Stone and the Ravens (Guardian Stone Book 3)

by Don Koch

 

  "I want him to stand trial on Malone, but thank you for the offer. Are the lot of you willing to join me in my office in 20 minutes? We can confront and arrest him there. Use your teleport method so no one will know you are there unless they are in the room."

  "We can do that. We would have no problem with you having a few of your secret service or presidential guards there provided they can keep a secret. We will add a few more species from our team to make clear we are not locals."

  "I like the way you think. See you in 20." Barana transported the President back to the exercise room, where he took a quick shower, dressed and went to his office. On the way he asked two of his most trusted guards to accompany him, Brent and Melissa Lane, a married couple. Once in his office he told his guards that what they were about to see in this room was not to be repeated. He also advised that they would shortly have visitors that would arrive in a shocking manner and that they were to maintain their cool heads and observe, that he would be in no danger. He then sent a message to his Chief of Staff that he wanted to see him in the Presidential office in 15 minutes.

  Five minutes later, the Antoran contingent along with Generals Raven arrived. The two guards gawked and Sass said, "More headbands."

  Hank felt obligated to explain the reference in view of the laughter.

  When Fixte arrived and entered the room, he was startled to see so many persons in the room and then realized that there was an unusual collection of species in the room and uniforms he did not recognize. The President told his Chief of Staff to be seated and stated, "These gentlepersons are here to arrest you for interstellar crimes, including, support of an invasion by an alien power, aiding and abetting murder, and ordering murder. This planet however has first call and I am inclined to try you here under our laws for these charges and to them we will add treason. The evidence for this is overwhelming and will be presented at your trial. You will sign this document resigning your present position. Do you have anything to say?"

  "You can not prove any of these allegations. It is not possible."

  Hank said, "Very well we will give you a demonstration of what is possible. Josh, and Sass if you will."

  Josh and Sass then proceeded to lay out what they had including the DNA evidence; the locating of the communi-cation sources, the content of those communications; the personnel file from Sitler; the identification confirmation by Admiral Grout; the clandestine communication gear found in his office; the means he used to provide a false background including the murder done to facilitate it; and much more. As this was going on, he tried to pull out a small pistol but Barana promptly removed it from his grip and suspended it a few feet from his reach. Sass noted that it was standard issue for Sitleran staff officers. Barana then issued the coup de grace by showing a vid of Fixte(Fist) escorting Rema Brondin at her birthday party.

  Hank had wanted the two guards in the room as a sort of barometer of the mood in the room. They were clearly incensed by what they had seen and heard but they were professional. The President noted that if convicted in a Malone court, Fixte was facing a death penalty.

  Fist picked up the pen, and broke it in two, refusing to sign the resignation. Hank had advised the President that the Antoran Fleet was willing to hold Fixte incarcerated until his trial. The President thanked him for the gesture and said that Malone had a maximum security prison and they would incarcerate him there. Hank then added that to assure that he did not escape, Fixte had been tagged with an Antoran tracker. Any attempt to leave the area designated within the prison would result in his immediate return to his cell. The cell would also be monitored and shielded to prevent attempts on his life. Barana also noted that Fixte had a termination capsule on his person that had been removed.

  The president called a security detail to report to his office. Brent and Melissa Lane escorted Fixte to the outer office and when the Security detail arrived, the Lanes gave Fixte over to their custody and provided a Presidential warrant for his arrest. They then went back into the office.

  Both of the Lanes snapped to attention and gave Hank a sharp salute. Brent said, "Nicely done sir. Really nicely done." Hank and Sam stayed behind with the Generals Raven and the Lanes. "We have found enough stuff about Mr. Fixte or Fist that if anyone suggests his competence will be missed, it can easily be refuted with facts. Also, the Generals here are telepaths as are their kids. You can't lie to a telepath without their knowing it for what it is. You may find it useful during your interviews of staff to utilize that ability. We also promised you a tour of the Station when you have the time. I would hope you might include your guards when you do. They pretty much let me know that we had Fixte right where we thought we had him. When you are ready for that tour, just speak out loud to Barana. She will hear you and respond. Now we have to clean out that nest of vipers. Talk to you later." The Generals wanted to stay behind to chat with the President. Hank and Sam returned to the Station.

  Mae commented, "Well Mr. President, that was extraordinary. May I suggest the five of us get comfortable and discuss all of this."

  The President looked with a grin at his two guards and commented, "Well it looks like the two of you have just entered a new existence. Your security clearance is now higher than anyone else in the building except for just us kids. Do you want to stay with this?"

  Both looked at each other and agreed that they wanted to stay. Mae and John asked them a number of questions and finally the President with a quizzical expression, asked what that was all about.

