“And what is your issue, Friedrich?” Elektra asked.

“We have several common platform planks,” TerHorst answered.  “One is enforcing the Import Restriction Act.  Another is launching a chain of National Technical Universities.  I suspect you can name more off the top of your head.  A government that supported those – those are your planks – is one we would be happy to see established.  And not vote against.”

“Of course, this is not a bargain,” Elektra said.

“But of course,” TerHorst answered.

“And we would be delighted to have positive support in this crisis.”  Elektra waited for a response,  but none came.  “However, the Import Restriction Act just become mostly self-enforcing, given the nonsense the Stellites are pulling.  I am very strongly in favor of NTUs, except that hiding in Education is a suppressed white paper – I just found out; there was a scandal —  asking how many of these we can currently staff with top-line people.  Apparently they have to be big to be good.  The answer appears to be ‘one’, though I would certainly welcome more.  I will be insisting on at least one.  I’ll see that the paper is released.  I will try to see that you get an advance copy. Finally, we need a Space Guard repair facility, and I see no alternative to asking Doctor Chelan’s crew to set it up.”

“I strongly dislike the fellow,” TerHorst said, “but I agree that he is the only real choice, and can be trusted to deliver to the best of his decidedly considerably abilities.  I am happy to hear that your party is serious about advancing its policy proposals, and I expect that my fellow parliamentarians will also be supportive so long as your party acts on its planks.  Perhaps we have said too much already.”

“Friedrich, it is always interesting to talk with you, privately, though clearly we have made no bargains here,” Elektra responded.  “I fear, though, that I am exceedingly busy, but perhaps we might talk at another time.”

“Agreed.  I bid you adieu,”  TerHorst said.  He cut the connection.

“I will begin with individual conversation  with other party leaders,” DeWitt announced.  “After lunch.  It is late, I missed breakfast again, and hungry negotiators are bad negotiators.  Please send text to my number two, Daphne Mueller, with any times you cannot meet.” And if there are any, she thought, and your voters find out, they will be highly displeased.   “Actual order will be drawn by lot.”

$$$$$

Elektra DeWitt surveyed the remains of her lunch.  The lamb shoulder chop had been properly buried in garlic and coriander.  The caesar had a more than adequate stock of anchovies.  Sliced baby potatoes were drenched in sour cream.  Soon the last asparagus stalk would be joining its fellows.  Desert would wait until negotiations were over.

“Elektra, actual phone call from a party leader,” Daphne Mueller said.  “Friedrich TerHorst, National Front.  He said he understands his party can’t join your government, and you can’t meet with him but…”

“Manners suggest I should take the call,” Elektra answered, “though what he thinks he can get is unclear.”  She took the handset.  “Ah, Friedrich, Elektra here, I hope you are well, if probably less busy than I am.”

“Madame DeWitt, I am most honored that you took my call,” TerHorst said.  “I realize you cannot bargain with me, not and be able to bargain with anyone else. However, on one hand, at this point we actually need a government, which hopefully you will organize effectively.  Once the National Renaissance survivors and their allies reorganize, they will try to block your initial vote of confidence.  I know this because they have already asked us to join in their effort.”

“I see,” Elektra said.  “Someone was certainly fast off the mark.”

“Winthrop Cooper called me early this morning,” TerHorst answered.  “I told him he was being defeatist.  After all, the charges against Drummond McLaren were very complicated, party loyalty among his people and allies is strong, so one might have expected the idiot to resign and some sockpuppet to take his place, possibly someone from the National Democrats so the NatRens appeared contrite.  He said that no, the situation was totally hopeless, Cedric’s government had totally collapsed, and the best that could be done is to keep you away from the Speaker’s podium.  But that’s not why I called.”

Loud boos interrupted Parlegrecco. He waited patiently for the Speaker to bring order.

“I did not say I believe that Drummond-McLaren was right, but every man deserves a defense, and that is the best defense I could come up with.  For the financial transactions, I apologize to this house, but cannot imagine a defense.” Parlegrecco sat down.  To his surprise,  there was now loud applause from the opposition benches.

The Speaker pointed at Elektra DeWitt.  “Concluding words?  Member DeWitt?”

“We should all be grateful to Senator Parlegrecco for his defense of the First Speaker,” DeWitt answered.  “Every man does deserve a defense.  That defense was a feeble reed indeed, but the best that I can imagine.  Nonethless, the financial transactions and acknowledging letters speak for themselves.”

