by Hylton Smith
Chapter 26
As Manuel was leaving for his meeting with Verdasco, Pierze called. “If you feel that Gretz was right about him and he decides to help us, I have a favour to ask of him which will test his priorities. All three of these SACRED owners have their private aircraft. Ask him if he can put the one belonging to Gretz at my disposal for a day, two at most. If he responds positively I will fix the details with him personally.”
“Ok, I’m in a hell of a hurry, or I would ask why, what if he asks?”
“Just tell him it is crucial to our efforts to stop these deaths, and I will fully brief him when I know he is with us.” Manuel departed. Pierze saw an opportunity, if the President would fly to meet the top man in Orient. His argument would conclude with a request for their current Moon habitats to be deployed a little differently to the planned layout. It would mean eating a little humble pie, but the distraction of Boniek would be the payoff. His former technical team had managed to get the ELF/VLF generator ready. He wanted it to be operated from within a remote controlled pilotless probe of the smallest dimension. He knew they had been taken out of service but were very easy to make ready. He said they had about a week before the command to launch would become more critical. He knew these people would not fail him.
*
Verdasco sat down and was about to remind Manuel that he didn’t like such clandestine arrangements, when he was rocked by the whispered revelation. “I spoke to Gretz yesterday.”
“What? Where is he? Why has he not made contact with us? He must surely know everyone on the planet is looking for him.”
Manuel lowered his voice even further. “He probably does know that but he can’t do much about it on the Moon.”
“The Moon, he couldn’t have got there since his disappearance, Boniek took the shuttle there and he has just got back. You’re not going to tell me he has been abducted by Orient are you?”
Manuel managed to curb his smile. “Well you got half of it right, he was abducted, by your other partner.” This caused Verdasco to pause, while Manuel watched him mentally take the timeline back, to just before Gretz evaporated.
“You have proof of this?”
Manuel replied, “Depending on what you consider to be evidence, I may have.”
“Look Salina, I can’t just accept your word that Constantin Boniek, who I have known for years, has done what you allege.”
“I have my communicator record of my call from Gretz, you can listen to it. We can also check the location – as you are a wizard in this subject.”
When he had listened to the recording over and over again Verdasco had more questions. “Who is Prometheus?” After Manuel had explained his ‘illegal’ entry into Futureworld, Verdasco admitted that Boniek had recruited the encryption guru. He was however, puzzled by Gretz’ assertion that he would be terminated after the stock transfer from Banco Iberia to himself and Boniek.
“We found out from the bank that Sorin had bid for the stock, and then he vanished. We naturally wanted to prevent this aggressive increase in his share, but he shouldn’t have known we made a counter offer to the bank, as we asked for that to be kept under wraps until complete. I suppose the only people who would have had the knowledge are Boniek and the Director of Banco Iberia, whereas the opportunity is pretty much pointing to my partner. He was on the Moon around the time slot in question, and he said it was necessary to check out our defensive position, as Gretz had been reporting on this. The shuttle is back at the elevator. It all fits in a circumstantial way but I don’t want to believe it.”
Manuel asked what he would do about the impending stock transfer. “If you don’t go through with it there will be suspicion in the minds of both Boniek and the Director as to why. If you want more time to further investigate my claims yourself, or have me continue, it would seem sensible to go ahead. There’s another way to get a handle on the veracity of Gretz’ story. You have the means to contact Prometheus yourself via the code transmission source in Balkan Iberia.”
Verdasco’s eyes blazed. “How the hell do you know about that?”
“If you remember, Gretz hired me to investigate everything I felt necessary to explain the deaths linked to protests against your corporation. By infiltrating my brother’s character in Futureworld, I was able to piece together information from Prometheus and the link to a missing scientist, who was the foremost, if not the only expert on neurogenic manipulation. It’s likely that he was also abducted, and I suspect my father and Boniek were responsible. Have you visited this facility in Balkan Iberia recently?”
“Not for a couple of years, it always seemed to run like clockwork.”
“If you were to suggest to Boniek that his diligence in checking the progress of the Moon defence project was exemplary, he would agree. Then when you state that a similar check should be carried out at the one secret installation which has been forgotten about, you would meet with resistance. He will offer to take care of it.” Verdasco was genuinely confused but agreed to carry on with the stock transfer and look into means of secretly contacting Prometheus.
Manuel then put the final request to him. “Ricardo Pierze has need of a private aircraft to make a visit. He has to get to his destination without alerting any of his own staff, as it is highly likely that some are implicated in carrying on the unscrupulous agenda of my father. He says the visit is absolutely essential. He’s also prepared to pay whatever you consider is acceptable for the hire of Gretz’ jet for two days. Please don’t ask me for details as he said he would rather discuss that with you directly. He recognises that both you and Boniek have blocked his proposed visits to the Moon and the elevator, but feels you may be willing to revisit that if you call him.” Manuel left Pierze’s direct number with Verdasco.
