Fourth Vector Ch. 36

Jack made a face. "That sounds awfully formal. Let me guess, we show off to all of Kalmar and they get to stare at me while I wear some fancy robes. Am I too far off?"

Bill nodded with excitement. "Don't forget your crown as well. The crown jewels are still locked in the basement of the Castle. But, Jack, it's important to do this for the people. It's as much for them as it is for you, and my first advice for you as the king of these people is to have a proper coronation."

Jack let out a heavy sigh. "Fine. How soon do we have to do this?"

"Oh, I'd say a couple weeks should give us enough time to prepare."

Jack gulped heavily. What had he gotten himself into?

*****

General Dennis Ryan of Java watched the new recruits drill from across the parade ground with innate boredom. If there was one place in the entire empire he wished he could be, the last option would be here watching these new soldiers practice their movements.

For one, they were all young. Frankly, they weretoo young, but ever since the new emperor came to power, the age limitations on the army had been lowered to make sure they could meet their quotas. Most of these boys weren't shaving regularly yet, and their lack of experience added a new level of difficulty to their training.

However, it was something that Dennis had to do. The newly-assigned colonel of this regiment had wanted to show their progress and Dennis wasn't going to deny him his opportunity. It did leave an odd feeling in Dennis' stomach though. It was a good thing the war was starting to wind down as these men could hardly be expected to shoulder the burden of combat in this inexperienced state.

With a mass salute from the new regiment and a far from mistake-free march back to their quarters, Dennis was finally released from his duties to walk back to his own office. If he was being honest with himself, he was quite nervous today. It wasn't every day that a messenger from Emperor Bancroft arrived with instructions for him personally. That wasn't to say he didn't know Bancroft before his ascension to the throne, but he assumed the Emperor had bigger fish to fry than a simple army general.

Unless of course this wasn't a social call.

Dennis' blood ran cold at the thought of being on the latest proscription list that was due to come out next week. Emperor Bancroft was greatly enjoying the terror that came with creating each list, knowing that anyone who was anyone in Java had reason to be fearful of their name appearing on it. Dennis knew a retired general who'd amassed a fortune from business after retiring from the army. That general's name appeared on the last list, and it wasn't three days later that some opportunistic punk delivered the general's severed head to the Emperor, making himself a cut of the general's overall fortune.

That was how it seemed to run anymore in Java. Gangs of thugs and career criminals now waited gleefully for the latest proscription lists, becoming bounty hunters in return for their perverse service to the state.

If there was anyone capable of making the nation look back fondly on Charles IX, it certainly was Bancroft. His reign of terror had ordinary Javans fearful for what the future might bring. There were many of them who said that Bancroft was just getting rid of bad influences on the Javan state, and that these lists would end once the war was over, but Dennis knew better.

As long as Bancroft was in power, he would seek to make his rule absolute. There had become no room for dissent in Bancroft's Java.

Dennis put all of that out of his mind as he arrived at his office and saw his visitor was already there waiting for him. The man was dressed in the palatial garb that indicated he was part of the Emperor's staff with flowing robes and carefully perfumed hair. His face was anything but handsome and was simple in the extreme (except in regards to his chin, which was just a tad too large for his face).

"My apologies for being late," said Dennis as he scurried around his desk and sat down. "I hope you weren't waiting long."

"Just a mere five minutes, General," said the servant. "And you may call me Tullus."

"Very well, Tullus," said Dennis. "I understand you're here with a message from the Emperor."

"That is correct, General," answered Tullus with a close-eyed nod of the head.

Dennis instantly found himself disliking the servant. Men like him wouldn't last long in the army.

While he was thinking, Tullus started to speak again. "The Emperor wishes for you to take on the leadership of the campaign against the Tyrolean rebellion. As you know, there hasn't been one central commander of the war effort in Tyrol to this date."

Dennis raised his eyebrow. "I thought the Emperor was managing the conflict directly? Or at least he was before his ascension to the throne."

