Andozian Suite - Hapes – One Year Ago
“I know that your people have gone through much, and it is not entirely fair for you to have to deal with this kind of decision so soon after the Andozians have finally achieved peace once more. But you must understand that I am doing this for the Consortium, for my people. I am doing what I believe is right.”
“Spare your apologies, Dakkon my friend. Please,” Krauze smiled after the Prince had finished, “We understand completely, and maybe under less delicate circumstances I would be more than willing to sit down right here and sign my people into this Commonwealth as well. It certainly seems like a grand new step for your people and for these…Capricians, and Mr. Vinda’s people as well. But
you must understand that things are very delicate for the Andozians, the Helixians, and we must think very carefully about our next step here.
We just arrived in this galaxy, we’ve just begun to rebuild our society. This is going to take a lot of work, and I likely won’t live see my people fully colonize New Andoz. I don’t want to be thinking about politics
just yet.”
“Very well,” Dakkon bowed curtly, “I understand. Were I in your position I would likely do the same. But rest assured Samuel, that regardless of whether or not your people join with the Commonwealth, the Consortium is true to our word. Help is what your people need most, and help
is what you will receive.”
“Thank you, Prince Darksword,” Krauze bowed in return, “I shall deliberate with my people, and I will notify you of how we wish to proceed as
soon as we know ourselves.”
“Very well,” Dakkon clapped Samuel on the back and smiled, “I expect to hear from you eagerly, Sam.”
The Prince and his entourage strode regally from the Andozians’ quarters, and Samuel sat back in his chair and breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Was it relief? Or frustration? He didn’t know anymore. The sudden Hapan request to join the Commonwealth had come as a surprise to many, but the most surprised had probably been the Andozians.
I came here expecting trade and commerce negotiations, not invitations into a gigantic body of government, Krauze thought to himself, shaking his head.
He sat there deep in thought for nearly an hour, and likely would have stayed that way for much longer had not Luis taken the opportunity to stumble into the room, his clothes barely on right and his hair almost entirely standing up. He stumbled over to the table and slumped into the seat the Prince of Hapes had been sitting in an hour previously.
“What’s the word?” Chopin grunted.
“The Consortium is annexing themselves into the Commonwealth, the government under which Capricia and the Vinda Corporation worlds are aligned,” Krauze shot back, not hesitating, “Dakkon wants to know how we’d like to proceed with our relationship. He’s offered us an invitation into the Commonwealth if we want it.”
“Oh.” Luis said.
“Yeah,” Samuel nodded.
“So what do you think?” Luis asked.
“Personally?” Krauze mused, “I wouldn’t mind it. It is by no means a small thing, so protection would be ensured, and likely a lot of aide. Plus, their ideologies seem to be sound and in tune with that of the Andozians. But it’s not as simple as that, is it?”
“No, it isn’t,” Chopin mumbled. He rose slowly, achingly, and stumbled about looking for a stimcaff, “What does Daniels think?”
“I haven’t told him yet,” Krauze answered, “But you know him. He’d take any excuse to visit strange new worlds. He’d be on board with it.”
“So what do you think, politically?” Luis asked, finding a drink at last and returning to the table.
“I think…” Samuel paused, and then nodded to himself, “I think the best course of action would be to request a non-aggression pact and a treaty forming an alliance with the Consortium, without allowing ourselves to be annexed.”
“Is the Consortium going to even exist anymore?” Chopin asked, “Won’t it all just be the Commonwealth?”
“From what Dakkon has told me, the Commonwealth is more of an umbrella in which aligned governments can exist under a central form of democratic government.”
“Ah, I see,” Luis nodded, “So, alignment with but not membership?”
“Yeah, I think that’d be best,” Samuel nodded, “What do you think?”
“Okay,” Luis said at length, nodding.
“Okay?” Samuel asked, looking at the man across from him.
Luis nodded.
“Okay,” Samuel echoed.
Lorell Hall – Hapes – Present Day
Michael did what he did best. He processed.
He processed every bit of information about the ceremony taking place around him that he possibly could. He was a spectator more than anything, holding no real obligation to be here. He was merely a member of the Atal’ai delegation’s entourage. In short, Michael was a glorified honor guard.
But had one been looking at the delegation from afar, one would get a different impression entirely. From afar, Michael seemed to be the star of the show. He stood in the center of the delegation, and all other members gave him a wide berth, treating him almost with reverence. He was their hero, their prophet, their leader; he was many things to them. He was their superior in every way but officially.
As Michael processed the ceremony, the faces of Seth Vinda, of Dakkon Darksword, of the members of the Caprician delegation…his thoughts drifted back throughout the last year. It had been hectic. Michael had never experienced so much in the past year…since the second defeat of the Yuuzhan Vong his life had been the centerpoint for many things.
