The Broken Peace

After two days of waiting, the cruiser Mikuma arrived to escort the Western Star back to Anatolia. Technicians linked the FTL of the two ships together. The young tech the captain of the Mikuma sent to the Western Star looked as if he recently graduated from the academy. "The limitations of the Western Star's jump drives will naturally restrict the distance we could ordinarily jump, but it will keep us on the same course and jump points to ensure that you can't stay behind or jump to different coordinates. The nav station aboard Mikuma will plot our jump points based on your limitations, and it will take us approximately three days to arrive on Anatolia. I could make a few adjustments on your drives that could allow your condensers and jump coils to more effiecently operate in unison with ours, but by the time I completed the upgrade, we could arrive back on Anatolia by then, so it would really be a waste of time and resources. On the other hand, if we could-"

"Excuse me, but don't you think we should finish linking the FLT computers?" asked Peterson.

"Oh, yes, sorry. I get a little carried away sometimes. My brother once told me that I over-explain everything and that sometimes it's just best not to explain how something works and let it exist. He told me people don't have to know how something works to get use out of it, so-"

"Excuse me, but about the FTL computer."

"Sorry. I did it again, didn't I? Maybe I should get to work."

"Yes, thank you. How long will it take? The short answer, please."

"About two hours, maybe less if I don't have to reload anything or update too many systems."

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

"Good. Carry on, Ensign."

Four hours later, the ships made their first jump, arriving at the jump point in unison. The same held for the next three jumps before the computer links broke down, and the tech had to reset them. With the five-hour operation completed, the ships continued their route to Anatolia.

Marquette received quarters aboard the Mikuma for the journey. He tried to remain with the Western Star, but Captain Pettway insisted the former ambassador join him on the Mikuma. After transferring to the Mikuma, Pettway hosted a special banquet to celebrate Marquette's arrival.

The question of whether or not he was a prisoner or a guest bothered Marquette. Though he'd broken no laws and represented the Assembly to the best of his abilities, the insistence on joining the crew of the Mikuma bothered him. Mainly because no one aboard the Mikuma gave him a definitive answer to his question, which probably meant that even Captain Pettway didn't know either. Even though no one placed Marquette in the brig, nor was he confined to quarters, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

When he walked among the crew, Marquette noticed the sideways glances and looks of distrust. He tried to tell himself it was his imagination, but Marquette knew the Assembly's reputation for dealing with failure. He thought back to his conversation with Tasso. Marquette was too young to remember exactly why the man was exiled. Still, he knew it had something to do with an action he should have taken a more personal role in completing. At least that's what Varro told him. Maybe that was the reason why the ship's crew viewed him with a certain level of suspicion and mistrust.

When the ship arrived above Anatolia, Marquette felt a sense of relief mixed with fear. His relief came from the knowledge he was back home, while the fear he felt came from the uncertainty of the reception awaiting him on the surface. On the shuttle ride down, Marquette contemplated what fate may have in store for him.

The shuttle landed on the platform at the spaceport on the outskirts of New Athens. The hiss of the hatch told Marquette it was time to depart and face whatever waited for him outside. He ran several scenarios through his mind about what to expect, but none of them prepared him for what he saw when he descended the ramp.

A large crowd gathered at the spaceport, awaiting the arrival of the Meteoran ambassador. As he proceeded down the ramp, a cheerful cry arose from the crowd, welcoming him back to Anatolia. A puzzled look crossed his face as he spotted a rostrum with several people standing around it. Sebastien recognized his mother among the assembled dignitaries. To her right stood Vanessa. Though he longed to run to her, he resisted the temptation while he tried to comprehend what was happening.

Beside Vanessa, Cleon stood watching as Marquette stepped onto the tarmac. "Go to him, my dear," he said. She looked at him, hesitant to move. "No one will stop you. We are all waiting for you to enjoy this happy reunion. Now, go."

Vanessa paused for a moment more before rushing toward Sebastien. When he saw her approach, Sebastien approached her, and soon they fell into each other's arms. Their lips came together without a word as he held her in his arms. For a moment, Sebastien forgot about the crowd and the dignitaries. He relished being in the embrace of the woman he loved. "Hi," he said.

"Hi," she said in return. "I missed you, I thought you were never going to return. They told me you were missing, and I thought, I thought you were dead."

