When he spoke again his voice was still rough, but now it was measured and considerate, as if he moved on and his anger died with Bureel. “As God is my witness, I don’t know what to make of you. Even after all of this, I respect and admire you. Despite your persecutions, I enjoy your company. Despite all that is sane, I’ve fallen in love with one of you. I see you almost as kin, and if the analogy fits with Terran kin than we shall never see completely eye to eye. Yet I would no sooner leave the Chem Empire to fall than I would my own. You’ve something unique and essential to offer to this galaxy, and I as Alexander of Terra do not wish to lose it.”
Alexander gave Bureel a dig with his foot. “I didn’t come to Chem as a conqueror, but to settle a matter of honor. There is no reason to change my mind. Chem is for Chem. Only the Chem can decide their own road. That is all I have to say. It is time for Alexander and Terra to step aside and wait upon the Chem to decide their future course.” He walked up to Nazeera and told her, “As ranking member of the Triumvirate I thank you, Terra thanks you for allowing the duty to go forward. We will wait for Chem’s word as friends and comrades. Long live the Chem Empire!”
There was a rousing chorus that echoed Alexander. Nazeera inclined her head, as rulers would to another of state, and then she drew her long, thin knife. Striding over to Bureel, she sank upon her knee. In a flash, she plunged the thin blade through his right eye and into his brain. As if that were not enough, she elaborately pressed a switch in her haft, emptying a lethal poison into Bureel’s already dead brain. Withdrawing the blade, Nazeera wiped it on his cloak. The last thing she did was to cut off the badge of Bureel’s rank. She stood and took this to Alexander. Pinning it on the Banthror sash, she said, “You have conquered the rebel Bureel, Take this trophy with you as well as the thanks of Chem.”
“My thanks to you and to all of Chem,” he replied. “Now, for Alexander, he shall return to his own empire where we also must decide our future course.” He turned to Sampson on the visiplate, “Admiral your attentions are most appreciated. Have your flagship squadron remain in orbit, to pay respect to the new Elder of Chem. The remainder of the fleet is to return to your previous assignment with the knowledge of a job well done and my compliments. With the permission of the Chem government you and a delegation shall attend me.”
The Chem allowed a Terran delegation to descend to the planet’s surface, but they waited until the Terran fleet was beyond the system before the debate in the Assemblage began. The remainder of the Chem armadas joined around the Homeworld, their differences forgotten. Chem was therefore surrounded by a cocoon of its own ships when it debated its future. Alexander and the delegation stayed in a series of apartments, where Chem and Human surgeons attended him; there he held a conference with Augesburcke and Sampson, and learned what transpired after their last meeting.
Admiral Augesburcke and the Admiralty watched the Chem broadcasts from the Plebiscite with intense interest. A clear picture of public support for Nazeera and Alexander formed, but beyond that was the official intention of the Chem government, i.e. Bureel, to have Alexander arrested and executed, without the opportunity for challenge. Augesburcke knew of nothing that could prevent Bureel from carrying out his threat. Once Alexander was in the Assemblage he would be under the control of Bureel’s supporters. His chances were therefore not very promising. Augesburcke was not about to let his Overlord walk into a trap.
“I was unwilling to give you up Alexander; you are too essential a piece to the entire Terran situation,” he said gravely. “Things progressed just as you foresaw, but in my opinion, the Chem were not above temporarily forgetting protocol as a matter of practicality. As soon as you entered that Assemblage chamber all bets were off. They could take his head for the galaxy to see, and I couldn’t see how we could stop them.”
Sampson shrugged, and said, “Our strike fleets already left for the Syraptose and the Quotterim systems, and that was the bulk of our forces. It appeared our hands were tied.”
“That’s where the geometry of our Quotterim attack helped out,” Augesburcke said. “You planned the Quotterim strike so that it could be diverted after conquering the Quotterim fleet and therefore pressure Chem or Golkos—I simply moved it up a bit.”
“It’s a good thing you did Admiral,” Alexander said, rubbing the nape of his neck. “I was beginning to feel a bit lonely down here. That’s another rescue I owe you.”
“You’re welcome,” Augesburcke smiled. “This will buy us some time with the Galactic Alliance; however, it will also accelerate our political situation at home.”
“I think that pot is well stewed already,” Alexander said. “Things are ready to blow as they are; all they need is one good push. We have that push, gentlemen, in the person who sits at the President’s desk. We shall allow that person to express her sense of outrage at the presence of our fleet so deep in Chem territory. Then we shall let her hang herself!”
“Just give the word Alexander.”
“Admiral, the word is given!”
#
Later that afternoon they watched the debate on the Galactic network. There were speeches of conciliation and of philosophy, but in a relatively short time Nazeera was elected as the new Elder, as her predecessor desired. The Chem repudiated the schemes of Bureel, upon who the blame for the unprecedented Terran incursion was heaped. It was an elegant solution to a Chem embarrassment.
