by Angela Timms
There was a crackle of electricity and a slight pop and Intendi appeared in the room, backed up by two of the Prince’s Guards dressed in black business suits. Their black ties were neatly tucked into their suits and they also wore phoenix tie pins. Intendi bowed. “Intendi is pleased to see you all. The Prince has sent Intendi on the request of My Lord the Baron Joniel. Intendi would like to tell you that Teraskis there is a Follower spy.”
As he finished speaking Teraskis tried to leave the table but he fell over backwards in his chair as the two guards opened up on him with their machine pistols.
Intendi bowed. “I must apologize for the disturbance at your table Ma. It is probably quite unforgiveable but these are difficult times.”
Ma already had a mop and bucket in her hand. “You are forgiven Intendi. Now would you three like to pull up a chair or do you have to report back immediately?”
Intendi bowed. “The Prince has asked me to stay here as long as is required. He is in Council at the moment and will not be needing my assistance for an hour or so. I believe my counterparts here would wish to partake of your hospitality. We have heard about your baking and would like the chance to try some.” He cast a sideways glance at the expressionless guards as a flash of a smile flickered across their lips. “I think I can confirm their wishes to be able to sample your hospitality.”
Ma was mopping up as the Marines carried their fallen ex comrade away. “Very good, take a seat. I’ve got some scones baking, they will be ready shortly. Tea and scones, always good for any shock I always think.”
When the Marines returned and everyone was seated at the table eating scones and drinking tea and coffee Ma sat down with them. “So my dears, what are we going to do now?”
Rennon looked up from contemplating his plate. “We’ll carry on with the mission.”
Ma smiled. “I don’t want to interfere.”
Rennon smiled. “Ma with your experience I wouldn’t call it interference. What do you have to say?”
Ma looked serious. “If I was a Follower leader and I had a secret or at least a weakness I would assume that someone at some point is going to discover it. I would put a good deal of protection around it if it cannot be destroyed. I might also make sure it is a trap. Also, if I felt that a small force was beginning to be successful I would use that secret as the bait to eliminate it. It would be a risky action but not if they have committed a considerable force to protecting it. Don’t you think you came upon that information far too easily? I took the liberty of scanning that planet while you were on your mission. They claim that the youth were rebelling. I have uploaded CCTV footage which proves it was men and women of all ages who were rebelling and that building was not the Library.
I didn’t want to speak out of turn but I feel it is my duty to point this out to you. This is the first meeting you have had on the subject and I have prepared a full report. It’s in the second drawer down, under the clean tea towels.”
Rennon looked shocked. “I didn’t think?”
Ma smiled kindly. “Don’t worry dear, you haven’t had time to think. It was only this afternoon that you got back from that planet and we have only just submitted our reports to Mission Command. That they waited to show their hand until now means that we are on to something. If they know you have the book they are likely to be expecting you to go in there as you always do, just this small group. If they are using their secret or weakness as bait perhaps we should go in there heavy handed and take it by force. The stakes are too high to take any risks.”
Rennon interlocked his fingers and rested his hands around his mug. “Alternatively it could be a strategy to get us to commit our forces in one place so that they can wipe us out.”
Ma nodded her head. “As you can see, both are viable options and options are what we should be considering. I was told of the situation by Samson earlier. They are using your weaknesses against you. Divide and conquer is a legitimate military strategy. They knew Kel’s weakness for Kyla. They knew Kyla would most likely let Joniel get close to her and that could have eliminated her and that communication device would have eliminated you Rennon. Samson no doubt would have walked into one part of that trap at some point and that would have left us severely weakened.”
Rennon frowned. “I can see the reasoning behind what they did.”
Ma smiled back at him. “Samson, would you like to brief everyone on what you have got from Kel now that he is conscious?”