After the defeat of the Vong, Michael had been heralded as the Andozians’ champion, a religious prophet, and given just about every title they could think of. They had forced him into a status of near Godhood, and had pleaded with him to lead them, to be their ruler, and before Michael realized entirely what had happened he had become an unwilling King. Davin, their previous leader, had not liked that much.
Davin was dead now, and he didn’t like to think about it.
When Samuel had returned from Hapes…well, that had been one of the most interesting experiences Michael had gone through in his life. He could only imagine the surprise Samuel must have felt upon coming to terms with what had happened during his absence. When he had landed on the Atal’ai, his people had wanted to
kill him.
All of that had been smoothed over now, under Michael’s supervision. The blindness of the Andozians’ actions was gone now, and their bitter hatred for their former leadership was too, but Samuel had insisted upon retiring from politics. He knew that no matter how many times he was apologized to and no matter how many times people insisted the past was the past; he would be winning no more elections. But Sam was still around, and a very big part of the government the Andozians and the Solarisians had managed to form.
Yes, Michael was here not as a member of the Andozian Republic or the Helixian Commonwealth or even as a Solarisian citizen, but as a member of the Atal’ai Protectorate. They were still mostly known as Helixians, an affectionate nickname (for now that’s about
all it was anymore) that had stuck. It was mostly a joke that Dakkon had started, regarding the gratuitous number of name-changes the Protectorate had endured throughout the year of political turmoil. Andozian, Helixian, Solarisian, Atal’ai. So many words for what was now one group of people.
One group of people.
Command Center – Atal’ai – One Year Ago
“Its just umm…well, it’s a lot to take in,” Krauze managed at last.
“Yeah,” Smith agreed.
Both of them had had their fair share of surprises in the past couple of days. The Solarisians, the Vong, the rebellion…Samuel knew right away that this would all be rather difficult to explain to the Crowned Prince of Hapes. It had been hard for Michael to explain to him.
Michael.
Even under the extraordinary circumstances in which the two of them had met, Krauze could not help but like the man. He had been nothing but honest and straightforward throughout the entire time he had spent explaining the situation, and for no other reason than because, it was obvious to Sam, that honesty was all he really knew.
Sam liked that, and knew right away that Michael would not last long as a politician.
“And how…how are the people?” Samuel asked.
“Physically? They are in excellent condition,” Michael responded.
“But how…” it was hard to ask Michael what needed to be asked sometimes. Some things he just didn’t understand right away, “How are they…responding to the situation?”
“They…they want you dead, Sam,” Johnathan cut in, taking over for Michael who was obviously not grasping what Krauze was asking, “They need a scapegoat for all of their problems, and they’ve chosen you. Some of them actually expect Michael here to kill you himself.”
“I most certainly will not,” Michael said in an undignified voice, “Of course.”
“We know that, Michael,” Johnathan grinned dismally.
“I really fucked things up, didn’t I John?” Sam almost whispered, staring off into a corner.
“No, Sam. You didn’t do anything wrong,” John assured him, grasping the man’s shoulder with his hand, “Things happened, Sam. Things happened beyond both of our control. You aren’t to blame.”
“So what now?” Sam asked, “We’ve got a lot of shit to clean up, where do we start?”
For only a few minutes that felt like an eternity, there was silence.
“The people come first,” Michael said at last, breaking the spell that had been cast upon the room, “They need to be convinced that their only enemy was eliminated in space above the Atal’ai. That no Andozian threatens them. I think the best way to do that is it give them what they want most.”
“You…can’t be serious?” Smith gaped.
Michael furrowed his brow at the two, confused. Then realization dawned upon his face and his eyes widened. He shook his head furiously.
“I do not mean Samuel, of course!” he quickly said apologetically, and if the man had known how to blush he would have, “I mean what they
really want. New Andoz.”
“You really think New Andoz will make all of this just go away?” Samuel almost scoffed.
“New Andoz has become more than just a new planet for them, Samuel,” Michael said, “It has become a symbol, a symbol of something new. It is a home in a galaxy strange and new and so far away from their old one. New Andoz is their future, and they
want their future.”
“And what about everything else?” Samuel asked.
“Everything else, we will work out together,” Michael said, and smiled.
Lorell Hall – Hapes – Present Day
The treaty had been signed, and following it was the uproar of emotion. Emotions of excitement and approval from the people, relief and gratitude from the delegates, and hope for everyone. Hope for the future, hope for the Commonwealth. In a galaxy filled with turmoil and discord, a brave new step in the direction of peace and tranquility had been achieved on Hapes today.
