Fourth Vector Ch. 17

He still had to try one more time.

"I'm sure this can all go away if you just let me speak with the king," insisted Jack. "There must be some way I can speak with him."

"You will do nothing of the sort," said McNally with a firm head shake. "As I stated already, you have twenty-four hours to leave the country or you will be fired upon." The admiral then pointed to one of the nearest shore batteries, not far from their current spot. The modernness of their technology ensured they might be able to sink several of his ships before he was even able to respond.

McNally didn't wait for his response, and soon turned about to walk back to the port office while the marines behind him marched in sync.

"What do we do now, Jack?" asked Twitch from his side.

"I'm not sure, Twitch. I'm really not sure."

Jack reboarded theDestiny and decided to make for Abigail's chambers immediately. Luckily for him, he found Kat in the room as well. Kat sat in one of the spare chairs going over what looked like a news bulletin while Abigail wrote out an order.

"Change of plans," said Jack as he dropped the bag of gold on Abigail's desk. "We have to leave."

He spent the next few minutes getting both women up to speed on his conversation with McNally before asking for their feedback.

"This isn't good, Jack. Picardy is one of the cornerstones of the anti-Swabian alliance," said Kat. "Without their help, we would seriously struggle in case they get more aggressive."

"Not to mention, where would we go next? Carinthia?" asked Abigail.

"I don't know," he said with a shake of his head. "This is my fault. I shouldn't have tried to pay off that officer."

Abigail stood up and pressed in against his side. "What else could you have done? You saw a chance and you took it. We weren't getting in anyway, so I don't blame you."

"But I fear I may have taken our position another step back," he said.

"We could always try the land route," said Abigail. "Try another city and take the road into Daban. It might be longer, but it's worth trying."

Kat started to shake her head. "I don't know if that option would still be open to us. Look at this. I picked it up from outside the port office. It's a news bulletin."

She handed the paper over to Jack, and he quickly inspected it. He was lucky that it was written in the common tongue, and he could follow along with the language easier than he expected. The paper largely confirmed his fears.

"So the plague is spreading. It's hitting all the major cities now."

Kat nodded. "Zarah on the coast and even the smaller city of Burwick in the interior. Whatever started here in Daban is spreading, and it's shutting down more towns."

"So we have no hope of even going to Zarah either," said Jack in a defeated tone.

"Maybe we should just move on then, Jack? Try another country. This plague is going to run its course if we like or not, and we can't afford to stay here and wait for it to burn out," said Abigail.

"We should put it out to all the officers," said Jack firmly. "All the commanders. Let's have a war council and talk this one through."

"I can get word out to all of them," added Abigail. "When do you want to have it?"

"As soon as possible. Let's aim for this afternoon at four o'clock. Have them all meet here on theDestiny. If we decide to leave, we can get underway right after so that we're out well in advance of this twenty-four hour deadline."

Abigail smiled and nodded. "I'll send over the messages now. Let me get moving." She quickly slipped out of the chambers, leaving Jack and Kat alone.

Jack reluctantly handed the news bulletin back to her. "I had hoped for much better news on this. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you found it, but it seems like it removed the last option we had."

"There is something curious about this newspaper though, Jack," said Kat as she flipped back to the last page. "Like just about every paper I've seen, there's a section for a political comic. Take a look at this." She handed it back to Jack, and he looked at the spot she'd pointed to.

The cartoon was very basic and in black and white like the rest of the paper. It showed too men embracing as brothers. The first man had a younger expression on his face and what clearly looked like a crown on his head, while the other was clothed in a long, robe, similar in style to the Swabian robes that he'd seen before. While the look on the Swabian's face was one of friendship, behind the king's back, he held a knife ready to plunge into his back.

"If this is what I think it is, something like this would never fly in Java," said Jack. "I take it this is meant to represent Aedan?"

Kat nodded. "And their critique of his newfound friendship with the Swabians. It seems the common people are just as surprised as we are at the king's change of heart."

"It's just a cartoon though, Kat. What could it mean for us?"

