by C. R. Daems
“Doesn’t matter, ma’am. Admiral Webb would be pissing lava if I let a guest under his protection to be taken from a captain of the UAS fleet.” She smiled. “Commander, connect me to our external speakers.”
“Connected, Captain.”
“Major Papas, the Teutates is now at battle stations and you will be facing one hundred marines in battle gear if you attempt to force your way into this ship. But I will be willing to see your authorization and turn Miss Paulus over to you after I have verified with the Core Committee that her P1A authority has been revoked,” Mendoza said. As she finished, Colonel Caswell and marines in combat gear began entering the shuttle bay. When fifty marines were in the bay and in position, the colonel nodded.
“Commander, open the lock and allow Major Papas in. Let’s look at his warrant.”
As the lock opened, a tall, athletic man with a square rugged-looking face entered the bay, looked around, marched up to Colonel Caswell, and saluted.
“Sir, I’m Major Papas. I have orders here from Vice General Nash,” he said as he handed Caswell a folder. “It orders you to stand down and allow me to arrest Miss Paulus. Papas’s eyes scanned the bay and he smiled when they settled on me.
“Major, these orders are only valid if Miss Paulus’s P1A authority has been revoked by the Core Committee and she has been relieved of her responsibilities as Director of Committee Security, since Vice Admiral Nash has no authority over Miss Paulus,” Caswell said. “Not to mention I have orders from General Guzman to protect Miss Paulus.”
“Sir, I have a letter from the Core Committee.” He reached into the leather pouch he was carrying and retrieved another folder, which he handed to Caswell. “This states she has exceeded her authority and revokes her P1A authority and relieves her of her position as Director.”
“Colonel, let me see that,” Scherer said as she walked toward Caswell. She had entered the bay after the major had been permitted access. She scanned the document. “Director Paulus, come here.”
When I reached her, she handed me the folder. I took it and read. The document had the Committee seal and Bennett’s signature…along with Glaser’s and Scherer’s signatures. I scanned the major’s face and saw him scanning the bay then returning to watch me. Even without Red hissing, I knew he had orders to kill me right now while the marines were all facing the marines in the boarding area, and Mendoza, Scherer, and Caswell were looking at me, and my security was scanning the area. Give that, Papas could get off a shot or two before anyone could react. Then he could surrender, knowing his handlers would set him free eventually. I saw it in his eyes as a sneer appeared.
Scherer worried me. She was partially blocking the space between the major and me. I stepped forward with my left foot, placed my left hand on Scherer’s shoulder, and pushed her, turning me ninety degrees as my right hand went under my coat. The world appeared to go into slow motion as Scherer began to stumble away, the major gripped his Mfw, it began to rise out of the holster, and my hand found my Sig Sauer. I pushed down on the weapon as my hand closed around the handle and my finger slipped into the trigger guard. Papas’s weapon had now cleared his holster, and Scherer had crashed into Mendoza. I squeezed the trigger as Papas’s weapon began to rise upward. Several shots ripped into the deck only centimeters from my feet as two 9 mm bullets ripped into his neck and lower jaw, throwing him backward. An eerie silence followed as everyone tried to grasp what had happened.
“The major drew first,” Ballard said as he and two c-agents and Maxine moved to surround me.
“Gunny, bring those marines into the bay after you’ve collected their weapons,” Caswell barked and the gunny and a squad moved toward the lock. Scherer untangled herself from Mendoza and walked back to me, frowning.
“Why?” she asked.
“Sorry, ma’am. You were partially blocking the major’s line of sight to me, and I didn’t know how good a shot he was.”
“No. Why did the major try and shoot you?” Scherer asked.
“I think he had orders to kill me on sight and knew or suspected his documentation wasn’t going to get him custody of me. Given everyone was focused on me or the marines in the boarding area, he assumed he could shoot me before anyone could respond. Then claim he thought I was going for a weapon and if that failed, he could rely on his friends to get him free.”
“It should have worked. That document is a good forgery and even the signatures look authentic. But I guess they didn’t realize I would be with you when it was served. What now?” Scherer asked. Her face was pale and she appeared a bit jittery.
“Colonel Caswell, did you know Major Papas?” I asked.
“Not well. He is currently Vice General Nash’s aide-de-camp.”
“That makes sense,” I said. “Colonel, could you loan me a combat shuttle and a few marines? I think I’d like to hear General Nash’s story.”
“I’m coming along,” Scherer half shouted, sounding more like herself.
* * *
We landed at Fort Douglas without incident and Gunny Lawson, whom Colonel Caswell had sent with a squad of marines, arranged our transportation to the headquarters building. There we passed through security without incident using my P1A authority and were directed to Nash’s office on the tenth floor. I walked right past his lieutenant secretary.
“You can’t go in there without an appointment,” he shouted but remained seated as Gunny Lawson put his finger to his lips and his squad took up positions to secure the area. Scherer, Ballard, Maxine, and two c-agents followed me into Nash’s office. He jerked out of his chair as we marched in.
“Who the hell—” he began shouting in a commanding voice.
