Imperial Guard (27 page)

Henry the Strong was attended by six of his Royal Dozen, three on each side. The remaining six were guarding the entryway. Brogan nodded a greeting to each one. He had come to know them to a certain extent over the past two years. Brogan and Mizpala bowed to the Emperor, then seated themselves appropriately.

Henry fixed his gaze on Brogan. “Well, Colonel, it has been two years since you began investigating and prosecuting corruption in the Imperial Guard. I daresay plenty continues to exist, but you have made splendid progress. More than three hundred convictions has put—shall we say it?—the fear of God into the Guard.”

The Emperor chuckled at his joke. Brogan and Mizpala smiled at their leader’s good humor.

“Colonel Brogan and his subordinates have worked hard, your Excellency.”

“Well, you are both to be commended for the fine performance.”

“Thank you, your Excellency,” replied Mizpala. “Colonel Brogan has indeed done an outstanding job. I think we could say that the initial goal of curbing the spread of corruption in the Imperial Guard has been met.”

“Agreed. I think Colonel Brogan can be relieved of his command so that he can move on to bigger and better things.”

“Sir,” Brogan cut in, “I have been more than honored to be able to serve you in this capacity these two years.”

“Duly noted. But I wish to reward you in some way. A promotion? The gift of an estate? Money? How can I express my appreciation?”

Brogan’s eyes lit up, but he shifted in his seat uncomfortably and cleared his throat.

“Don’t be shy, boy! It’s not every offworlder, from a rebel planet no less, who gets to name his reward.” Henry’s eyes smiled at his jibe.

The officer cleared his throat a second time. “Well, your Excellency, I would like very much to return to Cirrus in some capacity.”

“What? Lose you to some planet millions of light years away? You’re much too valuable for that. I need more trustworthy men like you right here on Earth, not less.”

Brogan’s face fell, his hopes dashed. The persistent ache for Adriel rose in his chest, and homesickness for his native planet felt like lead in his stomach.

“Your Excellency,” Mizpala interjected with enthusiasm, glancing at Brogan out of the corner of his eye. “Do I recall that the reports concerning the current proconsul of Cirrus are less than satisfactory?”

“What are you getting at, Mizpala?”

Mizpala shrugged and Brogan sat up straighter in his chair, looking curiously at his mentor. Henry reflected for a few seconds. “Oh, I see,” he said in a long, drawn-out way. “Brogan here could replace him. Now that’s an idea.”

“But, your Excellency, I don’t know anything about holding public office. All I’ve ever been is a farmer and a soldier.”

“Oh, you’ve been far more than that, Colonel,” Mizpala admonished. “You know how to handle people. Besides,” he added, directing his remarks to the Emperor, “Brogan is something of a hero on Cirrus. In fact, he’s that planet’s most distinguished citizen. I believe his appointment will be received most favorably by the populace.”

Henry tapped his cheek with his forefinger thoughtfully. Then he smiled. “I like it. So be it. But we’ll do better than that. I think Cirrus has grown to sufficient size and significance that it merits a governor. So, Timothy O. Brogan, you are hereby discharged from the Imperial Guard and appointed
governor
of Cirrus, effective as soon as all the official papers and folderol can be completed. But first I need to make you a first-class citizen. Congratulations, Colonel Brogan. From now on you, your family, and your descendents will have noble status.”

Brogan was overwhelmed. He opened his mouth but then closed it again. He did not know what to say. He shut his eyes and shook his head. Mizpala laughed out loud.

Henry smiled, then leaned forward and pointed his finger sternly at Brogan. “But know this, Colonel Brogan, the Emperor of All Known Worlds reserves the right and privilege of recalling you to service on Earth at any time, should the need arise.”

Brogan found his voice. “Of course, your Excellency. Whenever you need me, I will be at your service.”

“Good! But for now, serve me well on Cirrus. And no more rebellions!” Henry laughed. So did Brogan and Mizpala.

“No, sir!” Brogan replied emphatically between chuckles.

*

Brogan looked at his pile of luggage.
How did I accumulate all this stuff in only two years? And this isn’t the half of it.

