Betharan Palace
Fineberg, New Edom
The King-Emperor stood looking down over an avenue flanked by neatly trimmed shrubs in the shape of pyramids. The path was made up of neat paving stones in the shape of diamonds. This path was part of a cruciform that led to a fountain celebrating the triumph of his ancestor, David the Landstrider, a fierce figure on horseback wearing 16th Century armor, his sword brandished high.
His valet, Chief Quartermaster’s Mate Maroth, skillfully finished brushing any last bits of lint or dust from the King-Emperor’s shoulders. The Monarch wore a parade dress uniform that was standard for officers doing duty in the capital, of navy blue with his two rows of ribbons and the epaulets signifying his rank. While this was happening, his principal secretary, Post Captain Hadoram Peleg, a man of rough features whose face was speckled with small scars from burning fragments, was reading him the news of the day and a summary of state matters. Like the King-Emperor, the secretary was in uniform.
Elijah nodded to them and they began to leave the room. As they did, Mara entered, yawning and quite naked, her raven hair tumbling down her smooth muscled back, padding on bare feet past the three men, svelte hips swaying, followed by a slim Elwe maid and the pattering paws of her little black Pommeranian. Captain Peleg and the valet both bowed.
“Good morning, honey,” said Mara sleepily. “What’s going on, why are you up so early?”
“I’m going to receive reports regarding the security of the city and review the overall situation,” Elijah replied. She approached him and put her arms around his neck and leaned in for comfort, and with evident reluctance he put his arms around her and stroked her back. “And I do not wish to delay this at all.”
“Oh poop, there’s always time for a hug, mighty Griffon,” she chided, reaching up to stroke his jawline. “You know what, I had this dream, and I thought it would be really cool if we fixed all this by inviting everyone to take part in the investigation of what happened. I can totally see it,” she let him go after giving him a kiss on the cheek and moving over to a table where she poured herself a glass of water from a carafe. The Queen-Empress moved with a kind of supple athletic grace, her body a mix of voluptuously curved and tautly exercised. “I can see that jerk Misabel conniving the whole thing just to get a bigger budget and more power. I can see Weber just reacting like a total meathead. I mean I like him, Perrin loved him, so he’s loyal and all that, but I can see those two looking for an excuse. We shouldn’t have soldiers acting as police, it’s a mess, right?”
“My dear, that would not be acceptable. These are not the days of the 2nd Civil War when we could barely govern the country. In fact, what you do need to do is put some clothes on and talk to the rest of the family, keep them calm and make sure they all perform their duties acceptably. Prince Enoch will be on hand to advise you.” Elijah replied. He picked up his service cap and tucked it under his arm.
“To mind me, you mean,” Mara said with a grimace. “And I don’t want to put any clothes on today. I want to work in the garden and pray. Let Mama and Sissy handle the family, I can’t bear the thought of them all sitting there like soap bottles not caring that people…” she paused, her eyes filling with tears.
“That’s not a bad idea. The garden and the chapel.” Elijah said.
“I thought I would go to the cathedral…”
“The garden and the chapel,” he said firmly. He inclined his head. “My dear.” Seeing her pensive expression he paused and gave her a last embrace and kiss gently upon the mouth. “When your spirit is at peace, we shall speak again and heal our city. Be of good cheer.”
He walked out briskly with Peleg accompanying him, and when he left the chambers he found Prince Enoch leaning against a wall smoking a cigarette.
“Morning,” said Prince Enoch.
“Morning. Keep an eye on Mara, make sure she doesn’t leave the private part of the residence today. Let her pray out her grief and worry, and when she’s calm I’ll see her then.” he said brusquely. “No private communications. The rest of the family are to issue no personal communications. Put Jocasta on a plane for Gavinium along with Michael. The Dowager is to return to Shiloam Palace.”
Prince Enoch looked pensive. “I don’t...well, sir, I don’t like treating the Queen-Empress like a child.”
Elijah stopped and stared at him. “Then she shouldn’t act like one. Master of Offices, is there some part of your duty you have difficulty carrying out?”
Prince Enoch looked at him warily. “No. And there’s no call for that.”
“You are right, forgive me,” said Elijah. “Your loyalty is beyond question, as is your devotion to Mara. I am grieved at Thomas’ bitterness, by this distraction when there are other issues of greater moment that require my attention. But this event is like a fault in a fuel line. So small a thing that could wreck everything. And it also grieves me that Mara is so...emotional….in her responses.”
“I will look after her and the family, Sharra will deal with the other policy matters,” reassured Prince Enoch. He smiled. “You don’t have to do everything, sir. You may count on me.”
“Of course.” Elijah placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently.
He entered an elegant sitting room where several people were waiting. One was General Ashdod, wearing a black dress uniform of the Council Police, another was General Merari, short, peppery, with a small neat moustache, in an Army parade dress uniform, another General Unwerth, dressed similarly, and the last being Deputy Minister of Justice Peter Misabel.
“Where’s the Minister of Justice?” the King-Emperor asked drily, as the men rose and bowed to him.
“I believe the stress of last night required a sleeping pill, Your Majesty,” said Misabel with sadness in his voice.
