Righteous Reign

by MacDonald, Thomas J

"Please, everyone be seated.' The Emperor said. 'This will be an informal meeting. We will not stand on protocol, here. We are all friends, here. Aren't we?' He asked as he leaned in towards us holding our gaze. 'May I ask the two of you a personal question? And it does concern both of you." The Emperor asked.

  "Yes sir, of course." Helena answered.

  "I have watched the two of you in the corridors, many times. And, I have seen things. A sneaking hand touch, here - a coy little glance and light blush there. Are you in love?' He paused and waited; but, no answer was forthcoming as we stared at each other in amazement. 'It is not a crime, you know. Two of our most famous and valued Admirals are a husband and wife team who met on the job." He said with a warm smile as I glanced over at Admiral Bryant.

  "Yes, your highness, we are. We are only waiting for the right time." Helena answered.

  The Emperor took her right hand in both of his; patting the back of it with his right hand.

  "There is never a right time for anything. There is just a time. You throw a dart at a calendar to pick a date; and, you do whatever it is, on that day. That's all there is to life, my dear. It's funny you don't realize that in your personal lives yet. Your professional lives already reflect that attitude. If it needs doing - do it." He spoke softly with a warm smile. Helena sobbed.

  "Why did you ask, if you feel it's alright, your majesty." I ask.

  "People in love are very trustworthy. They do not want to upset their romance by doing something that can damage it. So, they will pick a side; and, stay with it; so, they don't disturb their norm and upset their love. Do you see what I am saying?' He asked to our nods. "I need to trust you both; and, knowing you are lovers makes it easier. Call me a sentimental fool; but, it has always worked for me." He finishes with a chuckle.

  "What do you mean, you need to trust us." I ask; as, the Emperor still held Helena's hand and was patting it to comfort her as she sobbed.

  "We will share a big secret with you. A dangerous one. A secret that could get you killed – or me, for that matter. So, I needed to know I could trust you, when we do share it. But, today, there is other business we must finish; before we get to that. I have one more question for you. It’s very personal, too. I find it hard to ask such a favor." The Emperor says.

  "Sir, I know I am your loyal servant; because, you have always been a gentle leader. And your family was always concerned with the citizens' wellbeing. And, I am very sure that Kurt feels the same way.' She pauses. I nod. 'I don't think we could refuse any request you make, no matter how personal." Helena answered for the two of us.

  "After our meetings are done tomorrow, I want the two of you to announce your wedding. You may have the grandest wedding. We will make it an official function; and the OESA will pick up all the costs. You will be able to fly your families to your Carrier for the affair; and, you will be able to use the four Carriers of a Fleet to hold your dinner." The Emperor finished.

  "You mean like Admiral Bryant's wedding was handled? That is very generous." I respond with doubt apparent in my voice.

  "Not so much. There are strings attached. But, I'll tell you that Admiral Nichols and Commodore Hurst have agreed, too. They are fine with the strings." He added.

  "I am shocked." Helena said as she rose and stepped toward Nichols. I followed.

  "Sir, I am so happy. Congratulations. I have to see Olivia before I leave." She said and I followed her with my best wishes and a vigorous handshake.

  "I will tell you this much, now. Both weddings will be timed far enough apart to be used as good diversions. They will put the entire Empire to sleep with romantic dreams; just, when I need it to happen. I cannot tell you more, now. The rest is for tomorrow. Admiral Bryant will fill you in on today's happenings.

  "First, I have to ask you how Anna Arce is doing?" Kurt.

  "She's ready for the next step, sir. Sometime I wonder why I'm the boss. She could run the show, by herself." I answer.

  "That's exactly what I wanted to know. Do you feel you have to keep Loki as the Task Force One Flag Vessel, Helena?" George asks.

  "Not really, sir. Since Kurt straightened up the mess, either ship could fly the Task Force pennant.

