Page 7 of Shadows Approach
Clajak and the other two emperors, Egilka and Bevau, reacted in shock. “Are you making light of that horror?” Imdiko Egilka muttered in an undertone.
“The truth is the truth,” Stacy interjected with smooth diplomacy. “Our leaders were insane to have rigged the cities to blow up should a hostile entity breach Earth’s atmosphere. They knew they were dooming the entire planet and the majority of its people when they did so.”
“But to joke about it?” The lean-featured emperor blinked at the two women.
“If you don’t laugh, you might scream,” Jessica explained. “Seeing a new Earth and a fresh start for humans brings me delight beyond measure, but…”
“But it reminds us of what we lost as well,” Stacy finished for her. “It’s dark humor masking a message, Emperor Egilka. It’s right to remind the head of a planet of our past mistakes and what led to them.”
“I suppose,” he said after a moment’s pause. “The Galactic Council wouldn’t have chosen you if there were a possibility of you making those sorts of decisions, though.”
Nobek Emperor Bevau, too handsome to be believed in Stacy’s opinion, smirked and asked in a low voice, “I’m not so sure about their choice of a lieutenant governor.”
Again, Stacy drew on diplomacy because she happened to agree. Kalquor had gone to great lengths to assist Earth’s existence, but once they and the Galactic Council agreed all criteria had been met by Earth’s appointed leaders, they’d have no role in its governance. “All viewpoints should be considered and debated, no matter how distasteful various factions might find others. Fortunately, the traditionalists who lean toward absolutism are in the minority. While Mr. Bryant supports certain values, he isn’t among the extreme element.”
Her assessment was true, but he was already proving to be a thorn in Stacy’s side. He’d questioned nearly every proposal she’d advanced, whether it was her own or on behalf of those members of the legislature she agreed with.
She glanced toward her fellow Earther, who’d finally put in an appearance and was speaking to the representatives from Joshada. Bryant was slightly shorter than average but in good shape, his light brown hair just beginning to gray. He was attractive, particularly when he smiled. Behind closed doors, his tongue could turn sharp in rebuttal, but in public, his charm won a multitude of supporters.
Jessica’s gaze followed Stacy’s. “He held offices on Old Earth. He strikes me as an Earthtique in his views.”
Earthtiquewas a combination ofEarthandantique. It had become the common slang for those who preferred the lives they’d lived on the original Earth, where the state religion had often brutally ruled its people. Under the Holy Leader’s regime, women had possessed few rights, gays and lesbians had been hunted and killed, and non-English-speaking minorities often kept in poverty.
Men like Bryant, who’d been born to the right circumstances, had enjoyed many advantages on Old Earth. He’d made little secret he believed he should have been appointed the governor of Earth II, and being second to Stacy Nichols was a situation he found oppressive.
Stacy allowed herself the slightest of smirks. “Answering to me and a legislature only fifteen percent white and male will be an excellent education for him. With his gift as a public speaker, I can’t think of a better messenger to those who have yet to advance their thinking.”
The Imperial Clan grinned at her. Jessica and Clajak laughed out loud.
“You are the right woman for the job,” Egilka chuckled.
“I’m glad you think so. On that note, do you know when exactly the Galactic Council will hand off full control to my administration? I should have asked the secretary-general, but in the excitement, I forgot.” She looked around for Mereta, but didn’t see him. “Mr. Bryant has been most eager for us to seize the reins. As am I,” she amended, because the agreements between the Earther factions and those eager to see them living as an independent society had been met. She was impatient for her people to chart their own course into the future.
“I believe Secretary-General Mereta said all that was left was the signing of the declaration by the Galactic Council. The formal announcement should happen before the week is out,” Clajak said.
“Ready or not, you’re in charge.” Jessica grinned. “Should I offer my sympathy as well as congratulations?”
“A bottle of leshella would accomplish both,” Stacy teased.
Jessica laughed. “You already know what’s required. You’re ready, Madame Governor.”
The Imperial Clan moved on, and Stacy spent the next hour greeting the rest of the dignitaries and well-wishers. At her first opportunity, she checked in with Kuran.
“Anything interesting happen while I was making friends and charming my enemies?” she whispered, glancing at the many species of nearly two hundred worlds milling the room, enjoying the tables laden with food and drink.
“Other than Bryant making no attempt to say hello or acknowledge your existence?” Kuran’s squint was fiercer than usual as he eyed the lieutenant governor, who was chatting up the Adraf and Alneusian ambassadors.
“Play nice, Kuran. Don’t give him any grief. That’s my job.”
“I’m head of planet security. Since you’re Earth’s leader, you’re my main concern. I’m allowed to give everyone hell when it comes to you.”
Her heart fluttered at the hint of attraction she hoped he felt for her. Since she wanted to keep him around to discover if there was anything behind it, she cautioned, “Be as nice as he allows you to be, okay? There are already members of his contingent who want to jettison Kalquorian support sooner rather than later. As the most visible example of such support, I need you to tread lightly.”
“This won’t turn into early Haven Colony all over again, will it?” To his credit, Kuran eased off the squint threatening to become a scowl.
“No, because Kalquorians can’t live on Earth, at least under the current laws.” Not even as spouses or immigrants. Visas of no more than a year were available to alien species who wished to work as the new planet got up and running. Even those humans who weren’t Earthtiques were eager to have a home to call theirs and theirs alone. They’d been forced to live on Earth’s old, overpopulated colonies or on the charity of the Galactic Council and its member planets for ten years.
Kalquor was the dominant participant of the alien civilizations providing support to Earth as its displaced civilization learned to stand on its own. Kuran and his clan were among thousands living on the massive orbiting space station, a deployment that could last several years depending on how quickly Earthers progressed. Current projections claimed it would be twenty-five years before Earth was completely self-sufficient.