“And your second question, Leader Diamanté,” Winston said.
“It concerns our Council Leader’s stance, and I ask it of my fellow Leaders. Please signal your response of ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to Winston. Do you believe the Earthers, if they are not challenged, will grow tired of our passive resistance, noncontact if you will, and go home?”
Winston found a good number of Leaders were failing to respond, and he reminded them that the nature of this special meeting required their responses. It presented many of the unresponsive with a problem. The evidence presented generated one opinion, but whom they supported often required a contrary vote, and it came down to stating an honest opinion or valuing the future of their Houses. The silence in the chambers extended for a while. Winston informed the Assembly that deliberation on the question was continuing. In actual fact, House Leaders were comming their allies trying to determine if their vote would injure their House associations. It was more than two hours before the voting was complete.
“In response to the question asked by Leader Diamanté, the members of this Assembly have answered in the negative by 67 percent,” Winston announced.
The statement shocked Mahima to the core and she sought to maintain a grip on the curved rail of her dais. She had been sure the majority of Leaders would support her.
“The response of this Assembly obviates the next two questions,” Winston said. “Council Leader Ganesh, since the majority of the assembled Leaders do not support your position with regard to the United Earth people and believe nonconfrontation will not prevent them from pursuing their policy of subjugation, what actions will you take to counteract their threat?”
Mahima felt as if she had been punched. She had lost the support of the majority, and, in turn, they were demanding she forgo a century of her administrative methods, changing at the moment, to take an aggressive stance against the Confederation’s newest challenge. Her machine-like thought processes ground to a halt, and she couldn’t find a way through the dilemma she faced. It felt like too much, and finally she sat down heavily in her chair still holding to the rail for support.
The Leaders, who lent Mahima their support, despite the evidence presented by Winston, felt their hopes plummet as the Council Leader sank into her chair. They had denied the truth for the sake of political objective, and in the long run it might well cost them their Houses and the confidence of the Confederation’s populace when their vote was discovered.
“Council Leader Ganesh, the Assembly awaits your response to the last question,” Winston prodded Mahima, who, after a few moments, stood and looked at the Assembly. She eyed the faces of those she directed for half her life, most of whom just turned their backs on her. Mahima straightened her shoulders and tilted her head high. She would refuse to give them an answer — it seemed an inadequate gesture, but the only one left to her. She climbed down from her dais and strode from chambers as Council Leader for the last time.
“Winston,” Gino called out, “what are the protocols for these circumstances?”
“The Council Leader has abandoned her position,” Winston said. “There is no other option for this action except to elect a new Council Leader. A quorum of the Leaders is required, and they are present in the Assembly. If there are members who wish to stand for the position, please signal me.” After a few moments, Winston said, “I have received twenty-three nominations for Council Leader. They are for a single individual. Leader Gino Diamanté, will you accept the nomination of your peers?”
Gino remained seated. He didn’t think his legs would hold him up if he tried to stand. His actions were intended to force Leader Ganesh into action. It never occurred to him that she would walk away from her position. Is this what life is like for Alex? Gino wondered. How does he do it?
<Gino,> Katarina sent, <we need you. Council leadership might appear daunting, but in our present circumstances, you have someone to guide you. If you cooperate with President Racine, the majority of the Assembly will support you. Stand now, please, for all of us.>
The Leaders on either side of Gino stood and offered their hands and he accepted them, allowing his peers to draw him to his feet. “I accept the nomination,” Gino stated for the record.
“Will the Assembly please signal me as to whether they approve or disapprove of Gino Diamanté as Council Leader of the Confederation?” Winston requested. That Gino received an 84 percent approval was gratifying to Winston, who had tired of Leader Ganesh’s apathetic leadership. This change has been long overdue, thought Winston. “Congratulations, Council Leader Diamanté. May the stars guide your steps,” Winston stated formally, “Will you please take your place on the dais?”
Gino made his way to the chamber’s floor and climbed the dais. When he faced his peers, they stood and offered honor with hands over hearts and heads bowed. He accepted their honor and placed both his hands on the curved railing to which Mahima recently clung. “My fellow Leaders,” Gino said, “thank you for your confidence in me. But it is time to dispense with our tradition of relying on the Council Leader for every decision. We must become a body of action for our way of life and for our people. I will require your advice and support as we work to rid ourselves of these interlopers. Today is a new day for the Confederation. May the stars preserve us!”
-22-
Renée had poured two cups of thé, but she sat on the couch, legs curled under her, watching the cups cool. Alex was in the refresher, claiming a need for a quick cleansing, but that was a while ago. The deadline for accepting the contest was fast approaching, and a decision was yet to be made. The questions argued around the ship by the Harakens concerned the alternatives. If the challenge wasn’t accepted, what would the Earthers think — what would they do?
Renée stood and walked into the sleeping quarters. “Should I come in or are you coming out?” she asked, leaning against a wall, prepared to wait for an answer. In response, the refresher shut down. Renée hurried back to the salon and made two fresh cups of thé in time to hand one cup to Alex as he walked into the salon. She waited until he made himself comfortable on the couch and took a sip or two from his cup before she curled beside him.
