by Robert James
Centropolis and Carabindy were, literally on the other side of the planet, so Governor Ryan and Jim Carpenter, both very much in favour of the change, could not attend in person. Interestingly, Millwell, Barry and Marsoni all had vastly different personalities, very different ideas and excellent persuasive powers. Alpine Grand’s Governor Lucas was an affable sort of chap, a bit younger than the four of us, and probably not as strong a personality. But he was with us. Since I’d left, Susan Proust had worked tirelessly on the exclusive channel that Sharon had set up for her. She had been able to persuade her old boss Governor Ryan to agree to commit.
“That was the majority decision of the conference in Port Rualé” He had said to her.
Susan had also compiled an audio introduction to the six New World States which I’d not yet visited. After an enjoyable evening meal with Governor Millwell and his two offsiders, during which we all talked optimistically about tomorrow’s potentially planet changing event, I retired to my Town Hall guest’s quarters. I wanted to be able to concentrate on Susan’s instructional audio. Both Zoran and our Captain were due to be back in Port Rualé mid morning tomorrow, and I wanted to be there to greet them personally. As she was not aware if I would listen alone or in company, Susan kept it all quite formal. The way she presented was always pertinent, brief and yet comprehensive. By the end of the fascinating two hour recording, I knew what I needed to know.
Susan had provided a broad overview of each of the States that I had not visited and the leaders I had not met, along with some of the problems which their leaders were faced with. There were two South of the equator and four in the Northern hemisphere, Mantray and Colloway were “frontier” states, on opposite sides of the Southern hemisphere’s largest island, known as the Southland, even though the continent where Carabindy was located also lay South of this planet’s equator. Both States, like Carabindy, were founded by the Supreme One, but that was thirty years before they sent Jim Carpenter and his team out to the Aklodyte source. They had both been forced to create a fuel source for the New World, however, Aklodyte was fast eroding their market and, both being on rich and verdant land, they were slowly moving to fresh food cultivation to cater for a ready and growing New World market.
Both had to ‘fight for survival against local man eating savages’ but were able to ‘tame the wild ones and now employed some as labourers in their new agricultural industry’. The big difference was in their governance. Colonel Colloway founded that State and his family have run it like a personal fiefdom ever since. Mantray was much like Carabindy, a popular, open Governor called Cabot, ran a socially democratic community. They would both arrive, on the T.T.V.s tomorrow, with the leader of Badang, the New World’s largest State geographically, but one of the smaller ones, population wise. Known as the New World’s bread basket, the State of Badang provided all the wheat and most grains to States all over the New World.
It was governed by a small group of whites, in a style reminiscent of colonialism. Ninety percent of the people were black and few ever acquired anything much, certainly not the ability to turn on their blatantly racist government. Badang’s Governor Rand, was quite intelligent and quite charming in person. He firmly believed that whites were the Planet’s superior people, led by a (white) Supreme One. All three on that T.T.V. were like minded in that way, but Governor Rand’s precarious hold on power in Badang, on behalf of the Supreme House of course, was very much dependant on that belief system, even though it was totally false. I heard all about these three men, in Susan’s crisp and clear voice.
Susan was ever careful to stick to the facts, rather than her opinions, though they were much like mine. It seemed clear to me that all of their belief systems were based more on material gain and power, than any spiritual aspirations. Our T.T.V. brought the three leaders that I had not yet met, from the much closer Nations that were North of the equator, and the two that I had. No doubt Marsoni would carry on about my power; perhaps Lucas might try to explain it, along with his understanding of events inside the Supreme House. Then there were the men who ran the States known as the industrial back bone of the New World. Governor Ballon’s State of Astoria was one of the earliest areas on this planet to come under the absolute control of the Supreme One.
My Supreme ‘Grandfather’ had founded it over a hundred years ago and it had remained a dictatorship ever since. Rich in iron, copper, and most other ores, Astoria’s mills turned out eighty percent of the entire New World’s manufacturing materials. However, most of that manufacturing was done in the other two leader’s states. Governor Parker ran the State of Brogan, ‘a land of factories’ which operated 24 hours a day. Unloading the raw materials and storing them in their gigantic South port, manufacturing a range of products, and then shipping the finished articles to Centropolis, Sentoria or Port Rualé, from their ports.
Brogan was ‘run like-clockwork’ by Parker who, though considered a tough, strict dictator, on behalf of the Supreme House of course, was also thought to be fair and ‘good for the welfare of the State’. But from whose point of view I wondered? Susan left the ‘best’ till last. Paterville was autocratically run by Lord Denham! In fact, he was not an actual member of the Supreme Family, but inherited the title Lord from the State’s founder, Lord Pater, who had headed the Supreme House of Orange. In founding this first New World State, the Supreme One, my Grandfather, had felt it best to send one of his own sons, my Uncle Pater. Denham’s whole world revolved around the myth of his Divinity. His power over the multi-national work force and, as usual, white government, was firmly pinned to his Supreme House credentials. In fact, Lord Peter Denham was directly appointed to replace Lord Pater, by Lady Ursula herself!
