The Ruins Of Power

“Why did you put the Atlas under the command of the MBA?” Sergio asked.

Parsons took a deep breath, looked around the room, then glanced over his shoulder to be certain the office doors were closed.

“You have proved your loyalty. All of you.”

“Loyalty to The Republic,” Austin said.

“Quite so,” Parsons said. “Quite so. I allowed Ms. Kinsolving and her trade organization control of the BattleMech because I wanted to reinforce their loyalty. I had not realized how closely she would adhere to your recommendation to refrain from using the BattleMech’s power, Baron.”

“You were afraid we would forge an alliance with Ba

“There was that,” Parsons admitted, “but there was another element to my plan. I was certain Governor Ortega remained loyal to The Republic but would not deploy the Atlas because of his philosophical leanings.”

“You shouldn’t have brought it,” Sergio said. Austin heard something more in the Envoy’s words.

“I had to be certain that you weren’t loyal first and foremost to Aaron Sandoval, and only then to The Republic,” Parsons went on.

“It’s not the same thing, is it?” Austin said, his mind racing. “What haven’t we been told because the HPG net is down?”

“Austin,” Sergio said sharply.

“It’s all right, Governor. It’s time to share our secret,” Parsons said. “I am loyal to The Republic, but no longer can I say the same with regard to Aaron Sandoval.”

Silence fell in the room.

“Who are you working for, if not the Lord Governor?” asked Austin.

“Let us say a Paladin of The Republic and leave it at that. Sandoval, however, thinks I am still his faithful Envoy.”

“A double agent,” Manfred said in a whispered voice.

Austin looked at his father, whose enigmatic smile suddenly spoke volumes. Sergio had insisted he had a plan; for two months he’d kept silent. Austin looked to Parsons again.

“Yes, a double agent.” Parsons looked at each of them in turn. “This information could be my demise. My life is now in your hands.

“Though he continues to act as Lord Governor of the Prefecture, the truth is that Aaron Sandoval is no longer loyal to The Republic. With the destruction of the HPG net, he has tasted new power, as has Kal Radick. You may have heard rumors about their defections. These rumors are true. Given the chaos that has descended upon us, there’s been little time and too few resources to address the question of putting new leaders into place.” Parsons’ look turned grave.

“Know this. I willingly risk my life for The Republic. I am trying to shore up support amongst the worlds, and am not loyal to any single individual. The ideals of Devlin Stone are bigger than that. Come what may, I will fight and die for the unity of The Republic of the Sphere.”

“Mirach may not be a large, rich planet, but you can count on our fealty,” Sergio said.

“Your differences are few,” Parsons said, “and your patriotism is great. Thank you. Now,” he said, looking at his watch, “time is short. I must leave.” Parsons did not move a muscle.

“The secret of your mission will never leave this room,” Austin said. “Thank you, Excellency.” He shook Parsons’ hand. The Envoy’s eyes told of iron resolve and utter loyalty.

Parsons nodded, then shook hands with each in turn until he came to Sergio. He smiled at the Baron and said, “If all worlds were ruled by such steadfast, capable leaders, there would be no cause to worry about The Republic’s future.” With that, Jerome Parsons hurried from the room.

“We must prepare for any contingency, if Sandoval and Radick aren’t to be trusted,” Austin said. He turned to Marta and said, “We’ll need your refitted ’Mechs placed under the direct authority of the Governor.”

“No!” blurted Sergio. “Their modified ’Mechs should be turned back to industrial uses.”

“You heard the Envoy. Mirach might become a pawn in a battle between—” Austin started.

“Austin, be sensible,” cut in Sergio. “Mirach will remain loyal through strength of will. Who can forge patriotism from steel?”

“What patriot can stand against the steel of a BattleMech?” shot back Austin. “That was Parsons’ message to us. The Atlas and other ’Mechs are a sword against our enemies.”

“His message was that we can triumph over them. The FCL remained loyal and I purposely allowed them to be scattered throughout Tortorelli’s units. More companies in the Home Guard surrendered because the FCL undermined their feeble allegiance to Tortorelli. Force of arms had little to do with it.”

“Without the refitted ’Mechs, moral suasion would have meant nothing,” Austin said. He saw how clever his father had been, though. Tortorelli had accepted the FCL as a gift and had never thought it might remain a weapon for the Governor. Manfred had been given the freedom to work with the modified IndustrialMechs and build a bridge to Marta Kinsolving and the MBA. His father had used the FCL not as soldiers but as spies. Austin acknowledged this, but knew that force had been necessary for Borodin to protect the Palace and its occupant. Austin started to point this out.

Marta and Manfred stood close to one another, listening to the argument that threatened to go on endlessly until Sergio held up his hand.

“We have other pressing matters to discuss.” He fixed his colorless eyes on his son. Austin settled down, realizing his father was right. This was a disagreement that could go on for a long, long time.

“There will be some small realignment of authority on Mirach,” Sergio said. “Envoy Parsons has agreed in principle with me on this.”

“What realignment, Baron?” Marta asked.

“You will not find the changes too onerous, Ms. Kinsolving,” said Sergio. “Rest assured, the government will do nothing to compromise the assets of any MBA member or other privately held company. We are most appreciative of the aid you have provided. The loan of your ’Mechs was especially timely.”

“Do we retain the ’Mechs?” she asked.

“We need the ’Mechs,” Austin said. “We might never use them to defend Mirach, but if what the Envoy said is true about shifting loyalties in the Prefecture, we just might. Our first priority should be to repair the Centurion.”

Sergio thought for a moment. He looked from Austin to Manfred to Marta, and Austin got the impression he was considering each of their positions.

“Perhaps you are right, Austin, but only about the modified IndustrialMechs. They can be placed in the FCL, which is returned to my personal control.” Austin almost laughed when his father added, “If the FCL is in my control, I can choose whether or not to use the ’Mechs. But,” he said, hurrying on, “the Centurion goes back into the museum. It’s too powerful a weapon, and I don’t want us to be tempted to resort to that level of violence.”

Austin thought wryly, I got it out of the museum once; I can do it again if matters ever go that far. With such a compromise, he’d be content.

Sergio continued. “The real changes will be in governmental sectors. Lady Elora has been removed as Minister.”

“That’s as much to your advantage as ours, Baron,” Marta pointed out. “What are you going to do about her?”

Sergio rocked back in his chair, tented his fingers, and rested his chin on the top. He looked thoughtfully from Manfred to Austin and then to Marta before speaking.

“A public trial would only open old wounds. She is to continue in her position as a reporter for the Ministry of Information.”

“You can’t do that, Father! She—”

“She can perform her minimal duties from a different location. Say, on Kuton? You have a comfortable repair station on our largest moon, do you not?” he asked Marta.