“How do you know this?” I asked.
“The Despotate used a Federation relay tower to send the order. We intercepted the transmission,” Bridgette explained.
“And broke their codes?” I asked.
Bridgette laughed. “My dear Captain, we broke the Urgan codes before we entered the war.”
I wanted to ask if the Noble Federation had broken our codes as well, but feared the answer and did not trust Bridgette to tell the truth.
“Do you know who set off the device?” Astrid asked.
“No, but we know who gave the order,” Bridgette said, then stopped talking.
Tired of her impatience, I stepped into the breach, preventing Astrid from having to ask. “Who?”
Bridgette’s smile curled menacingly, like a cat with a cicada. “The order to activate the Fall device came from the Despotess herself.”
Astrid’s face reddened with fury. Her entire body went taut, ready to strike out, but her rage rendered her unable to speak.
“And you can prove this?” I asked in her stead. I’d half expected the Urgan Despotate would be responsible ever since I’d learned about New Melbourne’s destruction. If the Empire had been losing, I might have suspected some loose-cannon demon lord, but they were slowly grinding through the deadlock on the planet, sure to win if things did not change. The Allies had more to lose, and the Despotate lords commander were the only people on the Allied side reckless enough to destroy their own planets to spite the Empire.
Lady d’Lyre shrugged suggestively, a pleased smile still tightening her lips. “To whose satisfaction? The Urganswill claim they were framed, and the war hawks on either side will pretend the information is falsified to continue the fight. What matters is whether I can provide enough proof to convince the Emperor, and I think I can.”
Astrid finally gained control over her fury to the point where she could speak, but I still half expected her to lash out in anger. “If you can prove what you say is true, then I’d agree your information is worth something. So, what is it you want?”
Bridgette’s smile widened, her lips parting to reveal her perfect pearly teeth. Despite having had her several times during the night, I got the impression she was more aroused by the Emperor’s question than by anything either of us had done to her in bed.
“The Noble Federation feels the Urgan Despotate is too dangerous a nation to allow its continued existence,” Bridgette said.
“Agreed,” Astrid growled between clenched teeth.
“The Empire and the Federation already occupy Urgan star systems. The Federation will keep those worlds we currently control, as well as those contested worlds where we still have a significant military presence. If you grant us permission to annex the remaining free Despotate worlds, then the Federation will not contest your annexation of Despotate worlds you currently hold.”
The Emperor took a sip of her Eire coffee. “Imperial blood has been spilled on the disputed worlds. We cannot ignore that sacrifice so easily. Your other terms, though, are acceptable.”
I had not expected things to go this far. Some vague agreements on treaty aims, but not concrete negotiations. Alarmed, I said, “This isn’t the right place to discuss these things.”
“Captain, you’re being silly. A great many things are decided between lovers in bed. The treaty afterwards ismerely official icing on the cake,” Bridgette said as she leaned seductively towards me, her fingers gently circling my collarbone.
“If you want to talk seriously about a peace treaty, let’s get the decision makers together and discuss policy,” I said.
Bridgette’s sinister smile intensified. She was in control of the situation and loving it. “I thought the decision makers were here. I have full authority to negotiate for the Federation, and the Emperoristhe Empire. That leaves you. Do you have to call anybody before you can say what your Commonwealth will or will not agree to?” I opened my mouth to mention the Duke of Lynwyzc, but d’Lyre put a perfectly manicured finger on my lips. “And don’t talk to me about that fuddy-duddy prince of yours. If you present him with a peace package leaving the Royal Commonwealth intact and his niece on the throne, do you think he wouldn’t jump at it? Would he seriously refuse to sign and doom his nation to inevitable defeat and dissolution?”
She had a good point. I knew how precarious the Commonwealth’s military position truly was. So did the prince. Any treaty guaranteeing our survival as a people would be preferable to complete, unconditional surrender. “I suppose not…”
Delighted, Bridgette leaned forwards and planted a quick, yet distressingly sensual kiss on my cheek. “There we have it. We are the decision makers. Let’s make some decisions.”
The Emperor was ready for the opening. “The Empire and its satrapies will not give up any League territory which we currently occupy.”
Bridgette waved her hand. “Fine, fine. You took it, it’s yours. We have no interest in unprofitable backwater systems.”
I felt the need to step in. “I’m afraid I cannot accept that. The Royal Commonwealth currently hosts the League Dietin exile. The governments of dozens of independent systems are in our care. I cannot let you two disregard them so completely.”
Astrid glanced at me, annoyed. “I will not restore territory to nations which have not fielded troops against me in almost a decade. The Royal Commonwealth still resists, and so you may negotiate with me. I won’t hear from governments whose nations have ceased to exist.”
“We have many foreign legions, composed of volunteers from the occupied territories—” I began, but Astrid cut me off.
“Brigades at best, the honor guards of defunct royal courts, scarcely worth mentioning. My mind is not changed.”
