Aurora Renegades
Page 40
She’d rented a condo a few blocks away for now, and possibly for longer. Today might feel normal, but buying another home seemed a bit too much like tempting fate.
When she’d found out Noah and Kennedy were leaving Erisen for an independent world, she’d lobbied hard for them to come to Romane. It had been an easy case to make, for Romane objectively was the best place from which to launch Connova.
Noah shot Kennedy an adoring look. “You had her so off-balance you were able to wrangle an extra five percent in fees per tonne. With that we can buy a second design emulator.”
He’d always projected an easy, fun-loving, good-times demeanor, but now Noah acted genuinely happy. Weird. She’d never have put the two of them together for longer than a one-night tryst, but many months in, it appeared to be working out. Kennedy was proving to be far more complex than Mia had foolishly judged her to be on first impression, too, which might explain it. They’d never be friends, but she had to respect the woman for giving the proverbial finger to the most powerful government in existence and billions in wealth.
On the interior wall, the news feed blasted an alert, and all eyes inexorably drifted to the screen. Multiple powder kegs were set to blow across settled space. Eventually one would, doubtless followed by the rest.
“More than eighty people are reported dead at the Government Administration Center on Andromeda following an incursion by unidentified commandos. The deceased include Governor Karas, the Assistant Governor, the Chief of Staff and numerous other government officials.
“Hold on—we’re receiving some sort of communication from the Andromeda government’s official channel. It states that in light of the absence of a functioning governmental infrastructure, martial law has been declared and a ‘new administration installed.’
“We’ve been given no indication who is leading this new administration or from where they derive their authority. It’s possible the message originates from the attackers. Given that local law enforcement has been unable to retake the complex, this raises the possibility of a coup or an outright takeover by outside parties.”
Noah snorted. “That’s not going to go over well on Seneca. Andromeda may be independent, but it’s damn close to the Federation border.”
“And it’s the fourth independent colony without an operational government after what went down on Argo Navis last week. No way is it happenstance.” Mia glanced out the window, then back at the screen.
She set her drink on the table beside her chair and stood. “Sorry, but I have to run. I need to see the governor.”
Mia had sent a message to Governor Ledesme letting the woman know she’d returned to Romane a few days after arriving. She wasn’t hiding, and she had no desire to create the impression she was. Vacating herself and Meno from EASC was not illegal—she’d been a ward, not a prisoner—and as for the other aspects of her departure? For better or worse, they’d blame Devon long before her.
Abigail had said Admiral Solovy wasn’t inclined to come after them, though it didn’t mean other officials wouldn’t. The reasons for the admiral’s leniency weren’t entirely clear to Mia, but she was grateful for it. Honestly, given Caleb’s message to her and now this unexpected boon, she wished she could have handled the escape a little differently.
“The governor will see you now.”
She thanked the secretary and stepped inside the office.
Madison Ledesme observed her with shrewd eyes. “Ms. Requelme, please come in.”
“Madame Governor.”
Ledesme studied her a moment longer. “Perhaps we ought to loosen up on the formalities. We worked together through difficult times, and you did protect Romane from tremendous destruction, saving many lives and nearly sacrificing your own in the process.”
Mia gave her a breezy smile and sat in one of the chairs opposite the governor’s desk. “I was glad to do it.” The saving Romane, not the nearly dying, which she assumed Ledesme understood.
“So, what can I do for you today?”
“You’ve seen the news about Andromeda?”
Ledesme nodded. “It’s troubling. It would be easy to write it off as a consequence of the colony never fully recovering from the Metigen attack, but I know—knew—Karas. He was no weakling. Also a good man. And they dumped his tortured body off the roof like yesterday’s garbage.”
“I’m sorry.”
“As am I. At this rate in a few months only the strongest independents will be left standing, which is not a situation we want to see develop.”
“It will make it easier for the Alliance and Federation to attack the underpinnings of the entire independent colony system, and I’ve no doubt you’ll want to begin strengthening your position for such an eventuality. But I’m concerned about a more immediate threat.”
Ledesme looked at her sharply. “The events which transpired on Argo Navis and Andromeda can’t happen here. We’re vastly stronger. Our defenses dwarf those of all the fallen colonies combined, and our governmental structure is far more institutionalized.”
Mia struggled to keep her posture rigid as the weight of deciding to speak out and stand up pressed upon her chest yet again. “If I’m right about what’s behind those offensives, you’re not strong enough. Not yet. But I want to help you get there.”
“Reason dictates that you’re not here to warn me about another imminent alien invasion. But it also suggests I should not be surprised that you yet again know something the rest of us don’t. So tell me, Ms. Requelme. What is coming for us?”
Like me. Not like me. Infinitely worse.
Envision someone, something, wielding all the powers of an Artificial and none of the conscience. Artificials are believed by some to be evil, but even the most destructive can justify their decisions using their own moral scales. The human soul, however, is capable of far greater depravity, and when one so inclined is granted the power of an Artificial…we haven’t seen its kind before, because it’s never existed before. Add in vast wealth and resources, and it frightens me. It should frighten everyone.