Samson put down his coffee mug. “Ma, thank you. Kel is in a state of shock obviously. I have managed to neutralize the drug in his system as much as I can and he is getting a certain amount of recall. MacSamson used the suggestion drug to play on his internal fears that Joniel was taking Kyla from him and that losing her to him would be the end of his people. He was sent in there with one purpose, to rape Kyla. I can hazard a guess about what that action was intended to achieve. Kyla would be unbalanced by that. Kel would be guilt ridden and it would be reasonable for Joniel to kill him or at least put a wedge between them. For some reason they don’t want Kyla dead. At their facility she was left alive when the rest of the people they had taken had been experimented on and killed.”
Rennon looked up. “She would have been killed. They tied her up for Kel to kill her.”
Samson smiled. “That may possibly be true or they may have intended to get him out of there before he killed her. Or perhaps something has changed. We can’t know what their thinking here is, we can only assume that as she is more use to them alive or Kel could have been ordered to kill her this time. At that time they were not as powerful and may have feared offending the White Lady. That may have protected her. If Kel killed her then that would have put the blame onto him. As it was here they may have thought they could get away with it.”
Ma put a fresh pot of tea on the table. “I think they did discover what they wanted to know, or rather didn’t want to know when they had Kyla prisoner. Those with the noble DNA are immune to the Follower drug. When they knew this they needed to dispose of her and using Kel was the best way of doing it in an economic fashion. To see how he responded to the drug. Their testing would have told them that Kyla and Kel were both of the same race. One had the DNA the other not. That in itself gave them the chance to compare the two. They weren’t to know that Kyla didn’t know her true ancestry and of course they never thought to actually speak to her. They were probably assuming that with her lack of contact with a man that she was not attached to anyone and with Kel’s obvious good looks assumed that she would be attracted to him. And likewise. So they were testing the drug’s ability to override any emotional ties. Thus making it viable in situations where part of a family converts and possibly one or two are yet to be converted.”
Rennon and the Marines were mumbling between themselves.
Ma smiled. “Samson I think you’ll confirm what I say. I’m not speaking out of turn here.”
Samson nodded. “Rennon, shut your mouth before flies get in. It is usual for an initiate of the White Lady to avoid such physical contact. It is now known that she had a loyalty to a forbidden love so it was unlikely that she would have given her favours elsewhere anyway. According to Kel, Kyla had attempted to kill MacJoniel before he arrived in the room so she must have discovered he was not the real one.”
Rennon took a deep breath. “Now that’s a turn up, I assumed that Kel had killed him.”
Samson smiled. “Apparently he did. He finished the job. Those units are tough.”
Arkarus, one of the marines, a sandy haired fresh faced youth, looked up from his coffee. “Sir, could you explain what happened exactly? I think we’re a little confused.”
Rennon looked around their expectant faces. “We can only assume what they were attempting to achieve. Most of what we have at the moment is assumption. Firstly they wanted to put doubt in our minds and make us distrust each other. Until now the existence of Intendi here has been a closely guarded secret for just this eventuality. Secondly they wanted to eliminate
Kel. They guessed that either Kyla would kill him for attempting to attack her again or they had MacJoniel there with a good reason to kill him with jealousy as the motive. I can only assume that they were going to leave sufficient evidence to blame Joniel for Kel’s death and possibly Kyla’s. That would leave us with doubt about who is loyal, having lost two key personnel and driven a rift between us and Joniel. Distrust of Joniel could lead to a distrust of the Prince.
As they have used such resources and taken such drastic action I can only assume from this that Joniel’s part in the mission would be expected and is essential as that it is something they fear. I hadn’t intended to invite him along but after this I would say that it is essential. We don’t know what we are facing, they obviously do. If they think he is an essential resource then who are we to leave him behind.”
