Admiral's Nemesis (A Spineward Sectors Novel: Book 11)

by Luke Sky Wachter

  “Sector 21 and 22?” I said with surprise and then grinned. “Well, well...it looks like the Judge has been a busy beaver.”

  “Over half of the freighters indicate they either have, or are here to pick up, priority cargoes. The new Sector ships are inquiring about the possibility of purchasing trillium and the military ships are interested in—”

  “That’s very interesting,” I cut in. “However, we’ll have more than enough time for all of that. Right now the main thing is to confirm their identities and to be sure of their intentions,” I said, thankful that I had a squadron of the wall, a full four Battleships, in addition to the Phoenix and another thirty lighter warships which had been doing nothing but cluttering up the place back at Gambit. The nav-wipes and stern-to-keel searches had ensured our location was not leaked to anyone outside Gambit Star System, which was precisely how I wanted it.

  That, combined with the various Tracto-an SDF forces and the light warships sent here for repairs, meant we actually had a force powerful enough to repel the convoy and its potent escort force. That was a relief, but I’d have hated to be all the way over in Gambit while Tracto was literally at the mercy of anyone, our supposed allies or not.

  Over the next twelve hours identities were confirmed, ships started to reach our orbital stations, and lots of trade ensued during which time I hopped a shuttle back up to the Furious Phoenix . Among other things, I foresaw a not-so-minor economic boom hitting the tax books in the not so distant future.

  While I sat in my ready room on the Phoenix, keeping silent track of the trade convoy’s over-sized escort forces, I was contacted by our erstwhile contact and supposed ally.

  “Kong Pao, Admiral,” Steiner reported, and as with my previous orders to put him through to my ready room anytime he called, as soon as he called, my com-link chimed.

  I activated the holo-screen built into my desk and accepted the call.

  “Admiral Montagne, greetings from Sector 23, my home world, and myself,” the Sector Judge said, a small smile crossing his face before he clasped his hands and made a short bow.

  “Sector Judge Kong, what a pleasant surprise,” I said with a nod.

  “I hope it was not surprising at all,” the Judge said seriously.

  “Oh, we received your message in all its minimalism. Not your usual style at all,” I agreed readily before asking the question. “Regardless, I was wondering when you’d get around to contacting us and tell us why you’re here?”

  “I am as well as a man of my circumstances may be,” the Judge said wearily.

  I looked at him with concern. If anyone was threatening the Judge ,I was more than ready to help take care of the problem. “If there’s a problem I can solve for you personally, just give the word. I can’t move the entire fleet at this time, but short of that my schedule's pretty much open at the moment,” I said, thinking that I had any number of officers and crew that could use a good hard set of drills and extended maneuvers. 'Man not Machine,' indeed.

  “Me personally?” he shook his head. “Any troubles I have are what are called ‘life problems,' not something caused by inimical outside forces. Wait,” he paused, “I take that back. Outside forces imperiled everything I’ve worked for and pushed us further and further from the dream that sent me into law and the judicial bench, but so far we’ve done all we can to combat those forces. Whether we’ve won or not I honestly cannot say at this point. Get back to me at a later date,” he finished wearily.

  “It sounds like you’re grappling with some heavy issues,” I said, looking at him with concern and wondering just what it would take to send a consummate professional, Sector Judge, and part-time ambassador into unloading even a portion of his worries on me.

  “Well enough of me,” Kong Pao said seeming to perk up, “how are you and the Multi-Sector Patrol Fleet?”

  “The Fleet’s well,” I said, blithely skipping over the many problems anti-machine conspiracy we’d been dealing with. “How are things with the Mutual Defense League lately?”

  Judge Pao gave me a searching look. “The League is well. However, I’ll be honest...” he said with a sigh.

  “Oh, I wish you would,” I said with a pleasant expression at odds with my concerns about betrayal.

  “You ask what you could do for me, and I’ll be frank: you’ve done everything I could have asked. However, in the eyes of the League you’re somewhat compromised,” he said.

  “Oh?” I leaned forward, my expression taking a harsher cast.

  He held up a hand. “I know you did what you had to and, after they calmed down, so do most of our leaders in both the military and the civilian side of things. However, our Sector was just invaded by Droids and your turning around and making a deal with some of them, even to win the war and save all of our lives…it doesn’t sit well with many,” he said frankly. “And yet, here I see the droids you took from our Sector are not deactivated but instead alive and well—thriving even.”

  “I am a man of my word,” I said, feeling a flash of fury as my dander got up, “I promised them a deal so long as they helped save your Sector and I delivered on that promise. Until they break faith, there’s little I can do.”

  “You mean little you will do. You certainly have the power to do it if you had the mind,” he said dispassionately.

  “I have said before: I will not break my word. Certainly not to assuage the fears of a few bigots and extremists,” I said.

  “You risk more than your own life here,” he warned. “Forgetting the number of laws this breaks and legal regulations it compromises, I would ask you to follow the law and destroy them or, failing that, send them beyond the Rim. Not for the law’s sake, but for your own. You make enemies where you need not. And not just a few bigoted extremists either; history has shown the depths to which the machines will sink if they rise to power.”

