Fourth Vector Ch. 24

Jack wasn't even sure where to begin with those statements. Thankfully, he didn't have to respond as the emperor came to his rescue next. "Now, George, let the man have a seat with us, won't you? No need to bombard him with your extracurricular interests the moment he walks in the door."

George shrugged harmlessly and returned to his seat. Of notable interest to Jack was the look of disgust on Bancroft's face, undoubtedly not sharing George's interest in the "extracurricular" nature of the opposite sex.

Charles nodded to his son once he was seated and turned back to Jack. "Come, Jack, please join us. It's time we had a real discussion without the distractions of yesterday."

As Jack sat at the table with them, Charles was the first to focus on him. It was clear that the exasperation from yesterday had taken a backseat. He seemed determined to give him another chance to redeem himself, and the tone for his next words were almost fatherly in nature.

"Jack, I just want to talk to you about your next assignment," said Charles as he leaned back in his chair. "We met with McKenzie and Reynolds yesterday afternoon after you left and both have expressed interest in leading the next invasion of Occitania. I'm inclined to give it to them after what you said yesterday, but I thought with a fresh day might come a fresh thought. I wanted to ask you one more time if you were certain you wanted to return to the Fourth Vector?"

"Return to the Fourth Vector?" interrupted George with a mocking tone. "Why would he want to do that?" George then turned to Jack as a grin filled his face. "Imagine it now, Jack. You'll get to lead the naval invasion while my ground forces storm the beaches. Then we'll do a joint victory parade in Montauban once the war is over. How does that sound?"

Jack didn't know which idea he found more comical. The thought of having to plan an operation that had George in it, or the thought of the corpulent crown prince actually doing anything resembling soldiery. He wouldn't be leading anything.

"As great as that sounds, I do believe my place will be in the Vector," said Jack carefully, making a show of having really thought about the decision.

Charles shook his head while George scoffed loudly. "Jack, have you really thought it through? That assignment is hardly one befitting an admiral. I'm of half a mind to let one of the more junior officers take it over. Why does it need an admiral?"

"I think it needs an admiral now more than ever," countered Jack. "There's a war there that keeps heating up and it threatens all the countries I've been to already. If they are conquered, we'll find all of our work for naught."

"That's this Swabian Empire that you mentioned in your reports, Jack, correct?" asked Bancroft, addressing him for the first time this morning.

Jack nodded. "Correct, sir. Before I left, they had attempted an armed invasion of one of the allied countries there," said Jack, refusing to call it a colony for the sake of face. "I believe we are strong enough to take them down but their aggression needs to be addressed."

"And this is what you'd rather do than invade Occitania?" asked George with an incredulous expression.

"You know, maybe Jack has a point," said Bancroft, shifting the tone of the entire meeting. Every other man in the room looked at him like he was nuts, including Jack who didn't expect to find Bancroft of all people backing him up. "Jack has the experience there and he knows the lay of the land. Why not give him that assignment if that's what he's asking for?"

The emperor groaned. "Not you too now, Bancroft."

George added onto it. "You really want someone like Reynolds leading the final invasion? That kiss-ass sycophant?"

Jack had to stifle a laugh, finding it funny that George of all people would call someone a sycophant. Apparently, Bancroft didn't find it nearly as amusing.

"Reynolds is a good officer," he replied coolly, leveling his gaze at the crown prince. "And more importantly, he's interested in the job as is McKenzie. Nothing against Jack here, but if his heart's not in it to invade Occitania, why force it on him?"

"No one is forcing anything, Bancroft," said Charles. "I just figured I'd give our hero here the first choice of assignments."

"Don't forget that Reynolds was also at the battle, having the same job as Jack," shot Bancroft.

"And yet, strange how I never hear Reynolds' name being screamed about by the people," said George with a dismissive laugh. It caused Bancroft to stare daggers at the man, a look that was wholly reciprocated.

"Peace between you both," said Charles as he raised his hands. "Let's get back to the matter at hand, shall we?" He then turned his attention back to Jack. "Jack, tell me you're certain about this and it's done. No more coaxing. If you don't want the role, then it will go to another officer."

"I'm sure about what I want," said Jack firmly. "It's the Vector for me."

