Miranda's Demons

by Ian Miller

  Chapter 4

  "Natasha Kotchetkova, we thank you for arranging the release of the M'starn. You have served both us and your own people very well." Gelemt sat back, his face and hands uncovered, and his large eyes stared down at the table between them.

  "Thank you," Natasha nodded, then she went on, "but that's not why you wished to see me is it?"

  "And what makes you think that?" The eyes now met Natasha's.

  "You have something to tell me, and you think I won't like it," Natasha replied. "You avoided looking at me. That's a human trait, and, I'm guessing, also an Ulsian one."

  "Few races can avoid it," Gelempt replied. "You are correct, though, and I'm afraid I don't quite know where to begin."

  "The start?"

  "If only it was that easy, but so be it. The Ranhynn, the Krothian representatives and the Ulsian Federation wish that I convey to you our appreciation of the efforts you have put in on our behalf, and on behalf of your people."

  "Thank you," Natasha said, then nodded to indicate an invitation to continue.

  "You should realize you now have some choices to make," the Ulsian continued stiffly. "I guess we are all curious to know how you will decide."

  "Decisions? On what?"

  "I hope you realize that it would not be appropriate for you to be the Commissioner for Defence and retain the full use of one of the most powerful Ulsian war craft ever built."

  "I know that," Natasha said, "and I can see that you might not be very happy with my having access to Ulsian knowledge while leading the direction of Terran science."

  "So?"

  "You realize I have made no effort whatsoever to access such knowledge?"

  "Katya confirms that," Gelempt said. "Katya thinks this is because you intend to remain Commissioner."

  "And you disapprove?" Natasha asked.

  "As it happens, yes," Gelempt replied. "I'm hoping to talk you out of it, but I promise I won't stand in your way."

  "I may hold you to that promise," Natasha replied. "Now, why do you want to talk me out of it, bearing in mind Earth is at a critical period?" She paused slightly, then added, "You do agree Earth is at a critical point in its development?"

  "Oh yes," the Ulsian nodded. "On that we fully agree, and before you get too angry with me, we acknowledge that your motives are remarkably noble. We fully recognize that you want to do the best for your planet and its people."

  "So, what are your objections?"

  "There are, broadly speaking, two reasons," Gelempt continued. "The first is that we think you will fail if you remain in Terran politics."

  "And why would that be?" Natasha said caustically.

  "Think of it," Gelempt said quietly. "Why would you wish to remain Commissioner for Defence? The war's over, you've brought South America into the Federation, and effectively this unites the planet for the first time. The Commissioner for Defence has to be the biggest non-job out."

  "There's an awful lot more to securing our future than having a federal government for the planet, though," Natasha said.

  "Of course there is," Gelempt nodded, "and everybody will think you want a bigger role."

  "All I want is to see that the right thing gets done," Natasha said flatly, "and that is one of the things a Commissioner can do."

  "Yes, and we believe you," Gelempt said, "but will your opponents agree that that's all you want?"

  "What do you mean?" Natasha countered.

  "Many will suspect you of seeking total control, of being effectively the first ruler of the entire world."

  "That's utter nonsense!" Natasha said angrily. "I have no such desires!"

  "I believe you," Gelempt replied, "but persuading all other Terrans will be some task. You see, your mere presence lends some credence to the rumours."

  "Do the others on Chiron believe this?" Natasha stared into his eyes.

  "Depends what 'this' is," Gelempt cackled. He then held up a hand to stop her protest. "Nobody there believes you wish to be Dictator of Earth, and in fact most of them believe that if you did end up as such and could hold it, it wouldn't be the worst outcome possible."

  "Eh?" Natasha muttered in surprise.

  "You heard," Gelempt cackled again. "Oh yes, you have supporters, and they think you have real ability."

  "Then I don't understand?"

  "Most of your people will recognize that ability too," Gelempt said, "but at this stage in your planet's development, ability is not one of the strongest requirements. What you have to do is to carry the people with you, and to carry the very senior people with you. We doubt you can do the first, and we know you can't do the second."

