Chapter 202: Momma Lays Down the Law

Chapter 202: Momma Lays Down the Law

Prime Minister Augustine Raharimampionon stepped into the packed briefing room as her personal anthem resonated through the entire room.

Everyone stood politely as the music played, and she waited behind the podium.

Finally, she had had enough and waved her hand, cutting the music short.

The room exploded into shouted questions.

“I will answer as many questions as I can,” Augustine said, her clear, calm voice filling the room. “But first, I wish to make a brief statement.”

The room fell quiet.

“Thank you,” she smiled.

She took a deep breath.

“The real reason all of you are here is that you expect a statement concerning certain allegations made by the former ambassador to the Federation. I admit that we... that I have been silent for far too long on this matter. The reason for that is not due to a desire to keep anything from the citizens of the Republic. We have remained silent because we have been undertaking an investigation into this matter, and we are continuing to do so.”

She looked into the scanners and cameras.

“Because of this investigation, I cannot go into as much detail as you would like. I’m sorry about that.”

The room started to murmur angrily.

“However, I will say this. This investigation is detailed and ongoing. That should tell the more astute among you something. We would not still be investigating if there was nothing to investigate. I will also say this. If there is a conspiracy afoot and if someone is a part of that conspiracy,” she said with a vicious smile, “We probably already know who you are. If you have an ounce of sense or a shred of a self-preservation instinct, you are advised to turn yourself in. You really don’t want to be standing with any possible conspiracy against the Republic when the investigation is completed. You really don’t. The penalty for conspiracy against the Republic is death, and it will be enforced.”

She paused for effect.

“You will be hoisted up by the neck in the parliamentary gardens while I have an outdoor reception in your honor. I shall sip champagne as you all slowly strangle. You have my assurance on that point... If there is an actual conspiracy, of course...”

The room chuckled.

“I know there are many accusations as to who is ultimately behind any possible conspiracy and the nature of it,” she said, “Is it an insidious plot by Patricia Hu baited with promises of immortality, or is it a planned military takeover by Jon and the people he has been secretly communicating with and the forces that he has made a clumsy attempt to rally in secret? Yes, Jon, I know all about that.”

She chuckled.

“And please stop shooting the True Terrans. It’s not nice to pick on the mentally challenged. If they start something, do what you gotta do, but otherwise, just walk away. And you ‘True Terrans’ might want to shut up and sit the fuck down. You guys are inches away from starting something you are NOT prepared to handle. There will NOT be a coup. There will NOT be a return to ‘purity’, something that you do not want, by the way. The Republic will endure. It will endure with or without you.”

She smiled.

“The Republic will endure, people. It will survive. It will triumph. No matter what the ever-turning wheel of fate inflicts upon us, the Republic and its citizens will prevail. Why? Because we, the people, will not allow otherwise. You have entrusted me with this Republic, and I will not fail you. I am willing to bet my life that you will not fail me. Any ‘conspiracy’ has to defeat us in order to succeed, and we will burn the entire Republic to ash once more before any of us let someone put us in chains. If there is a conspiracy,” she said as she threw her arms back, “then make a move. Come, child. Momma is waiting for you.”

She filled the room with a malevolent, evil aura plunging the room into silence.

“I will now open the floor to questions,” she said with a pleasant grandmotherly voice.

***

Somewhere on the fringe of a nearby abandoned system, a room full of old marines stared at the screen, their jaws open.

“Well, fuck,” Jon said after a moment.

“I like her!” Skippy exclaimed.

***

On a station on the edge of the Barnard’s star system, Monarch was less than happy.

“Do you think she is bluffing?” Marrow asked after a moment.

“That bitch just went all in,” Monarch replied with a scowl, “It isn’t a bluff.”

“What do we do?” Marrow asked.

“Well,” Monarch said with a grim smile, “the first thing we need to do is decide which one of us gets to talk to Her Ladyship... Rock paper scissors?”

“Best two out of three?” Marrow sighed.