She voiced none of this. But she’d chosen the word ‘what’ instead of ‘who’ deliberately, for two reasons. First, she wanted to minimize any association which might arise due to them sharing a single characteristic. Also, she wasn’t certain the woman had ever been human, but regardless, she appeared to no longer suffer from the condition.
Mia exhaled and allowed her mouth to set into a grim line. “Olivia Montegreu.”
6
SPACE, NORTHEAST QUADRANT
Itero Stellar System
* * *
Two lonely vessels orbited Itero, one representing the Alliance and one the Federation.
They kept their distance from one another, but not so far as to prevent them from monitoring the other’s actions. This was the entire reason the ships patrolled here—to ensure the other party didn’t decide it was tired of waiting on the proper authorities to rule on jurisdiction and take control of the planet.
The beacons transmitted a laughably pathetic message:
Source: 2nd Planetary Body of Stellar System XX-53
Jurisdiction: To be determined
Notice: This system is under review by the Inter-Governmental Conflict Resolution Board. Any inquiries should be directed to the Board. No landings or other activities in the system are permitted at this time.
The arrogance implicit in the message amused Olivia. The notion any of them—the Alliance or Federation governments or this absurd Board they’d created out of thin air—could simply declare that no activities were permitted on a planet none of them owned represented the height of hubris.
She did not recognize their authority, however, and as on any unclaimed planet and most claimed ones, she would do whatever she damn well pleased.
“Eliminate both vessels, then destroy the beacons and replace them with ours.” The order went out to the six merc ships under her command.
The patrolling vessels never saw the attack coming, and in shor
t order the first of her beacons began transmitting a new, more appropriate message:
Source: 2nd Planetary Body of Stellar System XX-53
Jurisdiction: Zelones
Notice: Itero and all objects in this system, celestial or otherwise, are now the property of the Zelones organization. Unauthorized visitors will be shot on detection.
“All parties, commence Phase One operations.” Phase One included establishment of robust orbital defenses as well as assembly of temporary structures at the selected colonization site. She was bringing considerable resources to bear here, and her presence needed to be established with due speed, before the various authorities removed their thumbs from their asses and attempted to take it from her.
36.2% likelihood any ever attempt it.
If not attempted in the first 100 hours, 12.8% likelihood they succeed.
“Take us down to the site. I want to oversee the initial construction.”
The pilot nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
She endured the rocky atmospheric transit; an atmosphere corridor was not slated until Phase Two. Regrettable, but prioritization was necessary.
When they landed, she stepped out onto a field of soft, golden grasses.
This really was such a more pleasant place than New Babel. She wouldn’t be moving her base of operations, at least not for the foreseeable future, but Itero made for a refreshing change from both her home and Dolos Station. She needed a strong foothold on the eastern side of settled space—a bookend to New Babel. Itero would serve that role perfectly.
Yes, perfectly indeed. The business she intended to conduct here—distribution at first, production later—could be performed anywhere. In truth, this move was above all else about the blatant, unabashed projection of power.
For years, for centuries, the Zelones organization had operated in the shadows. Despite immense wealth and influence, it had been forced to remain hidden, denied the public respect it had always been due.
No more.
Her ships began landing and unloading materials and equipment. Within minutes, construction had begun. In orbit high above her, defense turrets were now being positioned. She’d eschewed the bulky, high-maintenance arrays most colonies used in favor of newly designed networked turrets with independent movement. Her research department—primarily her Artificial, acting through her as needed—had developed some nice improvements in targeting and propulsion which greatly increased the turrets' effectiveness and reliability.
They were also far easier to deploy. When she confirmed the turrets were active, her multi-branching list of objectives and the actions required to achieve them updated to reflect the acquisition of Itero. It was time to share the news.
She sent a message to a dozen of the highest Alliance and Federation authorities and to the entire Inter-Governmental Conflict Resolution Board.
To Those Who Believe Themselves To Be In Charge:
It’s a shame to let such a lovely world go to waste while you squabble over it endlessly, so I’ve taken it for myself. You should consider adopting a more decisive approach toward future finds, or I may take them as well.
Good day.
— Olivia Montegreu
7
SENECA
Cavare
Senecan Federation Headquarters
* * *
“Are they joking?”
James Abbate cleared his throat. “I’m afraid not, Chairman.”
Vranas’ expression of disbelief extended all the way to his hands, raised with palms open as his gaze ran across the Cabinet meeting attendees. “The Alliance’s reaction to the Itero jurisdiction dispute is to request that all potential claims be put before the Inter-Governmental Conflict Resolution Board before being made, so the Board can adjudicate who deserves the rights. Have they learned nothing in twenty-three years?”
Abbate stared at the table. “I can’t answer that, sir.”
“The answer is implied in the statement, Consul.”
Erik Ingle, Director of the Interstellar Development Agency, spoke up. “How should we respond?”
