Chapter FORTY-FIVE
Camari's impassive gaze roamed the faces of theSolar System's leaders at the conference table. Thediscussions had quickly degenerated into an openclash of wills between Camari and Narval. The otherINOR Chiefs of State sat back to enjoy the contest,posing occasional questions to Camari or Narval,or to both. All knew they were in a waiting game.
Camari went along, drawing Narval out. Each waseager for a message from the Planet Pluto SpecialZone that would present a new reality and thedefining course for the conference.
Narval realized that he was being goaded by hisINOR allies to exacerbate the confrontation betweenthe Regions. Noting the time, he decided to dropthe first bombshell.
"We have been called together to prepare a coursefor the future," he rumbled, looking about withscorn. "Yet we of INOR sit here and quibble amongourselves, lacking a unified will to confront theUIPS directly and compel them to respect ourdemands. The circumstances of the times call forthe raw strength of an iron fist, not for a pressof beggars with outstretched, pleading palms."
"I take exception," President Straber of Titanleaned forward and waggled his finger at Narval."We are a confederation of nation-states. Are yousuggesting that we abdicate our sovereignty to asingle authority? If we were to do that we face thesame chaos that preceded the separation of theRegions. We of Titan would find that intolerable."
Narval seized the moment to pave the way forthe supreme power he felt would soon be his.The message from Drummer would surely comewithin minutes.
"The old United Planetary System from which webroke away," he countered, "was based on so-calleddemocratic principles and due process. The UnitedPlanetary System fell apart. The fragmented,international order that replaced it, thisgrotesque arrangement of nation-states, is equallyineffective and therefore obsolete. Our systemof authority and governance must be raised abovethe antiquated, interminable rules of the desperatebickering we now witness here at play among us.I will personally impose such changes."
"Through tyranny?" Camari's words were dry as thedesert winds of Mars.
Narval's eyes narrowed to slits of hatred as he glaredat Camari. Damn, where was Drummer's message?
Camari continued in the same tone, confrontingNarval directly, "I voice the profound hopes of thepeoples of our diverse cultures, and yet, of ourcommon species, that your threat is nothing butidle chatter."
He turned his head to right and left, taking in theothers at the table.
"What say you, leaders of INOR, to this threat froma criminal let loose among us from Callisto? Willyou yield to Narval your constitutional rights andauthority so that he personally assumes the powerto dictate to your nation and to your people?
"I, for one, reject his proposal with contempt anddeclare, here and now, that the UIPS will fight tothe death any attempt by Narval to impose his willon the United Inner Planetary System or, for thatmatter, on any nation in the Solar System."
Around the table, and in the seats beyond, ashocked silence fell. They were indeed cynical andself-seeking politicians, and devious ploys weretheir stock in trade for getting and holding power.Narval's past was well known to them all. His wordswere a direct challenge to their positions, theirregimes, and their lives. Faces clouded, theyappeared overcome by the realization that Narval'scapture of the Terminals was merely one part of afar greater conspiracy to destroy their sovereignty.
Advisors leaned forward to whisper to theirMasters. Suspicious glances were cast at Narvalwho responded with a look of mocking amusement.
"This is all without significance," he thought, "bynow INOR military forces are committed to me."
Camari sat quietly, letting it all happen. The dicehad been cast elsewhere.
##
Ram entered and strode swiftly around theconference table toward Camari. Something in theway Ram's elongated frame stooped and flexedas he walked created an impression of suppressedexcitement. Camari tensed with apprehension. Ramcaught Camari's eye as the UIPS leader leaned backin his chair.
Ram bent and whispered into Camari's ear. Hisurgent manner and Camari's close attention stirredthe conferees. Several at the table and in theseats beyond glanced at each other, eyebrowsraised; others eyed Narval. This was to have beenhis show.
Narval sat motionless, eyes hooded, his normallyruddy face visibly graying.
Camari held up his hand for attention. It was anunnecessary gesture; all eyes had been on him andRam from the moment Ram entered.
"I understand an unusual spunnel communication hasarrived from the Planet Pluto Special Zone." Camariannounced. "It is addressed to all Heads of Stateattending this convocation. The message calls foran audio-visual presentation in the view tank. Anyobjections?"
Without waiting for a response, he nodded over hisshoulder. Ram murmured into the tiny transmitterin his hand.
The view tank, centered above the conferencetable, lost its soft neutral glow, blinked, and thePlanet Pluto sector appeared. The tank displayedthe debris of a space battle: ruptured ships,unrecognizable masses and fragments, and bloatedhuman bodies. In the background were the SlingshotTerminals, intact.
From around the table came sounds of breathdrawn sharply, gasps and muttered curses.