  “Is that a threat?” I asked coldly.

  “Not from me or by my hand,” he shook his head firmly. “I asked your help, and you came and you did what was needed to save us. I am not ungrateful. I do disagree with what appears to be your decision on the matter, and I do so in the strongest terms. But it is your choice to make and I respect that. I am not your enemy, Jason Montagne.”

  “You’ve been frank with your concerns about me so I will be equally frank with you: where are you and this ‘convoy’ headed?” I asked flatly.

  “We are on the way to the Capitol of Sector 25,” he replied, meeting my eyes without deception.

  “What, the entire League?” I smirked to hide my sudden concern. The Sector Judge was on his way to Central, and the only notification I’d had from him or anyone else up to this point was a note? Had the ‘concern’ about my dealing with the USA droids really permeated this far? If so, it didn’t bode well for the future.

  “Almost,” Kong Pao admitted, “we have representatives from every major League world, as well as ambassadors and representatives from a majority of our non-league worlds, and even a few more from other Sectors of the Spine.”

  I felt a flash of shock, followed by a premonition of impending doom as I violently suppressed any sign of it by releasing a non-committal sound even as my mind raced. This was no time to lose my cool. I was getting some strong signals and undercurrents, and I would be a fool to ignore them.

  “From other Sectors as well,” I echoed and flashed a patented royal smile, “my, but you have been busy haven’t you, Mr. Representative Pao? And, if I may ask, pray tell what has caused you—and presumably this convoy—to decamp to Sector 25 without so much as a 'by your leave'?”

  “We’re here to try and reestablish a provisional government in the Spine, Admiral Montagne,” Kong Pao said seriously. “While it pains me greatly to think that the same government which I’ve served for so long, and a Confederation that has done much good for a great many over a long period of time, seems to have cast us aside like yesterday’s dirty linen. I have no choice.”

  “You are not completely abandoned. The MSP has
been there for you, Representative,” I observed.

  “A contribution for which I am personally grateful, I assure you. But in my heart I would still wish to give the old Confederation another chance, and another, again and again until they wake from their error and remember us...in my head, I realize it is not possible any longer,” he finished with a deep bow.

  I pursed my lips. “You realize you are saying this to a Confederation Admiral, at the head of a Confederation Fleet—one that came to you in your hour of need. No matter the legal mumbo jumbo about us being an SDF force at that time,” I warned.

  “Since we are being frank with one another, let me ask you a question: when was the last time the Grand Assembly, or even one of its officers, contacted you? Sent relief or even new orders? Or forwarded routine funds for wages, or materials for fleet maintenance?” Kong Pao proceeded to speak calmly. “I know I no longer receive mail from my colleagues in the heartlands. My legal books are not updated and no one responds to my queries. Perhaps I generalize incorrectly, but is it any different for your people?”

  I pursed my lips. I wasn’t about to lie and, even though by silent admission I agreed with him, my entire authority over the MSP was based upon my status as a Confederation Admiral—even if an acting and honorary one.

  “You should join us,” the Sector Judge said after a moment of silence, “the Governor of your Sector is right about one thing: we can’t wait forever for the Grand Assembly to come back out and save us. It’s not happening, much as I hate to admit it.”

  “I’m not sure if I can do that, or should,” I said finally, “I have to think not only of the best interests of my Fleet but of the people we protect as well.

  Kong Pao looked surprised. “I strongly urge you to reconsider, young Admiral. There is no going back to what was,” the Judge said with a sudden passion, “and while I cannot speak for everyone, the people of my Sector call out for assistance. They want the Confederation—or they did until they were invaded and it did nothing for them. And now, lacking such a body's intervention, they will eagerly accept a Kingdom, Warlord, Republic or, I believe, a 'Confederation in the Spine' so long as it is strong enough and well enough run to see to their interests.” He stopped and his eyes drilled into me, “No one misses the old Confederation more than I do, but they have failed us. It is past time to see to ourselves. For me, a Confederation—even if it’s not the old one—is infinitely preferable to any of the other options I can see.”

  “I don’t see what any of this has to do with me,” I lied.

  “I know you better than that. The seasoned professional you have shown yourself to be knows better, even if you refuse to admit it,” he said, dismissing my words of but a moment earlier, “but you asked what this has to do with you. Let me tell you: you have been a great force for good, impacting many lives on many worlds; I urge you to continue as you have begun,” he said and then seemed to settle back into himself. “Despite the legitimate concerns of my fellows, rest assured there is a place for you beside us at the convention. Like you, we do not easily forget our debts.”

  “Forgive me when I say that, while I personally believe everything you say, I question exactly how welcome the MSP would be beside your delegation…all things considered.” Such as your current anti-droid stance and resulting blow back on the people who saved your sector as well as past history showing that Pao tended to over-promise and then under deliver, I silently added.

  “Rest assured that, while my military presence may have proved less than expected for the purposes of civilian representations, the support of a Sector Judge is no a small thing. My post looms large in the minds of my fellow representatives, and as a symbol for the general Sector-wide population back home. For any group seeking to establish a new mega-government and Confederation, my support is critical and could lend great legitimacy to such efforts. Do not think that I am unaware of this,” he advised me.

