Van Drucker was a fellow member of the Upper House. Sky liked him immensely but had to be careful about sharing confidences. Van Drucker was the owner of a large media network and was always on the prowl for news stories. He had never violated her trust and Sky wanted to ensure he never had the opportunity to do so.
She stabbed at her floating screen and brought up the message. A young man flicked onto the screen. His image smiled at her. “Sky, just an update on the upcoming session. Of course, the big vote is the annual food fight over Measure 200, the anti-slavery law.” He smiled now. “We are in a major war that threatens the entire Empire. We are discussing dozens of laws, situations, and predicaments. We will be voting on many important topics and, yet, that one vote is taking up the majority of the discussion and deal-making back here. Anyway, the maneuvering on the bill is non-stop. The vote will be close. We think we got a two-vote cushion to finally pass the damn thing but you know how solid that is.” He stared at her now. “We definitely need you here for the vote. Do not send your brother in your place.” He smiled. “See you in a few weeks.” He was gone.
Sky stared at the blank screen. Clearly, the real reason Van Drucker had contacted her was to ensure she came to the session. The comment on her younger brother, Samuel, was interesting. She had used her brother to stand in for her for several official duties for her title of Duchess of Albithor. He had appeared at social occasions and official functions on their home planet of Beryl, as well as sitting in for her twice in the Upper House. He did it all willingly and hinted he would be open to taking the peer title if his sister found it convenient. Sky never found it convenient. Her brother had done well in subbing for her, but she had a nagging feeling he enjoyed the prestige and deference a little too much and that he would have his own agenda once he got the title. She also knew he was lukewarm at best on Measure 200 that banned corporation participation with any activity or group benefiting from slavery. She suspected opponents to the bill had contacted Samuel, and they were checking to see if he was filling in for his sister in the upcoming session. She knew promises would have been made to Sam if he was going to cast a vote on the bill.
Sky frowned. The good news about this situation was the vote must be very close if opponents were trying to get Sam to cast the vote for the peerage of Albithor. They must be really worried about defeating the bill this time around. Sky scanned the remainder of her unread messages, half-expecting to see a message from her brother with an offer to sit in for her in the Upper House. There was none, but she had an idea that there would be such a message soon. She replied to David Van Drucker that she would be at the upcoming session.
Chapter 9
Time was winding down on the visit to Haven Hill. The trio had ridden horses around the estate as the Duke had proudly conducted a tour of his center of the universe. They had visited nearby villages. They had paid their respects at the family cemetery. On the last full day of the visit, the two men rode out in the morning for one final tour. The trip ended on the same ridgeline the house was on but at the opposite end. The men dismounted and moved to a fence, which marked a boundary with the neighboring estate.
The Duke turned and leaned back against the fence and looked at the view out into the valley below the ridge. The valley and surrounding terrain had been in the family for over two hundred years. Hawkins joined him at the fence, and the men took in the view silently for several moments. The Duke turned and eyed the man who he now easily accepted as his grandson.
During the previous rides, the Duke had told the two visitors his life story intertwined with the history of the family. He had never done this before with anyone. His wife had learned the stories and history over the years. Their two children had absorbed much of the same information at the dinner table or by being present at family gatherings. Never in his life had the Duke felt the need to give a recital on the family, but he had done so with his two guests now. He was not sure why, but he assumed it was because he was at that stage of life when the great majority of his days were behind him and damn few were ahead. He had felt the need to ensure these two visitors from Providence would learn and understand the background of the Black Hallow family. He also found the telling of the stories had assisted him to get the past straight in his own mind. His words created a map of his life and put his life in context.
The information he had received in return had filled in the major gap in his own life. He had to make it all fit now, and the telling helped do that. He found the news of his daughter’s death had been a blow to him, but he realized knowing was better than not knowing. After all, not knowing did not change the reality, and the Duke was a practical man. Knowing was infinitely better than pretending the gap in his knowledge meant all was well with his daughter as she roamed the universe.
He now considered all the events of his life. He knew his life had been one of power and privilege. He hoped he had done well with both, but he now knew that with the death of his wife, he had come to the conclusion that none of it had meant anything in the long run. Now he had a direct family heir. Not just an heir, but also a man who had the ability and courage to be more than just a name in the family lineage. The Duke had realized the new arrival meant his family would go on, and his grandson had to know what that meant. He had to realize he was part of the Black Hallow line and to be proud of the fact. Telling the stories of ancestors and the growth of the Empire had been a way of placing everything in order and taking a tally of what had occurred and why. It also created a standard for the newcomer to live up to, and the Duke had no doubt that could happen.
Tobias Gallagher had come to the conclusion he had been given a second chance at this late stage and there would definitely not be a third chance. He had to get this right. The past demanded it and the future would be better for it.
