The Price of Liberty (Empire Rising Book 4)

by D. J. Holmes

  As he surveyed data from the other regiments involved in the battle, Johnston fell to his knees. In total, more than two thousand marines had been killed, and another thousand were injured. Almost one third of the British invasion force had been lost in a single day. What sent him over the edge was one of the dead. Sergeant Briar had been killed as the company he had fought with had delayed the Indian reinforcements coming to support the defense of the Council Chambers. It hardly seemed fair, Johnston thought as he ground his teeth in anger. Briar had managed to survive months of guerrilla warfare and now here he was, dead at the last hurdle. His name was just one more to add to the list of marines who weren’t coming home from Johnston’s mission.

  Johnston became lost in his memories of Briar, Moony and all the others who had died fighting with him over the last several months. A hand rested on his shoulder and startled him out of his thoughts. Spinning, he was surprised to see Councilwoman Pennington and Clare standing beside him.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked.

  “We came to find you,” Pennington answered. “We heard about what you did, how you captured Malhotra. I wanted to thank you.”

  “And we heard about Sergeant Briar,” Clare said as she came to stand at his side. “We wanted to make sure you are all right,” she added as she reached out and placed her hand on Johnston’s head, running her fingers through his hair.

  “I will be all right,” Johnston said as he pushed himself to his feet. “A lot of good men and women died today.”

  “Yes,” Pennington said. “I have seen the casualty statistics. Your marines have been as good as your word. They fought bravely, and bled for my people today. I know they have paid a heavy price to free my city.”

  “They have,” Johnston agreed. “The price of liberty is one that’s always been paid in blood.”

  Chapter 33 – Reunion

  The Empire was formed in the fires of the War of Doom. The wars with the Antarians caused us to solidify our borders. Now we have peace, military spending is being cut back. Our history tells us that we have only survived so long in a hostile galaxy thanks to our fleet. One wonders what the future holds.

  -Excerpt from Empire Rising, 3002 AD

  30th November 2467 AD, Haven.

  As James stepped out of the landing shuttle onto Haven’s surface for the first time in over a year, an overwhelming sense of relief and accomplishment washed over him. It had been thirty days since the Indian army had surrendered. Even so, Liberty still looked like a battleground, and there was smoke rising into the atmosphere from fires that continued to burn in the forests surrounding the city. Despite the state of Haven’s capital, James smiled as he took in the scene all around him. From the designated landing area beside the Council Chambers he could look down three streets that led into the capital. On all three streets, Haven citizens were going about their daily business. They are free, James thought as he studied them, and they know it. The Havenite citizens walked with their heads and shoulders held high and a brisk step to their gait.

  “You promised them you would be back,” a familiar voice called out to him. “And you promised me you would stay safe. It looks like you’re a man of your word Captain Somerville,” Suzanna said as she threw herself into James’ arms.

  “Suzanna,” James said as he spun just in time to catch her. Blinking back tears, he pulled her into a deep hug. “I can’t tell you how happy I was to see your name among the passengers on HMS Longbow. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to see you when I returned to Earth.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Suzanna said without letting go. “I knew you had orders. I was just happy to know you were alive. We had been planning your funeral you know. I had been crying for days.”

  “I’m sorry,” James said into Suzanna’s hair as she sobbed into his chest. Not knowing what else to say, he pulled her closer and stroked her hair.

  “I’m here now at least,” James said as Suzanna took half a step back to wipe her eyes. “And the Indians are beaten, Haven is free. Maybe now we can enjoy married life together.”

  “I’m looking forward to it,” Suzanna said as she smiled up at him. “We just have to get this damned referendum over with.”

  “Indeed,” James said. “I wasn’t sure you were going to be here when the referendum took place. Pennington and Cunningham haven’t set a date yet but I assumed it would be soon.”

  “There was no way I was going to miss it,” Suzanna said. “When I heard Fairfax intended to come along with the supply squadron, I insisted he allow me to accompany him.”

  “Fairfax is here as well?” James asked, surprised. “I didn’t see his name listed as a passenger in any of the ships.”

  “He is,” Suzanna said. “But enough about politics. We’ll have plenty of time to talk about that. I came here to greet my husband.” Instead of explaining any further, Suzanna reached around James’ shoulder and pulled him into a deep, passionate kiss.

  It was more than a minute later when she finally pulled her lips back from James’. “That’s more like it,” she said with a grin. “Now, if you care to escort me into the Council Chambers, Admiral Cunningham and Brigadier General Heinz are awaiting us,” Suzanna said as she turned and raised her arm, offering it to James.

  “It would be my pleasure Lady Somerville,” James said as he grinned down at his wife.

  “How was the journey here?” he asked as they strode through the Council Chambers’ gardens towards the main building. “You can’t have been planet side more than a couple of hours.”

