by Kal Spriggs
“If you protect him, regardless of any ties by blood, that makes you a traitor and would...”
“I can't turn him over,” Lucius said calmly. “For that matter, you can't take him, not without setting us all up with a huge diplomatic incident.”
“What do you mean?” Emperor Romulus demanded.
“He's the Centauri Ambassador,” Admiral Mund said softly. “Which means we can't touch him.” It was one of the first things that Lucius had realized, with such an appointment, the man was untouchable, short of a defacto declaration of war against the Centauri Confederation. Hell, Lucius thought, even the Tau Ceti Separatists would probably take that as a declaration of war, ambassadors are supposed to be inviolate.
A look of shock went over the young Emperor's face as he made the connection, “But he said outright that he usurped control of Nova Roma worlds, I cannot let that go unpunished!”
Lucius made mental note that someone among his guests had leaked the news to the Emperor. The news should not have made its way back from the Centauri Confederation, not yet. “We still don't know what is going on at Volaterra and Lavinium,” Lucius said. “For all we know, he's lying.” Though Lucius doubted that the Centauri Confederation would bother to lie about something so easily disproved.
“For that matter, your Highness,” Admiral Mund said, “Both Volaterra and Lavinium have not responded to any of our communications. We cannot assume that they remained loyal.”
“My father would never–” Admiral Balventia began.
“Your father may well be dead,” Admiral Mund said. “And if so, you are not the only one to lose family in this.” He looked to the Emperor. “Regardless of what occurred in those systems, we have to face the facts. Marius Giovanni is untouchable. We also have to remember that our allies, the United Colonies, are the strong partner in our arrangement. We cannot alienate them, your Highness.”
The young Emperor looked away. Correcting him in front of them all was tantamount to a slap in the face. Still, he took it remarkably well, Lucius saw. Emperor Romulus IV straightened, “Very well.” He met Lucius's gaze, “My apologies, Baron. I must say that my emotions go the better of me. It was just such a shock.”
“To me, as well, your Highness,” Lucius responded. He saw surprise on the faces of the three Nova Romans and gave a humorless smile. “The first I knew of the supposed resurrection of my father was when Envoy Xinghan introduced him.”
“Indeed?” Emperor Romulus sounded shocked. “Then they must have done that for some reason...”
“Which is what we are gathered here to discuss,” Alicia Nix said, somewhat acerbically. She clearly disapproved of the presence of a foreign nation's leadership involved in their discussion... and the way they had barged in.
“My apologies, again,” Emperor Romulus said. He shot a glance at Admiral Balventia. “I was led to believe that you were informed of his arrival and that this meeting must therefore be a discussion of how to go about announcing the acceptance of their terms.”
“Quite the contrary,” Kate said. “We're trying to figure out just what is going on and how to best counter it.” She shook her head and pointed at Lucius, “Regardless of what supposed blood ties their Ambassador has to our dear Baron, we aren't about to throw our lot in with the likes of President Spiridon on his say-so. For that matter, something like that would have to make its way through Parliament and I don't see President Cassin signing off on that.”
The Emperor flushed in embarrassment, “Well...”
One of the communications officers stepped up to the door, “Pardon me gentlemen, but there's a message from the Shadow Lord emissary.”
Lucius frowned. In all the excitement, he had entirely forgotten about the mysterious ship and the man aboard who claimed to come from Shadow Lord Imperious. He glanced over at Reginald, who gave a shrug. Lucius nodded, “Well, since we're all here anyway, patch him through.”
“Yes, sir.” He spoke into his com link and a moment later a screen in the room came to life. The man on the screen had short, dark hair and dark eyes. His face looked familiar and after the night's earlier events, Lucius felt his heart sink. Only his face from the neck up was in view.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” a soft, pleasant voice spoke, with just a trace of Nova Roman accent. “I understand that the Centauri Ambassador has sown a bit of confusion... some of which I would like to put to rest.” The image zoomed out to show the short man wore a Nova Roma uniform, complete with a host of decorations and medals. “I am Marius Octavius Giovanni, exiled from Nova Roma for charges of treason... and I am the envoy from Shadow Lord Imperious. The other man here is an impostor.” He smiled, a crooked, humorous smile at the looks of shock on their faces. “I had, thus far, concealed my identity in the hopes to reunite with my son and daughter, and to explain to them the importance of the offer I bring.”