Graham offered a middle finger as a suggested response; Vranas acknowledged it with a tilt of his head. “Our response will be a polite but firm ‘no’—but not yet. Ingle, I understand your people have discovered a promising world south of our border, one with low gravity and rich in minerals. One which happens to be located approximately halfway between Messium and Pyxis.”
“Yes, sir. The gravity is too low for a residential colony, but it’s ideal for manufacturing and research.”
“Excellent. Begin internal claiming and clearance procedures immediately. As soon as the claim is official, then we’ll deliver our response to the Board.”
“Understood.”
“Marshal Gianno, see to manufacturing a few ships on this new world in the near future.”
“Ships with adiamene hulls, I assume?”
“Most assuredly. Don’t move everything—keep most of the construction on our central worlds—but enough to attract attention.”
“Consider it done.”
“Good.” Vranas paused to take a sip of his water. “What’s the report on Andromeda, Argo Navis, Cosenti and every other independent colony within sight of our borders?”
Aristide was getting punchy, Graham noted wryly. Odd that he’d kept his composure through two wars, yet was losing it in the face of quasi-peaceful squabbling with the Alliance and a rogue criminal expanding her power base. Perhaps the Chairman hadn’t been prepared for the aftermath of the Metigen War to be so chaotic.
Assuming the question had been directed at him, Graham leaned forward. “All indications are the Zelones cartel is behind the coups and changes in leadership on all three colonies. Olivia Montegreu is flexing her new Prevo muscles.” The Cabinet had been briefed in full on Project Noetica in the wake of its collapse. Fun meeting.
Gianno added, “We’ve offered our assistance to the few former government officials on Andromeda still living, but they don’t appear to be in any position to accept it.”
“We could exercise our assistance anyway.”
Vranas shot the State Security Director a sharp glare. “We don’t do that sort of thing.”
“I only meant—”
“I realize what you meant, but we don’t do that sort of thing. If we become bullies, there won’t be a reasonable, sane government left in the galaxy.”
“Romane’s government seems level-headed enough.”
Graham snorted. “Don’t be too sure.”
Vranas tossed a questioning look in his direction, but he signaled ‘later’ with a tiny shake of his head.
“Marshal, increase patrols on the northern and western borders by as much as you can without disrupting normal operations. Director Callis, suspend diplomatic relations with the affected colonies until they provide details on their new ‘governments,’ which I suspect they’ll be unwilling to do. Issue a travel warning for Federation citizens advising against unnecessary trips to those colonies.”
“Not a complete ban, sir?”
Vranas sighed. “No. We don’t do that sort of thing.”
The door to Vranas’ office shut behind Graham, and the Chairman collapsed into his chair. “So what are you going to do about Montegreu?”
“Hell if I know. The Alliance report from the incursion to rescue Dr. Canivon states that Montegreu wears some kind of defense shield which is impenetrable to even point-blank small arms fire. If we could catch her on a ship we’d blow it up, but she’s flooding the services with bad intel. We’re getting twenty tips on her location a day, and they all report different places.”
“We have advanced cloaking shields, too. Can’t we sneak into New Babel airspace and take out the whole building from afar?”
“Already tried, actually.”
Vranas’ eyes widened in surprise. “Seriously?”
“Turns out she’s upgraded the defenses not only at her headquarters, but the rest of the planet, too.”
“That was more or less my reaction. We’re studying other options.”
Unfortunately, Graham didn’t have anything else he could add…and while maybe it shouldn’t be, his mind remained burdened by another matter. “Aristide, why did you never tell me about Operation Colpetto?”
Vranas flinched, but at least he didn’t try to feign ignorance. “By the time I met you, and certainly by the time you rose to Director, it was long in the past and not relevant to a damn thing.”
“In other words, you felt guilty.”
“No. I mourned the innocent lives lost, but the Alliance had us trapped in an impossible situation. We did what we had to do in order to claim our rightful freedom.”
“Easy to say it now—” A priority alert flashed in Graham’s vision.
Bloody merda hell….
He dragged a hand across his jaw. “Speak of Lucifer herself. Olivia Montegreu just killed all our people at Itero. The Alliance contingent, too. She’s taken control of the planet.”
8
ROMANE
Independent Colony
Government Headquarters
* * *
Mia: You’ll do it, then?
Morgan: Hell, yes, I’ll do it. Far better way to scratch the itch I’ve got than binge drinking.
Mia: You’re not wrong.
Mia schooled her expression as she entered the conference room. Governor Ledesme and three advisors were seated around the table—including Defense Chief Herndon, who had been less than friendly toward her during the Metigen attack.
She tilted her head at him in acknowledgment as if they were old friends and reached over the table to shake the governor’s hand before taking her seat.
“Thank you for coming, Ms. Requelme. You’ll be pleased to know we’ve decided to explore your suggestion further. If her previous aggressions had not done so, the events at Itero have demonstrated beyond all doubt the severity of the threat Olivia Montegreu poses to all independent colonies.”