Shelby 9 Snippet 2

Sitrep:  I received the book back from Rea yesterday, did the final edits and then sent it off to Goodlifeguide for formatting. :)

 

Minox IV, Confederation Capital

 

PresidentScar Chin checked the latest poll numbers and sighed internally. The government,his government, was holding. But it wasn’t easy. His involvement with thedebacle in 92 recently wasn’t helping much.

Hedidn’t see how he would change things, though the ending did haunt him a bit.He had tried everything, even involving the Admiralty to talk Captain Brendown. He had failed and instead watched a sanitized feed as the Federationforces that had stealthfully crept into position tore the rogue ships apart.

Ina way, it was confirmation that his government had been right to sue for peace.It still wouldn’t bring back the Tauren sailors who had died following theorders of their foolish officers, however. Nor would it bring back the peoplethat had died on their march to Federation space.

Atleast the Feds were not holding Bren’s actions against him and his people. Nordid they seem to be holding Admiral Lobo and General Sedu’s actions against himeither. That was a relief.

Hehadn’t anticipated how fast things would come apart. It was insane. Inhindsight he should have known something would happen; after all, the militarywas a strategic think tank whose predominant concern was applying thatknowledge to violence. They had to have been gaming out what would happen totheir people once the Federation won and the Confederation turned over a newleaf.

Whichhad put their personnel squarely in the crosshairs of trials for “crimesagainst sentient life” and war crimes during the recent war.

Heshook his head. They should have known better than to allow their personnel tocommit such crimes but they hadn’t. His staff had heard the dark whispers ofscapegoats but he hadn’t paid attention to it.

Well,now he was paying attention. Especially after the recent coup attempt and theunrest throughout the Confederation.

Hetucked his hands behind his back as he looked out the window to the stars. Thecommand station was beautiful; it had an incredible view of the planet and thespace around them. The stars sometimes gleamed like jewels.

Hehad heard a story that Admiral Irons was on a similar station in Federationspace. He was curious about that. He had put in a request to his staff to tryto get a Federation media tour of the station. He’d love to spend an eveningwith his mate watching it and comparing notes. No doubt she would love tocritique the decor.

Herolled his eyes at that thought and then returned to his desk. He sat down andinhaled and exhaled slowly before he picked up the tablet with the latest billhe was reviewing. His staff had written up a summary and position places withit. He would review them later. For the moment, he wanted to see the bill inraw form and see if he could pick out any potential tripping points.

Onevery good thing that had recently come out of the legislature was the law he'dsigned that gave alien citizens full amnesty for all perceived crimes. It alsogave them a five-year grace period before they had to pay taxes. They also hadthe right to incorporate their towns, cities, and villages and any planet,county, or district had to share their resources including tax income with thealien settlements. They couldn't begin taxing until the fifth year. If they didnot share their credits, the federal government would freeze all funddistribution.

Thelast part hadn't been initially popular; conservatives had latched onto it as apotential key to break the bill's passage. But the idea of adding so manycredits and voters from the aliens to their coffers was too much to overcome,and the inertia had seen the bill passed and sent to his desk. He'd made a showof signing it.

Nowthey just needed to encourage the aliens to stay. The bill to provide medicalcare and to repair their sterilizations was still hung up in the committeesunfortunately. The conservatives were latching onto it as giving away too much.

Hegrunted as he tried to focus on the bill in front of him. One problem at a time, he thought.

Afterthe read and notes, he had a working lunch and then another budget committeeand then a scheduled talk with the Admiralty about the insurrection and dealingwith Lobo.

“Joy,”he murmured to himself as his eyes began to scroll through the documentcarefully.

>>>~<<<

AdmiralByx listened to the reports. So far he had a detailed knowledge of what Seduand Lobo had but no means to immediately stop them.

Hehad gotten confirmation from ONI that Lobo and Sedu had reached out withfeelers for some time to seduce others to their cause.

Hewas a bit irritated with the personnel who had not reported it. But they didn’tseem to be backing the insurrectionists and professed that they hadn’t known itwould go that far, so he had to give them the benefit of the doubt. Besides, ifhe relieved them, he’d have to have someone to fill in their positions whilethey were investigated, and the very act of that could trigger furtherinsurrection with possible disastrous implications that they could ill afford.

No,he had to keep them close. He had, however, taken a few precautions to dispatcha few extra spies to keep an eye on them. He hated that, but he had no choice.

“AdmiralYen is a good old bull, loyal to the core. He has admitted that Lobo had beenfeeling him out to get him to join up or as he put it, let him pass.” Thecommander stated.

“Whichwould imply he was either looking to invade space north or escape to the east?”the admiral asked.

“Exactlyour thoughts, sir. Which would imply Lobo is thinking of contingency plans andaware that his hold is tenacious at best.”

“Thelast thing we need is his fleet getting into Upsilon and going rogue there,” avoice rumbled.

“Ihighly doubt they’d join the pirates,” the commander stated stiffly.

“No,but they could turn pirate or try to turn south and pull another Bren. We don’tneed that either,” Admiral Byx stated.

Theroom grew quiet over that statement.

Noneof them had seen actual combat. The Federation had released a sanitized view ofthe battle in 92. Admiral Byx felt his nostrils flare ever so briefly. Battlehell, it had been almost a one-sided massacre.

ONIwas going over the feed to try to glean out what they could. Tactical was alongfor the ride, though they knew it would be a futile exercise. What it did showwas their inferiority against the Federation. At least, it did to him and a fewother bulls.

“Whereare we with ground forces?”

“Mostare tied down with police action to keep the peace. We also have trust issues,”an army major admitted.

Theadmiral nodded grimly. Not so long ago that army major had been a lieutenant.It went to show how badly the army had been shaken up by the insurrection.

“AdmiralWhite Face is ready to move on the insurrectionist's southwest flank,”Commander Cy reported. “Based on what we know T-13 has gone over to theinsurrection,” he warned.

Theadmiral grunted.

“Abit thin if you ask me. Intel is basing that on the assumption that since thegovernor is a cousin of Governor Hard Toss, he’d throw in with him,” CommodoreRee stated.

“Dellis like a brother to Hard Toss. He’d follow him anywhere,” Commander Cy warned.

AdmiralByx nodded. “We have to assume he has gone over to the other side. The same forthe star systems that are not responding to us.”

“Dowe send in a show of force? Get them to see the stupidity of their ways andforce them to stand down?” Commander Cy asked.

“Thatis the ultimate objective, to keep loss of life to a minimum,” the admiralstated.

“Noneat all would be preferable,” Commodore Ree stated.

“Unfortunately,that time has passed,” Admiral Byx stated. The commodore blinked. “Theinsurrectionists have drawn first blood. Both with us here and with theFederation. When we send our ships and troops in, they have to be prepared totake any and all ships into custody. We’ll sort them out after the fact.”

“Ifthey refuse to heave to and surrender?” the commodore asked.

“Thenthey are insurrectionists and will be dealt with accordingly,” Admiral Byxstated firmly. “Hopefully, a warning shot or a disabling strike will get themto see the futility of resistance. But if not …”

Heshook his head.

Theroom grew quiet.

“Ontheir own horns so be it I suppose,” the admiral said with a nod to thecommander to continue the briefing.

>>>~<<<