I mean, what did they expect of me, to step up to the plate, reactivate my fleet, and ride out to do battle with the entire bloody Empire? All the while hoping that once word got out that volunteers and volunteer warships should flood into this new coalition, or rather Spineward Confederation Fleet, fast enough to actually make a difference?
“I did what I did because I honestly believe that you are the best hope for our people. At the same time I hope that, even if you for some reason do not decide to accept this call to duty, this in some small way begins to make up for my failure to deliver on the promises I gave to you as instructed by the League,” Kong Pao once again cupped his hands. “No matter your decision, I remain yours together in solidarity for the good of Spine, Sector Judge and Representative Kong Pao.”
The holo-chip cut off with the judge mid-bow.
As I tossed a stylus I’d been toying with in my hands onto the desk with a clatter.
“Well isn’t this another fine kettle of fish?” I asked sarcastically and immediately began to pull up the attached files on the disk which purported to be the new Confederation’s best and latest intel reports on the assembling Imperial Fleet of Conquest.
As I expected, it consisted of third hand reports, guesses, and a whole barge-load of rampant speculation. There was very little in the way of substance, except for a file which was supposedly the Confederation resolution calling for the Empire to bring peace back to the Spine.
Which, if true, meant we were all about to be in a world of hurt very soon. But other than the strong possibility that the Easy Haven Star System was in the path of one of the projected invasion routes, I didn’t see why it necessarily had to be my problem. At least not until after someone else had heroically thrown him or herself on the alter of the ‘good of the Spine’ and its new would-be government.
As I was reading, my eye snagged on the name of an individual Sector Intelligence thought most likely to lead the effort to bring us back into the loving arms of galactic civilization: the old nemesis of my home world, Senator Charles Cornwallis. Formerly Admiral Cornwallis, the same man that ordered the orbital bombardment of Capria, destroyed the Summer Palace and all within her, and put in power the very Parliament that later made my life a misery.
“Senator Cornwallis,” I growled, touching a tab that brought up an image of the steely eyed Imperial Politician. My eyes locked on the man who was not only responsible for so much death and destruction on Capria, but who had in all likelihood been behind the rogue actions of his former Flag Captain.
First Janeski, and now Cornwallis.
It defied rational thought to believe that there was no connection between the two men, when no sooner had Arnold Janeski been defeated in his attempt to conquer the Spine than his former Admiral, Senator Cornwallis, was asked to invade us in the name of truth, justice, and the Confederation way.
There was a lot of bad blood between my House and the Senator. And I didn’t much care for the man, either. While I was open to having my mind changed, as far as I was concerned the only good Cornwallis was a dead Cornwallis.
Maybe it was time to take out the trash.
Chapter 59: The Promotion Ceremony
“We stand on the door step of a new millennium. Another great day has dawned upon the Spineward Sectors. A day of reward, a day of trial, a day of tribulation,” I said, speaking both to the row of men and women lined up before me as well as to the holo-pickup that was recording and broadcasting my words and image to the entire fleet. “As guardians of humanity, men and women who stand between the darkness beyond the border and the light of civilization, it is our job to defend those who cannot or will not defend themselves. It is a thankless job. One where the cries of the discount ring are, at times, loud enough to drown out all other voices. However, there is nothing more rewarding.”
I paused to clear my throat, suddenly realizing that I may have let a little too much of my own personal convictions through into my speech as I mentally shrugged it off. It could be edited for posterity if necessary.
“And so it is in recognition of their outstanding abilities, and the blood, sweat and tears each of the officers in front of me has shed for the people of the Spine and all humanity, that I hereby call this award ceremony to order,” I said sternly and then called out, “Captain Laurent step forward!”
“Sir!” the Captain said, marching forward stiffly.
“In recognition of your steadfast service, courage in the face of the enemy and unwavering loyalty, as well as time in grade, I, Vice Admiral Jason Montagne, on this day do hereby promote you to the rank of Commodore in the Multi-Sector Patrol Fleet,” I said, stepping forward and, with two deft movements, removed his Captain’s insignia and replaced them on his collar with Commodore rank tabs and then stepped back.
Laurent braced to attention and snapped off a salute.
“Thank you, Admiral,” he said professionally.
“Commander Quentin ‘Rampage’ Jackson, step forward,” I said formally.
“Admiral,” the former Captain of the now defunct Metal Titan stepped forward, bracing to attention and saluting.
“For bravery in the face of the enemy. and actions above and beyond the call to duty—including ramming the Metal Titan into an Imperial Command Carrier—you are here by promoted two grades and promoted to the rank of Commodore in the Multi-Sector Patrol Fleet. Prepare to receive your rank insignia,” I said, stepping forward.
“Sir, it wasn’t me. It was only possible because of my crew. I don’t deserve this, Admiral,” Captain 'Rampage' said, stiffening even further.
“Did anyone think I deserved my rank when I was made an Admiral and thrust into command of a fleet?” I asked rhetorically, even as I deftly unpinned his rank insignia and switched them out for a commodore’s rockets. “You don’t have to answer that,” I said dryly in response to a few chuckles from the crowd, “men like us aren’t called to duty: we have it thrust upon us, Commodore. Just make sure you don’t betray the trust handed to you by your commanding officer—that’s me—or, more importantly, the trust of the men and women who serve under your command.” I drew myself up and returned his salute before letting it go.
