Episode 77: The Empire
Following the Agilacana’s forced broadcast, an emergency Privy Council meeting was convened at the Imperial Palace. While the ease with which they had commandeered their communication systems was alarming, a far greater concern loomed.
“The Agilacana is expected to arrive in this star system in approximately ten hours,” former Prime Minister Cantor announced, presiding over the meeting as usual. “We need to decide on a course of action immediately.”
“If they’ve announced their arrival point, couldn’t we simply mine the area and destroy them?” Grand Admiral Graf suggested.
“Your Excellency, ten hours is insufficient time to deploy a minefield of that scale,” the Chief of Space Force Command, again attending the emergency meeting, responded, wiping sweat from his brow. “Even if we deployed all available mines, completely destroying an object of that size is unlikely. If even a single section survives, we risk facing the same attack that destroyed Sino, against which we have no defense.”
The Emperor’s brothers added their perspectives.
“Graf, the Agilacana hasn’t shown any overt hostility towards us. There's no need to assume a hostile posture. I found their broadcast rather conciliatory.”
“Withholding information from the public is no longer an option. Releasing Rear Admiral Marco and assigning her as our negotiator seems the most prudent course of action.”
“She’s the ideal candidate. We can’t release her alone, so we’ll release her entire crew. We should also promote them all by one rank as a gesture of goodwill and to discourage any subversive sentiments.”
“So, Marco becomes a full admiral.”
“Hmm.”
The two Grand Admirals seemed to have reservations, but refrained from voicing them. If the negotiations were successful, Rear Admiral Marco was likely to be promoted to Grand Admiral, becoming the third active Grand Admiral at a remarkably young age.
“Mr. Yamada, the Agilacana representative in the broadcast, seemed reasonable,” Cantor added optimistically. “And we’ve heard reports that Admiral Marco and her crew were treated well during their captivity. I doubt they’ll make any unreasonable demands, like territorial concessions.”
“What exactly can we ‘discuss’ with them?” Grand Admiral Graf asked. “Ideally, we’d demand their immediate withdrawal from Imperial territory. But given our position, it would have to be phrased as a request.”
“How we approach these negotiations is crucial, but what about our response to these interstellar lifeforms?” the Emperor’s other brother added. “We can’t negotiate without a clear policy.”
“We’re in no position to make demands,” Cantor responded. “Negotiations will have to be based on their terms. Command, what’s your assessment of these… Zeno?”
“The star systems lost in previous years, which we kept classified, were likely destroyed by these Zeno. As for our response, early detection is critical. This requires deploying numerous probes throughout the vast expanse of Imperial space, a costly and time-consuming endeavor. Alternatively, we could request information from the Agilacana.”
Most attendees grimaced at the suggestion of relying on the Agilacana.
“The Agilacana claimed we lack the means to destroy these Zeno,” Cantor continued. “Is that true?”
“Their claim of achieving fifteen percent of light speed matches our observations before Sino’s destruction,” the Chief of Space Force Command replied, wiping his brow. “While guided missiles might be effective against a head-on attack, their outer shell can withstand planetary impacts at that speed. As the Agilacana stated, our fusion warheads are unlikely to penetrate their armor. Attacking their flanks or rear would require beam weapons, which lack the destructive power and penetration of fusion warheads.”
“So, if these Zeno appear within our territory, we’re defenseless?”
“Essentially, yes.”
“After the Agilacana attacked Sino, those large vessels launched what appeared to be a massive barrage. What kind of weapons were those?”
“According to Rear Admiral Marco, the initial attack came directly from the Agilacana. They used some kind of super-sized accelerator along the Agilacana’s axis to fire massive projectiles filled with antimatter at extremely high speeds. These projectiles penetrated to the planet’s core, triggering an annihilation reaction that destroyed the planet. The larger vessels then launched numerous guided antimatter missiles to destroy the individual Zeno units. Nothing can withstand an annihilation reaction, so antimatter weapons are likely highly effective against them.”
“Antimatter… does the Empire possess any?”
“We have a small amount for research purposes, but nowhere near enough for weaponization.”
“If we appear too weak against the Agilacana, it could destabilize recently annexed territories like Halmaine.”
“Perhaps we should reinforce the ground troops stationed in Halmaine. Time is short, but we need to act quickly. Here on Azeen, the police forces should be sufficient.”
Cantor, sensing the consensus, concluded the meeting.
“It seems we’re agreed. We release Rear Admiral Marco and her crew, promote them all by one rank, and grant Admiral Marco full authority to negotiate with the Agilacana, her primary objective being to ascertain their territorial ambitions. Any objections?”
Silence.
“Then it’s decided, Your Majesty.”
Emperor Heine IV nodded, and the meeting adjourned.
“Admiral, I never imagined we’d be placed under house arrest upon returning to Hamilapiratora. We had more freedom as captives of the Agilacana.”
“Sven, be careful what you say. We’re lucky we weren’t purged.”
“Admiral, it’s not too late for that.”
“If they intended to purge us, they would have done so immediately.”
“Someone’s coming. Admiral, it’s been an honor serving under you.”
“Sven, don’t be absurd.”
“Is Rear Admiral Marco here? I’m from Space Force Command. We apologize for your confinement. We have new orders for you and your crew.”
“I am Marco. Orders? Not a sentence?”
“Orders, Admiral. Effective immediately, you and your entire crew are promoted by one rank. You have also received new orders, Admiral. Please prepare accordingly. Here are your orders.”
“May I review them now?”
“Certainly.”
“…Negotiator with the Agilacana? Plenipotentiary… Understood.”