“Yes, yes, they are fine soldiers I am sure... or warriors in their own parlance. What of them as a people? How do you see them fitting into the greater framework of the Alliance?”
“I’m not sure we’re qualified to judge that.”
“You may not be,” Sebastian/Fuentez said, “but I am informed by General Burgton that evaluating the Shan and their impact upon the Alliance is to become part of my duties. I shall be devoting a considerable number of my cycles to the Oracle Project and the Shan. They are a fascinating people. Simply fascinating.”
Stone nodded. The Shan were that and more. “I came to see Fuentez about a mission.” He turned to Liz. “How long do you need her?”
“A couple of days. We would’ve been finished yesterday but we hit a snag.” Sebastian/Fuentes muttered something derogatory and Liz glared at him/her. “It’s not my fault!”
“What isn’t?” Stone said.
“I built the column interfaces to designs centuries out of date. No help for that; no one is building A.I tech now. According to my information, all A.I matrix interfaces were the same so that the hardware could be standardised. Capacities and physical dimensions of the matrix itself might vary as tech improved over that time, but the interface couplings were kept standard. I used those designs for the matrix we built and the interfaces in the column.”
Sebastian/Fuentez snorted.
Liz glared. “It’s not my fault!”
Stone sighed. “What exactly is the problem?”
Liz muttered something under her breath and then shrugged. “He... Sebastian doesn’t bloody fit! He’s too big.”
Fuentez snickered at the unintentional innuendo.
Stone turned to look at the matrix. It did look a bit snug within the column, but it did fit if barely. “He’s in. Isn’t that good enough?”
“Physically he fits, but the interface couplings are all wrong. We need to switch them out, but there’s not enough room to work inside the column with him in there. I have to yank him out again, retrofit the interfaces, and then reinstall him.”
“And this time you will enable the neural interfaces first,” Sebastian/Fuentes insisted.
Liz waved that away as if a fly were annoying her. “Yes yes. I said that was a good idea. We’ll do it.”
“Can I have a minute with Fuentez alone now then if you don’t need her?”
Fuentez shrugged. “Sure. Have to do it here though. There isn’t much slack in the cable.”
Stone nodded. “And privacy?”
“I shall not listen,” Sebastian/Fuentez said.
Damn that is just so weird. Sebastian had a different intonation to Fuentez, but it was still her voice and body talking to him. He’d be glad when Sebastian was fully installed and he could use his own voice and avatar.
“Can he do that?”
“No,” Liz said. “Not really. He hears everything that Gina does, but he can compartmentalise it, which is just as good. Basically, your conversation will be archived and the memory address flagged so that he forgets it’s there until asked by one of you to specifically un-flag and recall it. It’s simpler if you pretend he’s not listening, Ken. It’s just as good, I promise.”
“Okay, if you say so.”
Liz hurried off toward the engineers and those intriguing plans displayed on the centrum’s wall. Interface designs maybe? No doubt she had a requisition in or a priority order at one of the nano factories.
“What do you know about Richmond’s brother?” Stone began. “Has she confided in you?”
Fuentez nodded. “Some. She’s told me some stuff about her time in Bethany’s ISS. She used her contacts there to look for him.”
Richmond had done a lot more than that. She used her missions to follow up on information received from ISS assets, and used mission funds and time to perform her own investigations. She’d taken extra risks and shortcuts to manufacture opportunities, and had gotten away with it, but unbeknown to her at that time her own commanders had been working against her. They had taken steps to confuse and hide her brother’s movements, not just from her, but from everyone. Paul Richmond worked for their masters; Bethany’s founding families. Specifically, he had done a lot of work for the Whitbys whom Richmond hated for their part in her father’s downfall. Basically, her brother was a merc working for the highest bidder, and that had been Whitby Corp. most recently.
“There’s more to it, but that’s basically it. She’s in enhancement now. It will take about a week. When she comes out she and I have a mission for the General in Helios. I want you along. The General is okay with it, and Eric has signed off. You up for it?”
