Chapter 8
Special Session
Lorin sat at her desk, worrying about Red and the other pilots on the mission to attack the spaceport on Clarion. She knew it was a very risky raid and, if they were detected before they reached the base, they’d likely all be killed. She wondered if she’d been hasty in making the decision to attack the base. There hadn’t been time to consult with Central Command. She’d sidestepped them by going directly through General Zitor and Captain Levitur. If the raid were unsuccessful, she’d take a lot of heat for breaking protocol.
Her GC beeped. She picked it up quickly. “Yes.”
“Chancellor, this is General Zitor.”
“I hope you have good news!”
“Yes. Red and his men just landed. They inflicted moderate damage to the base. Just one casualty.”
Lorin breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God and Sandee. I feared it would be much worse.”
“Yes. I’d like to be a tug bug on Admiral Vin Lugart’s wall right now,” General Zitor laughed. “He must be furious.”
“Yes, I’d hate to be one of his staff members,” she chuckled. “So, are the shuttles ready to go?”
“Just about. They’re loading the last few fighters aboard as we speak.”
“Excellent, General. I want to thank you for your quick response to this crisis. Tell Red I’ll be forever in his debt.”
“I will, but I think he was thrilled with the assignment. He’s been a little bored since the war ended.”
“Yeah, well, wait until he’s six months into a trip to Earth. Talk about boredom.”
“True, but the anticipation of battle will get him through it. Anyway, he’ll need all the time he can get to prepare for the next battle with the Fleet.”
“Yes, that reminds me. When the rescue ship returns from Clarion there will be a man on it, Rossi Sincini. He served on an Earth shuttle several cycles back. He’s an engineer who works for the manufacturer of the FTL drives, and he’s been supervising the building of the drives for the Intergalactic Fleet. We must have him on one of the shuttles. He’ll know if there are any vulnerabilities in the Fleet that we can exploit. Also, he can make sure we get to Earth as fast as possible. Rossi’s expertise could be the difference between success and failure of the mission.”
“Then I’ll make sure he’s on board before the last shuttle leaves.”
“Will the shuttles be able to communicate in flight?”
“Yes, if they don’t get too far apart. ES 26 may be on its own since it’s already left, though. We won’t know until we get out in space.”
“I hope they can communicate with it,” Lorin said worriedly. “They need to be able to coordinate their planning.”
“I hope so, too. Unfortunately, once they leave it will be out of our hands. We’ll lose communications within fifteen to twenty days.”
“Really? I wish there was a way to stay in contact. It’s going to be so difficult not knowing what’s happening.”
“Indeed.”
“I’ll let you go, General. I know you’ve got much to do. Let me know when the shuttles are ready to leave.”
“Yes, Madam Chancellor. I’ll do that.”
Lorin’s stomach turned as she flipped off the GC. She hated being in the dark, particularly about something so important. As she was lamenting the situation, Cora stepped in and advised her that Councilor Shilline had arrived for their meeting. She grimaced, knowing he’d have more bad news. She thought of her father and realized she’d never fully appreciated what he went through each day. It was one thing being an advisor and something quite different to be the one who had to make the ultimate decisions. She smiled as her father’s old friend stepped into her office. They embraced.
“So, how much trouble am I in?” Lorin asked.
Councilor Shilline swallowed hard. “Well, the Executive Committee was glad you informed them of the current crisis; however, they would have preferred a more active role in the decision making.”
Lorin nodded. “Well, that would have taken time. Precious time we didn’t have.”
“Yes, I explained that to them, but many of the members were upset to learn Commander Lanzia was on his way to Earth—particularly those in the old Mammett coalition. They might even seize the opportunity to try to regain control over the General Assembly.”
Lorin thought back to her election loss to then-Senator Mammett after her father had been assassinated. Mammett supporters controlled the General Assembly up until Mammett’s death during the TGA attack on Shini. But the coalition fell apart quickly in the panic following that devastating attack, and the General Assembly turned to her to take over as head of state. Needless to say, there was much residual bitterness among the Mammett supporters.