Ma smiled. “I am so proud of you all. It isn’t all guns and blasting you know. Sorry, that sounded patronising. It wasn’t meant to be. We are dealing with many minds who have more information than we do. They have all the facts, we merely have what we have discovered. Each piece of the puzzle will fit together and we have to be prepared to think on our feet.” She smiled as everyone was watching her. “Sorry, I can’t give you any mystical or picturesque comment about seeing the part of what someone else has the whole picture of. As Dr Samson so rightly said they have in a way slipped up. If Joniel is important then we should look at why he is and why they would assume he would be along for the mission.” Rennon smiled. “And now I have two MacKenzie Units to reprogram and evaluate. Their CPU may have vital information about the Follower base or at least where they came from. The reports have been filed, Kel is on the mend, and Kyla is in very good hands.” One of the Marines sniggered and got elbowed in the ribs. “So I say we relax and wait for orders from Mission Command and try to think this one over. Any technology that Joniel has we could get from the Prince. So it must be something he himself possesses. I can only guess that it is something to do with the DNA. They aimed for Kyla as well. I would guess that is the reason. But we mustn’t be clouded about the facts.”
Ma put another pot of coffee on the table. “I’m going to bed now. I’ll clear up in the morning. Just leave your cups in the sink.” She turned and left the room with a warm smile on her face as she turned and looked back at them all.
22
The Prince sat at the head of the meeting table. His head was in his hand and he was jotting down notes as the dignitaries and officials went over and over the same ground in ever decreasing circles of discussion. Any original input and facts had long been lost. He had them at the top of the page, underlined. The discussion had deteriorated into pulling these known facts to pieces and re-establishing them as true. Joniel stood behind him. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other but never lost concentration even though he was bored beyond reason. He watched everyone like a hawk. Occasionally one or the other would give him a nervous look and shift in their seat. There was almost a flicker of a smile that came over his face every time that happened.
One by one the crew of the Argo had been called to give evidence as had other crews from ships around the galaxies. They had trailed in, said their words and been questioned and now it was time for the talking. That had gone on for hours.
The Prince stood up and everyone jumped. He put his pencil down and rested his fingers on the table in front of him. “Gentlemen, I have listened to your discussion for these past hours and it is now time for you to start drawing your speculations to a close. You are elected men, representing your constituents. It is now time for you to speak up for those you represent. This is not a time for idle gossip and to enjoy being the people in the know about what is happening.” There was a horrified and affronted look on most of the participants’ faces. “You are here to make decisions and while you are discussing this matter people are being killed.”
One portly official whose suit was made of the finest cloth looked incensed and started to go very red. Joniel took a step forward and the official tried to look into his vibrant blue eyes. He was about to stand up but he sat back down again.
The Prince turned to him. “Marcus, your careful consideration of situations and exacting attention to detail is always welcome. You have listened to the evidence and the speculation. What is your evaluation of the situation?” Marcus spluttered as all eyes were on him. “I, I mean I, well…” He composed himself. “According to the intelligence we been presented with there are various options. What we need to evaluate is what the Followers will expect us to do or more importantly what they want us to do.”
The Prince looked frustrated. “Yes, that is what has been said for the past two hours. What is your evaluation of the situation and what do you suggest as a possible response?”
Marcus had started to go very red. “Sir, I am a politician not a military strategist.”
The Prince smiled. “That is quite correct. Who is in agreement with Marcus here? You may vote on whether you feel this should be a military handled matter and outside the jurisdiction of the High Council.”
Every member at the Council Table looked relieved. They reached for their voting pads and pressed the “yes” button. The Prince watched the unanimous vote come up on the hologram in the middle of the table. “Very well, then we have a decision. Thank you gentlemen, lunch will now be served in the atrium.”
The Committee Members got up and walked out chattering between themselves. When they were gone the Prince turned to Joniel. “We can expect another assassination attempt I would assume.”
Joniel smiled. “Yes. Imminently.”
The Prince smiled back. “I have no
doubt.” Joniel smiled enigmatically. “Indeed.”
The Prince sat down. “So, what do we do now? I’m assuming that I’ll have to call the Generals together and come up with a military solution.”