  James had been alerted to the arrival of the supply squadron by alarms going off on Endeavour’s bridge, alerting him and his crew to the sudden appearance of fifteen new gravimetric anomalies. Endeavour had been stationed on the edge of the shift passage leading back towards Indian space along with the majority of the British fleet. They had been waiting to pounce on any Indian ships trying to return to Haven. Several hours after the supply squadron had arrived, Cunningham had sent new orders recalling the fleet to Haven. James wasn’t entirely sure why every ship had been recalled. When he had seen who was listed as a passenger in the supply squadron, he quickly forgot about wondering what Cunningham was up to. All he had been able to think about had been seeing his wife again.

  “Uneventful,” Suzanna replied. “Fairfax insisted I travel on his personal frigate. It was very luxurious, though I didn’t get to enjoy much of it. Fairfax spent most of the journey grilling me about Haven, and its history and people.”

  “I’m sure he did,” James said with a chuckle. “I don’t think that man ever sleeps. Have you talked to many of your people yet?” he asked.

  “No,” Suzanna said with a hint of frustration in a voice. “Fairfax and Cunningham have been keeping me out of sight. They want me to make a speech that will be broadcast around the planet later this evening. Until then, I haven’t been allowed out of the Council Chambers.”

  “I’m sorry about all the damage,” James said. The buildings were covered in scorch marks from plasma rifle fire. Several holes had been blown into the buildings that penetrated at least two or three rooms.

  “Stop apologizing,” Suzanna said, almost sounding irritated. “None of this has been your fault. Nor even the fault of Admiral Cunningham, or the marines. Fairfax shared with me all the battle reports from the fight with the Indians. I know your people did what they could to protect the city and its population. I also know how bravely you fought. Your people owe me no apologies. It is I who owes a great deal to you and your fleet. So no more apologies, okay?” Suzanna demanded as she poked her elbow into James’ side.

  “Okay, okay, no more,” James agreed. “I just hope your people come to see things the same way.”

  “I suspect that’s why you’re here,” Suzanna said. “You are the hero who saved my people from the Vestarians. And now you are the one who led the British fleet here to liberate us from the Indians. I imagine when I make my speech later this evening Fairfax intends for you to be at my side.�
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  “I guess I’m never going to escape from all this political wrangling,” James said, feigning exasperation.

  “Not when you’re married to a Haven Councilor, and hopefully the future governor of the Haven Protectorate,” Suzanna said with a chuckle. “I’m afraid this is your life now Captain Somerville, hero of the British fleet.”

  “If I’m not allowed to apologize any more, then you’re not allowed to call me a hero,” James said. “I get enough of that already.”

  “That’s not fair,” Suzanna said as she looked up at him and batted are her eyelids. “Can’t a wife call her husband a hero?”

  “Not if she wants him to spend time with her,” James said, “and don’t think your wiles will work on me,” he added with a grin.

  “Fine,” Suzanna said as she stuck out her lower lip. “I guess fair is fair. If I can’t call you my hero then you will just have to be my knight in shining armor. That’ll do me just fine,” she said as she returned James’ grin and stuck her tongue out at him.

  Two marines in captain’s uniforms turned a corner and walked down the corridor James and Suzanna were in. Both of them gave James and Suzanna a strange look. Catching their glances, James reigned in the look of disgust he had been shooting Suzanna.

  “We can discuss this in private,” he said. “Why were there UN ships with the resupply squadron? What are they doing here?”

  Sensing James’ embarrassment, Suzanna put on a more serious face. “Almost as soon as news reached Earth of Cunningham’s victory, Fairfax announced he was going to Haven to be present for the vote. The next day, before the resupply squadron left, the UN Interplanetary Committee passed a resolution requiring UN inspectors be present at all planetary elections intended to determine the sovereignty of a planet or system. The UN ships are full of inspectors from Brazil, Argentina, Japan and America. Those were the four space faring nations chosen to act as impartial inspectors. If we want the planetary referendum to be legally recognized by the UN, the inspectors will have to be given free rein on the planet during the day of the vote.”

  “I bet the Indians loved that,” James said.

  “They were furious,” Suzanna replied. “I couldn’t get Fairfax to admit he planned the whole thing. Whether he did or not though, he intends to use it to his advantage. As long as the inspectors don’t find any suspicious activity going on, it will be very hard for the Indians to oppose the outcome of the vote. That is, of course, if it goes our way.”

  “Well,” James said, “You’re going to have a few weeks to convince your people. If anyone can do it I’m sure you can.”

  Suzanna had to look away from the smile on James’ face. He was overflowing with confidence in her. During the trip from Earth, Suzanna’s doubts had been growing. She wasn’t sure she was the woman to lead her people into such a close political union with the British Star Kingdom. As she saw the unquestionable belief James had on his face, it was hard not to pull him down to her lips for another passionate kiss.

  “Here we are,” Suzanna said, she pushed open two large double doors to admit James into the meeting room and distract him from her reddening cheeks.

  *

  “Ah, Major Johnston. It’s good to finally meet you in person,” Prime Minister Fairfax said as Johnston strode into the meeting room.

