The Tortuous Path by G. P. Hudson

Author:G. P. Hudson [Hudson, G. P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-02-28T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

“Have you lost your mind, Reynolds?” Emperor Cherenko pointed a finger at Reynolds as he spoke, his face a bright red. “You did not have Imperial approval for any of this.”

“I took the initiative, majesty,” Reynolds said, white-hot fury building inside him. “The Avar system fell with minimal losses. I added their warships to my fleet and invaded the Tran system. The speed of the invasion caught the Tran off guard, ensuring my success. It was a tactical decision.”

“Tactical decision?! Who the hell do you think you are? I made you, Reynolds, or have you forgotten that? You were an insignificant captain on the fast track to retirement. You are an admiral because of me. I gave you that fleet, and I can just as easily take it away.”

“Yes, majesty. I only seek to serve the Empire. I believe I have done just that by repatriating two rebellious star systems.”

“Your orders were to invade the Avar system only. You were not given any authority to invade the Tran system. Nor were you authorized to grant amnesty to Premier Reese, or President Stohl.”

“Yes, your worship. But again, that offer of amnesty allowed me to take both systems with minimal bloodshed. We did not lose as many ships, and I was not forced to bomb the civilian population. In fact, my reputation pushed them to make this deal. They knew I would bomb their cities otherwise.”

“You were supposed to bomb them, you goddamn fool! You were supposed to make an example of the Avars, not hand out candy to their leaders. You are the Butcher of Allimania. If I wanted to engage in diplomacy I sure as hell would not have sent you in.”

“But majesty, if we can use the carrot, why use the stick?”

“That is a question for your Emperor, and the Admiralty, not you. You are the stick. Your job is to make populations tremble with fear. Your appearance in a star system should be enough to bring a government to its knees. Unconditional surrender, or devastation. That is how you are supposed to negotiate. When I send you into a system, I am flexing. I am showing the populace what happens to those who oppose me. Do you understand what you just did? You told the rest of the Empire that they can rebel against us and all will be forgiven. You gave them leverage against us.”

“Forgive me, majesty, but in this case, I felt a different approach would yield better results.”

“Well, luckily for the Empire I am not bound by your decisions.”

“Majesty?”

“Premier Reese and President Stohl will be taken into custody immediately, along with the rest of their cabinets. They will then be sent back to Earth to stand trial for treason. The Avar and Tran militaries will be disbanded, and their ships reassigned to other UEDF fleets.”

“But majesty, I gave my word as an Admiral in good faith.”

“Are you suggesting that your authority supersedes that of your Emperor?”

“No, your worship. Of course not.”

“Good, because as the Emperor, I am countermanding your orders.

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