Page 6 of Advance and Retreat
He didn’t notice Cassidy gaping at him from across the room.He tucked his com unit in its pouch on his belt.He muttered irritably to himself as he resumed the studies the call had interrupted.
Cassidy turned and stared where she’d seen the emperor standing seconds prior, where he couldn’t have possibly been.No one stood at her shoulder.
The baby kicked, and she winced.It must have been a symptom of baby brain, a partner to the forgetfulness she’d had the occasional taste of.She’d never heard of it producing hallucinations, though.She’d have to research it.
Not now.I have an All to eradicate.She went back to typing her notes and soon forgot the bizarre episode.
* * * *
Alpha Space Station
“Thank you, citizens of Earth, for your approval of the job I and the legislature have done thus far.Thank you for trusting us to continue to serve you, to continue the path of growth we’ve established, for the next two years.”
Stacy Nichols beamed a smile she didn’t truly feel to those watching as she ostensibly celebrated her election win as Earth II’s governor.As victories went, it was as hollow a triumph as she’d ever experienced.
Nonetheless, she had a speech to get through.“Thank you for recognizing the strides we’ve made to contain the virus sent as an attack by the Darks.You have my gratitude for all you’ve done to help turn the tide against it.My additional appreciation goes out to the chief of our security, Michael Adams, and his tireless team for enforcing the lockdown placed by my interim replacement, former Lieutenant Governor Ken Bryant.Their diligence has made the difference in infection and death rates steadily lessening on our brave little planet.With the new vaccine being fast tracked and showing great promise, we have every hope of soon returning to normal.
“Finally, I have a message for the All.Earth will not bow.It will not break.This is only the beginning of our latest chapter, the chapter in which we show no enemy can overcome humanity.”
Stacy wondered how many viewing her victory speech thought her hypocritical.After all, she wasn’t on Earth II itself, which had been on lockdown for a couple of weeks to contain the spread of the virus commonly referred to as Dark Death.She’d been stuck on Alpha Space Station, the Kalquorian outpost orbiting the planet she’d been given the vote to continue leading.
She very much wanted to be on Earth II, no matter the dangers.It felt wrong to be safe where Dark Death couldn’t reach her while so many of her fellow Earthers suffered and died.She understood intellectually her exile was necessary to keep her planet’s leadership intact and the government running no matter how dire the situation became...but her heart demanded she stand alongside her people in their most desperate hour.
For that reason, her moment of triumph was muted.Dignified.Used as an opportunity to reassure those on Earth of her recognition there was a great deal of work to do.She’d take little time to bask in the win.
She wouldn’t have anyway.Not when her younger sister Toni was among those stricken by Dark Death.Toni, whose side Stacy was desperate to fly to.Her sister had lain unresponsive in a hospital for the past two weeks while a host of medical personnel fought to drag her from the brink inch by inch.
It was Toni’s face in Stacy’s mind as she encouraged and commiserated with her constituents during the short speech.A face she’d watched and sobbed over from remote vid.Toni’s visage had grown skull-like and gray-toned from the ravages of the illness determined to snatch her from those who loved her.
At last, the speech was done.After the vid transmission ended, the team assembled to broadcast it erupted in applause.They consisted of a small party of Earthers, who’d passed the strict medical tests required to let the paltry few off the planet.Also in attendance were a couple of Kalquorians who resided on the station and had volunteered to assist her.They converged on the podium she stood behind, adorned by the seal of her office that depicted Earth II behind a banner readingVita Nova, Spes Nova.
New Life, New Hope.Stacy had fought to believe in her world’s motto for the past few weeks.
She accepted their congratulations with the same quiet appreciation she’d assumed at Bryant’s concession.In the wake of the election’s end, she experienced a twinge of guilt at the ruse she and her ostensible opponent and former lieutenant governor had engaged in to make sure she’d won.
Bryant had never had any intention of becoming Earth II’s governor.His politics were often in opposition to Stacy’s, but losing to her had been his goal long before she’d become aware of it.Appearing to be a proponent of “Earthtique” values, which adhered to the original Earth’s fanatical religion-based government, he’d been courted by those who didn’t scruple to stoop to violent attacks to get their way.While Ken Bryant’s views were of a more traditional and less alien-friendly bent, he had no use for another Earthtique dictatorship on their new home planet.He’d concocted a plan to remain in the Earthtiques’ good graces to spy on them while helping Stacy continue the new Earth’s progressive policies.
Thus, her maintaining governorship was a hollow victory.She and Ken agreed it was required if the views that had led to the destruction of their original home planet weren’t to gain traction once again.
Her aides began to disperse to get some much-needed rest after a hectic day of following election returns and keeping abreast of the latest happenings linked to the Darks, the hostile Galactic Council, and the virus.As they left, three Kalquorian men stepped forward.
“Congratulations, Governor,” Dramok Rihep smiled.His purple cat-pupiled eyes, typical of the Kalquorian race, couldn’t erase what Stacy thought of as his boy-next-door good looks.Skin shaded lighter brown than hers, his black hair tousled, his features had a sweet, open quality.His aura was ever peaceful, a result of his early studies when he’d considered becoming a priest of Kalquor’s Temple of Life.His interests had ultimately led him elsewhere, the end result making him the head of Alpha Station’s purchasing and requisition department.He was also in charge of getting the resources the young Earth II required to run smoothly.
“Your charm has won over the population.Now it’s time to rule with an iron fist.”Irreverent as always, Imdiko Etnil grinned.His features, leaner than his Dramok clanmate’s, were rarely to be seen minus an enthusiastic smile.His eyes gleamed the promise of misbehavior, and his antics delivered on that promise whenever possible.
“Earthers have had enough of iron-fisted rulers,” Stacy laughed softly as she accepted a hug.“It’s what I’m fighting against.”
Though you and Ken rigged the election?
She dismissed the nagging guilt.They’d been the only two real contenders, and Ken had been a far better choice than those the Earthtiques would have put forward.It had been his choice to throw the election to her prior to her becoming aware of his intentions.Besides, the General Assembly had been elected fairly, and they could veto her easier than she could veto them.Balance was maintained, as was Earth’s path to the bright future it deserved.She vowed the next race for the governorship would be fair, win or lose.
Nobek Kuran was the last to approach.Her strong-featured, handsome lover was bigger than his clanmates, a muscled fighter whose strength was matched by intelligence.His warrior ferocity was tempered by a slight smile.
She was surprised he didn’t offer to hug her.Instead, he handed her his activated com.“Someone else wants to congratulate you, Madam Governor.”
“Sure.”She figured it was her mother, who lived on the planet Haven.“Hello?”
A weak voice, definitely not her mother’s, issued from the device.“Where’s my complementary champagne, Governor Nichols?I want to toast my big sister’s win.”