Lorin smiled. “I can imagine. . . . So, what are they going to do?”
“They are calling a special session of the General Assembly beginning tomorrow to consider these new developments and to determine a proper course of action,” Councilor Shilline replied.
“But that’s not necessary. The regular session isn’t that far away. Nothing is going to happen before then. A special session is a waste of time.”
“Well, the special session is to consider the propriety of your actions, not ordinary business. They want to force you to come to them and explain yourself.”
“Such childishness. I sent you to them to explain everything. I can’t believe this. I don’t have time for a major distraction like this.”
“I know, but you’ll have to indulge them,” Shilline warned. “The Supreme Mandate requires you to confer with them, if requested.”
Lorin sighed thoughtfully, then smiled wryly. “Okay, fine. I’m glad they called a special session, actually. Tell them I’m anxious to meet with them. In fact, tell them I’d like to address the full assembly to kick off the session. I have that right under the rules, don’t I?”
Councilor Shilline narrowed his eyes. “Yes, you have that right as chancellor under the rules.”
“Good.”
“So, what will you to say to them?”
“I don’t have it all worked out yet, but I intend to hijack their special session.”
Shilline laughed. “I can’t wait to see this.”
After Councilor Shilline left, Lorin told Cora to try to contact Commander General Lanzia. Then she set up a teleconference with Admiral Bovin, Ruffe Marcuzzi, and Threebeard.
They worked through the night to prepare Lorin for the next morning’s special session. While they were working Cora advised her that she’d made contact with Commander General Lanzia and he was waiting to talk to her. She got up and went to the conference room where she saw Leek’s image on the big screen.
“Commander. How are you?”
“Fine, Chancellor. I can’t believe we can talk like this so far out in space.”
“Well, we’ll be able to for ten to fifteen days, and then we’ll lose you,” she explained.
“Right. What’s up?”
“I’m taking a lot of heat from the Executive Committee of the General Assembly for authorizing this mission and letting you lead it. Everyone is afraid we can’t manage without the Liberator.”
“That’s silly. I’m just one man. You’ve done far more than I have to bring about this victory.”
“That’s not how many see it, I’m afraid.”
“Well, what can I do?”
“I’ve got an idea. They’ve called a special session of the General Assembly to discuss the Intergalactic Fleet’s violation of the peace treaty and our mission to warn Earth of the Fleet’s intentions. My advisors tell me the old Mammett faction is behind it, and what they really want to do is weaken my position and maybe force a no-confidence vote.”
“I see.”
“So, if you could say a few words on my behalf and explain how important it is to stop the Fleet, I could play that to them during my address to the General Assembly.”
“You’re going to address the General Assem
bly when they’re plotting against you?”
“Yes, I’m not afraid of them. I’m going to try to shove their little special session down their throats.”
“Good for you. When do you need it?”
“Right away, I’m afraid. There’s only a few hours before the session begins.”
“ Give me ten loons and I’ll have something to broadcast.”
“That would be wonderful. Thank you.”
Lorin went back to the conference room feeling much relieved that she’d been able to contact Leek and get his help. She continued to work on her speech until she finally felt confident enough to go to bed. To be sure she was alert during the session, just before dawn, Lorin had her doctor put her into deep slumber for a kyloon, which was the equivalent of getting five kyloons of ordinary sleep. She didn’t do this often as the drugs involved were highly addictive, but occasionally she felt it necessary. As intended, she awoke feeling energetic and alert.
On the way to the assembly hall she went over her speech with Marcuzzi and discussed strategy. Threebeard and Admiral Bovin met her motorcade outside the assembly hall and escorted her inside where Senator Meln Drul, Chairman of the Executive Committee, met her and invited her to join him in the executive lounge for sankee.
“Thank you for your cooperation regarding this special session. I know it was on short notice,” Drul said.
“No. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to address the General Assembly,” Lorin replied.
“Yes, well there’s really no need for that. I know you’re quite busy. We just wanted you to meet with the Executive Committee to discuss recent events. We’ll have you out of here in no time.”
