A Brilliant Strategy

My first novel A Grand Imperial War will go on sale at Ring Of Fire Press this Thursday (November 11). https://ringoffirepress.com/shop/upcoming-books/. Below is a snippet from Chapter 11 - A Brilliant Strategy:

“Ah, yes Field Marshal. Very insightful presentation.” Emperor Stanislaus, ruler of all of Human space, steepled his fingers and raised an eyebrow at the holographic star chart projected above the center of the throne room.

“I would have used a different font for the bullet points.” D’Artois, the Emperor’s constant companion, quibbled quietly around a bite of pastry. The best snacks were de rigueur for an Imperial briefing.

“Quite so,” Stanislaus nodded his agreement. “But we are not clear on the matter of exactly where the invasion is to take place. The Kitties have seized the Saskastan system, which is here.” His majesty pointed a manicured finger at one side of the holographic projection. “But you propose that we attack them way over there, at the far end of the Farsalian Matriarchy’s space. What’s the name of the place?” Stanislaus’s left hand gestured at the opposite side of the projection, and leaned forward to read the label on the target of the invasion. “Busira?” The Emperor raised a skeptical eyebrow at Field Marshal Count Holmstead. “Could you explain that?”

Frankly, Holmstead was surprised that Stanislaus had paid enough attention to the strategy presentation to ask such a question. Perhaps there was some hope for his monarch after all. Some hope. Holmstead cautiously framed an answer, cognizant of that insufferable brat D’Artois’s keen enjoyment of the Count’s discomfort.

“As covered earlier in the briefing, Sire, the diplomatic corps feels it risky to liberate the Saskastan system by a direct assault. Although our forces could overcome the Farsalian troops there with ease, the move would most likely perturb the Ursolians. Their border is only one jump point away.”

“The Ursolians?” Stanislaus wrinkled his nose. “They eat each other, I recall. How rude.”

D’Artois, about to enjoy another pastry, made a face and returned it to the tray.

Holmstead blinked, “Yes, so I am told. But aside from the Ursolian culinary habits, they are also quite aggressive and liable to use any excuse to seize more territory. Our descent upon the Saskastan system would provide them just such a pretext, probably resulting in their occupation of any of the half dozen border systems marked in yellow.”

“Hmm.” The Emperor pursed his lips. He’d been wondering why some of the stars in the chart were color-coded, but had decided it beneath his dignity to ask.

?Holmstead continued. “Also, if we seized Saskastan we’d have to maintain a garrison there. The Ursolians would probably view that as a provocation. It would be much better to force the Farsalians to leave on their own, and return Saskastan to its previous status as an independent buffer state. Trading Busira for Saskastan would offer them a face-saving way out of the war.”

On a whim, D’Artois had opened the file on Busira in a holographic side window. “Can’t understand why the Kitties would want this Busira back. Looks a beastly place, nothing but sand and sketchy natives. All of that dryness is bad for the complexion.” D’Artois sniffed.

Holmstead silently reflected that D’Artois really was becoming quite a nuisance.

Genuinely curious now, Stanislaus glanced disdainfully at the images of Busira and then up at star chart. “Don’t the Kitties have more picturesque places to invade? Busira’s star is color-coded in red. Were those other two red stars in the running?” The Emperor fiddled with the controls to zoom in on the sector of Farsalian space in question, accidently spinning the chart upside down a couple of times before he had the view he wanted. “Ammera and Bunderba? What peculiar names.”

“Well, they are aliens, Stanny. Can’t expect them to pick proper names for their planets.” D’Artois opened windows on both star systems. “Oh my, Look! Ammera is a double star system. And Bunderba orbits a gas giant with rings. Either of those would be a much more lovely view in the sky than some grubby sandstorm.”

“Quite so, Darty.” Stanislaus cast a disapproving glare on Holmstead. “Why aren’t we going to invade one of these more scenic planets instead?”

“Sire, there are more factors than scenic views weighing in this decision.” Holmstead replied through gritted teeth.

“Such as?”

“Ammera periodically orbits between its two suns, bathing the planet in dangerous radiation. The locals have evolved to deal with that, but it would greatly hamper our operations. And we can’t invade Bunderba because we are already there, so to speak.”

“So to speak?” Stanislaus prompted.

“Imperial Mining Corporation currently leases Bunderba from the Farsalian Matriarchy, operating extensive minerals extraction facilities which are extremely profitable for both the Farsalians and the Human Empire. Besides taxes and minerals import duties, I need not remind you that the crown is heavily invested in Imperial Mining Corporation. Invading Bunderba would prove to be awkward, to say nothing of causing instability on the Imperial Stock Exchange.”

“Oh.” Stanislaus and D’Artois both said in sudden comprehension. The Emperor continued, “Shouldn’t disturb the market, should we?” Stanislaus sighed. “Aw well, looks like Busira is the place then.”

“Pity,” D’Artois muttered, reaching for another pastry now that the mental image of Ursolians gnawing on each other had faded from his mind. “A ringed gas giant would’ve been just the thing for the background of an official portrait of you, Stanny.”