The Duke also knew he had to be honest. He had been with both of his visitors, but he avoided one subject regarding his public life and knew he had to discuss it now. He spoke softly. “We have talked of many things. I thought you would bring up one topic in which I know you have a deep personal interest and would want to berate me over it, but you have been silent. I wanted to tell you about it, but you positively refuse to bring it up first so I guess I will bring it out.”
Raferty nodded as he continued to take in the view. He researched the Duke and knew what was coming. He did want to discuss it but wanted it to be on the Duke’s terms.
The Duke resumed viewing the valley below. “We do not have identified party affiliations in the Upper House. Considered unseemly. Of course, all the members have a favorite party and everyone knows who is on what side. I have always leaned toward the Party of the Realm but have voted with the Mercantile Party on several occasions. One policy I have continually supported them on is the slave trade. As you know, the slave trade is outlawed throughout the Empire, but outside the Empire it flourishes in many systems. Several Empire corporations earn a large percentage of their profits outside of the Empire and, in several cases, this profit has been enhanced through slave labor. Although these corporations don’t actively engage in the slave trade or slave labor, they conduct business with many entities that do exactly that. There has been a bill introduced in the Upper House every year for the last decade to outlaw any Empire corporation from benefiting directly or indirectly from slave labor anywhere in the universe. It has been consistently been voted down, and I have helped in accomplishing that. Every year I hear from the Mercantiles about how the corporations were reducing their reliance on these entities and generally cleaning up their business practices outside the Empire. If we only gave them more time, they would gradually end their dependence on slavery with little economic impact. I know there has not been near the progress there should have been. I also know you have actively opposed the slave trade throughout the Badlands so that may put us somewhat on opposite sides of this issue. I want you to know I am not proud of my part in this.”
He stared out in silence for several seconds. “As I get closer
to the end, many things that seemed important are revealed as not that necessary or even desirable. I wish I had taken a different stand on this from the beginning. Please forgive me.”
Hawkins still stared at the distant hills but responded quickly in a quiet voice devoid of accusation. “Nothing to forgive. You may have voted wrong, but the bill would have been voted down anyway. If everyone in the Upper and Lower Houses had seen the things I’ve seen regarding the slave issue, the vote would never have been close. The view from the home planet is not near enough to see the reality of the slave establishment, so people are comfortable with assurances about eventually getting around to correcting what goes on “out there.” Quite frankly even if the bill had passed, the reality would have changed very little. The corporations and others who benefit from slavery will just get cuter about hiding their participation. Until some of these people are prosecuted or have their assets seized, slavery will continue to enhance their portfolios.”
The old man nodded. He knew that was a true statement. He had personally sold his interest in any corporation that was proven to be benefiting from the slave trade but he knew most peers and businessmen had not. He had not really blamed them. His family was one of the richest in the Empire so any financial losses incurred were hardly noticeable. Others were not so rich and were more heavily involved in several of these same companies and corporations. Economically, they were much more tied into the slave trade so would never terminate those relationships even while voicing their hatred of slavery. Besides, they eased their consciences by telling each other everything would be changed soon.
The Duke took a deep breath. He was glad he got that out in the open and out of his system.
Raferty stepped forward and embraced the older man. He returned the affection. After a few seconds, they broke apart but continued to smile at each other.
The Duke turned back toward the horses. “I have to tell that to one more person. We also have to discuss a different matter. A matter regarding how many grandchildren I really have. I’ve always known the family stories I was telling applied to both of you. I thought she might reveal herself in response to the stories but she outlasted me. Now I shall go and broach that topic. Please excuse me.”
Raferty nodded to his grandfather. He knew exactly what the Duke meant. Indeed, it was time for him to discuss that topic. Tactical could make a statue look impatient and time was growing short. They were departing tomorrow morning and the subject must be discussed. He watched the Duke ride toward the house, and then sat down and quietly regarded his family refuge as his horse grazed nearby.
~ ~ ~
Tactical and George had watched Hawkins and the Duke trot from the courtyard to the trail leading to the valley below. After they had started to descend the hill and passed from sight, George turned to Tactical and smiled. “Is there anything I can get for you, Madam?”
“No, thank you, George. I would like to peruse the library if that is acceptable.”
“By all means.” George half-turned and gestured for Tactical to precede him back toward the house. She smiled and nodded to him as she passed in front of him and moved toward the house. He followed her and then moved ahead to open the door and allow her to enter first. They walked to the library. She moved to the bookcases while George went to the fireplace.
“We really don’t need it for the warmth, but a fire always adds to the atmosphere here.” George expertly prepared and lit the wood, and a small fire soon danced on the grate in the stone fixture. He smiled at her and, with a slight bow, departed.
Tactical moved along the shelves. She removed books, hefted them in her hand, and put them back in their proper place. She took down others, flipped through the pages, and returned them to the shelf. She was looking for nothing in particular but just liked the feel, the smell, and the weight of the books in her hands. In the age of electronic reading and floating screens, actual printed books were becoming increasingly rare and she marveled at this fine collection. The library was one of the original rooms in this house and the family had clearly been collecting volumes for the two centuries this room had been in existence. In Tactical’s mind, that was an excellent endeavor worthy of such long support.
