Treason

by Valerie J. Long

  “A pity. Or good for me—otherwise you’d not have appeared in my jail so soon.”

  This time, he decided to ignore the subject. “So I came to ask you for help again. Right on top of my list is the Australian Frostdragon factory.”

  I confirmed with a nod. Sure, that had to be a pain in the ass for them. But as I didn’t comment on it, he spoke on.

  “We don’t even know how many suits they’ve produced in the meantime. It might be that the Australian faction’s already planning their counterstrike. And what will we do then? It would be good if you could have a look there.”

  Nick waited for my reaction. That job was damned dangerous. I’d be alone once again, without backup, and he surely hoped that I’d not just look but take measures right away. In short—a new trip to hell.

  “Go on.”

  “With what?” Nick seemed to be confused.

  “Which other ideas do you have for me?”

  “I thought we’d talk about this one first.”

  “I think we’ll walk through your entire list, and thereafter I’ll tell you where I believe I could help you.”

  “Oh. Okay. Well, the other idea, or the other ideas, run along the same line. We need to deprive the regional Cartel remnants of their ability to organize themselves. We’ll have to destroy their power base—worldwide. To that end, the first step is to push them out of the respective governments and place executive and police authority back into trustworthy hands.”

  “What does that mean exactly? Assassinations on the puppet governments?”

  “In the worst case, yes—but I very much hope that it suffices to free the original people and have them join with their followers.”

  “So that they start a little civil war in their country next.”

  “Or so that they send their own assassins. Yes, times are bad. In any case, I can’t just send a score of armor suits into a foreign country and let them run their puppet government over. At least I need an official call for help.”

  “Like in New York.”

  “More or less.”

  “With the cavalry arriving when I’m done. Or when I’m finished off. Like in New York.”

  Nick made a face as if he had bitten into a lemon. “It wasn’t intended that way.”

  “No. It was weeks of waiting until the official request arrived, and then the necessary air transport unluckily wasn’t available.” Exactly that was the reason why I didn’t trust this man despite his demonstrated compassion and his grateful words even for a moment—but I didn’t voice that aloud.

  “That was just an unfortunate coincidence.”

  “At war, there are no unfortunate coincidences, only insufficient planning and preparation. That was unprofessional.” Or intended, but again I kept that to myself.

  “Okay, admitted. So, what do you say? From my point of view, Frostdragon Australia comes first—I can’t send my armor suits to Europe as long as I must be prepared for a counterstrike.”

  “I can follow you there—I wouldn’t do that, either. But what about ordinary Marines? Or other special forces?”

  “Risky.”

  “Sure. Someone could shoot at them. Just as someone could shoot at me—it’s happened before. Only, it’s their job. For me, it’s not.”

  “How do you mean that?”

  “I’m no soldier. I’m not even an American citizen. What have I got to do with it?”

  “You’ve promised me a favor.”

  “No, not exactly. For you to get me out of prison—where I didn’t belong in the first place, according to your recent statements—I had promised to listen to your wishes. And a favor, yes, but not any. My choice.”

  “Is that a No?”

  “I didn’t say that. I only wanted to make clear to you that I’m not willing to pull someone else’s chestnuts out of the fire all alone.”

  “Mmm, can you become more concrete?”

  “I can. Depending on which of your tasks I pick, the mission will start right away with support.”

  “I had hoped that you’d initially operate undercover. The USA can’t appear officially.”

  “That’s bullshit, Nick. Of course, the USA can appear officially. If your predecessors could send troops to Iraq to oust a dictator, you can send troops to Europe to sack the Cartel. The reinstated governments will surely recognize the advantage over the criminals’ continuing.”

  This course of talk didn’t match his expectations. But he wouldn’t give up so easily.

  “Let’s talk business about Frostdragon. I’d like to have that problem solved soon.”

  “Then solve it.”

  “How do you mean that?”

  “The beautiful thing about this target is—it’s located totally remote in the midst of a desert. You have to fear practically no collateral damage. Send a few bombers and wipe that facility out, and your problem is solved.”

  “But the facility would be destroyed!”

  “So, it can’t get into the wrong hands anymore. As history showed, we weren’t able to deal with that legacy responsibly. Then it’s better no one has it, right?”

  He couldn’t entirely discard that logic, but he wasn’t ready yet to give up the valuable facility—although he still commanded the production line looted in Palmdale.

  “Talk to your advisors about it. For me alone, that factory’s too hot—scores of armor suits with linear cannons and plasma weapons, all ready to welcome invisible intruders, that’s not for me, thanks.”

  “Now that was a No?”

  “Exactly. No, I won’t do that job.” His disappointment was easy to recognize—I had to distract him. And I had to get away, out of his reach, before his mood changed again. I had to get away from America, away from its President, who was sometimes friend, sometimes traitor. I could get along well without America, so now America had to get along without me.

  “Let’s talk about Europe.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  My target looked tired and worn, as he was leaning in his chair and staring holes into the ceiling. Before him on the table a wineglass waited, filled but untouched. If the circumstances were different, he’d surely have been able to enjoy his stay in the huge villa.

