by Rachel Aukes
Seda opened and closed his artificial hand, as though disinterested in the conversation. “I suspect he knows.”
“Then you need to relocate immediately,” Heid said. “If Ausyar knew, he’d bomb you the first chance he got. If he were to kill you, the Campaign would be over.”
“We’re still here, which means Ausyar doesn’t know. I think we have time. As we speak, I’m having supplies delivered to an asteroid inside the Space Coast. I had it staked out as a fallout shelter of sorts, and when I saw the direction the Collective was heading, I had the interior built out. I’d planned it to be a surprise for Mariner, so she did not know about it, which means Mason doesn’t know about it. It can only support twenty people at this time, which works for us, but leaves our army out in the open. The Citadel provides some protection, but I don’t like the idea of leaving our people behind to face the CUF’s mercy.”
“We’ve all seen firsthand the CUF doesn’t know the term.” Reyne swallowed. “Let’s negotiate and finish this.”
Fourteen
Playing Politics
Rebus Station, Terra
Seda
Five hours elapsed before the official negotiation meeting. During that time, the torrent leaders hashed over the talking points, Seda notified the news of the event, and Ausyar would’ve consulted with Parliament—and, no doubt, Mason.
The meeting was held at the stationmaster’s office in Rebus Station. Seda had offered to host, as it was customary for any political and business meeting of worth to take place on land.
Out of the three captains, Seda only permitted Critch to join him in the room. The other two marshals were furious to say the least, but Seda had been planning the Uprising for years, and he wasn’t going to have Ausyar’s personal conflicts get in the way of independence.
Ausyar considered Heid a Collective traitor, number one on the CUF’s most-wanted list, and he’d have her shot her on sight. She’d very publicly humiliated him. She was an officer promoted by him and entrusted with a warship, which she’d then stolen under his watch. He’d want to personally—and publicly—make her pay for her disrespect.
And Ausyar hated Reyne with the heat of a supernova, because Reyne had killed Ausyar’s consort, Zara Wintsel. It didn’t matter that Wintsel’s death had been accidental, Ausyar single-mindedly sought to avenge her death. Seda suspected that Ausyar’s pride had been stung worse than his heart at the loss of his consort.
Under Myrad law, Ausyar could satisfy his personal vendettas against Heid and Reyne without repercussions. That left Critch, aka Drake Fender, as the only torrent marshal who could be in the same room as Ausyar.
Ausyar had been chasing Critch for years, and it had to stick in Ausyar’s craw that one man, basically a simple thief, had been able to evade the armada for so long. Critch and his specters had made more than one CUF commandant a laughing stock. Even now, during the Campaign, Critch drew volunteers by the hundreds, while Ausyar had to resort to drafting colonists to serve the Collective. Critch was a thorn in the corps general’s side, plain and simple.
Seda rubbed his temples. Having Drake Fender—the scarred face of the torrent rebellion—in the room during negotiations would be crucial for the colonists to buy in to any peace treaty.
But hell. Torrent, pirate, whichever role Critch was playing that day, neither would contribute to good negotiations. Though, Seda had to give Critch credit. The man was an astute businessman, and a man Seda had come to respect. As a pirate, Critch had accumulated a fleet of over a dozen ships and countless properties. But pirating was a far cry from politicking, even though both were cutthroat professions.
Seda read messages on his comm panel to keep anxiety from showing on his face. Critch lounged in a chair off to the side. He looked like he was napping, but Seda knew differently. The pirate would make a damn good poker player, Seda humored himself.
“Ausyar’s arrived at the station,” Hari said, and Seda looked up to see her at the doorway. She’d brought with her Tax and Corbin, Seda’s two most trusted guards, and the trio placed themselves around the room where they could best protect Seda and watch for trouble.
Seda didn’t really think there’d be an assassination attempt today, not with the meeting being recorded and sent out to all his news sources. Parliament would no doubt have the video clipped and modified to better tell their side of the story, but that would only benefit Seda, as Vapor would post the full, unedited video online for everyone to see.
