The Business of Government
© 2021 by Walter Reimer

Thumbnail art by  baroncoon, color by  marmelmm



“Fleet units and other military formations are returning to staging areas within the Empire, with the exception of those forces detailed to monitor the border and garrison the planets we are choosing to hold,” the War Minister reported, the holographic display over the conference table showing the various withdrawals and redeployments as he spoke. “The Commanding General and the Fleet Commander are coordinating with the Master Staffadmiral, and I will be in meetings with the Ministers of Industry and Transport today regarding resources,” and the two ministers he referred gestured affirmation.

The Presiding Officer of the Governing Council gestured comprehension. “Ministers of Labor and Industry?”

Industry was being represented by the Minister’s deputy; she had been unable to attend due to a family emergency. “We expect an increase in industrial output,” the vir said, “but we anticipate a short-term decline before the reserve personnel return to the labor force.”

Labor, another vir, said, “We will work as quickly as possible to reintegrate shlani into the workforce as they are released from military duty.”

“Good,” the Presiding Officer said. He paused for a moment before asking, “Foreign Minister?”

“We are designating the planet Lalande as the site of our Embassy to Terra,” the Minister said. “I made the decision based on the destruction of our embassy on Terra, and the massacre of our diplomatic staff. I have met with the War Minister, and we have agreed that there will be a permanent Fleet and Army presence in the system.”

“I will tell the Sovereign, and I’m certain that he will agree. Political Monitors?”

“The fact that the Terran Emperor was beheaded in front of his child and heir must require some delicacy,” the kam said quietly. His usually ebullient personality seemed subdued as he added, “I take responsibility for the error.”

“Accepted,” the Presiding Officer said. “I will report to the Sovereign, and you will please begin briefing your deputy to take over your duties. Information?”

That Minister, in charge of the nearly two hundred and fifty information and entertainment networks throughout the Empire said, “Yes, sir?”

The Presiding Officer met the vir’s gaze. “You and the High Priest have an announcement.”

She grinned. “Yes, sir, but I shall defer to the Minister for Religious Affairs,” and the rest of the Council turned to the High Priest.

The kam leaned back in his chair, a pleased smile on his face. “Our Sovereign Lord and Sovereign Lady are filled with joy to announce that the Imperial Heir, Dorvan k’chat e’t Tarval, shall wed on the thirty-ninth day of the ninth month of the present Year of Civilization. Lieutenant Varit r’Vam, an officer in the Fleet, has agreed to be wed to the Heir.”

This news was greeted by a round of applause from the assembled ministers before the Presiding Officer called the meeting back to order. It was indeed joyous news, but compared to all of the other issues facing the Empire it was almost a footnote.