"I think it's telling, Jack. Like you said before, how the people view their sovereign will tell you a lot about what's going on in a country. Aedan is an inexperienced king, and by the looks of this comic, his people aren't trusting his moves with the Swabians. This could still be good news for us about how the general populace feels."

"Perhaps his position isn't as secure as he would like," added Jack.

"Or perhaps the people only feel emboldened to do this type of cartoon with the negative effects of the plague. Maybe this is the only way they can express their unhappiness right now?"

Jack took another look at the cartoon. In that moment, he felt for Aedan and his own troubles. It couldn't be easy being a new king and having to deal with such troubles so early on in his reign. It reminded him of his own struggles and about how he was supposed to be king as well. Would the day ever come when Galicia ran this type of publication about him?

More importantly, would he ever live to see the day that Galicia acknowledged him as king?

How about the day whenhe finally accepted it?

*****

"What other options do we have then?" asked Commander Pete Dawson of theHorton. "Where can we go next?"

It was after four o'clock, and all the ship commanders had gotten together for Jack's war council. Not only did he have Pete from theHorton, Mike from theStardust, and Luke fromValiant with him, but he also had the commanders from the three destroyers as well. Lt. Commander Vicky Carter from theTiger was seated directly across from him, as well as two other new faces. In charge of the destroyerMaddox was Lt. Commander Laura Pollard and heading the other destroyerWickes was Lt. Commander Alex McGrath.

While those two were still some of the newer members of the task force, Jack knew of both of their names before they'd arrived. Laura had been in his class at the Academy, while he had crossed paths with Alex a time or two back in Java.

When coupled with Abigail, Greg and Dustin from the marines, and Kat to represent Galicia, Jack had the full leadership of his force in one room.

At Pete's last question, all attention turned toward the map of the Fourth Vector that Jack had pinned to the wall behind him. It was a reproduction of a smaller one that Kat had given him months ago, one that would be large enough to use for a council such as this one.

"The way I see it," started Greg as he gestured to the map. "We can either go east to Carinthia from here, or strike due north to Kish. They are the next closest countries."

"Or we could go west to the Samaran Confederacy," said Abigail. "It's about the same distance to the west."

Jack looked over at Kat. "There's really only one person here who has the in-depth knowledge of the countries here and that's Kat. If we leave Picardy, and that's a bigif, where would we get the best reception?"

Kat stood up and looked at the map. "The Samarans are out. They are mostly traders by nature, not fighters. Their standing army isn't that large, and they would never stand up to Swabia. Their only saving grace is that Apulia separates them from the Swabians. Not to mention, their politics are extremely volatile. They are a republic, and led by three men at any one time, elected annually. You can be friends with them one year and their worst enemies the next depending on who is elected. It's not a great strategic option."

"What about Carinthia or Kish?" asked Abigail.

Kat's hand moved to Kish. "The Kishians just got out of a war with Angarsk. A short war but a nasty one. I highly doubt they'd be likely to go to war again so quickly. Aside from their immediate neighbors, they usually aren't one to mind affairs outside their island."

"So that leaves Carinthia," added Jack.

Kat nodded. "Carinthia would be our best option. They've been in the anti-Swabian alliance before, and some of the brightest people I've ever met have been Carinthian. My only fears with them are their own escalating tensions with the Picards."

"Could anything come of that?" asked Jack.

Kat shrugged. "I do not know. It's rare though that a Carinthian warship is threatened in Daban harbor though. Those two have been allies for so long that it's a hard scenario to imagine. I'd worry about getting the Carinthians without the Picards. My fear would be they'd be less likely to accept our alliance just by themselves, even in spite of all the present tension that's between the two countries."

"So it's the Picardsand the Carinthians or nobody at all?" asked Jack solemnly.

"I'm sorry, Jack," said Kat with a helpless look. "That's just the way things have historically been here. It wouldn't be right to tell you otherwise and get your hopes up."

"Why do we need either of them?" asked Dustin while throwing his hand up. "We have enough firepower at our disposal that we can handle anything the Swabians throw at us. Look at what we did to their last regiment! Not a man left alive to even speak about it. Why do we need the Picards?"

