THE VROL TRILOGY (146 page)

Maria stopped momentarily, visibly attempting
to stifle a snicker, and then continued.

"Okay, I have personally met Admiral
Bagatelle, and he is most certainly not attempting a coup d'état,
nor does he desire to be any sort of king. So, continuing… We are
calling upon all citizens to fight these invading forces. Do not
give them your cooperation, sabotage them where you can, and those
who help shall be richly rewarded. These illegal actions shall not
be tolerated, and I have personally spoken with Chairman Johnson,
who is, at this moment, coordinating a counterattack, and his heart
is with the people of Azul System. We must come together at this
time of great tragedy, and fight the invaders, who have brought
along savages from Earth, the planet of our ancestors."

López stopped and gave the camera a deadpan
glare before breaking out in hysterical laughter, which was
followed by everyone else in the newsroom, save Collins. She
motioned for the soldier guarding Collins to bring the wannabe
tyrant to the news desk. Doing so, he forcefully put the senator
into a chair by the lovely reporter's side. Her laughter having
subsided, Maria wiped a tear away from her eye and looked at the
politician, starting an interview with the pale man.

"Senator Markus Collins. Welcome to the
broadcast. This manuscript that I hold in my hand - did you not
give this to me?"

"Yes," he hissed.

"And did you not threaten to have me
imprisoned if I did not read it verbatim?"

"To not read the official statements of your
leadership is treasonous in the least."

López gave him a mischievous grin and then
signaled to the camera crew by twirling her hand around in the air.
"What the senator has forgotten is the most basic premise of the
Constitution - it is that they serve us, not the other way around.
People of Azul System, what the senator is doing is indeed illegal
per our founding document. I can also tell you that we are indeed
liberated. The majority of the media long ago realized the folly of
our ways. We had been the supportive lapdogs of a growing,
tyrannical regime, led by Leonard Johnson, who, by the way, is
missing. The good senator here has not spoken with Johnson, nor is
the self-styled chairman leading any form of resistance. That is a
base lie, as is everything that I read off this farce of a public
service announcement. Bagatelle has come back to liberate us, and
is accompanied by some very special people. Yes, it is true that
there are soldiers from Earth with him, but they have no interest
in taking over. They volunteered to aid us - their cousins - in
regaining our freedom. You see, they lost their liberty so many
times in the past that it's almost second nature for them to fight
back for the good of Mankind. So I say to you, fellow brothers and
sisters - live your lives as normal, with the exception that you
will not need to move in fear for saying the wrong things. Your
Constitutional freedoms have been restored."

Maria put her hand to her ear, apparently
picking up a transmission.

"We've just received word that Admiral
Bagatelle is approaching the Azul Capitol building, where he will
address a joint session of Congress." She then looked at Collins
and asked, "Would you like to be escorted to the Senate chamber and
listen to Admiral Bagatelle, Mr. Senator?"

Collins hissed, saying, "I would rather be
thrown off a cliff."

"That can be arranged. However, we do adhere
to the rule of law, so you will be taken to listen to the good
Admiral. Bruno? Please assist this good soldier and escort Mr.
Collins to the Senate."

Turning back to the camera, she gained a
solemn expression while staring deeply into the lens. Then taking a
deep breath, continued, "There have been rumors of disappearances.
I can confirm that they are not rumors. Leonard Johnson and his
criminal cohorts have been murdering people at will, eliminating
entire families. But he was in such a hurry they could not
effectively erase all traces of his victims from system records. In
fact, he didn't even bother to do so, as Johnson was building a
fleet of ships to return to Earth. Admiral Bagatelle shall reveal
the details of this once Constitutional government has been
restored. So, in closing, we are all in this together. Our phone
lines are open, and any occupying soldiers are instructed to kindly
assist you in the case you have been negatively affected by the
current despotic regime. Freedom is near, and we shall survive and
prosper. This is Maria López reporting… for all humanity."

Collins was yanked out of his chair as soon
as the cameras were turned off, but Maria called out to Bruno, the
studio's head of security, asking him to hold off for a moment.
Walking up, she gave Collins an emotionless glare, and then looked
downward, as if she were fighting off heartburn for a moment.
Collins's eye grew large as Maria's cheeks filled in with sparse
hair and her now smiling mouth featured enlarged canines. Then,
without further delay, she punched him in the face with such force
it removed two teeth from his mouth.

