Chapter Forty-Four

Face to Face

“Ambassador Lewisham, I am delighted to welcome you aboard the Benediction.”

Salem recognized the man as Bursar Hopkins, but for some reason, the man didn’t seem to remember her. In fact, he had so far completely failed to greet her.

“I am surprised to see you aboard the Imperium delegation ship. Is there some problem I should be aware of?” Bursar Hopkins asked.

“None at all, Bursar,” Lewisham said with a smile. “I was simply in the Imperium at the time and decided to take the fastest possible route here.”

“I see,” Hopkins turned to lead them on, “I must take this opportunity to note how much we regret the recent tensions between our own people and yours. I sincerely hope that we can use this emergency to smooth out the tensions and misunderstandings that led to it.”

“I see no misunderstandings,” Lewisham said plainly. “We simply made a different choice. If there is any tension, Bursar, it is on your side alone. We hold no animosity for our old training partner.”

“I see,” Hopkins frowned. “Well, I can at least hope that we can tempt you to reconsider after this is all resolved. The Imperium is like many new nations. Loud and exuberant. That rarely lasts, and they last barely longer than their brash actions.”

“You are not much of an Ambassador, Bursar Hopkins,” Lewisham laughed. “To say things like that so openly.”

“I am a Bursar,” Hopkins smirked. “We deal with absolutes. And the Imperium is absolutely not present. Be assured they can hear nothing within the Benediction. You are free to speak openly here.”

“You think he can not in the Imperium?” Salem asked, almost amused at the stupidity on display.

“My dear lady, the Imperium is many things. Free is not one of them.” Hopkins chuckled. “Two Queens, a princess, a large military, and a few rejects. That is the Imperium, and it is hardly open to free thought.”

“Quite a bit more than a few rejects,” Salem offered. “Not to mention an entire planet of proud farmers that recently joined.”

“Those hicks?” Hopkins shook his head. “A people so meek they have been basically broken for several generations but a parade of random assholes. Honestly, the Imperium is welcome to them.”

“Yes, we like them quite a bit,” Salem nodded. “Emissary Cheape has done phenomenal work there.”

“We?” Hopkins frowned. “You are from the planet in question?” He looked at Lewisham. “I thought this was Secretary Loras?”

“Loras is busy elsewhere,” Lewisham smiled happily. “She has taken rather a liking to the overseeing of trade agreements with the Imperium.”

“And you borrowed a Secretary from the Imperium?” Hopkins sniffed. “I greatly hope there is a privacy agreement in place.”

“Oh, I forgot my manners,” Lewisham gave an apologetic look to Salem.

“No problem, it seems to be something common around here,” Salem allowed with a nod of her head.

“Bursar Hopkins,” Lewisham stepped back. “Allow me to present the Honorable Lady Salem Du’Lesprit, Herald of the Two Queens, High Administrator of the Nanite Imperium, and a good friend.”

“This is an awkward moment, isn’t it?” Salem asked with a raised eyebrow as Hopkins seemed to have momentarily lost the power of speech.

“He certainly seems to think so,” Lewisham nodded.

“We’ve met before,” Salem offered with a slight smile despite her best attempt to resist the urge. “I suppose he was not paying attention to the ‘help’ at the time.”

“To be fair, Lady Du’Lesprit, most people of your position would not stoop to escorting mere diplomatic envoys to and from the throne… office?”

“Queen Bonne Chance is not the throne type,” Salem admitted. “The office was a major victory for me, honestly.”

“I see,” Hopkins looked back and forth. “This is why I do not like dealing with people. Numbers are so much easier to understand.”

“Really?” Salem asked. “I suspect that means you don’t quite understand numbers either.”

Lewisham coughed out a laugh before restraining himself.

“I trust the seriousness of this matter will overcome any insult you feel from my comments?” Hopkins asks tiredly.

“Naturally,” Salem nodded. The situation was beyond serious, and besides… he wasn’t entirely wrong. The Imperium was a place for the rejects, the unwanted, and the overlooked. It was one of her favorite things about the society they were building. True, it wasn’t exactly a smooth road, but it was an effective one. Despite what Hopkins may have thought, the Imperium did have freedom. It had the most important freedom of all, in Salem’s opinion—the freedom to make the best of yourself.

“In that case, this way,” Hopkins led them through the station and onto an elevator with golden doors. When it opened again a few moments later, Salem saw an ornately decorated room with vaulted ceilings and heavy drapes hanging over the fake windows. In place of an exterior view, the ‘windows’ showed scenes from various different planets and stations around the galaxy.

