Chapter One
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he
waiting room of the Secretary of State for foreign affairs of the New
Commonwealth was in the understated colligate gothic style that seemed to be
standard for government buildings in Winchester, the capitol of the New
Commonwealth. The sun light was gentled by the stained-glass decorations,
showing the arms of the member systems of the New Commonwealth, that dotted the
windows.
Ambassador Justin Brand knew
that the freedom of his home of Grettier’s
World could depend on the discussions of the next few hours. His son and military
aide Niels stood next to him in his full-dress
uniform, to give Justin’s position of Ambassador Extraordinary and President
(Designate) of the Grettier’s World Government in Exile as much dignity as
possible.
But Justin was under no delusion
about his relative importance, Chandra
Russell, Marquess of Tavistock and Secretary of
State for foreign affairs of the New Commonwealth was one of the hundred most
important people in the human settled galaxy. Justin wasn’t even in the top
thousand and wouldn’t be even if he became President of the Government in
Exile.
As
he stood waiting for his interview, Justin though back over the events of the
last few weeks that had brought him to this moment.