Lucius let out a harsh breath, “Which is what?” He was tired of the emotional impacts. Twice in less than twenty four hours he felt staggered emotionally.
“Which is nothing less than an offer of full alliance, with full access to his allies, resources and connections in return for the same,” this new Marius Giovanni said. “In addition, psychic navigators to help guide your ships, with pinpoint accuracy, to drive out the Chxor and the Balor from human space. I'm certain your earlier experience with the rogue psychic known as Kandergain gives you a volume of reasons to appreciate that.”
His gaze went to the Nova Roma Emperor and his smile became cocky, “All that we would require would be a repudiation of your alliance with the false Nova Roma Emperor and to back my own ascendance to the throne upon the liberation of Nova Roma. And, I can assure you that the forces I can marshal will well exceed his, so you will not be out much of anything.”
“This is absurd!” Admiral Balventia snapped. “This is obviously some sort of collusion between Lucius Giovanni and–”
“Shut your mouth,” Emperor Romulus snapped. Admiral Balventia stared at his leader in shock, but thankfully, he remained silent. Emperor Romulus IV turned his gaze to the envoy of Shadow Lord Imperious and Lucius saw him compose himself. “If you are Marius Giovanni, then you have already proven yourself a traitor. Why should anyone trust you, when you sneak in here and compel an offer of amnesty by force, then make demands with no display other than your appearance?” Lucius bit back a smile at the young man's cold tone. He didn't lack spine, at least, or good sense when he had a moment to think.
Marius Giovanni gave the young man a nod. “Well said, grandnephew. I will graciously offer that a team of United Colonies personnel come aboard and perform whatever tests they feel necessary to prove my identity.” He gave Admiral Mund a nod, “David, good to see you made it out of Nova Roma before it fell. I thought you'd retired.”
Admiral Mund grimaced, “I did... twice.”
“Well, regardless, I think we all know how this will turn out,” Marius said. “Still, I do hope you'll chose the right side this time, David.” His gaze went to Lucius and his dark eyes seemed to soften. “Lucius, I want you to know, this is the soonest that I could make my case to you... and I wanted to do so before you settled on that imposter as your real father. No Giovanni would serve the likes of President Spiridon and his attempt at the rebirth of Amalgamated Worlds.”
“But you would serve the likes of Shadow Lords, instead?” Lucius snapped.
“Imperious is not like the others, son,” Marius said. “He has ravaged his foes, yes, but he seeks to unite humanity under strong leadership, men and women who have unlocked the true potential of humanity and who can guide it into a better future.”
“Yes, well, I think we've heard enough,” Reginald said. “Very nice of you to speak up and make your case.” The man's absurd accent seemed almost comical. “Now, I do so appreciate your candor, but I'm afraid the Baron is a very busy man and I'm certain the next long lost father is due to arrive any minute now.”
Before Lucius could burst out in surprised laug
hter, the psychic cut the connection. He turned to face Lucius, “You can not trust Imperious... Really, any of the Shadow Lords or their emissaries, but him least among them, I assure you.”
“Wait, who is he?” Admiral Balventia stammered. He took in the psychic's British Imperial uniform, flintlock pistol, and sword. “What kind of absurdity is this?”
Kandergain's henchman gave a graceful bow, “I am Reginald, expert on matters involving things you aren't meant to know, pleased to make your acquaintance.” He turned back to Lucius, “Shadow Lord Imperious is adept at manipulation. He uses non-psychics and psychics alike in his machinations...”
“Look, this is ridiculous,” Admiral Valens Balventia snapped. “I don't know who this madman is, but I do know for a fact that there is no way that Marius Giovanni is working for him or with him! It's against the terms of our agreement!”
“What?” Lucius asked.
