by Kal Spriggs
“They array and the station,” Captain Franks corrected.
“That should be: 'Your Highness,'” Valens Balventia snapped.
Captain Franks looked between the two of them. “Excuse me?”
Valens gritted his teeth, “When you address the Emperor of Nova Roma, you will refer to him as 'Your Highness' am I understood?”
Captain Franks looked over at Admiral Dreyfus with a confused expression. Lucius could see that the Admiral was torn between maintaining the alliance and snapping at the arrogant Nova Roman Admiral. Emperor Romulus IV looked slightly irritated, though Lucius wasn't certain whether it was with Captain Franks or Valens. Valens Balventia's face was flushed and his dark eyes narrowed with anger. Admiral Mund sat silent, his lined face clearly uncomfortable.
Lucius cleared his throat, “The Emperor's question is still valid, what have we learned about the stealth ship?” He could feel Valens' glare, but he ignored it as Captain Franks pulled up the data.
“Yes, Baron,” Captain Franks said. “As you can see, we have limited data available. The Nova Roma sensors were unable to identify the ship. Also, their return fire on the ship caused its fusion plant to overload, so we don't have any debris to analyze.” Lucius didn't need to glance over at the Emperor and Valens to see their expressions of anger at the implied insult. Captain Franks looked up, “As far as we can determine, the ship was a corvette or frigate. As we saw in the battle, it carried twelve shipkiller missiles.”
“The battle where we saved your precious array,” Admiral Valens Balventia snapped. Lucius glanced over to see the other man's face flushed.
“We can't properly express our gratitude for that,” Admiral Dreyfus said. “We have adopted more of a dispersed formation to defend against another such raid, but that single blow could have effectively ended any offensive operations until we could find some other way to secure antimatter for our vessels.” His words were designed to appease the Emperor and Valens, Lucius knew. Still, if anything, they understated the risks. They had already discussed some contingencies, but almost no other option would produce sufficient quantities of antimatter for the Dreyfus Fleet to run at anything more than standby mode.
Captain Franks spoke up, “Gentlemen, to return to the briefing, we have uncovered additional information about the source of the attacks.”
“You already said it was Garris Major,” Valens Balventia said sharply.
“That was the origin,” Captain Franks nodded, “But we have additional information about the system. Some of our intelligence assets have reported an element of the Garris Major system is in revolt.”
“The raiders?” Admiral Mund asked and leaned forward, suddenly interested. Lucius caught a flicker of expression on the Emperor's face, as well.
“That's what we we are starting to believe,” Captain Wu said. The female intelligence officer stood, her face serious. “We are seeing conflicting reports about who is actually in charge there.” She paused and brought up a news clip, which showed several different people in some kind of announcement, “President Joe Monaghan of Halcyon announced their independence from the Colonial Republic. They also made mention of privateers as well as their own defense force striking those allied with President Salazar, the Colonial Republic member of the Garris Major system.” She zoomed in on one woman in the picture. Blown up it was easy to recognize Admiral Lucretta Mannetti. “As you can see, they have rather odd allies.”
Dead silence met that announcement. Lucius looked around the table and the anger and irritation on the faces there showed how they all felt about that. “How certain are we of that information?” Lucius asked. Imagery could be forged and this could be some scheme to draw them out in an attack on an innocent system.
“We have confirmation from several sources on Halcyon's declaration of independence as well as the space battle where they seized several grounded ships from the Republic Liberation Fleet.” Admiral Dreyfus said. “That includes an actual copy of the report, in addition to firsthand reports from Wenceslaus from those who received it.” The Colonial Republic's officer corps were notoriously corruptible, so it was no surprise that the United Colonies intelligence personnel had that level of access.
Lucius turned back to Captain Franks. “Please, Captain, continue your briefing.”
Captain Franks nodded, “Gentlemen, that is all we've assembled on the attack here, at this time.” He took a deep breath and shot a glance at Admiral Dreyfus. The Admiral nodded and Captain Wu brought up a different display on the holofield. “Gentlemen, this is what we've assembled on our current investigation into the rogue Admiral Lucretta Mannetti and any possible agents she has here on Faraday.”