Unfortunately, there was no time to indulge her curiosity about them as Hopkins immediately called the meeting to order. Several nearby governments had responded, it seemed, and Lewisham and her were the last to arrive. Given how quickly they had gotten here, Salem assumed most of those here were already on the Spiral for one reason or another. Likely, they had been dragooned into service by their respective leaders in light of the urgency of the situation.

Lewisham nodded to her before going to sit in his assigned spot.

“Thank you all for coming,” Bursar Hopkins spoke as the rest of the room settled. “The Sagacity appreciates your urgent response to our findings and will remember how you came in friendship when we called. Perhaps we could all take a moment to introduce ourselves, and then we can get into the matter at hand.” He gave a slight smile to those gathered around the long, oblong table. “I am Bursar Hopkins, and I will be speaking for the Sagacity in this matter.”

A heavyset man stood next. His outfit was a strange combination of woven wood and fine metals that looked surprisingly comfortable, if rather bulky. It was topped by a plain carved mask in the shape of a smiling man.

“Speaker Thane, for the Woven Worlds,” His voice was raspy and hoarse but clear enough. Salem’s ears picked up a slight clicking as he spoke, suggesting mandibles beneath the mask. Interesting.

“Ambassador Cristella,” A woman rose next, the long limbs and red skin reminding Salem of a mystery she still needed to solve, “Elucidated States.”

“Michael Monsoon, Imperial Line,” a man said, standing proudly in his immaculate uniform, which included a three-quarter-length coat with golden fasteners in a line down the left side. A sword hung from his hip.

The Bursar’s eyes widened, and he shot a hurried look at Salem, who was very careful not to react to the information. At least outwardly. She had already sent a message to her ship, and the troops within were arming even before the man had returned to his seat. Should a single extra ship of the Line appear in the system, an alert would be sent to the Imperium before their jump turbulence had even cleared.

“Ambassador Lewisham of the Independent Planetary Alliance,” Lewisham said with a bow.

Salem’s turn came, and she stood with a tight-lipped smile. “Herald Salem Du’Lesprit, representing the Nanite Imperium.”

“I say, isn’t that a bit awkward?” A relaxed-looking man to her left asked. “Aren’t the Line rather unwelcome with your lot?”

“I think we can put that aside for now,” Salem offered.

“Dash kind of you that, good show!” He leaped to his feet with a smile, his extensive hair bouncing comically as he did so. “Lord Chambers of the Golden Throne, quite delighted to meet you.”

“Likewise, Lord Chambers,” Salem nodded politely. “I’m afraid I am not acquainted with many of the groups here. Is the Golden Throne a neighbor of the Confederated Planets?”

“Not hardly,” Lewisham said sourly. “But that never seems to stop them.”

“We are always ready to give the wrong types a good thumping!” Chambers said, banging his fist on the table. “What else is nobility for?”

“I’d love to find out if you ever shut up,” Lewisham muttered under his breath. “The Golden Throne, stars preserve us.”

“If the dandy and the robot have finished prattling, can we get on with this?” Monsoon asked. “My aunt will want a quick report.”

“You are not human?” Thane asked, his head cocked to one side.

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“No, I am a cybernetic lifeform,” Salem said proudly. “One of many in the Imperium.”

“Remarkable,” Chambers beamed. “Truly remarkable.”

“The Imperium is a human group. This I was told.” Thane rasped. “Are there other lifeforms?”

“Of course,” Salem nodded. “We have human, cybernetic, robotic, silicate, and many more.” Salem smiled. “We have several different humanoid races, as well as an insectoid one, and more besides. We also have a Clutch settlement within our space, but we make no claims to be anything but their hosts and friends.”

“I say, I did hear you have a descendant of dragons within your ranks!” Chambers said excitedly. “Is that true?”

“We have many brackta within our numbers, but I suspect you refer to Crush-Cha, our Chief Marshall.” Salem smiled. “The original Brackta were indeed once called dragons on dozens of worlds.”

“The Clutch?” Thane asked. “Those are the ones with four legs and strange ways?”

“They certainly have four legs and could be considered to be strange if you do not understand them.” Salem agreed. “But that would be true of any of us, would it not?”

“Charming, absolutely charming,” Chambers said happily. “I am so glad I came!”

“Glad someone is,” Monsoon growled. “Hopkins, do you have any control over this meeting at all?”

Once Salem sat back down and Chambers remarked loudly about how rude and uncouth the Imperial Line representative was, Hopkins gave a quick overview of the situation. Even abridged, the story was not a short one.

No matter how many times she heard it, Salem still found it difficult to believe that anyone would willingly set off such a weapon. The loss of life was just so pointless. More than once since she heard of Cyrus’s plans, Salem had spent some time thinking about what she would have done in his place. It was crucial to Salem that she could understand people. This time, however, the logic just escaped her.

