“Their shortsightedness resulted in resistance. The Mercenary Coalition, the Coalition of Independent Worlds, and League of Non-Aligned Worlds all former member worlds who’ve declared independence from the USS and formed mutual defense and trade treaties. These Conclaves now see the USS as the oppressor, not the Empire. This has created more enemies than they bargained for, all in the name of security.”
“Dad, you and I have never seen eye to eye on Fleet policy, but I don’t see how you can call it fear mongering when in this case the threat was very real. We lost half our space to the Imperial Navy before a miracle of technology snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. What would have happened had we not developed stealth tech and advanced warp capability?”
“It’s one thing to ensure your survival, son, and it’s another to reverse the role and become the oppressor. The Empire has needs to expand for resources and population yet our aggressive expansionist policy has claimed almost every habitable resource rich world nearby. What we’re doing is forcing them against a wall.”
“The Empire is reaping what they sowed,” Aaron said. “Let them expand into the outer arm.”
“Hardly worth the effort. With minimal exploration of the outer rim who knows how many habitable planets there are. Six months away at high warp is not ideal for an expansion endeavor. We are forcing their hand.”
Aaron’s eyes narrowed. “Let them come, we’ll turn their clocks back several generations this time. We won’t stop at Hosque.”
“You’re suggesting genocide, son. Your mother and I didn’t raise you this way.”
Aaron’s tone turned serious. “I am suggesting that if it comes down to a choice between us and them, then there is no choice. If they attack, we ensure they don’t have the capability to do it again for a very long time.”
“That’s why I started this movement many years ago. Because I know they’re too many people who think like you throughout the USS. Without the Border Worlds Alliance resources, the USS will think long and hard about their aggressive expansion and ability to dismiss the Empire.”
“Why all the shenanigans then, dad? Why not as the leader just see your way out? Why the cloak and dagger Separatist movement?”
“As a junior congressman ten years ago, I established the movement to expose the aggressive policies of the USS. I thought if I could bring the issue to the front, and gain popular support against these policies, then the USS would have no alternative but to listen. It’s taken some time, but now I feel there is enough support for a referendum to leave the USS. I had no plans of being the elected leader of Atlas Prime at the same time, but my rise through congress and popularity provided the opportunity and I took it.”
Aaron shook his head. “You’ve manipulated people towards your views and now you are poised to seal the deal with the referendum. As the Prime Minister, I am sure the support for the Separatist movement skyrocketed with all the subtle resources you had at your disposal.”
“I really didn’t bring you all this way to argue with you, son. Take this,” Patrick handed him a datachip. “It contains evidence of a conspiracy within the USS to ignite a war between the Empire and us. It seems backing the Empire up against a wall hasn’t provoked them enough, and the warmongers have taken a more direct approach. They’ve used the Separatist movement as a scapegoat. Unknown ships attacking Imperial civilian and military patrols along the border and raids by unknown ships deep into Imperial space. They’ve even attacked USSF assets. I won’t let them push us to war, and certainly not blame us for it.”
“You’re both missing a big piece of this puzzle,” Rachael interjected.
They’d both forgotten she was there.
“Neither of you seem able to see beyond your own biases. Allow me. Let us suggest someone within the USS suspects you, PM Rayne, as the Separatist leader or at the very least a sympathizer. By attempting to blame separatists for the attacks on Imperial space, your movement loses popular support among the people. Then they might see you as nothing more than troublemakers, directly provoking the Empire, and they know the Border Worlds would be the Empire’s first target. Once popular support is against you, your movement is over. It’s likely that whatever plans these conspirators have are already in motion. If that plan is war, then they’ve just secured the entire backing of the USS, without worrying about where the Border Worlds stands.”
Aaron looked back at his father. “She’s making perfect sense, dad. And I suspect those elements will go to extremes to sabotage your movement.”
His father sighed. “Then if that’s the case, the most recent events have been carefully manipulated to culminate here. Beginning with the attack on Trident by unknown ships while you patrolled nearby.”
“You think the conspirators targeted Trident specifically?” he asked.
“What other explanation is there,” Patrick said. “We have reports of a ship with the same profile attacking Imperial assets.”
“I can’t believe anyone in the USS would order an attack on our own,” Aaron said. “Whatever is going to happen, it’s going to happen soon. We’ll take this back to our ship and back to the Supreme Commander. We need to isolate and seize these individuals before they execute the final piece of their plan.”
An access hatch burst open at the rear of the room. Two security types adorned in light body armor emerged moving quickly. Aaron poised for the attack but they ignored him and instead grabbed his father.
“Sir, there’s an emergency. We have to get you out of the building immediately.” They hustled him towards the access hatch.
He struggled to turn. “Wait! They’re with me, bring them!”
“I’m sorry, sir,” the security type said, not sounding very apologetic, “RAR protocol is activated and we’re taking you off world alone.”
With that he was gone and out of the room.
Aaron swung sharply to Rachael, “RAR?”
“Remove and relocate protocol. Means an imminent planet side attack, and no other internal security can be trusted.”
****
Aaron was about to reply when the floor lurched beneath them and they fell. She landed on top of him, her nose an inch away from his. The structure rattled again and he tightened his grip around her waist. People were screaming and the music died. They scrambled to their feet and ran from the booth.
“What’s happening?” She had to shout above the chaos erupting around them.
“Either this building is under attack or Atlas developed some serious seismic activity since I was gone!”
Another shock wave reverberated through the core of the building, throwing anyone still standing to the floor. They would soon realize the floor was the best place to be for the moment. Then the walls seemed to be leaning at an odd angle.
“The structure is buckling . . . we have to get out of here now!” he said.