Space travel involved restrictions on the amount of personal belongings that could be transported from one planet to another. Brogan had had no difficulty meeting his maximum allowance and was now having to leave most of his property behind. Some he had sold for what he could get. The rest he had given away.

But he did not mind one bit. He was going home, and he was going to see his girl.

“I’m sure not going to miss the crowds and traffic of Rio,” he stated flatly to no one in particular, since no one was with him in his flat. “I can’t wait for the wide-open spaces of Cirrus!”

He stretched, raising both hands over his head. Then he flexed his left arm. It felt as strong as it had ever been and did not at all look like it had been blown apart almost three years ago. Eighteen months of daily exercise regimen had returned his new arm to normal. Brogan felt whole once more.

But I’m more whole now than before my injury
, he reflected.
My physical wholeness has been enhanced by spiritual wholeness, and soon I’ll become emotionally whole.
Brogan was thinking of his reunion with Adriel when he arrived on Cirrus.
It’s funny how wholeness can be a present reality and still be something to be attained. No matter how fulfilled or whole I feel at any given time, I will feel more so as time goes by.
He shook his head in amazement.

The visitor tone sounded, and he went to the door expecting to see the men who were going to take his luggage to the space shuttle. But when he opened it he was greeted by Manazes, dressed in his Fusilier uniform.

Manazes had served with Brogan in the Imperial Guard for only a few months, then Brogan had ordered him back to CIO School. Because of his extended break, Manazes had only recently graduated.

“Hey, Guv! Say, I hardly recognized you in civvies. How’s it feel?”

“Feels great, I guess.”

“Well, I hope you make up your mind soon,” he joked, looking around the room. “I would say that you’re taking just a smidgen more than I am.”

“Sure,” Brogan replied sarcastically. “And maybe I’m going to regret getting you an assignment on Cirrus.”

Manazes smiled. “Hey, you think maybe Adriel has any good-looking girl friends?” he asked, changing the subject abruptly.

“If she did, you think she’d want to introduce them to you?”

Manazes straightened up and tried to look important. “Of course.
I
served with the famous Timothy Brogan, who is soon to be the most important man on Cirrus.”

Brogan made a face and groaned. “Now I know I’m going to regret taking you along.”

“Oh, quit moaning, and let’s go,” said Manazes. “We’ll leave a message about the luggage.”

“Only if you promise to stop with the jokes.”

Manazes grinned mischievously. “No promises,” he said, then turned on his heel and left.

On the way to the shuttle port, both men were quiet and pensive. Brogan was reflecting on all the changes that had taken place since he arrived on Earth and all that had been accomplished in two short years. He thought, for instance, about how Mizpala had talked the Emperor into accelerating the North American resettlement program. Hundreds of thousands of lower-level noncitizens were flocking to the recruitment centers, eager to start a new life in the vast stretches of the North American plains.

Brogan took a deep breath and expelled it slowly.
Yes,
Brogan reflected,
it has been a satisfying two years. But thank God I’m going home!

Their taxi arrived at the shuttle port, and the two friends got out to walk to their terminal. Brogan felt himself walking faster as they went along and chastised himself for being so foolish. They were early, and the shuttle was not due to leave for another couple of hours.

But the time passed quickly. When it neared time for take-off, Brogan inquired about his luggage and was assured that it had been loaded. Satisfied that all loose ends had been tied up, the two men settled back to enjoy the ride.

When the shuttle docked, Brogan led the way aboard the
Turpin
, their home for the two-month trip to Cirrus. As they began heading for their quarters, Brogan surprised Manazes by finding an ensign and saying, “Excuse me, Ensign. Would you be so kind as to inform the captain that a Timothy Brogan wishes to pay his respects.”

“Certainly, Mr. Brogan. Right this way, please.” The ensign led them to a lounge, where he asked them to wait.

Manazes looked askance at his former commander. “What gives, Brogan?”

Brogan smiled secretively. “You’ll see.”

Presently the captain burst through the lounge door. “Hello, Captain Dar Unger,” Brogan said with a smile. “We’ve come a long way in ten years, haven’t we?”