“Why are you asking me? You’re the captain, Captain,” Fuentez said. “I go where the General sends me.”
Stone nodded at the expected response. “Good. We have a unit down in Helios but no identification. The mission is to retrieve him and investigate the circumstances of his death. We deal with what we learn, or if we can’t, we report that and prepare for a follow-up mission with recon data for whoever is sent. The Merkiaari are involved.”
Fuentez stilled, but shook off her surprise a moment later. “And you think three of us can deal with them, why?”
“Because they’re dead.”
“That works.”
Stone snorted. “Yeah, but we don’t know why they’re dead or who killed them. We don’t know how they came to be in the Border Zone, but most important of all, we don’t know where their buddies are. This could be the first sign of the new Merki incursion we’ve been waiting for. The regiment can’t mobilise on a whim. The General needs good intel to present to HQ.”
“And this relates to Kate’s brother how?”
“He was on the bridge of the ship carrying our man and the Merki. He’s a prisoner now. They’re holding him at Helios.”
Fuentez turned grim. “Kate won’t like that.”
“I know. That brings me to the other part of the mission; the unofficial part. I want you with us to support Richmond where her brother is concerned. She’ll need you to keep things under control. She can’t go in there gun in hand ready to bust him out of the brig.”
“You think she’ll listen to me?”
“I hope so, but whether she does or not you’ll be there to help her do whatever she decides to do.”
Fuentez frowned at him. “You’ll be there, right?”
“Of course,” Stone said and glanced away at the engineers. “I should get going. The General has given us Harbinger. That will cut the journey time by at least a third, but I still don’t want to waste any of the time we have. I need to pack a few things for the mission so we’ll be ready as soon as Richmond wakes up, and I need to arrange a stand in for me at OSI. Plan to leave in seven days.”
“I’ll be ready, but what do you really want me to do about Kate? If her brother is one of the bad guys in this, the authorities aren’t going to let him go. You can’t expect Kate to just shrug and walk away.”
“I want her to realise that her brother is a lost cause. That’s what I really want. That’s obviously not going to happen. The next best thing is for her to talk to him and cut him loose. She has her own life.” Fuentez gave him a disbelieving look. “Yeah...” he sighed. “I know, but I can hope. Whatever happens, you’re her friend first. I can count on you to do what’s right for her.”
Fuentez pursed her lips. “You make it sound like you and she aren’t together anymore. Did something happen between you?”
“Nothing like that, but I’m her CO. She won’t want to confide certain things, and I won’t ask. She’ll need you before this is done, Fuentez.”
She nodded.
“Gotta go,” he said and headed back to the elevators. “Tell Sebastian I’ll come by for a visit before we leave.”
“I am looking forward to it, Captain,” Sebastian/Fuentez said.
Stone almost looked back. He shook his head. He was glad it was Fuentez and not him hosting the A.I. He raised an acknowledging hand but did not stop.
* * *
6 ~ Trading Places
New Washington, Earth, Sol System
Alexander Bohdanko Dyachenko, President of the Alliance, sipped his drink and tried to disappear into the foliage filling this corner of his official residence. Ludmilla, the love of his life and First Lady, had outdone herself with her nature theme. The holographics were top notch and although the President’s residence was filled with cutting edge tech, her programmes must be giving the system a real workout. The ballroom had been turned into a frontier world complete with wild animal noises and jungle foliage. The central area gave the impression of a clearing, while the walls were hidden by jungle trees and undergrowth. The ceiling displayed an alien sky complete with bloated moons. He’d asked her what planet it was based upon, but it was a composite of her own design. She enjoyed creating such things.
Neither of them had any illusions regarding their chosen path in life, but had things been different she might have found a place in the media. A photo journalist perhaps. Yes, that would suit her well. He on the other hand had always fancied the quiet life of an author. Not that his little stories ever saw the light of day, but he enjoyed jotting things down. Some of what he wrote might one day find their way to publication as diaries or a biography, but not his fiction. He was far too self-conscious to ever let anyone read them.
