would’ve thought they’d noticed I’d yet to swear fealty.”

  “And if you’d taken that oath, what would happen if you broke it?”

  “Well, typically you can’t live longer than six-months in the Union without swearing fealty. No one ever said anything to me, but if they’d found out and I refused to swear fealty, I’d have been forever banished. If I’d already sworn fealty and betrayed that oath, there’s only one punishment: execution.”

  “Execution!?” Aidele brushed the back of her hand across her forehead. “That’s a bit… extreme, wouldn’t you say?”

  “Yeah,” Durante laughed. “Guess it’s a good thing I’ve never sworn fealty.

  Grandfather walked up to them and gave a shallow smile. He’d been standing back, looking over the holopanel interface for information Aidele assumed, and probably giving them a moment to converse.

  Or maybe just trying to work out his own emotions over the whole sordid affair… Generally, Grandfather was quite jovial. Now, he seemed lost in a deep despair.

  “I’m sorry, Aidele,” he started. “I swear, I thought the Council would find this important enough to act on. Now that an assassin attempted to murder one of their own. It would seem I was sorely mistaken. I shouldn’t be surprised, though. A republic with democratic ideals is only strong when it stands in the face of a threat to those ideals. And Hinon has never been challenged like this before. Therefore, I ask you, will you act upon Durante’s suggestion? Go after Berricks ourselves?”

  “I…” Aidele looked up to him, then to Durante, and found herself wandering in circles just taking in the foyer as if she’d never really looked at it before. “I don’t know… I don’t know that we have a choice. No one seems inclined to want to deal with Berricks and his soldiers. It’s only a matter of time before they invade, I fear. I can feel it.”

  “Spirits forgive me,” Grandfather said prompting Aidele to stop and stare at him. “Should the Union bring the rest of their dreadnoughts to bear, I fear our defense forces would be no match for them.”

  “If we attempt to take the Invicta, do you think we can stop the Union before they can begin such an invasion? Or do you think it’d be a hopeless endeavor?”

  Grandfather frowned. “I… really don’t have an answer for you, Aidele. I wouldn’t even know how to infiltrate their dreadnought let alone how to prevent an invasion without military technology and intervention.”

  “If it’s only Berricks in charge of this insurrection, as I suspect,” Durante added calmly, “then disabling the Invicta could stave off any potential military responses from the Union. It would buy us time, as well as Hinon, to discover the total truth of the matter.”

  “That’s true,” Aidele replied crossing her arms, “but even if that’s the case, how do we get onboard the Invicta? As Nielson said, only their shuttles can penetrate their defensive shielding. Even if the waverider can make the hop up to orbit, how would we handle that prospect?”

  Grandfather looked thoughtful for a moment as a silence fell across the group. “Perhaps what we need to focus on first is finding backup in moving forward with any plans.”

  “And who would you recommend is crazy enough to follow me up to space?” Aidele raised a brow.

  “Why, Ms. Lynch and Mr. Polk, of course. Didn’t you say they’re still in town?” Grandfather asked.

  Aidele frowned. “Yeah… but I really don’t want to take them away from their kids. They’ve only just now been reunited and it’s bad enough their daughter is in the hospital.”

  “It doesn’t necessarily have to mean they come with us to orbit, I don’t suppose. But they’re crafty people and may have some insight on how to tackle our overbearing issue.”

  “Maybe. It couldn’t hurt, I don’t guess. So, right now, we need to figure out how to board the Invicta and what we’re going to do once we get there.” Aidele rubbed a hand across her face.

  “I think the most logical thing to do would be to take the Invicta’s operation systems offline. Remove it from the arsenal of Berricks grip,” Durante said looking sullen.

  Aidele cocked a brow and watched him closely. “Brazen suggestion, Mr. Weiss. Made twice in a row now no less. In such a hurry to alienate your masters in the Union?”

  He sighed. “Aidele, you see everything in black and white. Never the subtleties that bind civilization together. I’m not taking sides, if that’s what you expect. I’m not bending any knee or swearing any fealty. I’m a scientist, damnit! I went through the Academy to be an engineer. To make people’s lives easier. To help better humanity. Not choose who lives or dies. Berricks means to start a war. We can’t let him. I know you believe it’s the Union. I just can’t afford that line of reasoning. If that turns out to be the case, then, well, what was it all for? What did Professor Wilson spend his life developing new technologies to ease the burdens of everyday life accomplish? Certainly, it wasn’t to wage war despite working for the defense department! What was the point of Hinon seeking independence if it’s only going to wind back up under Union control? What was the point in expanding out into the solar system, if we’re just going to hand the keys back to a maniac?” Durante started pacing. “Ugh. I know. Nothing I’m saying makes any sense. None of it makes sense! Why would one man seek so much power for himself? Why would one nation seek dominion over all others? Why all the violence, all the suffering, all the chaos, when we can all benefit from your father’s technology!? Sometimes, human beings defy all logic…”

  Aidele gently placed a hand on his arm and he stopped pacing to look at her. His eyes were moist and he looked as frightened as she’d yet seen him. But he was determined now. That much she was certain of.

  He continued, “I don’t understand it, Aidele. And I don’t want to understand it. Everything I’ve done, I’ve done to stave off conflict. To preserve lives. Protect the people who’ve meant something in my life. Yeah, I’m an idiot. I’m sure you’re thinking it, and you’re right. However, I need you to understand something. I’ll help you. But should we get up there, should we find a way in… Please, Aidele, those people onboard… They might be Union scientists but they’re good people. People with families, and dreams, and ambitions. People just trying to get by in an existence that increasingly favors the powerful over the compassionate. You… you’re powerful. A survivor. But, you’re also compassionate. Those scientists… they’re not your enemy. Sure, some of them are pricks. I can think of a few off the top of my head. However, they joined the Union ranks because they believe they can make a difference for everyone across Sol. Just… keep that in mind, would you?”

  Aidele was unable to speak for a moment. The truth wa
s, she hadn’t considered the innocent crew onboard. People who likely were forced to bend the knee to the Union. People who believed in a future free from pain and chaos. And she supposed protecting them was her responsibility. Something her mother would have done without a doubt. And still her shadow hangs over me. Not to blind me, but to allow me to be better able to see for the blinding ugly light of tyranny…

  She shook her head and offered up a smile that felt puzzling even to herself considering their conversation. “I swear, Durante. My only target is Berricks. However, I hope you can understand this: should his soldiers make a fight of it, I’m fightin’ back.”

  Durante nodded in a slow, methodical fashion. “Fair enough.”

  Grandfather stepped forward and rubbed Durante’s shoulder. “I think it’s past time we returned home.”

  “That apartment doesn’t feel like home. At least, not yet,” Aidele replied. “However, you two should head back. I’ll go to the hospital. Talk to Asta. Perhaps with all our heads together, we’ll figure something out.”

  They started back down the stairwell and towards the zipcoach hub out front. Grandfather cleared his throat about halfway down.

  “Just do me a favor, Aidele. Try not to get into anymore gunfights.”

  “No promises there,” she offered up a wry twist of her lips. “Not sure if you noticed or not, but trouble has a real nasty habit of finding me.”

  “HOPE I STILL have a job when Senator Sonoros gets back,” Amelia sighed hobbling along, still getting used to the plasma brace around her thigh. “Would have been nice for him to make sure I was all right, though. I did put my neck on the line for him, after all. Could have gone home. Should have gone home. But, oh no, I felt dutybound to get him out of his pickle. But, I ain’t mad.”

  Her father pat her on her back while her mother gritted her teeth in that way of hers when she wanted to put a real hurting on a person.