Elsewhere, in the heart of Washington D.C. at un undisclosed location, the President of the United States, John Hammond, and his executive cabinet sat at a long table. Although the topic of discussion for the evening had not been previously disclosed, everyone knew why they were there at such a late hour.
President Hammond sat at the head of the table and leaned forward placing his elbows on the table, “Ladies and gentlemen, we are here tonight to discuss our place in the world. Specifically, with the BloodStar Empire back in the picture, where do we stand?”
Vice President Davis cleared this throat, “As someone who knows the folly of aligning with the BloodStar Empire, I think it goes without saying that we stick with our tried-and-true ally. The Heraklinos Empire.”
Hammond nodded his head, “Mmhmm. Mhmm.” He then surveyed the room, “Anyone else?”
Several other cabinet members reiterated Arthur’s position, and Arthur Davis himself chimed in once more, “Xenia BloodStar has been beaten once in Houston by Gregory. She was then beaten again by Jarek in Kansas City. She will be beaten again, and I do not want to find ourselves in a defenseless position once she’s gone for good.”
Hammond nodded his head again, “Very well. Does anyone have a differing opinion than those we have heard?”
A young lady in her mid-thirties at the end of the table farthest from the president raised her hand.
Hammond motioned to her, “Secretary Nadia Singer, you have the floor.”
Nadia adjusted her glasses and straightened her posture, “As the Secretary of the Department of Energy, we should acknowledge that siding with the obvious choice in the Heraklinos Empire is not without risk to our energy infrastructure. We are neighbors with the enemy. The Holy Light Empire, or whatever Xenia BloodStar wants to name it now, is and always will be at our doorstep.”
Those who hadn’t already shifted their position to look at Nadia did so now as everyone swiveled their chairs in her direction, and Hammond smirked, “Go on.”
“The only scenario where we can afford to discount a relationship with the BloodStar Empire is a swift and decisive Heraklinos victory-”
Arthur interjected, “That’s precisely what Jarek plans to do. He all but told us he plans to sacrifice whatever he needs to ensure a total victory! You didn’t see the resolve on his face like the President and I did.”
Hammond raised his hand towards Arthur, “Come now Arthur, let Nadia finish.”
Nadia stared daggers at Arthur and began again, “I wish we could all sit here and relax. I wish I believed Jarek would defeat Xenia BloodStar this evening. Or tomorrow at her wedding. But I don’t believe it for a second. She’s proven herself resilient even in the face of certain defeat. She’s proven herself wily in having the entire world believe she was dead. She’s a young leader who has now, thanks to us and others, been tested. In fact, if it weren’t for Jarek, we would all be dead or serving her already.”
She stopped and took a deep breath cutting off another cabinet member as she continued, “And it’s not just the world versus Xenia now. She is an empress. She has a formal army if she even needs it. She has Nero who is a BloodStar Immortal rumored to have bloodbending powers now. Meanwhile, Ramses and Zara are captured. Erika Sage is dead. Karasu is marginalized in a war of this magnitude. Jacek is a peer of Xenia’s and shows half the potential she does. And Jarek is forced to try again where he has already failed once before.”
Her face was red and breath hurried as she calmed herself down, “Am I saying we jump ship and ally ourselves with the BloodStar Empire? No. Never. Thanks to Arthur, we know how that turns out. Am I saying we should consider this more carefully and with more tact? Yes. When dealing with a BloodStar… always. Or have we learned nothing?”
Hammond stroked his beard as everyone now turned to him, “Hmm. Yes. Our official position will not change. It can’t. But Secretary Singer is correct. In the event Xenia wins this war by killing Jarek… and she may very well possess the power to do just that after inheriting her bloodline powers… we need something to point at and say, ‘hey we tried but our hands were tied on the global stage’.”
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Arthur softly said, “You want to send her a wedding gift? Don’t you.”
Hammond tilted his head, “Would that be so bad?”
“We cannot send her a wedding gift!” Arthur stood from the table and pounded it with his fist, “The rest of the world will get wind of this, and it will be a diplomatic embarrassment and failure on our part to serve the citizens of this country!”
Hammond nodded, “Oh you’re probably right.” He gave a heavy ‘hrumph’. He then leaned back in his chair, “Okay. Okay. Secretary Singer may be right, but our hands are tied. We throw our full support to the Heraklinos Empire and hope for the best. Because if it’s anything but the best then our country will be the only contiguous landmass neighbor with a piece of the BloodStar Empire, the most powerful enemy one can make.”