Alexander did attend Nazeera’s Ascension later that day, and afterwards they were married in Chem fashion. The event cemented a bond between the Terran Empire, which was still forming, and the Chem Empire, which was just recovering. Alexander planned to spend his honeymoon on Chem and depart in several days on Sampson’s flagship; the battleship Thor He hadn’t forgotten his Galactic plans, however. Nazeera had contacts on Chem which kept her informed of the intentions of the Alliance during their time in the Plebiscite. The confusion of the Terran situation, and now the close ties between Terra and Chem, were causing a re-assessment of Alliance strategy. He had time on that front. He did have a task to accomplish after the wedding and before their dinner, however.
CHAPTER 26
Alexander contacted Admiral Augesburcke. The Admiral had been watching the days events unfold, as had every Terran. The return of peaceful relations with Chem and the seeming delay of Alliance aggression was welcome news, though, understandably the political situation was in an uproar. The presence of the Terran fleet in Chem space without knowledge, or approval, from the Senate or the President sent shock waves through both branches of government. The debate was heated on both sides of the aisle, but any resolution was delayed until the President addressed the assembly. That would occur shortly.
“Admiral, I am quite certain that the President and the Senate do not want to delay their debates for the two weeks it would take me to return to Terra. I suggest we put everything forward during the President’s speech. Are we prepared?”
“Everything is ready, Alexander,” Augesburcke told him. “As soon as she begins to speak we will have a conference link set up and locked. You can break in at any time. The President will have a great deal to say, I am sure, but I don’t think she yet realizes the sensation she will cause.”
“Understood, Admiral,” Alexander answered, and he broke the connection with a melancholy air. The long dreamed of Human domain in space was about to lose its most valuable and distinguishing feature, freedom. After this afternoon, if everything went as he planned, Alexander fully expected to be able to demand any action within his empire and see it done. Dictatorship, even a benevolent one, was still dictatorship. He must take care, he thought, to put curbs on his own power. Now would be the time to begin his preparations for leaving the high seat he had yet to ascend. If he waited until established he might not have the strength, or the will, to leave that power behind.
#
The Senate rumbled like an unbalanced wheel as President Sadat made her way down the center aisle. The events of the day were reaching a climax, and
they all knew it. They just didn’t know which way things were going to fall. Alexander’s brash claims over the last week struck some of the Senators as a form of madness; delusions of grandeur carried too far. Others saw a political practicality to it. Alexander did not do any more than to tell the Chem people, and the galaxy, what they thought he was to begin with. It was obvious to everyone, for him or against him, that his risky ploy succeeded. Without it, and probably without the intervention of the fleet, Terra would be at war this very moment with the rest of the galaxy. That the fleet had shown up in Chem space, and indeed so far into Chem space that it presented itself to the Homeworld, was explained as a military necessity. Augesburcke seeded his supporters in the Senate with a short but effective report and allowed the politicians to circulate it. The fleet was there to give Alexander some bidding power, but it was also there, in case he failed, to deliver a fatal blow to the remnants of the Chem Armada. Once the Chem were defeated the Terran fleet could rush back to Terran space in time to counter the Alliance offensive. It was a scenario all too likely to occur if Bureel ascended the seat of the Elder, and it would have put the Terran Federation in dire straits indeed. Militarily there was no alternative. The interesting thing about the entire percolation of information through the Senate was that Augesburcke, and his supporters, went to great lengths to ensure Alexander’s commanding part in the scheme. It was an acknowledgment of credit to another that came with difficulty to politicians and military commanders, and so it carried even more weight. The end result was a Senate which waited with some impatience on a President who would most likely rail at the very figure who, as rumor explained it, had to do the President’s job in the President’s spiritual, if not physical, absence.
When President Sadat reached the podium it was with ill disguised temper. She did not wait for the Senators to settle down, or even for them to take their seats. At once she launched into a headlong attack on Alexander and the institution of the Fleet.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate and citizens of Terra I stand before you on a grave day in the Federation’s young history. It is a day where we must decide no less than the future freedom of our hard won government. Change has come upon us at breakneck speed, and there are some, within the institution of the Federation and without, who are attempting to take advantage of the situation in a blatant grab for power! The principle figure in all of this is a man named Alexander Thorsson, a man whose courage we have all admired, but a man now twisted in his resolve to gain power beyond him. Although named the Ambassador to Chem, this man has repeatedly overstepped his bounds in an effort to embarrass this office and put himself forward. Against all procedures and protocols he has publicly proclaimed himself as "Overlord of the Terran Empire!" It is a claim both presumptuous and mad. We live in a Federation, not a dictatorship, or so it seems. As fantastic as these claims may be, of which maybe we all share some blame since it was Terra who put Alexander Thorsson forward as a rebirth of the Terran and Galactic legend of Alexander the Great; the truly troubling element to all this is the reaction of the Fleet to this man’s prompting. Without any orders from the lawful bodies of the Senate, or the Presidency, we suddenly find our fleets on the point of attacking the Homeworld of a Galactic neighbor with whom we were in the most delicate negotiations for peace.”
President Sadat looked over the Senate with a grave expression. She let her words sink in before continuing, “The outcome of this foray is inconsequential when viewed against the breach of constitutional power. The acts of the individuals involved are nothing less than treasonous. I demand, we must all demand, the immediate cessation of any official responsibilities for those persons currently holding positions in the Admiralty of the Federation, as well as Alexander Thorsson. There must be a criminal investigation, and I regret to say, there must be convictions in this matter. The fate of the Federation is at stake!”