Tullus managed to look irritated for a moment but it disappeared from his face quickly. "That was correct, however, the Emperor cannot rule the nation and focus on the campaign at the same time. Recent events in Tyrol have forced his hand and he needs one strong general to lead the effort on the ground."

Dennis didn't have to ask about the recent events that Tullus was referring to. By now, the shattered remains of Colonel Roland Smart's army of five regiments had made it back to camp. Those five regiments had been battered beyond belief, with one taking as much as sixty percent casualties. Not only had they failed at wiping out the rebel army in the mountains, but in their defeat, they allowed themselves to be harried all the way back to Javan territory.

The men that returned should have been completely discharged from the army. They were of no use as soldiers anymore. At least Roland Smart had the intelligence to die instead of returning with that ragtag excuse for an army.

Tullus continued speaking. "The Emperor wishes to place you in command of the operation in Tyrol, delegating you with total authority to bring the war to a conclusion. To that end, every regiment that is currently operational in Tyrol now comes under your command."

"Every single regiment?" asked Dennis. "There's close to twenty of them at last count."

"Twenty exactly by the Emperor's count," said Tullus coolly. "The Emperor wishes that so many regiments will be combined into a single army to move throughout Tyrol. He no longer wishes any regiments to operate independently."

That was hardly a surprise either. Operating in Tyrol had shown just about everyone in Java that they were at a distinct disadvantage when compared with the native Tyroleans. Small-scale units had been banned from transiting the country without being attached to a larger company. In fact, a company was now the smallest unit that was allowed to operate independently thanks to all the ambushes that had been suffered along the way. With the defeat of Roland Smart, it only made tactical sense to operate together.

"How soon will I be taking over full command?" asked Dennis.

"Immediately," replied Tullus. "The Emperor wishes for you to submit a plan for your destruction of the rebel army. He no longer wishes for the current strategy to be occupying or destroying Tyrolean towns and cities. Emperor Bancroft says the greatest threat is the army, so you will only pay secondary attention to the towns and go after the rebel army with your full force."

Dennis took a moment to think about what he knew about the Tyrolean rebel army. He knew all about its commander, Trevor Downing, who was before the war just a simple shopkeeper. How that man had risen to be the general of such an army was beyond Dennis, but the craziest thing about all of it was that so far, he'd managed to keep the Tyrolean force together in the face of alarming odds.

He'd also only faced smaller units during many of his battles. Downing had yet to take the field against a Javan general leading a force of twenty regiments. It was there that Dennis was hoping he could finally destroy the mystique that surrounded the Tyrolean leader.

"I can take command immediately," promised Dennis. "And I can find a way to force Trevor Downing into battle."

"See that you do," said Tullus ominously. "The Emperor wished me to communicate with you that the war against the Occitanians is almost over. Surrender is expected from them any day. The Ruthenians keep suffering defeats as well, and they will be next to surrender. The Emperor wishes this operation in Tyrol to be wrapped up completely as well. He's putting his full confidence in you to make that happen."

Dennis felt the weight of the request on his shoulders. Eliciting disappointment from Bancroft was hardly a measure of success and if he wanted to stay off the next proscription list, he had to deliver victory.

"I accept the command with all its consequences," said Dennis in a clear loud voice. "Am I correct in my understanding that any action is justified in the field as long as it brings about an end to the war? That was the Emperor's pronouncement when he was leading the Tyrol operation."

Tullus looked down his long nose at Dennis. "That is correct, General. "End the war by any means necessary and you'll carry favor with the Emperor."

Dennis found a smile parting his lips. "In that case, I'll deliver the victory the Emperor is seeking. And in the process, we're going to make all of Tyrol tremble."

*****

Commodore Lucas was already trembling thanks to the unseasonably cold weather that visited Quiller's Cove that morning, making the residents of the tiny Javan base don their winter clothing earlier than expected. The air off the ocean was particularly biting, forcing Lucas back inside to his office and making him crave a second cup of coffee.

Even still, if the cold weather was the only thing he had to worry about today, then life wasn't all that bad. Things could always be worse. He was alive to see another day without struggle, despite the fact that Java was at war. He'd even managed to stay off the recent proscription list, which was no small feat considering that Bancroft had always disliked him.

