The Ashes of Worlds - Kevin J. Anderson [201]
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139
King Peter
The Confederation ships hung beside the EDF vessels in space, facing the enigmatically silent Klikiss swarmships. Nothing moved.
King Peter stood on the Jupiter’s bridge with Estarra and OX, studying the huge alien clusters as the foremost one abruptly engulfed the Hansa’s diplomatic shuttle, along with Basil Wenceslas. The mass of interlocking alien components had simply absorbed it.
Good riddance.
“If there’s a way to make this situation worse, the Chairman’s bound to find it.” Admiral Willis leaned forward in her command chair. “I’m keeping our weapons ready.”
He couldn’t imagine what the breedex wanted with Basil. The Klikiss arrival had certainly thrown a wrinkle into his plans for returning to the Whisper Palace. Now they had to stand together against a seemingly invincible enemy.
Peter stared at the screen until his eyes burned. Could he really take advantage of the distraction to seize control of the government? The very existence of Earth was threatened by the massive alien ships.
On the other hand, how could he not, knowing that the situation would only grow worse in the hands of Chairman Wenceslas?
Sarein was greatly agitated. “The Klikiss have changed the circumstances, but not the main goal. It’s more important now than ever. Deputy Cain is ready for you down there, and so are the people of Earth. Basil won’t be able to do a thing about it.”
Estarra couldn’t tear her eyes from the enormous alien vessels that had swept into the system. “But isn’t this the worst possible time to throw Earth into more instability? We’ve got a common enemy now.”
“These Klikiss ships might well be the worst threat to humanity since the hydrogue war,” OX observed.
Peter agreed with the assessment logically, but he made a bitter noise. “The Chairman will never set aside our differences and work together. How can I leave the fate of humanity in the hands of Basil Wenceslas? Given his track record, it would be irresponsible.”
Sarein’s dark eyes flashed. “Peter, we’ll never have a better chance! The Whisper Palace is wide open.”
Admiral Willis rested her chin on her knuckles. “I’m as worried about the Klikiss as anybody, but we know for damn sure that the Chairman is a threat. There’s nothing you can do for Earth up here, sire.”
Peter felt a steely resolve. “I can make a difference if I take my throne back. Humanity needs a strong visionary leader, now more than ever.” With all their blatant signs of unrest, he knew the people were ready. One way or another, the angry people would soon overthrow the Chairman and depose his sham King Rory, and they were likely to turn the kid into a scapegoat. A fate the poor patsy didn’t deserve. He turned to Admiral Willis. “Do you see any way to avoid a shooting war? We can’t have our ships blasting at the EDF.”
Excitement flushed Willis’s face. “Right now, who’s watching? Everybody’s hypnotized by the Klikiss. I could easily slip one Manta away from the back ranks and take a roundabout path toward Earth. Go in quick and clean, establish a foothold, plant our flag in the Palace District, and have you sitting back on your throne by the end of the day. We’ll be all settled in if, or when, the Chairman comes back. A bloodless coup.”
“It is not technically a coup,” OX pointed out. “King Peter never abdicated his throne. I can cite numerous precedents in Hansa law, as well as historical comparisons.”
“It’s true, Peter,” Estarra said. “The people need you.”
It felt good to be making clear decisions again, moving forward on a plan. Peter kissed her. “I’ll take OX with me, but you should stay here with Sarein. If anything happens to me, the Confederation will need its Queen.” He could see that she was torn by this, but understood the political necessity.
“I’m leading this operation