"Very well," said Charles, clearly disappointed in a way that a father gets upset at an errant son. George seemed to not understand Jack's decision in the slightest, and he was now drooling from the mouth. Only Bancroft wore a thin smile, something that made his change of heart even more curious. The sudden lull in talking allowed Jack to dwell on it.

Why would he be happy that I was going back to the Vector? His mind went over several possible explanations, none of which held up to the mildest of scrutiny. It wasn't until he allowed himself the moment to truly evaluate it that he came up with the most likely reason.

He doesn't want me anywhere near Java. I'm too dangerous to his plans, especially now that I know what he wants and don't want a role on it. This is his way of banishing me.

Jack managed a subtle scoff at becoming the next Commodore Lucas, and inwardly, he wondered if he would ever see Java again after he left.

"Well this seems settled then," said Bancroft finally, failing to contain a measure of excitement. I will inform McKenzie that he will be the lead commander in the next invasion, with Reynolds taking his place as his number two. Jack will head back to the Fourth Vector as soon as it's prudent to do so."

"About that timetable, we're going to need some time to work on my damaged ships," said Jack. "TheValiant needs a lot of work, and we still lost theHorton and theTiger, significant losses to my original forces. If I go back, can I do so with replacements?"

Charles looked over at Bancroft, whose smile rapidly disappeared. Before the admiral could open up, Charles answered for him. "What kind of replacements do you need, Jack?"

Bancroft chimed in next. "All those ships that were freed from Aberdeen are going to be slotted for engaging what remains of the Occitanian fleet. Even though we surely bloodied their nose in that battle, we only now slightly outnumber them in terms of operational ships. Giving you too many would take away that advantage."

"I'm not talking about getting a whole fleet to take back with me," said Jack. "But enough to replace my losses. What can be spared?"

Charles once more looked over to Bancroft who sat there rubbing his chin like he usually did when he was deep in thought. The amount of time he seemed to be investing into his answer led Jack to believe he might be lucky to come away with any new additions at all.

"I can't spare any more cruisers right now," said Bancroft finally, putting his hands flat on the table. "We lost eight in the battle, and now we only have slightly more of them than we do battleships. Right now, they are doing the harrying of the retreating enemy fleet, so they are of utmost importance. Based on our intel, the Occitanians still outnumber us in terms of destroyers as well so I can't spare much there either."

Jack noticed he left one class of ship left unsaid.Surely they wouldn't give me a battleship, would they?

"What about battleships? More bang for your buck and it wouldn't jeopardize our numbers in cruisers or destroyers," offered Jack.

Charles huffed once he heard the word battleship but did nothing but cross his arms. Bancroft's eyes rolled up in thought. The tension between all of them was thick in the moment before the admiral finally answered. "That could potentially be arranged."

"Do you really think that wise, Bancroft?" asked George, no doubt saying what was on his father's mind too. "Now that we finally outnumber them, should we go about giving away our biggest advantage?"

"I'm not talking about our latest and greatest battleships," said Bancroft with a dismissive wave. "But I think we can spare one for Jack. One of the older models that will replace the gap left by the loss of theHorton."

"What about destroyers?" pressed Jack. "I'm down to two—theMaddox andWickes. Hardly enough to work as a proper scout force for the main ships."

Bancroft blinked several times. "You can't use those Fourthie forces? Those commanders we met yesterday?"

"With all due respect, sir, those warships still run on coal and their smoke is visible long before you can see the ships. I'd rather have our own ships that run on polonium. If we get dragged into this fighting with the Swabians, which I know we will, we'll have to use our stealth to counteract their greater numbers."

"Very well," said Bancroft while he reached up to rub his eyes in frustration. "How many are you thinking?"

"Three more if you can spare them." said Jack, starting a small gamble with himself.

"I can give you two," said Bancroft with a flat tone. "One screen for each capital ship. I suggest you take it, Jack. You'll have to make due with those Fourthie forces as best you can."

"All right then," said Jack finally, knowing two more would have worked just fine. He'd anticipated Bancroft would talk him down, so he'd intentionally started higher than he needed. With four Javan destroyers, one Picard destroyer, and the Carinthian frigate, he would have an adequate screen for the main ships.