"It's alright. I'm home now. There's so much I want to tell you." Sebastien's mind suddenly returned to the scene around him. "What, what is all this? What's going on?"

"When we heard that you'd escaped Meteora, Ekklesian Cleon planned a welcome home for you."

"Cleon?"

"He wanted to ensure you received a hero's welcome."

"Cleon did this?"

"Yes, the Ekklesian wanted to make sure you knew how we all appreciated what you did on Meteora. He even gave me a spot on his staff after we heard about your uncle's death."

"His staff? But the election?"

"Sweetheart, there will be no election. The Optimates have no candidate and have essentially conceded the election. Cleon is the next Archon."

"No election? There has to be an election. How can he circumvent an election of the people?"

Cleon approached Marquette, smiling and extending his hand to the hero of the hour. "Mr. Ambassador, how glad I am to see you. When we heard of the calamity over Meteora, we all feared the worst. I hope you are not overwhelmed by all the attention, but it is so rare to welcome a true hero home these days. While I hate interrupting your reunion, our people want to hear from you. Afterward, we have much to discuss in private about the events concerning Meteora, so for now, choose your words wisely."

Cleon stepped to the rostrum and addressed the crowd. "My fellow citizens of Anatolia. Today is a day of celebration. We rejoice in welcoming home a man who sacrificed much in the service of his people. I know we all want to know the details of his escape from Meteora, but please be patient with him and give him time to celebrate his return with his family and loved ones. However, before he speaks to you all, I have an announcement to make. Sebastien Marquette, for your service, above and beyond the call of duty, I am making you my Minister of Foreign Affairs. You and I will work together to rally our allies and confront the threat posed to us by Laconia."

A great cheer rose from the crowd as Sebastien watched in disbelief. Cleon ushered him to the microphone. "Speak to your adoring crowd, Minister Marquette. They are waiting to hear from you, as are we all."

Sebastien tried to compose himself as the crowd began to quiet. The moment's excitement etched on every face confused him all the more. "I'm a man of few words," Marquette began. "These last weeks have presented challenges to us all. A few days ago, I was a fugitive. Now, I'm welcomed home and allowed to serve you all again. It's a great honor that I do not know I deserve. All I know is that it's good to be home." Marquette stepped back from the microphone, and another cry emerged from the crowd. Vanessa embraced him, and Cleon patted him on the back.

"Well spoken, young man. If you please, my car is waiting to take us to my office. You and Vanessa will join me." Security ushered Sebastien and Vanessa into the waiting car. Cleon joined them and the vehicle raced to his office. "I'm sure you have many questions, but we will save them for when we arrive. Until then, relax."

"What do you want with me?" Marquette asked.

"Want? I want to honor a hero of our people and the legacy of your uncle and my friend Varro."

"I don't understand."

"You will. Trust me, you will soon understand everything."

Sebastien and Vanessa sat in Cleon's office in a strange silence. He could tell she wanted to tell him something, but she held back for an unknown reason. Cleon excused himself soon after their arrival to take care of some business of the Assembly, leaving the two of them alone in his office. Though the man himself was not there, Marquette believed that Cleon or someone else was listening to anything they said. Even Sebastien and Vanessa's silence could be considered suspicious under the circumstances.

"Have you been well?" he said, trying to break the odd silence.

"Yes, I wanted to come with Varro to Meteora to see you, but he wouldn't let me."

"It's good you didn't. Vanessa, I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?"

"For not being here for you. For staying away too long. For not sending you a message that I was okay after the battle. I guess for a lot of things."

"Sebastien, you did what you had to do. I knew what I was getting into when I fell in love with a man of the fleet."

"I know, but I feel I owe you, I don't know, something."

"Sebastien, we have the rest of our lives to be together."

Marquette stood and walked to the large window behind Cleon's desk. Vanessa followed him. "Do we? Do we really? Vanessa, we are at war with Laconia. Who knows what will happen by the time it ends?"

"I don't care about that right now. Don't you see? Cleon has given us a chance to be together."

"What do you mean?"

"You and I together in the Foreign Ministry. Where you go, I go. Do you still want to marry me? That's what we planned when you returned."