“I’m Director Paulus of Committee Security. I’m here to arrest you for sending your aide to arrest me—”
“You’re no longer the Director or have P1A authority—”
“That document is a forgery and you know it, which makes you eligible for Stonewall. And fortunately, I have a cruiser available to take you there today.”
“You can’t.” He shuddered but stopped when I held up my P1A placard.
“Oh, but I can and will,” I said as General Guzman walked in.
“Anna, what’s going on?”
“Nash forged a Committee document and sent his aide, Major Papas, with instructions to kill me.”
Scherer handed him the document, which he took and read.
“This looks real.” He frowned as he looked around the room.
“It is except for the signatures. I’m Majority Leader Scherer and although that signature is a good forgery, I didn’t sign it and I’d wager that neither Bennett nor Glaser did.”
Nash collapsed back into his chair. “I didn’t forge that document,” Nash mumbled.
“Who did?” Guzman roared like a wounded lion.
“Harold…Nelson,” he said as he drew his sidearm. Six c-agents drew their weapons simultaneously but he fired before they could react. The bullet tore through the right side of his jaw and exploded out the left side just above his ear, splattering the wall and window behind him with blood, bone, and brain.
* * *
“What now?” Scherer asked, sitting in my office after returning from Fort Douglas. “You don’t have any proof; well, except for the word of an assassin.”
I had invited Seth and Maxine to join us.
“If you have to wait for explicit proof against each individual, you can’t close down a crime organization. You remove one person and another takes his place. P1A authority is perfect for situations like the coup d’état cabal and the kidnapping ring last year, whether that was the original intent or not. And yes, it is easy to abuse P1A authority. The Core Committee group will need to decide whether I’m abusing the authority it gave me or not,” I said, knowing I’d resign if they decided to stop me. It wouldn’t be worth putting Alexa through that much strain, knowing that given enough time the UnCab would eventually kill me. And, in truth, I didn’t care who ran the government.
“I’m glad I decided to accompany you, Anna. You’re rather a force of nature using P1A authority but you are not reckless. I’ll support you. What’s next?”
“Seth, do we have people that can keep General Nelson’s country home under surveillance?”
“Yes, several,” he said after a short pause. “Do you think he will call another meeting? He only has Buchanan.”
“What would you do, if it were you?” I asked. “You’ve lost two of your key people.”
“Hide,” said Maxine.
“Try to kill you,” Ballard said.
“Reorganize,” Scherer said.
“I agree with you all. General Nelson knows I have no proof. I believe the group has been very careful to keep themselves isolated and work through intermediates. Therefore, I’d expect them to go quiet while they reorganize and look for an opportunity to get rid of the Director of Committee Security,” I said. “A party with potential allies and security in case I interfere. Ballard, I’ll need c-agents on a special detail, to watch Nelson’s country estate.”
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
A Going Away Party
“It sounds like your trip was very successful,” Alexa said as we sat in the living room relaxing after a dinner of small game birds with our cook’s special sausage, apple, and cranberry stuffing, mashed potatoes and peas, and topped off with raspberry-rhubarb pie. “You’ve identified the cabal, returned safely, and seen your adopted sister married.”
“Although I like my job, the best part is being home with you, Mother. It’s where I’m most at peace,” I said, feeling like a child, warm and safe wrapped in her mother’s arms. “Kris seemed happy now that she finally found the father of her future children. For a while, I thought she would never find him with the type of dangerous cases we were being assigned.”
“I think she was wise to stay on Stone Ring rather than take an assignment on Eastar. She will have far more stability there, which she will need to raise a family,” Alexa said. “What’s next, Anna?”
“I’m struggling with P1A authority. It allows me to trample on people’s basic rights since I don’t need proof and can arbitrarily sentence someone to prison without them having any recourse. Yet, without that power, criminals can use those same basic rights to avoid punishment.”
“They can appeal your sentence,” Alexa said.
“Not to the courts. They would have to appeal to the Committee who granted the authority. That would be like asking an embezzler to audit the records of the company from which he stole the money.”
“I doubt the Committee is going to rescind the authority, especially with the results you’ve achieved using it.” Alexa grinned.
“No, they aren’t. And between you, Red, and me, neither am I. The potential good one can achieve with it is addictive.”
* * *
“Our agents report that Nelson appears to be having a party. Several catering trucks were there in the afternoon and cars are beginning to arrive, most are couples,” Seth said, midafternoon two weeks after I had returned from Stone Ring. I had briefed the Core group and had their full support.
“What are they wearing?” I asked.
“Semiformal attire, like one would wear for a formal company party,” Seth said.
“Security?” I asked, trying to decide if this were the right occasion. Nelson would know it was possible I had Buchanan and his names from the incident with General Nash. So was this a test, a clever first step to recruitment, or a trap? Probably all three, I concluded.
“C-agent Sims reported two cars with mostly men arrived earlier this afternoon,” Seth said.
“How many guests?”
“Twenty-two cars, so probably forty-plus individuals.”
“Maxine, alert General Guzman, give him the address, and tell him I’d like to rendezvous with him in two hours. Seth, I want our team ready to move in an hour. We are going to crash the party,” I said, relieved it would be over tonight.
* * *
“Are you expecting trouble?” Guzman asked as his lieutenant and three sergeants stood awaiting orders.
