Three Square Meals Ch. 145

"How do you console a heartbroken mother, when you have to tell her that her little girl and baby boy have been chopped up... and fucking eaten!" He choked and brushed a hand across his face, wiping away his angry tears. "And those fuckers in the Admiralty sat back and let it happen! They withdrew all the border fleets to protect Terra and never gave a shit about any of us!"

There was silence amongst the governors as they listened to his furious speech, their expressions a mixture of sympathy, anger, and fear.

"Make no mistake, you would've been next," Stefan declared, making eye contact with the members of his audience. "High Command would've sacrificed all of us without a second thought, if it meant protecting the Core Worlds from attack. They just see us as disposable assets; worlds they can strip bare of resources and give the absolute minimum back. We will never be their priority... and the situation just got a whole lot worse."

"Worse? How?!" Reyes Angevin asked in alarm.

"You must have seen the news," Stefan replied. "The Kintark Empire surrendered and High Command has just acquired over 300 more worlds. So where do you think that leaves us?"

"Right at the bottom of the shitheap," the Menganus IV Governor muttered with resentment.

"Exactly!" Stefan declared adamantly. "There's no future for any of us staying under Terran Federation control. The only way forward is to declare our independence and start looking after our own interests, instead of supporting the greedy leeches in the Core Worlds. With all of us pulling together, we've got access to enough mineral resources, manufacturing capabilities, and agri-worlds to support a massive colony rush of citizens looking to escape the Federation's tyranny."

"You really think people will give up their cushy lives in the Core Worlds to live out on the frontier?" Lucyna asked sceptically.

"Sure they will!" Stefan said enthusiastically. Turning to Anastasia Volkov, he asked, "How much is Colony Administration charging Lithotanian citizens for Federation protection?"

"The basic rate of tax used to be 12%, but in the last five years they've increased it to 20%!" she seethed, her eyes hardening with resentment. "Then they leave my administration to deal with all the protests and the riots, when the taxes we collect are only being used for infrastructure improvements and planetary services!"

"What would you say if I offered to scrap the tax entirely?" he said enticingly.

She gave him a sceptical look. "My citizens would call you a hero and build statues in your honour... until they're abducted by the Kirrix and die cursing your name. I'm willing to listen to a serious proposal Mr. Vaughn, but I won't sit here and waste my time indulging absurd fantasies. Protecting our colonies from hostile aliens is a fundamental responsibility of any colonial government; paying taxes for military protection is an unfortunate but undeniable necessity."

"Believe me, I know all too well the consequences of leaving colonies inadequately defended," he said, nodding in agreement. "But I promise you, I'd never let that happen. Hell, Brecken's World is right on the Kirrix border... we'd be the first to fall if our borders weren't secure."

"So how are you proposing to keep us safe?" she asked, looking intrigued.

"That's a very good question," he replied, leaning over to activate the holo-projector built into the conference table.

A three-dimensional map of the Terran Federation appeared, rotating slowly in the centre of the room. On the map were depicted the bordering alien civilisations, with different colours highlighting their territory.

"I'm sure all of you have been following recent galactic developments as closely as I have," he said, looking around at his attentive audience. "High Command might like to keep its planetary governors in the dark, but that doesn't mean we have to sit there with our eyes shut too. I don't know how the rest of you operate, but I've got a few dedicated citizens serving in the military who remember where their true loyalties lie... back home with their families."

He tapped a button on the interface and the Ashanath Collective began to flash. "The Greys have never been a threat to us and there's no reason to believe they ever will be in the future. The only danger from this side of the galaxy is the Drakkar, but they just threw everything they've got at the Grey's homeworld and got wiped out. We won't have to worry about raiders for years."

"How can you be so sure?" the governor from Asrad Delta asked with a puzzled frown.

"I can't reveal my sources, but this comes right from the top," Stefan replied. "The Lion was involved in the battle. He informed High Command about it personally and Blake's got no reason to lie."

Next he highlighted the Trankaran Republic, which spread out below the colonies located in the Outer Rim.