  “Sorry I’m late Mr. Prime Minister,” Johnston replied. “I was visiting Private Samuels in Albion’s sickbay and got held up.”

  “No problem Major,” Fairfax said. “You’re only a couple of minutes late. It gave the rest of us time to get reacquainted.”

  “It’s good to see you again Major,” James said as he shook Johnston’s hand. “From what I’ve read, it seems your presence on Haven revolutionized the resistance.”

  “On behalf of my people, I would like to thank you and your men for their sacrifices,” Suzanna added before she too shook Johnston’s hand. “I’m sorry about your losses,” she continued, “I know it won’t alleviate the pain to you and their families, but I want you to know they won’t be forgotten.”

  “Thank you, My Lady,” Johnston replied. “That does mean something. I know each of my men came to love your planet and its people in their own way.”

  “Let’s get down to business,” Admiral Cunningham said after he saluted Major Johnston. “If you will each take your assigned seat around the conference table.”

  James was happy to see he was beside Suzanna. The rest of the group were spaced out to take up half of the circular conference table. James guessed the second half of the table was reserved for the Haven delegation.

  “By now I hope you’ve all had a chance to read through Lady Somerville’s proposed speech for this evening,” Fairfax began.

  James hadn’t known about any speech prior to meeting Suzanna at the landing pad but as he picked up the datapad on the table in front of him he saw Suzanna’s speech. Keeping an ear on the conversation, he skimmed through it.

  “If any of you have any suggestions for her,” Fairfax continued. “You can send them to me. I will review them later and then send them on to Lady Somerville. For now, my main concern is Councilwoman Pennington and the other resistance leaders. I want them to be at Lady Somerville’s side during her speech this evening. It’s vital we present a unified front between the resistance and ourselves. I have decided to schedule the vote on Haven’s future for three weeks from today. It doesn’t give us much time to win the hearts and minds of the populace. On the other hand, if we can win the vote and get it ratified by the UN then the Indians will be left up the creek without a paddle. The coming negotiations are vital. If we don’t have Pennington and the resistance on our side then we will be facing an impossible task. We’re scheduled to meet with them in two hours. You are all here to prepare Lady Somerville and I for that meeting. So, let’s begin.”

  “Do we really need the resistance that badly?” Brigadier General John Heinz asked. He was the commander of the two regiments of marines that had come with the resupply squadron to reinforce Lieutenant General Hawker’s command. Due to Hawker’s death he was the senior marine commander in the system and had found himself in charge of all British forces on Haven. “The entire planetary population has suffered under the hands of the Indians. Surely they don’t want to risk going back to that?”

  “If I may,” Johnston said as he looked at Fairfax. When Fairfax gave him a nod he continued, “About forty percent of Haven’s population lived in Liberty before the Indian occupation. Since then many have fled or been killed. It’s true the Indians sent occupying forces to almost all of the other major population centers. However, the vast majority of the fighting occurred in and around Liberty. Many of the planet’s population haven’t seen first-hand the worst of what the Indians brought here.

  “On the other hand, they have all heard about the sacrifices of the resistance and their many battles. There is no doubt that all but those who collaborated with the Indians have no desire to see them back. However, if the resistance leaders refuse to become a British Protectorate, many Havenites will follow them. As hard as it is to believe, to some, accepting our offer will seem like embracing an occupation no different to that of the Indians. If the general populace comes to think that becoming a British protectorate goes in the face of everything the resistance fighters gave their lives to accomplish, then the vote will be dead in the water.”

  “It may be hard to imagine General,” Fairfax said, “to us it’s clear who the bad guys are here. Yet we have to deal with the situation as it is. So,” he said as he turned to look at those assembled around the conference table. “Each of you brings a unique perspective on the resistance leaders. How should we approach this coming meeting?”

  “We have already discussed this, Prime Minister,” Suzanna said. “I believe it is imperative we offer the people of Haven as much freedom and independence as we can. Haven is not the Bradford colony. Even if my people vote to become a protectorate like Bradford, things will have to be different. The colonists o
n Bradford left Earth as British citizens. They always believed they were going to set up a British colony. Though their ancestors had been separated from Britain for nearly two hundred years, they still thought of themselves as British. That’s simply not the case here. We are Havenites. That’s who we are. If the population feels becoming a protectorate will rob them of their identity, or worse the resistance leaders feel it will rob them of our planet’s sovereignty, then there will be opposition.”

  “We have discussed this at length,” Fairfax agreed. “And you know Parliament has given me a lot of leeway in the exact nature of any agreement between our two nations. Nevertheless, there are things I cannot compromise on. Haven will have to be open to free trade and free investment from the British Star Kingdom. And, your laws regarding citizens’ rights will have to come into line with our own. I know we are all agreed on such things already, but some changes will have to be made. Major Johnston, Admiral Cunningham, Captain Somerville, I have already heard from Lady Somerville concerning the issues she thinks may pose a problem in this regard. You all have far more experience of Haven than me. How do you see their culture comparing to ours?”