Commander Derian answered. “I can easily guess. It’s been quiet here, in space I mean, since we dealt with that invasion fleet. It’s possible that our quiet period has been bought at the price of Glenlyon facing attack as our enemies shift targets.”
“Even if Glenlyon is safe,” Carmen said, “those warships arriving there would be a powerful symbol that Glenlyon has strong friends.”
Hofer nodded. “There’s nothing suspicious about that.”
“Sir,” Commander Derian said, “I’d like to propose a course of action. If those warships continue on to Glenlyon, I’d like for Shark to accompany them.”
A moment of surprised silence was broken by Leader of the House of the People’s Representatives Nowak. “Leaving Kosatka defenseless? That’s out of the question! Isn’t it?” she added, looking at the others.
Hofer looked at the Minister of Public Security, who instead of replying directly looked in turn at Carmen. “Citizen Ochoa,” Kowalski said, “you’ve spent a lot of time with our forces at Ani. What’s your candid assessment of their emotional state?”
Carmen took a moment to reply as she considered the best answer. “I think they could be characterized as happy for the victory, but also tired. Exhausted . . . and . . . bracing themselves for the next attack. Everyone expects another hammer to fall, so there’s a . . . a fatalism there. They’ll fight, but they’re tired, and they’re waiting for the next blow.”
Kowalski nodded, glancing at Hofer. “I agree, First Minister. Our people have fought very well, especially considering that many were volunteers who never expected to have to defend their new home this way. But they’ve paid a price for the victories we’ve won. They think all we can hope for is to wait for the next attack, and try to survive it. If that attitude hardens, our eventual defeat will be certain.”
Hofer rubbed his chin as he gazed back at Kowalski. “Are you saying you agree with Commander Derian? That Shark should go to Glenlyon?”
“Yes. I think that Kosatka needs to strike back, needs to take the fight to the enemy. It’s important to keep the enemy off-balance, but it’s equally important to show our own people that we aren’t just a punching bag. We can hit those who attack us, and we can aid others in need of help.”
“As Glenlyon aided us,” Carmen said. “They sent their only destroyer to help us, leaving themselves unprotected.”
“Exactly,” Kowalski said. “Who would we be if we accepted such aid and then denied it to those who helped us? These actions, these decisions, will define what Kosatka is and who we are. I urge you to accept Commander Derian’s suggestion.”
“We’re getting a little ahead of things, aren’t we?” Nowak asked, sounding plaintive. “We haven’t even decided if we’re going to be part of this new alliance. Shouldn’t we—”
“Excuse me, sir.” Palmer stood at the door. “Citizen Kelly has arrived.”
“This quickly?” Hofer asked.
“I was on my way here when I received your invitation,” Kelly said, stepping into view behind Palmer. “I have a personal message from the Prime Minister of Eire for First Minister Hofer.”
“Please come in,” Hofer said, rising from his chair to greet her. “I’m anxious to hear your message.”
Kelly stopped before his desk, nodding politely to the others in the room. “First Minister, a copy of the message is on this pad,” she said, offering it to Hofer.
“Can you summarize the message for me and the others here?” Hofer asked.
Brigit Kelly looked around her, evaluating the audience, before replying. “Yes. In short, the Prime Minister of Eire wants you to know that Eire agreed to join this alliance partly as a result of a malware attack that nearly resulted in the destruction of both of Eire’s warships. If not for the prompt actions of their crews, both destroyers would’ve been lost. Eire wants other star systems, friendly star systems, to be aware of that danger. The source of the malware was traced to a Scathan agent on Eire. It’s not known whether this attack on Eire was an attempt to soften us up in anticipation of their victory here at Kosatka, or if it was merely aimed at preventing Eire from being able to intervene. But, regardless of the exact motive, the Prime Minister will not tolerate such an unprovoked stab in the back. He sees it in Eire’s best interest to join now with others threatened by Scatha and its allies.”
