Redeemed

by Steve Matthew Benner

  Paul knew instinctively that the attack was a result of their collaboration with him. He had just lost two thirds of his supporters among the allies. The rest would now be so intimidated that they wouldn’t want to be seen with him. His plans now depended exclusively on Dran. Paul also thought the investigation would probably say that the Horologii had tried to kill the three representatives to break up the Consortium--but Paul knew that Gibbon was behind it.

  ~

  Gibbon had scheduled a closed meeting with just his cabinet for first thing the next morning. As usual, Paul was there early. He found it informative to arrive early; it gave him time to study the expressions on each of the members’ faces as they entered the room. People usually didn’t have their poker faces on until they were settled into their seats. Paul also found it interesting to see with whom they entered the room.

  Soon Stephen Stimpson, Robert Holts, and Girk Vollunteire entered together and were seated in their respective chairs. George Saunders, Gibbon’s representative in the Earth Assembly, and Hernst Caliper, the head of IEI, were also at the table. Hernst was a regular member of the cabinet but had been away on an errand for Gibbon for the last month. George was an experienced politician in his late sixties and, as one of the Assembly’s most powerful members, was Gibbon’s closest ally and the spearhead for Gibbon’s initiatives there. George was large in both height and girth. His large, brown eyes were surmounted by bushy, brown eyebrows, which matched his graying brown hair. He had a straight nose and thin lips surrounding a wide mouth. George was like Admiral King during the 20th Century world war in that he was considered even-tempered, because he always seemed angry. George was very smart and always looking for an angle, which made him hard to talk to unless he wanted something from you. As a result, it was very hard for Paul to determine his mood and his objectives. In his late thirties, Hernst was much friendlier. Hernst’s small features and brown skin made it difficult for Paul to interpret his expressions. In contrast to George, Hernst was very thin and tall and moved with an economy of motion that made Paul jealous. Like all members of his profession, Hernst kept everything very close to his chest, so he was very hard to get to know. They had some mutual friends that told Paul that, when he let his guard down, he had a great sense of humor and could be quite entertaining. Paul was sure that Hernst was the one that was in charge of tracking his movements and noting his contacts. Paul didn’t like either man but had a good working relationship with both of them.

  Gibbon entered the conference room, followed by his personal secretary. Janet seemed to always be within six feet of Gibbon, no matter where he went. There were bets as to whether she accompanied him into the men’s bathroom. Paul was betting she did. Gibbon initiated the meeting as soon as he was seated.

  “As I am sure you are all aware, there was an assassination attempt upon three of our allied Consortium representatives last night. One is dead, and another is in critical condition. As to the third, I saw Dran earlier, and he’s apparently in good shape. The administration and Assembly have officially sent their condolences, and Janet is in the process of scheduling a memorial service. We have told the allies that we will do everything within our power to find out who initiated this despicable attack. I have recalled Hernst back from his assignment to take personal charge of the investigation.”

  “Now on to our other business. I have asked our leader in the Assembly to sit in on today’s meeting, so that he can bring us up to date on what’s happening in the Assembly? George, you’ve got the floor.”

  “Thank you, High Council Gibbon. Your popularity is still high in the Assembly and with the general public, but there seems to be some rumbling from those Assembly members opposed to your policies, primarily due to the continuing problems in Denebola and the attack on Van Maanen. I don’t think it has coalesced enough to cause us any problem, but we should continue to watch them closely.” George then brought the cabinet up to date on several legislative initiatives that Gibbon was backing.

  When George had finished his twenty-minute summary, Gibbon said “Thank you, George.” He turned to Holts. “Robert, bring us up to date on the military situation.”

  “The situation has not changed much since the last time I talked to you. We have weakened our strategic reserve to provide more protection to the allied planets. The Denebolan guerrilla activities are still giving us a lot of trouble, tying down troops that we need elsewhere. We did learn how the Horologii were able to attack without any warning; they found a way of neutralizing our sensors protecting the Van Maanen System. Luckily, those sensors were out-of-date, and we now have newer sensors in place around the other systems.”