  “Good evening,” I greeted him in Italian.

  Surprised, he looked up. “Who are you?”

  “I’m Jo. I’ve come to free you. It’s time for the regularly elected government to regain power and chase organized crime out of this country.”

  “You’re joking.”

  “That’s no joke. You are a representative of the last elected government.”

  “That’s correct. But I’m also a prisoner.”

  “The doors aren’t locked.”

  “No. That’s not necessary.”

  “Don’t worry about the guards. They all will only wake up in a few hours from now, and then they’ll have a terrible headache. Your way is clear.”

  “I can’t come with you,” he gloomily replied.

  “So that your family won’t be hurt? Have you ever been shown any proof, that these people really got their hands on your family?”

  “No.”

  “You’ve been lied to. Your daughter and your wife were able to escape the Cartel.” For the first time, there seemed to be a small spark of hope flickering in his eyes. “I know for sure, as I was able to make your daughter’s kidnapping fail back then. Your wife knew she couldn’t try to contact you. But once you’re free, once Italy is free, she’ll return.”

  “What do you tell me there?”

  “I’m sorry that I couldn’t do more for your country. But now that the Cartel’s beheaded, it’s time to clean up.”

  “What do you mean by beheaded?”

  “The worldwide Cartel headquarters in Las Vegas was assaulted, the leaders arrested. The Italian Mafia is on its own,” I began.

  “I can’t believe that.”

  “Why not?”

  “The Cartel
’s too powerful. They have the better equipment, the better arms—and they won’t stop at anything.”

  “I have to correct you three times. The Cartel’s power was based on different factors—that their leaders couldn’t be caught, that they were operating their own secret service, and that nobody seriously challenged their claim for power. So far. But their secret service leader is dead, and I already mentioned the arrest of their leaders. Involved in the latter was a platoon of American Marine soldiers in Frostdragon armor suits, which also resolves the equipment issue.”

  “Then there’d be the arms.” But his voice didn’t sound as grim as before.

  “Yes. Plasma rifles. Jelly technology. The Cartel had two factories for those. One was near Houston in the ZONE.”

  “Was?”

  “There, the Marines struck first.”

  “And the second?”

  “Located in Belgium in a small village in the ZONE.”

  “Somewhere in Belgium.”

  “I can show you the spot on a map. I’ve been there before.”

  “You? Pardon me, but you don’t look like that.”

  “I’m short and inconspicuous. I’m a very successful thief, and I steal from the Cartel. I’ve also stolen your daughter from the Cartel. I’m sorry that I couldn’t save your country but only your daughter.”

  Now he smiled. “But this way you’ve saved my country. These people wanted to blackmail me and get my secrets, and if they’d been successful, we wouldn’t be talking today. I’m more and more inclined to believe you. Nevertheless, I wonder how you could simply walk in here past the guards.”

  In lieu of an answer, I activated my camouflage.

  His mouth formed a soundless O.

  I became visible again. “A Frostdragon armor suit, which I stole from the Cartel, too. This suit also helped me to take out the Cartel leaders.”

  “You’ve been involved there, too? Well then. Why are you here?”

  “To free you.”

  “That’s the goal. But why are you here?”

  “Because it would be better for this world if no government was controlled by the Cartel, and I had to start somewhere.”

  “Fine. That’s why you’re here. But why, and why you?”

  “Why me? ‘Cause I can. And because I want to make certain that the Cartel’s remnants can no longer become bothersome to me.”

  “Good. Is that the only reason?”

  “Nick asked me to do it.”

  “Nick?”

  “Nicholas. The American President.”

  My opponent made a face. “Surely not an entirely selfless request.”

  “Surely not.”

  “So, how do we go on? My freedom won’t help Italy much. Organized crime is traditionally strong in my country.”

  “If a representative of the Italian government—you—officially asks for it, the American government will provide you with a score of Marines in armor suits to do something about the criminals.”

  “Ah yes. That sounds more like a plan. But I can’t free Italy with a few armor suits.”

  “I will help you to take out the regional leaders. I’ll also help you if you want to free friends. However, if it’s about freeing the police from corruption, the Italians will have to become active themselves.”

  “How?”

  “If I’m correctly informed, the Cartel didn’t manage to disband the Raggruppamento Operativo Speciale. At least this unit is listed as gone into hiding in the Cartel’s secret data. In my eyes, that could be a worthwhile starting point.”

  His eyebrows went up. “You’re informed extraordinarily well—your name was Jo?”

  “Johanna. Jo for my friends, and your daughter is my friend. Another reason why I think I should help her father.”

  “So.” He gazed at the wine glass, and then he shrugged and pushed himself up. “Then I’d better not put your patience to the test any more than necessary. Shall we leave?”

  Chapter Fourteen

  The hum of an electric engine, connected with the crunching of wheels on gravel, made us both pause before we reached the large, two-winged villa entrance.

