The Shattered Empire (The Shadow Space Chronicles Book 2)

by Kal Spriggs

  That would make sense, Lucius thought, he had few compunctions teaching her everything else about his time in the service. For that matter, Reese had done a stint of duty with the Marines and had been fully trained by them in the use of weapons and ground tactics. From what Lucius understood, he'd used those skills well in the insurgency against the Chxor here on Faraday. He might have taught her... though it would be highly ironic for her to turn that around on him.

  “Well,” Alanis said and snapped Lucius out of his musing, “Are you sticking around for a few days or heading right back out to Melcer?” Lucius could hear an edge of uncertainty in her voice and he couldn't blame her.

  “No,” Lucius said with a faint smile, “There's some things I need to take care of here, before I head back out to the front. I'm fairly certain that Admiral Dreyfus can handle preparations on his own for the moment.” Actually, Lucius felt more than a little concern about what was going on within the United Colonies Fleet and how much Admiral Dreyfus knew. But for now, Lucius needed to get things moving here at Faraday.

  “So, what was the crisis earlier today?” Alanis asked. “I could hear some of the alert sirens going off.”

  Lucius sighed, “We've got a visitor, an emissary from Shadow Lord Imperious.”

  “Seriously?” Alanis asked. “Why didn't we just blow him out of space?”

  Lucius snorted, “It's a little complicated. At this point, I've already vouched for his safety. So I might as well hear him out.” He also still needed to field the envoy from the Shogunate and Kate Bueller had told him that there was an ambassador from the Centauri Confederation to address as well. To top it off, the nascent United Colonies Parliament seemed stalled out. Lastly, he had to decide who he could trust and put them into investigating the rumors and suspicions about the former Amalgamated Worlds personnel.

  “What isn't complicated?” Alanis asked. She sighed and shook her head, “I've called the Academy and discussed my options...” She hesitated, “If I put my... if I put the fetus in an incubator then I'd be eligible to attend this year. I could take a temporary leave of absence for the birth. I've contacted the Faraday Birthing Center and they've given me a list of possible clinics who can do the procedure.”

  “Okay,” Lucius felt his throat close up a bit. Their mother had carried them both to term and their grandmother had been particularly harsh on the topic of those who had children through incubators. He remembered one of her cutting lectures about it, when she saw yet another young noblewoman having a child that fashion. Lucius himself thought it probably caused an unhealthy detachment between mother and child. Yet, he could understand her desire to go that route, especially considering the circumstances. It would allow her to follow her goals... and it also allowed herself to distance herself from the pregnancy and gave her time to settle her emotional conflicts about Reese.

  “Well,” Alanis said, “Thanks for coming by,” she shook her head. “I hope you don't mind if I swing by to see you and Kaylee a bit while you're both here?”

  Lucius shook his head, “Of course I don't mind. It'll be good to spend some time with you. And I'm glad that you're doing better. Just let me know if there's anything you need that I can help you with.”

  “Of course,” Alanis said. “I won't hesitate to call my big brother if it's something I can't take care of myself.” He didn't miss the sharp bite to her words... or how her eyes went to her pistol. It was probably better for Reese that he hadn't pushed her any further, Lucius thought. Somehow, his little sister had grown up when he wasn't paying attention.

  ***

  Lucius walked up the steps, followed by Lance Corporal Namori and Sergeant Tamori. At the house's porch, there was an interesting interaction. Lucius had to hide a slight smile as the FIB agent, Nova Roma Marine, and two United Colonies Marines all sized one another up. It was rather like several large dogs encountering one another in an unfamiliar setting. All of them seemed uncomfortable, uneasy, and on edge.

  “Well,” Lucius said politely, “I'm here to speak with Captain Anthony Doko.”

  “Yes, sir,” the FIB agent said. He toggled the intercom and spoke quietly. The Nova Roma Marine Sergeant looked in askance at the two Marines behind him.