“Indeed it is, Madame President,” interrupted the baritone voice of, by now, the most recognized figure in the galaxy: Alexander. His image appeared next to that of President Sadat. He wore his purple and black dress uniform without the armor, but he still retained the Banthror sash. The sash now had two symbols pinned on it, the Scythian Empire badge and that of Bureel’s rebellion. Alexander stood, surrounded by the stars on the bridge of a battleship. His demeanor was grim. “The fate of the Federation is at stake,” he repeated, “but so is the fate of the Human race. It is a fate which you have wantonly disregarded, Madame President, and for very singular reasons.”
“How dare you interrupt the President of the Federation,” she fumed. “This is just the form of disregard to which we’ve been subjected to in your mad grasp for this office! I demand that someone cut his transmission!” When that did not happen she cried, “This is a clear attempt at a coup, and a clear act of treason!”
“It is not an attempt at a coup, the coup has already taken place and the treason is yours, Madame President,” Alexander said calmly.
“How dare you!” she began, but he cut her off.
“Enough! As Overlord of the Terran Empire, by the authority of the CODOTS council which gave me, Alexander, the charter of control of Federation military personal under the duress of alien interventions, I place you, President Sadat, under arrest for treason!”
“You have no such jurisdiction even if your charter was still valid,” the President retorted. “There is no alien intervention!”
“Oh but there is, and you know it,” Alexander told her harshly. “Admiral Augesburcke activate the Presidential podium and begin the roundup!” Another image appeared behind President Sadat. It was a live X-ray image and it showed the President at the podium. The skeleton was humanoid, but not human in the least. There was a loud gasp from the Senate. The President was unaware of the projection behind her. She stared about the Senate floor in confusion until her eyes followed those of the Senators. When she turned and saw the picture behind her she lost all control in the ensuing panic. Her form wavered, her skin color flushed, and in a moment a Hrang stood before the Senate, not a Human. Immediately four Marines rushed to her; with perhaps more zeal than was called for they forced a gag between her teeth and manacled her. Marines surged onto the Senate floor, accosting designated Senators. Some panicked and changed, pleading with the unfeeling troops. Others attempted to maintain the charade, assaulting their captors verbally but to no avail. After scarcely five minutes every Hrang spy in the Senate, and on Terra, was captured. When the Senate calmed Alexander was still there. He addressed the government and the people.
“People of Terra, this is indeed a grave day, and a sad one. I do not know where the true President of the Terran Federation is at this moment, or whether she or our Human kin who have likewise been taken are still alive. They had better be. For as I am Alexander of Terra I will pay in blood one million fold should they not be returned. Make no mistake about it, we are at war. The threat of war from the Chem Empire has been averted. However, the despicable actions of the Galactic Alliance, as plainly illustrated here, have infiltrated the very being of our government. We have been threatened, our people taken and replaced, our government subjugated to their nefarious intent. Such is our alien intervention. Terra now faces the military threat of some one hundred billion beings one three Galactic fronts. The situation is grave. I will remain in control of the present situation with the aid of the Admiralty until the Senate decides to revoke or renew the CODOTS charter. That is my statement to you, people of Terra. Let me now engage you to listen to my statement to the Alliance.
“To all the member states of the Alliance I send my deepest derision. I demand the immediate return of all Humans replaced by Hrang spies. There is no negotiation on this subject. This demand is final and bears catastrophic consequences should it be ignored. I also demand the immediate resignation of all member states from this military Alliance. Each state shall be judged individually on their involvement in this heinous matter. Any state remaining within the Alliance shall be dealt with on a basis of
equal guilt. You have twenty-four hours within which to reply. Alexander out!”
Alexander’s image faded and pandemonium erupted within the Senate chambers. Order was restored shortly by the Senators who supported Alexander and the Admiralty as they anticipated the event. Swiftly they snatched the podium and immediately called for the expansion and normalization of Alexander’s charter as the Overlord of the Terran Empire, to borrow the Galactic terminology. This charter was made effective during circumstances of alien interventions and gave Alexander power as the Commander in Chief of all military forces. This was immediately approved, though very few of the Senators really knew what it meant. In the heat of the moment the supporters of Alexander were able to brush all objections or calls for clarification aside. Their emotions were hardly more contained than their more ignorant colleagues, and the same sense of panic gripped them, but they had a course of action they could take and they seized hold of it. They rose above the sea of chaos as powerful figures in their own right, and that as much as any sincere motive leant to their zealous appeals. They put forth another motion which carried later that afternoon. On the seventeenth of September Alexander, Overlord of the Terran Empire, was elected by the Senate of the Terran Federation as President in absentia.
The adventures of Alexander continue in the third installment of Alexander Galaxus, Alexander the Conqueror . . .
Alexander Galaxus: Book III
ALEXANDER THE CONQUEROR
Alexander Galaxus: The Complete Alexander Galaxus Trilogy Page 54