He smiled as he watched his wife moving through the room exchanging a few words with their guests. She was a wonder. How she could pretend to enjoy these things he couldn’t fathom. If it was pretence. For the life of him he couldn’t be sure; she would have made for a great actress. He watched her carrying the day by greeting everyone and making nice-nice to their political allies and enemies alike, and wondered how it was possible to love her more now than the day they had met. He did. He really did.
He should cut this break short and rejoin her, but decided to finish his drink first. Besides, she was better at this than he. If he went back to work now, he might undo her efforts. When he was in this mood it was better to stay apart. She wouldn’t thank him for ruining her party by bringing up certain things too soon. He sometimes wished she’d been the one to run for office. He could have spent his time writing a book, or fishing, or... well anyway, doing something else.
If only he could teleport, he mused, he would have used the ability to escape. He could just pop in and out at will. Just a blink and he could be at home in his cluttered office—his real office at home, not the president’s office here. Shame the only teleporter in the Alliance was a fictional character on Zelda’s show, and even he had limits. Shame about that. Teleportation was a fascinating concept. In his opinion the producers of Zelda and the Spaceways had underutilised it and the character. There were so many plot lines that could be spun from that one idea. Hell, Zelda’s companion could have his own show based upon his popularity ratings.
He should be so lucky. Alex scowled at the reminder of his own dismal showing in the latest polls.
Being less popular than a fictional character was humbling. It put things into perspective in a way. How could anyone, even the President of a star spanning behemoth like the Alliance, take himself seriously when most of its citizens considered Zelda’s piratical crew more real and relevant to their lives than the man responsible for their government? He shook his head and sipped his wine.
Strangely, it made things easier for him to think of the Alliance as a single entity rather than one made up of two hundred and thirty four worlds and billions of people, but that was a trap. Yes, he could make decisions and policy to improve things in the Alliance, but he still needed the Council to vote them into existence. Failing to take people and their feelings into consideration was dangerous and indirectly led to these little soirees where he attempted damage control or campaigns to persuade people to his view.
Alex found these functions both tiresome and invaluable. It was damned annoying. If he could dismiss the entire affair as a useless waste of his time, he could have handled the party differently. As it was he had to remain alert and not switch his brain off. He couldn’t give himself over to auto piloting his way through this one, muttering platitudes and keeping anything of real import off the menu so to speak. Not this time. If he did, a vote to rescind the Red One Alert would be before the Council after the summer break quicker than he could blink and he would have Admiral Rawlins frothing at the mouth and gunning for him.
The Council was in the middle of its summer recess. It was supposedly a time to rest and reflect upon the previous session’s business, but Alex rarely had time to stop schmoozing his rivals. He hadn’t been off world in years. Personal trips were out of the question and state visits were hugely complicated. He couldn’t afford to be out of contact in fold space for the months most round trips took. Even visiting the big six meant waiting for opportune times like Christmas break, Easter break, or the summer recess and those were core worlds. There was no chance he would ever visit the border worlds while still in office, and the Border Zone itself might as well be as mythical as Zelda’s Flotsam. Too far, too dangerous, and just plain impossible for anyone in public office to visit.
A disturbance near the entrance disturbed his pity party and he craned his neck trying to see. He smiled in genuine pleasure when he saw who had arrived, and he quickly put aside his glass to step out of hiding.
“Mister President!”
He ignored the hail as if he hadn’t heard it. Ludmilla’s little jungle had served its purpose of concealing him, but if he stopped and turned to acknowledge whoever was calling him he would make it all a wasted effort. Besides, he had been waiting for these guests in particular. He hurried to join Ludmilla who was greeting Councillor Tei’Varyk and his mate.
“... live in harmony,” Ludmilla was saying. She must have sensed him approaching at her back because she turned to him. “Ah, here he is. Finished hiding?”
Alex grinned. “You were having so much fun; I knew you wouldn’t miss me.” He bowed to Tei’Varyk and Tarjei. “I’m glad you could make it. May you both live long and in harmony.”