  "But I don't want to rule the world –"

  "Which gets us to the nub of the problem. We know you don't want to, but nobody else does. We think there will be moves against you, and we can't have Ulsian technology protecting you while you are acting simply as a human governor of some description. If you wish to continue, you must hand back your Krezell wand."

  "I realized that would happen," she said, and reached for the wand.

  "Before you decide," Gelempt intervened, "I said there was a second reason. Your civilization is now aware of others, and we need someone to act as intermediaries, to deal with all sorts of problems. Gaius and Lucilla will have to do this, but it would be much more desirable for everybody if you would join them."

  "That may be true," Natasha nodded, then added quickly, "and that was not supposed to say I doubt your truthfulness." She paused, then added, "What I do doubt, however, is the need for urgency there, whereas Earth has real problems right now. In a year, perhaps, when things are put right, I would agree with you, but –"

  "It is urgent," Gelempt replied quietly, "but it is true it is not that urgent that you cannot be persuaded over time."

  She opened the drawer and drew out the Krezell wand. "I'm afraid I really have no choice," she said, as she looked wistfully at the device. "You'll have to take this back. I can't abandon my duty to Earth at this critical moment. Terran society is unstable after this war, and some of the instability is a direct consequence of what I've done. As an example, I gave the South Americans my word, and I have a duty to keep it. If I don't keep going, I'll be in the exact position, admittedly in a much smaller way, as if I'd violated your Ulsian code."

  "I understand," Gelempt said quietly.

  "Do you?"

  "Oh yes, very much so. And in all honesty, I think you've done the right thing, and very bravely and unselfishly."

  "Thank you."

  "Gaius also knew you would do that, and he told me to tell you that he fully supports you. He and Lucilla will still be in touch, after all he cannot commit Earth to anything."

  "Gelempt, it's been good to know you," Natasha said, drawing back. "I guess I know you're out there, so if, at any time, you want to make contact, or make a trade, or something, please contact me. Even if you just want to make a social call on a larger planet with fresh air."

  "You're not angry?"

  "No. I meant what I said. If you want a little island set aside for rest and recreation, just say so. You'll have to promise no contamination, but I don't think that promise would strain your code."

  "It would not. Thank you. We may take that offer up, and I am sure we shall see each other again. It is clear that since you know we're here, a total refusal to communicate would be pointless in the extreme."

  "Then perhaps we shall meet again soon," Natasha smiled, and offered her hand. "In the meantime, I have work to do. Give my best wishes to the others, and say that I regret that I won't see them again in the same formal way."

  "I'm sure they'll understand," Gelempt nodded. "Since the implant is in your head, your decision is not irreversible. If you achieve your goals, and wish to reconsider, let me know. And now, goodbye, for the time being anyway."

  Chapter 5

  "What is it, my darling?"

  "What is what?"

  Haruhiko lightly kissed her earlobe, then blew gently across Misak
o's ear, so that the hair flew across the back of her head. "What's bothering you?"

  "I'm sorry, my love. You're so patient, so gentle, and yet I can't stop thinking about today."

  "What about today?"

  "Those Brownshirt leaders we sent cactus planting. They seemed so pathetic."

  "They were bullies," Haruhiko said angrily, as he pulled back. "Misako, my dear, you must not feel sorry for them. They deserve everything they got."

  "Of course," Misako said, in a matter of fact tone, as she tried to gently pull Haruhiko back towards her.

  "I don't understand you," Haruhiko said, with even more agitation. "They tried to sell you off as a whore, and you feel sympathy for them. They were traitors, and opportunists. They enjoyed beating up their fellow settlers. Look, they deserve everything they got. You do see that, don't you?"

  "Yes," came the quiet reply.

  "Misako, please," came the exasperated Haruhiko. "Don't waste your sympathy! Those aliens were only here one day and those bastards were already beating the settlers into submission, rounding up people for the draft, just to settle previous trifling scores. Misako, you must not feel sorry for them."

