Emerald Repatriation Society: Tea House Conference (pt5)
24 Sep 2023Vasil Vasilescu
(<--Pt 4)“This is unacceptable!” If Hell has no fury like a woman’s scorn, then Octavia’s anger overshadowed the combined fury of all nine levels of Hell, squared. “Moving the Imperial Sanctum closer to the front was bad enough, but moving it to Hixkaramu is either incompetence, or deliberate sabotage!”
“No one is sabotaging our operations,” said Stefan. “It is just dumb luck.”
Octavia, Elena, Stefan, and I sat at a large, circular table in the tea house of Octavia’s alpine villa. Elena and I, sitting opposite one another, shared a look, knowing what was about to happen. Elena closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. I sighed and shook my head. It did not matter if what Stefan said was true, why couldn’t he just have let Octavia rant and get it out of her system.
“Dumb luck!” Octavia shot to her feet. Octavia looked to Elena and I, dumbfounded. “Do you two believe what this idiot is saying?“ Stefan tensed, but to his credit he did not openly react.
Octavia looked back to Stefan. “The Sanctum, where most of the citizens we bring to Emerald come from, is sent to a system where a Federation-backed faction is about to go to war with the systems rightful Imperial authority. Tell me, Stefan,” she demanded and jabbed the table with a finger to emphasize her point, “how is that not incompetence or intentional sabotage of our operations?”
Stefan took a moment to gather his thoughts. “I think—“
“Don’t think” blurted Octavia. “You are no good at it! Your job is to promote the ERS and keep us in the public eye so the donations keep flowing in. So, go to the ERS galas and fundraisers with whatever model or holo-star you are trying to bed and let the adults take care of the important matters. Do you understand?”
Stefan sat, fuming, jaw clenched, staring at Octavia.
“I asked you a question, frate copil.” Octavia made certain she emphasized the last words, driving home that Stefan was a “child brother” and subordinate to her as the head of the family.
“Understood,” said Stefan through gritted teeth. He stood. “If you will excuse me.”
“Just go.” Octavia waved him off like she was dismissing an annoying servant. Once Stefan left, Octavia sat down and asked Elena and me, “Do either of you have any suggestions?”
“Don’t be so hard on Stefan,” said Elena. “He was genuinely trying to help.” As always, Elena the peacemaker, the kindest and most gentle of us siblings.
“He’ll get over it,” said Octavia. “I meant general suggestions about the situation in Hixkaramu.” I knew by the tone of her voice that Octavia had settled on a course of action. Hearing what Elena and I had to say would likely not change her mind and was mostly a polite formality before announcing her decision.
“It could be a blessing,” said Elena. “A slowdown of incoming refugees could allow us time to establish more infrastructure and accommodate more people more comfortably. At the very least we will have to expand Solatium and maybe start planning a second city.”
Octavia looked to me.
I offered her only the high-level view concerning the cost of modifying our operations. “Now that the Imperial Sanctum is no longer orbiting Emerald, payouts will need to be increased so they are the same as for bringing people from other rescue ships. But because all megaships are now closer to the front, I think a 10% increase in payouts is needed in order to maintain the current rate of refugees being brought to Emerald. If necessary, we could go to 17% before it starts to impact our funding.”
Octavia offered us the courtesy of pretending to consider our suggestions before announcing her plan. “In order to ensure continued and unrestricted access to the Imperial Sanctum and ensure it is not subject to a Federation puppet faction, we will help the Trieb Empire Party crush the Hixkaramu Independents.”
“But the ERS is a charity helping victims of war,” cautioned Elena. “We should not be waging war or funding it.”
Octavia ignored Elena and looked to me. “Vasil, you will contact the Trieb Empire Party and offer our assistance. Any increased funding we would have spent for refugee transport will be used for the conflict. Use your discretion as to how the money will be spent. Understood?”
I nodded. "I'll see to it."
Elena looked with disbelief at Octavia and me. “You two can’t be serious. A war? What about all the people who need help that will be left on the megaships and damaged stations?”
“You said a slowdown in refugees might be a blessing,” said Octavia. “Don’t worry, your funding for the refugee city of Solatium will not be affected. Maybe now you can get the infrastructure in place you are so worried about.”
Elena shook her head, knowing she could not change Octavia’s mind once it was set. “Oh, Octavia, I think this is so, so wrong.” The slight waver in her voice hinted at a rush of emotion starting to overwhelm her. She risked tears by saying anything more, which would only draw admonition from Octavia for being over-emotional.
I agreed with Elena that entering a regional war was a bad idea, but I said nothing. The head of the family had given me my orders and I’d do my best to meet her expectations, but that was no consolation for not supporting Elena.
Elena, with her kind and gentle soul, probably does not deserve a family like ours.
(Part 6-->)