Lucius pursed his lips. He still wasn't confident that they were correct that one of his personnel was her collaborator. He had served with all of the suspects and each of them had held his life in their hands multiple times. It just didn't make sense, yet there seemed to be no other explanation for how someone had broken her out and helped her to escape the planet after her capture.
“As you can see,” Captain Wu said. “Our investigation has shifted to her known activities. It appears she also has some ties with Halcyon, but we've pinned down her probable base of operations to Port Klast,.” Lucius nodded at that. The system was a known pirate haven, open to whatever ship made port. It was so far out on the edge of human space that its isolation provided some security against a retaliatory strike. The star system also lay within a stellar nebula and the dense clouds of dust and debris made sensor readings problematic. For that matter, Thomas Kaid controlled the system. The infamous terrorist and agent provocateur had a reputation for ruthlessness and paranoia. The two Colonial Republic attempts to capture the system had failed, destroyed by the extensive defenses and the pirates themselves.
“We have been able to locate some of her accounts and from there do some tracking of her sale of loot and her own network of spies and informants.” Captain Franks hesitated. “That is where we found a breakthrough.” He looked suddenly uncomfortable.
“Captain Franks,” Emperor Romulus said, “Any information you've uncovered that can lead to the arrest of the pirate Lucretta Mannetti is invaluable.”
Captain Franks pulled up a bank account. Lucius stared at it for a long moment, confused, as he read the data. The account held almost two hundred million Colonial Republic Solari, a substantial sum, enough to live comfortably on almost any world. What confused him, however, was the picture of the account holder. It was Anthony Doko, Lucius's former Executive Officer from his time aboard the War Shrike.
“We traced some of the money transfers to a bank on Tannis,” Captain Franks said. “As you can see, gentlemen, the account seems to belong to Captain Anthony Doko, of the United Colonies Fleet.”
Lucius felt the blood drain from his face, “No.”
Admiral Dreyfus spoke, “Baron, I know you have served with Captain Doko for many years, but the evidence suggests that Mannetti has him in her employ.”
“I don't think this is enough evidence to convict him,” Lucius said.
“This traitorous piece of filth is married to my sister,” Emperor Romulus snapped. “I say he be remanded to Nova Roma custody and face the trial and execution he deserves.”
Lucius clenched his jaw. He saw a smirk on Valens Balventia's face. Lucius doubted that the man even knew Anthony Doko, but the chance to embarrass Lucius and to remove a trusted officer, without a doubt, made him happy enough. The Emperor's past with Anthony was enough to turn him against the officer, despite the slim evidence. Anthony had married Lizmadie without the Emperor's permission... in fact, he'd done it after the Emperor had expressly forbid it. The fact that he and Lizmadie had known one another for decades didn't matter to him, he cared only that his authority was overridden and that a lowborn commoner had married his sister.
Lucius spoke up, “He is an officer of the United Colonies Fleet, so jurisdiction lies with us.”
“Sir, that's an issue,” Captain Fran
ks said. “He has not renounced his rank or citizenship with Nova Roma. So therefore, it is still under their authority to convene a courts-martial. That's why we brought it before them, as well.”
That did not mean that Lucius had to turn Anthony Doko over to them, though. Still, it would be better if he could get them to see reason without shattering the alliance over this issue. “First of all,” Lucius said, “I think the evidence is slim.”
“Two hundred million Solari?” Valens said with a slight smirk. “From a pirate on the run, after losing her ships and primary source of income?” It appears that someone has brought him up to speed on what had happened with Lucretta Mannetti, Lucius thought.
“How much is she worth, from what you've been able to tell, Captain Wu?” Lucius asked. He waited while the short, stocky woman pulled up the data.
“Uh, somewhere between twenty and thirty billion Solari,” Captain Wu said. “Not including her other ships.”
“Other ships?” Admiral Mund asked. “We were led to believe that she brought everything she had for the fight with the Chxor at the Second Battle of Faraday.”