“Always, General. I’d like you to ensure that no one leaves the party without my permission.”
“Rules of engagement?” the young lieutenant asked.
“You’re authorized to shoot to kill if the person refuses to obey your commands. They will have been warned this is a P1A investigation and they cannot leave until they have been questioned,” I said. The lieutenant looked to Guzman, who nodded.
“This should be interesting,” Guzman said, as the lieutenant began deploying his troops to surround Nelson’s country estate. “Judging by those ground vehicles, you have some influential people in there.”
“Let’s go find out,” I said as I began walking. Two c-agents were walking a couple of steps in front of me, Guzman and Maxine at my side, two c-agents behind me, and Ballard and twenty c-agents following. I hoped the numbers would preclude any aggressive reactions. The c-agents opened the door, where two armed men stood looking unsure what to do as we marched past. Two large adjoining rooms which connected to the kitchen had been cleared, making for a crowded but ample space for the assembled guests who were milling in groups or sitting in chairs along the wall. Slowly the rooms became deathly silent.
“I’m Miss Paulus, Director of Committee Security, here conducting a P1A investigation. There are three squads of marines surrounding this house who have orders to shoot to kill anyone attempting to leave without my permission. But before we begin, anyone with a weapon please raise your hand. My security will collect them so no one gets hurt. After they are collected, anyone found with a weapon will be shot and if he or she survives will be sentenced to Stonewall for life.” I waited as slowly the hands of eight men rose. Ballard’s team quickly collected their weapons.
“I am going to ask each one of you a few questions and then you may leave. Please refrain from telling me I can’t do this, or I’m not authorized, or how you will see me prosecuted, et cetera. I have P1A authority and the full backing of the UAS Committee, so I can and you can’t.” I paused to give them time to come to terms with the situation as I scanned the room. “I’m going to start with couples. Sir, what about you and your companion?” I said to a man in a brigadier general’s uniform and a blonde at least ten years younger. He had a flushed face, obviously unused to being ordered around, but one look at Guzman standing next to me stifled any comments. The woman’s eyes darted between him and me.
Just then Maxine appeared at my side. “Ma’am, I found an office you can use,” she said, and I waved the couple to follow her. She led us down a short hallway to an open door.
“Maxine, get the lady a chair. General, you first.” I nodded into the room and followed him in. Two c-agents were already present. Maxine closed the door behind me. I went to the desk and sat. He sat in a chair someone had placed in front of the desk. “General Albertin, I don’t care which party you support or who you would like to see in power. You have a right to support whomever you want. So please don’t lie to me. Your likes and dislikes aren’t crimes but lying during a P1A investigation is and could result in you going straight to Stonewall on a navy cruiser currently under my orders.” I paused, awaiting a reaction, or rather to wait while his emotions cycled from anger, hostility, and resistance, before settling on resignation. “Why did you attend this meeting?”
“I was told it was a strategy meeting to discuss…bringing the Expansionist party to power,” he said, then quickly added, “Not a military coup. Just identifying the right people and moving them into positions of authority for when the Expansionists do achieve majority status in the Committee.”
After a few more questions, I sent him out of the room while I interviewed his wife. “Mrs. Albertin, why do you think your husband came to this meeting?”
She smiled. “He’s very ambitious. He thinks getting in bed with this group will help his career.” She blushed. “Please don’t tell him I said that.”
“It’s our
secret. Besides, there is no crime against being ambitious,” I said.
After interviewing the couples, I got the eight security men.
“What was your arrangement?” I asked the first guard.
He smiled. “One million credits to anyone who killed you,” he said. “Tempting, but it didn’t look like such a good deal when we found out you had three squads of marines and more than twenty c-agents milling around. Credits aren’t much good if you’re dead.”
The other guards had pretty much the same story. Finally, only Buchanan and Nelson were left.
“Mr. Buchanan, please have a seat. I’m afraid you aren’t going to get the Majority Leader position you risked your life for.”
“I supported Nelson, but I didn’t harm anyone and you can’t prove I did,” he said. His face was calm but I could feel the anger in him.
“I don’t need to, Mr. Buchanan. I don’t even need to prove you were part of Nelson’s cabal. And Stonewall won’t care why you are being sent there,” I said.
He sat staring open-eyed at me, his political mind clearly hard at work. “Can’t we make a deal?”
“What kind of deal?” I asked, interested in what he thought he had to negotiate with.
“I’ll testify against the others,” he said, hope in his eyes and voice. “It was all Nelson’s doing. I didn’t sign up for murder.”
“I’ll consider it,” I lied, and had him removed and Nelson brought in.
Nelson sat but said nothing.
“It was a scheme worthy of the Chief of UAS Intelligence.”
“You!” he stated firmly.
“Oh, no.” I shook my head as I reached down and picked up my P1A placard, which was hanging on a ribbon around my neck, and held it up so it was clear to see. “P1A authority. I have witnesses that Nash named you the head of the coup d’état cabal and Buchanan is willing to testify against you, but…” I held up my hand to stop any comments, “in a court of law a drunk lawyer could get the case dismissed. I have no real proof.”
