School of Fire

by David Sherman

  The oligarchs sat expectantly about the Council table, waiting for Ambassador Spears to make the special statement that had brought them together that fine morning. With the great successes the Feldpolizei had been enjoying recently over the bandits, there was no doubt in any of their minds that he was going to formally announce that the Marines' mission had been a total success. Already the Marines were beginning to turn the Feldpolizei GSBs back to their commanders, and the Marines responsible for training them were about to return to Brosigville's port, preparatory to their departure.

  The table had been arranged so that Chairman Arschmann sat with his back to the window that looked out over his formal gardens. The window was open. The other oligarchs sat on either side of their chairman. Brigadier Sturgeon and his party were escorted into the chamber by the secretary who had recently replaced the dead Kalat Uxmal.

  The party bowed respectfully toward the oligarchs, and while Brigadier Sturgeon and Ambassador Spears remained standing, the others took seats opposite the conference table.

  "Chairman Arschmann, Mrs. Keutgens, gentlemen," Ambassador Spears began. "On behalf of the Confederation of Worlds, I wish to announce that our mission to secure the safety and peace of the people of Wanderjahr is formally ended." He was interrupted by applause from the oligarchs. "We have a few details to work out before we can withdraw our forces, but essentially the Feldpolizei is now a fully trained, fully equipped combat force capable of ensuring that the rebellion that has plagued your world does not break out again." More applause. "Next week representatives of the Peoples Liberation Army will appear before you to negotiate a settlement."

  This statement was followed by amazed silence. They had not been informed about that in the periodic situation briefings Brigadier Sturgeon had given them over the past months. Chairman Arschmann broke the silence. "But you said the rebellion has been crushed. Why do we need to negotiate with anybody?"

  "Because you will," Ambassador Spears answered. "The guerrilla commanders have agreed to lay down their arms providing you grant them certain concessions." He pulled the folded piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Chairman Arschmann, who read it quickly and, a look of profound disgust on his face, passed it to Lorelei Keutgens as if it were a poisonous reptile. "This is a most irregular demand, Mr. Ambassador," he almost shouted, turning red in the face. "Most irregular—and illegal!"

  Ambassador Spears smiled and nodded. "Yes, it is irregular, Mr. Chairman. And considering the finer points of interplanetary law, it may also be, as you say, 'illegal.' But I don't give a good goddamn. Your granting these demands will save many lives and restore peace to this world. That's why you're going to grant them. But did you seriously think you could use the Confederation Marines to shore up this medieval fiefdom you've created for yourselves here on Wanderjahr?" He fixed an icy stare upon the Council members, his face suddenly flushed with righteous anger. "You are a collection of greedy throwbacks to the days of the Hanseatic League. Your ancestors exploited the homeless and poor of Old Earth's most unfortunate populations to settle this world, and ever since, you have held these people in virtual thrall to your own economic interests. That is now over."

  Carmago Khong stood up. "And it is about time!" he said loudly. "These bandits are our own children, some of them. I've said all along, Kurt, Lori, all of you, that we should have negotiated with them instead of calling in the Confederation! Well, now we will, and I say it's a good thing for Wanderjahr. Thank you, Mr. Ambassador." He sat down.

  "You cannot enforce this outrageous demand!" Arschmann shouted.

  "We can and we will," Brigadier Sturgeon announced. A shadow cast itself across the conference table as a man appeared in the window just behind Arschmann. With the bright sunlight streaming in from behind the figure, it was a solid black to the seated oligarchs, but there was no doubt the man was a combat-loaded Marine, blaster at port arms. He leaped lightly to the floor and stood just behind and slightly to the left of Chairman Arschmann.

  Captain Thomas, commander of the landing party, was followed by forty of his men. Silently they took up positions behind the seated oligarchs. Just before first light they had landed by hopper a few kilometers from Arschmann's villa and marched unseen into the woods on the other side of the garden, where they'd remained silently in hiding until a signal from the Denver had alerted them that the brigadier was approaching the main entrance to the palace.