  "I don't," came the simple reply, "but don't you see what you just said? Doesn't it bother you?"

  "What?" came the bemused reply.

  "Haruhiko, my dear. Think! What happened when we attacked their last base here?"

  "Nothing!" came the surprised reply. "The scum couldn't do a thing to us."

  "And why not? Were there arms here?"

  "Piles of them. But so what? Misako, surely you're not disappointed they didn't fight?"

  "Of course not," Misako said, and leaped over and hugged him. "I am very glad there was no killing."

  "Of that I'm glad," Haruhiko said earnestly, and he kissed her firmly. "I wouldn't want you to feel you had to be in a battle. But what, then, is the problem?"

  "Just this," Misako said, as she leaned back. "As you yourself said, when the aliens arrived, within a day, these thugs were out on the street, in those ridiculous uniforms, armed, and securing the settlements for the enemy."

  "Well?"

  "Think of the organizational skill needed to do that? To say nothing of the time. Sew up all those uniforms in twelve hours? In three different settlements, simultaneously?"

  "Obviously they must have had them ready," Haruhiko shrugged.

  "For what?" Misako countered. "What you just said implies that the Brownshirts knew the M'starn were coming, that it was all preorganized."

  "Perhaps it was," Haruhiko said quietly. "We've been so busy beating them, we've sort of forgotten about how they got here. But that only makes their crime worse!"

  "I don't think so," Misako replied.

  "You don't think so! Why not?" Haruhiko said in amazement.

  "When we attacked their base, they were so disorganized. No watch, even."

  "They're just rabble," Haruhiko sneered. "That lot couldn't organize . . ." He stopped, as understanding passed across his face.

  "Exactly," Misako smiled. "Now you see what's bothering me. I believe you when you say that lot couldn't organize twenty-two players into two equal teams. And if that's the case, then there's another lot of vipers still running around Mars."

  "Misako, my dear, as usual, you are right. We'll get them and make them pay. But darling, please not now. They can wait until tomorrow."

  "Yes, of course," Misako smiled. She leaned towards him, kissed his lips lightly, and began unbuttoning his shirt.

  Chapter 6

  Harvey Munro looked scornfully at the black figure walking towards him. The alien walked proudly before the four-man escort, as if he was still in command. There, thought Harvey, was an alien who was going to learn the facts of life, and, for that matter, the facts of death. There would be a certain enjoyment in killing it.

  "It appears your fleet was not as powerful as you claimed," Harvey snorted.

  "It was exactly as powerful as I claimed," came the cold reply. "It appears that we misjudged where the power on this planet resides."

  "You lost," Harvey grunted. "I never claimed I could help fight a war."

  "You stated that you would provide certain services, and you did not."

  Harvey twitched in embarrassment.

  "And judging from the news report of yesterday's Council meeting," the alien continued calmly, "I would guess that you're not exactly where you want to be either."

  "You seem rather aggressive for a creature with very little future," Harvey snarled.

  "I concede that being stranded on this miserable planet is not of my choosing," the alien replied. "The company is also distasteful."

  "I can't say I like you very much either."

  "Your problem is that you don't like anybody," the alien cackled. "Surprise, surprise, nobody likes you!"

  "I must confess I'd like to see you grovel," Harvey admitted harshly, "but I can make do with seeing you die."

  "So these four are to be my executioners," the M'starn said as he turned disdainfully towards the four men who had accompanied him. "I can see you don't think much of me, which I suppose is hardly surprising since, as I have learned to my disgust, you don't think much anyway."

  "Before long, you'll wish you hadn't said that," Harvey threatened.

  "It may have been a waste of breath," the alien said, as he drew a strange silvery sword-like object from beneath his cloak, "but with this miserable rabble, I believe I can spare it."

  "Kill it!" Harvey ordered.