The view narrowed and zoomed in on a broad sheetof drifting metal. It bore the emblem of the JovianCombined Strike Team. Large letters emblazonedabove the emblem spelled out the partial word"Windst..."
All eyes in the room were spellbound, fixed on thetank. All, except for President Pazzim of Callisto.At the sight of a drifting scrap that had once beenthe pride of his fleet, he groaned loudly, hunchedhis shoulders and lowered his head. He did not lookup again.
The hull of a battle cruiser formed along thetank's outer edge and tumbled slowly end over endtoward center. Bow collapsed, the ship drifted intoand out of view. Experts from the back seats leanedforward and whispered. The lifeless hulk had beenthe Plutonian Battle Cruiser Dragon.
Camari shifted his eyes to Narval, half up fromhis seat, face putty-white, lips quivering, eyestransfixed on the view tank. Tearing his eyesaway, he pointed at Camari and screeched.
"It's a trap." His voice trembled in panic andbecame a wail. "This is another stratagemconcocted by Camari to frighten us."
He gestured wildly and his mouth dribbled. "I knowyour ways, Camari. You're trying to divide and pitus against each other so that you can move in andtake over. It won't work. Since you cannot shakeour unity and resolve with empty appeals forSlingshot, you now invent battles that never tookplace. They just couldn't have happened. We'reon to you. You're a fraud and a cheat. I move thisconvocation be terminated immediately. I, for one,have no intention to remain and be subjected tofurther lies."
Even as Narval squealed and pounded the table, thescene in the tank faded into a broader view of aphalanx of disabled warships, several bow-to-stern,and others in a disorganized cluster. Again, thesecure Terminals were the backdrop.
The scene cut to the command deck of a warship.A face, contorted in anger and despair, appearedand addressed them.
"I am Captain Klars Abou, Commander of theSaturnian Combined Strike Team, now actingas Commander of the INOR Combined Fleet, orwhat's left of it. I make this statement of my ownfree will. The original mission given to me by myPresident was to join with other military forcesof INOR to take and hold the Slingshot Terminalshostage as insurance for an outcome in negotiationsthat would be favorable to INOR.
"The mission to take the Terminals has failed. Wewere attacked and defeated by the military forcesof the United Inner Planetary System. We werebetrayed by the Plutonians. The Commander ofthe UIPS Military Space Force has ordered all ourwarships, except those of Planet Pluto, to returnto their home stations. The INOR military forces,at the outset, had neither strategic nor tacticalplans for the confrontation that we haveexperienced. Our forces are in utter disarray; wehave no choice but to comply with the orders of theUIPS Fleet Commander. I have therefore directedthe dissolution of the INOR Combined Fleet andordered the vessels to return home.
The UIPS fleetcommander has granted us leave to use the spunnelsystem for this purpose."
Captain Abou's features faded. An ominous quietdescended on the conference room. Narval, strickenand silent, remained half-standing, looking fromthe tank to Camari, and at the faces of hisco-conspirators. Camari returned Narval's gapeimpassively.
There was more. Drummer's features replacedthose of Captain Abou. His features were sternand his head shook slightly with tension and anger.However, his voice was grave and measured in tone,deep and vibrant.
"Leaders of Solar Governments. To those who donot recognize me, I am Deke Drummer, formerlyan advisor to Reen Narval and, also formerly theCommander of the INOR Combined Fleet. I confirmCaptain Abou's words. The mission against Slingshotfailed. The reasons are many, but failure is thefact. You now have the task, at your convocation,to seek solutions to our common problems throughother means.
"All military forces and government administratorsof Planet Pluto are under my command. I proclaimthe Government of Reen Narval is fallen. I haveestablished myself as Regent over Planet Plutountil a lawful President is chosen by the will ofour people. I hereby declare Reen Narval personanon grata on Planet Pluto, and have instructed mywarships to attack and destroy his vessel shouldhe enter Plutonian jurisdiction. I remind you all thatNarval came to Planet Pluto as a criminal outcastfrom Callisto. I suggest to the President ofCallisto that he take custody of Narval and dealwith him on the basis of the crimes he committedwithin Callistonian jurisdictions.
"To President Camari, I herewith declare thatthe original understandings on cooperation andcollaboration with the Government of PlanetPluto until Slingshot is launched remain ineffect. Planet Pluto is an independent nation,nevertheless, I request that, in this singularsituation, that you personally represent ourinterests at the Conference. I look forward to anearly exchange of Ambassadors and consultationsto review our mutual interests and objectives.I have in mind three people whom I hope you willconsider for high position in your representationto my Government. I shall communicate with youseparately on that matter."