Fourth Vector Ch. 25

The more senior officers were secured in cars, and that's where Jack had been expected to take his place. Those senior officers would bring up most of the rear of the parade, followed only closely behind by the emperor and his son himself, seated high on gilded floats while getting the chance to wave to the populace. It was bound to be an extravagant affair, and as Jack took his place with the other senior officers—many of them familiar faces—he awaited word on what car he'd be stationed in.

"Ah, Jack, it looks like we'll be riding together!"

Jack turned to look at the friendly face of Admiral Walt McKenzie who was at this point gesturing to one of the cars that made up the rear of the parade. Jack noticed there were reserved placards with their names inscribed on them, placing their seating order in coordination.

"Well, they could hardly have picked a better person to be in this whole thing with," said Jack as the two men shook hands again.

"And here I was thinking I might have to ride alone during the whole thing," said Walt with an easy grin. "It was already going to be boring but at least this won't be so bad."

"Especially if we can talk more frankly," said Jack with a raised eyebrow.

Walt caught what he was suggesting immediately. "Why don't we wait until we're actually moving then, Jack. Too many ears nearby right now. The parade will drown out everything that we say once we're moving."

Jack nodded. "Mum's the word then."

The two men climbed into their car and moved toward the back. Since the top was already removed from the vehicle, a raised platform had been created in the backseat for them to sit upon. It was higher than the normal backseat, which would give the audience a clear line of sight to them while on the route.

"These things always make me uneasy," said Walt, looking around the grounds and then gesturing to the car below them. "No protection on these at all. With a big crowd, there would be no way to prevent a madman from sneaking through and shooting us in this car. We'd be an open target."

"Expecting many death threats?" asked Jack with a grin. "Or is it just paranoia that's getting to you?"

Walt gave him a serious look. "You don't play at this level without a healthy level of suspicion, Jack. Trust me on this."

The two men looked back to the palace where a small amount of applause had broken out. At this very moment, the emperor and his son could be seen leaving the palace, the man waving out to the crowd as they clapped at his appearance. They moved onto the biggest vehicle yet, this one surrounded on all sides by a thick layer of bulletproof glass.

"It looks like he's got the right idea about this one," noted Walt. "That glass sure looks thick enough to stop a bullet."

"I'd imagine he would need it more than we would. We don't exactly have any political enemies," said Jack, instantly regretting the statement because he knew it wasn't true.

Bancroft qualifies as a political enemy for me now, right?

"I'm not so much worried about enemies. At least they'll be somewhat straight to your face," said Walt. "I'm more worried about opportunists. Those that might want to make a statement over the body of a dead officer."

Jack smiled. "I think you're more worried about this parade than you were going into battle."

"An apt observation," replied Walt. "I'm better off when my feet aren't on solid ground. This kind of thing makes me nervous."

"As it does for me," said Jack. "This is my first victory parade."

"But surely not your last though, eh? Especially when you come back from the Vector the next time around."

If I come back from the Vector the next time around, thought Jack.

"They get somewhat easier as time goes on," continued Walt. "At least you'll be better prepared for your next one."

The car below them soon roared to life, and it gave a sudden lurch as the procession started.

"Here we go, Jack," said Walt, gripping against the seat. "Time to smile and wave."

Smile and wave proved to be appropriate advice indeed. Even though the parade started at the palace, there was no shortage of citizens that had made the journey to watch them begin. All along the designated route, throngs of people gathered to wave at them, throw flowers, and some managed to get past the security to reach out and grab their hands. The hysteria of the jubilant populace was in full effect, and the noise levels reached a mighty roar as they entered the city proper.

Thankfully, Walt was close enough to Jack that they could converse by medium range shouts.

"By the way, I have some more news about thunderstorm," said Jack, using the code word they had designated for Bancroft. "Quite a lot more news."

Walt took a break from waving to look at him. "What is it now?"

"He wanted to offer me the Ruthenian assignment," said Jack. "Or rather, the emperor does. He just gave me the heads-up that the offer was going to come."

