“You can’t be serious! Has the entire Confederation gone into a state of temporary insanity,” exclaimed Far-Bright, “surely it is our job as the Fleet to fight tyranny and stop any enemies both internal and external.”
“I will deny no man or woman the right to her conscience,” McCruise said flatly.
“Blasted too right!” Far-Bright pounded the table for emphasis.
“At the same time I refuse to see this command tear itself apart from the inside,” she came back sharply.
“What are your intentions, Commodore?” he asked.
“Don’t you mean orders, Captain,” she said with heavy emphasis on Far-Bright’s lower rank.
He grimaced.
“Orders then. What are your orders, Commodore,” he frowned.
“Gather our top officers. We need to have a meeting,” she said and then after he left the room to begin gathering her staff she placed a call to security.
Chapter 16: Admiral Montagne Issues Movement Orders
“How go the talks in front of the Assembly sub-committees?" asked Captain Hammer the moment I walked into her ready room.
I immediately grimaced.
“That good, eh?” she asked as I plopped down into the guest’s chair in her office.
“Could be worse,” I sighed, and then looking up I motioned for my protective detail to finish scanning the room so they could leave.
Everyone except Sean D’Argeant exited the room and seeing that he intended to stay despite my non-verbal instruction I rolled my eyes but said nothing.
She looked at me questioningly.
“So how are things on the ship?” I asked.
“The ship is fine,” she replied.
“And its crew?” I asked.
“What is this, an interrogation? We were just discussing your meeting with this new Spineward Sector wide Assembly,” she said sourly.
“No, you were talking about it, I was asking about the ship and its crew. Maybe even hoping to hear a little bit about the ship’s captain as well while we were at it,” I said evenly.
“Not likely,” Hammer snorted, “I’m not ready to cry on anyone’s shoulder, Sir.”
“Just goes to show what honesty gets you,” I shrugged, “so about the crew?”
Hammer shook her head. “You actually went through with it,” she said wearily.
“We’ve known what I was intending to do for weeks now, that was the entire purpose of taking two Battleship squadrons along for an escort force, and I officially signed on as the Spineward Sectors’s new Grand Admiral two days ago. None of this is new, Captain,” I said, giving her a penetrating look.
“The crew is shaken, Admiral,” said Captain Hammer, “even though it was expected. Even though many knew it was a possibility, it was still a blow when it landed. I’ll be honest when I say that none of this seems real. We woke up from cryo-sleep to find that we were rescued as an afterthought. That everyone back home gave up on us decades ago thinking us dead or worse.”
“I’ve done the best I know how for your people, Captain,” I sighed.
“I won’t deny that. You rescued us, gave us back our lives and then you gave us a purpose and worse you gave us hope. And now that hope is being taken away.”
“Not by me, Leonora,” I said compassionately.
“Yes, by you, Sir. With all respect that is exactly what you are doing,” she said, drawing herself up.
“You think I should have just stood by while the Empire rapes the Spine then, Captain?” I asked.
“It’s Lieutenant Commander, and I won’t deny the Confederation turned its back on the Spineward Sectors but knowing that and betraying the Confederation myself in turn is a different thing,” she said tensely, a bead of sweat on her forehead.
I tensed, silently turning my left wrist up in a helpless gesture even as I confirmed the location of the hold-out blaster pistol strapped to my arm—a hold-out weapon Leonora Hammer had been with me long enough to know I sometimes carried.
“Let’s not pretend that the Confederation simply turned its back on us, Commander Hammer,” I said, leaning forward in my chair to lock eyes with her. “That might have flown back when all they’d done was abandon us in place while the Empire shot up everything in sight. Right now what we have is a whole other ball of wax. The Confederation, seeing an advantage to itself in carting us off to the Empire, suddenly remembers the Sectors it let go. That’s a betrayal infinitely worse than a loyal and honest sailor abandoned in place, continuing to defend the helpless people of the Spine from all enemies internal and external.”
“I thought I could do it,” she said talking to herself as much as to me, “I really, honestly did.”
“What defend the people of the Spineward Sectors against the Empire or did you mean to gun me down in your office and simply lost the nerve?” I snorted, but even as I pretended to laugh with forced humor I was watching everything with calculating eyes. I’d been gunned down in an office just like this one by my old adversary, Jean Luc Montagne. I wasn’t about to make the same mistake again. Being shot in the neck one time was one time too many.
Behind me Sean D’Argeant tensed, his gaze sharpening on the obviously conflicted Leonora Hammer.
“And do what? Die with honor after inciting everyone who feels like me to turn on their fellow crewmates? Please,” she said rolling her eyes, “don’t think I didn’t notice the extra Lancer battalions we took on before we left. Marine country is packed to the gills right now. A mutiny would be suicide.”
“So you did notice,” I said.
Hammer gave me a withering look. “I’m the Captain of this ship. Of course I noticed. Even if I was so inclined, the whole crew put together couldn’t take on those genetically engineered super freaks,” she glared.