“I think it more likely she brought everything she had available, Admiral,” Captain Franks said. “We've identified at least six additional warships that she has, to include a Centauri Enforcer-class destroyer, a Port Klast built Ravager-class cruiser, a Nova Roma Helot-class carrier, and three Colonial Republic built destroyers.” His report was met with shock. Lucius bit his lip as well. The Colonial Republic's destroyers were, by themselves, the least dangerous. However, they could provide excellent support to the other ships. The Centauri Confederation, despite their ongoing civil war, produced some of the best human ships, easily on par with Nova Roma. Port Klast's shipyards were more of an unknown, but rumor had it that they had black market access to some of the best military technology available in human space. The carrier, especially was extremely dangerous. Helots were the old-style carrier, purpose built for delivering an entire wing of fighters directly into a battle. Nova Roma had phased them out because their tactics had shifted towards capital ship engagements and away from fighter strikes, but that didn't mean the ship wasn't a huge threat. Hell, Lucius thought, I'd love to have a Helot to use against the Chxor.
“Okay,” Lucius said. “That does change things, somewhat. But my point stands. Two hundred million is a drop in the bucket for her.” No one challenged that statement, not after Captain Frank's information. “Moreover, Tannis's banking system is notoriously secure and they value their clients privacy. How did we get this information?” He genuinely doubted that Admiral Dreyfus's intelligence people had managed to infiltrate the Tannis banking system. Nova Roma's Imperial Intelligence Bureau and Imperial Security had tried and failed for over fifty years, with the leverage of trade sanctions and even the threat of military force. The independent star system had ignored such threats and responded with similar tactics and the value of their currency and trade had caused the Nova Roma merchant families to speak out in their favor.
“We detected access on the account, Captain Doko accessed it to check his balance two days ago,” Captain Franks said. He cleared his throat, “He, uh, spoke up as soon as Captain Wu confronted him. According to him, the account was opened by his father, who was a corporate manager on Nova Roma. He states he has maintained a balance there, but that he only ever checks the funds in order to keep the account.”
That was understandable. Tannis's banking system was very exclusive and restricted access to those who they considered worthy. But it was also as secure as any bank could be, with each of the Tannis Doubloons backed by a weight of gold. The Tannis system was notoriously neutral, as well, backed by a fully armed citizenry and a serious system defense force and augmented by the Mercenary Guild. Accounts there were excellent for those who wanted to save up for a secure retirement... or, for that matter, for someone who wanted to betray their nation.
“So, he admitted it was his account,” Lucius said. “Also, we've established that Mannetti could easily make a transfer of that amount, if she felt it was useful to cause rivalry within our ranks.”
“That implies that she is aware of my people investigating her,” Captain Wu said sharply. Her face turned red as she saw the implications. “Or that she wired it through that Colonial Republic bank because she knew we'd pick it up...” She shook her head, “That's implying a serious level of deviousness and competence, Baron.”
Lucius turned his gaze to Valens, “Admiral Balventia, you've both served with her and faced her in battle before. Do you think she's capable of that level of subterfuge?”
Valens gritted his teeth, but he nodded. Lucius remembered, then, that at the engagement in question, she had slaughtered the Marines sent to capture her in a prepared ambush even as the Peregrine had engaged his vessels and eluded their fire to escape. Perhaps not very diplomatic of me, Lucius thought, to remind him of that.
“Regardless of whether or not that is a possibility,” Emperor Romulus said. “The point remains that there is a very likely possibility that Captain Doko has betrayed us. Due to his high involvement in your plans against the Chxor, I think it is essential that something be done.”
Lucius sighed. For all that he knew Anthony Doko wasn't involved... he had to agree that they must take some kinds of precautions. Lucius sighed, “How about this: house arrest until such time as we find additional evidence for or against?” He felt more than a twinge of phantom pain at the thought of losing Anthony Doko's valuable experience. For all the competence and capability of Admiral Dreyfus's people, they didn't have decades of combat against the Chxor and Colonial Republic. Their wars had been brief clashes such as the Wrethe Incursion or the sustained anti-piracy and anti-terrorism conflicts against the Provisional Colonial Republic Army.