"With such a force at your disposal, I expect more results, Jack," said the emperor with a firm tone. "That's a lot of firepower for one mission so I will expect to see more countries added to our growing sphere of influence."

Sphere of influence was a better way of saying colony, Jack had no doubt about that. Even still, he had to wonder if the emperor had thought more about the viceroy situation.

"Your Majesty, can I ask you then what to do about the viceroy situation?" asked Jack. "Our results would be more concrete if we can change our policy on this."

In the space of a moment, Charles' attitude drastically worsened. His face went red as his nostrils began to flare. "I told you yesterday that I would think on it. Do not think to put pressure on me, Jack."

"You're asking me to do a job, Your Majesty," said Jack, feeling brazen. "I want to do it the right way. We'll keep them within our sphere of influence if we don't treat them like conquered subjects."

"Enough, I will hear no more of this," said Charles, bringing his fist down on the table, causing an audible bang that made Mortimus jump. "You will hear the results of my decision soon enough."

Jack's shoulders slumped forward slightly but at this point, he knew better than to press the subject. By contrast, Charles had seemed more reasonableyesterday. Perhaps his mind had hardened on the subject after some thought, a notion that Jack found worrying. If that was the case, he'd be unlikely to secure the kind of answer that Sorella or Andalucia wanted, and that wasn't mentioning what might happen if Aedan or Reina had a viceroy show up on their shores.

"You surprise me, Jack," said George, who had been relatively quiet during the last discussion. "What is your fascination with these savage Fourthies? Why do you care so much how they perceive us?"

"Because we are to believe that Jack is a Fourthie king, right Jack?" asked Charles as he struggled to keep a straight face. It was beyond obvious that he put no faith in what Kat told him yesterday.

Jack gave a politician's answer to the question. "I take every mission that's given to me with the sincerity it deserves. You trust me to do this the right way, well I'm telling you the right way is to get rid of the viceroys. There are advanced peoples over there, and they won't take kindly to being a colony to some master across the ocean. If you want them with us, you have to trust my instinct on the matter. Trust someone who's been over there, talked with them, and fought with them."

George leaned back in his chair, and Jack thought that he'd almost gotten through to the man. It wasn't until George made an amused smile that he realized that Jack's words went in one ear and out the other.

"He even talks well, this man," said George as he thumbed his finger in Jack's direction. He then spun around quickly to look at Bancroft. "Better watch yourself, Bancroft. Jack will be gunning for your job here shortly."

Both the emperor and Bancroft rolled their eyes. It was beyond clear to Jack that George's words weren't really respected by the other two. Charles seemed to have a fatherly disregard for just about anything that came out of George's mouth, while on Bancroft's side, it appeared the two just flat out didn't like each other. Jack figured that if Bancroft ever truly got his way, George would be one of the first to lose his head.

Unfortunately, the emperor didn't respond to either Jack's or George's last statements. "Moving on, there's one more piece of business we must discuss before we can adjourn ourselves." He looked relieved as soon as the word adjourn passed his lips, his patience with the meeting having already dissolved. "That of the victory parade in Belfort." Charles craned his head to look at the admiral. "Bancroft, tell him the details."

"You'll be required to come to Belfort in two weeks' time to take part in the celebration," said Bancroft. "McKenzie and Reynolds will also be there, and it will be our way of celebrating God's deliverance from the Occitanian threat." George laughed when Bancroft mentioned god, but if Bancroft heard it, he had no reaction.

"What about my damaged shipValiant?" asked Jack. "It will take us nearly a week just to sail to Belfort and she may not be ready in time."

"We'll get her seaworthy to make the sail with the rest of the fleet," said Bancroft. "If she needs more repairs, we can take the time to do it in Belfort."

Jack didn't question the stupidity of having to dry dock the ship twice but he remained more concerned about the ship's head officers. "What about Commander Ravencross and Lieutenant Cross? They won't be ready to sail for some time still due to their injuries. Who is to command the ship in the interim?"

"We'll allow you to appoint your own officers to lead theValiant until they are ready to take command again," said Bancroft. "Both are expected to make full recoveries, correct?"