“Very well.” Elijah sat and nodded to them, whereupon they sat as well in a semi-circle facing him. “I hope you have all had a good breakfast?”
“Oh yes, Your Majesty, we were provided for by your people when we arrived,” said Ashdod with a smile. “And may I say, it was a delicious combination of flatbread, peppered eggs and capybara sausage with goat cheese and served with sweet mint tea.”
“Ah,” said Elijah, smiling for the first time that day, “And how was the sausage?”
“Exceptional, Majesty,” said General Unwerth, a smile back cracking his hard face. “A little grittiness and little fat, but enough for it to be juicy without coating the mouth excessively, salty but the presence of the coriander, basil and cumin bringing out the natural best flavours of the meat.”
“Well, that’s fine,” said Elijah. “I am glad to provide hospitality for the gentlemen who serve me so loyally. So, General Ashdod: what is happening with the investigation of the Homofront possible connection?”
“We have obtained intelligence from the New Visayan Embassy of a list of persons of interest, both within and without their embassy.” He presented a folder which listed the persons of interests and their photographs, though one, ‘Rainbow Warrior’ was clearly a pseudonym and had a cartoon image of the Invisible Man’s iconic bandages, sunglasses and hat. “This woman, Angela Michaels, had her apartment investigated. A Ministry of Police raid on her privately rented apartment discovered the following: Five RPG-7's with 50 rounds of ammunition, an MP-40 with 500 rounds of ammunition, a sixty millimeter mortar with 10 rounds, and 25 pounds of C-4.”
“And what is this proof of?” Elijah asked.
“Thus far, merely what it says on the paper,” said Ashdod. “But in fact she had been arrested already by Deputy Minister Misabel’s people and they have turned her over to us, and she’s in Stonehaven. There could be connections to other groups. The woman thus far claimed to have no knowledge of the materiel found in her apartment.” Our investigation is ongoing.”
“Make a note, Captain,” said Elijah to Peleg. “An ongoing investigation as to a possible connection to Homofront. What about the activities of the demonstrators themselves?”
“What I have discovered thus far,” said Misabel, “Is a definite intention of radical wings of the Peace and Harmony and Intellectual Parties to use the organizations involved in the march to promote the march to challenge the law. Some of it is sympathy for the homosexual issue, but really it’s an attempt, as far as I can tell, to push for an elected Council. As I say: the radical wings, not the main body of either party.”
“I see,” said Elijah. “How do you come by this intelligence?”
“Approximately 3 dozen Deputies were among the demonstrators or directly involved with them, sir, and many academics or philanthropists supported the march as well. We are still investigating the internet connections.” Misabel replied.
Eljjah nodded. “Very well. General Unwerth, what is the overall security situation in Fineberg and the surrounding district?”
General Unwerth replied, “The Military District controls the roads, ingresses and egresses from the city. The Air Force, with Major-General Foliot in operational command, is conducting operations as follows: 4 Blackfly UAVs are assisting an E-15 Early Warning craft in monitoring all air traffic and some signals activity. A P-20 is also monitoring air activity at a range of 700 km beyond the capital, and a flight of 4 GM-20 ASF are supporting this activity round the clock. Our Kometa fixed array is monitoring all communications in and out of the capital.
“Python is the hub of our naval security, Admiral Count Amalek controlling boath surface, subsurface, air and ground operations from Python as operational command center backed up by Tyrannis Naval Air Base. The wider hemispheric range of our naval operations, including the light carrier, LHD Reme, two destroyers, four frigates, four Type Ha submarines, 1 minesweeper, 4 corvettes, 4 patrol craft, 4 LCACs for vessels. There are one Type 12 Shotokan battery, one NO. 27 CIWS battery, one TYPE 7 CHU - SAM battery, and one Tora Coastal Defense System Battery.
“Land forces defending Fineberg and the general district include the 14th Hussars, 2 squadrons of the Royal Cavalry Guards, the 1st Military Police Regiment as well as support units attached to the Military District.”
Elijah glanced at Captain Peleg, who was making notes and then said, “Very well. Then let us prepare a plan. Gentlemen, let me be absolutely clear: I do not feel that New edom actually needs any help. However, we have enemies and rivals. Let them see first of all that unhesitatingly our allies rush to our aid at the slightest concern. They will be forced to negotiate with us fairly. And at the same time, let us demonstrate that it is we who are in control.”
“And these radical deputies, sir?” asked Misabel.
“Keep an eye on them. We may be in control but...let me tell you something, Deputy Minister. I have spent most of my life before I became Monarch in the Navy, when I was not undertaking administrative duties. Even the most formidable vessel is subject to many attacks on its integrity--weather, shoals, reefs, wear and tear that only a shipyard close examination can find--and which can tear it apart. I have never forgotten such lessons, and never forgotten that no matter how assured your commands and drills, the unexpected may reveal vulnerability. We do not, therefore, know what they are truly capable of. Let’s not underestimate them. I rely upon you, Deputy Minister, and you, General Ashdod, to get to the bottom of why this happened.” He turned to the Minister of Defense and the commander of the Military District of Fineberg. “Gentlemen, I would like an operational plan for cooperation with our allies on my desk as soon as possible. Thank you all.”
