Red Angel: Coup d'etat (Red Angel Series Book 5)

by C. R. Daems

  “Although the Aeolus is officially reserved for me, Mrs. Scherer is the ranking Committee member and should be treated accordingly.” I walked around my new sleeping quarters—spacious for a cruiser—and opened one door to find a full bathroom with a shower, and a second door which led to a small but very adequate office.

  “These are luxury quarters for a war cruiser. Why don’t we sit here and talk,” I said after having considered the circumstances and seen the desk and two guest chairs. I walked in and sat in one of the guest chairs and motioned for him to take the other, thinking that way the conversation would be more like equals talking. He sat with his back stiff. “I’m investigating the suspicious deaths of several delegates. I’d like to go to Oasis first, then Black Water, New Zheng, and last to Sutan. I’ll probably be on each system several days but I’ll give you twenty-four hours’ notice before I’m ready to leave,” I said and paused, awaiting his comments. None came. “How is this ship configured?” I asked, curious as I had attended the Naval College and had a good knowledge of cruisers.

  “The Aeolus is a modified heavy cruiser. Same armament but crewed like a light cruiser since it’s not intended for extended tours—four hundred crew and fifty marines.”

  “Were you a naval captain before joining the Committee?” I asked, suspecting the reason behind the unusual behavior. He nodded. “I used to try to defend myself against the rumors people made up, embellished, and passed on as facts, but they seem to become historical facts after a while. So I gave up. I no longer care. If you have any questions about the schedule, contact either my aide or me.” I rose, ending the meeting. He rose, nodded, and left as Maxine entered.

  “Nice quarters,” she said, looking around. “You don’t look pleased.”

  “The quarters are excellent. I was a lieutenant on a cruiser and believe me, these are luxury quarters even without the office and full bath. No, I think half the naval officers believe I ruined several captains’ careers without knowing the facts, which are that those officers ruined their careers without any help from me. Captain Weller is another one of those officers who lets others think for him.”

  “Wow. What happened if you don’t mind telling me?” Maxine said, her eyes wide with anticipation.

  “When I was a lieutenant, I told a captain her proposed action was reckless and glory-seeking and unnecessarily endangered the lives of her crew—” I began but Maxine interrupted.

  “You didn’t! Well, of course you did. What happened?” she asked.

  “She charged me with conduct unbecoming an officer and demanded a court martial. The board of inquiry determined that although given the facts at the time the decision was reckless, it was her decision to make and gave me a letter of reprimand.”

  “That doesn’t sound fair,” Maxine shouted in rage.

  “It was, Maxine. They can’t allow crew to talk back to their superior without destroying discipline. And although they didn’t take any action against her directly, her career is now in the toilet. Since I made admiral that so-called reprimand, which read like a commendation, didn’t hurt me.”

  “Why are you being blamed?”

  “Because there was a board of inquiry into the events surrounding our argument. The rumors have it that I insisted on a board of inquiry and that ruined her career.”

  “What was the event that caused a board of inquiry?”

  “We were chasing pirates and my teammate and I knew it was a trap. The Captain agreed but thought she knew the enemies and would win the encounter. I claimed the enemy knew more about what she brought to the fight than she knew about the enemy. She had expected two enemy cruisers. They had three.”

  “What happened?” Maxine’s voice rose two octaves.

  “The enemy destroyed the cruiser and killed over half the crew.” I paused. “And before you ask, I had sent out an emergency request for help without the captain’s knowledge, and three cruisers showed up to save us before we were boarded, the women raped, and everyone killed—or worse.”

  * * *

  Ballard joined us an hour later. We were discussing where I intended to go and the security Scherer and I would need when there was a rap on the door and Corporal Young peeked in.

  “Majority Leader Scherer would like you to join her,” he said, nodding back toward the hallway. I jumped up and rushed to the door which Young had opened. Scherer and Weller stood waiting.

