Post Demeter

After the cloud of smoke from the Demeter's remains dissipated, Lance returned to an uncharacteristically quiet bridge.  Normally, there would be respectful conversation, and an occasional jest between the officers as they relayed information.  In the aftermath of what they had seen, nobody wanted to talk.  The Electra stood still while the Ares disappeared from view and the only thing remaining where the Demeter once sailed was a barely visible gray vapor which was pushed away by the wind.  Minutes after that, Commander Colt quietly issued an order to slowly back out of the mountain pass.  The response was a simple "Aye, sir" from officers responsible for relaying and executing the order.

Lance approached the commander.  "Sir."

"Yes, Major."

"I would like permission to speak to the captain."

Colt looked at him, then nodded slightly.  He called to one of the bridge officers, "Lieutenant Hollis, you have the helm."  Then he addressed Lance.  "Follow me."

Captain Johns had quarters behind the bridge; his quarters were separated by a small hallway that ran across the back wall of the bridge, and led to doors on either end, as well as 2 doors along the side of the hall.  Colt knocked on the right side door, and was invited inside.

The quarters he occupied was evidently the office.  A pine desk was pushed against the wall, next to the door.  On the side wall, and behind him, were bookcases which held neatly organized books and papers.  Captain Johns was at the desk, and had evidently been writing.  "Commander, Major.  How can I help you?"

Colt answered.  "Polsic would like a word."

Johns nodded.  "At ease, Polsic.  You may speak freely."

Lance had been standing at attention, and placed himself at ease.  "With respect, Captain, I'm wondering just what happened out there."  He hesitated before adding, "And why we did not return fire."

Captain Johns closed his eyes, thoughtfully, then looked at Lance and his commander.  "Commander, I'm sure you have the same questions.  So I'll answer.  At the present moment, the loyalty of the Electra, her commanders, officers, and crew, are officially to the Empire.  I'm sure you know that the Ares is an Imperial warship.  So far as they're concerned, an Imperial warship fired on, and destroyed the Demeter.  They did not fire on us."

Lance interrupted.  "But they fired -"

Colt cut him short.  "Mind yourself, Major."

Lance frowned, and Johns continued.  "I know, they fired on a civilian ship, under our protection.  Technically, after their shot, the Demeter was no longer there, and thus ended our errand.  With the Demeter out of the picture, we wouldn't be defending them, or us; we would be taking aggressive action against an Imperial warship.  A destroyer, mind you, with a weapon that we haven't seen, having firepower that we haven't seen.  That would not have been smart."

Lance considered the statement.  Captain Johns made sense, but Lance didn't want to be involved with the Imperial forces.  As much as he was fond of the Electra, he didn't want to be involved with his current post, either.  "Captain, I would like to request a leave."

"Denied," Johns answered, without hesitation.  "You will remain on the Electra for now.  I am going to report this act to the appropriate channels.  You may be required as a witness.  Once this is reported, and we see the results, then you may have your leave if you still desire."

"Thank you."

"Dismissed."

Lance left, leaving Johns and Colt in the office.  "What do you think, Commander?"

"Your approach is sensible."

"Thank you."  Johns sipped some of his tea.

"If I may, Captain?"

"Go on, please."

"I believe the commander of the Ares is trying to force you down.  We may not be able to run as freelance as what we have been, Sir."

"Hm."  There were a few moments of silence.  "Thank you, Commander."

"Not at all, Sir.  Your orders?"

"Set a course for Nantes, and head there as fast as you can."

Colt saluted.  "Aye, Sir," then left for the bridge to carry out his errand.

******************

Nantes was the main capitol of the empire.  The Electra had been stopped 500 meters away, escorted until they were asked to land, 100 meters outside the main city.  From there, Captain Johns and Major Polsic were driven to the main city in a carriage.

The capitol city was not only the main capitol, but also the old capitol.  The city was built around the estate and grounds of the first king.  The main building, and the destination of the captain and major, was the palace at the center.  The old king, and the new emperor, had placed edicts forbidding the construction of any building taller or otherwise larger than the palace.  Thus, it stood above the other buildings, easy to see for its height and its size.  It was also the only building allowed to have a golden dome.

The stone remains of walls which had been a large castle, surrounded the palace grounds.  They were no more than a meter high, and most places were shorter.  The city had grown from there.  Nothing was built next to the old wall for 10 meters; but after that, buildings surrounded the royal grounds.  From the view of the palace and government buildings, the homes and businesses nearest to them may well have been a second wall.  Nobody was allowed to have windows on the side directly facing the palace.

Construction of the city had been done without much regard for traffic, in general.  As a result, with the exception of the road in front of the main entrance, most of the roads were narrow to start, and narrowed progressively as they neared the center of the city.  Buildings were reconfigured as the city spread.  Most of those nearest the city's center showed evidence of having been built up or otherwise expanded.  Sometimes the efforts were careless, and the expanded building would appear to lean slightly on a newer, sturdier one built before the expansion.  With the exception of paths or roads, there was no room between the structures which housed homes and businesses.

