“We’ve just received word from our counterparts inside the Anicinàbe territories. As you know, the entire region is something of a problem, with no central government and multiple tribes in a constant state of flux.”
An image appeared alongside the President. It showed a number of alien ships of similar designs in a prolonged engagement. The configuration was vastly different to the kinds of vessels used by the Alliance, with their emphasis on speed and elegance. Both fired powerful weapons that inflicted substantial damage before one accelerated away, leaving a trail of broken debris behind it.
“The fighting between three of their factions has intensified, and there has been a series of violent raids between many of the factions themselves, especially this one known as the Red Scars.”
Another man, one unfamiliar to Admiral Anderson now began to speak.
“Apparently, this group takes their name from the fact they were originally outlawed by the other tribes. They cut themselves as a reminder of the generations of slavery and torture they suffered at the hands of their own people.”
Text appeared alongside his images and confirmed the man as Kocho Trajchevski, the Secretary of State for the Colonies. He hadn’t even heard of the man before, let alone the title.
Another civilian department created in the middle of a damn war.
The man brought up images of the Byotai border that appeared alongside him.
“Our ambassador on the Byotai homeworld confirmed they have redeployed their forces to protect their trade routes. The Anicinàbe are no great friends of theirs, but it is this group of raiders and pirates known roughly as the Red Scars to us that are causing most of the trouble. The Byotai pushed them back across their border, but that has created an even bigger problem.”
He moved a set of stars maps and schematics to the tactical display. The imagery was also duplicated automatically onto the screens in the command center around Admiral Anderson. One in particular appeared over a mining world. The Admiral was forced to lift his hand to the side of his face for a moment, to hide the expression showing that he found impossible to mask. The sheer anger he felt right now was rising, and he knew that every minute spent talking probably meant another ten dead marines.
“…this is Karnak, one of the disputed Anicinàbe worlds. The Byotai chased the Red Scars here and assaulted their base of operations. The Byotai took it with heavy losses and are refusing to cede it to the Anicinàbe, not until they receive certain security guarantees.”
Admiral Anderson listened carefully, but at the same time brought up details of this new department on a secondary display. He had been given de facto military and civilian jurisdiction out in the Orion Nebula, and this new department sent a chill up through his body. He operated through the military chain of command, and that meant he answered directly to the civilian government though the Secretary of Defense. General Rivers might be the highest-ranking man in the military, but it was his job to advise the President and the Secretary of Defense, and technically lacked any authority over combatant forces.
So, it is a new department created by the Alliance Senate to deal with Colonial Affairs outside of the core Alliance territories. And why I am not surprised that Hyperion and Hades come under this jurisdiction?
He began to shake his head in annoyance, and then lifted his hand to stop the man speaking. As expected, the sound continued for several seconds before the delay was accounted for, and the man stopped.
“I am unfamiliar with the Secretary of State for the Colonies, President. I have heard most of this information already, though. Intelligence Director Johnson has provided detailed and very thorough reports from all fronts over the last weeks.”
Again there was the long and thoroughly annoying pause. This time it was the President’s turn to speak.
“Admiral, I appreciate the confusion. My cabinet has been reshuffled in the last few days. A full briefing has already been scheduled for all civilian and military departments of the Alliance. It is clear that a cohesive civilian structure needs to exist both here in Alpha Centauri as well as in the colonies."
He seemed uncomfortable at the last part.
"That is why I have put forward the proposal under Clause 72 of the Alliance constitution. It has been voted on, and I have been given a three-month emergency term as the first Magister Populi. My brief is simple, specifically ‘rei gerundae causa’."
Admiral Anderson sighed as he heard this.
It's nothing more than a three-month term dictator. It gives him legal immunity and the ability to issue any and all decrees, and military actions for that period.
The President was still speaking and now moving to the end of some grandiose part about the war effort.
"...We are reshaping the internal organization of the Alliance to better fit the challenges of the Biomechs and our alien partners. Until territories are self-sufficient, they will be managed by this new department, in partnership with the military, of course.”
He paused, and Admiral Anderson knew that it was time for the real speech, the one that even the President, the elected leader of the entire Alliance, seemed nervous about broaching.
“Our military forces are scattered and vulnerable. Admiral, I cannot give you authorization to start Operation Citadel. I have consulted with General Rivers on our current situation as well as my own staff, and there is little agreement on a way forward.”
Again there was that pause.
"That is why I have decided to take full control of this situation. From today, all strategic decisions will be taken through High Command, here on Terra Nova. It is time for central control and leadership of this shambles of a campaign."
As he spoke, he seemed to increase in confidence, as though saying the words themselves made him feel stronger and more significant.
"It is my intention to use this opportunity to pull back to our borders, to entrench and prepare for the real battle. The forces for this operation would be much better served where they are, not on some fanciful suicide mission. With this hammer, I will force the issue with the enemy. There must be some common ground. A way to avoid an all out war between us."