Michael felt some of it himself, and was very proud of that. Emotions were very new to him, and he was still getting used to being around those who experienced them just as he did. He couldn’t identify many of them yet, and some were unclear. He knew happiness, for he was familiar with that. He thought that he felt relief as well, but he was not completely sure.
Michael basked in the emotion surging throughout the Hall, enjoying it and enjoying that he was able to be here and share this with all of these people. These humans. That had definitely been the most exhilarating part of the past year. He had spent mostly all of it not with robots, who he had come to know and…love? Yes, love as his family, but with real human beings.
Michael caught the Prince’s eye and Dakkon through him a discrete wink. The Crowned Prince had come to regard Michael as a good friend over the past year. Michael was very proud of this, considering the peculiarities of how their relationship had begun. Michael was not yet aware of the name for the emotion Dakkon Darksword must have experienced when a Solarisian vessel of war had jumped into Hapan space and informed them that the very Andozian leadership who had sent emissaries to the political summit days before had been overtaken by its citizens and that Michael himself was their appointed leader.
For a few very tense moments, Michael had been under the impression that Dakkon would have his entire armada fire upon them. But Dakkon had chosen instead to hear him out, and he was glad that the Prince had. The situation had been explained in much detail, and the words of absolute praise from Admiral Smith and begrudging respect from ex-Chancellor Krauze had gone a long way to smooth over the ruffled feathers.
After Dakkon had begun to view Michael as an ally rather than an enemy, the Prince had been greatly entertained by his presence. Dakkon had viewed him as a novelty, a man raised by robots. The Prince had greatly enjoyed confusing Michael on purpose about human customs and phrases. On how many occasions had Darksword intentionally made up fake abbreviations and nonsensical phrases just to confuse Michael and confuse even more so the people Michael had tried to share these new-found tips from the Crowned Prince with?
Over the year, Michael had worked hard to gain a little more of the Prince’s respect, and Dakkon had come to view him more as a fellow human being rather than the novelty he had originally patronized and spoken to so condescendingly. Dakkon still made up fake abbreviations and nonsensical phrases to confuse him; that was just the Prince’s humorous character. But Michael had worked hard at developing a functional sense of humor over the years, and couldn’t hold it against him.
The crowd began to die down at long last in Lorell Hall hours after the accord itself had been signed. Michael took a deep breath, and lead more than followed the Atal’ai entourage out of the Hall and into more private areas. The Hapes Accord had been born, but the real reason he was here had not yet been accomplished. There was still a little more work to be done.
Samuel Krauze’s Residence – New Andoz – Ten Months Ago
Samuel rocked back and forth on the chair outside his temp-home. The number of temp-homes in Caloran City, the capital of New Andoz, was quickly growing. Tents had not been used for some time, and the huts and shacks were quickly dwindling. The temp-homes were not the greatest living accommodations, but they were lightyears better than what the Andozians had been used to.
Krauze hated to admit it, but Michael was right. All the people had wanted had been a home, a place to call their own. Many of them now had that, even Krauze himself had it. And he had to say, it had been some time since he had felt this good. Even his dreams were getting a little better. Not much better, but a little, and that counted for something.
When he was not doing his best in the city-proper to get involved as much as he could with Andozian politics as a mere civilian, he often found himself here, in this very chair, just rocking. Rocking and remembering. It was about all he could do anymore. He had been rendered powerless to act, to make a difference. He hated it and loved it at the same time.
And explosion of noise overhead jarred him from his thoughts, and as he peered up into the sky and winced at the bright lights, he made out the blurry outline of a shuttle about to land right on his front lawn. Their government was not very stable at the moment, but Krauze was almost positive that that
had to be against some sort of law.
The shuttle down opened, and a figure walked out and directly toward him.
“Hello Samuel,” the figure said as the shuttle’s engines died down and it became possible to hear again.
“Hello Michael,” Sam said curtly in reply.
“May I sit?” Michael asked.
“Be my guest,” Sam grunted.
Michael took a seat in the chair on the other side of Krauze’s front door. The chair that was usually occupied by Admiral Smith when he stopped by to visit.
“You’ve been away for a while, Michael,” Sam said after an awkward silence, “Not a good thing for a King to do. Shouldn’t you be with your people at all times?”
Michael winced. Sam had struck a blow, and he had known what he was doing when he said it. As much as Krauze respected him, Michael knew that the man could not help but feel more than a little resentment at him for the way things had gone. Michael took up a firmer posture, and a rare smile cracked across his face.
“You are completely correct, Samuel,” Michael replied, “It is a good thing that I am no longer King of anything.”
This caught Krauze’s attention.
“Oh?” Samuel asked, intrigued.
“I have relinquished all political responsibilities to the Atal’ai, both Andozians and Solarisians,” Michael announced to the man, “On some conditions.”