No, life wasn't too bad for the Javan commodore but it could be boring more than anything else.

Unfortunately today would be anything but boring.

Lucas was in the middle of his second cup of coffee when his deputy, Lt. Settler, arrived at the door with a queer look on his face.

"What is it, Andre?" asked Lucas, noticing the sentiment right away.

"I'm not sure how to say this, Commodore, but a ship has just arrived in the docks. A foreign ship from the Fourth Vector."

Lucas blinked at him. "I take it they aren't hostile then? I don't hear the cannons blasting at them so they must be friendly."

Settler nodded. "They are indeed and it appears to be nothing more than a trading vessel, sir."

"Then why bring this to my attention?" asked Lucas as he tried to stay calm. The appearance of a foreign trading vessel was hardly the cause for alarm, especially if they weren't being hostile.

"There were two Javan passengers aboard," said Andre. "One who goes by the name of Lord Paul Ferris and claims to be the Viceroy of Picardy while the other goes by Captain Lewis Barnabas and claims to be the commander of the battleshipCenturion. How they've arrived here of all places is anyone's guess."

That caught Lucas' attention quickly. Those names were familiar to him, especially that of Barnabas who came through at the beginning of the year with Jack Easterbrook. Ferris wasn't far behind and the most recent news about the duo was that they were pulled from their positions by a mutiny within Jack's task force. That mutiny had followed a period of radio silence from Jack's force, something that had puzzled just about everyone in the Javan Navy.

Lucas also felt nervous about the arrival of Barnabas and Ferris seeing as he had a part to play in their story as well. He'd personally intercepted just about every official correspondence that Barnabas sent back to the Admiralty, removing any reference of Barnabas trying to interfere with Jack's leadership. While Barnabas likely knew his messages were being intercepted, he could probably surmise that Lucas was the missing link.

It was only with great reluctance that Lucas ordered the pair to be brought to his office, and they arrived about thirty minutes later looking nothing like the way Lucas expected. Barnabas he met before, but the former Javan captain now spotted a thick beard where there had been none before. Ferris was tall and lanky, and his clothing was much shabbier than anyone could expect from a lord.

"Commodore Lucas, I thank you greatly for this audience this morning!" said Barnabas as he offered a crisp salute. Lucas thought it amusing that he still remembered how to do so despite his shabby appearance.

"I'm about as puzzled as you are to see you in Quiller's Cove, gentlemen," said Lucas as he looked back and forth between the two. "Care to explain what you're doing here?"

"I can explain all right, there's been a mutiny!" said Barnabas while smacking his fist off the desk in front of him. "We were overthrown by Javan officers and now an entire Javan task force has gone rogue!"

Lucas listened for the next twenty minutes as Barnabas told their story. He made sure to cover how they were removed from command by Commander Abigail Wainwright of theDestiny and Lt. Colonel Greg Vaughn of the Javan marines, who ultimately imprisoned them in Picardy. They only managed to escape after the country fell to the Swabians, and it was only a timely escape from Picardy that brought them first to Carinthia and then on a southern-bound trade ship to Quiller's Cove.

"And that's how we wound up here," finished Barnabas. "I had to pay the savage captain of the trading ship almost a month's wages for him to go this far east but it was the only way we could get close to Quiller's. A good thing we did too because as far as I can tell, we're the only ones alive that haven't rebelled against our country within that task force."

"Hold on a second, you've just given me too much information," said Lucas as held his hands up. "The entire task force has mutinied and are now fighting with the savages. But where is Jack Easterbrook in all of this? Hasn't he shown up alive?"

"Alive and working with the savages!" sputtered Barnabas. "He's gone totally nuts from what I've heard. He thinks he's some king out here now and he's even changed his name. The man has betrayed his country as well and has caused his entire command to defect from Java, even my belovedCenturion!"

"That's a hefty charge to make," said a serious Lucas. "Claiming mutiny against anyone carries with it a death sentence. Are you sure of which you speak? You're positive that Jack Easterbrook has mutinied against Java?"