“I see.” Hofer exchanged glances with the Security Minister and the Leader of the House of the People’s Representatives. “That matches what we were told by Lochan Nakamura, and answers one of the important questions we had. Is that Eire’s only motive?”
Brigit Kelly shook her head. “There are also issues of trade, some that have developed as certain star systems attempt to seize control of trade routes in this region. Eire would like to develop shared agreements on trade just as we share values as people. The Prime Minister also wanted you to know that while Eire’s government has formally accepted the proposal of alliance, the governments of the other star systems have only done so on the basis of commitments from representatives. And that so far only general principles have been agreed upon. Nonetheless, the Prime Minister believes that with agreement on general principles we will all be able to reach agreement as well on details after necessary negotiations.”
“Eire is extending a helping hand to Kosatka,” Carmen said.
“Yes,” Brigit Kelly said. “For that, the Prime Minister wishes it to be known that the words and actions of Lochan Nakamura played a significant role in Eire’s decision. Apparently, and I don’t have details on how this happened, Nakamura was also representing Glenlyon during the negotiations for the alliance.”
“What?” Nowak said, looking around at the others once more. “Who approved that?”
Hofer made a face. “We did grant him considerable freedom of action since we had no way of knowing what he might encounter.”
“He was supposed to be representing Kosatka!”
“Which is allied with Glenlyon,” Carmen said, trying to sound reasonable. “When it comes to defense, our interests are joined. Any aid to Kosatka would be bound up in defending Glenlyon as well.”
“Kosatka has agreed to that,” Security Minister Kowalski said. “We already have a formal alliance with Glenlyon, as Citizen Ochoa says.”
“That’s one more thing I’ll ask Nakamura about,” First Minister Hofer said. “Citizen Kelly, would you mind waiting outside for a few minutes while we discuss this in confidence?”
“Of course not.”
As the door closed behind her, Hofer pointed to Nowak. “I’m going to send questions to Nakamura, but the ship he’s on is so far off that we won’t be able to get a reply until nearly noon. We can’t afford to wait for that. This morning I want the People’s Representatives canvassed for votes, with an eye to making a formal acceptance of the proposed alliance before the end of this day.”
Nowak gazed back in disbelief. “Today? There hasn’t been any groundwork laid. I have no idea how the representatives will react, especially when we don’t have a detailed agreement to vote on yet.”
“All we’d be accepting is the general principles that Eire’s Prime Minister alluded to,” Hofer said. “Details can follow. We can work an escape clause into the acceptance, something along the lines of not being bound beyond a certain point if negotiations cannot resolve fundamental matters. You know how to word it. Think about the impact of this on our people. We’re not going to be able to keep it quiet much longer that there are three new warships in this star system. We have to tell our citizens what is going on. And when we do that, we’ll have to tell them either that we’ve accepted the help of neighbors who have come to our aid, or that we’re thinking about the offer of help and haven’t decided whether to accept. Which option do you think will generate the most enthusiasm from our people?”
“I’m worried about what Nakamura might have agreed to!”
“S
o am I. I’ll get details of that before the actual vote,” Hofer said. “But we do know that whatever Nakamura agreed to was also agreed to by the representatives of Benten, Eire, Adowa, and apparently Catalan and Glenlyon.”
“Glenlyon’s representative,” Kowalski pointed out, “was apparently our representative. That might have simplified gaining Glenlyon’s agreement to a deal benefiting Kosatka.”
First Minister Hofer laughed. “Yes. Nakamura might have managed a lot using that leverage, as long as it’s something that Glenlyon could also agree to.”
“Lochan has a close friend at Glenlyon,” Carmen said. “The head of their Marines, Mele Darcy. He would not betray her interests.”
“We all owe Darcy,” Kowalski said. “I think you’re right.”
“Do we have representatives of Benten or Adowa on Kosatka?” Hofer asked.
“Not that I know of.”
“Not officially,” Jayne Redman said. “Sir, we have to consider whatever motives the Prime Minister of Eire might have. He’s not known as a very charitable individual. Just why he agreed to this—”
“Eire was attacked,” Kowalski said. “In an attempt to lay the groundwork for their next conquests, our enemies overreached.”