  Mae said, "These two are what they say they are. All of their responses have been straight truth. John and I are telepaths. We know when we are being lied to and we can usually identify half-truths. These two are keepers. My suggestion would be to enroll them in the Rangers but Station them close to you. They will have your back with the enhancements and training we can provide. What do you think? Oh, one more thing that I think Hank was indirectly telling us. I believe that Brent and Melissa may be telepaths and if so they may want the training the Antoran Station can provide."

  In a voice that they could all hear, Barana commented,

  John and Mae went on to brief the President on all that had occurred in the last few weeks. This included the fact that Malone would have been helpless against the symbiotes.

  Chapter 21: Sitler

  Station 1 in Malone Orbit –

  April 1 – C Day 580

  Hank asked Fasix Grout to meet with him to discuss Sitler. "Fasix, its been four days since we ended Rema Brondin's rule of Sitler. We need to get Sitler back on track again. Tell me a bit about the form of government you had before Rema and what were its strengths and weaknesses."

  "Well I am probably not the best person to answer that but it was an elected representative form of government with four divisions. It consisted of a Legislative division, a Judicial division, an Executive division and a Reset division."

  "A Reset division, what is that?"

  "I understand that it may be a unique feature to a representative form of government but it is a body of elected officials that can, under a set of special conditions call for replacement of all elected and appointed officials at the federal level. It is supposed to be used when the various divisions of government are at an impasse, are irretrievably deadlocked and it is a situation harmful to the public generally. It then requires the formation of a new elected government. An interim government serves for a six-month period while new elections are prepared and held. Members of the Reset division cannot run for any office for a period of four years following their tenure in the Reset division."

  "The other divisions are more conventional as I understand what our scholars say on the structure. Legislative terms are for four years with a two-term limit per house. They prepare, develop and pass the laws of the land according to our consti
tution as well as appropriate funds for running the government. Commercial lobbying is strictly limited."

  "The Executive serves a single six-year term and has veto powers, including line item on budget. That can be over-ridden by a two-thirds majority of the combined legislature. The Judiciary is appointed by the executive for single ten year terms that are staggered. Appointments must receive approval of the Legislative division."

  "I think it is not a bad form but Rema played on some weakness in the relationship between the Reset and Executive division. She then engineered control using them and pulled a coup. That was the end of elections and our liberty."

  "So does that structure still exist?"

  "Well, yes it does, Rema never bothered to abolish it. She had what she wanted and the power to enforce it. What are you thinking?"

  "It seems to me, that if you have a perfectly good system that exists, maybe with a few flaws, why not use it and then do the necessary repairs once it is again working. We could announce that Rema has been deposed, abolish the structure she created, reinstate the constitution, set up an interim government for six months and then hold elections. That may be over simplifying the matter, but why not. The trick will be finding the right people for the interim government."

  "Indeed, that might work, assuming the right people were willing to serve."

  "OK, lets consider who the right people might be. Who in the senior staff of the Sitler Fleet do you think are sufficiently altruistic to perform the duties of an interim government. Don't worry about the interim President, I already know who should do that job."

  "Is that someone I know?"

  "I believe so, because, his name is Fasix Grout.”

  “But...”

  “Before you say that you have no experience, consider that you know how to make decisions. You were in command of a fleet of 140,000 ships and I do not know how many millions of crew that represents. You have had to be pretty careful about the ramifications of those decisions because of who was in power and you know your resources. Besides, this is only for six months and then I have a bigger job for you if you want it."

  "But I was part of that system."

  "Yes you were, but do you think that someone from outside of the system could make it work and do so in a short time? You were not part of the Brondin political system that was more of a self-gratification machine than not. Who else fits that description? We need to identify who was good in that system and who was not. The bad has to be weeded out. We can help you there. Anyone wanting to run for an elected office will have to be interviewed to determine the veracity of their statements. Remember the part about it being able to lie to a telepath? Now it comes in handy. Carlos Montoya and his crew are quite good at identifying the bad seed and can help you. Sitlerans should conduct the interviews. We can advise you who is telling you the truth. We can identify additional telepaths in your population and they can help with those interviews. You have been around your peers for quite some time so I suspect you have some feelings on this. Your latent talent will enhance the review. We also intend to identify anyone who committed criminal acts and provide the documentation to your justice system. I have to believe that some of your political officers are good people. I would look first for those who have been imprisoned for acts not considered appropriate to a political officer's position. People need to see that many of these acts were inappropriate and that now they have to pay for their misdeeds."

  "How soon are we doing this?"

  "In about three hours. It would not be wise to allow the power vacuum to continue much longer. We have to get you and your family over to Station 10 and Sequoia's tender mercies. I would like for you to live on that Station for the next six months. As part of this, we are going to uncloak Station 10. That Station is 200 miles long so it cannot be missed. You will be more secure there and Sequoia can monitor the development of the enhancements that were emplaced in you yesterday. Those are necessary since you may be a target for radical thinkers, anarchists or Brondin supporters on Sitler. We also need to provide protection packages for your family. We have some really effective nanotechnology for that. It will appear that you are living in the Presidential palace but I am not entirely satisfied that it is secure as needs be. We have prepared a speech for you to modify and personalize that covers all the points that need to be made. You need to be sure you agree with the content and you can work that out with Sequoia. She can then provide you with a prompter that no one will know is there, if you want one."