He stood and moved to the center of the room, where two chairs had been set to establish an equal platform for the two leaders to speak. Out of habit, he checked his right side to make sure the robotic arm was firmly in place. He glanced over at Critch, to see the man’s gaze now rapt on the door.
Two officers walked through the doorway and looked over the room. Seemingly satisfied, they turned and nodded. A commandant, who looked young for his position, walked in first, followed by Corps General Michel Ausyar, who was followed by four more officers. The corps general wore a blue uniform adorned with a chest full of pins and medals. Seda drily wondered how many of those Ausyar had actually earned and how many were for decoration.
The blue-hued Myrad looked across the faces in the room and seemed unimpressed. When his gaze settled on Seda, the general’s nose lifted even higher in the air, a feat Seda hadn’t thought possible.
“Corps General Ausyar, thank you for coming today.” Seda gestured to the chairs. “Please, have a seat.”
Ausyar chose a chair and gestured for Seda to sit, as though he were the host. “Mr. Faulk.”
Seda didn’t miss the fact that Ausyar hadn’t used Seda’s formal title of Stationmaster, and he knew the omission was an intentional power play. Ausyar was clearly trying to reduce Seda’s status and, thereby, his power in negotiations. Seda wanted to laugh. The corps general thought he was the superior party in the room today. He had no idea.
Seda gracefully took a seat without comment or any betrayal of emotion. “We’re here to discuss fair and equitable terms for a peace treaty.”
Ausyar waved him off. “Let’s cut to the chase, Mr. Faulk. The Collective authority of Myr and Alluvia established the colonies. They have been supported by the Collective and, in exchange, are expected to return support. I do not see any logic wherein they can make such inflammatory demands upon the Collective.”
Seda continued as though he’d never been interrupted. “The first colony, right here where we’re sitting today, was established 388 years ago. Since then, nearly a hundred colonies have been established on the four colony worlds—and in the Space Coast, if you were to count an asteroid belt. These colonies have grown and thrived, in part thanks to the Collective, and in part despite the Collective. Since the beginning of space travel, it’s been universally accepted that all people are equal in every way. After all, we all originated from Earth. Yet here we are in a political predicament wherein people living in the colonies are being denied citizenship because they weren’t born on either Alluvia or Myr. For nearly one hundred years, colonists have been asking for equal rights. Parliament has ignored those voices and has instead passed new legislation that further discriminate against the colonies in favor of bringing more money and power to Myr and Alluvia.” Seda raised a finger. “Both of which were also considered colonies until they declared their independence and developed their own governance.
“Colonies either wilt or blossom. Those that bloom claim independence. That is the natural evolution for every colony. We only need to look at Mars and Europa for examples, and Earth’s country nations before that. The fringe has reached the point where independence is as necessary as air for the colonies to survive and thrive. We’ve made our intentions clear and desire no war, but legalized discrimination and undue taxation must end now. All the colonies must be free. Only then will humanity thrive across the stars.”
Ausyar sighed and blinked heavily as if Seda had nearly put him to sleep. “Mr. Faulk, you talk of the colonies as being separate
from the Collective, but all six planets constitute the Collective. Every planet is a contributor to the Collective’s success. We value the colony worlds as much as we value the citizen worlds.”
“I must disagree,” Seda said. “If all six planets are equal parts of the whole, why are the colonies taxed at thirty-six times the tax rate charged to citizens of Alluvia and Myr? Why, then, is there only one senator to represent four colony worlds in Parliament, while Alluvia and Myr each have five delegates? In a democratic Parliament, a ratio such as that only guarantees the colonies have no voice.”
Ausyar shrugged. “Parliament was established before the colonies were founded. Delegation was based on population size. Of course, Myr and Alluvia have more delegates.”