“That’s what he’s claiming. What proof do we have?”
“We have Lochan Nakamura’s word,” Carmen said.
“And on that we’re going to risk the future of Kosatka?”
Carmen felt words rising in her and clenched her teeth to block them. “Lochan risked his life getting to Eire,” she finally said.
“That doesn’t—”
Hofer interrupted. “Lochan Nakamura helped save my life. And he has offered invaluable service to Kosatka. I’m going to listen to what he has to say.”
Lisa Nowak rubbed her neck, looking uncomfortable. “I can’t understand why Scatha would’ve attacked Eire at this point, though. Why gather more enemies while they were still fighting us?”
“Overconfidence,” Kowalski said. “They must have seen victory here as all but certain. And if they somehow lost, they’d have even more reason to make sure Eire’s warships were out of the picture. Commander Derian, if that malware attack had succeeded in destroying both ships, would Eire have been able to trace its origin?”
Derian thought before shaking his head. “It would probably have greatly hindered finding out what had happened and how.”
“Overconfidence,” Kowalski repeated. “History is full of similar cases, with aggressive governments seeking out new enemies before dealing with the ones they’ve got. Somebody called that . . . committing suicide out of fear of death.”
“We certainly don’t want to do the same,” Hofer agreed. “I don’t find it that implausible that Scatha did such a thing. We’re politicians here. We know that stupid actions are common among people who ought to have more sense.”
“First Minister—” Redman began.
“I understand your concerns. See if you can find out anything else. We need this help, though. And if Nakamura has managed to bring it at a price Kosatka can live with, he’ll deserve every reward we can give him.”
“First Minister,” Kowalski said, “if there’s a possibility that Commander Derian’s ship might accompany these new ships to Glenlyon, preparations will have to be made as soon as possible. That’s right, isn’t it, Commander?”
Derian nodded. “We’ll need supplies. Food, and fuel cells. I wish we could wait for some of the coffee that freighter from Adowa is bringing, but that’d probably take too long.”
“We’ll make sure you get coffee,” Hofer promised. “Security Minister . . . damn. I thought I’d decided but it scares me to think of sending our last warship away.” He hesitated while the others watched. “But, Glenlyon did that. We’d have lost but for them. We have to . . . let me think on it . . . but make preparations. Get the supplies you need, Commander Derian.”
“First Minister,” Lisa Nowak said, “when the People’s Representatives hear we’re sending away our warship—”
“To attack the people who attacked us,” Kowalski said. “We’re hitting back. That’s not just spin. It’s the truth.”
“Yes,” Hofer said, nodding quickly. “That would be the reason. Citizen Nowak, notify the People’s Representatives and get the legislative logs rolling. Citizen Redman, let me know if any more signals are sent from those ships to anyone else on Kosatka—”
“One already has been,” Redman said, looking at Carmen. “Addressed to Citizen Ochoa.” The last sentence sounded like that of a prosecutor laying out the final, damning bit of evidence against a suspect.
But before Carmen could respond, Hofer did. “Is it from Nakamura?”
“Yes. Yes, sir.”
“They’re friends. They came to Kosatka together. He probably wants to ensure she’s all right. I’d be worried about how my friends were doing if I’d been gone while my home was invaded.” Hofer dismissed Redman’s worries with a wave of his hand. “Citizen Ochoa, let me know if there’s anything in Nakamura’s message to you that I should know of. Citizen Redman, let us know if any other messages are sent to people on Kosatka. Oh, and someone should escort Citizen Kelly home.”
“I can do that,” Carmen volunteered.
She left the room alongside Security Minister Kowalski, who laughed softly. “This will give you a chance to plot with Eire’s representative,” he commented. “That’s probably what Citizen Redman is warning the First Minister about in there.”
“I am a Red,” Carmen said, making sure she sounded like she was playing to the joke.