  I drummed my fingers silently on the table in front of me. “Well, you may—and note I only say ‘may’—have changed my mind on the topic,” I said, still dragging my heels. The idea of supporting anything proposed by Governor Isaak made my skin crawl while I invariably waited for the other shoe to drop, or knife to strike me in the back. But at the same time if I didn’t show at least cautious support, or supported the idea of cautious support, after the Sector Judge’s emotional plea then I risked any number of things that I needed to be sure I was willing to put to the hazard before just casting aside.

  And, blast it all, even though my head and my back were in agreement my gut told me that there was something here that I dismissed out of hand at my own direct and personal peril. Just from the level of support Isaak had somehow managed to draw out of these two completely different Sectors, it was clear the people were ready for this chance, or at least their elected leaders were which was close to the same thing in this instance.

  I might have to smile and eat it, which both concerned and infuriated me at the same time.

  “You are a busy man, Admiral, no doubt with many otherwise routine tasks vital to the smooth running and operation of a fleet. Please allow me to stop taking up any more of your important time, even as I assure you of my unflagging support. I do not forget the great debt my people owe you for our deliverance,” Kong Pao said cupping his hands.

  “Of course,” I agreed, and waited until the com-channel closed before glaring down at my desk.

  When anyone in the political sphere assured you of their unwavering support, you needed to start worrying—and that went double right after they told you how you’d just riled up the voting base.

  On thing was for sure and certain: however this thing eventually spun out, I was going to need to ramp up recruitment.

  Also, I was going to need to consult the most seasoned political operative I could lay my hands on. And in the fleet, that pretty much meant my wife.

  That particular thought made me grimace harder than I'd expected it would.

  Chapter 52: Akantha Prepares a Delegation

  “So what do you think of his demands?” I demanded.

  “His words, as you relayed them, sound more like an offer than a demand to me,” Akantha responded with mirth.

  I was offended. Not that she disagreed with me, but at the mirth she was apparently feeling.

  “Do you not agree?” she asked tilting her head.

  I sat there and fumed. “I was done with this Sector,” I finally burst out, “done and over with! They were rebels and I’d get around to them eventually if they didn’t straighten out their act, and now this? What am I supposed to do?”

  “You sound more like a petulant youngling than a seasoned leader, Jason,” she shook her head.

  I took two deep breaths and slowly let out the last one. Curse it, I hated to be outmaneuvered!

  “You’re right, of course,” I said with a sigh, “maybe it’s just this mutiny that’s got me all riled up.” Weeks after the fact, was I still on edge unconsciously wondering when the axe would drop? I didn’t know.

  “You didn’t honestly expect your enemies to sit still and wait for the axe to drop, did you?” she looked at me with disapproval.

  “No,” I said stung. I mean I guess in some distant corner of my brain I’d hoped for something like that, but I was honestly too paranoid to believe that hope for anything but what it was. A fool's quest. On the other hand, I had hoped that by ignoring or otherwise downplaying this new mega government idea spearheaded by my enemy, Isaak, that it would fizzle and die leaving nothing more than a bad stench in the room behind it. But sadly it looked like that was not to be.

  “Do you have any ideas on how we could derail the proceedings?” I asked.

  Akantha pursed her lips. “Are you sure we want to do that?” she asked.

  “Why would we not?” I riposted. Right back at ya, babe, I thought coldly.

  “Oh, I don’t know,” she said with exasperation, “entirely ignoring any merits such an alliance would bring, every day we draw t
hings out would be another day everyone is focused on something other than us, which is another day for you to put more warships into service.” She sounded a little put out, as if speaking to a particularly slow student who she expected better from.

  “Look, I agree...all right, something has to be done because the Confederation isn’t coming back anytime soon, and people and things keep trying to move into the power vacuum. I get that,” I grumped.

  “Just not with our adversary Governor Isaak at the head of this new organization, yes?” she prompted.

  I huffed. “Look, I’m as ready as the next man to risk life and limb for the people of the Spineward Sectors,” I said levelly, “but I want no fruit of the poisoned tree and any tree that has Isaak at its roots is already rotten to the core. It just doesn’t know it yet!”

  “Again, because our adversary—” she started, but I cut her off.

  “Look, if I thought it would get us anywhere I’d go all in for it. But the Governor is a backstabbing weasel. It’s time to isolate and end him, not let him recover and start plotting again,” I snapped, “the people need better than him at the top.”

  “Someone like you, perhaps? Or is it that you’re just upset no one asked you?” she inquired with lifted brow.

  “Me? Where’s this coming from?” I snorted. “I assure you, my ego is not pricked that no one’s asked me to take over an nascent interstellar government. I mean, we’ve seen how well it went the last time when all they were asking me to do was head the military. The first time in 23 they pulled a bait-and-switch, and then here at home they cast me aside as soon as they thought they would get more with me out of the way. So, no, they can take their government and shove it.”