  Immediately the four men presented large wicked looking machetes. One lunged forward, bringing the blade downwards towards the head of the M'starn. The black figure raised his sword to parry the blow, and at first it seemed as if this rather fragile looking weapon would be quite inadequate for the task. But when the metal of the machete touched the sword, the machete and the man began to glow, then the man was flung heavily back across the room where he lay on his back, his body contorted and with small sparks leaping towards the floor.

  The remaining three men viewed this with a total lack of enthusiasm. They began to retreat, then they looked towards Harvey and realized that, for them, there was no way out. One suddenly took courage, and as he leaped forward, he threw his machete blade forwards with every ounce of force he could muster towards the M'starn. The sword came up, then the M'starn spun rapidly, with the machete blade caught on the end of the sword no more than a quarter of a meter above the floor, then as the M'starn faced his attacker, the sword came around like a mighty sling, flinging the machete to bury its blade in the stomach of the attacker.

  The remaining two men dropped their weapons and flung themselves to their knees, hands outstretched, clearly begging for mercy. The black figure kicked their machetes away from them, then pointed to a corner of the room. He watched as the two men knelt in the corner, then he turned to Harvey and cackled, "Your utter stupidity still continues to surprise me," the M'starn said. "Even after seeing so much of it."

  "What are you going to do with me," Harvey muttered, as he edged his chair further back from the M'starn.

  "That depends," the black figure replied.

  "On what?" Harvey almost bleated.

  "On whether you can finally be of assistance to me."

  "And what do you expect me to do?"

  "Be your treacherous little self," the M'starn grated. "That shouldn't over extend you. But this time, you'll direct your treachery to a more useful purpose."

  "And what's that?"

  "If I have followed you correctly," the M'starn said harshly, "there are two Ulsian ships here, commanded in the first place by one Gaius Claudius, and in the second place by one Natasha Kotchetkova. Is that correct?"

  "Yes."

  "Is that all?"

  "Yes. There was a third, but it has been destroyed."

  "Good. Now, is it not also correct that Natasha Kotchetkova and Gaius Claudius are in love?"

  "I believe that is so."

  "It is either so or it is not! I n
eed to know!"

  "They are in love," Harvey almost squealed.

  "Good," the M'starn nodded. "We use that, and the general distrust of Terrans towards Claudius, to our benefit. You Terrans are truly pathetic. Anywhere else, this Claudius would be treated as a hero and a saviour. But here, I truly believe the majority of your despicable lot would actually rejoice, at least secretly because you wouldn't have the courage to do it openly, should he be killed. So, we have work to do."

  "And what about me?"

  "That depends. Cross me once more and I shall kill you slowly and painfully. At present, your life is yours solely because I can find use for you. Disappoint me, and your life will be forfeit. Now, here is what you will do, this is what you will arrange to be done, and this is when the events will take place . . ."

  Chapter 7

  "We've got to stop meeting like this," Elizabeth shook her head, as she looked around the almost empty auditorium. In the distance, a young string quartet was rehearsing; two uniformed policemen guarded the exit to the right of the auditorium, while several MinCorp men guarded the exit to the left. The entire front of the auditorium was sealed. "Someone could get the wrong idea."

  "I would hope that nobody would know enough to get any idea at all," Reiner cautioned.

  "Nobody knows I'm here," Elizabeth nodded. "Now, why the secrecy? After that performance of yours yesterday, I wouldn't think you're easily frightened."

  "You're right. I'm not," Reiner laughed, "but that doesn't mean I shouldn't be careful. As an aside, what did you think of my little speech yesterday?"

  "You've got nerve," Elizabeth conceded. "You almost challenged Natasha to arrest you."

  "No," Reiner replied easily. "I challenged Natasha to produce what evidence she had against me. My case is, you see, that I've done nothing except have discussions with Munro. These were merely exploratory, trying to find out what was going on."

  "Natasha almost certainly knows there's more to it than that."

  "I wanted to know what she has. I can't do anything about what she knows, but if her case is weak, now is the time to force her hand. Now, I can make her evidence seem weaker. If I leave it, it will become stronger."