Here it is, the first chapter of Pathros Ascending. I hope you enjoy it. Again, I appreciate any comments or questions any of you have.
Chapter 2
The course of History.
The rise and fall of nations. The blossoming and decay of civilizations. The life and death of the people. The course of History.
It cannot rest on one man’s shoulders.
The burden still weighed upon his soul.
It is so much, thought the Twenty-Third Historiarch, of the Union of the Eleven Stars, as he sat, awaiting the arrival of the remaining two Lord Chancellors. I can hardly imagine what the repercussions of this will entail.
The middle-aged Historiarch’s eyes roamed over the four Lord Chancellors who were punctual enough to be on time. How will they take this?
The Lord Chancellors, each of them were so different. Lord Kenswick and Lord Montgomery, both, looked like the traditional political figures – well dressed and groomed, their confidence reflected in their statures – as though they were molded from the model of an ideal politician. They acted more like businessmen.
Lord Galdre was much more spartan in appearance. His attire was simple, yet trim. His posture was upright, and rigid. Whatever emotions he held were masked by a stern face. His stone eyes would not betray him.
I can never tell what you are thinking, Lord Galdre.
Chaplain Lord Bale, though, he was a different case altogether. Lord’s Kenswick and Montgomery, Lord Chancellors of Economy and Technology, certainly looked their part. Lord Galdre, Lord Chancellor of Defense, certainly fit the image of a warrior.
Chaplain Lord Bale was a mystery. He was Lord Chancellor of Religion, but nothing in his appearance betrayed that identity to anyone. He wore a simple, nondescript business suit, and a conservative hairstyle. Nowhere on his person were there any religious emblems. His expression, too, was one of contemplation.
Will he understand? Will any of them?
As solid oak door opened, Lord Handell entered the room. Politely apologizing for his timing, he took his seat between Lords Kenswick and Montgomery. The Lord Chancellor of Culture wore an outfit that was a bit less conservative than the others – the spiraling patterns on the sleeves demanding attention.
Ah, Lord Handell, always keeping up with the latest fashions.
As the next few minutes passed, it was no secret the impatience on the faces of the majority of the men in the room. It seemed as though Lord Montgomery has shifted his position a dozen times while waiting. The nature of the items the Historiarch wished to discuss that day didn’t make the wait any easier.
The impression was solid, though, the Historiarch reminded himself. This will all work out.
A full twelve minutes late, Lord Chancellor Varren entered the conference room. He voiced his apologies as well, taking his seat on the left end of the Lord Chancellor’s Row. The Lord Chancellors all present and seated in a half circle around the Historiarch, the meeting was ready to begin.
“Welcome, Lord Chancellors,” the Historiarch began. “I’m glad you were all able to make it, although preferably more timely from now on, Lord Varren.”
The well-dressed Lord Chancellor of Diplomacy gave a charming smile and assured, “The correction shall be made, Historiarch.”
“Good. Now, let us begin.” The Historiarch looked down at his agenda, then up at the Lord Chancellor of Technology, “Lord Montgomery, I believe the meeting shall begin with your report, today. The time is yours.”
“Thank you, Historiarch.” Pulling them out of the inner pocket of his suit jacket, Lord Montgomery put on some reading glasses, glanced at his notes, and then began his report.
For the next forty minutes, the Historiarch listened as each Lord Chancellor, in turn, reported on their stewardships, and the affairs of the Union. On each matter, the Historiach would voice any concerns, and have the final say in every issue. The other Lord Chancellors would chime in from time to time, Lord Varren particularly loquacious, certain to get his say in on every matter.
Most of the items addressed today were not uncommon in their meetings. Lord Kenswick brought up the same issue of the economic imbalance in the Giacar System that he had been bringing up for the whole year. Chaplain Lord Bale reminded everyone of the upcoming events in the Final Catholic Church, as well as the reform going on in the Church of the Illumination. Both of the issues brought up by Chaplain Lord Bale were to have less effect on the Union, as both faiths were thriving much more outside the Union, so the Historiarch was not too concerned with them.
