Shadowplay: Book One of the Starcrown Chronicles

by Jon Gerrard

  * * *

  Everything came to a halt the moment we appeared in the doorway to the Senate chamber. I paused, taking in the room in a slow pan, and everyone surged to their feet, staring at me expectantly. I waited for a few moments, sensing the tension build, then started across the floor. I was halfway to the dais when the clapping began. Looking toward the Speaker’s podium I saw Senator Fine beaming in my direction, applauding enthusiastically. In moments the others joined in as well.

  I ascended the dais to thunderous applause. When I reached the throne I found that someone had placed the Starcrown on its seat. Picking up the crown I turned and faced the room, allowing the applause to continue as Admiral Magnus took up position two steps below me and the Marines arranged themselves in a protective semi-circle at the foot of the dais. When I finally raised my hand for their attention the applause stopped as abruptly as if a switch had been thrown.

  I swept my gaze around the room a second time before seating myself on the throne. The air was thick with tension by this point. I took a moment to settle back into the cushions and propped one foot up on the ornate little foot stool on the edge of the dais, the Starcrown dangling loosely in one hand.

  The years spent under Sebastian’s tight fisted reign had made an impact. I could almost taste the fear in the air. Everyone was waiting to see what I was going to do.

  When I assumed the throne nearly four years ago I had generally been regarded as a well meaning but naive ruler. As I looked back now I had to admit that it was not a wholly unjustified opinion. As soon as I came into power I proposed sweeping reforms in a system I had seen as being unnecessarily burdened by bureaucracy. And I had been naive enough to actually believe that I could convince politicians of the logic of my position through reason. What I hadn’t taken into account was that the power elite wanted the system to remain the way it was. The system had been perverted under Sebastian’s regency so that it was never intended to service the general public. It favored those who had the money and thereby the political clout.

  But I was not the same inexperienced monarch I had been years before. Then I had been reluctant to directly impose my will on the political process, preferring to try and persuade the Senate with the soundness of my logic. I had been too concerned with alienating segments of the population if I forced through unpopular changes, even if I knew they were best for the kingdom in the long run. As a result I often ended up letting the more tenacious Senators back me down from my positions.

  They would find it much more difficult to simply pat me on the head and send me on my way now, however.

  When I judged that I had let the tension level build enough I motioned for everyone to be seated and addressed the room.

  “As of this moment, I am restoring all laws to what they were before Duke Sebastian took power. This government exists to serve the people and the days of special privileges for certain, favored groups are over. I will also be conducting investigations into the activities of the members of the legislature. Anyone who has lived up to their responsibilities and acted in the best interests of the people will have nothing to fear. Those who have taken advantage of my absence however will be held accountable for their actions.”

  I paused, watching the reaction on everyone’s face, especially those Senators I suspected of being Sebastian’s cronies. Their reactions ranged from anger to barely contained panic. One Senator however seemed completely unfazed by my statements.

  “Sire, may I speak?” It was Fiske. Without waiting to be formally recognized he stood and began talking. “Perhaps Your Majesty is unaware of the many changes that have taken place during your absence. Laws were enacted to address a number of serious situations that arose across the kingdom during that time. To change these laws now would undo all of the progress that has been made. May I suggest–”

  “No,” I said, cutting him off.

  “Sire?”

  “No, you may not suggest anything. You are not King here.”

  You could have heard a pin drop. Anyone with half a brain would have stopped there.

  “Your Highness, please understand that I am only speaking out of a sincere desire to assist with guiding you in making the best possible decisions for the kingdom. After all, you have been away from the political scene on Haven for several years. Surely you must understand the value of advice from experienced councilors who are familiar with the current political situation.”

  If nothing else the man did have brass.

  “Are you offering your services in such a capacity?”

  “Well, I was considered one of King Sebastian’s most valued advisors.”

  He couldn’t possibly be this stupid. “It may have escaped your notice, Senator, but claiming close association with my uncle is not the best way to garner favor with me.”

  “Sire, I must protest. My actions have always been guided by what is in the best interests of the kingdom and its people.” He actually managed to put a touch of indignation into his voice.

  “I see. Let’s examine your service to the kingdom then, shall we?”

  I pulled out the small data pad I had picked up in the VIP suite. Using my security codes I had accessed the Senate records for the past several years and downloaded the files for a number of Senators I wanted to take a close look at. Fiske had been at the top of my list. Although I hadn’t had the time to do an in depth review of his record, the cursory overview I had done called a few note worthy items to my attention.

  “To begin with, Senator,” I said, scrolling through the file, “I see that you have a very poor attendance record. According to this you’ve been present for less than ten percent of the legislative sessions over the past few years.”