  "With the redeployment of my men from the field, I now have the combat strength to ensure that these negotiations proceed successfully," the brigadier said. "I warn all of you that any resistance to the peace process will be met with force. And one more thing. By next week those of you who do not now have Feldpolizei garrisons in your Staats will have them, and you will cooperate with the garrison commanders to ensure the peace is kept." This was directed principally at Klaus von Hauptmann and Turbat Nguyen-Multan's factor, a hulking, totally bald man named Bu Lon, who was representing Multan's interests until a successor could be found to replace him.

  There was a roar from outside the conference room as two hoppers landed on the lawns in front of the main entrance to the building. Voices sounded, shouting in alarm, and people could be heard running through the corridors of the building. The proceedings in the Council chamber halted for a few seconds and then the doors burst open and in marched Lieutenant Constantine with Shift Leader Lyies and a group of Brosigville city police, escorting three tightly manacled men. Chief Long and Commissioner Landser stood up. They moved forward to the center of the room while Brigadier Sturgeon and Ambassador Spears took the chairs they'd just vacated. The four had choreographed the move carefully to achieve a no-fooling, parade ground effect.

  Claypoole turned to Dean and sighed. They both relaxed. With the appearance of the police and Marines, there would now be no need for the side arms they were carrying. Claypoole decided to get himself transferred back to the company ASAP; he was getting mighty tired of being Brigadier Sturgeon's point man.

  "I absolutely refuse to be surprised by anything anymore today," Oligarch Hans Rauscher said, and sighed wearily.

  "Kurt Arschmann," Chief Long said formally, "as the chief police officer representing the attorney general of the Confederation of Worlds in this sector of Human Space, I hereby place you under arrest." A gasp rose from the oligarchs at this announcement. "You are being charged with the attempted murder of Commander Ralph Peters, a citizen of the Confederation and an officer of the Confederation Marine Corps who was on official duty in the Staat of Morgenluft on Samstag, the fourth day of the month of..."

  Two Marines grabbed Arschmann and hauled him to his feet. They dragged him around the conference table and shoved him into the arms of the waiting police officers. He screamed and cursed and struggled all the way. Calmly, Chief Long finished his statement of charges.

  "Kurt, you bastard! I knew it was you all along!" Lorelei Keutgens screamed.

  "I simply refuse to be further surprised anymore today," Hans Rauscher muttered.

  "Madame." Chief Long bowed toward the matriarch. "His chief accomplice was one of your very own ministers. He is here now," he nodded toward the three men the police officers had brought in with them, "and we have his full confession."

  "Madame." Commissioner Landser made a sweeping bow before Lorelei Keutgens, nearly touching the floor with his right arm. "As the chief law enforcement officer of Arschland, I wish to announce, most respectfully, that I hereby arrest you for the bombing of the Marine headquarters that was responsible for the deaths of thirty-seven of our citizens." The remaining oligarchs gasped, and the blood drained from Lorelei Keutgens's face. "And also I arrest you for the murder of Gretel Siebensberg and her people." The blood now rushed back into Lorelei's face and her eyes blazed in fierce anger. Watching her from where he sat. Brigadier Sturgeon thought he'd never seen a woman so alive and beautiful.

  "You have no proof and you have no jurisdiction over me," Lorelei answered, keeping her voice under control with difficulty.


  "Madame, do you recognize that man, the short one in the gray tunic? You should. He is in your employ. He set the bomb and we have his full confession. You were visiting Arschland the day the bomb was planted. In fact, you met with Brigadier Sturgeon and Ambassador Spears in this very room that day. That man was your driver on the occasion. Through him we identified the men in the party that murdered Mother Siebensberg, and they are also in custody. We brought the man along this morning so he could tell your colleagues about his part in the plot."

  Landser smiled. "We were able to identify the man because Lance Corporal Dean," he nodded toward the Marine, "smelled explosives residue on him the morning Ambassador Spears and Brigadier Sturgeon met with you and Chairman Arschmann in this very room."

  "Brigadier!" Lorelei shouted. "Ted, this—this popinjay is out of his mind! You won't let him arrest me, will you?"

  Brigadier Sturgeon did not answer. Instead he nodded to Captain Thomas, who gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

  "You have no jurisdiction!" she shouted.