“What was that?” Emperor Romulus IV asked, surprised.
Valens Balventia paused and a look of horror went over his face as he saw the many suddenly attentive gazes. “Your Highness, this is a private matter of state, I spoke out of turn...”
“These are our allies,” Emperor Romulus IV said harshly. “Which you remember only when it is inconvenient to them or useful to you. I know about your family and my family's grudges against Baron Giovanni's... I don't care. Whatever this agreement is, and whoever it is between, we need to know. Particularly if it has important information about this supposed Marius Giovanni.”
“Indeed,” Admiral Mund said, his old voice dry. “Particularly if your senior officer doesn't know what you're talking about.”
Valens Balventia's lips pressed in a flat line, “Your Highness, I must insist that this is a state secret, one which, if it got out, could potentially damage the reputation of not just your family, but all of the Nova Roma Empire...”
“Lord Admiral Valens Balventia,” Emperor Romulus IV said, his voice taking on a formal lilt. “I hereby order you, as your sovereign monarch, to disclose any and all details that you know, upon your oath to me.”
Lucius saw the nobleman blanch. The man took a long moment to speak and when he did, he shot Lucius a nervous glance out of the corner of his eye. “It started in 2330. Emperor Romulus I... that is, your great-grandfather, was about to be married...”
“To my great-grandmother, Empress Isabelle, I know,” Emperor Romulus stated flatly. “Get to the important parts.”
“No,” Admiral Balventia said. “Not to Empress Isabelle... to Lady Sera Giovanni. She was already...” He shot a hateful look at Lucius, “that is, she was allegedly pregnant with his child. Discussions of a wedding were underway. It was being kept, mostly, from the public eye because she was a psychic and they were worried that there would be some backlash.”
Lucius felt stunned, yet again. Everything he had heard was that his grandmother was the Emperor's love, yes, but that marriage was never a possibility. His family's ties to the Emperor were unacknowledged, because of an arranged marriage that was necessary to draw the fledgling Nova Roma Empire closer together.
Admiral Balventia took a deep breath and his voice was lower when he spoke, almost as if he felt ashamed. “Then a fleet appeared, on the edge of the system. And another, and a third. Then Emperor Romulus I received emissaries from each. Not one, or two, but three Shadow Lords... Imperious, Lachesis, and Invictus.”
Reginald began to swear, “The only three that you can bargain with and the three you can never trust.”
“They offered Nova Roma immunity, safety from raids in our core systems, protection from the other two Shadow Lord: Sanctus and Gargant,” Admiral Balventia said. “In return, they asked for three things.”
Emperor Romulus had a look of horrified shock on his face. The Shadow Lords were scourges, psychic pirates that looted and enslaved entire worlds. Emperor Romulus I, a heroic figure and his own great-grandfather had apparently not only dealt with them... but made agreements with them.
“They wanted to be able to trade, through intermediaries, in our ports, to sell their looted goods and, in return, to buy parts, equipment and munitions. Since their targets were to be the Centauri Confederation and the Colonial Republic, Emperor Romulus I's advisers convinced him it would be a benefit,” Admiral Balventia said.
“The profits they could make off of the stolen goods, no doubt, had little to do with that,” Alicia Nix said dryly.
Admiral Balventia ignored her comment and continued, “Then, they wanted to trade in technology and weapons. As time went on, they offered a variety of technology, both stolen from Amalgamated Worlds when they looted Earth and also alien technology they had uncovered or stolen themselves,” he cleared his throat, “We often would provide them with ships, often built to their specifications, in trade for the technology to build them.”
Emperor Romulus's face fell, “You're saying that my family has provided the Shadow Lords with ships and weapons for generations?”
Admiral Balventia looked away, “Your Highness, put yourself in their shoes. They had strong ties to Amalgamated Worlds, but without their protection and patronage, Nova Roma was alone amidst a sea of enemies. Remember, our great-grandfather supported Amalgamated Worlds against the Provisional Colonial Republic... right up until the end. He did what he had to do to survive.”