"I can only imagine how many people you had
murdered for your own convenience. Oh, and your little exodus fleet
has been rendered inoperative. You're stuck on Azul, asswipe."

Collins grew a look of panic as he licked the
blood off his lips, finding the flavor to not be disagreeable.

###

Max and Jennie slipped to Bagatelle's side
and matched his stride as he approached the massive steps going up
to the Capitol Building, which was a near-identical replica of the
Capitol building in Washington D.C. on Earth. Of course the
original building had centuries-before been decimated during the
Vrol War, so it was fortunate that the American consortium group
had won the lottery for capitol design. Nearly everything built on
Azul that was similar to Earth was the result of lotteries. Hence,
the adoption of New Sydney as the Federal System seat, the
Australian military uniforms (and accompanying side-pinned slouch
hats), the Swiss-style police force structure and the
Argentine-style of sports institutions and universities, among
other things.

A massive movement of troops surrounded
Bagatelle and his sister and his brother-in-law, with both Michael
and Gabriel close by, unseen and providing invisible protective
shields in the case of ghoul snipers. Fortunately, no one attempted
to assassinate the military leader. The Admiral stopped at the
first step, looking up with appreciation. He had been raised to
respect government - constitutional government that was supposed to
be
by and for
the people.
Then his face turned to one of resolve, as he knew it was time to
return that government back to the citizens of Azul System. Looking
down, he took one step, paused momentarily, and then marched up
toward the massive columns that led to the entrance. Capitol police
scattered, not willing to confront the invading military forces,
with many welcoming their presence by saluting. The three lycans,
accompanied by so many soldiers, easily walked into the entrance
and headed left, toward stairs that would lead up to the Hall of
the House of Representatives. This room was larger than the Senate
Chamber, and was always used for gatherings of joint sessions of
Congress. They already had eyes and ears in the building, so they
knew both houses of Congress would be there. As they entered the
System Statuary Hall they saw Draagh, standing in the middle,
accompanied by Krynos, both dressed in their typical garb
-Viking-like leather battle gear. Michael and Gabriel appeared out
of the wings of the lobby, having removed their invisibility
cantuses, dressed in battle fatigues as before.

"My dear Admiral. It is good to see you,"
stated the ancient mage, while winking at Jennie and Max. "However,
might I suggest a change in attire before entering the Great Hall?
I believe your ceremonial uniforms would be much more befitting of
a group of liberators than camouflage battle fatigues."

"Hello, Lord Draagh, King Krynos," said
Bagatelle, as he nodded courteously. "I do believe you are correct
in your assumption. I can send for… oh. That was fast." Bagatelle
was nearly startled when his clothing, and that of his accompanying
family simply changed. Looking over, he saw Max waving his finger
around, much like his grandfather would do whenever he had done
something magical.

"Admiral, my grandfather is indeed correct.
You maintain the appearance of the liberator of humanity. It is my
honor to accompany you to the House floor."

Jennie looked at Bagatelle with an expression
of deep, sincere admiration. "It's also my honor, Brother."

The two saluted their commanding officer,
only pulling their flattened palms from their brows after Bagatelle
had returned their salute. Turning, he pushed open the doors to the
Great Hall and entered, trying to not show any awe or appreciation
for the room itself, as it was partially populated by what amounted
to traitors of Mankind. He walked down the pathway to address both
the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate. It was
common knowledge that the President of the Senate, a man named
Joshua Vann, was placed there by Johnson. The dictator had
dissolved the office of Vice President of Azul System after having
murdered the previous, legal administration. Bagatelle was going to
address the House Majority Leader, a normal female by the name of
Sarah Corning, as he felt she better represented the people of Azul
System, and wasn't a genetic vampire like Vann. He reached the
podium area and looked up at the ornate desks where the leaders
were seated. Then, setting his ceremonial slouch hat down onto a
desk at his side, he addressed Congress.

"Greetings Mr. Vice President and Madam
Speaker. I am Admiral Luigi Bagatelle, as I am sure you already
know."

