SwordSworn Flagship, Tyrannos Rex

Outbound to Ningpo jump point

Prefecture V, The Republic

5 December 3134

Aaron sat in his newly completed office on the Tyrannos Rex. enjoying the last hour or so of normal gravity. They had already arranged passage to Poznan on a Merchant JumpShip currently recharging at the star’s zenith jump point, but the ship would not be fully charged for another seventy hours.

Until then, the ship would float there, its unfurled sail absorbing solar energy for the trip. The Tyrannos Rex would have to wait in free fall. It was then that the practicality—or lack thereof—of his new quarters would be revealed.

Already the servants and workers swarmed over the place, double-checking the bolts that held the furniture to the floor, securing loose objects, retracting the chandeliers into their storage nooks. Even then, the space would be largely useless—devoid of handholds where they were needed, sharp corners everywhere waiting to catch the unwary, the furnishings largely useless. Aaron expected to retreat to his original quarters until after the jump, when they were again under one-G acceleration for the nine-day journey from the jump point to Poznan.

There was a knock at the open door. Paxton leaned in. “Lord Governor, do you have time to brief the new press secretary?”

“Now’s as good a time as any, I suppose.”

He’d only met Joan Cisco briefly after she’d come aboard. He hadn’t even read her credentials, and was simply trusting Ulysses’ judgment. In any case, her hiring was probationary.

If she didn’t work out, he’d simply write her a termination check and try again. He didn’t think it would be necessary, though.

According to Ulysses, she had been working in the Ningpo branch of a Tikonov farm machinery company. She’d been remarkably successful in selling unwanted tractors and AgroMechs to skeptical Ningpo farmers.

To Aaron’s mind one product—and he did consider himself a product—was much the same as another. Moreover, as a Tikonov native, she would be likely to understand his politics and methods better than any off-worlder.

Cisco walked in. She was a tall, graceful woman, who carried herself with a poise and confidence that he admired. Though her crisply tailored business suit was tasteful, she had long legs that she obviously enjoyed showing, as the skirt was cut accordingly. Her blond hair was worn pinned high on her head, and black, horn-rimmed glasses took the edge off a face that was almost too beautiful. Her tan suggested that she spent a great deal of time outdoors, and her muscular calves and thighs supported this assumption.

“Lord Governor, thank you for making time for me. I’m running to catch up here, and I understand our next jump is less than three days away. I’d like to leave the jump point with a steady stream of press and publicity material traveling in front of us.”

Aaron smiled. Send in the advance forces to soften them up and feel them out, before the main assault begins. The woman’s way of thinking was to his liking. “There’s time to talk about Poznan later. First, I assume Ulysses and Deena have brought you up to speed with what we’ve been doing?”

“I’ve been given copies of everything that was sent out, and all the local press coverage you were able to record or acquire on your previous stops.”

“And?”

She took a deep breath. “How frank would you like me to be, Lord Governor?”

“I need an honest assessment. That is what I will always require from you. You need not coddle my ego, nor those of any of my staff.”

She nodded. “Very well.” She licked her lips, thinking. “First, to some extent, results speak for themselves. Ningpo was a huge victory for you, and that creates a momentum that will greatly assist your future endeavors. Your handling of the press arrangements was very good. Considering their lack of experience in such matters, Mr. Paxton showed outstanding organizational skills, and Ms. Onan wrote some surprisingly good releases. In fact, if she ever wants to consider an alternate line of work, I could introduce her to some people.”

Aaron smiled, but without much humor. “Deena is an educated woman, with quite a few hidden talents. I warn you, however, that I very much wish to keep my valued employees in my employ.” The smile was gone. “Don’t ever talk about such matters, even in jest. I won’t look kindly on it.”

Her eyes widened, as she saw how serious he was. “Of course, my Lord. It was only a joke, and it won’t happen again.”

“Good, then.” He let the matter pass as though it had never happened. “Go on with your analysis.”

“This ship itself is a stroke of genius. With The Republic fragmented, worlds isolated from distant authorities will rally to a tangible symbol of power, especially one as benign as this. It seems your intent was to make yourself into a kind of royal celebrity, and in that, you’re well on your way.” She lowered her voice conspiratorially. “Your liaison with Ginger Li was an especially masterful touch.”

Aaron frowned. “Who?”

“Ginger Li, the Tri-Vid actress.”

“Oh,” said Aaron, leaning back in his chair. “So that was her name.”

Cisco raised an eyebrow, but made no comment. “Moving on, Lord Governor; with as much good as you’ve done, you’ve taken huge risks, and have been incredibly lucky. I don’t believe in leaving things to chance. It’s just as easy to generate negative spin as it is to generate positive. If we’re going to work together, you have to trust me to know the best way to project the image you wish to create.”

Aaron rubbed his chin and smiled slightly. He wasn’t ready to tell her the true story of Shensi, and might never be. On the other hand, she had to know on some level how he worked, and the lengths to which he was willing to go to in order to achieve his goals. “Ms. Cisco, I believe that there is no such thing as luck. You’re right about not wanting to leave things to chance. I believe that successful people make their own luck, and that even adversity—such as the attempt on my life—can be used as opportunity.

“Know that you will not—at first, anyway—always be privy to all my dealings. Those aren’t your concern. My public face is. Know, too, that if you need something—anything, no matter how outrageous or impossible it may seem—to shape that public face, then you must tell me.”

“Anything?”

He looked her squarely in the eye. “Anything. I have remarkable resources at my disposal. Don’t assume I can do ‘anything,’ but don’t assume that I can’t.”

He smoothed his hair with his fingers. “Which brings us back to Poznan. It’s going to be a difficult world to win: a nest of ethnic tensions, dissidents, and malcontents. There are many there who would welcome Liao forces with open arms.”

She nodded. “And just as many who would start a civil war to resist them, which isn’t in our interests, either.

“We have to convince all the ethnic groups that you are offering them something they’ve never seen before—something that addresses all their desires. I have some suggestions—”