"The Trankarans have always wanted more trade with us, but we've been locked into dealing with the merchant guilds in the Core Worlds. By cutting out the greedy middle-man and massively ramping up trade, we'll make far more in commercial taxes than we ever would from direct taxation on citizens. Best of all, they won't even notice the tax hike, because the price of goods won't increase! The rockmen have just fought off a Kirrix invasion themselves, so they'll be desperate for allies. This is the perfect time to reach out to them and offer them the hand of friendship."

"But we won't be able to offer them a military alliance when we've got no military," Anastasia said, looking at the Trankaran Republic speculatively.

"And why haven't we got a military? We've been paying through the nose for it!" Stefan snarled, thumping the table with his fist. "When the time is right, we'll take what we're owed!"

Bryce gave him a wry smile. "I could be wrong about this, but I doubt High Command will just hand over several fleets."

"Yeah, but how many ships are manned by men and women who grew up on the Outer Rim? Who sympathise with us and would want to fight for their own kin? When we declare our independence, they'll want to come home... and bring their ships with them."

"That sounds like an awfully big gamble and nothing we can really rely on," Anastasia said, shaking her head. "Please tell me you have some evidence to support this."

"He's right," Andros Petrides interjected, his voice firm with conviction. "Many of the ships based at Port Heracles are crewed by local personnel. They requested those postings to make visiting family on shore leave more convenient. I've had some very frank conversations with a number of ship captains that are very sympathetic to our cause. You'd be surprised at the level of resentment within the military towards High Command."

Stefan tapped another button on the interface and the Brimorian Enclave began to flash. "I'm sure you've all seen the TFNN broadcasts about escalating tensions with the Brimorians. With the Terran Federation getting into a territory war with the Enclave, neither side will be looking for trouble with us. In fact, the Brimorians might even offer us some support, if we can convince them that our independence would weaken the Terran Federation."

The next click highlighted the Maliri Regency which loomed over the empires below. "Admiral Blake is friends with the Maliri and even convinced them to intervene at the Battle of Terra. We've had confirmation from the Lionesses that he sympathises with us, so I'm sure we won't have any trouble establishing extensive trade agreements with the Maliri."

"Hold up. How do you know that?" Reyes Angevin asked, looking deeply sceptical.

"Fleet Admiral Devereux announced it herself in a TFNN interview," Stefan explained, before looking at the man with sympathy. "The broadcast went out around the time you were captured by the Kirrix."

Blushing with embarrassment, he muttered, "Oh... right."

"Which just leaves the only real threat..." A final click highlighted Kirrix Space. Pointing towards the border, he continued, "This is where we'll need the bulk of our forces... but we've got plenty of time to prepare our defences."

"How can you be so sure?" Anastasia asked, staring fearfully at the source of the alien menace.

Rather than directly answering her question, he turned to the new governor of Carolus III. "Dominic, would you tell us what happened when the Kirrix attacked your homeworld?"

Dominic MacMillan was the newest governor in attendance. He had recently replaced Governor Cochran, who committed suicide rather than deal with the survivor's guilt he suffered in the aftermath of the Kirrix invasion.

Clearing his throat, he began, "I was in one of the last groups that was captured by the Kirrix. They didn't find us for days after the planet was invaded because we hid in a bunker under the capitol building..." His voice faded and he looked down shamefaced.

"We all would've done the same thing," Stefan said gruffly. "Go on."

With a sigh of regret, Dominic renewed his story. "The Bugs lined us up... made us form a queue to board their hive ships. We all knew what was going to happen to us after we were forced inside. I've never been so scared... it was terrifying..."

Lucyna swallowed, feeling a cold sweat on her brow. Just hearing the story triggered awful memories that she never wanted to remember again. Bryce reached over and clasped her hand, giving it a supportive squeeze. She gripped his tight in return and gave him a grateful smile.

"Then out of nowhere the Lionesses arrived," Dominic said, his face filled with wonder. "The hive ship just... exploded... and all these pieces of metal shredded the bugs. I've never seen anything like it, the Kirrix were torn to pieces! There was blood everywhere... and bits of them just showered the ground like confetti..."

Shaking his head in disbelief, he continued, "We were keeping our heads down, trying not to get hit, but I swear... not one of us got so much as a scratch." He paused for a moment, lost in the memories, then blinked as he focused on the spellbound audience. "Anyway, the Bugs were gone. Every last one had been ripped apart... and not just at the ship where I was captured, but everywhere on Carolus III. The Lion and the Lionesses killed everything... I mean, they made sure every last one of those insectoid bastards was never going to fuck with anyone ever again!"