Her eyes fell upon a biography of Mark Twain. She read several of his stories but knew little of the man himself. She smiled to herself. Now would be a good time to correct that. She gently took the leather-bound volume down from its place and turned to the fireplace.
In front of the fireplace were the long couch and the two chairs at each end. Tactical looked over the seating arrangement and decided she preferred the floor between the fireplace and the couch. She collected pillows and a lap blanket and propped herself up against the couch in front of the fire. She wrapped the blanket around her shoulders and leaned back. She looked around the library. It was large enough and small enough. It was sophisticated and simple. Dark in the right places and lit in the right places. It was perfect. She realized she loved this room. This room had become one of her few favorite places in the universe. Tactical smiled to herself and cracked open the book.
Time passed quickly as she read. George came to the open door and quietly knocked on the frame.
“Would Madam prefer something to drink?”
Tactical looked up from her reading. She realized that was a great idea. “That would be wonderful. What do you recommend?”
“Iced tea is always available. But perhaps something different. We do have hot chocolate.”
Tactical smiled at the suggestion. She could not remember the last time she had hot chocolate. “The chocolate would be perfect. Thank you.”
George smiled in response. “Of course, Madam.”
Tactical read through a few more pages until George returned with a tray balanced in one hand. He lightly knocked at the open door to alert her and then entered the room. He circled the chair nearest to the door and placed the tray down on the floor next to Tactical. In addition to a large mug of hot chocolate, there was a sandwich and salad.
“I took the liberty of adding a few items to the tray,” George announced and then he pointed at the mug. “And adding whipped cream to the chocolate. I hope it meets with your approval, Madam.”
Tactical sat up and smiled broadly. “Perfect!”
“Excellent, Madam.” George moved back toward the door but Tactical’s voice followed him.
“George, could you please stop calling me Madam?” She eyed his back as the question hung in the air.
George stopped, turned, and smiled broadly. The smile and gentle voice were at odds with his answer. “No, Madam. I assuredly cannot do that.” He continued to smile as he departed.
She read some more. She drank the hot chocolate with the whipped cream and wolfed down the sandwich and salad. She had not realized she was so hungry and the food was delicious. George’s hunch of adding food to the tray had been right, but Tactical suspected his hunches were always right. She reflected on his final comment. There was more to it than mere polite habit on his part. He was a man who knew most, if not all, the secrets.
Tactical snuggled down into the blanket and pillows and became absorbed in her book again. With the food, the warmth, and the silence, she eventually fell asleep. An hour later, she awoke with a start. She glanced around and it took a second for her to remember where she was. The food tray was gone and a glass of iced tea was in its place. Tactical frowned. George had removed the tray while she slept and she had not woken up. “I must be losing my edge,” she thought ruefully. She smiled to herself. This was a good place to do that.
She drank some tea and returned to her book. Time passed. She glanced up toward the door and was surprised to see the Duke standing there in his riding clothes and looking down at her with the most peculiar expression on his face. He was seeing her but not seeing her. Tactical started to rise. “Forgive me. I am making myself a little too much at home.”
“Not at all. I want you to be at home. After all, this is your ancestral home,” the Duk
e replied as he entered and came toward her, motioning her back down with his hand. She eased back into her pillow-encased spot against the couch. He took a seat in the wing chair nearest the door. He placed his forearms on his knees and looked at her.
“I thought I would wait so you could do it on your own terms and at your own time but I have to admit you both have outlasted me.” He tilted his head at her. “And time is growing short.”
Tactical stared at him. A long moment of silence passed. Finally, Tactical asked, “When did you know?”
He smiled a wan smile. “As soon as I laid eyes on you. When your craft first landed here and Raferty was talking to George at the pad, I was watching via a camera over the entrance door. I looked Raferty over first as he talked to George and then I moved to you. You look much like your mother. You move like her, gesture like her, and have many of the same tastes. With all of that, did you think I wouldn’t recognize my own granddaughter?”
Tactical did not move. She was unsure of what to do, so she sat still and spoke softly. “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you. Raferty left it to me to pick my time, but there never seemed the right moment. You knew of him but not of me. I felt a bit like an intruder. I still would have told you before we left.”
“Is the professor your father?”
Tactical shook her head. “No. Aberdene was pregnant when she left here. I was born eight months later.”
The Duke closed his eyes as he remembered the departure. Tactical spoke quickly to ease the pain. “She did not know she was pregnant when she left.”
The Duke looked at her inquiringly. Tactical understood the look. “She told both of us the story of her departure in great detail. She talked of your relationship. She also always said it was her fault as well as yours that things turned out as they did. She never played the innocent victim.” She spoke softly. “She also said we should meet you ourselves and decide on our own as to what our relationship should be with you. She never hated you and ensured we did not also.”
Echoes from Yesterday: Pirates of the Badlands Series Book 4 Page 6