  “I appear to have a lot of security tailing me,” she said with a slight twitch of her lip in what I took was amusement.

  “I’d be remiss in my responsibilities if you were harmed while on our trip,” I said. In fact, I was worried since this was an excellent opportunity for the cabal to attempt an assassination.

  “They want you dead, not me. If they succeed I’ll be removed legally.” She smiled.

  “That assumes the assassins are extremely organized, the strike is surgical, and no collateral damage,” I said, thinking it possible but unlikely.

  “And you don’t think that’s possible?” she asked.

  “I’m trying to make sure the attackers will consider anything but a surgical strike suicidal.”

  “Wouldn’t you have a better chance of surviving if it wasn’t a well-planned surgical strike?” She stood at the door Weller was holding open for her.

  “Yes, but I couldn’t live with the consequences,” I said. After a pause, she nodded and walked into the suite, waving for me to follow. She walked through the sleeping quarters, into her office, and through into her conference room without so much as a glance at each room. There she sat at the head of the table. I sat at her right hand and the captain on her left.

  “Captain Weller, Director Paulus is in charge of this…odyssey. I’m just along to see our Director in action. Who is the marine commander?” she asked.

  “Colonel Fitzgerald, ma’am.”

  “Tell him to have his troops on alert while we are planet-side and to coordinate with Director Paulus,” Scherer said, looking to me. I didn’t think it would be necessary, but I thought it a good contingency. I nodded. “Thank you, Captain.”

  When Weller rose and left the room, Scherer continued. “What are you planning, Anna?”

  “Ma’am, I’m rather intuitive so I have no specific plans. I’m trying to understand how the cabal could know killing a specific individual would result in their person being selected. I suspect they rigged the system. The task will be to figure out how,” I said and Scherer nodded.

  * * *

  The trip to Oasis took a little over six days. Weller invited Scherer and me to dinner each night. Scherer accepted twice, I declined. Scherer invited me to eat with her three of the other nights, which I accepted.

  “Why didn’t you accept any of Weller’s dinner invites?” Scherer asked the last night after a quiet dinner alone.

  “Captain Weller believes I ruined several officers’ careers while I worked in the NIA. Consequently, he’s tense around me. That would seriously inhibit his few opportunities to impress you,” I said, leaving off he’s boring.

  “Did you?” she asked, leaning forward.

  “They made bad choices that I got blamed for,” I said but of course, Scherer wanted to hear each of the stories in detail.

  “I’m glad I decided to come along. That was the most entertaining time I’ve had in years. Your age and size has always worked against you. It difficult for anyone to come to grips with the fact that you are exceptionally talented, and therefore it’s easier to accept alternative reasons. Take care, Anna. I for one don’t want a new director. I like the one I have.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  Oasis: A Starting Point

  “Where to, Director?” Ballard asked, as we entered the shuttle for the trip planet-side.

  “Maxine called Commander Sauer from the Aeolus. He said he would meet us at the elections headquarters landing pad. She has the GPS coordinates.” At my request, she had asked him to arrange a meeting with the Director of Oasis Elections. I had her inform
him it was a P1A request. I had the authority and intended to use it to expedite finding the answers I sought.

  “What are you planning, Anna?” Scherer asked quietly on our way to the planet.

  “Find out how the process works on Oasis, and then try and see how it could be manipulated.” In other words, I have no idea, I thought with a slight mental laugh.

  “Interesting. I’m used to thinking out each step before I take one. You take one step then determine the next,” Scherer said, her eyes nearly shut in thought.

  As the shuttle settled on the pad, I recognized Commander Sauer standing just outside the doors into the building. Before I could rise, half our security spilled out of the shuttle and took up positions. Then Ballard nodded for Scherer and me to proceed, followed by the other half, who took up positions around us as we walked toward the building entrance. When we were all inside I turned to Sauer.

  “It’s good to see you, Commander Sauer. Let me introduce you to Majority Leader Scherer. Majority Leader Scherer, this is Commander Sauer, who is in charge of the NIA station on Oasis.”