"When will that be?"

"After the parade," said Jack, taking the moment to shake hands with several people who got too close to the car before security could pull them back. They knew him by sight alone and were screaming his name as the car went by.

"I take it that you're not going to consider it, are you?" asked Walt. "You seemed pretty committed to going back to the Vector."

"That's right, but something more interesting than that happened during the conversation," said Jack. "Bancroft all but admitted that he was the one behind Henrik's supposed betrayal."

Walt's mouth fell open. "Headmitted it? Out loud?"

"It was as close to an admittance as anyone is going to get from him," said Jack, before going over the details of the conversation with him.

"That's some serious shit, Jack," said Walt after hearing the full story. "Hell, I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to change your mind. With him giving you that kind of warning, especially about not seeing Java again, I can see how it might lead to a change in heart."

"For someone else, maybe," said Jack as they neared the heart of the city, where all the main public buildings were located. There was a main square here as well, a fully open city block a mile wide and long. The procession route led them right through the middle of the square, and there wasn't a single empty spot along the entire opening.

"But not for me," continued Jack. "I've made up my mind."

"I think someone else will jump at the chance in any event," said Walt. "I've committed to the Occitanian operation but I bet they give the Ruthenian one to Reynolds. He'll be all over it, no doubt about it."

"I can definitely see that," noted Jack. "Reynolds will make for a good lapdog so I can see him swinging for the chance to take it."

Both men looked overhead as the roar of an airplane went screaming through the city square. The crowd cheered with approval as one of Jack's planes went flying by, a demonstration of the incredible power that he'd brought home with him. The airplane was low enough that Jack could almost see the pilot's face, and he soon whipped around to approach from another angle. The crowd loved the demonstration and the cheering continued unabated.

"We both knew that Henrik was innocent," said Walt after the parade entered the last leg of the journey. "Confirmation by Bancroft of what we already knew doesn't count for much, especially if we can't pin anything on him."

"No but it takes out the speculation on our part," said Jack. "We don't have to guess about whether or not we made the right call about him. It also removes the possibility of someone else lurking in the shadows and avoiding the blame. With his admission, we know what lengths he'll go to remain in power. Or to achieve more power."

"It makes me very uneasy, Jack," said Walt. "Speculating is one thing. Knowing is another. How can I follow another order from the man without wondering if he's trying to screw me? Or the men under my command? It puts all of us in a bad place to always have to question the intentions or the motives of the man above us."

"I'm telling you this because I know this will affect you the most," said Jack. "In a few days time, I'll be back off to the Vector. You're the one that actually has to work with Bancroft closely, but there wasn't any way I was going to leave without letting you know."

"You have my appreciation for that, Jack," said Walt with a subtle chuckle. "But even with my position, I still wouldn't want to trade places with you. How are you ever going to get out of the hole that you're in? It seems Bancroft is going to shelve you until you die of old age."

"That may be his plan but I have plans of my own," said Jack. "And one way or another, I won't let Bancroft destroy Java."

"You sound like you know what you're going to do."

Jack looked at him and smiled. "As soon as I figure it out, I'll let you know."

Walt started to laugh and clapped Jack on the back as the parade neared the end of the route near one of the water's edge parks. "I see you're already thinking like an admiral, Jack!"

*****

Almost as soon as the festivities were over, one of the palace courtiers found Jack. He carried with him a letter that bore the seal of the emperor and read it to him out loud.

"His Imperial Majesty, Charles IX of the Javan Empire, requests your presence at once," read the courtier, a fat man with at least three neck rolls that Jack could count.

Jack waved off Walt as he prepared to depart. "I'll keep in touch," he told the admiral before turning his attention back to the courtier.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," said Walt as he eyed the slovenly man.

Jack was escorted to the palace, now the second time today that he arrived on the grounds. He was shown inside the opulent building and instantly marveled at the wealth contained within. It was branded as the largest palace anywhere in the world, and Jack didn't doubt the title. It was endless in the sprawl, and it had a small army of maids, butlers, servants, maintenance workers, chefs, and groundskeepers to keep it operating on a daily basis. Jack didn't doubt that one could probably have gotten lost in the infinite number of rooms, corridors, and chambers.