  “They can wait out here,” Lucius said reassuringly. He heard both Marines behind him groan slightly. There is a team of FIB agents, a team of Nova Roma Marines, and them out here to protect the building, he thought, that should be more than enough.

  The FIB agent gestured for Lucius to enter. He did so and noticed the new artwork on the wall near the front door... and the obvious signs of remodeling down the hall where a new window frame and door were. He turned to find Anthony Doko and his wife, Princess Lizmadie seated in the living room. “Hi there,” Lucius said.

  “Hi, yourself,” Anthony Doko said and stood to extend his hand, “Thanks for coming by, sir.”

  “Tony, you can't understand how relieved I am to hear that you're alright,” Lucius said as he shook hands. “And I assure you... if Alicia Nix wasn't already working hard to find the people responsible, she would be after I talked with her.” He let out a sigh, “I'm just glad you're both alright.” Anthony Doko deserved far more than Lucius had been able to give him. He hadn't realized just how much he normally delegated to the calm, capable man. And between what happened with Reese and losing Tony, Lucius thought, I feel like I have to do everything myself.

  “Well,” Princess Lizmadie said, “We're glad to be alright, too.” She frowned, though, and Lucius saw she wanted to say something else.

  Before she could speak, Anthony did, “Baron, have they found anything else about our attackers or anything on my case?”

  Lucius sighed. He gestured at a chair and took a seat at Anthony's nod. “It's... well, complicated is a good word. There's nothing in Faraday's databases on the attacker you killed. No identification, no records, nothing. From the... material residue, the FIB is certain that he was dead. The bullets and bullet holes are all a match for standard military-grade nine millimeter caseless rounds.” Lucius knew that Alicia Nix didn't want that spread around, but he thought that these two deserved to know that much, at least. “Which suggests military or professional mercenaries.” Lucius wasn't ruling out the chance that some foreign element might seek to kidnap or kill the Emperor's sister and her new husband, possibly to destabilize their alliance.

  “What about my case?” Anthony asked, eagerly. “The Emperor said he's dropping his charges. Does that mean I'm free to come back to work?”

  Lucius sighed again, “Unfortunately, no. Captain Wu's people are still sifting through the money trails... and Tannis's banking system is not cooperating at all. Without some evidence to prove that she did it on purpose or at least something pointing at someone else, there will be too many questions if we bring you back, just now.” Lucius wished it were otherwise. He needed Anthony Doko right now, especially with his concerns about the Fleet... but if he brought the man back under the current cloud of suspicion, then it might well destroy Doko's career and professional reputation.

  Anthony gave him a nod, but Lucius could see the disappointment in his eyes.

  “So...” Lucius said. He trailed off as he tried to find some other topic of discussion. His mind continued to focus on both the Fleet, his concerns, and their military operations... all of which were not only topics that he couldn't discuss with his longtime friend, but were topics that he felt would only make Anthony Doko chafe even more at his house arrest.

  Anthony smiled a bit in response to Lucius's failed change of topic. “We really only ever talked work or a bit about family, eh, sir?”

  Lucius nodded slowly, “Yes.” He realized, once again, that his life had basically become work. He managed to steal a few moments time, here and there, with his daughter Kaylee. Other than that, there was commanding the United Colonies Fleet and trying to be its leader. He looked over at Lizmadie, “You were about to say something, earlier?”

  She nodded slowly, “I wasn't really
sure how to put this...” She pursed her lips, “Lucius, I think that you need to watch yourself... and I think you need to start worrying about internal security.”

  Lucius felt a wooden mask settle on his face. He wasn't sure why she might say something like that, but the way she had put it suggested that she had concerns of her own. “I've got a pair of Marines following me around down here,” Lucius said defensively. Even so, he knew that wasn't the heaviest security. Still, it wasn't like he was the Emperor or anything like that.