“The First Keeper of Records will call the roll,” D’Angelo said.  He leaned back in his well-padded seat.  This, he thought, would take a while.

An interminable time and long series of names later, the First Keeper spoke.  “Mister Speaker?  The vote is 637 in favor of No Confidence, one opposed.”

“I remind the body that Senator Parlegrecco,” D’Angelo said, “as lead speaker for the defense, is legally obliged to vote against.  The motion of No Confidence passes.  In the absence of government ministers, none being present, I am to ask the leader of the largest remaining party to assume the role of Interim First Speaker  and organize a caretaker government until we decide our next steps.  Based on my conversations over various fine traditional national beverages, I think it is unclear how many members the National Renaissance Party presently has on these benches.   The National Renaissance Party members I did speak to were unanimous on one thing: they would not support a vote of confidence for their own party.  Unless there is objection, I propose that Senator DeWitt as leader of what may be the largest party assume the role of interim First Speaker.    If there is objection we can have a vote.  Is there an objection?” He waited.  “Hearing none, I ask Senator DeWitt and her Party to advance to the governmental benches, those who wish to oppose advance to the opposition, and suggest that we recess for two days unless an interim government is formed sooner.  Senator DeWitt, what say you?”

DeWitt crossed the center to the First Speaker’s rostrum.  “Mister Speaker, by your invitation, as is my duty, I assume this role.  God save the Union!”

“God save the Union!” came answering shouts.

“Mister Speaker, point of order,” Elektra DeWitt said.

“Your point?” D’Angelo answered.

“The business today is the no-confidence vote in the Government,” she answered.  “In light of this news, I ask an hour recess to contemplate what we have just heard.”

“One hour,” D’Angelo answered, “we return to exactly this point, and I order that the Lords’ private establishment be opened to serve traditional national beverages.”

An hour and a half later, D’Angelo again brought the house to order.  “It appears,” he said, “that Senator Hughes’ earlier report is indeed true.  We must, however, have a trial.  Is anyone present willing to offer a defense of the First Minister?”  He looked at the government benches, which were remarkably empty.

“Mister Speaker? Rafael Parlegrecco, True Monarchist Party.  No man should go without a defense, though mine will be very brief.  And I do not dispute the financial transaction allegations.”

“Madame DeWitt,” D’Angelo asked, “What is your will here?”

“Mister Speaker, I believe the body of financial transactions in the charges speak for themselves,” she answered.  “Would Senator Parlegrecco care now to present his defense?”

“Mister Speaker,” Parlegrecco answered, “I believe that the letters between the First Minister and our ambassador on Mogado speak for themselves.  It is clear that, in accord with his oath of office, the First Minister took the steps that be believed were in the best interest of the people of our Union, and followed the only path available to him to put those steps into effect.  I say this while believing that he was profoundly mistaken, but I believe that would be his best defense.” 

Another Senate Meeting

“Give ears!  Give ears!”  The Bearer of the Union Mace stood in the Forecourt of the Senate Hall, resplendant in scarlet robes.  Standing behind him were three Senate Guards in full dress uniforms, their komodo-dragon-skull headpieces sitting squarely atop their heads.    “All rise for his excellency, Speaker of the Senate and Lords, the Honorable Ariel D’Angelo.”  Speaker D’Angelo, today wearing the jet-black vest, frock coat, and trousers marking that today he sat as the judge in a confidence vote,  climbed the stairs to his pulpit. 

“Be in order!” he intoned.  “Be in order for this impeachment session.”  He stared at the largely vacant government benches.  “Pray tell, where is the First Minister?  How can he be tried if he is not here? Where is his Cabinet?”

“Mister Speaker? Permission to answer?” Senator Hughes again sat with the opposition.

“Please?” D’Angelo said. 

“Last night,” Hughes said, “the First Minister, the National Renaissance Party Executive Committee, and some of the government’s Ministers recessed their meeting in Renaissance Hall.  Cedric Drummond-McLaren reportedly directed them to advance to the Stellar Republic diplomatic compound south of town, he claimed so that they could consult with Stellar Republic records that would prove his innocence.  There they boarded a Stellar Republic Navy transport, as our treaties allow, and fled Earth.  They took political asylum in the Stellar Republic. The claim is that they would not receive fair trials here.  The refugees include a considerable number of people who have not yet been accused of anything.  I place on the main display Drummond-McLaren’s message to me.” 

