Кристофер Банч - Empire's End

If Ranett was the type who whistled, she would have done so right then. There was some deep drakh about to come down. In her experience weaving through the maze of Imperial politics, good news was announced immediately. Bad news was shunted to the end.

She caught Admiral Anders dart a glance at her. He was clearly stewing over her presence. Gooood! She gave him her nastiest grin. Anders pretended to ignore her. Turned his solemn attention back to his briefing officer.

"… the greatest difficulty," the man was saying, "proved to be the numerous heavily armed forces at the command of the several highly volatile races. To begin with, a diplomatic effort was launched to meet with the commanders of the hostile forces arrayed against Dr. Iskra. And, as quickly as possible, Imperial forces were sent in to assist Dr. Iskra in keeping the peace. Those forces were commanded by one of the Emperor's most capable and loyal officers—Admiral Mason…"

Ranett's alarm bells started ringing. Why the lavish praise for Mason? She had also caught the past-tense phrase: "… forces were commanded." Then the alarms grew louder still. The briefing officer had unaccountably left out the name of the man who had headed the diplomatic mission: Plenipotentiary Sten. She knew Sten was one of the most prominent beings on the Eternal Emperor's staff. The poor sod, Ranett thought. To her mind, Sten was either being set up as a scapegoat or was bound for execution. She wondered if maybe it had already happened.

"… Despite the many difficulties," the briefing officer continued, "we are happy to tell you today that the situation in the Altaics has stabilized. Order has been restored. Some time in the near future, we expect to be able to permit free travel and communication with the cluster."

Riiight! Ranett thought. She knew when she was wading in drakh thigh-deep. "Near future" most likely meant… never in her lifetime.

"That concludes the background portion of the agenda," the briefing officer said. He made with an insincere smile. "Thank you for your attention, gentlebeings. Admiral Anders will now bring us up to date on the latest developments. Please give him a warm welcome."

There was a scattering of applause as Anders came forward. This frosted Ranett. She noted most of the applause came from the star anchors. Human or ET, they all looked alike to Ranett—gorgeous, rich, and self-satisfied.

"This is a solemn moment for me, gentlebeings," Anders intoned. "It is with heavy heart that I announce to you that one of our own has betrayed all that I… and the hundreds of thousands other members of the Imperial forces… stand for."

Ranett leaned forward. Here it comes, she thought.

"Only hours ago, Admiral Mason stumbled upon a plot to overthrow His Majesty, the Eternal Emperor."

A loud rumble erupted from the press corps. Anders held up a hand for silence. And got it.

"The coup attempt—using the disturbances in the Altaic Cluster as a screen—was uncovered only moments after it was launched. Admiral Mason engaged the perpetrators. And shattered them .

"… Losing his own life in the process. As well as all hands aboard his ship."

The rumble turned into a thunderclap. Newsbeings were on their feet shouting for attention. Ranett stayed in her seat. Intent on Anders. She noted that his left cheek was twitching. And his eyes were overly bright. Her conclusion: the Admiral was a lying sack.

Again Anders signaled for silence. Again he got it. "The coup was masterminded," he said, "by a being we all believed to be loyal… a man who proved to be secretly nursing an insane desire to murder our Emperor, and once again bring disaster to the Empire."

"Plenipotentiary Sten! A man who once had the Emperor's love and trust."

"You will be pleased to know that although this intergalactic outlaw survived, his forces have been destroyed or scattered. As we speak, they are being hunted down one by one."

Now, Anders skillfully allowed himself to be overwhelmed by questions.

"Any word on this villain's whereabouts, Admiral?" one of the overpaid anchors shouted.

"None that I am allowed to verify," Anders said. "But rest assured, Sten—and his underling, Alex Kilgour—can run. But they can't hide."

"Were any of the rebel forces in the Altaics involved?" came another question.

"Again, I am hampered by concerns of Imperial security. I can say, however, that Sten was heavily involved with the rebels in the course of his duties."

"Is there any danger of the conspiracy spreading?"

"I can't say no to that. But, I can say I believe we have it localized. Internal Security will be following up all leads."

It's witch-hunt time, Ranett thought.

"What were Admiral Mason's total casualties?"

"I'm sorry… Again, security concerns prevent me from answering. Except to say all hands aboard his flagship died in the cowardly attack."

"How many of Sten's forces have been killed or captured?"

Anders shrugged. "I repeat my last… Imperial security, and all. I promise all of you these questions, and all others, will be answered… in the fullness of time."

Ranett dipped into her bag of tricks and pulled out her favorite—the Donaldson. Her practiced bellow blasted over the other questioners. "ADMIRAL ANDERS! ADMIRAL ANDERS!"

She could not be denied. Anders sighed. Motioned for her to GA.

"What evidence do you have against these alleged conspirators?" she asked.

Anders frowned. "Evidence? I told you… There was a coup attempt." He tried laughing at her. "I know it's early, Ranett, but we do wish you'd pay attention when we speak."

"I heard you, Admiral," Ranett snarled. "But, I assume… If this Sten is captured—"

" When , Ranett. When!"

"Your qualification, Admiral. Not mine. Regardless. If, or when, Sten—and this Alex Kilgour—are captured… what proof of a conspiracy exists? For the trial, I mean. For example, did you monitor any conversations? Discover correspondence between the alleged perpetrators? Witness them meeting with known enemies of the Empire? That sort of thing."

Anders sputtered. "Dammit. They attacked and destroyed Admiral Mason's ship! What other proof do you need?"

Ranett wasn't buying. "An honest prosecutor might ask for more than your word, Admiral," she said. "Surely you can see that. Show us pictures of the attack, for example. Transcripts of bridge-to-bridge communications. Whatever proof you have."

"I'll have to plead security concerns again," Anders said. "You'll have those things… eventually."

"In the fullness of time," Ranett said.

"I couldn't have put it better myself," Anders said.

Ranett knew, at that moment, no one had any intention of capturing Sten. Not alive, at any rate.

The admiral buried a smile and started to turn away.

"One other question, Admiral… if you please."

Anders buried a groan. "Go ahead, Ranett. One more."

"Does this incident with the plenipotentiary indicate a severe weakness in the diplomatic corps?"

Anders was honestly stumped. "I don't understand. This is an isolated incident. One man acting in league with a small group of deranged individuals. Nothing more."

"Then what about Ian Mahoney?"

Anders purpled. "One has nothing to do with the other," he snarled.

"Oh? Wasn't Ian Mahoney assigned to the Altaics as well? In fact, wasn't he Plenipotentiary Sten's superior at one time? And wasn't he just executed? Also accused—with great fanfare, I might add—as a traitor? And, like Sten, hadn't he too spent a lifetime in service to the Emperor?

"Come on, Admiral. Either one and one equals two or we have a coincidence that at the very least indicates dissatisfaction with Imperial policy. Loyal and able beings who have spent their entire careers fighting the Emperor's battles aren't suddenly transformed into traitors. Unless there is something seriously wrong."