"Yes, yes, we know of your traitorous
deeds, f
ormer rear-admiral
,"
responded Vann, maintaining a snarky tone to his voice. He knew he
was powerless to do anything, but he was a political creature of
habit and sought to diminish Bagatelle's presence in the
chamber.

"Greetings, Rear Admiral. I am not sure if it
is a good thing you do, but we have brought together both houses of
Congress in order to hear your supplications," said Corning, using
a much more gentile tone.

Bagatelle looked at her, and then at Vann.
Max and Jennie were by his side and the first floor of the hall was
filled with soldiers. Bagatelle had the advantage, and he knew
it.

"I am not here to supplicate, entreaty or
otherwise petition this governmental body."

"Oh really," said Vann, "then what is your
purpose? Please enlighten us, before we convict you of treason and
do what we should have done in the first place - put you to
death."

Bagatelle grew a slight smirk, knowing Vann's
words were hollow. Neither he nor the Congressional body had such
power. That was left to the Department of Justice, which was no
longer functioning thanks to Johnson's manipulations.

"Mr. Vann, I would sooner shoot you in the
head, so it's best you shut your mouth. I intended to keep this
session civil, and you aren't helping in the least. So, in the best
interest of all, I am going to introduce my compatriots, and then
inform you of my intentions. To my left is someone whom I was
ordered to pursue and bring back, dead or alive. Instead, I let him
go free, disobeying direct orders. Please meet Captain Maximilianus
Gunnarsson. And to my right is Commander Jennifer Escalante de
Gunnarsson. To their sides are Krynos, an ally from Earth, and Lord
Draagh, Captain Gunnarsson's grandfather. Behind them are Michael
and Gabriel, Captain Gunnarsson's father and uncle,
respectively."

"Forgive me for asking, Rear Admiral, but was
not Gunnarsson's rank Commander, and Miss Escalante's rank a mere
Lieutenant?"

"That would be correct, ma'am. I found it
necessary to give brevet promotions to them, as well as to a number
of other individuals. Nearly the entire senior command structure of
Azul Defense Forces has been eliminated - most probably murdered.
Oh, and I have assumed the rank of Admiral, if you please."

"I recognize no such promotions in rank,
especially to traitors!" barked out Vann, while garnering tepid
applause from the chamber.

"Mr. Vann, we must maintain our civility.
Please note the masses of armed soldiers in this Great Hall,"
cautioned Corning. "Very well then - Admiral - what are your
demands?"

"You are to legally unravel everything done
by Leonard Johnson, and restore Constitutional rule to Azul System.
Further, we must work to restore our defensive state of military
readiness, which has been nearly eradicated."

"Impossible! We are in a state of emergency!
We cannot show any form of hostility toward our arriving visitors,
the Artusians! How irresponsible can you be, traitor! For all we
know they could be ushering in a golden age for Mankind!" bellowed
Vann.

"Will someone put a muzzle on this clown?"
asked Bagatelle, looking around at his companions. Draagh casually
waved his hand, not even needing to do so, and caused the annoying
senator to go mute, much like he had done the first time he met
Bagatelle and Jennie on the banks of the Urubamba River in Peru.
But this time, instead of paralysis, Vann was able to flail his
arms around and move his mouth - but remaining comically silent,
which was the desired effect.

"
That's the
cone of silence, hun,
" commed Max to his fetching
wife.

"
Um, I don't
get it
."

"
Earth
television show - Get Smart. We'll watch it later."

"Madam Speaker, I have come with a list of
requirements, none unrealistic nor illegal. First, I will repeat
myself. You are to unravel everything that Leonard Johnson has
done. We are to return to Constitutional rule of law. You will hold
immediate elections for the office of President of Azul System. Of
course, as we are under a time constraint, I believe the best
course of action is to have this governing body elect one of its
own. This new President will then select his or her own Vice
President and Cabinet. Second, you will dissolve the Security
Council. This body will elect a Supreme Court, as once existed
years ago and is prescribed in the Constitution. The position of
Chairman shall be dissolved, and we shall begin the hunt for
Leonard Johnson, the most notorious traitor to Mankind in our
history."