A King's Ship (Empire Rising Book 2) (40 page)

“To be frank then, this hearing is quite simply a farce. Captain Somerville was acting as a Captain of the Royal Space Navy when he boarded the Varun mining station. If the Indian government wants to make an official complaint about what happened in the Kerala system then their complaint should be against the British government, not an individual captain.

“What’s more, as Captain Somerville has already pointed out, the evidence that Chang was on the mining station and that Station Commander Chowdhury knew about his presence is overwhelming. By any reasonable determination Chowdhury and the station itself should be considered collaborators in Chang’s crimes. Therefore, the Indian government’s decision to bring this request and their claim to be the hurt party here necessarily implies that they were complicit in Chowdhury and the other Varun official’s crimes. If this trial is to go ahead then my government will be bringing charges of war crimes against the Indian government.

“That’s preposterous,” the Indian diplomat on the committee shouted.

“Preposterous it may be,” Oliver agreed. “Yet if the Indian government wants to claim that their rights were personally infringed upon by James’ actions, then they are implicitly acknowledging that they were responsible for harboring a war criminal.

“It is the estimation of my government that this is not actually the case. It is a sad fact that the Varun Shipping Company was pulled into this ordeal by a few corrupt trading managers. We accept Varun’s and the Indian government’s claim that Varun as a company had nothing to do with Chang’s escape.”

James knew that wasn’t strictly true. RSNI had uncovered more than enough information to indict most of Varun’s top board members for helping Chang but the British government had decided to keep that information under wraps to help bring the whole situation to an end sooner. There were bigger fish to fry. 

“Yet, if this complaint goes ahead it will make a lie of what Varun and the Indian government has said up to this date. The Indian government and Varun can only bring this charge of piracy if they are the complainants, yet if they are the complainants then this committee must also denounce them as war criminals for their collusion with Chang.”

James had to suppress a smile. Oliver had the committee over a barrel. Many of the representatives of the space faring powers who were opposed to the British Star Kingdom’s expansion would jump at the chance to embarrass the British through finding James guilty. Yet if they allowed the trial to go ahead then they would be forced to accuse the Indians of war crimes. As many of Britain’s opponents were friendly or even open allies with the Indians they wouldn’t want to do anything to upset them. 

“As you just heard from Captain Somerville,” Oliver continued. “The evidence is inescapable, Chang had been present on the mining station and a Varun freighter, under the direction of Varun employees, transported him there. Given these facts there is no grounds to approve a trial against Captain Somerville. He was simply acting in accord with this Council’s laws and statutes, as well as following the lawful orders of his government.

“Captain Somerville has also personally apologized for the damage he caused to the mining station and has offered to cover the entire expense of repairing the station.

“I, on behalf of the British government, would therefore ask this Committee to dismiss this request to approve a trial into Captain Somerville’s actions and allow Captain Somerville to settle the matter privately with the Varun Shipping Company,” Oliver said and sat down. 

“We will break for a recess to make our decision,” the leader of the Committee said when it was obvious that none of the other members had any questions for Oliver.

“Don’t worry,” Oliver said to James as the committee shuffled out. “They won’t dare let this go any further, the Indians are just taking out their frustrations on us.”

James found it hard to be so confident as it was his career being discussed. Yet when the panel returned half an hour later they announced that the case was to be dismissed. James let out a long breath in relief. He knew from past experience that the Committee was unpredictable. The fact that each of the major space faring powers had their own appointee on the committee meant that almost every meeting was an extension of the national rivalries that dominated human politics. Still, the committee meant that many of the disputes were played out here between the representatives rather than out in space between the different colonial navies.

As James was making his way out of the council room Oliver walked over to him. “You see, no problem,” he said with a smile.

“Easy for you to say,” James said, “even if it was just all for show, your career wasn’t on the line.”

“I guess not,” Oliver said, “but I had you covered. By the way, your uncle asked me to let you know that he wants you to report to the Admiralty buildings in London once this hearing is over.”

“Very well,” James said. “I guess I better organize some transport.”

“No rest for the wicked,” Oliver said before he walked away, leaving James to his thoughts.

What the Vestarians found in the Omen facility was only the beginning, if the human nations had known what the alien ship meant they could have averted disaster, but how could they know what was to come?

-Excerpt from Empire Rising, 3002 AD

28
th
December, 2466 AD. Earth.

Thankfully, the UN Interplanetary Committee met in New York and there were always plenty of shuttles traveling to London. Just forty minutes after he left the UN meeting James’ shuttle touched down in one of the landing zones outside Admiralty House in Whitehall London.