“I won’t, Sir,” the newly minted Commodore said with a gleam in his eye that looked suspiciously like a growing tear, before releasing his salute and then almost belatedly adding, “I’ll die first,” before stepping back.
“Commander Leonora Hammer, step forward and be recognized by your peers,” I ordered.
With visible reluctance, the Captain of my Flagship stepped out and braced to attention.
“Commander Hammer, for time in grade, courage in combat, and bravery in the face of the enemy—” I started.
“Admiral, I’m afraid I can’t accept a promotion from you at this time, Sir,” the Captain of my Flagship said, looking like she was biting a bullet and wishing she was anywhere but here.
“You can’t accept a promotion?” I asked, genuinely puzzled, wondering what she meant by the ‘from me’ part of it.
“No, Sir. It’s okay for the other officers because they are transfer officers and members of the Tracto-an SDF, whose ranks transfer over to the MSP. But as an original Confederation officer not seconded from an SDF, any promotions above the rank of Commander have to come from a duly-empaneled promotions board. Which is why you can’t give me a genuine promotion above the rank of Commander; I can’t accept, Sir,” she said.
“I’m surprised you didn’t mention this earlier, Commander,” I said, well aware of the fancy footwork she was doing as well as the stress that the idea of this new Confederation in the Spine was causing for my Flag Captain and the other Confederation fleet members rescued from the droids in sector 24 and released from their cryo-stasis prisons.
I once again silently cursed Governor Isaak and all nine generations of his family for the trouble he continued to cause me.
“My apologies, Admiral. You’d mentioned a promotion ceremony, but I assumed you knew that I couldn�
��t possibly be a part of it as anything other than an observer,” she replied with concern.
“Rest assured, I understand your qualms, Commander. However, rest assured everything about this promotions ceremony has been properly gone over by Fleet Legal and is in line with Confederation law,” I informed her.
“Sir…” she said with reluctance, obviously prepared to once again speak up.
“Your promotion to the rank of full Commander is going to be recognized at this ceremony, Commander Hammer. And on top of that, so is your battlefield promotion to temporary Commodore,” I informed her. “Unless of course you don’t feel yourself capable and are choosing to turn down the rank?”
“Battlefield promotion, Sir?” Hammer said uneasily. “As far as I’m aware, we aren’t currently at war or in a battle.”
“The Droids are still active in the Rim and parts of Sector 23, Hammer,” I informed her sardonically, “as are pirates, warlords—as we’ve so recently found out—and any number of other invaders determined to conquer the various worlds of the Spine for their own benefit. Not only that, we are still as of this moment several years out of contact with Confederation Fleet Authority. As such, I think it’s clear that this is still a time of emergency—and my emergency powers as commander of this fleet still apply,” I said, deliberately dancing around the elephant in the room: the Imperial Invasion fleet, ostensibly, according to intelligence reports, sent by none other than the Grand Assembly of the old Confederation.
That was a can of worms I had little interest in opening at this point in time.
Leonora Hammer gave me a complicated look. There was no disputing what I had said, it was what I hadn’t said that had a big storm brewing under the surface. Still, my aim was to promote her—and unless she was ready to resign in protest that was exactly what I planned to do.
Whatever tomorrow might bring, I didn’t want to hear how it was partially justified because of my failure to keep faith, rampant favoritism, or failure to recognize talent. In other words: I aimed to make any breach between us as painful as possible. Not that I was aiming for that outcome; quite the opposite.
Blast that Isaak. I’d get him one day, that was for certain.
After that particular hiccup, the ceremony proceeded smoothly and Leonora Hammer was ‘officially’ promoted to full Commander and then frocked to Acting Commodore status.
After that, it was various lower level promotions starting with former First Officer and now Battleship Commander Eastwood, promoted to Junior Captain, and various other officers elevated to Commanders and Lieutenant Commanders. On the whole, the pomp and circumstance trotted out was ostensibly in recognition of all the trials and tribulations we’d faced the last few years. But it had mainly been to ensure my officers had their seniority recognized just in case we were ‘rolled into’ the new Confederation Fleet—a concern that seemed to take on a life of its own, to the point I almost had to wonder why I hadn’t done a promotion ceremony of this kind before
The event even went well enough that I had it sent out time-delayed to the rest of the fleet.
Yes, we would definitely have to do this again.
Chapter 60: Post-Promotion Meetings
Later, in my cabin with my senior officers, we were seated at the table for a four course meal.
“This poached fish is superb, Sir,” complimented now Commodore Laurent.
“Thank you, I’ll be sure to pass your compliments onto the Chef,” I smiled.
“Not that I’m not enjoying the food,” Acting Commodore Hammer said after the third course, a variety of cheeses on whole wheat and rye bread, “but was there a reason you gathered us here or was it just to socialize?”
“Why can’t it be both?” I asked easily and then gestured with a languid hand for the servants to take away the dishes.