“Why do life-and-death decisions keep haunting us?” Alex asked quietly.
“I would think, eventually, these decisions haunt everyone, but most allow fortune to decide the answer. Only a few wrestle with the questions in an attempt to direct their fate.”
“Perhaps I could be one of those who let fortune decide,” Alex replied, his voice fading away at the end as if he was unconvinced of the truth of his words.
“No, you couldn’t be like them, my love,” Renée said, “because if you were, you wouldn’t be you, and I wouldn’t be with you.”
<Julien,> Alex sent.
<Yes, Mr. President,> Julien replied. <Shall I tell the speaker that we accept the high judge’s contest and send him the system coordinates where we intend to rendezvous?>
Alex smiled to himself. <I take it I’m late to the decision party.>
<There was only one logical conclusion, Mr. President, despite the onerous nature of this contest. The Earthers have left us no choice. If we don’t fight, they would see no impediment to their adoption of the entire Confederation,> Julien replied.
<And would our pilots consider the conclusion so obvious?> Alex wondered.
<I have it on good authority, Mr. President, that the leader of our three combatants will be none other than the Last Stand’s wing commander. When Commander Thompson asked for volunteers, the entire wing stood. It would seem our pilots have also come to the proper conclusion.>
<And yet, even after these three Earther pilots are dead, I fear nothing will change, Julien. This is just a test of our resistance, and the more we resist, the harder the UE will push back. That’s my sense of it anyway,> Alex said.
<I can’
t disagree with your logic, Mr. President, but short of escalating our resistance, what other option do we have?>
<Escalating our resistance … you mean attack and destroy their two ships? Then we wait until someone comes to investigate the loss of a battleship and a high judge. Then we also destroy them,> Alex sent, morose at the thought.
<It does seem to be an ugly, downward spiral at that, Mr. President.>
<So we start with a small skirmish in hopes of preventing a war. Where’s the logic in that?> Alex said, closing the comm.
* * *
The next morning, Alex notified Christie, Eloise, and Amelia that they were noncombatants and would be dropped off at Le Jardin before the Rêveur made for Bevroren.
Tatia was seated next to Alex and Renée at the head table for morning meal when she whispered to Alex, “Incoming.”
Alex looked up to see his sister and her friends walk through the meal room doors and march straight toward him. This is going to be fun, Alex thought.
“Mr. President,” said Christie, addressing her brother formally as her friends had urged her. “We do not wish to be treated as second-class citizens by being left behind at Le Jardin.”
“You aren’t second-class citizens, Christie. It’s just unnecessary for you to take the risk with the rest of us,” Alex explained.
“Why are we not allowed the privilege of sharing the risk with the rest of our people?” Eloise asked.
Shades of the elders, Alex thought, recognizing Eloise’s argument as the one the elders used when Alex sought to protect their Libran families from the fight pending in the Arnos system.
“Will Ser de Guirnon be accompanying us to Le Jardin, Ser President?” Amelia asked, innocence dripping sweetly from her words.
Alex glanced at Renée, who was smirking at him and trying unsuccessfully to turn it into a smile. He raised his hands to emphasize his response but dropped them back on the table when he couldn’t think of anything to say. Alex knew no matter what decision he made, it could result in headaches, sooner or later.
“I take it the order is rescinded, Mr. President,” Christie said, recognizing when she won an argument with her brother. Without waiting for a reply, Christie spun around and headed for the food dispensers. Both Eloise and Amelia paused to touch Alex’s hand, and he nodded, accepting their appreciation.
“One hopes your strategy for the upcoming fight will proceed with greater success,” Renée said, grinning into her cup as she took another sip.
Alex gave Renée an evil look and then noticed that Tatia was trying to hide her own smile. He didn’t bother to reply and just resumed consuming his meal. I hope it does too, Alex thought.
* * *
“Captain Cordova, set course for Bevroren but follow behind the Hand of Justice and the Reunion by five to six hours,” Alex ordered.
“Understood, Mr. President,” Cordova acknowledged.
“Admiral, what’s the position of the Last Stand?” Alex asked.
“In fourteen hours, the carrier will be at Point Alpha, waiting until the Earther ships close on the planet before they start their run to launch the travelers, Mr. President.”
Alex was nodding in approval when he received a signal from Julien and held up a finger to delay Tatia’s next words.
<Mr. President, you have a comm from Council Leader Diamanté,> Julien sent.
Alex was wondering what Mahima wanted when Julien’s words registered. <Such a droll wit, Ser,> Alex replied to Julien.
<I developed this persona over the course of two years, Ser, and you expect it to change simply because I am now walking around? How human a concept!>
The subsequent war of images was brief so as not to keep Gino waiting. The pleasure for Julien was that he could now smile during their exchanges, as he had been doing for years, instead of just imagining the effort. When their comm closed, Julien continued down the Rêveur’s corridor, a fedora, set at a jaunty angle, appearing on his head. He began whistling a tune, a habit he recently adopted, and his faithful reproduction of the music often caused the crew to stop and listen.