  The way my protégé looked at me, I didn’t have to ask him whether he was expecting guests. I pointed at a side door, and then simply placed myself in the entrance hall center and waited.

  The newcomers made every effort to be quiet and cautious. Nevertheless, I heard their steps on the gravel. They were four. One each started to circle around the house, two approached the entrance.

  If they belonged to the Cartel—or the Mafia, respectively—they had every reason to be suspicious. Neither of the guards could be seen. I hadn’t just put them to sleep, but also hid them. Nor were there traces of other visitors or of applied violence. How did that appear to these people?

  Unsettling, otherwise they probably wouldn’t have drawn their weapons before entering. The barrels jerked up as soon as they spotted me.

  “That’s very impolite,” I chided them. “Please put your guns down now.”

  “Who are you? What’s going on here?” the foremost addressed me harshly. He wore a gray suit and a goatee. His partner, in jeans and sneakers, made a few steps to the side but kept his gun aimed at me.

  “I don’t like to repeat myself,” I said more to myself.

  The two career criminals weren’t impressed, but advanced threateningly. “Shut up, shortie. Where are the others?”

  That was a contradiction in itself. But as they weren’t inclined to grant my plea, I couldn’t help but knock them out short-handedly. After all, there were still two guys outside.

  As soon as the two visitors had gone down, my protégé hurried close and began to collect their guns. I let him proceed and slipped outside.

  “Problems?” he asked when I returned.

  “No. I’ve taken good care of the two outside.”

  He pointed at the first visitors, whom he had carefully tied up at arms and legs. “I was just about to take them behind the stairs.”

  “Feel free.” Of course, I helped him to carry the two guys. Without comment, he accepted that it seemed to be less of an effort to me than to him. Again without comment, he then followed me to the visitors’ car.

  “Are we well advised to take a car they know?” he asked upon entering. It sounded more curious than accusatory.

  “It’s better if this car can’t be found too soon,” I explained. “We’ll swap it soon.”

  “Where’s yours?”

  “A few kilometers from here, hidden well.”

  “Good. Are you really called Johanna?”

  “Why?”

  “I’ve been arrested here, but I wasn’t entirely cut off. Occasionally, the guards talked about interesting things when they thought I’d not hear them. The US Cartel must have had some trouble with a woman, short-grown and black-haired, very sexy, who’s calling herself Velvet. Does that name tell you anything?”

  “I wouldn’t have thought that the rumors spread to Europe.”

  “These people here surely wouldn’t have thought either that their lonesome nights’ wet dream comes over them.”

  “Nicely put.”

  “Excuse me. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”

  “You didn’t.”

  For a few minutes, he remained silent, enough to change vehicles. My little green buzzer was parked behind a group of bushes at the roadside, well hidden against chance detection by other passing cars. This wouldn’t work for the black all-terrain vehicle we had brought along. I couldn’t help it.

  Had the four men arrived coincidentally, or had a routine call by the villa guards been missed and caused the Cartel to send someone to have a look? In the latter case, we’d have less time left than planned. I couldn’t help that, either.

  With increasing distance from the place of his forced stay, my protégé became more relaxed, and finally he commenced our talk.

  “May I formally introduce
myself now, Jo? I call myself Marcello. Marcello Montalcino.”

  “Johanna Meier.”

  “Meier? From Germany?”

  “Yes, originally.”

  “The name reminds me—oh yes. The fastest woman in the world was called so. And the Meier effect inventor. But Meier is a common name in Germany, isn’t it? And actually I wanted to ask you why you’re calling yourself Velvet.”

  Darn close, but I didn’t comment on his speculations.

  “Velvet is soft, clingy and quiet. I found that appropriate for a thief.”

  “Ah, okay. Oh—where are we going now, actually?”

  “We’re seeking contact with the ROS, and I’m hungry. I’ve been feeding too long on raw fish alone. Those goals can be combined.”

  “Raw fish?”

  “Yes—if you’re swimming across the Atlantic Ocean and then the Mediterranean Sea, there’s not much choice.”

  He laughed at the supposed joke. But I had done exactly that, even if with Achrotzyber’s help. My partner now hid near the coast and meditated on our last talk, until I finished the Italian mission.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “The human logic is strange, Companion.”

  “Yes, Achrotzyber, that’s true. All too often it’s only used to rationalize personal goals. If you take this into account, there’s an inner logic that can at least partially be followed—at least with people we regard as mentally healthy.”

  “How can I follow such logic?”

  “Only by incorporating their situation and personality structure, and to that end you usually lack important information.”

  “I am not sure whether I would want to own such detailed information on some human personality structures.”

  I had to laugh. Hey, my Dragon partner developed a sense of humor?

  “You have trusted this human, and he betrayed you,” he went on. “Only to ask you for another favor now. Is that mentally healthy?”

  “I’d say, it’s still inside the norm. He tends to make quick assessments based on incomplete facts and act accordingly. That’s careless, but not crazy.”

  “What about you?”