  "Good, then here's what's going to happen today. Bill here is creating a special office. It will be the C&C OESA Inspector General Branch. It will be staffed by about forty-three to forty-six hundred; like a Theatre. That will allow for all the audit materials to be examined by an independent expert staff in each field under the command of the Special Examinations Branch Commander. This person and the investigative team will go from Quadrant to Quadrant, Theatre to Theatre and Fleet to Fleet examining every aspect of their operations and their tactical missions. It will have a two-fold purpose. The first is to ensure that each and every aspect of all commands complies with regulations, is legal, moral and ethical. This branch will weed out all the General Chans and Captain Singhs in all field commands. It will ensure that operations are conducted as they are meant to be. It will investigate all the minutia of each operation, no matter the security level. The Commander will actually lead many of the investigations. It's second purpose is to gain intelligence. The information we will give you tomorrow will explain the need. We need the best guess of who is loyal to the idea of the Throne and the Crown; and, who is actually loyal to the Emperor Edward, the man. We also need to know who's first loyalty is to their Command Line.

  Bill was able to get the new Department through the system by holding up the incident with your former COS and the former Admiral Chan. By the way, they were sentenced, today. Chan got twenty-five-years hard labor. Singh got twelve years. The crewman got five years. It's fitting considering the mess they made and the trust they broke. Everyone is well looked after, in the service, even the regular crewmen. There is no need for that kind of greed.

  The new department would be HQ; but, would be housed on the Valhalla. The story will be its temporary; because of current space constraints. But, putting it here will lock down security on the intelligence part of it; and will make it mobile.

  So the plan is that, Bill will release the announcement, at the end of this meeting. Kurt will be promoted to Admiral Level 10 and will head the new operation. If you take it, you have six weeks to get it running and four months to get it to one hundred percent - not a day longer. You will have the staff we spoke of; a generous personal staff and your own Admiral's Craft. Your salary will be sixty percent higher than now. That's standard for level 10. Besides accountants and legal people, you will need a large staff of trained criminal investigators, enforcement staff marine guard battalion to enforce your will if you need to; and, a fair sized intelligence battalion. Malcolm will supply you with two hundred from throughout Mobile Fifth. You will have sixty criminal investigators, thirty cops, fifty intelligence officers and sixty fighting marines fully armed and equipped. Of course all two hundred are fully trained marines; so, you could exert considerable force, if needed. You will also have a large press corps contingent attached to your operations. We need you to make a lot of noise on the criminal side; but, the intelligence side should be top secret. But, you will need a carrier to move that many investigators to a site; so, the Loki will be at your disposal. You just have to ask Helena. You may even need to use a Task Force or Fleet to exert your will on a larger resisting force. We will keep Phoenix Fleet close to the Valhalla, from now on. Essentially, the Phoenix Fleet is going to guard the Valhalla. It may become a target soon. Some people won't be happy about these investigations. Helena, you will send a message to the Thor offering The Task Force to Anna Arce with an elevation to Rear Admiral. Helena, you must tell her to leave immediately; if, she is accepting. She can confirm on route. She can bring Dave with her. Helena, you may want to offer him the Group Command. I believe he's the most experienced Captain you have with Carrier Duty. He's decisive and smart. If you offer it, and he accepts, let me know. We need to have the Warrants ready when they arrive. They do not need to know everything. But, we can tell them of Kurt's n
ew appointment; because, it'll be in the announcement, anyway. We will do the ceremonies, when they arrive. Kurt, you need to draw a second complete set of uniforms. Banerjee has an outlet on the Valhalla. You will have permanent quarters on the Loki and permanent ones here; and, you will travel quite a bit. You will be allowed to draw people from all five Quadrant Level Commands, all ten Theatre Level Commands, all the Fleets and the Academies. Try make each move a promotion; and, try not to pick on one command, too much. Try to keep it fair. Helena, you will have to find a new Carrier Captain, probably. I know you are light at Phoenix; so, you may draw a seasoned Exec from any Fleet in Fifth. I will force it.

  We picked Kurt for several reasons. The most important considerations were his most recent experiences. Picking up on the Loki faults and doing such a thorough job proves his knowledge of the vessels and their needs. Building a working staff in such short order proves he can handle the job; given proportionate time to do it. And, he had a sharp eye for the illegal crap that was going on and knew what to do about it. And, he acts quickly and decisively. Another reason is his loyalty to me, Admiral Nichols and Admiral Leeds. And, finally he is smart and empathetic. When he becomes aware of what's going to happen, I'm sure he will stand with Edward. The last part of the plan is your wedding. It has to be scheduled for six months from now. Stephen will marry Olivia a month before. Two royal weddings in a month will keep a lot of people and the press dazzled. We will need that diversion. Can you live with that time frame, Helena?" George asked.