Jack nodded. "They are, but Cross' legs will take six weeks to heal at minimum. Are we to stay until she is ready to go?"

"If she needs to stay behind, then we'll send her out on a supply ship," said Bancroft as his patience waned. "You don't need to worry about that, Jack. We'll make sure you have all the officers and ships to complete your task."

With that last statement by Bancroft, it was clear the meeting was over. George was looking at him like one does to a spoiled hero getting caught doing a not-so-heroic deed. Charles looked at him like he was simply wasted potential. Only Bancroft still regarded Jack with a modicum of respect, something that still confused him considering recent events.

"I'll walk you out, Jack," said Bancroft as he rose from his seat. Jack exchanged half-hearted goodbyes with the royals before he was led outside the room, Bancroft walking next to him as they made for the main entrance of the gilded palace. There was no talking at first, neither man willing to bridge the gap with the other after what had just taken place.

It wasn't until they were on the palace grounds that Bancroft opened his mouth. "You played a foolish game in there, Jack."

Jack gave him a confused look. "How so?"

"You could have had the most prestigious post in the whole navy if you just would've kept your mouth shut," continued Bancroft. "And you would've had the emperor in your back pocket the entire time. When we invade Occitania next, the commander of that force will win honors greater than anything you've seen in the last day. You threw all of that aside for some people that you've known for less than a year." Bancroft turned to look at him. "Why did you do that, Jack?"

"It was the right thing to do," he replied simply.

Bancroft shook his head. "Don't give me that bullshit. I'm not Charles, and I'm not as thickheaded as he and that dimwit son of his. Is this about the girl from yesterday? Are you really ready to throw away your future just for a piece of ass?"

Jack blinked. "What do you mean throw away my future?"

Bancroft let out a barking laugh. "Do you really expect to receive any high profile assignments moving forward? You know your Vector mission will end someday. I imagine the Ruthenians will be at war with us soon enough by how they've been posturing. You'll end up destined to be a rear admiral for the rest of your days, with no assignments to win you fame or glory."

"Kind of like Commodore Lucas then, right?" shot Jack, causing Bancroft to stiffen. "The same thing happened to him, didn't it?"

"Lucas is a misguided fool," snarled Bancroft. "The fact that he's in command of anything is due to my generosity. But if you want to keep that comparison, then by all means." Bancroft fixed him with a firm glare. "You don't want to be Lucas, Jack. But it looks like it's your fate already."

"If it's my fate, then why are we discussing it?" asked Jack coolly. "If it's already been decided, there's no point in discussing it further. My place is in the Vector, completing the mission I've started. I will do it well like I promised I would."

To his surprise, Bancroft shrugged. "Yes, you probably will. But in doing so, you've forever lost the stewardship of the emperor. Can you feel it, Jack? He's already starting to sour on you. How soon until he decides that you're unnecessary and you end up like Henrik did?"

Jack had trouble responding to that, finding it more likely that Bancroft would be the one to make such a callous move against him, not Charles. Charles could afford to ignore him. Bancroft seemed to make it his life's mission for Jack to be with him fully or completely disregarded.

There was no middle ground, at least not to Bancroft.

"What's the alternative?" asked Jack as they neared the guard shack at the front of the property. "To see you in charge?"

"To make something of yourself in a remade Java," answered Bancroft quickly. "To right the wrongs of this country. To let the strong truly dominate it like nature intended. We're strong, aren't we, Jack?"

Jack finally turned to face his one-time mentor, conceding to the fact that the old Bancroft was truly dead. His kind and gentle teacher was no more, twisted by the chase of power. What was worse was that he wanted to drag Jack down with him.

"I'm just a pawn in your game, aren't I?" asked Jack finally. "I wouldn't be your number two man. I'm just a piece on a chessboard to you."

Bancroft rose his chin as his vision narrowed. "All men are pawns to the powerful, Jack. The sooner that you realize it, the better."

With those words, the fleet admiral of Java turned heel and marched back to the palace. With him went any lingering feelings of sadness about Bancroft's fate. As Jack walked back to theDestiny, he set his heart firmly on the matter that one day, Bancroft would start his day of reckoning.