  Paul quipped, “I wonder if the Maanenians knew the sensors protecting their system were outdated?”

  The General ignored his comment. “We have also beefed up the security net with automated defenses to minimize the number of men required in the area. We had been working on these new defensives for a while, and they were ready to go on line. If the Horologii had waited another month, we might have been able to protect the Van Maanen system. In any case, despite the new defensives, we still have the same serious manpower problem that I had mentioned before the attack on Denebola. The acquisition of the system is pushing us to our limit.”

  Paul found it interesting that Robert was implying the military might not have been supportive of the attack on Denebola. This would be useful information to Gibbon’s opponents in the Assembly and may even provide an opening to get some of the military leaders on Paul’s side.

  When General Holts had finished, it was Girk’s turn to give the financial and resource status. “As with the military, we are stretched to the limit. The allies appear to be slowing down in their contributions to the war effort. They are beginning to husband their resources for their own protection, which is understandable, considering they’re worried about being attacked.”

  Gibbon interrupted, “Paul, you tell those allies that they better get in line with the war or they’ll regret it.”

  Paul responded, “I have told them. I think they will, though they’re reluctant. The death of Urek won’t help.”

  “Tell them we’ll let the Horologii have them if they don’t.”

  “I don’t think that would help either us or them.”

  “Just do your Goddamn job.”

  “Yes, First Council.”

  Girk continued with his report on the financial situation. “It appears that we will be forced to increase taxes, both on Earth and in the allied systems, to pay for the military resources that have been destroyed and the overall losses in the Van Maanen system. I don’t see any other way around the shortages. We had hoped to gain some infusion of resources from the Denebolan system, but the initial attack and subsequent fighting have pretty much destroyed anything of value.”

  George interjected, “An increase in taxes will not go over very well with the Earth Assembly. I think they expected more from the Denebolan attack.”

  Paul said, “The allies aren’t going to like it either.”

  “Screw the allies. They’ll do as they’re told,” Gibbon shouted. “I’m more worried about the Earth Assembly than the allies.”

  Paul replied, “Can I quote you on that?”

  The meeting dragged on for another two hours. Paul listened with only half his attention; he was thinking of his next move. When Gibbon finally ended the meeting, Paul made sure that he and General Holts happened to end up together in the hall outside the conference room.

  “Robert, I understand from your comments that you weren’t too hot on making the attack on Denebola?”

  “Oh, that’s right—you weren’t here for the discussions.” Paul knew that Robert hadn’t forgot that Paul wasn’t at the meeting, but he wasn’t sure why Robert said this, unless Robert was saying it wasn’t his idea to leave Paul out. “Sorry, I thought Gibbon had filled you in. Well, yes, the military did not want to launch the attack on Dene
bola. We felt we didn’t have the resources to hold it once we took it, which is proving to be the case. But Gibbon wanted the attack more for political reasons than military. As overall commander of the Consortium’s military forces and with the backing of the Assembly, he ordered the attack. We had no choice but to execute our attack plan. The initial assault was less costly than we thought it would be. I guess we have you to thank for that.” Robert’s voice trailed off on the last sentence.

  “Yeah, I guess you do.”

  “Though I still don’t think it was right to attack during a peace negotiation, Paul. I guess that’s diplomacy.”

  “Ambrose Bierce once said that diplomacy is the art of saying ‘Nice doggie’ until you can find a rock. Thanks for the info, Robert.”

  Paul split off and headed to his own office. Now Paul knew that Robert, and probably Girk, were not in on Gibbon’s deception of Paul. That just left Stephen, whom Paul was sure knew of it in advance.