  "I don't need any, ma'am," the captain replied quietly. He put one hand under her arm and gently levered the woman to her feet. A Marine took her other arm and together they escorted her into the arms of the waiting police officers.

  Hans Rauscher, who was delighted at the morning's surprising developments because they meant now he could relax and enjoy life so long as he cooperated with the new regime, turned to Manfred Kaiserstuhl, sitting beside him, and whispered, "Manny, wake me when the current rash of surprises is over, will you?"

  "Gentlemen." Klaus von Hauptmann spoke for the first time. "We require a full explanation of these charges. You can't just barge in here, make allegations, and haul off the members of this Council like—like common criminals." Privately, von Hauptmann was very thankful he hadn't been charged with anything, since he'd cooperated with Turbat Nguyen-Multan on several smuggling enterprises. Oligarch Max Picker, sitting just to von Hauptmann's right, smiled to himself. He'd always left business to his factor, and the other oligarchs, he knew, despised him as a mere playboy. Well, let them fume and fuss over all this mess, he thought. First thing next week he would depart on a long vacation, far away from Wanderjahr, some world where there were plenty of sun-warmed beaches, casinos, and unattached women.

  "Sir," Chief Long answered, "our entire investigation will be made available to you, and every stage of the legal proceedings will be open to full public scrutiny. And, sir, I've arrested 'common criminals' all my life, and these two make most of them look like decent. God-fearing citizens."

  Commissioner Landser stepped over to where the policemen were putting the cuffs on Lorelei Keutgens. "Madame," he said to her quietly, "I have all the 'jurisdiction' I need to arrest you for crimes committed here in Arschland, and when we are finished with you, I will turn you over to the authorities in Friedland. I understand why you bombed the Marine headquarters, but may I ask, why did you feel it necessary to murder poor old Gretel Siebensberg?"

  "I murdered no one!" Lorelei shouted defiantly, wincing as the arresting officer double-locked the cuffs on her wrists. "But I'll tell you what, you ridiculous little fop. That Bible-thumping bitch was a colossal bore all her life. And you," she whirled on Kurt Arschmann, "I only regret I was unable to pay you back for trying to kill me and my family, you bastard! What happened to Gretel was child's play compared to what I had in store for you."

  Arschmann made a lopsided smile. "Lori, we should've gotten married after that worthless husband of yours died. We'd have made a perfect team. As it is," he sighed in mock sorrow, "maybe we can convince Commissioner Landser to give us adjoining cells. We could scratch each other to death through the bars."

  "No chance. You go offworld," Chief Long rumbled. "She stays here." He nodded to the policemen to escort the prisoners back to Brosigville.

  "Wait! One moment, please," Lorelei said. She twisted around and fixed her gaze on Brigadier Sturgeon. "Ted, may I say something to you in private? Just a moment, please?" The brigadier hesitated, and then walked over to Lorelei and lowered his head to hear her. "Ted," she whispered in his ear, "I never meant you or your men any harm. What I did I did for the good of Morgenluft, not for myself. Will you see that Hway and the children are looked after?"

  He straightened up and stared at her for a moment, contemplating briefly the possibilities the woman had presented to him. He shook his head. She belonged in jail. "The Council will take care of your family," he replied coldly before making a tired gesture toward the police officers, who led her away. Wearily, he took his seat. "Finish it off, will you. Jay?" he said to Ambassador Spears.

  "Gentlemen," Spears announced, "there is one more piece of unfinished business. With Chairman Arschmann, uh, out of circulation, the Council needs a new chairman. We will spare you the difficulty of picking someone. Your new chairman is the Honorable Carmago Kampot Khong. He has our full backing and you will cooperate with him in every way. The guerrilla delegation is due here tomorrow. I suggest you consider seriously how best to meet their terms.

  "These proceedings are now ended."

  * * *

  "So?" Chairman Khong asked. He was sharing a nightcap with Brigadier Sturgeon and Chief Long in his hotel suite. "Did you pull a fast one on us?"

  The brigadier smiled. "Tell him." He nodded at Chief Long.