Stefan gave him a grateful nod, then said quietly, "None of the Kirrix that attacked Brecken's World survived either. When I was rescued, Blake and his crew wiped them out... and I've heard the same thing has been happening with all the worlds the Lion liberated. The Bugs have lost hundreds of ships and millions of troops; it's going to take them decades to recover from those kinds of losses."

"I believe you about everything you saw happen," Anastasia said cautiously. "But how do we know that the Kirrix aren't planning another invasion? They could have more ships in reserve... and attack us when we're vulnerable and undefended."

"No, they won't," Lucyna blurted out. "They're too busy fightin' a civil war."

"A civil war?" the Lithotania Governor repeated, doubt in her eyes. "How do you know that?"

"The Lionesses told me," Lucyna explained. "Alyssa caused it. She told the Kirrix that if they didn't bring back all the colonists they took, the Lion would blow up their homeworld."

Anastasia looked at her with sympathy. "Luce... they were probably just exaggerating to make you feel better."

"No, they were tellin' me the truth!" she declared adamantly. "If you'd ever met them, you'd know what they're like. They wouldn't lie to me, not about this. If they say that blonde angel terrified the Kirrix so bad they started killin' each other, I believe every word. Hell, I saw Bug troops blast one of them Hive Lords with my own eyes! Then they dragged us onto their ship and rushed us back home! After tossing us out like yesterday's garbage, they high-tailed it the fuck outta there!"

Reyes Angevin coughed awkwardly to get everyone's attention. "I saw the Lion in action... and he can do shit you wouldn't even believe. If the Lionesses told Luce that they made the Bugs fight a civil war... I don't have a shadow of a doubt that it's true."

Stefan looked at Lucyna with concern, seeing how much her outburst had taken out of the flustered woman. "Do you need to take a break?"

Before she could reply, the doors to the conference room crashed open and a man wearing a technician's uniform burst inside. Everyone jumped in shock at the loud bang, twisting around to see who it was. Governor Vaughn was about to rebuke the technician for disturbing such a critical meeting, but the look of terror in the man's eyes made him freeze.

"A Federation fleet just jumped in!" he gasped, panting for breath. "They know you're all here!"

"What?!" Stefan blurted out as he leapt up from his chair, sending it toppling over with a crash. "It must be a coincidence... there's no way they could react that fast!"

The man frantically shook his head. "The Fleet Admiral's with them. She's hailing us!"

"Oh my god! We've got to get out of here!" the governor from Ciracrus II blurted out, his eyes wide with fear.

He bolted for the door, and as panic set in, the rest of the standing governors started to flee too.

"STOP!" Stefan yelled at the top of his voice.

His outburst caused the skittish crowd to turn back and look at him in surprise.

"What the fuck are you doing?" he asked them incredulously. "You can't just run away!"

"I only came here to listen to what you had to say, not get shot for treason!" Munir exclaimed, edging towards the door.

Stefan shook his head. "Just stop and think for a second. Devereux jumped in with a T-Fed fleet; if you get in your freighter and try to flee the system, they'll interdict you before you even reach the jump point. You can't outrun them."

"Oh god..." Munir whimpered, burying his face in his hands. "What're we going to do?!"

"First of all, just calm down," Stefan said, taking a deep breath then letting it out slowly as an example. He held his arms open and declared, "Now, why would we need to run? Nobody's done anything wrong. All of you are just visiting Brecken's World as a show of support for the relief effort."

"They're not stupid, Stefan," Bryce said, not looking convinced. "There's no way Devereux will buy that. She must know exactly why we're all here."

"Oh, I'm sure she does," he agreed. "But what's she going to do? We haven't done shit. There's been no civil insurrection, no fighting, no rebellion against High Command. If she even tried to have us arrested, all our colonies would go berserk... and you can bet that would trigger unrest right across the Federation."

"So how do we play this?" Anastasia asked, looking at him expectantly.