  "If it's going to be that big a splash, it'll take that long to plan." She responded.

  "Okay, the most important part. What do you say Kurt?" George asked. There was a couple of minute pause.

  "Making a decision like this, without knowing everything, is very hard. The secrecy makes it tough. But, I have always trusted you, sir - and, Admiral Nichols. I have admired you and made you my model. So, I will take a shot and say I'm in all the way; no matter what is said tomorrow. I believe you would not do, or ask me to do, the wrong thing. I accept the promotion and the reassignment; and, I'm relieved you all know about Helena and me. Thank you for that Your Highness. You are very perceptive." I said with a smile.

  The meeting broke up. Helena received confirmation that Anna and Dave had accepted and were on the way. Anna had detected the urgency in the message. She had authorized forty percent of light speed, in the jump. They would land at seventeen hundred hours, in full dress uniforms. The rest of the day was a whirlwind.

  MEMO

  To: All OESA Field and Headquarters Commands & all personnel

  From: Fleet Admiral B. Dickinson OESA C&C, Fleet Admiral W.O. Stephenson OESA C&C

  C.C.: Office of the Orion Empire Secretary of Defense, Emperor Edward III

  Re: New Headquarters Command

  Date: June 1, 2257

  All,

  Recent events have made it apparent that, though we trust the majority of our personnel, that trust cannot be blind; and, we must be aware there is always a very small percentage of any group that will take advantage to satisfy their lust for power or, their greed for wealth. To highlight this point, I will point out that former Rear Admiral Lee Chan, Captain Amrit Singh and Leading Crewman Huard Bolger were sentenced to long prison terms for a vast embezzlement scheme. It became apparent during the same investigation that; there had been a widespread abuse of personnel, by the same perpetrators. Besides the abuse, the scheme involved a large theft of money and an operation designed to steal OESA materials and sell them on the Black Market. This is an unacceptable situation.

  To root out any other such criminal conspiracies, deter any future ones, detect abuse of personnel and the misuse of power in any venue of our organization, we wish to announce the creation of a new Headquarter Department.

  Be advised that by the authority of the C&C, with the approval of the Orion Empire Council, the Orion Empire Representative Assembly, the Secretary of Defense and Emperor Edward III; and, effective immediately, an investigative Headquarters Department to be named the Inspector General Branch (IGB) has been created and entrenched in the Rules and Regulations of the OESA.

  This investigative branch will hold full headquarters department status; but will be temporarily housed in the ESS Valhalla, due to constraints in office space. It will be commanded by a Level 10 Flag Officer, in perpetuity; and, will be manned by a staff of nearly five thousand personnel. Embedded within its structure, a full investigative and enforcement branch will be authorized and warranted by the Empire to enforce its laws and the Rules and Regulations of the OESA. They will have the full powers of arrest and detainment held by any other such agencies throughout the Empire. Since this department will have the full authorization to investigate the minutia of all operations of any Command, each and every member of the department will be painstakingly vetted and granted the Empire's highest level of Security Clearance. An investigative order from the Commander of the Branch (Inspector General) will carry the same authority as a criminal warrant or subpoena issued by a court of the Empire, or in the name of the Emperor. All personnel presented with, or made aware of such an order, will yield full access and offer no interference in any investigation; as, outlined in the official order. Your compliance to the Branch is not just requested; but, required by the amendments made to the OESA Rules and Regulations.

  We trust you will understand the need for this change; and, the fact that this new Department is under tight control by C&C Staff Offices to ensure it does not abuse these wide ranging powers. The new department is also under the scrutiny of a new sub-committee authorized by the Defense Committee of the Orion Empire Representative Assembly. The Department's Commander and representatives will be required to appear before, and report to, this sub-committee, on a regular basis. It is not our intent to create a police state, or to restrict the freedoms our citizens enjoy.