  "No, sir, we did not," the chief responded. "It just took us a while to figure it all out. I must say, it was Alois who broke the case for us. He has his spies and informants everywhere, and it was through them we put the finger on the men who acted on behalf of the oligarchs."

  Chairman Khong raised an eyebrow. "Well, I surely hope he doesn't employ any of those people in my service."

  "He probably does," Chief Long answered, and they all laughed. "You know, Alois and Lorelei Keutgens both had me fooled. At first I thought Alois couldn't do anything but strut. And with Lori, well, I really thought we could trust that woman. She was so... so..."

  "Charming," Brigadier Sturgeon said. "Yes, 'charming'; she charmed me all to hell." He grimaced. "And Ambassador Spears." They were all reminded of the story about the ambassador's marriage proposal and laughed again.

  "And me too, gentlemen," Khong added, "and I've known her a lot longer than any of you." He shook his head.

  "She and Arschmann were in deadly competition for power on this planet," Chief Long said. "Arschmann conceived the idea of getting us to intervene, to clear up the problem with the guerrillas while he eliminated his competitors among you oligarchs. He was the first one to realize it was Lori who tried to wipe out the Marines' headquarters. She too wanted us to take a swipe at the guerrillas, get them out of the way while she worked on her real competition. And then Arschmann tried to get rid of her."

  "And Lori had Gretel murdered? It's hard to believe her capable of such a crime," Khong mused, sipping from his wineglass.

  "Well, she knew all along it was Arschmann who'd attacked her, but Gretel was a vulnerable target. Lori set the massacre up so we'd pin it on the guerrillas. She knew we'd see through the ruse eventually, but she thought we'd blame the massacre on Arschmann since it didn't take us long to conclude he'd attacked Morgenluft. It did look at first as if he was methodically eliminating the other members of the Council. But the evidence hanging that deed on the guerrillas was so transparent once we began to look into it that I think she planned all along that we'd pin it on Arschmann. Who'd ever suspect her? Clever woman. We never suspected her until Kalat Uxmal spilled the beans to Alois, just before he was murdered. Kurt knew he was spying for the guerrillas all along, but when he discovered the man was also Landser's informant, he had him silenced. We don't know who the triggermen were, but we know Arschmann ordered the assassination. Proving that will be difficult, but we already have all we need to put him away on other charges."

  Chairman Khong shook his head and looked into his wineglass.

  "And do you know something?" Chief Long said. "Lori's code name was Zitze, an Old German w
ord meaning 'teat.' Before he was killed, Uxmal told Alois it was 'Zitze' who'd pulled off the bombing. And that guerrilla spy who was killed in the warehouse fight, Garth, he knew too and tipped us when he said it was 'Titties' who'd done the bombing. We just didn't catch on for a while. Incredible, isn't it?"

  "They never liked each other, Lori and Gretel, you know?" Khong said. "Then who was it who shot at the two Marines in the bar that morning?"

  "That was a guerrilla sniper-assassination team," Sturgeon answered. "We haven't told either of the two Marines involved. I think it's better they just put the experience behind them, especially now that they're going to have to respect the guerrilla peace commissioners. The PLA just wanted to poison relations between the local people and my men. It's an old terrorist strategy."

  "I have a cousin with them," Khong admitted. "As you know, I rose from dirt to be Mannlicher's factor and then a member of the Council. Multan and I were the only non-German Wanderjahrians ever to have been admitted that high in the government here. Multan made it by ruthlessly carving out an empire in Porcina, an out-of-the-way Staat nobody gave a damn about until thule came along. I made it because old Mannlicher, he was not like the other German families on Wanderjahr. He believed men should be given a chance to prove themselves by running their own lives. That's what the PLA say they want. Tomorrow we'll find out how sincere they are about it."

  Then Carmago Khong snapped his fingers, remembering something. "That Council meeting, when we voted to ask the Confederation to send you here to help us—do you know what Lori said then? She said that inviting you to come here would change everything for us, and she didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Evidently she thought it would be good for her. But damn, she was right!

  "Gentlemen, let us make a toast, shall we?" He raised his glass. "To change!" he shouted. The word seemed to echo in the room for a long time after the toast was drunk.