“Precisely,” I spat bitterly. “Bastards wouldn’t have even joined the war if the Empire hadn’t completely routed the Despotate. The Federation would have been happy to sit things out, selling us lancers, shuttles, food, and zeroblades until we fell, but the Empire invaded, forcing them to join the war. Even now they keep their direct participation on battlefield worlds to a minimum. Their soldiers are little better than militarized policemen, capable of putting down unshielded civilians, but unwilling to stand up to armed warriors.”
“Why did the Empire invade them if they weren’t in the war to begin with?” Princess Marie asked.
“The Empire was trying to cut the supply lines between Federation factory worlds and the Allied armies. Starve us out, deny us equipment for our troops,” I began to explain, but before I could say anything further, there was a clash of glass followed by a repetitive clanging. The music stopped, and I turned to see Von Potiorek standing on the stage with the musicians, banging two silver trays together. He’d flung the glasses from them, and broken shards glittered in a pool of spilt liquor before him.
“Ladies, Gentlemen, and the rest of you, please raise a glass to the hospitality of our host, the so-called Emperor Astrid,” Von Potiorek began, and my heart froze. This could not possibly end well.
I excused myself from the princess and sought out my Commonwealth compatriots. I found Prince Aureli, and by the time I got to him, Boleslaw had arrived as well.
“What do you think?” I asked.
“He’d better stick to the plan,” Prince Aureli muttered under his breath.
“What plan?” Princess Marie asked. I hadn’t noticed her following me.
“The one we discussed yesterday, Princess. Full territorial reparations. A stronger League establishment. Peace without victory,” Prince Aureli replied.
“Does he know of this plan?” Princess Marie asked. I looked at the prince, who looked at Boleslaw, who grimaced.
“None of the lords commander were happy about it, but they all agreed to it.” Boleslaw’s voice was full of reservations.
“Oh, Fall.” The princess grabbed a glass of pink champagne off a nearby hordling’s tray and downed it with a gusto I’d not yet seen from her. I decided to follow suit.
The lord commander paused for an applause which was not forthcoming. Obviously annoyed, he plunged on regardless. “We all appreciate being invited to the famous Crystal Palace, to enjoy its galaxy-class accommodations, beaches, mountains, and hot springs. But I can no longer ignore the grievous slight which has been inflicted upon my nation, by you, Emperor.”
“Is he drunk?” asked a Commonwealth general behind me.
“He’d better be,” Boleslaw replied.
The Emperor sat calmly on her throne, staring dispassionately at the Urgan officer, her elbow on an armrest and her chin resting upon her fist. “Please, Lord Commander, do tell me how you feel you’ve been insulted,” she said with lazy interest.
“Over the last two days, you’ve invited many people to meet privately with you. Federation heirs, dukes of the League, even a lowly Commonwealth army captain,” Von Potiorek said, glaring at me. I grabbed another two glasses and handedone to the princess. “But despite having ample opportunity, you have not invited any of the Despotess’s representatives to treat with you in your chambers.”
The Emperor grinned with mild amusement. “I’m sorry you’re upset at not yet sharing tea and cakes with me, but this is my celebration, and I’ll enjoy it any way I like.”
“Don’t be coy with me. This is not a twelve-year jubilee of your reign. This is a treaty negotiation. I don’t know what’s happening on the other side of your Empire, but whatever it is, you can’t afford to fight us any longer. You must have peace. So let me tell you, weakened Emperor, here is what you must do if you wish us to show you any mercy.”
Von Potiorek didn’t see it, but I saw how the Emperor’s smile turned merciless, how her eyes went from an amused sparkle to an infuriated flame.
“First of all, you must return all territory taken from us,” Von Potiorek began.
“So far so good,” General Hedwig mumbled, but I stayed silent, knowing he wasn’t finished.
“Then you must forsake your satrapies in the League. Their governments shall be dissolved, and their territory added to the Urgan Despotate’s dominions.”
“Oh, shit,” I breathed. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Archduke Darius leap up from his seat, but he was restrained by Selnikov’s claw on his shoulder and Lady d’Lyre’s hand on his chest.
“You will sacrifice your border systems to form a new buffer state between your Empire and the League. This state shall be ruled as a client nation of the Urgan Despotate to prevent your threatening us ever again.”
“He can’t be serious,” Princess Marie whispered.
“You will pay us an indemnity of seventy-two trillion dollars to rebuild twice over everything your armies destroyedover the last ten years. And finally, you shall deliver your top one hundred generals to us to be tried and sentenced for their war crimes in Despotate courts.”
“He must be mad,” I said, completely blown away by Von Potiorek’s speech, but he was not yet done.
“If these demands are not met by midnight tonight, then, dear ‘Emperor,’ the Despotate will have no choice but to invade your worlds, burn your capital, and mount your pretty head on a spike where it belongs.”
The hall was silent. Not a gasp was heard, so complete was the assembled notables’ disbelief. Everyone stared at Von Potiorek, trying to determine what had made him so completely disillusioned with his position to demand what he had just done. Even the Commonwealth’s ‘Peace without Victory’ conditions were a long shot, and this imbecile thought he could compel the Empire to turn over stars and hostages?