“House arrest and full cooperation with my investigative personnel would be fully acceptable,” Captain Wu said.
Lucius looked around the table to meet the eyes of each of the others. The Emperor grimaced, but after a moment he gave a slight nod of approval. Admiral Mund gave a nod. Admiral Valens Balventia gave a shrug, as if he didn't care. Admiral Dreyfus gave a single nod.
“If that is all...” Lucius said. “I've got to inform him.”
***
Captain Anthony Doko straightened his uniform and stood to attention as Baron Lucius Giovanni stepped into the room. “Sir, thank you for coming in person,” Tony said. Tony felt his throat clench a bit at the worry on the Baron's face.
“I would assume that you know what this is about?” Baron Giovanni asked.
Tony nodded. “Sir, I don't know how it happened. Honestly, when I first saw the money in the account, I thought it was something my father must have arranged, maybe even some sign that he made it off Nova Roma before the Chxor invaded.” He shook his head and felt his throat constrict more at the thought of his father. They never been close and they had led very different lives, but Tony still hoped he lived. If nothing else, Tony thought, I'd like to introduce him to his daughter in law.
Baron Giovanni nodded, “Well, I've prevented some kind of show trial or witch hunt. But with the level of suspicion from Captain Wu and how Emperor Romulus feels about you personally, I'm afraid that you're going to be setting out the fight for some time.”
Tony felt his stomach drop, “Baron, I know how it must look, but taking me out entirely...”
“You're in too deep, Tony,” Baron Giovanni said softly. “Even the slightest suspicion on you, because of your involvement in planning our operations, is a strike against you. The evidence is slim, but it's enough that any plan you're involved in would be suspect. The Emperor wanted you remanded to his custody for a trial.” Baron Giovanni shook his head and Tony realized with a shock how tired he looked. More, he looked suddenly old, his face lined with worry and stress. “I've convinced them all to keep you in house arrest, here with Lizmadie until they can dig through this and show that there's no truth to any of it. The main thing is you're restricted here, no c
ommunications off-world and no military contact, nothing at all.”
Tony nodded, yet he felt his shoulders slump. He understood... how could he not? But it still hurt, that his career, his very life, lay in danger over politics and his father's gifted bank account. “I just don't even know how she knew about it,” Tony said. “I wish I'd closed the damned thing, but I had plans to put prize money there, maybe to set aside some savings for after the war.”
“It's not your fault, Tony,” Baron Giovanni said. He gave a confident smile, though his dark eyes still held regret, “You get a bit of a break and we'll take it from here.”
Tony snorted, “I guess I can catch up on my sleep at least.” He opened his mouth to ask about any kind of retaliation against the attack here, but then realized that asking would put the Baron in a difficult situation. Either he answered and violated the terms of the house arrest or he'd have to tell Tony that he couldn't answer. I don't know what to do, Tony realized with a shock, my entire life has been focused on this military career or Lizmadie. He didn't have any other skills, he had no time for hobbies, hadn't ever since he went to the Nova Roma Military Academy.
Baron Giovanni seemed to sense his hesitation and just gave him a nod.
Lizmadie stepped into the room. She seemed to sense the atmosphere in the room and gave them both a warm smile, “Lucius, I'm glad you're here. Will you stay for dinner?” As always, when he saw her, Tony felt his heart soften and the world seemed a better place. Her dark hair fell in a curvy mass, cut short, but still thick and heavy. Her dark green eyes were alert and sharp, yet they still held the edge of softness that made his heart melt. She flashed him a smile and Tony felt his shoulders straighten
Baron Giovanni checked the clock on the wall. He looked torn, Tony saw. “Lizmadie hired a cook, she's pretty good, maybe even as good as you are.”
The Baron snorted, “I'll have to give that a try then.” He frowned, “But not today, I fear. I've got another meeting this evening, with an Emissary from...” he caught himself. “I've got an important meeting tonight.” He gave them both nods. “Princess Lizmadie, good to see you again.”