Part 40: Political Vote 2

Political Vote 2:

Justin Xiang-Allard’s cold, steel hand slammed down on the holotank causing the report one of his subordinates had just delivered to freeze and stutter. The operative who’d made the recording twitched as the audio feed was interrupted, rewound, attempted to play and skipped; repeating in an infinite half-second loop. Justin thought he looked like he was in incredible pain, and vowed to make that the new reality.

His plan had been executed perfectly: the Caballero dependents had been harried without loss, and the primary defenders pulled from the temporary repair facilities the Free Worlders had constructed. Which is where the entire plan had gone awry.

Justin smashed his fist into the holotank again, then took a step back; wrenching his hand up and away from his forearm, he let loose at the tank with a bolt of light from the laser rifle that had been built into his artificial limb. He scowled at the smoking remnants of the holotank… he’d never been a violent man, back in the Federated Suns.

His mind whirled, mulling over the possibilities—either someone in the Death Commandos had disobeyed orders, a spy had altered them, or someone had countermanded them. The former was unlikely, and Justin was certain that Hanse Davion hadn’t yet been able to replace Aleksei. No, someone had countered his orders—and there was only one man he knew with the authority to do so.

Soft arms wrapped around his shoulders, fingertips tracing the curve of his scowling lips. “My love, you’re beautiful when you’re angry,” Romano Liao cooed quietly. Justin turned, his angry eyes locking with hers—and he felt the worst of his anger melt away.

“Your father is interfering with our operations again,” he growled in irritation.

Romano’s lips brushed his cheek, “They were just mercenaries,” she cooed, and Justin crushed a surge of irritation.

“They could have been bought,” he explained quietly. “Now, they’ll be our enemies forever. When Hanse Davion—”

She sighed, “You obsess with him.”

“He plots our downfall,” Justin countered. “He’s biding his time; he still wants revenge for Operation Doppleganger.”

Romano frowned, and looked away. “I had thought House Kurita—”

“Takashi has bigger problems than the likes of Hanse Davion, it seems,” Justin sighed quietly, then finally swept Romano into his arms. They kissed with a quiet intensity, and parted only reluctantly. “Hanse will turn on us as soon as he has the chance. After the beating he’s been giving Takashi’s samurai, Duke Hasek will give his blessing. The Caballeros could have been hired—now, they’ll only hire on to oppose us.”

“You think so little of our chances?” Romano caressed his prosthetic arm, her slim figure pressed tight against him. “You think so little of your own abilities? If the Fox attacks, we shall deal with him as we always have.”

“By losing a half-dozen worlds to him?” Justin countered viciously. “Your father—”

“—could be replaced,” she reminded him in conspiratorial tones. It was an act she’d suggested before, coached in jest lest Maximilian learn of her ambitions. He’d never been as sorely tempted to take her up on the offer as he was now: Maximilian was playing with fire and if he wasn’t likely he’d galvanize the Free Worlds League and undo all the careful gains Justin had orchestrated thus far; and all because he felt left out of the planning process.

“… It would be easier to win this war without his interference,” Justin admitted quietly. That admission would have been enough to see him executed in any other company. Romano Liao smiled that vicious, happy little smile that made Justin question whether she’d be any better replacement. He wasn’t sure what, precisely, needed to be done—but he knew he needed to make a choice.



Political Vote 2
Does Justin Xiang-Allard:

A) Support Romano Liao’s ambitions and have Maximilian Liao assassinated?

B) Support Romano Liao’s ambitions and manufacture proof of Maximilian Liao’s senility?

C) Wait and see if conditions improve/worsen?

D) Tolerate Maximilian Liao’s interference and continue to attempt to win the war without the Chancellor’s aid?

E) Risk death by bringing his concerns to the Chancellor’s attention, then salvage the situation by trying to give Maximilian Liao a more active role in the battle planning?