  Fiske waved aside my comment. “Sire, no one actually attends every session.”

  “I don’t know, Senator. If someone on your own staff had this poor an attendance record I have no doubt that you would take great exception to such excessive absences. After all you are paying them to show up to work. Just like the citizens of our kingdom, specifically the people of your star-system, are paying you to represent their interests in the Senate. They–”

  “Be reasonable, Sire. Some of the most important work we do is conducted outside of the Senate chamber. Many sessions have nothing to do with the interests of my home system and it would be a waste of my time to attend those.”

  His condescending tone was beginning to wear on my patience. The unfortunate truth was that many Senators shared Fiske’s opinion. Although his attendance record was one of the worst in the senate, far too many Senators seemed to treat their obligation as a part time commitment at best. The rest of the time they either spent attending fund raisers hosted by well heeled supporters or enjoying all expense paid retreats arranged by one influential lobby group or another. This was one of the things I intended to change.

  “Not good enough, Senator. Many of your colleagues have managed to find the time in their schedules to be present greater than ninety percent of the time. And by the way, stop interrupting me. Didn’t your mother ever teach you that it’s rude?

  “To be completely fair, however,” I continued without giving him a chance to respond, “I do see that you managed to be present for every session where an increase in senatorial salaries was up for vote, which you also supported in each case, I might add. I find that especially interesting considering that you twice voted against wage increases for other government employees, including–”

  “This is preposterous! There is a recession in our kingdom and the expenditure could not be justified.”

  It was time to yank his leash. I turned to Admiral Magnus. “Admiral, if the Senator speaks out of turn one more time you are instructed to gag him.”

  Fiske looked like he was about to object but quickly changed his mind as he met the Admiral’s unflinching gaze.

  I returned my attention to the pad. “I see that you were also one of the ma
in architects of the change in the law empowering the police to stop and question citizens without probable cause. You also had a hand in the changes giving law enforcement agencies the right to enter private property without a warrant and seize whatever they decided was evidence of a crime. Oh, and I also see that you supported the law enabling authorities to listen in on private calls and e-mails, again without the need of a court order.” I paused, looking expectantly at Senator Fiske. He opened his mouth to respond but snapped it shut after a quick glance at Magnus.

  “That’s okay, Senator. I would very much like to hear your explanation, since you seem to feel that many of the basic tenets of our Constitution can be casually set aside at a whim.”

  Fiske took a moment to collect himself. “What Your Majesty has to understand,” he began, speaking as if he were addressing a moderately slow child, “is that our nation has come under attack over the past few years. Enemies of our way of life have carried out acts of piracy and terrorism against our nation and its people. Those changes in the laws you are referring to were necessary to enable us to root out sources of corruption within our society. Your Highness may not be aware of the facts but crime has been reduced to virtually zero as a result of those changes.” Along with individual freedom, I thought. “These measures may seem extreme to you but they have proven to be most effective. Besides, anyone who is innocent of any wrongdoing has nothing to fear.”

  The bastard was trying to use my own words against me.

  I thought back to the crew of the Prometheus, average men and women who had tried to live decent, law abiding lives, yet who had been railroaded by Sebastian’s draconian policies. I wondered how many others throughout the kingdom were in similar predicaments.

  “So what you’re saying then, Senator, is that the situation facing the country justifies such extreme measures.”

  “Precisely! A strong, effective leader knows when to act to protect the interests of his people.” You could hear the smug, self assurance in his voice.

  I brought the Starcrown into my lap and spent several moments turning it slowly in my hands as I studied it.

  “So you want a decisive leader. Someone who will use his authority to act.”

  I stopped fidgeting with the crown, raised it and placed it on my head. Looking down at Fiske I met his eyes, seeing in him the embodiment of everything that was wrong with the kingdom.

  “So be it. I hereby declare you an enemy of the state, Senator.”

  “Now wait a minute, you–”

  “I find you negligent in your duties as an elected representative of the people. I furthermore find your actions over the past years to be both criminal and malicious.”

  “But you can’t–”

  “Wrong, senator! I can. Bind him.”

  Magnus had two of his men cuff Fiske’s hands behind his back. Glancing to my left I indicated a section of the wall beside the dais.

  “Stand him at that wall and detail a firing squad.”

  “B ... but ... I didn’t ... you can’t ...” Fiske sputtered.

  Magnus looked up at me. “Sire ...” I could see in his eyes that he was wondering what kind of monster he had helped put on the throne.

  “That is an order, Admiral,” I said calmly.

  Acknowledging my command with a nod, Magnus motioned to the Marines flanking the Senator and they began dragging him to the wall. Anyone who was nearby scrambled to clear the area.