"Vanessa, yes, I want to marry you more than anything, but-"

"Then I say it's time to make that happen," Cleon said as he entered the office. "My apologies for keeping you waiting, but what a wonderful idea. A hero of Anatolia, returning to marry his sweetheart. That's the stuff of legends; a modern fairytale comes to life. What better way to boost the morale of our people at such a time?"

"Ekklesian Cleon, I-"

"Yes, I know there is much to explain, and so I shall. Please sit." Cleon waited for the couple to be seated before settling behind his desk. "I'll get right to the point. Your uncle confided in me about his mission. It was off the books at first, and only a handful of people, myself included, knew about it. After he left, I informed the Assembly of his mission to Laconia at Varro's request. He and I believed that if he waited for approval, any chances for peace would be lost. It was difficult to control the Assembly's anger at first, but the wisdom of Varro's plan became apparent. We all watched and waited for news. Then, we heard of the engagement over Meteora. I was heartbroken when I heard of Varro's death."

"How can you say that?" Marquette asked. "I have proof that you set him up. That you schemed to have my uncle assassinated along with King Lysander."

"No doubt you did. Tell me, Sebastien Marquette, would you take the word of a traitor? A man who swore allegiance to the Assembly and now serves our enemy? You would place your trust in a liar?"

"I've seen proof."

"You've seen what Laconia wants you to believe. They want you to believe that I somehow schemed with rogue agents to assassinate Varro and provoke a war. That I arranged to put people in just the right place at just the right time; such coordination and timing over such a long distance is the height of ambition and folly all at once. How would such a thing be coordinated? Varro did not tell me he would fly off to Meteora. How could he? It was not part of the plan. All I knew was that he would meet with King Alexander and Lysander on Laconia. What they schemed after was known only to them."

"You lie."

"Do I? What is the nature of this evidence you claim to have? Did Tasso give it to you or did you obtain it yourself?"

"Tasso, Tasso gave it to me."

"It's also my understanding that a sleeper agent infiltrated your team. Is that true?"

"Yes."

"Coincidence? I think not, Minister Marquette."

"What about Federov? Tasso claimed he was responsible for Varro's death?"

"Federov was nowhere near Meteora, I have verified that myself. Yes, I recalled him to replace the fallen Admiral Lamacus. He's a resourceful man, one we will need in the daunting days ahead. You have been deceived, Minister Marquette, but not by me. I have laid bare the lies presented to you. Now, you must choose to accept what I have said or not."

"What about the election? Why is it canceled?"

"Canceled? I have not canceled the election. To do so is unthinkable, but I am now running unopposed for all intents and purposes. There is a rival candidate, but he has no chance of winning. The election will go on, but it is all but decided. Is that proof enough for you?"

"How did you know about the sleeper agent?"

"It's in Admiral Cloudsley's report."

"Where is Admiral Cloudsley?"

"Preparing a fleet near Chalcis. If you like, you can ask him to verify the information I've provided. I have nothing to hide, Minister Marquette. I am giving you a chance to avenge the death of your uncle. You will go to our allies and secure their support in our efforts. You will form the alliance to vanquish the Spartiartes once and for all. So now I ask you. Can I count on you to be the man who helps lead us to victory?"

"I, I," Marquette looked at Vanessa. She stared back at him as tears began to fall. "I, I will. Yes, I will help. I will become that man to rally our allies."

"Excellent, but first, I believe you have a wedding to plan, young lady. Oh, and I have one more surprise for you both. As a token of gratitude from the people of Anatolia, the wedding will be state-funded. No arguments. It's a way for all Anatolians to thank you for your sacrifice."

"What about the crew of the Preston Brooking?"

"Ah yes, I almost forgot. They shall also be awarded a hero's commendation for bravery and perseverance. This Peterson, do you trust him?"

"Yes."

"Good, then he will be your assistant. You will need a ship and crew, so I could not think of a better pairing. Now, if you'll excuse me, there is much to prepare, and you need to plan the wedding, so off with you both."

Several minutes after Sebastien and Vanessa departed, Federov entered Cleon's office. "That was impressive. Do you think he believes you?"

"Whether he does or does not is irrelevant. I have planted enough doubt in his mind to keep him in line. However, I want you to plant a spy among his crew to keep tabs on him."

"It will be done, Excellency."

Cleon turned to the large window to watch the setting sun as Federov departed. He smiled to himself as he contemplated his next move.