“What about all of that ‘this is the best way for our people, Sam’ and ‘Who knows how they would respond, Sam’ nonsense?” Krauze grunted, “Remember that?”
“You were correct, Samuel,” Michael admitted, lowering his head, “Power can corrupt any human being, even one raised by the incorruptible. I believed I could prove you wrong, and I did not realize that in doing so I only proved you all the more right. I am still nervous as to how the people will take it when they find out, but it is the only way.”
“You mentioned conditions?” Krauze asked, “What are they?”
“Immediate acquisition of membership within the Commonwealth,” Michael said bluntly.
“Somehow I knew that was coming,” Sam nodded, sighing.
“I know that you feel Andozian recovery is the most important issue for the Protectorate,” Michael said, “And I agree, but it is not, and
can not, be the
only issue for the Protectorate. Your people have come into this galaxy in dark time, and I can not, and
will not allow my people,
our people, to watch a galaxy destroy itself.”
“The Andozians are hardly in a position to be going on any crusades, Michael,” Krauze growled, “And we’ve had too many of those in our past to want to be bothered with any more.”
“The Andozians may not be in a position to do much, but the Solarisians are,” Michael said, “I will not ask any Andozian to fight for the Commonwealth, but if they want to themselves I will not stop them. I would never put any of your people in harm’s way against their own will.”
“You are speaking as if you are still King, Michael,” Krauze hissed.
“I have stepped down from all political positions,” Michael reiterated, “And retaken my original position as Admiral of the Solarisian Navy.”
“Ah,” Sam grunted, “So if you think the Solarisians can help, why don’t you let
them help, and leave the Andozians out of this?”
“Because of the benefits the Commonwealth can bring you,” Michael shot back, “Because of how all the more willing the Capricians and the Vinda Corporation will be to help you when they view you as not allies of the Commonwealth but as members of the Commonwealth. Because if my people bring war to ourselves, it will be brought to
your people as well. And because I truly believe the fate of my people and the fate of yours is intertwined.”
“What other stipulations did you set?” Krauze said after a long moment’s pause.
“That as a member of the Commonwealth, both the Andozian and Solarisian governments be set up in the style of all Commonwealth planets. Or at least, in the Andozians’ case, as close as we can come to it,” Michael replied.
“That I do not have much of a problem with,” Sam admitted, “The Commonwealth
is very democratic. Perhaps more efficiently democratic than the old Andozian Republic. But conforming little more than one hundred thousand Andozians into a governmental system designed for the millions of an entire world will be difficult.”
“It will be,” Michael agreed.
“Any other stipulations?” Krauze asked.
“That you be seriously considered for the position of official ambassador to Hapes,” Michael said.
Krauze couldn’t really find the words for a response to that. Michael noticed, and continued on.
“The position itself, admittedly, does not matter much because we will be annexed into the Commonwealth,” Michael said, “But you will be back ‘in the loop’ again and you will have at least
some say in things. You will have to move to Charmigrad as well, in the Hapes Cluster, although the planet is officially a Protectorate planet as of now, I believe.”
“I know about Charmigrad,” Krauze growled, “I negotiated with Dakkon to become an embassy to the Andozians when we first established Consortium relations.”
“So you did, I apologize,” if Michael knew how to blush, he would have.
“What if I refuse?” Sam asked.
“I do not believe you will,” Michael smiled, “I will give you time to consider it, of course. Any time you wish to visit me in the city proper, the position will be yours.”
“I thought I was only being
seriously considered?” Sam asked.
Michael did something which surprised Sam greatly. He winked at him.
“Goodbye Sam,” he turned and, as he walked away, “For now.”
Krauze watched the shuttle lift off and fly toward the city-proper. He did not look away for a very long time.
Prince Darksword’s Private Study – Hapes – Present Day
“It is done then,” Michael smiled as the treaty was signed at last by both the representative from the Protectorate and the Prince himself.
“Not quite,” Dakkon said, grinning his mischievous grin that Michael had become too familiar with, “I’d like you to sign it, Michael.”
“But…Prince Darksword,” Michael fumbled, and would have blushed if he knew how; “I am merely an Admiral now. I hold no political office of any kind. My signature would not matter, it is unnecessary.”
“True, you hold no political office,” Dakkon nodded, “But your signature both matters and
is necessary, in every way but official. Do you understand?”
“No,” Michael admitted, “But if you wish it, I will sign.”
“You’re an honest man, Michael,” Dakkon chortled, “I wish it.”
Michael signed the document underneath the two official signatures, and the Atal’ai Protectorate annexed itself within the Hapes Consortium.
“Now. Now it is done,” Dakkon said, “Who wants a drink?”
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