  Fleet Admiral B. Dickinson OESA C&C

  Fleet Admiral W.O. Stephenson OESA C&C

  MEMO

  To: All OESA Field and Headquarters Commands & all personnel

  From: Fleet Admiral B. Dickinson OESA C&C, Fleet Admiral W.O. Stephenson OESA C&C

  C.C. Office of the Orion Empire Secretary of Defense, Emperor Edward III

  Re: Inspector General Branch Commanding Officer Appointment

  Date: June 1, 2257

  All,

  Please be advised that at seventeen hundred hours, this day, Rear Admiral Kurt Brubacher, currently Commander Phoenix Fleet Task Force One will be elevated to the rank of Admiral (10).

  We also wish to advise you that, effective seventeen hundred hours, this day Admiral Kurt Brubacher will be assigned as Commander OESA Inspector General Branch.

  Admiral Brubacher has had a distinguished career with our service. He has demonstrated keen abilities as a trouble shooter and investigator; and, has contributed to our institution tactically and organizationally. He has a daunting task ahead. Staffing a new full department, establishing operating protocols and procedures and beginning investigative operations in the required timeframe will not be an easy job. We expect his department to begin functioning in six weeks; and be fully operational in four months.

  Congratulation to you, Kurt; and, best of luck.

  Fleet Admiral B. Dickinson OESA C&C

  Fleet Admiral W.O. Stephenson OESA C&C

  Other memos, from Admiral Nichols, regarding promotions and reassignments rippling from my promotion flew through the system. When Anna and David arrived, they were hustled into Admiral Bryant's office. He spent ten minutes summarizing and highlighting the changes and the need for them; without conveying the underlying intelligence reasons. He pretty much stuck to the line in the announcement from the C&C. The rest of us entered the room, after that. Both Anna and David were somewhat stunned when the Emperor entered the room with us.

  Following that, we went to the amphitheater. It was well represented with people from both Loki and Thor; along with, a multitude from the thousands on the Valhalla. The ceremon
ies went off to a lot of fanfare; but, without a snag. It took less than an hour to do all the promotions and assignments. There were only very brief statements; instead of the usual long speeches from the event hosts.

  From there, a select group went to the lounge for a cocktail party. I did have two glasses of champagne, this time. Helena toasted me. Bryant toasted me. The Emperor toasted me. When I could move away from the more senior officers, I sought out Tahu Moahu who I recognized from our time in Boots Fleet.

  "Vice Admiral Moahu, can I have a moment of your time?" I ask as I take his elbow and gently guide him away from other ears.

  "Yes, Admiral; of course. What may I do for you?" He inquires.

  "First of all, please call me Kurt." I offer my hand.

  "And, you may call me Moe. My friends call me that. Any friend of Admiral Bryant is a friend of mine." He said with a smile as he shook my hand.

  "I guess this is my first official function for my new Command. You are COS of Fifth Mobile and that means you command a very large staff. My Command will need a large staff; about a third of the size you run. I know that, the service is stretched thin, now. I know I am not going to be able to grab a Chief who is doing this job, already. Besides, I would not want to cripple some other large Command by stealing their Chief of Staff. But, I assume you meet other Chiefs in your duties and know some of the senior people in the other large Command Staff Offices. I am also assuming that, a Command the size of yours would have a Deputy or Assistant COS; or, some other such person you consider your right hand. So, I need your advice." I stop.

  "What would that be Kurt?" The Fifth Chief asks me.

  "I need to know if you could recommend an assistant or deputy of a large Staff office in a Quadrant or Theatre Command that would be able to take on a Chief's job; and, build the staff, from the ground up?" I ask softly. There is a very long pause. I can see his internal computer is crunching the numbers and variables.

  "I can think of one, I could recommend to you. She is a young Finnian Commodore who is deputy COS in Admiral Mkali's Theatre Two Command by the name of Rohkea Sielu. He has a top notch COS; so, you shouldn't harm the operation. It will take time to fill the hole; but, they will carry on. I mention her because she is very dynamic; and, is looking for a more exciting challenge. Your new operation might be just the thing for her; and, for you.' He said with a smile. 'Shall we get another drink?" He moves on as if we hadn't spoke of business.