He indicated a chair and Joniel sat beside him. “Thank you. It would seem the next likely step. But will it hold things up?”
The Prince lifted an eyebrow. “Not really, I’ve already issued orders to move certain key personnel into position. The discussions here are a formality that needs to be adhered to. It complies with the laws and the protocols. I spoke with the Generals for most of last night and they are in agreement. All they needed was a free hand to act.”
Joniel smiled. “You old dog, you knew what would happen?”
The Prince smiled. “I knew what wouldn’t happen. There was no way the Council would accept responsibility for this one. They don’t want blood on their hands and if they could palm it off onto the Generals I knew they would. It’s the Generals who have their careers on the line. But as they have their lives on the line as well it should be their decision. The key skills in this room were totally inappropriate for the decision to be made.”
Joniel looked around the table at the debris. “Another meeting over.”
The Prince looked at him, concerned. “What is troubling you my old friend?”
Joniel suddenly looked very tired. “Too much talking, not enough action.” The Prince smiled. “I hear you have been getting quite enough action lately.”
Joniel jumped slightly and looked awkward.
The Prince’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “With moving your ships into orbit and keeping your people under control is what I meant. How do you manage it?”
Joniel looked relieved. “The same way as you do. I play politics and try to stay one step ahead.”
The Prince suddenly looked serious. “When this is over I’ve drawn up a document that gives you a full pardon for the murders you have committed. Your family lands are to be restored to you on Ceraksa Ventrusk but I have taken the liberty of also transferring a small planet in the Dernasinian Cortex into your name. It will be a good place for you and Kyla to live once this is over.”
Joniel looked awkward.
The Prince smiled. “It’s no big secret, I have my spies too. Well I was talking to Ma and she told me. I’m really pleased for you
. It was a long time coming. So, will you be giving up bachelorhood again?”
Joniel looked at the notepad on the table. “I’d settle for seeing her alive at the end of all this for now. What happens after I do not dare to hope for.” The Prince looked down. “Quite right, quite right. I won’t command you on this one. We’re going to go in with as much as we can spare of the fleets. I know you have put forward your flagship and command on this one and I appreciate it. I am also going to send in the crew of the Argo. The fleet is just a decoy which may give them the chance that they need to get in there, find out what is happening and get out again. Jazz is a good strategist would you leave him with your fleet to command?”
Joniel gave the Prince a knowing smile. “My Lord, I am extremely proud of my son and his skills are without question. But I would ask why?”
The Prince smiled. “Because however much I may want you to command that fleet I also want you to go with the crew of the Argo. Nothing will stop Kyla going and I feel that the crew will stand a better chance of surviving if you are with them. This is mostly because the Followers clearly do not want you to go. Kel is injured and we cannot count on him because of the drug. Rennon is a good fighter but he’s a pilot and a scientist. Samson is no combat medic so I’ve moved him back to the Command Ship to run the Infirmary. I feel that you, Kel, Kyla and Rennon would make an effective strike force. Is that a low enough number to use your teleport?”
Joniel looked relieved. “It is. I would want this. You can command me if you like, it would be my choice.”
The Prince smiled. “Then I’d get back to the Argo if I were you and get involved in the preparations. They are nearing the Dresnik Planetary System and there is barely a day before they come into orbit around the planet. I have committed what I can spare of the fleet and it will be arriving shortly. I assume you will similarly command your son to bring your fleet into line. I have left sufficient vessels around the strategic locations to ensure our survival should it be a Follower plot to leave our resources undefended.” The Prince stood up as did Joniel and he was about to key his wrist pad when he looked over at the Prince. They took a step towards each other and hugged. Joniel stepped away and pressed the key pad and disappeared. The Prince pressed his key pad and similarly disappeared. As he did so an explosion rang through the building and smoke billowed from the next room. A second explosion erupted from underneath the table where a briefcase had been left.
