Barbarians

I, I'm a new day rising

I'm a brand new sky

To hang the stars upon tonight

I am a little divided

Do I stay or run away

And leave it all behind?

It's times like these you learn to live again

It's times like these you give and give again

It's times like these you learn to love again

It's times like these time and time again

Foo Fighters - “Times like These”

The worst of the crisis had passed but cleaning up the mess left by the Ministers’ coup would be the work of months, perhaps even years. Leandra had fobbed off as much of it as she could to others, instead focusing her efforts on what was coming. If the Khonhim were to attack now, they would cut through the Tetrarchy like a hot knife through butter, and there would be damn all she could do to stop them.

It wasn’t the first time she’d found herself in this position, but to see the efforts of the last ten years just swept away almost brought tears to her eyes. They had worked so hard to avoid this...and it was all for nothing.

Leandra drew herself up and put those fears aside. This war wasn’t over yet, and she still had a few cards left to play. It didn’t matter that she’d put everything she’d had into the pot and found herself holding a pair of deuces. She’d play this hand out to the bitter end and accept the consequences, come what may.

The doors to the chamber burst open, as one of the communications staff came running towards her. “Prime Minister! You must come quickly,” he cried out to her, “We are receiving a transmission!”

“What transmission?” she demanded, rising to her feet.

“It is good to see you again, Prime Minister,” Nassat said, as Leandra leaned back in her chair.

“And you, Marshal,” she replied, eyeing his surroundings. “Interesting company you’re keeping these days.”

“They are our allies, Prime Minister, sworn to the banner of Jiyazh Ghuuyaz. He has vowed to remove Chugaz Uydan from power, by any means necessary,” Nassat explained.

“I see,” Leandra said, steepling her fingers. “And Admiral Fujimoto? The fleet?”

“We do not know,” Nassat said. “Many were lost. Perhaps all.”

The Prime Minister took that in, without revealing her thoughts. “They said you had a message for me.”

“Yes, Prime Minister,” Nassat said after a moment. “Chugaz Uydan and the bulk of the Khonhim fleet are enroute to the old Triumvirate as we speak. We believe they intend to begin their assault at the Chennoor Cluster.”

“...believe,” she said. “Do you have evidence to support this?”

Nassat grimaced. “No, Prime Minister...but we are all in agreement it is the most likely target.”

Leandra didn’t move a muscle, but it seemed as if her entire demeanor changed in a heartbeat. Her eyes narrowed as she fixed him with a piercing stare. “And you think we should position our forces there to head them off, is that correct?”

“Yes Prime Minister,” he replied, somewhat puzzled by her response. “It seems the most prudent course of action.”

She nodded, but there was a cool calculation to the gesture. “Do your allies agree with your assessment as well?”

“They do, Prime Minister,” he said in confusion. “Is there something wrong?”

“Just this,” she said, leaning forward. “Why should I believe a word you’ve said?”

Nassat blinked in surprise. “I beg your pardon?”

“You heard me,” she fired back. “We haven’t had contact with anyone from the fleet in weeks. You tell me Admiral Fujimoto is likely dead…after you asked my support to remove her from command. You yourself are transmitting from the bridge of a Khonhim vessel...our enemy, in case you’ve forgotten. And it was elements of the old Triumvirate races...including yours...that attacked Earth. So, there are two possibilities. One...that you have been taken prisoner by the Khonhim, and are now speaking under duress, or Two...that you have been an active co-conspirator with the former Ministers from the very beginning.” Her nostrils flared as she glared at him. “One makes you a pawn. The other makes you a traitor. So you tell me, Marshal...why should I believe anything that comes out of your mouth?”

His jaw dropped in shock. Nassat struggled to respond, but words failed him as Leandra pressed her attack home.

“You tell me to rush our forces to the Chennoor Cluster...without a shred of evidence to support it, I might add...to prevent an invasion. Let me tell you what I think is a more likely scenario...that the Khonhim will attack anywhere but Chennoor. I think this is nothing but a wild goose chase, a ruse designed to render our remaining forces useless.” She gripped the armrests, enough so that her knuckles showed white, as her eyes burned into his. “So I ask for the third time…why should I believe you?”

Nassat looked around for support, bowing his head as Musashi stepped into view. “Prime Minister, everything Marshal Nassat said is accurate. In fact…”

Leandra cut him off with a wave of her hand. “Every point I just made could apply to you,” she said. “Earth has a long and rich tradition of humans betraying their own kind.”

“Prime Minister…Leandra...I beg you to listen to me,” Nassat implored her. “You have known me for ten years. It was you that insisted I take on the role I have, despite my repeated objections. Were I the traitor you claim, would I have not sought those promotions?”

“In fact you did, Marshal,” she reminded him. “You may not have started out intending to betray the Tetrarchy, but people change...yours and mine.”

Nassat closed his eyes. “Raichret was aboard one of those ships,” he whispered. “Even now, I do not know if she is alive, or dead. Yesterday, I buried my mentor. He died saving my life. “He opened his eyes, pleading with her. “My very children claim you as family. Forget everything your head is telling you, and listen with your heart. You know me, Leandra...know me better than I know myself. I would sooner die than become what you claim...and if you look deep within yourself, you know that to be true. Please…help me. Help me save our people…all our people.”

Something in her expression softened as he spoke, but as he finished she shook her head. “I’m sorry, Nassat...but I can’t. Not without proof. I’m responsible for trillions of lives, and I can’t...I won’t...risk their safety on your say so.”

“Then at least put out scouts in the cluster’s vicinity,” he beseeched her, “something that will give you enough advanced warning when Chugaz Uydan’s forces draw near.”

Leandra’s professional mask was back in place. “Given the circumstances, it would be inappropriate to discuss with you the details of our military strategy,” she said, “but all defensive measures available to us will be put to good use.” She looked as if she were about to say something else, but bit it off before it passed her lips. “Unless you have some shred of evidence to support your claims,” she said at last, “I am ending this conversation. Good day.”

And with that, her image disappeared.

Nassat could only stare at the blank screen in dismay, as Jiyazh regarded him with sympathy. “So...it would seem we are both traitors,” he said without humor.

He looked up at the Khonhim, his eyes wide and desperate. “How could she believe that of me?” he asked.

Jiyazh sighed. “Nassat...she made the right decision.”

“What?” he all but shouted. “How can you say that? You know it isn’t true!”

“It does not matter what I know,” Jiyazh said, “you must consider it from her perspective. Every point she made was a valid one. Can you tell me that if your positions were reversed, you would not react as she did?”

Nassat thrust out his chin. “I hope I would remember to trust my friends,” he said with a hint of anger.

Jiyazh snorted in dry amusement. “That is your first mistake. At the level you and I are at now, we have no friends...only temporary allies, supplicants, and enemies.”

“I refuse to be that cynical,” Nassat shot back, as Jiyazh barked out a laugh.

“Not cynical…realistic,” he chuckled...as klaxons began to scream.

“What is happening?” Jiyazh demanded, as his tactical officer looked up at him.

“Unidentified ships on an intercept course!” the officer shouted...as Dauntless cleared for battle.