Tei’Varyk offered his hand, and Alex placed his palm against it in the Shan form of a handshake. “Honoured to be invited, and may you and yours live in harmony, Mister President.”
Tei’Varyk had spoken in flawless English, and even his pronunciation was good despite the inevitable differences physiology forced upon his speech. It was a far cry from their first meeting up on Luna. Alex remembered that meeting vividly. It was his very first with Tei’Varyk and Tarjei, and they had needed to rely upon Captain Colgan as well as the mechanical aid of compad translators. The Shan used coughs and growls to punctuate their own language, and the shape of their mouths affected how they pronounced words. Colgan had become used to Tei’Varyk’s form of English during his time living and working with him, and he’d proven invaluable. Alex was used to it now as well and hardly noticed the differences when the Shan spoke in council. He could discard his ear-piece and understand Tei’Varyk perfectly well, though most of the other councillors preferred to err on the side of caution and listened to a translator’s voice when he spoke.
“Call me Alex, please. This is a party, besides that we’re friends I hope.”
Tei’Varyk’s ears flicked in the gesture Alex had learned to recognise as the affirmative, but the Shan nodded as well. They were all learning various gestures and combinations of them from each other. The Shan delegation didn’t often bother to carry their translators outside the council chamber anymore.
“I understand congratulations are in order, Tarjei,” Ludmilla said. “The rumours are true?”
Tarjei flicked her ears but nodded as well. “We are blessed by the harmonies, yes.”
“That’s wonderful news. When are you due?”
“Due?” Tarjei said uncertainly and looked to Tei’Varyk for help.
“To give birth,” Alex said before her mate could answer. “I understand Shan always have multiple births and gestation is much shorter than the Human norm.”<
br />
“Ah!” Tarjei bobbed a nod. “Yes, that is a truth. Five cubs is the usual number for a first litter, though four is common too. Seven isn’t unheard of, but it’s rare.”
“Seven!” Ludmilla said. “My goodness. That must be a lot of work for the mothers.”
“Tiring certainly,” Tei’Varyk agreed. “But such a blessing brings its own joy. The harmonies will decide.”
“Our doctors could tell you now if you want to know,” Alex began but broke off when he saw he had misspoke. The Shan looked horrified by the idea. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any insult.”
“There was no insult,” Tei’Varyk said. “My people believe such things must be left to the harmonies. A tradition and perhaps a silly superstition in such modern times as these, but honoured still. Our healers could tell us, or I could ask the harmonies to show me, but the healers wouldn’t and I do not ask. It is a temptation I will admit.”
Alex chuckled. “Shan abilities do have some downsides then I see.”
Tarjei’s ears flicked and her jaw dropped in amusement. “He always knows when I’m feeling sad or sick. He often anticipates me when I’m angry, and before I know what is happening he has done something to make me smile.”
“How annoying!” Ludmilla said and laughed with Tarjei.
Tei’Varyk exchanged a puzzled look with Alex. He shrugged and shook his head at the Shan. Women were unfathomable no matter their race.
“When will the little ones be born?” Ludmilla was saying. “You know Human pregnancy lasts nine months.”
“Nine!” Tarjei gasped. “I had not heard that. My people carry our young between ninety and a hundred cycles... days. So less than half the Human term.”
“Three months?” Ludmilla looked down, but Tarjei’s robes hid any evidence of her pregnancy.
Both Shan were wearing flowing floor length robes rather than the plain everyday harnesses they had worn the first time Alex met them. He’d learned that the robes were worn by Shan elders, and that it had been decided to extend the custom to the designated Shan Councillor and his mate despite their ages. It wasn’t because Tei’Varyk had previously been the Shan ambassador to the Alliance for example. It was a new custom devised for his position as the closest thing the Shan delegation had to an elder on Earth. Tei’Varyk was many things to his people. Councillor to the Alliance, Ambassador for his entire race, Elder for all Shan resident upon Earth, and of course mate to Tarjei.
Merkiaari Wars: 04 - Operation Breakout Page 8