“If delegates align with population size, then why hasn’t the Parliament structure changed in over three hundred years? Colonists outnumber citizens three to one. By your logic, if Parliament were a democratic structure, the fringe would send thirty delegates, not one. To me, it seems Parliament is hamstringing the voice of the colonies.”
Impatience darkened Ausyar’s face. “Did you ask me here today so you could lecture me on the Collective government structure, or do you have a point to make? I’m a busy man, Mr. Faulk, and have little time for a tête-à-tête.”
Seda smiled inwardly, and he imagined Critch was finding similar humor in watching Ausyar’s annoyance swell. “I’m here to discuss with you the terms of removing all colony planets from the Collective.”
Ausyar raised his brows. “And am I to understand you have the authority to speak for all colonies?”
“I do,” Seda replied with confidence. “Representatives of every fringe station have given me authority to represent their planet’s interests.”
“Parliament speaks for the colonies, not you.”
“Wrong. Per the declaration of independent fringe colonies, we no longer recognize Parliament’s authority as a governing structure.” Seda flipped it back to Ausyar. “And I suppose you have the license to speak for the Collective?”
“I’m here under the authority of the Collective Unified Forces.”
“Does that authority include Parliament and the Collective overall?”
Ausyar shifted in his chair. “Of course.”
Seda could’ve stopped the conversation then and there. At that moment, he knew Ausyar did not have Parliament’s full backing. If Parliament didn’t agree with the treaty—or any parts thereof—that Ausyar negotiated, they’d conjure a legal loophole to make the treaty null and void.
Still, Seda chose to continue the meeting. He leaned back in his chair before speaking. “The Fringe Liberation Campaign as well as the Rebus Reclamation Effort is the direct result of the colonies demanding independence. I feel I can speak for both of us when I say we do not want a physical conflict, and we all desire peace.”
“Peace?” Ausyar chortled. “You talk of peace, yet you burned down every fuel production plant on Terra. That doesn’t sound like peace to me.”
Seda shrugged. “They were my production facilities. As full owner, I may choose what to do with each of my facilities. I chose to remove fuel for space travel from the current equation. I broke no law in closing them down, and no one was harmed.”
“I wonder if the Terrans would agree with your statement. After all, you took away the livelihoods of thousands of colonists just to make a statement”
“Perhaps. However, I think you’ll find colonists are quite resilient,” Seda said. “I wonder if the Collective economy can show the same resilience.”
Ausyar’s eyes narrowed, and Seda noticed the older man’s knuckles were whitening.
Now.
“Does the Collective want peace, Corps General?” Seda asked.
Ausyar seemed surprised by the question. “Of course.”
“Then, what terms do you propose?”
Ausyar straightened in his chair. “We are prepared to offer Playa and the Space Coast independence after a transition stage, in return for an immediate cease-fire on all other colony planets.”
Seda laughed for effect. He found, in fact, the proposal to be downright contemptible and not the least bit funny. “The Space Coast is already a neutral colony and has never had any ties, let alone an arrangement, with the Collective.”
Ausyar raised a finger. “However, the asteroid belt falls within Collective space. Therefore, Parliament may elect to incorporate it into the overall Collective at any point.”
Seda gave Ausyar an incredulous look. “We both know that the Space Coast offers no value in the eyes of the Collective. With minimal metals to mine, that asteroid belt is nothing more than a bunch of rocks. And Playa…” Seda exhaled deeply. “Well, you’ve already bombed the largest colony and only fringe station on that planet, which doesn’t leave a lot for survivors.”
Ausyar raised his brows. “If that offer is not sufficient, tell me what you propose.”
Seda leaned forward and eyed the corps general like a hawk zeroing in on prey. “Parliament will recognize full independence of all four colony planets. In return, we offer open trade with the Collective with trade treaties to be established separately by each fringe station.”
Ausyar sneered. “The colonies can’t simply claim independence and have it happen. Parliament may consider Playa and Spate as candidates for independence, but Terra and Darios will remain within Collective control.”