Max Nguyen stood up, “He made an alliance with the people that have murdered and enslaved entire worlds... the men and women who see non-psychics as nothing more than pawns. My older brother died aboard a ship that was taken by Shadow Lords! He didn't die easily, either!”
Lucius stood and put his hand on Max's shoulder, “Max. Let him finish.”
Admiral Balventia looked at the tabletop. “I wasn't there, I don't know all the details....” He looked up and met Lucius's eyes and there was almost a sense of apology there. “The third requirement was that Emperor Romulus I call off his marriage with Lady Giovanni... and that he marry and have children with someone else. Furthermore, it was made absolutely clear that any children he had with her and their descendents, be repudiated and refused any position within the government or any possibility of marriage back into the family.”
“What?” Emperor Romulus IV asked. “You're saying that the only reason that my father and grandfather ruled is because...”
“Because if he didn't accept that last term,” Admiral Balventia said as he continued to meet Lucius's gaze, “All three fleets would smash whatever defenses we could muster and would loot Nova Roma and it's colonies and then scorch every world down to the bedrock.”
That was met with absolute silence.
“So...” Lucius said, softly, “I can see why they accepted those terms.” Given no choice, Lucius wasn't certain he wouldn't have made that same decision and then made the most of it. “But why would my father... that is, why would Marius Giovanni not serve Imperious?”
“Because,” Admiral Mund said softly, “He must have found out about the agreement. That must have been the purpose of his attempt to seize power.” His voice was at once bitter and relieved, bitter at the terrible things that had remained hidden so long and yet relieved to finally know why his close friend had betrayed his Emperor.
“Yes,” Admiral Balventia said. “And... Emperor Romulus III didn't want to have him killed for it, not when he felt so compromised over it all. My family, my father, pleaded that Baron Marius Giovanni be executed, but instead he was exiled... and we have always suspected that he told his son about the agreement.”
“I knew nothing,” Lucius said. He shook his head and looked away, “God, what a mess.” He looked up, “I can't even remember my father's face, but your family hated me because of an agreement that he might have told me about?”
“Well, you are the son of a forsworn traitor,” Admiral Balventia said almost graciously. The bite in his tone said that despite these revelations, he still hated Lucius. That was almost comforting, in a way, though Lucius felt that if he took the time to really think through
everything that the Balventia family had taken from him, he may very well might exceed the other man's hate. Probably best that I don't think about that, just now, Lucius thought.
“What about the Shadow Lord attacks at Rasev Beta and Africanus?” Admiral Mund said. “You said the agreement made us immune to their attacks.”
“At the Africanus system, I'm not sure what happened,” Admiral Balventia said. “I wasn't even born yet. My father once mentioned something about an interloper, someone who provoked the attack.” He turned his gaze on Lucius, “At Rasev Beta, I'm told that Admiral Decantus was making a transfer of ships when some of his men realized what was going on and launched an attack.”
Lucius snorted, “I was there. Whatever the cause, it was obvious that neither side was prepared, the War Shrike was positioned to hit their forces from behind, which is about all that turned it around from a complete massacre on both sides.” He didn't mention that he had ordered the attack, rather than Captain Stravatti, who had frozen as soon as the engagement started.
“So,” Emperor Romulus finally said. “This... bears some consideration.”
“I'm afraid it means rather more than that,” Reginald said. “Because you are forgetting one rather crucial bit of information.”
“What?” Lucius asked, surprised.
“The reason the Shadow Lords didn't want an offspring of Lady Giovanni and Emperor Romulus to rule is that their children would have been psychics,” Reginald said, “Which would have potentially made for a haven, someplace that psychics could feel welcome. It would have made Emperor Romulus I's heir a psychic, someone that the Shadow Lords couldn't easily manipulate... someone they would have seen as a threat.”
“But I'm not psychic,” Lucius said.
“No...” Admiral Mund said, his voice thoughtful, “But that doesn't mean your father wasn't.”
***
Lucius staggered into his apartment, emotionally and mentally exhausted, just as the sun was coming up. He stopped, in a sort of dazed surprise, to see his sister seated in his living room.