Anderson shook his head in frustration as the words tumbled from the President’s mouth. His entire command staff was there, each helping to manage and conduct the war effort, and now this man wanted him to do it with one hand tied behind his back.
When is the man going to grow some balls?
After what seemed an age, he finally hit the mute button and lifted his hand.
“President Harrison. Operation Citadel is poised to enter the Rift. Even as I speak, the fleet is ready. Hundreds of ships, tens of thousands of warriors, and even ANS Discovery; her paint is still not completely dry. They are ready to do what needs to be done. Spascia and Helios Prime are a priority, as are the lives of our armed forces.”
The icon representing the unarmed ship stood out more than any other around the Naval station, right on the edge of T’Kari space. Data alongside it confirmed its size of more than a kilometer long. She was the sister ship of ANS Beagle, the vessel that had constructed the reverse Rift in T’Karan to link back to Prometheus.
“We cannot simply cancel the operation, not because the situation has deteriorated more quickly than expected. If we do not act, we will lose thousands of men and women on Helios Prime, Spascia, and Eos. Half of our fleet is currently in the Helios System, Sir.”
He lifted his eyes and watched as the small cadre of senior officers updated the details on the multiple frontlines. The look of the place was reminiscent of the planning rooms and control centers used back in the twentieth century to conduct battles and air interception. The vertical panels showed everything from the invasion of Helios Prime to the ongoing siege of Spascia. General Rivers walked into the room, and all of those military personnel actually physically present saluted. It was a quick, efficient mark of respect; one that he ignored. He walked past the more junior officers and stopped alongside Admiral Anderson.
“Admiral, what’s the problem?”
He tone was curt, but not specifically directed toward the other officer. Admiral Anderson changed the General’s center of attention simply by moving his eyes to the side and toward the holographic images of the civilians. He noticed the pale, scrawny shape of President Harrison, as well as his new Defense Secretary.
“President Harrison, Defense Secretary. We have a major situation here.”
He glanced briefly at Anderson who gave him a barely discernible nod to continue. Though few words had been said, there was clearly something of a conflict of interests between the Defense Secretary and General Rivers. Admiral Anderson couldn’t but fail to notice how the General had ignored the other senior members of the President’s team.
Ever the statesman, he thought, a smile almost forming on his face.
“Gentlemen, we have a window of minutes, perhaps only seconds. Helios Prime is about to lose control of its weapon system, and with it will be our ability to send in help. Either we go through now, or we leave Helios and the other races to their fate.”
He leaned in a little closer.
“We have a commitment to them and our people. One that will not be forgotten if we betray their trust.”
There was the usual lag with the encoded Rift-to-Rift laser communication used between capital ships, stations, and planetary installations. As he waited, the General looked to his old friend.
“Admiral, we’re in serious trouble here. The report from Admiral Lewis is much worse than I expected. Even if we go through right now, I don’t know if we’ll be able to help Lewis and his forces.”
Anderson nodded in agreement.
“I know. The fleet is ready, but now we have this…this fool of a dictator.”
The image of the President flickered and instantly betrayed the visual presence device as something wholly artificial. It was strange how something so small could completely transform a person’s attitude. Yet as Admiral Anderson watched the image of the President, he found the man’s ability to command faded along with the quality of the transmission.
“I’m sorry, Gentlemen, but after receiving the news from Helios Prime and the Anicinàbe, it is clear the Helions and our allies are incapable of offering effective resistance. We must withdrawal and entrench.”
He beckoned toward the Defense Secretary to continue.
“The Senate voted on this very issue and has made its decision. The results were unanimous. Each of our colonial senators has determined that the fleet, and our marines must be ready to defend our interests, not aliens’ interests, and that we must ensure Prometheus and the key worlds back here are protected. T’Karan is to be the buffer zone. That’s why we’re sending additional reserves. The only way this can be done is with a clear, simple strategy. For too long the borders of our Alliance have been unruly, lacking focus.”
General Rivers shook his head in irritation. He could see Admiral Anderson was no less impressed than himself. The Defense Secretary continued.
“We must do what we can to protect our own border. That is what the people want, and that is what they pay us for. The Helions are our friends, but this war is one they began millennia ago. It is not our business. Open the Helios Prime Rift, and bring our ships home. If necessary, we will shut down the Rift to Helios until this situation is resolved.”
General Rivers ignored the message, as he continued to speak and instead looked at Admiral Anderson.
"What about our troops? It will take months to get them all back, if at all. Five hours ago this operation was a go. Now there is a discussion on Terra Nova and everything changes. We do not need a dictator. We already have a clear mission.”
His emphasis on the word discussion couldn’t have been any clearer.
“Admiral, it is not the decision that was the problem. It was the question. You know how these votes go. Have you even seen the proposal they put forward?”