  “That's a start, but you need to start covering some of your blind spots,” she said. “It's a hard lesson, but trust me, you need to learn it before it burns you,” Princess Lizmadie said. Lucius winced at that. He knew full well the story about how she had trusted a few people in the Nova Roma Court... and how it had led to a scandal which had seen her packed out of the palace and into seclusion. A few words out of context to a former friend, he thought. Still, Lucius took her meaning. He did have blind spots, especially where his friends and family were concerned. Yet the alternative was not to trust people... and he couldn't live like that. He thought about the hell of his childhood and teenage years... and the disgrace of his expulsion from the Nova Roma Military Academy. I had no one to trust, he thought, no one with my back.

  He couldn't live like that, yet the alternative seemed to be to leave himself exposed. He would have to work harder to find some middle ground... hopefully without putting his people at risk. He nodded, “Thank you, I'll look into it.” He would have to make time to meet with his government and make sure that they were doing what they were supposed to, as well. I delegated, but I need to check and make sure this is working properly, he thought, I need a system in place.

  He turned back to Anthony and felt at a loss for words. What did they have to talk about, without the vast portion of both their lives as an option?

  “Well,” Anthony said, “How is Kaylee doing?”

  Lucius smiled at the olive branch, “Growing like a weed, rolling over. I swear, she's....”

  ***

  The nice thing about being the head of the government, was that when Lucius wanted to talk with someone, they made time. Lucius could have looked over the Parliament schedule and made time to meet with the various leaders of the forming groups during gaps in their schedule. Instead he'd found when they had one of their various debates scheduled and told them to make time.

  Kate Bueller had immediately called and, after she finished laughing, had congratulated him on pissing off all the political parties. She'd then offered to meet with him prior and that was what led to Lucius being seated in one of the government lounges while Max Nguyen, Aaron Dallas, and Kate Bueller tried to explain the murkiness that was the current political system.

  Aaron Dallas, still big and tough looking, seemed almost out of place in a simple, conservative suit rather than the ragged coveralls he'd sported for as long as Lucius could remember, “How in depth do you want us to go?” he asked.

  “How much do I need to know?” Lucius replied. Things had grown so big, so fast that he felt completely out of touch. The Fleet, the campaign against the Chxor, politics here on Faraday, and his family... each of those deserved a hundred percent of his time. How could he balance them?

  “Everything,” Kate Bueller said, her voice sarcastic. “But we don't have time for that. Hell, I don't have time for it, I've been focused on all these new envoys and ambassadors... such as our new friend in orbit.”

  “Yes...” Lucius frowned, “Thanks for reminding me. He's been awful patient, I'm sure that will come with a price.” He shook his head, “So who does know everything?”

  Max Nguyen laughed, “No one. There's so many political alliances and backroom agreements... it's all the worse for that we don't have political parties yet, mostly just coalitions and temporary alliances.” He shook his head, “I've managed to edge a seat on the economic Cabinet, but we're more behind than the foreign affairs group that Kate runs. There's a lot of money that they want to allocate towards industries... but almost everyone has their own pet projects.” Max snorted, “Mine, of course, being tax breaks to businesses.”

  “I'm in far murkier territory,” Aaron Dallas said. “Out on the floor with most of the other members. And I'll tell you, while there are enough folks who want to do things right... well, there's more than a few sharks out there, trying to eat the weak and make themselves stronger.”

  “The only area we really see any real formation is when foreign policy is discussed,” Kate Bueller said. “And even then, half of the people talking aren't very coherent about what they really want.” She cleared her throat, “I'm technically not even qualified to meet with envoys and ambassadors, because we haven't had a majority vote to confirm my nomination. It keeps getting held up by those who want the position, but don't have the votes to get it.”

  “Okay, so the government isn't formed. This was something I was led to believe would happen relatively quickly,” Lucius said. “And what can I do about it?”

  “Let it work itself out,” Max said quickly. “People are just trying to figure out what they stand for... and what their constituents want. If we try to rush them... well, they're likely to hunker down and be more stubborn. We don't want a standoff between the government and its leader.”

