by Jason Bourn
Nadia didn’t have to think about her response. She just cut the call and sat, by herself, for a long, long time.
CHAPTER 33 – COUP D’ETAT
Nadia grudgingly admired what Garth had managed to accomplish after his first year as Secretary-General. Economic growth was up, unemployment was down and there was a general sense of peace and prosperity.
Nadia knew that the stellar economic numbers were mostly due to the fact that Garth had totally consolidated his power. There were no skirmishes, as had been the case when Garth had been consolidating his power. Of course things were running more smoothly.
But Nadia knew that Garth would never be satisfied with being Secretary-General for a few years. She knew his ambition was much higher. Nadia had kept her ears open, using all her many contacts to try to find out when Garth was going to make his move. Nadia made sure she kept in touch at least weekly with all her former cabinet members and their staffs, so she could glean insight into what was happening in Garth’s cabinet. Finally, just this morning, she hit the jackpot.
Nadia had been talking with Mitchell Rogerson, her former Assistant Commissioner for Periphery Liaison, who had been promoted by Garth to be the full Commissioner for Periphery Liaison. Mitchell was a solid worker, but not creative enough, for her, to be more than an assistant commissioner. It made Nadia feel a little better that Garth did not have the people-assessment skills that she did.
After discussing the latest Periphery events, Nadia tried prodding Mitchell by saying, “Mitchell, do you think they’ll vote to impeach Garth after the State of the Federation address coming up later this month??”
Mitchell responded, “Won’t happen. Something big ‘is’ going to happen at the State of the Federation address coming up later this month. All the important delegates from the entire Federation are scheduled to be here on Torval 2, in person. It is not often that everyone is here in person, but Garth saw it as a validation of his leadership abilities and highly encouraged everyone to attend. And you know how persuasive he can be when he wants something badly.”
Nadia knew that the fifty delegates of the Federation of Planets were the only ones who held any power over Garth. The delegates were set to vote to extend Garth as Secretary-General for the next year, directly after the State of the Federation address. This was mostly symbolic, since Garth’s term was for five years – only a two-thirds vote for impeachment would keep Garth from remaining in power for at least the next four years. But a vote had to be taken, even if it was largely symbolic. If anything happened to the delegates, this would loose any controls that were left over Garth.
Nadia responded, “What do you mean by ‘something big is going to happen’?
Mitchell hedged, clearly not comfortable saying anything more. “Well, I really can’t say. I shouldn’t have said anything in the first place.”
Nadia, her senses all on alert, coaxed as best she could. “Oh, come on. Just give me a taste of what is supposed to happen. You know that I won’t spill the beans.”
Mitchell paused, saying nothing.
Nadia waited. She knew that if she didn’t say anything, then he was sure to break the silence with “some” information.
Nadia waited for so long that she was beginning to think that she had played her cards wrong, when Mitchell finally said, “Well, you didn’t hear it from me, but I’ll just say that the guests might reconsider coming if they knew what was going to happen.”
Mitchell, clearly uncomfortable with what he had said, quickly added, “Just forget I said anything. I really have to be going. Talk to you soon.”
With that, he ended the conversation without any more niceties.
Nadia just sat there. She was shocked. What did that mean exactly?
She vowed to try to find out.
– – –
Nadia had subtly dropped hints to the next four contacts that she talked to. None of them bit – either they knew nothing, or they were smart enough to keep their mouths’ shut.
Just as she was starting to question whether she really had discovered some critical information, she talked with Barry O’Donnell, her former assistant Education Minister. Similar to Mitchell, Barry had become Garth’s full Education Minister. Again, similar to Mitchell, Barry was not world-class, but he was at least good enough that Nadia might have considered elevating him to full minister level had she been elected Secretary-General again.
After discussing the current state of the education system, Nadia carefully steered the conversation to the topic she was really interested in. “Barry, are you ready for the State of the Federation address? It is coming up in about two weeks.”
Barry responded, “I suppose so. I’m not really too involved in it.”
Nadia replied, “I thought that you would use it as an opportunity to push your latest changes to all the delegates.”
Barry looked uncomfortable. He hedged, saying, “I decided not to do it this time.”
Nadia poked a little harder, saying, “But this would be the perfect opportunity. You don’t get face time with so many delegates very often. Why aren’t you taking advantage of it?”