<Congratulations, Council Leader Diamanté,> Alex said in greeting. <How does the weight of the office feel?>
<Is it possible to feel ill from a promotion, Ser President?>
<It’s not only possible, Council Leader, but it will probably get worse. Why did this transition take place?>
<It began as an emergency Council meeting requiring Mahima to answer questions about the Earthers, and she damned herself. It’s as if she has been living in a world other than ours. She was convinced the Earthers would simply go away if we ignored them.>
<Not likely, Council Leader,> Alex replied. < I take it you decided to step in and take the leadership mantle on yourself?>
<On the contrary, Ser President. I believe we have suffered the same fate. Winston tells me that Julien shared the appropriate term with him. I was drafted.>
Alex burst out laughing so hard he took a seat to maintain his balance.
<I, for one, do not see the humor, Ser,> Gino sent, his thoughts transmitting his indignation.
<That’s just it,> Alex said, after regaining his breath. <There isn’t a single funny thing about it.>
<Then why are you laughing, Ser?> Gino demanded.
<Because, my dear Council Leader Gino Diamanté, now I have a friend to share the dark, ugly hole that I have been inhabiting for the past nine years. Welcome!>
It occurred to Gino that Alex was probably right. He never considered the possibility that Alex was a reluctant leader. But a comforting thought did occur to him. What better company could I have in my predicament than the man who saved the Confederation once? Perhaps, Alex could do it again.
<Well, Ser President, now that we are in this dark place together, I’m pleased to inform you that I have Council support for any actions I deem necessary to protect the Confederation. That support includes giving you any aid you require to achieve your agenda.>
Alex immediately sobered up and stood. His motion brought him to Tatia’s attention, and she touched her temple, which added her into a one-way comm so she could listen. <You’re saying we have unfettered Council support, Council Leader Diamanté. Are you aware that a head-to-head fighter contest between us and the Earthers will take place soon at Bevroren?>
Tatia looked at Alex and mouthed the words “Council Leader,” her face screwed up in confusion, and Alex nodded his head in agreement.
<We have received word of the contest, as the Earthers term it, although fighting to the death hardly seems an appropriate definition of the term. Is there any help that we can give you, Ser President?>
<I would like to say “yes,” but I’m afraid there isn’t.>
<If you win this contest,> and Alex could hear the distaste in Gino’s thoughts, <do you think the Earthers will abide by their promise and leave?>
<No, we expect treachery from them, but we’ve made contingency plans.> Alex glanced over at Tatia, who was shaking her head vigorously, indicating their contingency plans should not be shared. <Council Leader Diamanté, if we are successful in finding a solution with the Earthers that protects the Confederation’s independence, then I want two things on the negotiating table.>
<Allow me to anticipate your concerns, Ser President. You wish to discuss our SADEs and the Independents.>
<Discuss is the polite term, Council Leader. If I am successful with the Earthers and the Council does not deal forthrightly with me on these subjects, my next visit to Confederation Hall will make my first visit look like an afternoon fête.>
<Threats are not necessary, Ser President. I know you and your people have not been treated fairly by the Council. What you ask for will take some time to accommodate, but I believe many Leaders wish to see changes, and the foremost change might be an opportunity to form an alliance between the Confederation and Haraken.>
<Apologies, Gino,> Alex sent. <I know you mean well, and perhaps we can become allies with your Council leadership.> A few mom
ents later, Alex ended the comm with Gino, and then turned to address Tatia. “Did you think Gino would betray the information about the Last Stand, Admiral?”
“No, Mr. President, not Gino, but I don’t trust the other people that might have access to the information. I can’t help thinking that there is one powerful, upset woman on Méridien right now, and that makes her extremely dangerous.”
It wasn’t that Alex disagreed with Tatia, but he couldn’t conceive of Mahima betraying her people.
* * *
“Alpha position achieved,” Captain Manet reported to Sheila when the Last Stand arrived out of the deep dark at a point 450K kilometers outward of Bevroren. The ship had jumped from its previous position to a point one light-year out and then back again to Point Alpha in order to remain hidden from Earther eyes.
<Commander Thompson, what is the status of our launch maneuver?> Sheila sent. The Commodore was right to be concerned. The launch was more difficult than originally conceived. It was simple in design — tether the travelers outboard of the bays, accelerate the carrier, and release the travelers. Unfortunately, the carrier’s design precluded the travelers from sailing straight forward after their release. They would be striking structures that extended outward from the carrier’s flared bow, and the travelers weren’t sufficiently charged to enable maneuvering around the structures until they entered a sufficiently strong gravitational field.
<No workable plan yet, Commodore,> Ellie replied, biting her lip. She hadn’t felt this frustrated since her exile to Libre. Her people were counting on her, and she didn’t have an answer to the maneuver they were trying to execute.
<Captain Manet, get me Z,> Sheila requested.
Edouard signaled the controller, requesting a comm with the Rêveur, and, in turn, that ship’s controller signaled Z.
<Greetings, Commodore, how appropriate that you commed. I was just thinking of you,>