  “An honor, Majority Leader Scherer. Mr. Hubbard is waiting in his office on the tenth floor.”

  “A pleasure to meet you, Commander. Let’s not mention my name. I’m only here to observe,” Scherer said and we proceeded through security after I identified myself and then to the elevators. On the tenth floor, Sauer directed us to Hubbard’s secretary, who told us to enter. I entered with Scherer, Sauer, Maxine, and my two security guards, noting one was Ballard. Seven remained outside the door.

  “Good day, Mr. Hubbard. I’m Miss Paulus, Director of Committee Security. I apologize for disrupting your day but the matter is urgent,” I said, wanting the man’s willing cooperation.

  “A pleasure to meet you, Director Paulus. How can I help you?” he asked, looking nervously around the room at the group with me.

  “One of the Oasis delegation was killed a short time ago—”

  “Yes, a Kevin Reynolds in a botched robbery attempt,” Hubbard interjected. “A real tragedy.”

  “Can you explain the procedure to replace him?” I asked.

  “Since Reynolds had less than a year left before reelection, the president of the Oasis’s senate picked a temporary replacement until the election next month. Actually, that was a bit of a surprise as Reynolds was an Independent and President Flowers selected Jana Clark, who is a Liberal. Well, not that much of a surprise as Flowers is a Liberal. The irony was Flowers was recently appointed president, otherwise Haynes, who was an Expansionist, would have make the selection.”

  “What if Reynolds had more than a year left?” I asked.

  “Then it would have required a special election.”

  “How did Flowers become President?” I asked, since the delegates were either Independents or Liberals.

  “Haynes was an Independent who just recently declared himself an Expansionist. Ironically, that cost him the support of several members of the Independent party and Flowers was able to gain control.”

  “Commander Sauer, would you please make an appointment with Mr. Haynes, today? You can tell him it’s a P1A request from the Director of Committee Security.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  * * *

  Senator Haynes was at the Capitol building less than a kilometer away. When we arrived, he was in his office.

  “Miss Paulus, I understand you want to talk with me about a P1A issue,” he said as he hoisted his rotund body out of his chair and walked around the desk to greet me. “What issue?”

  “Let me preface my question with an observation. Since I’m asking under P1A authority, lying to me will constitute impeding a P1A investigation and result in you going directly to Stonewall. No trial, no appeal you could win. Cooperation may cause you some embarrassment, an ethics inquiry, or other minor penalties. It could also solicit my goodwill.” I paused to give him time to digest the alternatives. “Did you accept money or promises of later rewards if you switched from Independent to Expansionist and a promise to appoint a specific individual to the Oasis delegation? Think carefully before you answer, Senator Haynes. I will verify the accuracy of a No response with an extensive investigation by the NIA.”

  Haynes stood, visibly sweating. Perspiration appeared on his forehead and stains began to show on his shirt under his arms.

  “I was promised a million credits and paid half in advance, and told I’d have a senior-level position in the Expansionist organization.” He stuttered his response while using a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his face.

  “Thank you, Senator Haynes for not wasting my time. Who was the individual you were supposed to appoint?”

  “A Mrs. Jamie Bodin.”

  “And who approached you with the offer?”

  “A lawyer… Mr. Perez, who is well known by all the politicians. He also offered to help with my reelection…funding, endorsements, and fix any problems I had.”

  “Thank you, Senator Haynes. Given what you’ve told me is accurate, I’ll let Oasis determine what laws you’ve broken and the appropriate punishment. Commander Sauer, get with Commissioner Gilchrist, if he’s still the Police Commissioner, and have Mr. Perez and Mrs. Jamie Bodin picked up and delivered to the Aeolus,” I said. He nodded, turned, and left without waiting.

  * * *

  Mr. Perez wasn’t impressive. He was average height, hair line receding, puggy face, and fifteen kilo overweight. But he dressed well and the suit looked expensive.