Barry paused, thinking carefully about his words. “Let’s just say in this case it might not be worth the effort.”
Nadia took a chance and said quietly, “So you know, don’t you?”
Barry raised his eyebrows in surprise and said, “I didn’t know that you knew. It’s been really hard not saying or doing anything out of the ordinary. Some of those delegates are my friends, so it has been hard to keep quiet. I’m so sorry for them, but it can’t be helped.”
Nadia responded as vaguely as she could, shaking her head in feigned sorrow, “Yes, I’m sorry too.” Looking to draw more information out from him, she said, “When did you find out?”
“Just last week. Can you believe it? I’ve got to give it to Garth! Taking out all of his competition with a bomb? He really does have balls.” Blushing slightly, he said, “Sorry, that just kind of slipped out.”
Nadia wasn’t sure if he meant the nugget of information, or his crass figure of speech. Nadia decided to play it cool and said, “I’m a big girl, I can handle that kind of language.”
Both Nadia and Barry just sat there. Barry ruminating how Garth could be so callous, while Nadia’s thoughts were just in turbulence.
Finally, with just the briefest of goodbyes, Barry signed off, still shaking his head.
Nadia sat for a long time, trying to decide what to do next with this information.
– – –
Nadia didn’t know who in Garth’s organization she could trust, so she decided not to let any of the authorities know about her information. Everyone she would have gone to was now in the direct employ of the Secretary-General, Garth. Therefore, she decided to talk directly to some of the delegates she knew.
Saul Voluck was still the Periphery representative, although besides Federation voting privileges, it wasn’t much more than just a mere title. Nadia asked if she could meet in person with Saul, who responded affirmatively.
“Saul,” Nadia said immediately after he arrived, I have information that there is a bomb that is going to be set off at the State of the Federation address.”
Saul looked stunned, saying, “That is not reasonable, security is very tight there.”
Nadia, wanting to shake him physically, decided to just shake him up mentally, “I tell you there is going to be a bombing at the State of the Federation address. Listen to me! People will be killed!”
Saul asked, “Are you sure?
Nadia responded, “Yes, I have had two separate confirmations on this.” While this wasn’t exactly accurate, Saul would not know that, and she wanted his support to stop Garth. “Yes, Garth is behind this, according to my sources. He’s doing it to destroy all opposition to his power.”
Saul said, “Those are very serious accusations. If he finds out, there are sure to be reprisals. As you know, he is a very vindictive man.”
“Yes, I k
now,” responded Nadia. She thought for a short while, then said, “We need to let others know about this to avoid a catastrophe. I think the right thing to do is to stage a boycott of the Federation address. That would ensure that the delegates are all safe. Can you help to organize the boycott? And can you spread the word about the bombing?”
Saul thought about it. On the one hand, he didn’t want to get involved, especially when it had to do with violence. On the other hand, this would reduce the potential for loss of life, which he was strongly in favor of.
Finally, making a decision, he said, “I agree to help you, but I don't want to stick my neck out too far – Garth has made it all too often a habit of chopping off those who do so. Therefore, I will tell those I feel comfortable with, but I will make it clear that these are your accusations, not mine.”
Nadia, feeling somewhat disgusted by Saul’s passiveness, could only nod her head in ascent – after all, any help was better than no help.
– – –
Nadia was able to secure commitments from five other delegates to spread the word concerning the boycott. All of these delegates were surprised to hear about the bomb threat, knowing that Garth normally was extremely security conscious, and were at first hesitant to do anything to help Nadia. Only after they heard that Garth was behind it, did they agree to support her. Then, they all promised to spread the word to as many delegates as they could.
With one week remaining prior to the Federation address, Nadia estimated that thirty-five of the fifty delegates had committed to boycott the address. The other fifteen were hard-core Garth proponents that no one wanted to even bring up the subject, lest Garth find out that the bombing plan had been discovered.
Thirty-five delegates were just enough for the two-thirds majority needed to impeach Garth. Nadia wanted to have a meeting to discuss just this outcome, however no one wanted to expose themselves by supporting a meeting in person. Instead, she set up a highly secure electronic meeting.