A few of the items addressed were much more important to the Historiarch. Lord Galdre shared the proposed plan to increase the efficiency of transporting military personnel, which the Historiarch approved, being greatly impressed. Lord Kenswick also mentioned that he had, earlier that morning, received a report of an accident on Pathros. An expansion crew was killed in a cave-in while searching for more Aiex Caches.
It’s a small event, but will it have an effect on what I propose today?
As Lord Varren, the last of the Lord Chancellors to report, finished what he had to say, the Historiarch took a moment to ponder the words he would say before continuing.
Here goes.
“Thank you, Lord Chancellors, for your reports. I feel that the issues we have discussed today were of importance, and that we’ve made the right decisions regarding them.” He took a deep breath. “I have one more item of business to discuss, which I esteem to be of utmost importance. It is in regards to Pathros.”
At that word, each of the Lord Chancellors perked up. Pathros was always a matter that all were eager to discuss. It was, after all, the most valuable resource in the known galaxy.
“As each of you know, Pathros is owned by the Union. It has been since it was colonized two hundred years ago.” The Lord Chancellors nodded, hearing facts that they were already well aware of. “The actual colonies on Pathros, though, as well as the responsibility over the valuable resources of Pathros, belongs to the Ruling Houses.
“There are the seven Major Houses, each with a stewardship over the various Harvesting Facilities. Those Houses struggle for control over each and every Aiex Cache on the planet. Even then, though, there are still restrictions. We, the Union, are still in control over the Pathros.”
The Historiarch paused, gathering his thoughts. The Lord Chancellors still listening intently.
“It has come time for that to change, my Lord Chancellors.”
A temporary look of confusion played across the faces of each Lord Chancellor, save Chaplain Lord Bale, who retained his ever contemplative look.
“What do you mean?” asked Lord Handell, leaning forward with concern.
The Historiarch continued, “As the Twenty-Third Historiarch, I am going to make a proclamation concerning Pathros. Six months from today, Pathros will become a sovereign state, just as the rest of the planets in the Union.”
The Lord Chancellors were all taken aback, shocked by this sudden declaration. Immediately, they all had something to say on the matter.
“Historiarch,” began Lord Montgomery, “do you really mean that?”
“Why? What is the reason for this?” insisted Lord Handell.
Before any more could be said, the Historiarch raised his hand, wordlessly demanding silence. The Lord Chancellors obliged, and the Historiarch cleared his throat.
“The planet will be turned over to one of the Ruling Houses, who will then form its independent government. It will remain in the Union, but it will have the same status as the rest of the Union.”
“Historiarch, if I may interject,” interrupted Lord Varren, “you really mean to turn the planet over to one of the Ruling Houses?”
“I do.”
This is as I expected. They do not think it wise.
“How? The Houses already fight amongst themselves as it is. How are you going to single out one of them and give them authority over the others?”
“I do not intend to simply name whichever one I wish, and see how it goes. I have prepared a… criteria… by which I shall determine which House is to rule. I intend to select one based on many aspects. I will judge in many of the same areas each of you govern. The Ruling House will be selected according to their economic holding, their cultural values, their advancements in technology. Military power, diplomatic strength, and their treatment of religions will all take a part in this. Essentially, I will be selecting the one which will be best suited to governing a planet.”
The Historiarch sat back in his seat, waiting for their responses. They took a moment longer this time around, as they were each contemplating what was being proposed. Lord Handell was the first to speak again.
“Historiarch, if I may ask again, why? Why make such a radical change in the governing of Pathros?”
The impression was solid. This will all work out.
“My Lord Chancellors; being the Historiarch, there is an immense responsibility resting on my shoulders. Even so, as you are all aware, many of my decisions I trust to the impressions I feel. This is not uncommon, among Historiarchs. Some have referred to these impressions as a simple gut instinct, others as divine inspiration. Whether it be either of the aforementioned, or something entirely different, I cannot say. I do know, Lord Chancellors, that I would be a fool to ignore an impression as solid as what I felt last night. For the good of the course of history, I feel this must be done. There is little more than that which I can say to explain my rationale.”