  Back at his desk, Paul set up a meeting with assemblyman Roger Thelmater for later that day. During Paul’s tenure on the cabinet, Roger had become very useful to Paul. He was considered to be one of Gibbon’s supporters, but Paul knew Roger secretly passed information to Gibbon’s opposition. Paul wasn’t sure which side he philosophically supported, but, as far as Paul could tell, it was both. Roger was a perfect person to use as a way of passing information to the opposition without being considered a traitor to his own administration. Paul was sure that Hernst thought Roger was a mole, but because Hernst hadn’t said anything to Paul, Paul could claim he was not aware of the deception. Anyway, Paul believed Gibbon himself probably used Roger as a conduit to the opposition.

  Paul arrived at Roger’s office in the Asimov Assembly Building at 1600 hours. Roger was there to meet him at the door and escort him in. Paul was always amazed by how small and cramped the Assembly offices were. There were papers on every flat surface, and it was so cluttered that Paul had trouble finding a place to sit.

  “Don’t you assemblymen have a maid or something? I’d throw myself out the window if this were my office.”

  “Gee thanks, Paul, that really cheers me up. This isn’t the way to start a conversation if you’re asking for a favor.” Roger sat behind his desk, partially obscured by piles of documents. Roger was about Paul’s age, but much heavier and slightly shorter. He had reddish blond hair on his head, eyebrows, upper lip, and chin. Paul always thought he looked like an overweight Viking.

  “Sorry, I guess I thought I could speak frankly. I’ll try not to hurt your sensitive feelings again.”

  “I’d appreciate that.”

  “Let me get right to the reason I needed to talk to you. You may have already heard that the Gibbon administration will be asking for an increase in the taxes.”

  “No, I had not heard. That won’t go over very well.”

  “I know. We’re going to have to handle this carefully or the opposition is going to beat us to death with it, especially in light of the poor military situation. I guess General Holts was right about the attack on Denebola being a bad idea.”

  “Yeah, I guess he was.” Paul could tell that Roger was hearing this for the first time. He didn’t think Gibbon would have let his people in the Assembly know of Robert’s reservations. Paul figured that now both the opposition and Gibbon’s supporters would be informed of this within 24 hours.

  “Of course, we have to keep this among ourselves. It would only give ammunition to the opposition. The allies are giving us some problems also. They are worried about being left hanging by Gibbon. I assured them that is not the case. We are reinforcing their defenses, which should quiet them a little, but the increased taxes may add fuel to their fire. Gibbon will keep the allies in line; even it’s by force. But I’m not worried yet, concerned maybe.”

  “Well, Gibbon is a strong leader and very popular. Did you come here just to tell me all of this?”

  “No, I need your help on legislation that will help me handle the allies. There are some aid programs that I think we can use to build up support.” Paul had been pushing this legislation for about two years, and, though it would actually help the allies, he was using it more to show the allies that Gibbon was trying to help them. Gibbon kept telling Paul and the press that he supported the legislation but would undercut it whenever he could with the Assembly. Paul knew that it would never pass, and he could live with that since it was a convenient excuse to talk to assemblymen about real topics. He had attained his main goal of passing information to the opposition that could be used against Gibbon’s administration. Paul was also sure that some of Gibbon’s supporters were not aware of the military’s reluctance to attack the Denebolan System and would not be happy to find it out at this late. Hopefully, their constituents back at home won’t like it either.

  A little less than an hour after entering, Paul left Roger’s office. He had come to the conclusion that he needed some R&R, or he was going to go crazy. He had called Cherie the day before, and she was available tonight. Paul hadn’t seen her in almost four months, and, even though he had tried some of the female talent on Sirus V, he really missed Cherie. He was to pick her up at her house at 2000 hours, and he had made reservations at the LaRue in Georgetown. It was one of the most exclusive French restaurants in the whole area. It was very hard to get a reservation there on such short notice, but he was considered an important customer, plus the owner was a friend of his. After dinner, he would take Cherie to his house for the night. It meant that he was going to be very tired tomorrow, but it would be worth it. Paul thought that Cherie really liked him, but he was sure that all her clients thought the same thing. She had been pushing him to set up a regular weekly night for her, but his schedule kept him traveling so much, that setting anything up on a regular basis was almost impossible. Things will have to stay as they are; as Cherie liked to say “snatch as snatch can.”