  Lucius saw both Aaron and Kate nod. “Okay. So this meeting is a bad idea?”

  “No,” Kate said. “It's actually a good way to show that, while you're willing to tolerate a bit of feeling things out, you expect them to behave like adults.” She sighed, “Really, a lot of this would be easier without some of the jackals who have slipped in. They're trying to increase the confusion and uncertainty. You getting out in front of them and telling them you care will counteract that, I think.”

  “Jackals?” Lucius asked.

  “It's a symptom of power,” Aaron said, his voice bitter, “As the saying goes, power corrupts. I, myself, think that it is more that the corruptible are drawn to power.” He shook his head, “The worst of the lot is Julian Newbauer.”

  The sour expression on Kate's face confirmed his statement, even if the grunt from Max hadn't. “Okay,” Lucius asked, “Who is Julian Newbauer?”

  “He's, currently, the head of your military cabinet and one of the most vocal supporters of the War Party,” Kate said. “He's a sanctimonious prick, who likes encouraging fear in order to work up a frenzy. He's all smiles to your face while he slides the dagger in your back. He's one of the civilians from the Dreyfus Fleet, retired military, very charismatic, old war veteran.” She let out a deep breath, “Frankly, he's a damned nuisance.”

  “War Party?” Lucius asked. “We have a War Party?” He wasn't certain how he felt about it. On the one hand, it sounded supportive, on the other... just what would the party stand for after the war with the Chxor was over?

  “We do,” Max Nguyen answered. “They're not fully coordinated, yet, and they're really not coherent. Their main platform is what brings most people in, support for the defense of Faraday and the United Colonies.”

  “The problem,” Aaron said, “is that they're not just about the defeat of the Chxor. They want other systems to help 'shoulder the burden' of the war... basically, to pay tribute. In particular, any worlds we conquer from the Chxor, but also Colonial Republic worlds, independent colonies, anything and anyone out there. The end-state being, of course, taking the war to any threats. You might be surprised, but most of the deluded idiots think that's what you want.”

  Lucius shook his head “That's not exactly what I have planned. Certainly not the outright conquest of other human systems.” Well, he thought, some of the worst systems it might not be a bad thing, but one thing at a time. He had no intention of turning the United Colonies into some mirror image of what the Nova Roma Empire was during it's conquest days. Probably with similar results, Lucius thought.

  “Regardless, there's a lot of folks who are afraid and angry,” Kate said. “Their response is to lash out... and people like Newbau
er whip them up against a convenient target to get some political power.”

  “Okay, so Newbauer is apparently a big player, who else?” Lucius asked.

  “Sara Cassin,” Max Nguyen said instantly. “She was one of the leaders of the resistance against the Chxor. She's built up a lot of political favors and she's well established as the leader of what she's calling the Moderates.”

  “Moderate, how?” Lucius asked.

  “Basically they want the people to be left alone as much as possible,” Aaron Dallas said. “Honestly, I find myself falling in with her group. They're more focused on citizen's rights and limiting the overall reach of the United Colonies government and empowering the local officials.”

  “They want an end to the war with the Chxor,” Kate said sharply.

  “The Moderates don't have a problem with fighting back against the Chxor... but they're not big on trying to tear down their entire Empire,” Aaron said calmly. “And in case you didn't realize it, we don't have the manpower to hold that many systems.”

  Kate flushed, “We might if we managed to pass some kind of budget...”

  “Okay,” Lucius interrupted. It bothered him to see that his original advisers, while still loyal to him, had also developed their own ties and political leanings. Or maybe, he thought, they had them all along and they're just now coming to light? Once again, he wondered if he could trust anyone, really. The answer, he felt, was complicated. He could probably trust them to do what they thought was best... maybe even what he wanted, but how could he know if they were doing a good job if he wasn't involved? “Anyone else important enough worth mention?”