“Are you? I always think of you as Kosatkan.” Kowalski nodded farewells to Carmen, Kelly, and Palmer before heading for his own office.
Smiling, Carmen watched him go, then turned to Kelly. “I’ll escort you home, if that’s all right with you.”
The streets outside were still deserted, but the sky had just begun to pale as the dawn intruded on night’s domain. Carmen walked alongside Brigit Kelly for a ways before speaking again. “So . . . Lochan Nakamura is back. Safe.”
“Yes,” Kelly said. “You must be happy.”
“Are you?”
“That’s an odd question.”
“Is it?”
Kelly turned a questioning look her way. “What business is it of yours?”
“Lochan and I are friends,” Carmen said, feeling defensive.
“Friends?” Kelly laughed briefly. “He speaks of you fairly often, and always in the tones of a proud father or a loving brother.”
“I just don’t want Lochan to be hurt,” Carmen said.
“Then we’re in agreement.” Kelly smiled. “You’ve no grounds for worry on my account. He’s a good man. But whether he and I become more than friends is yet to be seen. And I only tell you that much because I know how much Lochan values you.”
“Thank you.” Carmen looked up at the stars. “I guess soon we’re probably going to be allies. As many as six star systems. Maybe more will join.”
“That’s been your dream, hasn’t it?”
Carmen felt her face warm. “Lochan told you, huh? Yes. I wanted to make sure these new star systems didn’t turn into a vastly larger version of Mars. I wanted people to be safe in their homes. I’m not ashamed of that.”
“You shouldn’t be.” Kelly laughed again. “I came out here like so many others, wanting to be left alone. Which is all well and good until you stumble and fall. When that happens, it’s nice to have someone around to help catch you.” She sobered, looking about them. “I’ve seen firsthand what war has done to Kosatka. I hope it never reaches Eire.”
“We’re in agreement on that, too,” Carmen said. “Um, do you mind if we stop for a moment? Lochan sent me a message.”
“No problem,” Kelly said.
They stopped while Carmen pulled out her pad and popped a bud
into her ear before calling up the message. Lochan’s image appeared, surprising her with how good it made her feel to see him safe. “Hi, Carmen. I really hope you’re okay. We were shocked to get here and find out that the invasion force had been defeated, but I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised since Kosatka had you. I’m fine, despite a few, uh, adventures along the way. Please let me know you’re all right. And, uh, if you have a chance, can you check up on Brigit Kelly, Eire’s representative? I’d like to know if she’s okay, too. I have to keep this short, so, I’ll wait to hear back from you, and when I finally get back on Kosatka we’ll have a long talk to bring each other up to date. I think . . . I think your dream might have a chance of coming true, Carmen. I’m glad I was able to help make that happen.” Lochan glanced to the side as if someone else was speaking to him. “Oh, and tell Brigit that Freya says hi and she hopes that . . . I’m not going to tell her that. What? Freya says hi to you, too. Nakamura, out.”
Carmen frowned at her pad after the message ended. “Freya? Who the hell is Freya?”
“Freya?” Kelly nodded to herself. “Oh. Freya.”
“She says hi. Who the hell is Freya?”
“She’s a dangerous one. That’s who she is. Lochan met up with her, eh? That’s excellent.”
Carmen looked at Kelly. “Not a rival, I take it?”
“No. Someone I knew on Eire before she went to Catalan. I sent word to her to help him. If Lochan did run into danger she probably helped ensure he survived it.”
“I’ll have to thank her, then. Lochan asked me to check on you.”
“Did he now?” Kelly smiled again.
“Should I tell him you’re okay?”
Brigit Kelly smiled wider. “Tell him I’m at death’s door and whispering his name over and over again.”
“I’m not going to do that to Lochan!” But Carmen found herself laughing.
As soon as she dropped off Kelly, Carmen made another call. “Domi? Good news. Really good news.”
But as she spoke to Dominic, Carmen thought about how long it would take those warships to reach the jump point for Jatayu and beyond that Glenlyon. She hoped that Glenlyon wasn’t already in dire need of help.
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