Nadia kicked off the meeting, saying, “Thank you everyone for your courage in opposing Secretary-General Garth Nolan. We cannot let a tyrant take over the leadership of the entire sector. It is through your unfailing commitment to the rule of law and the ideals of democracy that all of our citizens can look forward to an end to this oppression.
“You have heard of Garth’s plot to kill the delegates during the State of the Federation address. Because of this, it is with great enthusiasm that I ask you all to vote to impeach Garth Nolan. Know that the best days of the Federation are before us, as we right a colossal wrong.”
“I thank you all for your steadfastness and resolve.”
The meeting broke up quickly after that. There wasn’t anything more that Nadia could do. She could only wait and hope no one changed their mind.
– – –
The State of the Federation address started typically enough, with Garth pontificating on how good the economy was under his command. He went on and on about how he had improved the conditions of everyone in the entire sector and about how he had great plans for even more improvements in the future.
Then Garth stopped speaking and looked around at the small number of delegates present and said, “I thank those of you who have chosen to show up for this very important State of the Federation address. There are those that have chosen to refrain from attending this meeting. They have instead decided to plot against me.”
Continuing, he said, “Ex Secretary-General Nadia Davidson, you see, is the leader of this conspiracy. I have the testimony of two of my most trusted ministers that she has conspired to bomb this assembly here today. Our security forces have, in fact, found a bomb that was emplaced here – fortunately this bomb has been defused.
“Furthermore, she has conspired to get many of the Federation delegates, your fellow delegates, to conspire with her in an overthrow attempt against the duly-elected Secretary-General of the Federation. We have recordings that indeed implicate Ms. Davidson in this conspiracy. I will share with you all select sample of these recordings:”
Nadia’s voice rang out, clearly recognizable after all her campaigning a year earlier:
“I tell you there is going to be a bombing at the State of the Federation address. Listen to me! People will be killed!”
“I think the right thing to do is to stage a boycott of the Federation address.”
“Can you spread the word about the bombing?”
“I ask you all to vote to impeach Garth Nolan.”
Garth went on, “An independent security consultant has confirmed that this is indeed Ms. Davidson’s voice. In addition, there is a recording of a meeting between Ms. Davidson and the thirty-five delegates that are not present today where they discussed this conspiracy. Therefore, by the power vested in me by the delegates of the Federation of Planets one year ago, I hereby declare Martial Law and I am ordering the arrest of Ms. Davidson and these thirty-five delegates. I am calling a special session of the delegates right now and all those not under arrest will vote on some emergency powers to be given to the Secretary-General until this crisis is over.”
Garth electronically sent the law changes detailed in a list of executive powers, including suspension of elections and emergency power of detaining a citizen without charges for an indefinite period of time.
To pass, these measures required a two-thirds majority of those delegates present.
In short order, all measures were passed by a unanimous vote, fifteen to zero, which Garth happily noted.
Garth, with his new powers, signed affidavits to indefinitely lock up Nadia and the thirty-five delegates on charges of conspiracy.
Smiling, Garth thanked those delegates that were present and exited the room.
– – –
Garth sat back in his most comfortable chair.
Everything had gone according to plan. He had persuaded his two inept assistant ministers to share with Nadia the idea that a bomb plot existed. They had gladly agreed to do this in exchange for being named full ministers. Little did they know that in a few short weeks, they would be relieved of their posts, and their lives, for much more competent replacements that were much more loyal to Garth, never having been stained by Nadia Davidson’s ideas and ideals.
Those delegates that were stupid enough to go along with her were now paying the price. They, along with Ms. Davidson, would spend the rest of their lives in a high security holding cell, awaiting a trial that would never come.
He now had full power over everyone and everything in the entire sector. It was wonderful to know that his long journey was finally over - no constraints on how much power he had nor on how long he had it.
The only thing left for him to do was to change his title. He thought that would be a good thing to do tomorrow morning.
“Garth Nolan, First Emperor of the Galactic Empire.”
Yes, it did have a nice ring to it. He rested, enjoying the first day of the rest of his life as emperor.
The End
MORE JASON BOURN
Thank you so much for reading Preserving Perfection. I would really appreciate if you would spend a couple of minutes and post a review of how you liked it.
I am currently working on book 3 of the Veiled Destiny series. Stay tuned for more to come.
Jason Bourn