"We're going to be polite and friendly. If we don't provoke Devereux in any way, there's nothing she can do to us." Stefan straightened his ruffled suit and composed himself. "Now, I'm going to go speak to her and find out what's she's doing here. The rest of you just relax... we're going to be fine."

The governors parted for him as he walked out of the room, every set of eyes following their host.

Lucyna leaned over to Bryce and whispered, "Was it just me, or did he sound like he was tryin' to convince himself?"

The Tasmaris Prime Governor nodded grimly. "What do you think? Is he right about Devereux's hands being tied?"

"I dunno," she admitted with a worried frown. "But if he's wrong, we're all in deep shit."

***

The sun had just set on the capital of Brecken's World, but the sky was still partially illuminated, the dim twilight adding a mystical air to Valley Falls. Unlike the harsh neons and glaring streetlights of an Outer Rim world like Nobruna, twinkling lanterns hung from every tree, casting a cheery glow over the rustic town. The soft lighting was simple but effective, making the inhabitants feel like they were living in an enchanted glen.

The crowd gathered in the starport were far too distracted to appreciate the natural beauty of their surroundings. Their attention was focused on the two massive warships that were slowly descending from the heavens. Spotlights shone along the hulls of both Terran Federation vessels, revealing the name of the battleship to be the Aphrodite, and the assault carrier accompanying it to be the Zelus.

Retro-thrusters blazed beneath both spacecraft, arresting their descent, and leaving them looming ominously over the city. Docking bay doors slid open in their grey titanium hulls, and a cluster of much smaller ships emerged, then banked down towards the starport. The shuttle from the Aphrodite took the lead, but it was quickly overtaken by a wing of six gunships from the Zelus.

The black gunships arrived first, the wing of transports splitting up and dispersing around the starport. Two actually swooped down to hover a few feet above the central landing pad, then loading ramps descended and armoured soldiers leapt clear and fanned out. Their sudden appearance immediately unsettled the governors, but the special forces troops made no threatening moves towards the civilians as they took up defensive positions.

Last to arrive was the shuttle, and it glided down to a gentle landing in the centre of the docking bay. The airlock spiralled open and a woman wearing the distinctive uniform of the Fleet Admiral of the Terran Federation stepped outside. Compared to the dazzling magnificence of the Lionesses, Lynette Devereux was a rather plain and dowdy woman, her brown hair streaked with grey. Nevertheless, everyone present in the starport was painfully aware that she was also the uncontested leader of billions of Terrans, and wielded immense political power.

Lynette's eyes widened in astonishment at the size of the crowd, but she quickly recovered before most of the governors noticed. Stefan Vaughn saw her reaction though, and he smiled with newfound confidence, feeling emboldened that the Fleet Admiral was shocked at the sheer number of governors present. Ignoring the fact that his distinguished guest could still have them all shot as traitors, Stefan stepped forward and greeted her with a cordial bow.

"Good evening, Fleet Admiral," he said confidently. "It's a great pleasure to welcome you to Brecken's World."

"Good evening to you too, Governor Vaughn, I'm very glad to be here," Devereux replied, her voice surprisingly warm and engaging. "Although, it's unfortunate that we start this meeting with you being less than truthful with me."

"W-what?" Stefan stammered, the tables turning as he was caught completely off-guard by her accusation.

She shook her head and replied, "I'm quite sure that you are definitely not pleased to see me, or anyone else from High Command for that matter... and with very good reason."

He recovered quickly and blurted out, "A visit by the Fleet Admiral to our colony is a great honour."

Instead of dignifying his evasion with a reply, she turned to survey the nervous crowd, immediately recognising the governors present. "I noticed how busy your starport is at the moment, Governor Vaughn. I brought emergency supplies with my fleet, but it appears that your neighbours have already rallied to your aid."

Stefan cleared his throat awkwardly and glanced back at the rest of the governors. "Yes... they're all here in a show of solidarity to support the relief effort."

Devereux raised an eyebrow, her look of disappointment making everyone feel like they'd just been scolded like naughty children. "That's very commendable."

There was an awkward silence, then Stefan gestured behind him to the exit. "Would you like to accompany me to the Colonial Administration building, Fleet Admiral? I assume you'd like to take control of the facility during your state visit to Brecken's World?"