The old Admiralty building had lain unused during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. But with Britain’s first steps towards a permanent naval presence in space, the buildings had been reopened and refurbished. Now most of the structure was deep underground. The old seventeenth century surface building was just for show.

As James traveled down in the turbolift to his uncle’s groundside offices he hoped he was about to get his new orders to leave for Chester. He was already more than fed up with UN politics, the news reporters who had been hounding him and the constant images of Christine that were dominating the news.

When James stepped into his uncle’s office he was surprised to see that they wouldn’t be alone, there were two men standing with his uncle. “Ah, James,” his uncle said, “I think you have already met my two guests.”

As the two men turned to meet him James had to get a firm grip on his emotions. Prime Minister Fairfax he liked, or at least agreed with on most political issues. The King of the British Star Kingdom was another matter. During James’ relationship with his daughter, King Edward XI had done everything in his power to get rid of James.

To his surprise, King Edward was the first to speak. “Congratulations Captain, your recent accomplishments have done your country proud and greatly enhanced your reputation,” he said as he held out his hand.

James was completely taken aback, last time they had met the King had intentionally ignored him. Yet here he was singing his praises. James had to kick himself into action as silence descended on the room. Everyone was waiting for him to move, no one left the King waiting with his hand outstretched.

“Thank you your Highness,” James said as he took the King’s hand. “It is my pleasure to serve, it is my crew who deserve the real praise.”

“Indeed they do,” Prime Minister Fairfax said, jumping in, “and I’m sure all this publicity isn’t hurting your chances with the ladies either,” he added with a chuckle.

“I don’t know about that,” James said, “but it has certainly made getting any privacy all but impossible. I’m eager to get back to my ship.”

“All in good time my boy,” James’ uncle said, joining the conversation. “We have brought you here to pick your brains. Both the Prime Minister and the King have read your report in great detail. Still, they want to hear your account in your own words.”

“I understand Sir,” James replied, “where would you like me to begin?”

“Come and have a seat,” Admiral Somerville said to the group, “then we can begin.”

When everyone was sitting around Admiral Somerville’s desk James recounted his story. A number of times Fairfax and King Edward interjected with a question or two, especially when it came to the two alien races, but for the most part, the three older men let James speak freely.

When he was done James took the opportunity to offer his own opinion on the situation. “And so it would be my recommendation that we do everything we can to peacefully incorporate the Haven colony and the surrounding systems into our colonial empire. If we, or any of the other powers try to force them into something against their will, I believe it will quickly become a serious incident. We would have to provide an occupation force to police and garrison the planet. We all know that such endeavors almost never end in success.”

“What is your evaluation of the general populace then?” King Edward asked.

“They are fiercely independent and highly competent. To have accomplished all that they have in the last two hundred years has only been possible because each member of their society is fully committed to their ideal of a free and productive society. I think they have made amazing progress, in large part because they wanted to meet the Earth nations as equals. I fear that if we or any of the other powers were to turn that passion and ingenuity against us, actually controlling their population would prove impossible. Or at least so costly that it wouldn’t be worthwhile,” James answered earnestly.

“So you think the general population would take up arms against any attempts to control them? Fairfax asked, “hence your idea of a protectorate.”

“Yes,” James said, “if Councilwoman Rodriguez and the others can be convinced then I believe that we could convince the rest of the population. I don’t know all the ins and outs of interstellar politics but it seems like it would give everyone the best deal. The Havenites would get to keep their sovereignty largely intact, they would also have control over their closest systems; giving them plenty of room to expand. We, on the other hand, would have direct access to their systems with our military and exploration ships. If Haven became a protectorate it would open up an entirely new area of space for us to explore and expand into. Just as importantly, so far the only known way to Vestar and Kulthar is through the Haven system. We would therefore be able to control what will most likely become the most important trade route in the Human Sphere.”

“Well, you make a strong case,” Fairfax approvingly. “Now tell me, what do you think of this Council Woman Rodriguez? Can she lead the Haven people towards joining us?”

James took a moment to consider his answer; he didn’t want any of his feelings to cloud his reasoning. “She is a very competent woman,” he began. “And she is deeply concerned about the future of her people. Yet First Councilor Maximilian has a firm grip on the colony. The people look up to him as the heir of the founder of their colony. Even after we revealed his involvement in harboring Chang and the piracy of our freighters, he managed to hold onto power.

“I’m not saying she cannot convince the people of Haven to join us, however, it will be a very hard task. The population are deeply untrusting towards any Earth nation and Maximilian has been using that to keep himself in power.

“I believe Rodriguez would make a good and faithful alley, yet without some form of help I do not think she can carry the people away from Maximilian. At least, she won’t be able to convince them before it is too late. Maximilian is determined to keep Haven independent at all costs. Even if we were to ignore the colony and its strategic importance, Maximilian is going to get himself into trouble with one of the other major powers.”