No matter how many times she had gone over it, the plan just made no sense. In desperation, Salem had gone to Nellie and asked for any explanation or reasoning that she could think of to explain it.

As Nellie sipped a cup of HyperDrive, Salem listened and tried to understand the concept of a weapon so scary no one dared attack you. It had happened on Earth, apparently. A great war had broken out, and every nation on the planet had been drawn into it. It was the second time that had happened, and someone got the idea that they would create a weapon so horrifying any enemy nation would rather surrender than face it.

It had worked, in a way.

Only, as Salem had immediately predicted, the weapon quickly spread, and Nellie’s world had balanced on the edge of destruction for decades before it finally stepped back from the brink. Even so, the whole planet could go up at any minute should a single one of these weapons be fired, and the other nations respond in kind. They called it ‘Mutually Assured Destruction.’

Salem called it planetary suicide with extra steps.

The simple fact was that Earth existed only as long as there was no single leader who would press the big red button. The moment that changed… the weapons would launch, and the only end would be the Earth’s destruction.

Now, here, they faced the same situation. A terrible weapon had been created. It was horrific and terrible and inspired fear enough for anyone… but they could stop it—this time.

Salem saw the problem: Sagacity had broadcast the design across the bloody galaxy in their effort to get this meeting, and now, somewhere out there, another Cyrus was no doubt already planning their own. That was why this response had to be totally overwhelming. Cyrus and his people had to be publicly eviscerated for even attempting this.

Make all those others planning away out in the galaxy hesitate at the sight and hopefully think again.

“So there we have it, everyone,” Hopkins said with a grim expression. “A weapon that can not be allowed to exist.”

“Then why did you make it?” Cristella asked, her dark lips pulling into an angry sneer. “You did make it, after all.”

“We did explain,” Hopkins said angrily. “We only saw the parts until events called for closer scrutiny.”

“Which was too late,” Thane rasped. “The weapons exist now.”

“Never trust a man who won’t tell you what he’s doing!” Chambers called loudly. “I’ve always said so.”

“Measures are being taken to close the weakness in our policies,” Hopkins said defensively. “That is not why I called you here.”

“I bet it isn’t,” Monsoon said nastily. “Trying to make sure your client gets lynched before they take you down with them, Bursar?”

“That is what the Line would do, isn’t it?” Salem asked flatly.

“You know what?” Monsoon grinned. “You make a good point.”

“Still, I think we need a third party to investigate this matter,” Cristella insisted. “Only then can we trust you are not covering anything else up.”

“Who cares?” Salem asked bluntly.

“What?” Thane rasped. “You do not consider the ‘how’ important?”

“Not at the moment,” Salem stood to make sure they were paying attention. “What matters now is preventing Cyrus and his people from using the weapon. Worry about how they got them later.”

“Agreed,” Lewisham said.

“Too right! Well said!” Chambers slapped the table. “Lives to be saved and all that.”

“I still insist on an investigation first,” Cristella said as she crossed her arms, the finely made exosuit shining where it caught the light.

“Why?” Salem frowned. “All that will do is delay action.”

“The Elucidated States do not act in the dark, only in the light of certainty do we—”

“So you’re out?” Salem interrupted. “Fine. Let’s move on.”

“My purpose here is to state the opinion of my government,” Cristella protested.

“So do that after we have finished,” Salem replied tartly. “To do it now is wasting time. Such inefficiency is not welcome in an emergency. The time for talking is passing, and there are others here who may offer more than words.”

Crustella hesitated but then nodded and sat back in her chair.

“Thank you,” Salem gave her a slight nod of respect. “I promise to relay your comments in full to my Queen after the meeting. Now, who here is willing and able to act?”

The news wasn’t great. Thane’s people were willing to act, but their ships would take over a week to group into a reasonable force. Their systems were vast, and they spread their fleet out to cover them. Even once grouped, it would take another half week to supply and then a week of travel to bring them to Confederated Planets systems.

Too long.

The Sagacity already had a fleet massing, but that would not arrive in the system for another week. It would need a day to top up supplies and coordinate with the Grand Archive at the quickest speed.

As for the Line…

“We don’t know if you noticed, but we don’t have a quick response fleet anymore and lost quite a number of ships recently,” Monsoon said, eyes locked on Salem as he spoke. “It will take us a couple of weeks at least to field a reasonable number of ships, and even then…”

“Even then?” Salem asked.

“Even then, they will not enter any system near Imperium space without a guarantee of safe travel.”