“I don’t see how he could accept you” Susan pointed out “He would nullify himself if he did, unless you were willing to accept his self-ordained relationship with you. He may well be Lady Ursula’s spy and could even claim to be there on her behalf. In fact, he will most likely try to disrupt or destroy the convention, if he can find a way to do it” She warned me. Preparing to leave for Port Rualé the next morning, after only my second night alone in my leather bound, luxury compartment, I considered all I had learned in person and been told. Thanks to Susan, I had an official and actual view of the six States I had not visited, and, as importantly, those who led them. Though usually glossed over in the official information, Susan felt it relevant to point out that every one of the six had a ‘safety barrier’ around them.
In fact, only Arc Island and Carabindy didn’t. Logically, the implication of needing a two to three kilometre defoliated barrier, whether patrolled by killer robots or human military personnel, was that someone needed to be kept out, or was it in? Though all these men were soon to face some very uncomfortable realities, Lord Denham was definitely in for a very bad day if he chose to be Ursula’s representative. He would end up getting exactly what Ursula or Edmond would, which was not exactly what they would expect. I arrived an hour and a half before Zoran’s T.T.V was due to arrive, in what was now very much the Divine House of Red’s T.T.V.
My guardsmen, the pilot and navigator, along, with many willing Arc Islander hands, had also been busy in my short absence. Two metre high red roses, the House of Red’s ensign, graced both sides of the sleek black craft. Another was outside the main door and all the arrival trappings were now bright red. A huge open parkland, almost in the centre of Port Rualé’s city, had been converted into an elaborate T.T.V. arrival terminal. The largest of the parking spots was reserved for my T.T.V. It too was decorated, with real red roses. My parking spot faced two identical, slightly smaller but still impressive arrival areas, for the two T.T.V.s that were carrying the New World’s leaders. Captain Millwell had come with me, but had chosen to stay out of sight and make his own way to the conference.
Governor Barry and Co had proudly whisked me through the cheering crowd, to show me the specially prepared conference centre. The Arc Island leader had chosen to walk the half kilometre to the centre, fir
mly refusing my offer of an escort.
“Don’t want people thinking there is favouritism” Lord Robert, he had said earlier. He got to the centre half an hour later. Governor Barry and his people had pulled out all the stops, in order to make this conference centre worthy of the historic role it was to play, in the future of this planet. Styled like a royal chamber, with my red upholstered, gold plated ‘throne’ at the head of a perfectly round, magnificently carved marble table.
There was another, almost as regal, chair to my right, for Zoran, and ten identical chairs, equally spaced around the table in front of me. Behind each of the ten chairs was a leather bound upright chair, with a small writing table beside it. Barry had replaced the Supreme one huge photo behind my chair with an equal sized one of me. I ordered that they swap the portraits back.
“There may be no members of the Supreme Family left, when all is done” I told him sombrely, adding “And that includes me” Governor Barry was rather taken aback by that remark.
“I thought you were invincible Lord Robert” He asked worriedly.
“I have yet to deal with the Supreme One himself Governor’ I replied truthfully.
“Zoran said Lady Ursula gives the orders as he’s senile” He said.
“True” I agreed “But with the planet’s best technology at his disposal, I’m sure he will be well protected” I told the port city’s leader confidently. As he was the Governor of the host Nation, Governor Barry was to sit in the first chair to my right. Captain Millwell opted to put his name in the hat for the placement draw, and was to sit opposite me, across the table. Brogan’s Parker drew first to my left and my would-be relative Lord Denham was to sit to the right of Governor Barry. Julie, who turned out to be the State’s chief administrator and who had no idea that we had already met, chose the names from a hat, at my request.
“It’s essential that we practice what we preach right from the start” I told Governors Barry and Millwell, just before we left to meet the two T.T.Vs and some of the Heads of State for the first time.
“Although I’ve much to be grateful for, to both of you, let me thank you now” I told the two leaders, as we walked to the arrival zone “For, henceforth, I am beholden no one, if my chair is to be truly without favour” I continued, adding “I hope you understand”.
“That is how it should be Lord Robert” Captain Millwell agreed.
“Of course, of course” Enthused Governor Barry, as he led the way, but I sensed some disappointment. Our Captain was to get here less than an hour after Zoran, so it was decided we would stay at the terminal till they had arrived. It might also afford the chance for a brief chat with the three new leaders. We arrived to find tens of thousands of people filling every inch of available space in the huge concreted plaza surrounding it.
They hung out of every window, of every building that faced the spectacular terminal. With only one limousine in the state, Governor Barry’s, it was now my transport, while the two Governors shared an almost as large, open topped sedan. Eight other, slightly smaller, open-topped sedans awaited the other eight Governors. Our arrival generated an ear-splitting roar of approval, which only abated when Zoran’s T.T.V. appeared high over head, and silently began to descend into the first parking space. I chose to stand on the raised transom of my T.T.V, as the identical craft settled and the door lifted up. Zoran came out and the Governors of Arc Island and Port Rualé walked quickly over to meet our guests.
