“I’ll do my best, Chairman Wenceslas,” Raymond said. His voice was smooth and calm. Thanks to the dulling effect of the drugs, he could not infuse the words with the anger and resistance he truly felt.

“Wars provide the best circumstances for cementing unity and increasing governmental control,” Basil continued. “A war is also the best time for invention and innovation. When this is all over, the Hansa’s power will be greater than ever.” He patted Raymond on the shoulder. “Perhaps that will be our silver lining … provided the hydrogues don’t cause too much destruction in the meantime.”

On schedule, the fanfare began, music roaring to the clouds. The tourist zeppelins floated closer. Another round of fireworks went off, larger than any before, blossoming colors in the sky.

Before Raymond could begin his procession, though, two military officers rushed in, ruddy-faced and breathless. They elbowed royal guards aside and raced toward the Chairman. Bending close to him, the officers quickly delivered what was obviously bad news. Basil stared at them, his face white. He snapped back, repeating his questions, and the military officers responded as if ashamed. Basil could barely keep his emotions in check. Dismay etched itself plainly on his face.

Outside, the fanfare reached its crescendo, and Raymond knew he was expected to begin the long slow walk along the crimson carpet. Instead, he stepped backward. “What is it, Chairman Wenceslas? What has happened?” Basil tried to brush him away as if he were an annoying insect, but Raymond managed to put surprising vehemence into his voice, even through the blurring effects of the drug. “I should know, if I am to be King.”

Off balance, the Chairman turned to him, not yet recovered enough to keep control of his words. “The hydrogues attacked our fleet at Jupiter. They’ve wrecked our ships and harvesters. I don’t know how many are dead.” He turned to glare at the two military couriers. “You are certain of this?”

Both officers nodded vigorously. “Absolutely. Admiral Stromo is bringing the Goliath back now, but it’s severely damaged. Many of his ships were destroyed. Our best weapons, our strongest defenses, amounted to nothing against—”

The fanfare dropped into an awkward silence, waiting for Prince Peter to appear. Basil suddenly came to himself and whirled like a cobra to Raymond. “Go! You have a job to do.”

The young man was surprised. “Even after this? Shouldn’t we change our response somehow? What if I make an announcement—”

“No! Now, more than ever, we need you to bring them together, to show your strength. Go take the crown and give them all hope. You alone, Peter, can save our population. They believe it.”