Tides of Maritinia by Warren Hammond

“Like what?”
    â€œThis crackdown on free expression must stop.”
    â€œIs that how you’d describe what that old man was doing waving that flag? Free expression?”
    â€œWhat else would you call it? He was no threat. This Jebyl resistance the admiral frets about doesn’t exist. There are no cabals, no Jebyl militias. Only regular ­people with legitimate complaints. Admiral Mnai promise-­ed schools for every child. He promise-­ed medicines and liberties. Instead, he gives us soldiers and false conspiracies.”
    Pol spoke in my mind.
    I didn’t have time to respond before she spoke again. “Through fear, he may be winning their obedience, but he’s lost their hearts.”
    I nodded my understanding.
    â€œThe admiral needs to be convince-­ed this crackdown is unjust. But I can’t convince him alone. I need you to argue alongside me. I need you to marshal support within his navy, convince as many officers as you can to come forward.” She leaned toward me, her eyes zeroed in on mine. “Together, we can remind him this is suppose-­ed to be Free Maritinia. What do you say?”
    I rubbed my jaw, searching for the right answer. I didn’t want to anger her by refusing. No, I didn’t want to do anything that would make her renege on her pledge to accompany me back to the Ministry. But I also couldn’t let myself become an agent of her agenda. I had my own agenda to execute.
    â€œI understand your reluctance,” she said. “You remember what I told you the first time we met?”
    â€œOf course,” I lied.
    â€œI told you your tide was strong. You were bless-­ed by Falal, Colonel. Your kind is rare. Few are given the gift of such a mighty current. You don’t just draw ­people in and make them want to follow, yours is a current so powerful it can sweep history right along with it.”
    I wanted to believe her. Wanted to believe she was talking to me. To Jakob.
    She batted the paper lantern, and the tent suddenly brightened with awakened fireflies. “You mustn’t allow yourself to become the admiral’s show toy. It was through your courage and strength we cast off the chains of the Empire. The admiral didn’t engineer the coup. That was you.” She pointed a finger at the spot between my eyes. “You.”
    That wasn’t me, I said to myself. That was Kell.
    â€œMistake me not,” she continued, “we will be forever indebt-­ed. But Maritinia needs you again. All over this world, ­people are suffering. Kelp is the driving force of our simple economy, and thanks to the Empire’s embargo, so many have lost their livelihoods. The young and strong can fish for themselves, but the weak and elderly are in crisis. Our churches are overflowing with the frail and malnourished. ­People are dying, Colonel.”
    I listened quietly while she continued. “This is a time for ­people to pull together, but Admiral Mnai insists upon tearing us apart by stoking old tensions to pit Kwuba against Jebyl. We are a strong ­people, capable of caring for one another, and this is a bountiful world in which no one should ever go hungry. We need leadership that will foster the bonds of family and clan. Instead, he stokes fear that encourages hoarding instead of sharing. We desperately need a unifier. You must convince the admiral to become that person. And if he won’t, then you must be that person.”
    My eyes widened in surprise. “Are you advocating another coup?”
    â€œThose words won’t leave my lips,” she said. “But I fear the path we’re on.”
    â€œI will take your thoughts into consideration,” I said with all the false earnestness I could. I didn’t need to get involved in this world’s internal politics, especially not to