Chapter One first scene

 

Chapter One

T

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.