Again, there was momentary silence as the group contemplated these serious matters. Even the stone-faced Lord Galdre had the distant look of one who was lost in thought. Lord Kenswick was obviously a bit unsettled by the proposal, as he shifted in his seat uncomfortable.
“But what of the Aiex?” the Lord Chancellor of Economy asked. “How will this affect the only purpose for mankind’s presence on Pathros?”
It was bound to come to this. Lord Kenswick wouldn’t let a thing interfere with the Aiex trade.
“You pose a good question,” answered the Historiarch. “At this time, I cannot say. There are too many variables, to clearly see the outcome.”
“And the relations between Ruling Houses,” added Lord Varren. “As we said before, they already fight enough as it is. By informing each of them that one of them will be selected, according to a criteria you have come up with, to be handed over the reins to the planet, I can only imagine the conflicts that will arise. This could lead to another all-out House War!”
“Yet, none of the Ruling Houses are permitted to have a standing army,” reminded Lord Galdre.
“Oh, come on, Lord Galdre,” chimed in Lord Montgomery. “We all know that their Dragoon ‘Police Forces’ are exactly that. I see no way that violence could be avoided if we go through with this proposal.”
“In the wake of this House War, precious Aiex will be lost. Going through with this would be like cutting holes in our own pockets; profits would be lost down the drain!”
“I agree with Lord Kenswick,” declared Lord Handell, patting his associate on the shoulder. “By doing this, we will sink our economy into recession for the first time since Pathros was colonized.”
“I will tell you right now, as Lord Chancellor of Economy, I vote to veto this proposal. It’s economic suicide.”
Both Lord Montgomery and Lord Handell promptly added their votes to veto the proposal.
“Lord Varren? Lord Galdre?” The Lord Chancellor of Economy looked to his two fellow Chancellors expectantly.
After a moment’s hesitation, Lord Varren declared, “As Lord Chancellor of Diplomacy, I vote to veto this proposal.”
“Well,” began Lord Galdre, his stern face unwavering, “As Lord Chancellor of Defense, I vote in favor of this proposal. I’ve always trusted a gut instict.”
Although the necessary two-thirds majority, needed to veto the proposal, had been acquired, the Lord Chancellors all looked to Chaplain Lord Bale, awaiting his response. The same look of contemplation was found on his face, as he slowly, yet with confidence, voiced his opinion.
“As Chaplain Lord Chancellor of Religion, I do not represent any one faith, but all faiths, which are found within the Union of the Eleven Stars. In almost all of those faiths, such impressions, more often considered inspiration, are to be taken very seriously. As Chaplain Lord Chancellor of Religion, I vote in favor of this proposal.”
“Well, even so,” began Lord Kenswick, triumph reflected in his eyes. “Two-thirds majority shows that the proposal shall be vetoed. I’m sorry, Historiarch, but we just do not see this as a wise idea.”
The Historiarch was silent for a moment. Then it must come to this. He stood up, suddenly looking very commanding. For the good of the course of history.
“As the Twenty-Third Historiarch of the Union of the Eleven Stars, I invoke a Final Mandate on this proposal, the Proclamation Concerning the Governing of Pathros.”
Six Lord Chancellors took in a sharp breath, almost simultaneously. Awed silence filled the room. The Historiarch remained standing.
Lord Varren was the first to be bold enough to break the silence.
“Well then. It must go through.”
“Are you certain you mean to do that, Historiarch?” inquired Lord Montgomery. “You know the consequences.”
“I do, my Lord Chancellors. It is for the good of the course of History.”
In silence, the Lord Chancellors submitted to the will of the Historiarch.
“Will it work?” asked Lord Handell.
“That, we shall see.” admitted the Historiarch, as he sat back into his seat.
We shall see, indeed.
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