Hammond closed his eyes as he stroked his beard, “Dismissed.”
Everyone began to filter out; however, Hammond spoke again, “Secretary Singer. Do you have a minute? I’d like to unofficially pick your brain about a few things.”
Arthur took note as he exited the room as he watched Nadia sit beside Hammond. Once the room was empty of all others, Hammond called out to the secret service agents standing guard outside the room, “I’ll need a few more minutes if you could close the door for us please.”
“You were a special ops soldier before joining politics right?”
“I was the first woman Navy SEAL ever, yes. And I specialized in running missions regarding the security of nuclear energy, oil, and energy related infrastructure. Thus, why you appointed me here. I have intimate knowledge of the field and our position in the world regarding energy.”
Hammond nodded, “Yes, yes. Very impressive. Mightily impressive in fact. Listen, Jarek Heraklinos has thrown caution to the wind. He is acting recklessly. In his mind, defeating Xenia at any cost is merited. At any cost.”
Nadia nodded along, “He would sacrifice as many lives of his empire and his allies as necessary I gather.”
“I’d like to believe this all has a fairy tale ending, but we both know it will be ugly. With our best bet acting so recklessly, we need some unofficial insurance.”
“Mr. President, I agree with you wholeheartedly; however, as Vice President Davis said, any whisper of our presence at that wedding will end poorly for us on a global level.”
Hammond smirked, “You’re good at getting in and out of places without being noticed, aren’t you Secretary Singer?”
Nadia nodded with a smile, “Yes sir.”
Hammond reached in to his pocket and removed an envelope. He placed the envelope on the table and slid it over to Nadia, “Then if you find yourself growing tired of office work, I’d like to give you an off-the-books mission.”
The envelope sat on the table in front of Nadia, and Hammond said, “Deliver this envelope directly to Xenia BloodStar on her wedding day. Tell no one.”
Nadia swiftly picked up the envelope and tucked it away into her suit jacket over her dress, “Yes sir, Mr. President. It will be done. If I don’t return-“
Hammond stopped her, “Discretion is of utmost importance. She will understand everything upon reading the contents of that letter. But if it comes to it. Tell her I sent you, and you should be fine.”
Nadia furrowed her brow, “Understood.”
Hammond nodded, “Thank you. Dismissed.”
________________________________________________
Waves crashed into the side of the carrier cruising in the middle of the Heraklinos attack fleet as it sailed towards the BloodStar Empire.
“Admiral Hudson, is everything squared away? This fleet needs to be ready for anything as we enter BloodStar waters.” Jacek paced the bridge of the carrier as he spoke with Admiral Hudson, commander of the Heraklinos fleet.
“The jets are serviced, the rail guns are squeaky clean, the missile bays are functioning properly, the men are rested. The fleet is flawless and ready, my Lord.” Admiral Hudson had no fear as they cruised through the night.
The admiral turned to a pacing Jacek, “The only thing I might advise is you resting before we arrive.”
Jacek stopped and nodded at the admiral, “You are right.”
“Use my quarters, please. I will be making one last round on the deck before personally manning the bridge until we arrive.”
“Thank you admiral. I will retire for the evening to rest. But. Wake me at a moment’s notice if needed.”
Hudson saluted Jacek, “Understood Lord Heraklinos.”
Jacek nodded and exited the bridge turning in for the night, and Hudson turned to his first officer, “I am making a round of the deck. I will be back shortly.”
“Yes sir, Admiral!”
Hudson made his way to the deck surface and promptly made a call. The phone rang several times until a voice picked up, “Yes, admiral?”
“Mistress Khan. We are arriving on schedule as planned with no problems to report.”
“Very good Admiral. Very good. Ping me when you are minutes out, please.”
“Yes, Mistress Khan. I will.” The admiral then hesitated as if wanting to ask another question.
As if reading his mind, Constance responded, “We are so close, Admiral. Let’s focus on the mission. If and when you are successful, I’ll not just visit your dreams… I’ll visit you in person. Would you like that?”
The admiral nearly went speechless, “Yes. God yes.”
“Goodnight Admiral Hudson. I have a very busy evening of coordinating Empress BloodStar’s bachelorette party, so don’t bother me.” Constance then hung up the phone.
The admiral stared off into the dark sea with bewildered thoughts and fantasies of spending an evening in person with the Constance Khan. He then turned and made his way back to the bridge of the carrier.