He saw how it all connected. Equal parts brilliant and terrifying.
So he wasn’t surprised when the office door burst open.
Andreas and Shireena raced in.
“Turn on the stream, sir,” Andreas said. “You will not believe what’s happening out there.”
Trevor glanced at Connor, who smoked with a smile.
“At this point, Andreas, nothing will surprise me.”
22
TREVOR, SHIREENA, AND ANDREAS watched eight holos hovering above the Governor’s desk. Andreas knew how to adjust a single plate to display multiple live broadcasts from member worlds. He learned the trick as an IC clerk, where reps were eager to see several global news streams at once.
Trevor met eyes with his brother, who sat on the couch beneath a smoke cloud and appeared disinterested.
“This will cause an uproar,” Trevor said. “How long ago did it hit the stream?”
“Less than thirty minutes, sir,” Andreas replied. “I only learned of it because I was reaching out to a fellow clerk on Catalan. I was inquiring about the lease vacancies, as you requested. He said none of it mattered anymore. He said there’d be no Congress next term and redirected me to a public stream. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I invited Shireena to share my dismay.”
The historic moment had passed, leaving news broadcasts to show reactions and analysis along with excerpts from the public announcements. Those replays featured IC reps alongside leaders of federal and regional governments standing behind heavy security. In each case, the planet’s senior Congressperson stepped forward and delivered a statement.
Except for the planet’s name, Trevor soon realized, each speech bore the same words. Legal, dry, no doubt carefully crafted.
Many media analysts cheered as they described the event, others screamed in dismay, and all wondered about the Constitutionality of the move. The eight planets matched those who vacated their leases.
“It must have been in the works for months,” Shireena said. “How did they pull this off without word leaking to the public?”
“I have an idea, hon, but it’s moot.”
Four months after MR-44 failed in a dramatic vote, eight planets made a stunning if dangerous maneuver. Connor was right: He and Trevor stood on the front row of history.
“Here we are, sir,” Andreas said. “A replay from the outset. Full statement, as you requested.”
Catalan Rep. Farris Cordova approached a microphone standing in the atrium of Barca City’s tallest skyscraper. A collection of men and women in suits stood shoulder to shoulder behind him.
“I am honored to address the two billion people of Catalan. Today, I raise a voice in protest against the failure of the Interstellar Congress to authorize the means to assist in our fight against criminal enterprises which are corrupting and decimating our beautiful world.
“Catalan does not stand alone. We belong to an eight-planet Alliance of the Willing. Today, after careful consideration and in conjunction with our other seven members, Catalan declares a Global Emergency. We call upon the United Naval Forces to engage its resources against our domestic enemies in accordance with Title 8 of the UNF Charter, Section 4, Paragraph 17.
“The Charter states, ‘United Naval Forces will be honor bound and legally compelled to assist any member planet that has declared a Global Emergency. These forces, in consult with the predominant governmental body, will proceed to end the emergency by all necessary means. The Admiralty bears final responsibility for the procedures to be employed. Moreover, the Admiralty will assist in rescue, recovery, and reconstruction following the resolution of the Global Emergency.’
“We call upon High Admiral Exeter Woolsey to order the fleet to engage in immediate hostilities against Black Star and its affiliates.
“In addition, we are suspending our representation to the Interstellar Congress until such time as law and order are restored and the enemies to our world eliminated.
“Let me be clear: We are not seceding from the People’s Collectorate. We will honor all economic agreements. Shipping lanes will remain open pursuant to protection by UNF resources.
“The Alliance will supplement tariffs currently allocated to the UNF should other Collectorate worlds withhold credits. We will redirect our share of operational funds for Amity Station to the UNF.
“Given the nature of this emergency, we hereby suspend elections to the Interstellar Congress and will hold no financial stake in the operations of the Congress. Our citizens on Amity Station may continue employment there with the understanding that no local representation will be made available during this time.
“All commercial and private transportation to and from Amity may continue unabated. Its neutrality will remain unsullied.
“We recognize the long, difficult journey ahead. Yet it is necessary to fight the pernicious disease which has infected our world. The cost will be high, but we will be renewed when victory is achieved.”
The speaker wished his people well and stepped away from the microphone. The replay ended.
Trevor asked Andreas to silence the cacophony from the other stream feeds. He took a deep breath and played out his next steps.
“We’re looking at a security nightmare when word spreads.”
“What are you thinking?” Shireena asked.
“After the initial shock wears off? Protests. Fights. Maybe a run on the ports. Not sure. There’s never been anything like this. Andreas, you’re good with these numbers: The eight planets in that alliance have a big presence here.”
“Oh, yes, sir. I’d say thirty percent of the population.”
“Close to thirty thousand residents. Odds are, only a few know what’s happened. At any given time, there are less than a hundred active deepstreams station-wide. They’re too expensive for the average resident. Most people rely on delayed transmissions. The first of those won’t hit the station for another three hours. We need to get ahead of this.”
“How, sir?”
He side-eyed Connor, whose wry grin suggested he knew the answer but had no interest in contributing.
“I’ll have to issue a statement. Something simple. Tell everyone to remain calm until we know more.”
Andreas raised his hand.