“Thank you for your honesty,” King Edward said. “We will take everything you have said under consideration. You’ll be pleased to know that your uncle has largely agreed with your assessment. However, there will be a lot of work involved in just getting the Houses of Parliament to agree to any kind of intervention in Haven. We are still sorely over stretched after our war with the Chinese and our expansion into the Void.

“I will tell you this much, the Prime Minister and I are convinced we need to make a play for Haven. Just what that will look like yet we don’t know. We do plan to send an envoy to Haven as soon as possible. Our diplomat will be fully briefed on our desires and he will be actively assessing the possibility of offering protectorate status to Haven, among other possibilities. There is one thing I think we can all agree on however, we can’t let the Indians or anyone else get their hands on the colony and the shift passages to our new friends.”

“Agreed,” Admiral Somerville said. “I’m glad my nephew has been of some help to your thinking.”

“I am happy to have been of some service,” James said, pleased at his uncle’s praise. “I just hope we can sort things out peacefully.”

“Indeed,” Fairfax said, “I suspect that will not be up to us however.”

“No,” the King agreed, “but that is for you to worry about Admiral,” he added as he stood. “I would advise that you do everything you can to get the fleet back to full strength.”

Admiral Somerville sighed, “Isn’t that what you say to me every time we meet your Majesty?”

“It may well be,” Edward replied, “but that doesn’t make it bad advice. Now, I really must be going, I have three more meetings today.”

“Of course your Majesty, Prime Minister, I hope this meeting has been helpful,” Admiral Somerville replied.

“Yes,” Fairfax said, “it is always good to see the personality behind the report. Your thoughts will be taken on board Captain,” he added as he shook James’ and his uncle’s hands.

King Edward followed suit and the two men left Admiral Somerville’s offices.

“What has come over the King?” James asked his uncle as soon as the two other men left. “He hated me before.”

“Politics,” Admiral Somerville said, laughing. “When you were chasing his daughter you were a political obstacle to be overcome. Now you are one of his richest Dukes and an up and coming naval officer. King Edward can’t afford to keep you in his bad books.”

“I see,” James said. He didn’t tell his uncle but he was certain it would take a lot longer for his ill feelings towards the king to disappear. He still blamed the man for ruining James’ chance at love and a family, even if he knew why Christine had made the decisions she had.

“So, about
Endeavour
,” Admiral Somerville said as he reached into a drawer in his desk.

“Yes?” James said eagerly.

“I have your new orders,” Admiral Somerville replied coyly. “Are you ready to depart?”

“Certainly,” James said, “I think I have had enough of London for another few years.”

“Ha,” James’ uncle said, “I remember a young lad who loved wasting his time and fortune frolicking around London, throwing his money at any pretty girl who would look at him.”

“Yes,” James said contemplatively as he remembered his misspent youth. “That was a long time ago, a lot has happened since then.”

“It certainly has,” Admiral Somerville said thinking of his brother. “Your father’s actions were hard on us all. I still feel guilty that I didn’t notice any sign he was in trouble before things got so bad.”

“There is no blame to be laid at your door,” James said forcefully. “My father brought all his troubles on himself. I miss him in a way, and I pity him for how things turned out. But the only one to blame for his misfortune was himself. I’m just happy that Andrea has managed to turn the Dukedom’s fortunes around and compensate all those who lost their jobs and livelihoods because of him.”

“Yes,” Admiral Somerville said, “I don’t think you have realized it yet but your decision to pay out such generous compensatory packages and to hire back so many of those who lost their jobs has proven very popular among the masses. Your discovery of the Void and now Haven and these alien races is making you a household name.”

“Hardly,” James said dismissively, “it just made me a target for a bunch of annoying news reporters. The sooner I’m back on board
Endeavour
the better.”

“Yes, well, back to your orders then,” Admiral Somerville said as he handed James the data chip he had taken out of his desk drawer. “I’m sending you to Chester as we discussed. You can return to your ship and depart as soon as your crew return from leave. I have already assigned a number of new crew members to replace the losses you suffered.”

“That’s great,” James said excitedly. “I’ll get her fixed up and back to the Alpha system as soon as possible. I’m looking forward to Pemel’s arrival. It’s certainly going to cause a stir. He can be the one who has to deal with all the reporters when he arrives.”

“Yes, you would enjoy watching that,” Admiral Somerville said. “Well, that is all I wanted to say to you. I’ll see you in a couple of months Captain,” he added as he stood and shook James’ hand.

“Farewell uncle,” James said as he walked out of the office.