“Why do I get the sense you’re not entirely happy with that assessment…or am I tragically misjudging you, Officer Hammer,” I said coolly.
“Killing you wouldn’t stop this, if it even needs to be stopped. Or should be stopped,” Hammer sighed, “just don’t take me for a fool; we have eight under-crewed warships running on this new slave rigging program that Science Officer of yours, Jones, cooked up and only the Rage has room for a full compliment of Lancers and marines. I know you consider me a security risk.”
“I don’t consider you a risk, and besides this is the flagship where history has shown that I need that kind of force at my disposal,” I protested.
“Then you’re a fool,” she said.
“No,” I said slowly and then sighed, “I’ve been down this road before and as you yourself said I have more than enough Lancers that I don’t have to consider one of my top officers and closest confidants a threat risk. I mean, not unless you plan to leap on me at close range with a knife.”
I could see Sean’s gaze become even more laser focused on the Flag Captain as I spoke.
“Strangely, not one of the options I had considered,” Hammer said, giving me a strange look.
“You should speak with my former First Officer about his aversion to knives,” I chortled with mirth, even though it wasn’t at all appropriate on so many different levels.
“I don’t believe I recall what happened to him,” she said, looking at me steadily.
“He was exiled,” I said waving a hand, “you have nothing to worry about; he tried to take my ship and plotted to take my life several times and I let him go. You should have nothing to worry about no matter what your decision. If I was the sort of officer who killed every mutinous subordinate the first time they raised the rebel flag, I’d have just about no one left.”
“That’s not exactly something I’d go bragging about if I were you,” advised Hammer.
“I was intemperate in my youth and far too forgiving for my own good,” I agreed, “but I’m still here—and so is the MSP and we’re both more powerful than ever before, so I must have done something right.”
“That’s not a way to live and it's certainly not any way to run a battle fleet,
” she scolded with a long-suffering smile.
“Well that’s what I’ve got professionals like you for, right?” I grinned.
Her smile wilted. “If it was just the Empire I’d say batten down the hatches and dam the torpedoes. Not just myself but I dare say the rest of my transplants would be all in,” she said.
“Your transplants? I thought we were all one big happy fleet, and that partisan strife was no way to run things?” I reminded her.
“I think it would be best if I tendered my resignation,” she said, reaching up and unsnapping her rank tabs. Hesitating for a moment, her face firmed up and she placed them on the table with a click.
“I could refuse to accept,” I said calmly and without expression.
“I might have friends or family aboard some of the Confed ships with the Imperial Fleet. If I stayed here not only would I have to issue orders that could kill them but I might never be able to go home,” she said simply, “I’ve seen what happened to the original crew of the Lucky Clover. Most of them expected a six to nine month tour and they haven’t been able to go home or see their kin for five years now.”
“I’m working to change that for the original crew, and not just for them. The MSP will be instituting a vacation program. Extracting certain guarantees on that front from the new government was one of my key objectives,” I said.
“That’s great,” she said perfunctorily, “I really mean that. But the Confederation of the Spine can issue any proclamation it wants and pass a hundred bills and resolutions, but that won’t help those of us who have friends, family or even just ‘might’ still have family alive back home in the heartland sectors.”
“So is that what this has devolved to? We turn against each other like rabid snap weasels based solely on geographical lines,” I inquired as I could feel my face darkening.
“Really?” she demanded. “That’s not at all what I meant, but for you of all people to say that to me. Mr. 'Grand Admiral of the Spine, this is the Spineward Sectors and we’ll stand against all enemies internal or external'.”
I stopped moving and gave her a long look in response and then shrugged. “Alright then,” I said turning away, “I’ll expect a list of people who, like you, are determined to keep faith with the old Confederation to the bitter end before you leave this office. After that you can consider yourself relieved.” With that said, I walked to the door.
“What assurances do I have that anyone I identify will be treated properly?” Hammer asked.
I turned on my heel. “What?” I asked in a clipped tone.
“I said—” she started.
“I heard what you asked,” I said seething with anger, “when have I ever treated you or the other sleepers with anything other than respect or the proper behavior expected between a superior and a subordinate, that you would ask me such a thing?”
“This is a war, Admiral. While I have no desire to fight you that doesn’t mean I want to languish on some penal colony like the one you have back in Tracto without at least asking for better first,” she said.
“A penal colony? I see,” I sneered, “well, Captain, unlike what you think, I am not in the habit of putting honorable people who have served me well in penal colonies,” she opened her mouth but I moved to cut her off, “nor do I intend to throw you out an airlock for mutiny!”
Her mouth closed.
“Despite what you clearly think of me, I’m no barbarian,” I snapped, “a freighter is being refit and will launch before this war with the Empire hits its stride. When it's ready, you can all have a very long, very slow trip through the Overton Expanse while you think about your lives—and the lives of the comrades you left behind on your way back to the Confederation.”
“Thank you for that,” Hammer said, drawing herself up to attention and saluting.
I sniffed, turning away rather than return her salute.