He held up his secpad so that only the two of them could see the content. The Defense Secretary was still talking, and both men glanced at his image as though paying active attention to what he had to say. The report from the Senate was long and complex, but the summary was easy enough, and the effect of the General’s face was near instantaneous.
“As I said, it was the question. The Defense Secretary simply put the idea across that alien interference was putting our forces in harm’s way. While we fight on alien soil, it is our troops that are dying, and at the same time we’re facing the enmity of the Biomechs. He put forward a measure stating clearly that our war effort is to be used to defend our interests, not those of others, and the best way to do this was with a single civilian figure to coordinate our strategy.”
General Rivers shook his head slowly.
“It would make sense if the strategy was to win this war. This will cost us lives, allies, and territory. The Biomechs couldn't have planned a better strategy for us. Why now? What’s changed?”
Anderson raised an eyebrow and indicated toward the Defense Secretary.
“There’s something going on between those two. Maybe it’s a power play, or some secret deal, but I do know that the Vice President and the Defense Secretary met before the Senate was called into session, right after news of the assault on Helios Prime arrived.”
“A coup. So this is just a power grab, right in the middle of a war? Just because they think the end is coming. So is the President in charge here, or is it those two?”
He looked to the ground and muttered under his breath.
“The selfish, power grabbing bastards.”
Neither said anything for almost four seconds. The delay might have gone on longer if Admiral Anderson hadn’t noticed the Defense Secretary had finished his speech. He looked at both of the civilians, and for the first time the obvious tension in the President.
He knows something is up. He’s being pushed into something he knows is wrong.
“President Harrison. I understand your concerns, but in times of war you have the authority to conduct operations for sixty days without senatorial approval. It is not the job of the body politic to dictate military strategy, especially in times of war. You do understand that the Biomechs are not looking to punish just the Helions? There is a reason they were behind our own civil war.”
General Rivers had composed himself and joined in right after the Admiral finished.
“They have the technology and location information for this place. With or without this Rift, they will be coming for us. Either we defeat them on Helion soil, on their worlds and with their forces to help. Or we fight the war on our own worlds. Either way, winning this war is down to us. If you bring back half of our people now, you will be stabbing the dead in the back.”
Once more Admiral Anderson tapped the end of transmission button so they would know he’d finished speaking for the time being. It was an odd procedure, reminiscent of ancient radio communications on Earth. As they waited for the reply from Terra Nova, he looked back the General. He started to speak and then spotted the changing red patterns showing on one of the vertical boards. It was the representation of air and ground forces beginning the last stage of the campaign against that world. The Secretary of Defense looked flushed at this rebuke of the strategy, and his face tightened slightly.
“The military operates under the control of the civilian government, and that means all tactical command, including yours in T’Karan and Admiral Lewis in Helios, answer directly to me."
He then pointed at the General.
"General Rivers, as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs you advise myself and the President. As you know, you are not granted with the authority to command combatants.”
“Really?” the General spat back, even though the time sync would be completely off for any kind of conversation and response. He then looked to Admiral Anderson, his face positively dripping with venom.
“This man, he is a complete and utter moron. We need continuity in times of war, not a strategy that changes with every
new face. Even in the Uprising, we at least had clear plans and goals. What the hell is going on here?”
The President looked at them both with bitterness on his face. He shook his head slowly as he spoke.
"I suspected you would refuse to accept my lawful authority, Admiral Anderson, even after I have been granted a lawful term of three months to end this crisis. My first task in this role will be the complete reorganization of the outer colonies. I have created the new Office for Colonial Affairs, under the control of Kocho Trajchevski. He will be dispatching governors to each of the new regions, all of them to be administered by the Office for Colonial Affairs, here on Terra Nova.”
He motioned with his hands as they effectively encompassed the entire area of space around him, and then motioned for the man to speak. Kocho Trajchevski had an air of importance about him, as though he’d been in this position of authority for months or even years.
“My jurisdiction includes Epsilon Eridani, Gliese 876, Procyon, Sol, and, of course, T’Karan.”
Admiral Lewis’ face twitched at the mention of T’Karan. He looked at General Rivers who continued to listen, stoic and impassive to the end. Anderson spoke quietly and away from the sight of the civilian.
“This Kocho Trajchevski has just made himself commander of six entire star systems. Are you telling me the citizens of the Alliance granted the President the post of first Magister Populi so that he could create a personal fiefdom for this man?”
He looked back at the virtual presence and the continuing speech from Kocho Trajchevski.
“Naval and Marine Corps commands in these outer territories have been amalgamated in this new structure and will be commanded by civilian regional governors. Only Terra Nova, with its cadre of reliable, dutiful citizens can provide the leadership we need. The Governor of T’Karan is en route and will be coming through the Prometheus Rift within twenty-four hours. You will answer directly to him upon his installation on the Admiral Jarvis Naval Station."
Star Crusades Nexus: The Third Trilogy Page 45