Seda gave a humorless grin. “Ah, yes. Terra and Darios would remain under Collective control. No, Corps General, I’m afraid that is not acceptable. We have already declared independence for all colonies. The four planets beyond Myr and Alluvia will stand as their own. That truth is unequivocal and cannot be denied. We will not leave any of our brethren under your control.”
Seda abruptly stood, knowing the small action would be seen as an affront to Ausyar, and sure enough, the corps general’s eyes widened at the slight. The man huffed.
Seda ignored him. “I believe we’ve reached an impasse. Unless you can offer a solution that recognizes every colony world as an independent world, with no Collective oversight, then the Fringe Liberation Campaign will continue. Going forward, the lives lost as a result of your inability to negotiate fall upon your and the Collective’s shoulders.”
Ausyar jumped to his feet. “You are talking to the Corps General of the Collective Unified Forces. Show respect, colonist!”
At that moment, Seda knew he’d hit publicity gold in winning colonists’ hearts to the cause, and he had to focus to not betray any sense of success in his expression. Not that the infuriated Ausyar noticed. The Myrad’s egotism didn’t allow him to see his own faux pas.
Ausyar fumed. “Your little declaration isn’t recognized by Parliament, and certainly not by me. The colonies remain under Collective control and must abide by Collective law immediately. You also must turn over Aramis Reyne for the murder of Dr. Zara Wintsel, a citizen, and turn over Gabriela Heid and her entire crew for treason. In addition, you will return the Arcadia and the Matador, both of which are stolen property of the Collective Unified Forces. If you do not cease and desist these attacks against citizens immediately, all colonists will be treated as terrorists to the Collective, and I will crush you all, starting with you.” He pointed at Seda’s chest.
Hook, line, and sinker. Seda wanted to smile. Instead, he grimaced. “I see that we cannot have an objective discussion, and so I believe we’re done here.”
He motioned for Ausyar to leave.
Ausyar wagged his finger at Seda. “Watch yourself. You think that because you have made some money, you have some kind of power. But you can’t buy your way to citizenship. You’re a colonist, and you’ll die a colonist. You are foolish to think you have any say whatsoever. You’re nothing but a cockroach, Faulk, and I look forward to silencing you once and for all.”
Seda said nothing.
Ausyar left the room with a swagger Seda had seen only Myrads pull off. The moment Ausyar’s envoy departed, Seda walked to his desk
and turned off the recording. Hari closed and locked the door.
He turned to Hari and Critch. “That was rather interesting.”
“You were right,” Hari said. “Parliament has no interest in negotiating.”
Critch smiled. “I didn’t realize a Myrad could turn so blue.”
Seda leaned back onto his desk. “We know the truth now. Ausyar pulled out of Rebus Station to attack rather than to discuss peace. I believe he’s planning to cripple Terra like he did Playa by bombing the space docks.” He turned to Critch. “I support our plan to attack first. Tell the Arcadia to jump.”
Fifteen
Smoke and Mirrors
Nova Colony, Space Coast
Heid
Heid had never thought she’d fly the Arcadia through the Space Coast again. This time, Will had graciously relinquished the controls before they’d even entered the Coast. She navigated the warship through the asteroid belt, adding a few more dings and scrapes to the warship.
She imagined Ausyar had ranted for some time when the Arcadia had gone into jump speed within visual distance of the fleet, leaving them wondering what she was up to. Good.
She never left the ship when they reached Nova Colony, which was back up and running, thanks to Stan. The Arcadia’s transport ships were busy making runs between the warship and the colony, bringing crewmembers and supplies to the asteroid. It’d taken nearly two days—far too long in Heid’s opinion—to strip everything of value from the warship. When all of it, including all transport ships and gunships, had been moved to Nova Colony, she felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. If only she could fly the Arcadia alone.
“They’ll be safe at Nova Colony,” Sylvian said.
Heid looked up to see her crewmember watching her with concern. “I know. It’s you and everyone stuck on board with me that I worry about.”