Hughes  gestured, and  a curt note appeared on the rear screen. “Mister Speaker,” Hughes concluded, “I was asked by you to keep this matter sub rosa until now, and have faithfully done so.”

“Indeed you have,” D’Angelo answered.

“That’s surprising,” Rolly said. “Drummond McLaren would have had to be a total idiot to have that written down someplace. “

“Would have had…” Untermontanus mumbled.  “A shame the First Minister’s guiding genius is not news.   But how did you see it?”

“Those diplomatic files are huge,” Fenstermacher said. “I gather things were hidden in them, not where you would expect, with the usual tricks for evading computer searches, but someone got lucky in searching them.  More I do not know, but from the dollar amounts, the list of recipients of his largess is probably more or less complete.”

“How charming,”  Untermontanus said.  “Thank you for the warning.  That’s a truly remarkable leak.  Fortunately none of us here were on the take.  However, knowing what not to deny, because we can be shown up, that’s very useful.  If all that comes to pass, and you save us…I somehow suspect that the Secretaryship of the  Space Guard will be available, if that interests you.”

Fenstermacher beamed.  “That would be highly satisfactory,” he answered.  It was a truly well-paying seat with very few duties.

“And now, the winds of time having blown us to late evening, I fear that we must be taking our leave,” Untermontanus said.  “As I have not had time to tell my friends here, since I received the message as I was coming through the door, we have yet another critically urgent meeting.”  With that he and his friends stood and bid Fenstermacher adieu, leaving Fenstermacher with a just-opened bottle of a fine Oregon trockenbeerenauslese.  He carefully poured himself a glass,  inhaled its aroma, admired its fingers, swished a small sip through his teeth,and offered a silent toast.  It was a truly fine vintage. It was so sad,  he thought, that the mice had fled so quickly, but from their responses, they had all fallen for his bait.

Jacob Fenstermacher leaned back into one of the luxurious armchairs in a private dining room of the Pueblo Grand Restaurant.   It had been remarkably easy to set up this meeting with a half-dozen senior NRP members, especially when he  had hinted that  generous campaign donations would move him and his followers into opposition to the no-confidence motion.  It was truly amazing that they had believed his line.  The National Renaissance Party was clearly shell-shocked by today’s revelations, its leaders not yet thinking clearly. 

“So I assure you, Gary,” Fenstermacher said, “that the Independent Union Party’s bitter divisions continue to this day.  Why, Elektra didn’t even bother to ask her Executive Committee before making her no-confidence motion.  If there is the slightest hint of resistance on the part of National Renaissance, our resolve will crumble.”

“That would help a great deal,” Gary Untermontanus answered.  “If that motion is defeated, then on this bribery issue we can say we had no idea what Drummond-McLaren was doing.  That lets us keep our hold on the government, at which point our good friends, such as yourself if your faction comes over to us, could be well regarded, including a senior cabinet position for you.”

“A fine idea,” Fenstermacher said.  “A fine idea.  Of course, you don’t know precisely which chairs will open, but Elektra is about to solve that issue for you. “

“Yes?” Rolly Terwilliger said innocently.  “What will that…person…be doing to help us, that two-faced back-stabber?”

“I am told that the First Minister, in dispersing his largess, kept careful records of who got how much,” Fenstermacher said.  “I have not seen those records.  I find it difficult to believe, except that in one case I have seen a  record, he made sure he had proof that the recipient knew the source of the funds.  The case, as it happens, is our ambassador on Mogado.”

“Fellow Senators and Lords,” Elektra began. “We live in interesting times. My predecessor, God rest his soul, persuaded our Party last year that our best choice was to join in a coalition with the Nerps. We did indeed get some Ministerial positions. The laws we had been promised have been slow to materialize. In fact, they have not materialized at all. Drummond-McLaren …” — she was interrupted by boos — “…Drummond-McLaren did steer some of his legal donors in our direction, though Thank God so far as we have discovered none of his illegal slush fund money. However, it’s now clear we got a crooked deal. Drummond-McLaren was preparing to betray not only our party but the entire Union.

“I would ask that shadow Ministers start looking carefully,” she continued, “if you have not already, at who we propose for each subcabinet slot. Please do not tell anyone that they were identified. We need to bargain with the other former opposition parties, and they doubtless want a share of the spoils. We may need to yield up a few cabinet slots, however painful that is.”