“I had to be sure. The rumors about you, engaging in one on one combat to the death with mutineers, threatening to space people out of airlocks…” she trailed off, “we’ve been through a lot together but when it comes to lives of my people I had to be sure,” she finished.
And there it was: her people. I didn’t know when she had started thinking that way, with myself and the other loyal MSP’ers as outsiders, or if she’d just always felt that way from the beginning. Well, truth be told, I knew she’d felt that way at first—I’m not stupid—I’d just hoped for better.
I’d hoped that over time she’d come to see the Multi-Sector Patrol Fleet as a new home for her and her fellow sleepers and the rest of us as fellow Confederation spacers, but apparently I’d failed.
How much of that failure was due to my recent decision to join forces with the new Confederation in the Spine? I grimaced, knowing the answer was 'probably most of it,' but given the chance I’d probably make the same decision.
Probably…
“I understand,” I said, and I did. To her I was a traitor, a mutineer or at the very best a deserter, either way she owed those loyal to the Confederation that sold the Spine to the Empire more than she owed the rest of us. “As soon as you're done here, confine yourself to quarters. You can use the mess deck and the rec facilities as per usual and you’ll be escorted by ship security for your own protection. Emotions are running high right now and not everyone will understand your decision to rejoin a government that just sold their home worlds to the highest bidder.”
Hammer winced but nodded. “I think you’re overstating that particular line of reasoning, but I can’t say you’re wrong and there are plenty of other good reasons not to have this ship’s former captain running around freely,” she said.
“I’m glad you’re so understanding,” I said with a stiff nod, and then slapping open the doors to the captain’s ready room I stalked away.
Hopping off a lift and arriving back in my own Admiral’s ready room, before I’d even realized in the front of my mind exactly where I was going, I plopped down in my chair with a weary slump.
“This is no good,” I said to no one in particular making note that ‘this time’ my bodyguards had decided to allow me to stay inside a room without their presence. Before I forgot, I passed a message to security to have the Captain escorted to her quarters as soon as she was done in her office, and then I sat and brooded.
The sad fact of the matter was that I was soon going to be out of as many as several thousand highly skilled officers and crew. The crew I could probably make up somehow, someway, but losing those officers wasn’t just going to hurt. It could cripple my expansion efforts. I had dozens of warships sitting empty right now for want of crew, and even more that needed to be fixed before they were crewed. Just manning these eight Battleships, even with the slave rigging, was stretching our pool of available manpower to the limit.
I was sitting there, unhappy and stewing, when the door to my ready room chimed and then without waiting for an answer swept open.
There were only a handful of people who my armsmen would allow to do that.
There is, of course, one other possibility, I thought as I reached up my sleeve for my hold-out blaster pistol. My guards could have been overwhelmed—
My train of thought came to an abrupt end as my wife entered the room.
“Overwhelmed indeed,” I groaned as Akantha tossed her hair over one shoulder and, after looking around to spot me, immediately walked over.
“Am I interrupting something?” she asked.
“Not right at this moment, but—” I started.
“Good,” she said simultaneously cutting me off and plopping herself down one of my visitor’s chairs.
“What can I do you for?” I asked wearily. We were both trying to improve our relationship but we’d had a few rocky encounters over the years when it came to my work. I just hoped we weren’t back for a rerun of past bad encounters.
“Rough day at work?” she asked with concern.
I looked at her with surprise. Alert for the coiled snake waiting, biding her
time while she waited to strike and not finding it. That didn’t mean I wasn’t just too mentally tired to spot it right now though.
“It could have been better,” I said cautiously and then seeing her interested look decided to throw out a bone and see what happened, “I had to fire Captain Hammer today. Looks like I’m going to need a new warship captain.”
“Ouch. That doesn’t sound good,” she frowned giving me an assessing look, “we talked about this possibility before you left Tracto. When you say 'fired' did you forcibly separate her from service or…?” she trailed off.
“I guess you could say it was a mutual decision,” I paused as she looked at me steadily. I frowned, “Well that’s not exactly true. Basically she informed me she couldn’t do it anymore and that I needed to replace her. It was only what we talked about later which made me determined to let her go.”
Akantha’s eyes narrowed. “You were the one that told me her Executive Officer is a Confederation sleeper too,” she mused.
I eyed her. “Everything is under control,” I said, an edge creeping into my voice.
“I know it is, I’ve been monitoring the situation. I have every confidence in you and the Lancers assigned to watching the captain and guarding the ship,” she said.
“I’ve got this, Akantha. Let me take care of it,” I said wearily.
She gave a look and opened her mouth, her brows clashing together, and then she stopped and took a breath.
“I know you could take care of it by yourself. But I need…no I want to help you. You have enough worries with the Assembly. This new Confederation is taking up much of your time,” she said.
I looked at her wryly and then, taking note of the genuine emotion in her eyes, I could feel the seriousness of the situation.
“I just don’t want any bodies on the ground unless it’s absolutely necessary. These people deserve my trust,” I said.
“And they have your trust,” Akantha agreed, “I’ll just be there to make sure they think twice before betraying it.”
Admiral's Nemesis Part II Page 14