"What you fought was such a small measure of their total army strength that it doesn't even bear mentioning," said Kat quietly. "You fought one regiment. They have over a thousand. What are you to do when they throw all of them at you?"

"Kill them all," answered Dustin with a sly grin and heavy bravado.

It earned a slight chuckle throughout the room, but when the quiet returned, Jack opened up next. "Dustin, if we don't have Picardy, we don't have Carinthia. Our hopes of getting the Galicians are pretty slim too, and with it goes our chances of allying with the strongest and largest countries in the Vector. Never mind our hopes of surviving an attack by the Swabians."

Vicky Carter was the next one to speak up. "Jack, I'm confused. I thought we were here to get allies to helpour war against the Occitanians. But we're talking more about the Swabians than anyone else."

It was a logical question that he couldn't doubt her for. Jack shared a knowing look with Kat and Greg, before turning his attention back to Vicky. Only a few of them knew about his real background, and the conversation had quickly turned to the fault line of the entire mission—the two halves of his identity. Was he here as a Javan naval officer to secure allies to fight the Occitanians or was he the long-forgotten King of Galicia here to secure the threat of the Swabians and bring back balance to the world?

Up until now, he'd be content to play at both roles, thinking they would lead to similar outcomes. But Vicky's word proved prophetic in more ways than one. Someday, he would have to make a choice about who he really was and who he really owed his allegiance to. No one would let him be both Javan and Galician forever.

It also made him wonder if there would come a time when he would have to go off on his own without his Javan allies and ships behind him. Even if he ultimately picked Galicia, they were unlikely to betray their homes and families to come with him.

One day, he would have to force that choice upon them as well.

And pray they didn't kill him for it.

"The Swabians have shown aggressive action against our existing allies in Sorella and Andalucia thus far," said Jack, launching into the official explanation. "While we will fight the Occitanians wherever they appear in the Vector, we also need to guard against those looking to encroach on our new allies. For that reason, we need to keep our sights on the Swabians just as much as the Occies."

Vicky nodded easily, accepting the answer for what it was. Jack had to wipe the sweat from his brow. Her question had revealed a very real impending consequence of his true identity.

"And if we stay here?" asked Laura to the rest of the group. "What then?"

"Then when our twenty-four hours are up, we'll find we've turned our prospective allies into enemies," said Jack quietly. "Not exactly what we came here for."

"Do you think they'd open fire on us?" asked Luke. "Those batteries on the shore look deadly."

Kat nodded. "I think they would. The Picards can be quick-tempered and prone to rash decisions. If you give them the chance, I think they just might take it."

There was quiet in the rest of the room as they all digested this news. Notably, it was Vicky who was the first one to speak up next. "I guess our decision is made for us then. We should try for Carinthia next. It's our best option. Even if we have a hard time talking them into an alliance, it would be better than making another enemy here."

"I'd have to agree with Vicky," said Luke. "No sense in going to war if we don't have to. Especially against a powerful, and more modern, enemy."

"Are we all in agreement then?" asked Jack. "Try our luck in Carinthia even though we know the odds are against us without the Picards?"

There were plenty of silent nods. Jack looked over to Kat, who remained expressionless during the entire exchange. It wasn't hard to see something was on her mind, but it wasn't anything that she'd come out with publicly.

"We might as well," said Abigail finally. "Perhaps our luck will change there?"

"All right, let's prepare to get underway. I want the task force ready to sail in a few hours. I don't want to be near Daban by nightfall. Good?"

The rest of them nodded and the council soon ended. Jack bid his goodbyes to all the officers as they left one by one until it was only him and Kat left in the room. The look of heaviness was still on her face, and he could tell she was still deep in thought.

"What's on your mind?" he asked, taking her in his arms. "You look like you have the whole world on your shoulders."

She met his eyes and smiled softly. "Sometimes, it's felt like that."

"It's okay," he whispered before kissing her. "We'll try our luck in Carinthia."

She finally locked her gaze on his. "Jack, what if we have another option?"

He gave her a confused look. "What do you mean?"

She slipped out of his arms and then crossed hers in front of her chest. "Jack, I just know an alliance with Carinthia won't work without Picardy. I can feel it, and I know it will happen before we even leave. I just don't see it."

