Private Another Hundred People

[Renata Westaway]

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CERULEAN GATE PALACE

NEW STERANDEL • EARLY EVENING

♫ there's a time to come to New Sterandel and a time to leave ♫

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"The storm season on Elea is shaping up to be worse than we anticipated," Renata said. "The Renascent Meteorological Commission's estimated a rough winter, but unfortunately an unexpected pressure system has caused flooding in some of the further settlements. We're working on getting additional crews out to reinforce the dam at Jeveron's Valley, which is the area under most immediate threat. There is likely to be some significant flooding, and a recommended evacuation order has been in place since 1400 yesterday."

The weekly audience was winding to its conclusion and Natasi Fortan sat opposite her Prime Minister, listening attentively. "Are you anticipating making it a mandatory evacuation?" she asked.

"It's likely," Renata affirmed. She glanced at her wristwatch. "I'm waiting for one final briefing from the RMC in about an hour, but in the meantime I've requested that the Renascent Navy deploy to assist with the evacuations unless and until I will ask them to enforce it."

Natasi frowned thoughtfully. "Very well. Is there anything you need from me?"

Renata hesitated a moment. "Not at present, ma'am. I would welcome a royal visit and I'm sure they would also, but in the immediate aftermath this could get a little dicey. Edda Morvaine has been heckling from the Commons about the disparity in investment in what she calls 'Outer Worlds' early-warning technology. If this goes wrong she and some of her colleagues from Elea, at least, and possibly Eos as well -- because solidarity -- are likely to make a fuss. I wouldn't want the Palace to be caught in any political crossfire."

Natasi's eyebrows lifted. "Is there truth to that?"

"Some," Renata said. "In the early founding we had to make certain prisonizations and most often they favored establishing a beachhead and secure the capital here on Aegis. Settlement of Eos, Elea, and the moons was, strictly speaking, not forbidden, but it was made on terms that made it clear that it was a risky proposition. Our surveys of those worlds was not yet complete and we didn't know what the threat would be like." Renata swallowed, her blue-green eyes meeting Natasi's dark ones. "Since then we have not made the progress we probably should in bringing the infrastructure up to the same standard."

"Why?"

Renata half-smiled. She did enjoy the cut-and-thrust of politics, but she was certain that people expected these royal audiences to be tea and scones and nothing controversial. Natasi Fortan was not the type to let anything pass. "Primarily it has to do with the collapse of the Alliance and the need to prioritize our defensive budget to backfill the gaps left by Alliance patrols. But we need to do better."

Natasi inclined her head. "As you say, Prime Minister. Perhaps we can discuss your planned remediation in our next audience. I believe that was the last item on our agenda."

Renata folded her order paper in half and tucked it into her portfolio. "It is, ma'am, the final item on our official agenda. I wonder if I might trespass upon your time for a few moments more to discuss something... unofficial." When the Queen did not object, Renata folded her hands in her lap. "As you know, there are not approximately four and a half years until the next General Election. I would like to inform you confidentially that it is my expectation that I will stand down at that time, at the next General Election."

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FEATURING: Natasi Fortan • Renata Westaway