The particular chamber that he entered was one of the many studies of the emperor, and Jack could see that the older man was already hard at work when he arrived. He was attended to by Mortimus, and Jack figured that he didn't go anywhere in Java without the sloppy man directly behind him.

Charles looked up from his work to greet Jack fondly. "Jack, my boy, good to see you. I take it you enjoyed the parade out there, eh? What did you think about the airplane flying overhead?"

"It was a nice touch, Your Majesty," replied Jack after the customary bow. "I think the people really enjoyed seeing it."

Charles snorted which caused Mortimus to jump. "Did they ever. They're not used to seeing such a display of grandeur. I have to imagine several of them probably shit themselves in response."

Jack smiled politely but didn't immediately comment on that statement.

"Have a seat, Jack," said Charles, gesturing to the open chair in front of his desk. "I have to apologize about requesting this audience on such short notice. It was my intention to send the message earlier this morning but preparations for the parade got the better of me. Nevertheless, I wanted to still do this today. I've only just arrived back at the palace myself."

"It's no trouble, Your Majesty," said Jack.At least I got the warning from Bancroft so this wasn't truly out of the blue.

"In any event, I wanted to discuss a new matter with you. Bancroft tells me you'll be leaving to go back to the Vector soon," said Charles.

"As soon as we receive that battleship that he promised us back in Aberdeen," confirmed Jack.

Charles opened his mouth to respond but they were both stopped short when the door to the study opened again. This time, the crown prince entered the room, his heavy frame making the ground shake as he lumbered over to the rest of them.

"There's our favorite admiral," said George as he rested his fat fingers against Jack's shoulder. "Did you enjoy the parade?"

"Very much so, Your Highness," repeated Jack.

"Excellent." George brought his hand down hard on Jack's shoulder before moving away. He picked a sturdy looking chair and fell into it, the material letting out a low whine at the pressure.

Once George was seated, his father picked up where he left off. "Like I was saying before, Jack, I have a new matter to discuss with you. No doubt you've heard about all the raids the Ruthenians are making against our shipping in the South Sea?"

Jack nodded. "I get a brief every morning about it. I heard about the two cruisers that were ambushed a few days ago."

"The situation is serious but not quite as bad as it might look on the outside," said Charles. "We are mustering naval forces now to combat that threat, many of them having been formerly bottled up in Aberdeen. They will all be in Belfort before the end of the week. I would like to put in my request that you lead them."

"Lead them?" asked Jack with a confused look. "How will I lead them when I'm going back to the Vector?"

Charles pursed his lips. "By giving up the Vector assignment. I need a good admiral on this assignment, and Bancroft said you might be persuaded to take up the position."

"I hate to disappoint you, Your Majesty," started Jack. "But my decision hasn't changed about where I'm going next. I don't want the Ruthenian or the Occitanian assignments. I want to go back to the Vector."

Both father and son looked back at Jack like he was crazy. It wasn't the first time, as the conversation largely mirrored the one they already had back in Aberdeen. They looked at each other before George became the first one to speak up.

"Is there anything we can offer you that would make you reconsider?"

"Such as?" asked Jack.

"Money," said Charles flatly. "Gold, silver, property? Anything of the sort that you would like to see yourself with. Perhaps women?"

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Not to be unappreciative of the opportunity, but it does beg one question. Why is it so important to you that I stay in Java to lead these operations?"

"It's hardly important, Jack," scoffed Charles. "But it wouldn't be right to have you leave for the Vector right now."

Jack blinked several times. "Why not?"

George let out an audible sigh. "Are you dense or something? This is about prestige, Jack. If we have the victor of the Battle of Aberdeen lead the battle against our mortal enemies, your victory will reflect extremely well back on us. But how would it look if we let the same man just go back to some backwater assignment?"

"Not well," replied Jack.

