Reality Zero

Chapter 18

  ‘What the hell just happened, General? That bloody Admiral accused us of plotting war. Get Gott. NOW!’ demanded the furious President, turning to General Copson.

  Ten minutes later, a red-faced General Gott entered the room. The President was clearly in no mood for platitudes.

  ‘General. I have just had a conversation with an Admiral Scorah from an alternate reality. He claims to have captured a number of ships from bases on a number of versions of one of the outer planets. Certainly, from the images taken by our fighters who attempted to intercept them, they look like ours and carry our markings. He claims that we and by that, I mean you specifically, have been building bases and equipping them in preparation for attacking the system in these alternate realities. Explain.’ demanded the President.

  ‘Madam President, this Admiral is clearly lying. I have no knowledge of such matters.’

  ‘What? Do you seriously expect me to believe that? Those ships were OURS. I didn’t even know we had that many. I think someone would have noticed the theft had they been taken from any of our bases, don’t you? Try again, General!’

  The General looked decidedly uncomfortable. ‘Hum, your Excellence, we built them in case we were ever at risk from the peoples in these alternate versions. We were planning ahead.’

  ‘Why didn’t you tell me that the first time? I don’t recall ever sanctioning such a significant amount of expenditure. I don’t know how much a base would cost but I would assume that they are expensive. This is without even considering the cost of the hardware he claims they have found in them. On whose authority was this approved?’

  ‘Mine’ muttered the General, bowing his head slightly.

  ‘So, you committed us to a significant amount of expenditure such as this, without so much as mentioning it to me. You DO recall that I am the President and have the ultimate approval over significant budget commitments?’

  ‘Yes, your Eminence.’

  ‘Exactly what risks did these other realities pose? Did they have the ability to even get to their version of that planet, never mind get to this reality? Are these alternate realities even populated? I think your explanation is, at best, seriously flawed, General’ replied the President, turning towards her desk.

  As soon as she couldn’t see him, the General pulled a gun from its holster, pointing it at the President’s head ‘Madam President. Most of the realities posed no risk whatsoever, and some are even unpopulated. However, they did allow me the opportunity to prepare my forces in readiness for ruling THIS system.’

  The President spun around. ‘The truth at last, General. I must confess that you have been even more devious and adventurous than I imagined you capable of.’

  ‘Despite that Admiral taking my ships, I have enough troops behind me to depose you and your corrupt government and impose my will upon the people’ replied the General, getting closer to the President and staring down into her face. The President didn’t move away.

  ‘No appeal to their hearts and minds then, General? How do you think that will go down, exactly?’

  ‘I intend to be a benevolent dictator, allowing a degree of free will and free speech.’

  ‘Very few have managed to get the balance right over the millennia, General. Most have come to an unpleasant and rather bloody end. I wish you well. And what do you want of me?’

  ‘You will announce my takeover to the people. After that, I may let you live.’

  ‘I very much doubt it, General. More importantly for you is how long do you think you will live after you become the supreme overlord or whatever fancy title you will be giving yourself?’

  ‘I will simply be known as the ….’

  The General fell to the floor, stunned. Throughout the heated exchange, guards had quietly entered the room behind him. In his angry argument with the President, he hadn’t noticed their entry. General Copson, appearing to watch the spectacle, waiting for a moment when he could do something without jeopardising either the President or himself, had simply nodded in their direction.

  ‘Thank you, everyone. Take this person away. I want to know who his supporters are, General Copson. ALL of them. I want you to utilise every technique we have available to us. After that, I think we shall be saying goodbye to our former military leader, permanently. We need to set an example to anyone else who thinks they can attempt to remove a President and ignore the will of the people.’ General Gott simply stared up at the President, drooling slightly, unable to move, although the hatred and anger were still clearly visible in his face.