As they arrived and climbed the three steps to Zoran’s arrival Dias, a tall, leathery man, in his forties emerged behind the old man.
“Governor Rand of the State of Badang” Zoran introduced the man to the two Governors and the crowd, from the amplified Dias. There was applause, he waved and re-entered Zoran’s T.T.V. Next came a short, slightly fat jovial man in his late forties.
“Governor Cabot of the State of Mantray” Introduced Zoran. Again the crowd applauded politely. The last to come out was a ramrod straight, tall and handsome man in his late twenties. His military uniform, adorned with much bold braid and many medals, certainly served to give him a strong authoritative image.
“Colonel Colloway of the State of Colloway” Zoran introduced, to a somewhat more enthusiastic reception, such is the power of youth, good looks and a uniform.
After the Colonel had acknowledged the crowd and gone back in, I decided to give the crowd a thrill, while providing myself with an appropriately powerful introduction. Red kaftan fluttering in the light breeze, I flew across the hundred or so metres, to Zoran’s T.T.V. The crowd loved it and showed their appreciation with another near deafening roar. The wonderful old man only let his eyes show his personal pleasure at seeing me, he bowed formally and led the way back into the T.T.V’s cabin. The three leaders stood as I entered, only young Colloway stepped forward with his hand out, as they all said “Lord Robert”, almost in unison. I took the young Governor’s hand and shook it firmly, then invited them all to sit back down. I sat down as well. Zoran had most eloquently explained the current Supreme House situation and played them my speech from Arc Island.
He had also briefed them thoroughly about events on our journey right up to Lord Elton’s attempt to murder me again, which ended in his death. Cabot and the young Colonel, who was the eldest grandson of the State’s founder, were both concerned, but willing to listen. Governor Rand, with his tenacious hold on power relying upon the worst kind of colonial racism, was not interested in what Lord Robert’s opinions were, until I actually was the Supreme One he had said. Governor Rand came only to ‘find out what the hell is going on’ so, predictably, although as respectful as the other two, it was he who began a day of questions, and more questions.
“May I respectfully ask Lord Robert for an explanation of the terrible events which Zoran has told us of?” He asked, but the look in his eyes did not match his deferential tone.
“Governor Rand” I began “The Supreme Family is much like any family, except that, because of Grandfather’s extraordinary powers and skills, our family now absolutely controls the whole New World. Absolute power is fertile ground for absolute corruption...”
“Surely you’re not saying the Supreme One’s will is corrupt Lord Robert?” Rand interrupted, he was quite sure that I would now retreat from that statement, but he was wrong.
“You have not even heard the Supreme One’s will, in well over a decade Governor Rand” I replied coldly “None of you have” I continued, then looked at all three. They remained silent.
“Lady Ursula passes on His will right?” I confirmed and the three men nodded “He is totally senile” I told them flatly “He wouldn’t know if you grew wheat in Badang or herded cattle. In fact I doubt that he’s even aware of what Aklodyte is!” I went on, adding “All of you have been controlled by Lady Ursula and her sons”.
“But a woman cannot be the Supreme One” Colonel Colloway exclaimed “Why didn’t Lord Peter..?” I held up my hand.
“I was murdered several years ago, by Lord Edmond and Lord Elton, at Lady Ursula’s behest” I told them, making all three really confused, but I continued “When Lady Margaret killed Lord Peter accidentally, while she was trying to kill me yet again, and ended up being crushed to death, Lady Ursula knew she couldn’t control me as she had my older Brother, so she decided I had to die, again” I went on with my explanation, but I don’t think it helped much.
“Pray tell Lord Robert, why was it that Lady Margaret also wanted to kill you, again” Governor Rand asked, thoroughly confused and yet extremely curious.
“Because she found out why I had been sent back, after being killed the first time” I replied, inviting the next question.
“Lord Robert, this is all most confusing” Governor Cabot said. “Can you tell us why you have been sent back?” He asked politely.
I looked into each one’s eyes for just a second then began answering, in an even and very matter-of-fact voice.
“I am returned to create this conference and to implement its will”.
“And what if the planet votes to end the Supreme One’s rule?” Colonel Colloway asked dryly, not expecting the reply he got.
“Then it shall be so” I replied, fixing my eyes on the young leader.
“And then you take over as the new Supreme One right?” He asked cynically, but I shook my head still looking at him curiously.
“Do you not know how to govern Colloway yourself Colonel?” I asked the young leader.
“Of course I do” He protested “My late father has trained me since childhood”.
“Then why do you need to be told what to do?” I asked him.
“I don’t Lord Robert” He replied thoughtfully, looking right back at me “But that is how it has always been hasn’t it?” He added..