  "The crew is currently looking at Department heads to see who should stay and who should not. This will settle down quicker than you might expect."

  "When this is over, I would like you to consider command of a Station that will be providing protection for Sitler. The Station will be one of our new Type 2B Stations. Its 90 miles long by 60 miles across and will have a multi species crew, including some that we hope to recruit from Sitler, more about that a bit later. You will have your family on board with you. Are any of the former Reset division members still alive?"

  "I believe that about eight of the twelve of them are still alive."

  "Barana, please contact Sequoia and round up those that are still alive and bring them to the lodge on Station 10. Let me know when they are there and I will meet with them."

 

  # Station 10 in Sitler Orbit - 3 hours later #

  Sequoia had found nine members still alive and had brought them to the lodge on Station 10. Hank had met with the remaining members of the Reset division and explained what he had in mind. To a person they welcomed his plan. Fasix arrived during their meeting and he also met with them. Some were in tears because they did not believe they would see this day arrive.

  Fasix was standing before a flag of the Republic of Sitler, a flag that had not been publicly seen on Sitler for 15 years. "OK, Carlos, Sequoia, here we go, all Stations, all receivers, all public address systems."

  "Citizens of Sitler, my name is Admiral of the Fleets Fasix Grout. Four days ago, I was ordered by the Leader Rema Brondin to invade three systems to our Galactic North. In a matter of three to four hours, our entire fleet consisting of about 140,000 ships of war was totally defeated. We were essentially captured intact with no loss of life in about 3 hours. Frankly I am happy that was the case since the invasion was without provocation from the systems we were attacking. We were clearly in the wrong. The Antoran Fleet stopped us cold. Our ships could not touch theirs."

  "Four days ago, elements of that same fleet deposed the Leader, Rema Brondin who is an alien from a system some 15,000 light years from here. She maintained control of her officer corps through the use of brain bombs that are a termination device. She also held the families of all officers and senior NCO’s in special enclaves located in a remote area. They were held as hostage to assure that her orders were obeyed. More than one officer met his or her demise on a whim from the Leader. She is currently under arrest and her trial will start later this month. There is also an existing extradition request from her home planet, Yannar, for crimes committed there. Yannar is 15,000 light years from here."

  'With me today, are the surviving members of the Reset division. Their Chairman would like to address you, Mr. Chairman."

  "I am Philip Cranston, Chairman of the Reset division. Acting in concurrence with a unanimous vote of the surviving Reset division, we hereby abolish all rules, laws, edicts and commands issued by the purported Leader, Rema Brondin effective immediately and order that she stand trial for her crimes against this planet. We herewith reinstate the constitution of the Republic of Sitler and all properly constituted statutes and regulations adopted by the Republic of Sitler effective immediately. As our final act in office, we name Fasix Grout as interim President of this Republic with all powers appropriate to that office. Citizens of Sitler, that is my formal statement. Informally, I would like to say and my compatriots agree with this statement, I am glad to still be alive to see this day arrive and I personally thank the Antoran fle
et for their role in bringing about this event. Thank you." He exited the podium with joyful tears in his eyes and to the applause of his peers. On Sitler, there was literally dancing in the streets.

  "I noted in my opening remarks that the Antoran fleet stopped us cold in the Brondin ordered invasion of our neighbors. Her primary tool in that takeover was a symbiote that essentially made a puppet of anyone exposed to it. Once the symbiote was installed it generally was not passed on to others around the infected host. However the host was transformed into something else, usually without external evidence of change. That person no longer had a sense of self-preservation and was subject to the whims and commands of the Leader. That person's personality was changed and this made for an excellent tool in the hands of someone like Rema Brondin. Essentially they became puppets. These symbiotes have been destroyed by the Antorans and steps have been taken to prevent its reintroduction. Thanks to them, we have our lives back."

  "The Constitution of the Antorans has two features that are of some importance to us. The first is to prevent conflicts from going into space and the second is to prevent enslavement of populations. This means that we must give up the placing of any militaristic vessels in space. The quid pro quo is that the Antorans will provide our external security. To do this, they need to be able to man their Stations. They look for volunteers from the systems they protect but that is not a requirement, merely an opportunity."

  “What of these Stations as they call them. They are immense. They are usually cloaked and invisible but today they have agreed to uncloak so we can see for ourselves. There are two in our skies now. The bigger of the two is 200 miles long and 60 miles across. The smaller is 90 miles by 60 miles. Each Station contains a minimum of 20,000 warships that are each 900 feet long by 300 feet across. As small as these warships are, our dreadnaughts can't touch them. The technology you see there is centuries ahead of ours, probably more than a thousand years ahead."