"Perhaps it will now, especially if there's tension between the two," he said. "Especially if they were willing to come to blows in the harbor the other day."

"That was just the common people though, Jack. The ties of their royal houses are much greater than that. I don't see the two countries going to war, much less even not being in the same alliance together."

"Okay, then what are you suggesting?"

She turned to face him. "I'm going to sneak into the country on my own. I know where the palace is. I can get to Aedan and arrange your meeting."

Jack's mouth dropped open. "Kat, are you crazy? I can't let you do that! I don't even know where to begin with that request. It's wrong for me to even consider on so many levels."

Kat took a deep breath and walked back to him. "I know Aedan, Jack. I'm betting he will remember me. If he sees me, he'll do what I ask of him."

"How do you know that?"

She avoided his eyes. "I just do, Jack. It's hard for me to explain right now."

He forced her to look at him. "I thought we said no more secrets between us? Back at the house when we were in bed? Why do I get the impression that you're holding something from me right now?"

Her eyes started to fill with tears. "Because I am. There's one more thing. Something I haven't told you just yet."

Jack felt like he'd just received a blow to the stomach. "Does it have to do with this Aedan? Some type of relationship?"

She shook her head fiercely. "Not in the slightest. But my knowing him can secure this meeting for us and make sure we don't have to leave. Let me do this, Jack."

"How? How would you do it, Kat? There's no getting past the port office anyway, and you'd stick out like a sore thumb." He grabbed a lock of her hair for emphasis.

"I'm more than capable of disguising myself, Jack," she said with a firm look. "I can move without attracting attention."

"What if you get caught, Kat? I just fought a war to rescue you. I really don't want to do it again."

"I won't get caught. I promise you, Jack. This may be our only chance of getting the Picards into our alliance. If we leave, we may never get the opportunity again. I have to do this."

Jack shook his head softly. "I don't want to lose you."

She gripped his hands tightly. "You could never lose me, Jack. I love you with all of me. I'm yours for as long as you'll have me. I know what I have to do and what needs to be done. I need to do this."

"And if I tell you no? Would you listen to me?"

She smiled and caressed his cheek. "I don't think you would. You know what's at stake just as much as I do."

She was right but he didn't want to admit it. They needed the Picards, but Jack just wished there was another way to do it without risking her. The look on her face told him she was determined to do this no matter what.

Could he let her?

"I don't want you do to anything stupid," he warned, wondering how silly it all sounded. "I have no idea why I'm letting you do this."

She leaned in and kissed him deeply. "Because you trust me?"

"I do trust you, but when you get back, you need to tell me this thing you're keeping from me."

She nodded solemnly. "I promise."

"Is it more prophecy?"

Kat shook her head. "No, I wouldn't do that to you. This is . . . much more personal."

"All the more reason for you to hurry so we can have that talk."

"I promise you I will work quickly, my love," she said.

"What about the task force? I told them we'd leave tonight."

"Just give me a few hours? If I can get this done right now, perhaps we won't need to leave at all."

"And if you get caught? Then what?"

Kat smiled. "Then leave me behind and keep going with your mission."

"But, Kat—"

"No, buts," she said with a firm shake of the head. "I need to know you'll continue on without me in case anything happens. Your life is much more important than mine."

"Even when your life is of the utmost importance to me?" he whispered.

Kat kissed him. "Even still." She grabbed a cloak from her bag and threw it over her shoulders. "I'll be right back. I promise."

Jack had barely mumbled his acknowledgment when she was out the door. He turned to look out at the city behind him. Evening was descending now, and soon it would be hard to see. At least she had that working in her favor. But what would he do if anything else happened to her? The last thing he wanted was to fight another war like Andalucia.

What would happen if Kat failed?

*****

Not long after the war council came to an end, Greg made his way back to his quarters on theDestiny. As he passed by the usual scenes of rowdy marines, he couldn't help but smile. Once again, it seemed like the ship was full of life. There had been too many times in Andalucia when he found himself thinking dark thoughts, wondering if any of them would live to see an end to that war.