As the city spread, the roads grew wider, and the buildings grew smaller.  The homes on the outskirts of the city would usually have a small yard.  Finally, the edges of the city were lined by farms, which grew different crops and produce.

The two officers sat in silence as the carriage passed through the roadways.  Johns seemed calm, but somewhat discomfited without his tea.  He sat, and finally made himself comfortable by leaning back as much as he could on the straight back of the leather seat.  Beside him was a leather folder, tied in twine, which contained papers.  Lance sat on the seat opposite of the captain, watching outside the window as the increasing chaos indicated their progress through the city.

They arrived at the post at the old wall's main gate.  After exiting the carriage, Captain Johns indicated he wanted to discuss the behavior of the commander of the Ares, and handed the post guard a summary.  He and Lance waited wordlessly while the guard sent a page to the palace.  Some time passed before the page returned with a group of guards, and gestured that they be allowed into the palace.

*******************

Lance tried to look around at the palace interior as the page led the captain and him from the front door to their destination.  Brightly polished brass sconces were placed at regular intervals along the hallway, which was paneled with a dark wood.  Some of the heaviness from the dark surroundings was alleviated by pieces of lattice work, made from white wood, placed at regular intervals between the sconces.  Their designs were intriguing and Lance had to be reminded more than once to stay with the captain.

They arrived at a door, beside which was standing a guard.  The door was opened for them and they went inside.

"Well, Captain Callum Johns."  Two men were standing behind a large oak desk.  The one who greeted them was wearing a white suit, and the Imperial sash.  The emperor's greeting was not enthusiastic.  "You've come to lodge a complaint against the commander of the Ares.  Good fortune that the man is here already."

The man at the emperor's left was older than the others in the room, but not so much that it was plainly evident in his hair.  He wore a somewhat mocking smirk.  Aside from the three stars he wore on his shoulders as an admiral, some ribbons on his chest indicated he was the Grand Admiral of the Empire, and the emperor's cheif advisor.

Lance and the captain maintained their composure, although they knew immediately their case was lost.

The emperor continued.  "You've levied some serious charges against Admiral Storms, Captain.  Attacking a civilian ship, without any provocation, and after having been advised it posed no threat.  That's piracy if everything comes away and everyone survives.  That's murder and wanton destruction if not."

"Yes, your Highness, I know."

"Admiral Storms informed me that the ship in question - that is, the Demeter which YOU escorted, Captain - was actually aiding a community of commerce raiding pirates."

"I would disagree with that bit of information, your Highness.  You know quite well how I feel about piracy and that I've helped combat them for some time, even after leaving your military service."  Captain Johns spoke plainly, and calmly.

The emperor paced around the desk.  "Is that so?  What of your contract, your alliance if you will, with Robert Landsen and his ilk?"

Johns closed his eyes briefly to think, then answered.  "It is an effective truce, and the results speak for themselves.  Landsen and those respecting him, do not harass Imperial ships.  They've made efforts to combat commerce raiders.  They render aid to Imperial ships; the same Imperial ships, I might add, which have orders to shoot them down without question or warning.  True pirates would not hold themselves to such a contract for as long, and with such loyalty, as what we've seen from Landsen and his followers."  He paused.  "I would say it is still of a benefit to your efforts to be rid of piracy."

The room was quiet for a few moments.  Finally, the emperor spoke again.  "Nonetheless, it's rather distasteful.  However, to your accusation against Admiral Storms, I find it hard to believe that he would have done as you said.  His report indicates that the Demeter was a pirate vessel."

"No, your Highness, it wasn't.  We sent messages to the Ares, to that effect."

"Oh?"  The emperor turned to the admiral, who was standing behind the desk, against the wall.  "Admiral Storms, you didn't mention receiving any messages."

"There were no messages to report, Majesty," Admiral Storms spoke deferentially.  "If any were sent by either the Demeter or the Electra, they were not received.  I'll be sure to have communication equipment aboard the Ares checked immediately.  Nonetheless, my information strongly indicated the Demeter was aiding our enemies and warranted destruction."

"Pardon me, your Highness," Lance interjected, "could we see this evidence?"

The emperor shook his head.  "No, you may not."

"Your Highness," Captain Johns offered the folder he had been holding.  "Here is my evidence that the Demeter was not acting in any way to aid any of our enemies."  The emperor took it, and offered it to Admiral Storms.  Johns continued.  "You'll find it lists the passengers - mostly women and children - aboard the Demeter.  It also lists the cargo, and notice the official Imperial stamp by the provincial stamp.  These people were leaving through an area trusted by the empire.  There's no way a ship aiding pirates would have been passed like that."

Storms frowned slightly, then placed the papers on the desk.  "If that is the case, and it is found the Demeter was not aiding the enemy, then there is an unfortunate misunderstanding."

The emperor briefly reviewed the papers, and noted the seals.  "If that is the case, don't worry, Admiral.  After all, you acted in good faith."  He looked up to the captain.  "It appears that you gentlemen did, as well.  Thank you for bringing this to our attention.  In the future, we'll see that we're sure the ship we destroy is actually an enemy vessel of some sort.  Good day."