  Fisk was struggling frantically against the Marines holding him.

  “No! You can’t do this!” he screamed. He dug in his heels, back-peddled and squirmed with all of his might, but the soldiers continued to drag him as if he were a recalcitrant child. Soon he gave up his struggling and slumped down in their grip. His knees collapsed and he was dragged whimpering the last few meters.

  When they reached the wall, the Marines turned him around and stood him in place. Fiske looked up at me and pleaded, tears streaming down his face, “Please don’t do this!”

  The Marines who had dragged him into place joined four others the Admiral had selected for the firing squad and unslung their weapons. The senator’s eyes went wide at the sight of the six, stern faced marines facing him. A dark stain appeared in his crotch and spread down his leg as his bladder cut loose. He started trembling all over.

  “Please,” he begged.

  Magnus stepped up beside his men.

  “Ready!”

  The Marines flicked off their safeties.

  “Please!”

  “Aim!”

  Six rifle stocks were raised to shoulders and six red dots appeared on the Senator’s chest as the Marines sighted in on their target.

  “NOOO!”

  “Hold!” I called.

  The Marines lowered their weapons.

  I rose to my feet and descended the dais steps. Senator Fiske collapsed to his knees as I approached, blubbering as he knelt in a puddle of his own urine.

  “Is this truly what you want, Senator? A ruler who perverts the law to suit his own purposes?” I pulled the crown from my head and held it in front of his face. “This does not make me above the law. Yes, I have the power to act outside of the scope of the established laws, but that is not the freedom you conceive it to be. It is a responsibility more profound than you can possibly imagine!”

  Fiske looked up at me and spoke through trembling lips. “Do you mean ... you’re not going to ... to ...”

  “No, senator. I’m not going to have you executed, no matter how much you make my skin crawl.”

  “Thank you, Sire!” he said, bowing his head and groveling at my feet.

  “Don’t thank me,” I said, stepping back. “If it were up to me you would be stripped of your office and barred from ever holding any political position again. But you were elected to your seat by the people of your system, God help them, and I will leave your fate to your constituents.” I looked at Magnus. “Release him.” I saw mingled relief and respect in the Admiral’s eyes as he ordered one of his men to unlock the cuffs.

  Turning away I made my way back up the dais stairs. I could feel my hands trembling with pent up energy, yet I felt tired, drained as if I had just completed a marathon. Pausing beside the throne I calmed the trembling, replaced the crown on my head and lowered myself back onto the throne. The crown was a dead weight on my head, heavy with the weight of responsibility. I took several moments to organize my thoughts. There was so much that I wanted to say. That I needed to say. But my thoughts refused to fall into order. Try as I might I could not seem to focus.

  Then a movement at the back of the room drew my attention. Alex–Morgana–had entered the senate chamber. Our eyes met and she smiled, giving me the same slight nod she always did to tell me I had her support.

  I immediately felt lighter. I sat up straighter, my thoughts suddenly clear. With her in my corner I could do anything. I knew what I had to say.

  “Our kingdom has seen much turmoil of the past few years,” I began. “Duke Sebastian’s treachery and paranoia has turned our nation into a police state, a place where civil liberties were nonexistent and citizens lived in fear of their own law enforcement agents. Terrorists are committing acts of piracy against our people and playing havoc with interstellar shipping. As a result, our economy has slipped into a severe recession.” I paused, my eyes studying the faces looking up at me.

  “We have a lot of work to do.

  “Over the next several days I will personally be reviewing all of the legislative changes promulgated under Duke Sebastian, with the objective of maintaining the fundamental civil rights promised to the people in our Constitution. We cannot fight the evils of the enemies arrayed against us by adopting their methods. I will not allow anyone or anything to pervert the very foundations of what we are. If we change the core of our society then the enemy has already won. We must fiercely hold on to our principles and bring the fight to these enemies. We must root them out wherever the
y are hiding and show them that they will not be allowed to visit their violence on us with impunity.

  “And root them out we will. Information has come to my attention which I believe will have a profound impact in our fight against the pirate activity plaguing our shipping. Make no mistake, we are going to put an end to this menace in the inter-stellar lanes and we are going to fix the problems within our society. And this is how we are going to begin...”

  I spoke for almost another half an hour. The details of what I said weren’t important. What was important was that the people saw that I was determined to return the kingdom to a nation where individual rights were respected under the law. That they saw how determined I was to put an end to the pirate menace. That they saw how determined I was to repair the economy and bring and end to the recession.

  After years of abuse under Sebastian, I needed to impress upon the people that there was a strong, competent hand on the tiller. Judging by the expressions on the faces of many of the Senators facing me my message got through.

  Change was coming.