"Bingo. Don't confuse our request for your command as respect for your talents, Jack," said Charles. "The people expect to see you leading bigger operations. If they see you going back to the Vector, they might assume that there's been some falling out between us. They might not like that very much."

"So you want me to lead this because it would make the two of you look better?" asked Jack.

Charles gave him a sharp look. "Image is everything in this world, Jack. But it has two sides. What you can see and what you can't. I'm asking you to let the people see you in command so they don't have to speculate at what they can't see."

"Don't I get a choice in the matter?" asked Jack.

Charles started to laugh. "Some countries wouldn't allow you the choice in the matter, Jack. All I can do is heavily suggest that you take this assignment. If you do, you can consider myself to be in your gratitude."

"It's a good position to find one's self in to have the emperor owe you a favor," added George.

Jack had heard enough. He wouldn't be cajoled by threats on the matter, and he was tired of having the same conversation with the royals or with Bancroft for that matter. It was time to move decisively.

"While I appreciate the offer that you've given me—" started Jack.

"Choose your next words wisely, Jack," interrupted George. The outburst caused his father to raise a hand to him before Charles looked back at Jack. "Proceed, Jack."

"As I was saying, I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to decline," said Jack firmly. "I've made my choice already. I'm going back to the Vector."

A look of anger appeared on Charles' face. His nostrils flared menacingly. "Do you really think that is the wisest course for you to follow?"

"I need to go where I'm needed most," said Jack. "That's what I've based my decision on. What's best for Java."

"Best for Java," repeated Charles as he shook his head. "Best for Java!" He stood up while grabbing a mug of coffee from his desk and tossed it across the room. The coffee spilled out as the porcelain crashed against the wall and broke in a hundred pieces. "I will determine what's best for Java, not you!"

Jack raised his chin. "I apologize that my decision is not the one you wanted to hear. I should take my leave now."

Charles pointed his finger at him. "I have a very long memory, Jack. I may be an old man with one foot in the grave, but I never forget anything! Nor will I be likely to forget what has happened here today. Rest assured of that."

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," repeated Jack. There seemed to be nothing else left for him to say. He already knew the likely fallout from making the decision, but he wasn't about to start playing politics over something he felt this strongly about. He needed to get back to the West.

He needed to get to Galicia.

Jack turned around and headed for the door. He almost made it before the emperor called out again.

"Jack, one more thing!" yelled Charles. "Let me be the first one to give you my official answer on the viceroy question you seem so dogged about it."

Jack swallowed heavily, already knowing what was going to happen by the look on his face. Charles started to sneer.

"My answer is that the viceroys will stay. In fact, I'll be sending more of them to the new countries you've been to recently. Choice is a wonderful thing, isn't it, Jack? I choose to follow my original line of thinking in sticking with the viceroys and now we'll get to see the repercussions. Funny, isn't it?"

Jack started back at him as daggers filled his eyes. The fact that the man was so willing to throw it back in his face out of spite let him know it was never going to happen after all. If he had taken the Ruthenian assignment, the emperor would still have left the viceroys since there would be no one left to protest it. He had just shown he had no intention of recalling them if he decided to go to the Vector.

It was all for nothing. Charles was going to do what he wanted to do no matter the consequence.

"Dismissed, Jack. Get out of my palace," said the emperor as he turned back to his desk.

Jack shut the door behind him without a slam even though he felt like it. He pushed his shoulders against the wall of the study, finding his heart rate was beating out of control. Lesser men had died from triggering half the outburst he'd just witnessed from the emperor. So how was he still standing?

The battle, he thought.He can't kill me as long as the people still celebrate my name.

It was a small margin to go on but it was the only thing he had. He'd played a dangerous game just now and had come out alive. Even if his career was in tatters with the powers-at-be, he was still breathing. And as long as he was still breathing, he had hope.

If anything, the events of his time back in Java seemed to steer him toward the destiny that he was supposed to go toward. While he had been on the fence about Galicia and what to do months ago, the emperor's actions (as well as Bancroft's) showed him that there wasn't much of a future to be had in Java.