“But not First Minister!” Michael O’Raffertaigh shouted. “That is yours by right via trial by combat.” The assembly cheered.

“That remains to be seen. I expect there will be still other surprises, but don’t know what they are,” Elektra continued. “Oh, Joseph, after all this is over, if I might have a private word with you…all positive given your wonderful press releases?”

&&&&&

Jacob Fenstermacher leaned back into one of the luxurious armchairs in a private dining room of the Pueblo Grand Restaurante

“The Hughes revelation is the gaggle of mad weasels in the chicken coop,” Caius continued. “I think he goes down badly, unless Hughes completely faked his data, and fooled our friends outside Parliament. They are hard to fool. And Hughes has now put up a considerable series of these transactions, all illegal.”

“Thank you,”DeWitt said. “I agree that Drummond-McLaren is doomed. That’s my sense of Parliament, which agrees with your brilliant nose counting. As the largest opposition party, we get to nominate a caretaker government, unless we can cobble together a majority. Can we do that?”

“Tricky,” Caius answered. “Assuming the National Renaissance Party goes into opposition, less whatever Hughes leads out of their wreckage, we are not close to a majority. We need to reach out both ways, to the Union Democrats, the Popular Democrats, and someone else. Most other parties would choke on joining a government that contained the National Front. Radicals are against coalitions.”

“The National Front,” DeWitt said, “has several sensible policy proposals…yes, accidents do happen. National Technical Universities, not our plank but something with support in lots of places, comes to mind. That also brings in, I suspect, Glorious Day Alberg and his faction of the NRP.”

“First things first!” Ricardo Sanchez shouted. “Three cheers for Elektra, and for Aston Hughes!”
Cheers followed.

The Committee broke into song.

“For she’s a jolly good fellow,
For she’s a jolly good fellow!
She kicked him in the…” The next word was obscured by the meeting gong.
And booted him through the walls!
For she’s a jolly good fellow,
For she’s a jolly good fellow!”

A standing ovation was followed by shouts “Speech! Speech!”

&&&&&

DeWitt and her escort headed for the Tipsy Turtle.  After not long she realized that in addition to a half-dozen tall, fit party members she was also in an open grid formed by a dozen very stocky young people.  No, she thought, not stocky.  That’s heavy body armor.

The Common Room at the Turtle was almost empty.  Two waitresses and the bartender were doing final setup, preparing for the lunch crowd.  Video screens featured arrays of talking heads.  To judge from the chyrons, DeWitt thought, none of them had had the time needed to read Hughes’ documents.   

“Well done, Elektra!” the bartender shouted.  The early regulars at the bar applauded.

The Independent Union Party’s private room was crowded.  The morning side table looked to have been heavily depleted, but she could see a substantial tray of her favorite hash and eggs benedict  that had clearly just emerged from the kitchen.  She made two steps beyond the door before she was handed a large mug of coffee, properly lightened. 

She sipped.  “The way I like it.  Thank you, Daphne.” 

Daphne Mueller nodded.  “Of course, First-Minister-to-be.  And on behalf of our former Cabinet members, we are all here and behind you.  That’s even before the Hughes Addendum.  The  entire ExComm is waiting at the front of the room.”

“Well done, Elektra,”Joseph  Fenstermacher  said as he pointed to to a chair at the head of one table.  “You were right to say nothing.”

“Breakfast!” she announced.   “I haven’t eaten yet.  What have you all heard?  Caius, you’re Party Whip.  You know everything.”

“The situation is unclear, “ Caius Flower answered.  “Drummond-McLaren and his allies have spent enormous effort lobbying all and sundry.   They’ve also been offering huge contributions to political party treasuries.  Until this morning I had no idea where they could get the money,   All of their allies in the press have rallied to his defense, mostly by attacking you and other prominent members of our party personally.  There’s a lot of repetition of the ‘no real evidence’ line, even though the file is in the public record, complete with the Foreign Affairs validation codes.  However, he gets almost no votes out of the Radicals or the Popular Democrats.  The Union Democrats and the National Front were considering his offers.  That was when they had doubts about your charges, and were still reading the record.  He lost the votes of the Monarchists, and the True Monarchist.  If the UD and the NF go over to him, our party would have had to hang together indeed in order to defeat him.