  ~

  Paul was right. The next day he felt and looked like crap, but he did have a smile on his face. His secretary, Lee, recognized the symptoms immediately and, as Paul entered his office, made some snide comment he didn’t hear. There was a message from Gibbon on his desk to call him ASAP, which he did. Janet passed the video call immediately through to Gibbon.

  “You look like shit. What did ya do last night?” Gibbon said.

  “Oh, I just had a friend over, and over again last night.”

  “Funny. We have a problem. The opposition in the Assembly has gotten wind of the tax increase. Did you tell anyone about it?”

  “I might have mentioned it to Roger. After our meeting yesterday, I met with him to discuss our legislation on aid to the allies, but I’m sure he wouldn’t have leaked it.” Paul suppressed a smile.

  Gibbon’s brow furrowed for an instant and then relaxed. “Oh, well, they were going to find out anyway. The allies are screaming as well. George said that this may cost me.”

  “Tax increases are never popular. You’re going to have to explain that it’s needed for the war.”

  “We’re already beginning to put that spin on it, but we had said that the attack on Denebola would help end the war, now we are asking for more money. Looks a little contradictory, but I’m sure my people can handle the flack. You need to handle the allies.”

  “I have the allies right where I want them.”

  “You’d better.”

  They continued to talk for about twenty more minutes, but the only thing that Paul got out of the rest of the conversation was that Gibbon seemed worried, which was both unusual and a good sign. Paul now had the two major pieces in place; both the Assembly and the Consortium now knew that Gibbon had deceived them. All he had to do was to let things stew and wait to put his plan into motion.

  ~

  And stew it did. Over the last month of winter and through the spring, the war heated up. Horolog struck at the Ross System but was repelled with heavy losses by the new defense network and a
quick reaction force put in place by the Consortium for just this type of attack. The Consortium managed to scrape enough forces together to make a very limited attack on one of the Horologian League’s outer systems, but the effect was nothing more than a pinprick. The flurry of military activity then died down again and the war returned to the stalemate it had reached prior to the surprise attack on Denebola. The Denebolan system’s subjugation continued to be a drain on the Consortium’s limited resources. It was becoming equivalent to Napoleon’s 19th century Spanish ulcer.

  In early spring, Assemblyman Roger Thelmater was brought up on ethics charges and had to resign his office. Paul knew the charges were probably true. Apparently Roger was now considered more of a liability than an asset. Paul believed Gibbon had had this damning evidence on Roger and had kept it quiet until Gibbon had decided to get rid of him. Roger’s resignation cut off Paul’s access to the opposition, and Gibbon told Paul to talk only to George if he wanted something from the Assembly. Gibbon had not been happy that the opposition had found out military did not back the Denebolan attack and were now calling for an investigation.

  With Roger gone, Paul would have to act through surrogates, people that Paul could trust but were not members of the Assembly or Administration. That proved to be very risky since Gibbon’s spies had infiltrated both bodies, but it was essential that Paul keep communications open to the Assembly. They were an important part of his plan. The primary motivation of the Assembly members, whether Gibbon’s backers or opposition, was to stay in power. Paul had to bring their self-interest in line with his objective of removing Gibbon from power. Dran still had some contacts in the Assembly that Paul could use.

  His contact with the allies was intact as long as he could talk to Dran. Gibbon didn’t like Dran and considered him a potential rival, but Paul’s job depended on his talking to the allies, especially Dran. Paul knew that the allies did not like Gibbon and his demeaning attitude toward them, but before the war, they had benefited from their membership in the Consortium. Now with the war draining their resources, they doubly disliked Gibbon. They wanted the war over, one way or the other. Luckily, Urek had survived his wounds and would be rejoining the Council soon. Paul could use his help.