13 Heartless Words #2
“My dear boy, somebody has to do it. Imagine the catastrophe if the Empire ransacked our depot planets or caused unrest on unguarded moons. I would have thought a logistics corps officer like yourself would appreciate the necessity of a well-guarded supply system,” Sir Murat said, looking comfortably self-satisfied in the face of my accusations.
“That’s all well and good, but somebody has to fight and die to defeat the enemy. The Federation has plenty of soldiers, yet none of them are doing it,” I said, my voice cold.
Sir Murat smiled, and I either saw or imagined a slight predatory gleam in his eyes. “That’s what you Commonwealthers are for.”
I stood before the man could say another disgusting word. “All this talk of war has spoiled my appetite. Princess Marie, could I interest you in a dance?”
Princess Marie looked at me with round, worried eyes, but she placed her gloved hand delicately in mine. “Of course.”
I helped Marie rise gracefully to her feet, then gave Sir Murat the slightest bow. “If you’ll excuse us.” The Federation magnate waved at my impolite exit, and we left. I did not bid Von Potiorek so much as a goodbye.
Marie and I silently danced for several stanzas, quietly turning about each other while the music played. I tried to relax, but found myself infuriated by the conduct of my so-called allies.
“My apologies, Princess. I should not have gone off the handle like that.”
Princess Marie accepted my apology with a small tilt of her head. “I’m afraid I don’t understand military matters, so I’m uncertain what upset you so.”
I jerked my head back at the table where we’d been sitting.
“They represent what’s crippled the Allied war effort this last decade.
I’ve seen too many Urgan soldiers die because their commanders are so damned bloodthirsty, demanding pointless suicide attacks no matter how impossible success seems. And the Federation won’t bother to fight unless their territory is directly threatened. ”
Princess Marie frowned in thought. “I thought Noble Federation space was separated from the Empire by the breadth of the Commonwealth and Despotate.”
“Precisely,” I spat bitterly. “Bastards wouldn’t have even joined the war if the Empire hadn’t completely routed the Despotate.
The Federation would have been happy to sit things out, selling us lancers, shuttles, food, and zeroblades until we fell, but the Empire invaded, forcing them to join the war.
Even now they keep their direct participation on battlefield worlds to a minimum.
Their soldiers are little better than militarized policemen, capable of putting down unshielded civilians, but unwilling to stand up to armed warriors. ”
“Why did the Empire invade them if they weren’t in the war to begin with?” Princess Marie asked.
“The Empire was trying to cut the supply lines between Federation factory worlds and the Allied armies. Starve us out, deny us equipment for our troops,” I began to explain, but before I could say anything further, there was a clash of glass followed by a repetitive clanging.
The music stopped, and I turned to see Von Potiorek standing on the stage with the musicians, banging two silver trays together.
He’d flung the glasses from them, and broken shards glittered in a pool of spilt liquor before him.
“Ladies, Gentlemen, and the rest of you, please raise a glass to the hospitality of our host, the so-called Emperor Astrid,” Von Potiorek began, and my heart froze. This could not possibly end well.
I excused myself from the princess and sought out my Commonwealth compatriots. I found Prince Aureli, and by the time I got to him, Boleslaw had arrived as well.
“What do you think?” I asked.
“He’d better stick to the plan,” Prince Aureli muttered under his breath.
“What plan?” Princess Marie asked. I hadn’t noticed her following me.
“The one we discussed yesterday, Princess. Full territorial reparations. A stronger League establishment. Peace without victory,” Prince Aureli replied.
“Does he know of this plan?” Princess Marie asked. I looked at the prince, who looked at Boleslaw, who grimaced.
“None of the lords commander were happy about it, but they all agreed to it.” Boleslaw’s voice was full of reservations.
“Oh, Fall.” The princess grabbed a glass of pink champagne off a nearby hordling’s tray and downed it with a gusto I’d not yet seen from her. I decided to follow suit.
The lord commander paused for an applause which was not forthcoming.
Obviously annoyed, he plunged on regardless.
“We all appreciate being invited to the famous Crystal Palace, to enjoy its galaxy-class accommodations, beaches, mountains, and hot springs. But I can no longer ignore the grievous slight which has been inflicted upon my nation, by you, Emperor.”
“Is he drunk?” asked a Commonwealth general behind me.
“He’d better be,” Boleslaw replied.
The Emperor sat calmly on her throne, staring dispassionately at the Urgan officer, her elbow on an armrest and her chin resting upon her fist. “Please, Lord Commander, do tell me how you feel you’ve been insulted,” she said with lazy interest.
“Over the last two days, you’ve invited many people to meet privately with you.
Federation heirs, dukes of the League, even a lowly Commonwealth army captain,” Von Potiorek said, glaring at me.
I grabbed another two glasses and handed one to the princess.
“But despite having ample opportunity, you have not invited any of the Despotess’s representatives to treat with you in your chambers. ”
The Emperor grinned with mild amusement. “I’m sorry you’re upset at not yet sharing tea and cakes with me, but this is my celebration, and I’ll enjoy it any way I like.”
“Don’t be coy with me. This is not a twelve-year jubilee of your reign.
This is a treaty negotiation. I don’t know what’s happening on the other side of your Empire, but whatever it is, you can’t afford to fight us any longer.
You must have peace. So let me tell you, weakened Emperor, here is what you must do if you wish us to show you any mercy. ”
Von Potiorek didn’t see it, but I saw how the Emperor’s smile turned merciless, how her eyes went from an amused sparkle to an infuriated flame.
“First of all, you must return all territory taken from us,” Von Potiorek began.
“So far so good,” General Hedwig mumbled, but I stayed silent, knowing he wasn’t finished.
“Then you must forsake your satrapies in the League. Their governments shall be dissolved, and their territory added to the Urgan Despotate’s dominions.”
“Oh, shit,” I breathed. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Archduke Darius leap up from his seat, but he was restrained by Selnikov’s claw on his shoulder and Lady d’Lyre’s hand on his chest.
“You will sacrifice your border systems to form a new buffer state between your Empire and the League. This state shall be ruled as a client nation of the Urgan Despotate to prevent your threatening us ever again.”
“He can’t be serious,” Princess Marie whispered.