Barnabas nodded excitedly. "I swear it. Paul here swears it too. If our word isn't good enough, then I don't know what is."

"He's right, Commodore," chimed Ferris with a high-pitched voice. "Everything Captain Barnabas has told you is correct."

Lucas let out a heavy sigh.Jack, what have you gotten yourself into?

There was no way he could sit on this news. Mutinies were serious subjects and had to be reported up the chain of command as soon as they appeared. Failure to do so could have Lucas himself implicated in the mutiny, and he had no wish to die at this stage of his career, no matter his feelings about Jack.

He would have to send word back to the Admiralty.

Jack, I really hope you know what you're doing.

*****

Jack had no idea what he was doing.

At least, that was the thought that went through his head as he tried on the coronation robes and crown and took a look at himself in the mirror for the first time. The robes were a far cry from the simple admiral's uniform he usually wore, and the majesty of the dress alone was enough to make him feel uncomfortable.

"Are you sure these are what I have to wear?" he asked Bill, who was appraising the situation from the side.

"Jack, those are your official robes," answered the old lord with a simple shrug. "Now, granted, they might be a little outdated but the last person to wear those was your great-great-great-great grandfather, Robert III."

"Style has changed a little in two hundred years," said Jack as he looked once more at the robes. "This looks like something I've seen in the history books of old Javan emperors from centuries past."

"Well, as the king, you're allowed to modernize the style of dress," noted Bill. "Although I think it's a good idea to keep this one current for the coronation at least. The people and the lords will want to see your reign as a continuation of the past, and the robes help to accomplish that."

Jack let out a small sigh and looked at himself in the mirror again. It had been two weeks since the city had come under his control, and in that short time, Kalmar had seen a rebirth the likes of which no one expected. The Galician capital had stopped looking like a war zone and started looking more like a city, and the people had banded together to restore it to its original greatness.

There was still much that needed to be done. Bill's manor had only been slightly cleared away and the Castle still needed major work, but there was much for Jack to be proud of about his new home.

While the city rebuilt, Jack prepared for his coronation. Bill and Kat had taken over as the true planners of the event since they'd had the most experience with Galician affairs, and the two seemed to get an almost cruel enjoyment at making sure Jack understood all the little details that went into such an event.

That included the king's robes that Jack was now wearing. They were awfully itchy against the skin, and they needed to be washed thoroughly before Jack could even think to try them on, but since they were symbols of the Galician past, it was a foregone conclusion that he would be wearing them.

The whole thing had Jack a little worn out. Despite his nightly sessions with Bill to learn about the Galician government and how to rule, the last two weeks had been the most challenging of his life. Being a king was a lot different than being a naval officer, and Jack felt like there wasn't enough time to learn all the minutiae that went into being a sovereign.

If anything, he needed a break. Fortunately for him, Bill seemed to sense his sudden frustration and the older lord had no qualms about him sneaking away after he handed the robes back. Truthfully, Jack just wanted to sit down and talk about something that wasn't the coronation for once, and knowing that his son was currently with his favorite aunt made it an easy decision on where to go.

"There's your daddy," cooed Vera as she opened the door to Jack. She held John in her arms and was now miming a wave from the infant to his father. "Say hi to your dada!"

John looked on in confusion but came willingly to Jack's arms as he stepped inside Vera's quarters. By this point, all of them had moved into the Castle, appropriating rooms that needed the least work from the blaze. Jack had set up Vera and Greg in a wing that was close to the one he shared with Kat and Abigail, and that made for frequent visits (as well as the opportunity for Vera to watch over John, which she was always eager to do).

Jack shut the door quickly behind him and sat in an old chair, letting out a heavy sigh as soon as he was comfortable.

"You seem a bit frazzled right now," noted Vera as she sat down beside him. "What's wrong? Being king not everything you expected?" she teased.

"Simplybeing king isn't that overwhelming," said Jack. "It's all the pomp and events that go with it that get exhausting. You won't believe what I just had to do."

"Let me guess," said Vera playfully. "Try on your robes to make sure they fit?"