“Well, I’ll be happy to do that once I’ve completed my address. Whatever it is you wanted to discuss with me must be very important to call a special session. So, I’m at your disposal. I’ll stay as long as you need me.”
Drul shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Well, that’s very kind of you.”
An aide walked over and whispered something in Senator Drul’s ear. He nodded and stood up. “It seems the General Assembly is ready for you, Madam Chancellor.”
Lorin followed the aide to the entrance to the assembly hall’s stage. The Chairman was standing at the podium speaking to the crowd. When he saw Lorin, he concluded his remarks and said, “And now I would like to present the Chancellor.”
Lorin walked to the podium and looked over the crowd. Every seat was taken, and people were standing along the side and rear walls. The balcony was packed with visitors and the press.
“Senators, ladies and gentlemen,” Lorin began. “The calling of this special session of the General Assembly is a very fortuitous event, for there is a new threat to Tarizon that must be addressed immediately.
“As you know, the officers in control of the Intergalactic Fleet have refused to surrender the Fleet to us, as they are obligated to do under the Treaty of Shisk. In fact, just prior to breaking off negotiations a few days ago, they warned that one day they would return to Tarizon with a force strong enough to retake control of the government.”
The crowd broke out in excited conversation. Lorin paused a moment. When she continued, the auditorium fell silent.
“They also warned that if they couldn’t take Tarizon by force they’d destroy the planet with a bomb!”
Screams of anguish came bellowing from the crowd. Senator Drul looked stunned. Lorin paused again until the noise abated.
“Now I don’t know if this was idle talk or a real threat. But I do know Evohn Cystrom will want revenge for his father’s death. So, if he has any influence over his fellow officers, then we can expect to see the Intergalactic Fleet again.
“In fact, it is reported that Evohn Cystrom led the mission that resulted in the extraction of Chancellor Garcia’s assassin, Rupra Bruda, from our very grasp.”
The crowd murmured.
“We all know that Rupra Bruda and Videl Lai were like brothers, and you can bet he’d like nothing better than to get revenge for Videl’s death. So, if Rupra Bruda, the Tahma of the Purist movement, has sufficient influence over the officers of the Intergalactic Fleet, they will return to Tarizon, and they will exact revenge.
“Some will argue that the Fleet is not a danger to Tarizon, and I sincerely hope that is true. But can we afford to ignore a threat of this magnitude? What will the consequences be if we are wrong?
“Because I am not a prophet or soothsayer, I have conferred with Defense Minister Threebeard, Admiral Bovin, and Commander General Leek Lanzia on this matter. They advised me that the Fleet’s likely destination is Earth and that their intentions there will be hostile.”
The crowd stirred once more but quieted as Lorin continued.
“If the Purists are successful on Earth you can bet they will be building a bigger and stronger fleet for a return visit to Tarizon. In light of that likelihood I am sending three Earth shuttles to Earth to warn the governments there and to assist them in defending their planet. Commander Leek Lanzia volunteered to lead this mission and he is aboard ES 26 as we speak.”
A murmur came from the crowd but Lorin didn’t let it stop her. “I know it is unsettling to think that our beloved Liberator is gone, but he felt he must do what he could to thwart the attack on his beloved home planet, Earth. Last night, however, he taped this message for all of you. Please watch the central monitor.”
Leek’s image flashed up on the screen. He immediately began speaking. “Senators and citizens of Tarizon. I greet you from deep space. I know it may be a shock to you to find out that I have left Tarizon. It is a shock to me as well, but circumstances left me no choice but to return to Earth to help my people defend themselves from the evil Purists who have escaped with the Intergalactic Fleet.
“Even with the threat to Earth, I wouldn’t have left Tarizon had I not had complete faith and trust in your Chancellor, Lorin Boskie. She deserves much more of the credit for the restoration of law, civil rights, and justice on Tarizon than I do. Don’t ever forget that.
“The mission upon which we have embarked is not just about Earth, but also about Tarizon’s best interest. To serve that interest, we must destroy all those who would spread slavery, tyranny, and genocide throughout the universe. If we are successful, neither Tarizon nor any other world will ever have to defend itself again from the Purist cancer.
