Chapter 27: Death Grip — Part 1

Baron Thomson explained the problems of the Triple Union in a relatively short time, discussing their lacking technology and manpower, and their wish to be left in peace. He even talked about their willingness to supply Vodia and Antans with troops and supplies in order to better help defend them from Grison’s forces. All such details lacked numbers, specifics, or relevance, as far as Jerem was concerned, but it was good for the man to voice his position as thoroughly as his untrained diplomacy would allow. Jerem knew that his Coalition would most probably not ally with the Triple Union without first visiting the Union’s planets and determining their ethics as a culture.

Jerem listened intently, stifling a yawn. “What does your culture have that would make us want to defend it? What makes it better than, say, this zone of Neutral Space, and why would you be better rulers of your peoples than Emperor Grison?”

Baron Thomson was taken aback, having expected a discussion of material transactions, not a sudden request for cultural analysis. “I don’t think I can answer that. We have individual Satraps that administer law on the local level, and culture varies from planet to planet. We have a strict code of governmental ethics, but I really don’t have much contact with or understanding of local level politics for all worlds.”

“So what you have is a multilevel Barony. I’m afraid we will have to send dignitaries into your Barony to determine if we could support an environment such as you have described. It is our nature to ensure that honor and duty are the foremost disciplines taught to those chosen to rule, and corruption is minimal or absent from the condition of entitlement.”

“To be honest with you, your culture is probably much freer than ours. We are at war, after all.” The Baron sounded a little insulted.

Jerem remained stoic. “We’re not condemning you or your culture. I’ve been sent here to ensure that you are what you say you are. We’ll need to research the situation to determine if you truly need, and are also worthy of our assistance.”

“I’ll warn you that once Grison has defeated us, your smaller Coalition will be next. I think we both know what the results of that — ”

Jerem held up a hand in request that the Baron hold his thoughts. This mildly annoyed Baron Thomson, who thought he was being silenced.

Seven battle cruisers are approaching us through twisted space. I just got a trace on them. They’ll be breaking space shortly.

We must have ruffled some feathers. Kris said, leaning forward.

Jerem turned to Baron Thomson. “I’m afraid we’ll have to continue diplomatic discussions later. We have company requiring our immediate attention.”

Seven mandalas of light brightened and dimmed in space, and seven ships materialized opposite the Baron’s shuttle. A general transmission was sent to both ships.

“Emperor Grison is declaring this a communications secure zone of the Grison Cynosure. We’re allowing the Diplomat of the Vodia Coalition to leave.”

Jerem flipped a transmission switch. “Sir, I don’t know who you are, but you’re interfering with negotiations being conducted in Vodian territory, please leave us alone or, should you demand such courtesy, you may enter peacefully the discussions.”

The General had come to destroy something, Kris could feel it in the very core of his being. He used the talk time to fine-tune his energy pulse deflectors and propulsion array, and then sent a focused pulse signal of text to Vodia and Antans, detailing the situation.

“You heard him General.” Baron Thomson said. “This is an open conference. But of course, if you don’t want us here, we’ll just pack our bags and go home.”

“I can’t have you leaving, Baron Thomson. An enemy as powerful as you, so far from home, is such sweet meat. Are you absolutely certain your fellow Barons weren’t trying to have you killed?” General Riley’s cruel disposition hid none of her contempt or pleasure at the Baron’s immediate discomfort.

Baron Thomson’s tone was almost too innocent. “That son of yours the one who walks with a limp . . . Is he still growing up under your brother’s stern gaze?”

General Riley looked away from Baron Thomson, capping her emotions. The insult, if that was what it was, was rather alien to Jerem, but he could tell Thomson had succeeded in hurting her with the jab. “The Vodian Coalition must understand that we see this as a threat to our national security. I don’t know why you’d get involved in a border dispute. After all, this isn’t your problem, is it, esteemed Diplomat Jerem? This is, as a matter of fact, a human conflict.” General Riley returned her attention to Baron Thomson, unaware, apparently, that she had just insulted the Coalition members. “It looks, Baron Thomson, like your tongue will finally know silence.”