  “Mr. Perez, this is a P1A investigation, hence if you fail to answer or you lie to me that will constitute impeding my inquiry and make you eligible for Stonewall, without the benefit of a trial. Do you understand?” I asked. Perez was in a chair in my office on the Aeolus. Scherer and two c-agents were also present.

  “You are abusing your P1A authority. It was never intended to be used that way,” he said in a voice that implied he could ignore me.

  “Delegate selection wasn’t intended to include murder and bribery. But you feel it should just as I feel my use of my P1A authority includes questioning. But of course, you will be free to appeal it from Stonewall. You should be popular with the inmates. Of course, your appeal will go to the Committee Core group for consideration.” I turned to look toward Scherer. “Majority Leader Scherer, what do you think are his chances of a successful appeal?” I asked. Perez’s eyes shot wide in shock, and he paled as she spoke.

  “Not good,” she said while shaking her head slowly and looking sorry.

  “So, to repeat the question for the last time, who on Eastar provides you with the money and makes the decisions?” I asked. “Answer me truthfully, and I leave it to Oasis to prosecute you, in which case you will have a chance to convince your peers you were coerced or some other clever defense. Otherwise, Stonewall.”

  “I don’t know. Honest! I deal with another lawyer…a Mr. Sterling.”

  After Perez had been taken away by marines to be held pending my decision, Scherer grinned. “He was right. I don’t think we, the Committee, ever intended P1A authority to be used that way.” She held up a hand. “But it’s effective.” She laughed. “Admiral Lulltrel described you perfectly—a bloodhound and pit bull mix.”

  “I’ve found over the years that the really evil criminals manage to operate in a manner in which they effectively hide behind the laws we have to protect the innocent. Like using lawyers as intermediates and invoking the law against self-incrimination. Those laws are all right for an individual who has committed a crime no matter how heinous but not to protect individuals who kidnapped hundreds of young women for prostitution or are attempting to turn the UAS into a dictatorship through murder and other illegal means.” I spoke with all the passion I felt.

  “We, the Committee, need someone like you, Anna, to do all the things we are afraid to do because of the repercussions to us or our careers,” Scherer said, then added, “This could result in a lifetime appointment as Director.”

  “Good, I hate change.”

/>   * * *

  Jamie Bodin was ambitious and competitive but not part of the plot, just a convenient candidate who could be counted on to support the Expansionist party. Afterward, I notified Captain Weller we were ready to leave for Black Water. Since the UnCab had failed to appoint their candidate, there was nothing else to do. At my insistence, Hubbard and Perez would be held in isolation without formal charges for thirty days in order to keep the UnCab in the dark. We departed for Black Water the next day.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  Black Water: Garbage In, Garbage Out

  The trip to Black Water took four days. Again, Weller invited Scherer and me to join him for dinner. Scherer went twice, and at her request, I accompanied her once.

  “Although I like attention by young men, being the only woman and being senior to them is boring. I could use you to spice up the dinner. I get the impression you don’t like the captain,” she said the third afternoon as we sat in her office discussing what we had discovered on Oasis.

  “I just think he’s boring, which I believe you just confirmed,” I said and stifled a grin.

  “Why?”

  “People who accept rumors as fact lack a working brain and, therefore are dull and boring,” I said and this time I grinned.

  “Sometimes rumors are true,” she countered.

  “Rumors almost always contain an element of truth. They probably start off containing mostly true information by someone who was present or at least got the information from someone who was there. But even then, the information is seen through that person’s bias and prejudices. The second person tells someone else, again colored with his or her bias and prejudices. In the process, the rumor becomes less and less factual and more and more a distorted version of the truth. For example, my confrontation with Captain Sharat. I did question her judgment, there was an inquiry, and her career has suffered because of the incident—all true. The rumors blame me for her decision to engage the enemy alone and imply I was to blame. In fact, she forced the inquiry, I received a reprimand, and she did not.”