“We can’t do it?”
“I can’t say for sure,” said Faramunsh. “All I can say for now is that would be onerous. Might we be able to pull back on that condition somewhat? We just need to win in the end for them to be safe, don’t we?”
“Given they do so, would it then be worth considering?”
“Your Majesty needn’t deign to, for I would raise my hand in agreement. We would no longer need to worry about the possibility of Hania going to war. I would hold my nose and dedicate some troops to their disarmament for that.”
“How much would it help?”
“We could give the Command Headquarters staff three days of break. If we can manage the alliance without disarming them, then make that a week.”
“That’s not that much,” said Lamagh.
“We can hasten the end of the war itself.”
“By how much time?”
“Your Majesty might see it conclude while still on the Throne.”
“An abrupt finish to the war to end all wars.”
“To the generations to come, whether the war lasted a decade or a century, it will seem much the same either way. And if we live to see ourselves ending the war, we can brag to our children, too.”
“When that time comes, I imagine you won’t speak of the abundant tragedy and misery of the war, but rather focus on the crumbs of joy.”
“Yes. We’ll tell them ‘before you were born, these exciting and fun games called wars broke out from time to time,’” said Faramunsh merrily. “I can see the disappointment in the eyes of my unborn descendants as I speak.”
Lamagh chuckled. “Perhaps they’ll start some wars of their own out of jealousy.”
“That will not come to pass,” said Faramunsh, shooting her down over-seriously. “Not as long as the Empire remains whole.”
“I don’t think they’re likely to back down on the condition,” said Brahsh. “While it’s true that in the eyes of the Empire, it’s fine to be temporarily boxed into a single system as long as victory is had in the end, the same isn’t true for land peoples.”
“So the means are more important than the ends to them?” The Director furrowed his brow.
“No, that’s not it.” Brahsh seemed confused. “If ruling regimes change too often, then society will be in a state of disorder, and people’s lives will be affected. That is, the lives of people on what they care about the most, landworlds. They offered this deal because they decided that the Empire would be better at protecting their landworlds than their own interstellar polity. As defense of the landworlds is the whole point, they won’t pull back,” he grumbled. “People born in Lacmhacarh are too indifferent to the feelings of the governed.”
“Now that you mention it, your predecessor often said the same thing,” noted Lamagh.
“Those born as Imperials would find it even harder to relate,” said Brahsh.
“That may well be true,” she admitted. Nominally, she was the Lady of several territory-nations, but she had dispatched magistrates to them all, so she never had to face a landworld herself. She had never once thought about their happiness. But she didn’t feel an ounce of guilt. She just knew she was mostly clueless regarding the subject.
“Of course, there’s nothing to guarantee the condition is met,” said Brahsh.
Lamagh raised an eyebrow. “Is it not enough for the Empress to make the promise?”
“Not to repeat myself, but they trust in the Empire to an extent. That’s why they came to us with that proposal. That will be enough for them.”
“We’re not sure what you’re trying to say,” said Lamagh, bewildered.
“It’s not physically impossible,” said Brahsh.
“So you would have Us make a promise We don’t intend to keep?” Discomfort welled in Lamagh’s heart.
Brahsh probably took notice, but: “That is the best way forward for humanity,” he stated calmly.
“Is that really the case?” Lamagh knitted her brows. The unpleasant sensation in her chest had yet to be expunged.
“This way, we can minimize the number of deaths.” Brahsh shifted his gaze toward Faramunsh. “Isn’t that the most efficient way militarily speaking, too?”
“You’re right.” Faramunsh’s braided blue-grey ponytail hung down his shoulder. Playing with his hair, he smiled subtly.
“Once you requisition the territory of the Federation, they can fight as much as they want. It may say in the contract that we’re to defend their lands to the death, but if the Empire’s defeat is on the horizon, then that becomes nothing more than a non-binding goal, and they know that. And even if we were to hand their territory to the enemy, as long as it’s temporary, we wouldn’t necessarily be in violation.”
“I say, Mr. Chancellor,” said Faramunsh. “How strict of you. I will of course defend them to our utmost ability, and should they get captured, then that is unavoidable. That is what I was saying. We can’t set up an utterly impregnable defense. When I said it’s not worth looking into, that is what I was referring to. I don’t know whether the omniscient and omnipotent god they believe in truly exists, but I do know that at the very least, we are not that god.”
“Actually, the peoples of the Hania Federation don’t believe in an almighty god. Their religion...” But Brahsh caught himself. “On second thought, never mind. So what is your concern, exactly? Your thoughts seem quite complex, Lonh-Üalodr.”
“Wouldn’t you agree there’s a difference between Hania getting snatched away after we’ve put up the best defense possible, and abandoning them from the outset? I want the freedom to abandon the portals if expedient,” explained the Military Command Director. “Complying with this condition of theirs would require dispatching fleets there as long as there are inhabited planets, regardless of how worthwhile it is to defend the portals, or even how possible. It’s as good as offering them a sacrifice. You can explain it away through any number of similar justifications, but it’s all just an illusion in the end. And what’s more, we know that to be the case.”
“But if that illusion brings the war to a quicker end, then it’s nothing to be ashamed of. I respect the values of Lonh-Rüéspéner (His Excellency the Imperial Admiral), but I believe decreasing the number of people getting converted into clumps of plasma is more important... Besides,” Faramunsh continued, “Earlier, you said that land peoples find it tiresome to have their rulers change too often, didn’t you?”
“That’s just the rationale as to why I think the Ambassador won’t pull back on the defense condition. From our standpoint, another idea will come up. It would be absurd if scads of soldiers had to die just to ensure they live in comfort.”
“Enough,” said Lamagh. “There’s no need for you two to be arguing whether the Empress ought to turn into a liar. That exceeds your authority.”
The two officials bowed simultaneously.
“Chancellor, there is one thing you must bear in mind. If and when We requisition their territory, We must speak of the conditions that the Ambassador set forward. If We were to adopt your measures, then humanity would come to learn that the Empress of the Abh may at times lie. The existence of the Emperor as one who does not tell falsehoods has been an immense boon to the Empire. Without this credibility, the Ambassador would never have made this proposal in the first place. And it only takes a single lie for that credibility to collapse. Thereafter, any who occupy the Jade Throne may no longer reign without expending the effort to convince others of their sincerity. It would break the trust in the promises made by the Abliars that Our ancestors built over time.”
“But that wouldn’t be much of a problem in an age where the Empire no longer has enemies, would it?” ventured Brahsh. “Your Majesty, this is ultimately to protect the honor of the Abliars. Or am I mistaken?”
“Taking that into consideration, We shall reflect on this matter.”