“To be realistic, though, our chances of stopping the Fleet are slim. The Intergalactic Fleet is far superior to our ragtag armada. Only by the grace of God and Sandee will we be able to succeed. So, please pray for us, for if we fail, the Fleet could very easily be back on your doorstep. When? I don’t know, but I’d expect it to happen within five to seven cycles.
“I don’t know if I’ll be coming back to Tarizon, but if I don’t, I just wanted to say that I’ve enjoyed my time here immeasurably and I am glad that I was able to help the people of Tarizon restore freedom and justice under the Supreme Mandate.
“May God and Sandee be with you!”
The screen went blank and delegates began to clap. Some yelled, “God bless the Liberator!” The applause got louder and turned into a standing ovation. Lorin joined in the applause and smiled at the crowd of delegates. Eventually she raised her hands and quieted the crowd.
“It is my deepest hope that someday we will see Leek Lanzia back on Tarizon,” she said, “but whether we do or not, we owe it to him and to ourselves to protect the freedom, civil rights, and justice guaranteed under the Supreme Mandate. Millions of men and women have died to defeat the Purists. We must be sure they never rule Tarizon again, and we must do whatever it takes to prevent them from destroying our beloved planet.
“So, what I would propose you do at this special session is authorize the immediate reconstruction of the spaceport and manufacturing facilities on Clarion, so that a new, superior fleet of attack cruisers can be built to defend our planet from the Purists should they ever return.”
The crowd stirred. Conversations broke out bet
ween individual senators. Then someone started clapping. Soon Lorin was receiving a strong round of applause. She continued. “I know this will be expensive, and our resources are already stretched thin due to the war, but it’s imperative that we not leave ourselves vulnerable to an attack from space.
“Defense Minister Threebeard and Admiral Bovin will be available during the special session to present our plans in more detail and answer your questions. In the meantime, I will leave you to your business and, of course, I will also be available to the Executive Committee to answer any questions they may have. May God and Sandee be with you!”
The crowd gave Lorin a standing ovation as she left the podium. Councilor Shilline winked at her as she walked by. When Lorin met Senator Drul back stage he was in a somber mood. Later, when she met with the Executive Committee, there were no complaints or criticism, only questions about the new fleet of fighters and attack cruisers and the daunting task of reconstruction.
Two days later General Zitor called and advised Lorin that the Intergalactic Fleet had left Clarion and that one of the shuttles had taken off about the same time. He told her the other shuttle would be ready in a day or two.
“Have they rescued Rossi Sincini yet?” she asked.
“No. Red and Tam are leading a rescue party as we speak.”
“Good. They’ve got to find him.”
“I’m sure they will.”
“Do you think the shuttles have everything they’re going to need?” she asked worriedly. “We’ve had so little time to get them stocked. If we’ve forgotten anything, I’ll die.”
“Don’t worry. The shuttle commanders have long checklists and procedures to avoid any problems like that. We’ve packed them to the hilt with equipment and supplies. In fact, if you thought of something else to send with them, I doubt we could fit it in the cargo holds.”
“Well then, we’ll just have to pray for them.”
“Yes, Madam Chancellor.”
Lorin set the GC down, put her face in her hands and breathed deeply. Her muscles were tight. Pain jetted out from her neck to her shoulders, and her heart fluttered erratically. She wondered if she was going to have a heart attack. Finally, she began to relax. She thought of Peter Turner when he first arrived onto Tarizon, confused and disoriented from his abduction. She had treated him very badly, but he’d never shown any anger or resentment against her. They’d grown close during the war and had almost become lovers when they both believed their mates had died.
She sat up and wiped a tear from her eye, recalling again the deaths of both her father and mate. And now, with Leek’s departure for Earth, the only three men she’d ever loved were gone.
She wondered if she’d done the right thing in sending the shuttles to Earth and frightening the General Assembly into funding expensive new attack cruisers. Was she just being paranoid and jeopardizing Tarizon’s reconstruction because of her exaggerated fears? Not for the first time, she wished her father were here to give her guidance. She missed his wisdom and strength.