“Ha!” Chambers guffawed. “Got a drubbing and don’t want another, eh boy?”

“And what does the Golden Throne offer?” Monsoon shot back.

“My capital ship, a strong crew, and brave hearts!” Lord Chambers beamed.

“Oh good,” Monsoon sniggered. “It will at least provide a snack for the Harbinger to feast on if they get hungry.”

“The IPA will offer ten capitals and thirteen frigates, all ready within the next week,” Lewisham noted. “But we will need a half week longer to supply for an extended battle.”

“Thank you,” Salem nodded. “I fear that any extended battle will only result in Cyrus using the weapons. We need a decisive blow.”

“Which you can not bring to bear,” Cristella said, sitting forward. “Clearly, there is time before any act can be taken.”

“Wait!” Hopkins jumped into the conversation for the first time in a while. “What can the Imperium offer?” He looked triumphant. “You criticize our responses, but what do you offer in return? Please, stun us all with your speed and efficiency.”

“Certainly,” Salem nodded. “The Imperium will offer the Harbinger, along with two capitals and a dozen frigates. Plus, we can launch that force in the next two minutes if needed.” She paused to let that sink in. “We send in a second force of the same size within a week, but the rest of our ships will need to remain in our own systems.”

“You can send both of those fleets and still be defended?” Monsoon asked, paling.

“Naturally,” Salem nodded. “Of course, we also have friendly relations with the Tri-Clan alliance led by the Star’s Song. The Queens believe that by coordinating with them, we can—” She gasped.

“What’s wrong?” Lewisham asked.

“I just received word that Cyrus has started an attack,” Salem said quietly. “I fear our time might be up.”

“Then you must launch that fleet,” Lewisham said, standing. “Now.”

“I will need a motion calling for the Imperium to act,” Salem said, looking directly at the Bursar. “Now, please.”

“I’m not sure,” Hopkins hesitated.

“Damn your cowardice, man!” Chambers thumped the table again. “I call a motion to a vote. We must empower the Imperium to act on behalf of our governments or risk being too late. The Golden Throne votes in favor. What say you all?”

“The IPA votes in favor,” Lewisham said quickly.

“The Woven Worlds votes in favor,” Thane rasped a moment later.

“The Elucidated vote in agreement with the motion,” Cristella said with a nod.

“The Imperial Line abstains,” Monsoon shrugged. “I won’t vote either way without my aunt’s input.”

“The Sagacity abstains,” Hopkins said, glaring at Chambers. “I was going to ask a moment to confer with the Grand Archive, but…” A chime sounded, and he looked down at the pad on his belt. “... that is done. The Sagacity changes its vote to be in favor of the motion.”

“A declaration like this should be unanimous,” Lewisham said quickly. “To ensure no one is able to claim otherwise.”

“Oh really?” Monsoon grinned. “Imagine that.”

“What do you want?” Salem asked. “I know you have something, so just get to it.”

“Carter,” Monsoon said, suddenly serious. “If he’s still alive over there, we want him back.”

“And?” Salem asked.

“Agree to send an extraction team, and we will vote in your favor.”

“Fine,” Salem nodded. “We will send some people to recover Carter, assuming he is still alive.”

“Oh, he will be,” Monsoon chuckled. “Carter’s the slippiest man I ever met.”

“We have a deal, then?” Salem asked.

“The Line votes in favor,” Monsoon bobbed his head.

Cristella started to laugh.

“What?” Monsoon asked.

“You voted before agreeing to the deal,” Cristella shook her head. “She is not bound to it.”

“I–” Monsoon started to yell.

“We will uphold the agreement,” Salem said simply. “No tricks. We’ll get him back if we can.”

“Good enough,” Monsoon said with a relieved smile. “If it matters, you will make a friend in my Aunt by doing it.”

“War against a dastardly foe! A last-ditch attempt to save an old enemy! Quite the day! Shall we get started?” Chambers stood. “Permission to accompany your fleet, Lady Du’Lesprit?”

“Granted,” Salem nodded. “If that is all?” She looked at Hopkins.

“Why ask me?” he grumbled. “You took over the bloody meeting; you decide when it's over.”

“Excellent,” Salem nodded. “Thank you all for coming; I will ensure you are all kept updated as things progress.”

“May we accompany you?” Cristella stood. “At least as far as your station. I would prefer to remain in constant contact.”

“As you wish,” Salem nodded. “Feel free to follow us back. Ambassadorial quarters will be available for you all.”

“All?” Monsoon asked.

“Sure,” Salem nodded. “Just make sure not to arrive in an Imperial Line ship.”

He laughed and nodded. “Fair enough, Lady Du’Lesprit. Fair enough.”