TAZ5

==Chapter 5 - The Absolute Zero==
Federated Suns Embassy
Sian
Capellen Confederation
3159 CE
[In the Federated Suns Embassy...]
"How did you know she'd accept?"  Trillian asked.
Julian shrugged, "I didn't, but it seemed like the honorable thing to do.  We're beating the unholy crap out of her on the Federated Suns front."
''
"You gave up momentum doing this." Trillian observed, "I'm sure Stone and Bekker had choice words at your decision."
Julian shrugged, "They wanted this war now, I didn't." he said.  "I wanted our worlds back, don't get me wrong, but not like this. Not with the objective of being a conqueror."  He looked out the window, "I just wanted to fix the mess Caleb made, then spend a few years fixing the economy, getting things on track, improving lives."
"Getting the peace back?" she asked.
He nodded.  "I want what you've got, Trill-maybe not the whole 'navy so massive we send fleets out exploring' though that's kind of appealing, but stability."
"Stability's hard to maintain, Julian. Its harder for you, since you're in an alliance and you've pissed your allies off."
''
"Hold my beer." he said, "I may be the first First Prince to die in a coup before the end of the year."
"How's that?" asked Trillian
"Peace with the Capellans.  Not just a cease-fire or an armistice, I'm going to pursue actual peace...and I think I'm going to extend that to the Combine once they're pushed back to their border."
"That will get you killed." she said.
"I...I know." he said, "but dammit, we were suckered into this war before we were recovered."
"Have you identified the Avalon they used?" she asked.
"Yeah, its the Alexander.  I don't know where they're keeping it but, as long as they have it, in Fedsuns paint. So they can do it again."
"Does Bekker know it was a false flag?" she asked.
He shook his head, "I don't think she cares.  The Dominion wanted this, Stone wants it, so she wants it.  I heard a rumor you offered to sell them a fleet if they'd stay neutral."
"I did, the Riksdag turned me down when Stone offered them ships from his mothball fleet.  We've tracked them going to the Sea Fox yards for refits, they'll be ready in a few more months.  What's your plan?"
"Liberate Federated suns territory, offer Yori an armistice on our front. Publicize the false flag in a way Stone can't deny it. Then deal with the fallout, which will be a lot easier if we're secure on the Confederation and Taurian fronts."
"You'll need allies." she said.
"I will, it's breaking with the Republic no matter what, we're probably going to face sanctions and possible military action from them."
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