Six men in black armour appeared and dragged the bloodied and bruised shapes of General Rivers, Spartan and Marcus into view.
“God no!” exclaimed Admiral Jarvis.
“These men are responsible for this terrible crime and they will be sent to an undisclosed location where they will await their trial. Even more incredible is that the operation was under the direct command of General Rivers, one of the senior Confederate Commanders in Proxima!”
The guards dragged the prisoners out of the view of the camera so that the Bishop was the only person remaining in shot.
“Due to these terrible events the Vice President has chosen to remain hidden until our security forces can guarantee his safety. His first order however is to establish the Church as a moral oversight to his administration. Though a terrible night, this change in policy to the atheist and abhorrent regime of the past should gives us cause for joy. For decades our good people have slaved under the tyranny of big business. Workers earn little, yet work longer and harder as the rich become richer. Human morality has become shameful with even our own leaders living in shame and decadence. Today the partnership between the government of Kerberos and the Church announces its intention to help any colony to become a safe and prosperous place to live outside of the greedy paws of the Confederacy. No more will our citizens be forced to fight wars on foreign lands for an oppressive regime.”
He paused, waiting as if there was a momentous addition to his speech. The silence extends to almost ten seconds before he continued.
“How many of our colonial brothers have been forced to join the military? Some because of debts to oppressive companies, others for so-called crimes against the state. This duty of service and war is a crime against humanity and we have been working tirelessly for the last five years on the creation of an alternative to this service. Our loyal citizens should never have to fight in another war or die in another battle. I am therefore proud to announce the wonder that is the Biomech. A biological machine that will provide our people with safety and security, while removing the risk of war to our citizens,” he said with a gleam in his eye.
From the right hand side of the camera stepped two of the shock troopers. They seemed almost identical the ones that had fought on Prime. They looked like normal people, just bigger and more substantial. They both wore a minimalist level of armour, much like the tight fitting PDS suits of the marines. Their heads were covered with metal masks that conveniently covered their mutated muscles and jaws. In perfect synchronisation the two warriors dropped to one knee and bowed to the camera. As they remained totally still, a man in the robes of the Zealots approached the Bishop and spoke quietly before turning and moving out of view. The Bishop then looked up and smiled at the camera.
“We have received word following the discussions between the Chief Ministers of Kerberos and those of the Colonies of Prime, Orthrus and Agora. They have all announced their intention to secede from the oppressive capitalist regime of the Confederacy. I call on all military forces to join us and return Proxima to the people. From today, any city or colony joining our union of peace and brotherhood will be provided full protection against military intervention, piracy and organised crime through the deployment of our loyal Biomechs,” he signalled to both shock troopers who then stood and left.
“Peace to you all,” said Typhon as he placed his hand on his heart.
The video feed cut off abruptly. Admiral Jarvis continued staring at the video display in disbelief. She had sent General Rivers as a representative and now the situation in Prime seemed to pale in insignificance to this new threat in the sector.
“The jamming has stopped, Admiral,” said the Communications Officer.
Captain Hardy approached the Admiral, standing in front and looking for a moment as though he was going to draw a weapon. Instead he pulled out a datapad, he pressed one button and handed it to her.
“While the feed was coming in we managed to decode some of the data coming from the Rim. It is Commander Anderson and he says he has information on the coup on Kerberos.”
Admiral Jarvis looked down at the datapad, checking the details for herself. When she finished reading she moved back to her strategic map and reached out, touching each of the seceding colonies and tapping them. The colours of the sites turned grey until little remained in the System that appeared loyal to the Confederacy.
“What are your orders, Admiral?”
Admiral Jarvis stood silent, looking at the map as if she expected some great solution to present itself. It wasn’t to be though. She turned to the Captain.
“We will stop this before it can spread,” she said firmly.
Moving across the CiC she reached the communication array.
“Record this message and send it out to every combat unit in the sector!”
The officer sitting at his desk looked quickly at Captain Hardy who immediately gave him the nod. He pressed a few buttons and then handed the microphone to the Admiral.
“This is Admiral Jarvis, Supreme Commander of all Confederation Units in Proxima. A military coup has been staged on Kerberos by terrorist forces. I am placing all Units on maximum alert! All personnel are to report to their stations. Any attempts to enter Confederation facilities will be responded to with lethal force.”
She paused, realising the decision she was making could have catastrophic consequences for the region.
“As the legal representative of the Confederacy, I declare any acts of secession to be illegal and against the articles of the Confederacy agreed to by every colony in this sector. Any attempts to break the articles will be met by the full force of the Confederate Military!” she said and then slammed down the intercom.
The entire room was silent, the officers either waiting to hear what she had to say next or just waiting for their orders. Admiral Jarvis turned back to examine the display and the ever shrinking influence of the Confederacy. As she looked at the screen she called over to the Communications Officer.
“Get me through to Commander Anderson, we need information!”
“Aye, Sir,” said the man as he proceeded to try and link directly to the Tamarisk.
“This is it then?” asked Captain Hardy, his face showing obvious horror at the situation.
“No, it isn’t. We are facing the greatest threat since the Great War,” she said sternly.
“War? We’re already fighting a war, Sir,” said the Captain.
Admiral Jarvis turned back to him, her eyes burning with anger at the situation.
“This war hasn’t even begun!”
Tears of Kerberos Page 20