Around the table the eyes of the four commodores, Laurent, Rampage, Hammer and Druid, sharpened.
“While the food has been excellent, I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say that we are all interested to hear what you have to say,” Commodore Druid said slowly.
“Not that I’m eager to throw myself back in the crucible, but it has been a tad quiet lately,” agreed Rampage.
“I agree,” Laurent nodded. “Besides I’m sure you didn’t promote so many people to commodore for no purpose.”
“I’m sure by now you have all heard the word of the Confederation in the Spine,” I said.
Laurent snorted. “Tell us something we don’t know. Word of that leaked before the high value passengers disembarked the courier ship,” he scoffed.
“I’m pleased to see the rumor mill works as efficiently as always,” I drawled, “what else does the grapevine have to say?”
“That you’re considering accepting this new Confederation’s offer of a top slot in the new fleet they’re building,” Laurent said bluntly.
Around the table, every eye was focused on me like a laser beam. “Is that true?” Hammer asked with an edge to her voice, her face conflicted.
“That I’m considering it? Reports are there’s going to be an invasion and, if that’s true, then someone needs to stop it,” I replied.
“That’s not an answer,” the Acting Commodore grunted.
“It is an answer, just not a definitive one because I’m still looking at things,” I replied.
“What’s there to look at?” asked Rampage.
“Let’s not get stuck in the weeds,” Laurent demurred, “just off the top of my head, there are issues starting with legality and continuing on through the fact that the Governor of this Sector, who is very likely to become a high mucky-muck in this new Confederation, has been gunning for this fleet and her commander since day one.”
“Our loyalty to the Confederation cannot be something that is bought and paid for,” Hammer snapped.
“Hey now, I didn’t say anything like that…” Laurent raised his hands.
“Which Confederation?” Commodore Rampage asked, sounding genuinely curious. “The one that let everything fall in the crapper and then launched an invasion fleet against its own territory, or the one that’s trying to protect this region of space from the Empire?”
Hammer turned red in the face.
“No quick answer full of outraged condemnation this time, Acting Commodore?” Laurent asked with an edge to his voice.
Shame and outrage battled on her face before settling into an angry stony mask. “My people swore an oath. If it comes down to it, I’m not sure if I can keep them in line if this goes too far,” she said finally.
“Your people?” I asked head rearing back with disappointment. “Don’t you mean our people; the spacers and officers of this fleet rescued by the MSP from cryo-prison, decades after everyone else stopped looking for them? Our fellow crew members, those people?”
Hammer sighed and she seemed to droop as some of the anger and outrage left her. “The Multi-Sector Patrol Fleet has done great things out here, Admiral,” she said, finally looking up and squaring her shoulders, “however, fighting against Bugs, Droids, pirates and tin pot warlords is one thing. It’s another thing to ask them—to ask us—to turn against the Confederation.”
“Because you swore an oath,” I said flatly.
“Yes,” she said, meeting and holding my gaze, “to defend and uphold the Confederation.”
“And to protect the people of that Confederation,” I reminded her.
Hammer’s gaze turned bleak. “Are they still part of the Confederation if they vote to leave it?” she asked, her tone making the question sound like a demand more than anything else.
“You are aware that less than half the Sectors of the Spine had anything close to a majority of their worlds represented at the convention?” I asked pointedly. “Even if you and the other old Confederation, former Droid prisoners, won’t fight to protect Confederation citizens whose leaders have voted to make a new confederation to defend themselves where the old Confederation wouldn’t, remember that they haven’t yet had t
ime to hold a referendum. What about those people and worlds where neither leaders nor people have voted to leave the old Confederation?” I asked.
Her fists clenched. “I don’t have an answer for you. We’re grateful for everything you’ve done. But it’s one thing to fight machines and warlords in defense of the helpless. It’s another to fight a fleet sent by the Confederation, even if that fleet is the Imperial Navy,” she said heavily. “Where does this end? With the MSP fighting against the Confederation Fleet directly?” she shook her head. “Where each individual decides to draw their personal line, I cannot guess. But I can say with certainty that you’re going to lose some officers if you join this new Confederation and you’re going to lose more if you go up against a fleet sent by the old Confederation.”
“Even if the old Confederation has basically sold us to the Empire, in return for bribes, backroom power deals, and thirty pieces of silver?” Laurent shot back.
“I wouldn’t expect a provincial officer like you to understand,” Hammer said angrily.
“Oh, so now I’m no longer a fellow officer and just another deluded provincial,” Commodore Laurent glared. “That’s a very Core World attitude, of you Acting Commodore!”
“You know what I meant! You’re volunteers, not regular fleet,” Hammer sounded like she was holding onto her patience with both hands.
Once again I cursed Governor Isaak and rued the day I'd had him under my guns and let him live. Without firing a single shot, he was tearing my fleet apart from the inside.
“I think we’re getting a little bit far afield,” I said sternly.
“You’re right. Most of this could be settled by a simple statement from you,” Hammer said.
I lifted a brow at her. “You want a statement? Fine. While I am currently undecided, I will say that if I join the new Confederation it won’t be because I left the old one but rather because the old Confederation has left me,” I said flatly. “Is that statement clear enough for you?”
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