*
When Pierze spoke with Radan Hajek he grilled him intensively for almost four hours. Most of it was to determine his familiarity with the terrain near the location of Lopez. The other interest he had was in his early relationship with Boniek. He was satisfied with Hajek’s knowledge of the terrain, as he had spent many vacations rock climbing in the region. The ‘relationship’ was apparently one of envy on the part of Boniek.
“At school he used to try to hang out with anyone who had strong peer respect or adulation. Being good at sport and able to take care of myself was respected by boys, and attractive to the girls. I think this was his problem. I can’t remember him having any girlfriends, they thought he was creepy. Perhaps the closest he got to female company was through other boys, a kind of voyeuristic fetish. He was able to call in favours in this respect by doing homework for selected boys who were popular. Maybe that is why he said that people like me disgusted him.” Pierze said he may call upon Hajek to guide him around Stara Planina.
*
By the time the stock transfer was completed Verdasco had decided to follow Manuel’s suggestion and bring up the subject of protection in Balkan Iberia. “Well Constantin, we can now out-vote Gretz, if he ever shows up. It allows us to get on with securing our investments. I was thinking your recent whistle-stop visit to the Moon couldn’t have been better timed with this damned new launch by Orient. We seem to have the elevator covered too. The only remaining concerns for me are the satellite ring, which we can’t do much about, and that place in Balkan Iberia. It’s a while since I visited the site. Maybe I should make sure we aren’t exposed there.”
“I don’t think we have to worry about it. It is very difficult to find, even if you know about it, which virtually no one does.”
Verdasco didn’t give up. “Sure, but this Orient business worries me even more than it did before Gretz disappeared, and I suppose we can’t rule out them having taken him for interrogation. It bothers me because they have chosen to ‘camp’ right next to us on the Moon. I think I would sleep better if I paid a visit.”
Boniek’s prior confidence was giving way to nervousness. “Well if it makes you happy, I will do it. My roots are
in that region, I speak the dialect. I know the people and we don’t want them to think there is a problem.”
“You did the Moon Constantin, and you deserve to have the same time off as I did during your lunar dash. Smell the roses my friend.”
“That’s a great idea, if I had time off I would like to spend some of it in my homeland, looking up old friends and relaxing. The official part won’t take long. I will arrange it immediately.” This was persuasive enough for Verdasco to call Pierze.
“Manuel Salina asked me to call you; about Gretz’ aircraft.”
“Thank you for doing so. I suppose this means he has briefed you on what we believe to be the problem.”
“Yes, but I am not completely convinced of his claims. Perhaps your explanation of the request for the aircraft would help.”
Pierze startled him with another request. “Certainly, but first I need to know if you can pilot the plane.”
“What? Gretz already has a pilot and he tends to go where the aircraft goes.”
“This is different. Even if you confirm you can fly the machine I will have to get your clearance from my immediate superior.”
Verdasco laughed. “Are you talking about the President?”
“I am. I’m sorry things have to proceed in a certain order Snr. Verdasco, but it is crucial. If you can fly the jet for me I will get the required authorisation and you will be fully briefed on the mission.”
Verdasco’s mind raced. “As long as you accept that my ability to pilot the aircraft does not imply that I will.”
“Thank you for your patience. I will be back to you within the hour, and you will have much to gain if you accept our request.”
*
When Pierze proposed his plan Sanchez was nervous about Verdasco. He did however prefer this risk to involving Ortega. “What else do you need to do before I make the person to person call?”
Pierze was economical with the truth. “I have to get him to sign the official secrets declaration. I will get to it right away Sir, we have no time to lose.”
When he returned Verdasco’s call he was more forthcoming and it was a gamble dictated by time constraint. “I have the President’s seal of approval. We will fly direct to Orient. Their air space people will be escorting us once we enter, and take us all the way to Shanghai. From there we will be flown by their helicopter to a private retreat of the Delegate-in-Chief. You and I will be present in the first part of the meeting and Sanchez will conduct the remainder with Din Chow Zen. If you can accept that format you can sign the appropriate paperwork en-route. I don’t mean to rush you Verdasco, but there is a hell of a lot hanging in the balance, including your own investment.” Verdasco was stunned but hooked.
“What do I have to lose other than everything? Very well, give me the time and I’ll have the aircraft readied.”
*
Pierze received an incoming transmission that the probe would be ready within twenty-four hours. He acknowledged it and told them to stand by for the signal to launch.
None of them had actually flown through Orient airspace before and didn’t expect an escort of twelve heavily armed fighter jets. The view from the specified altitude was restricted, in the sense that the mandatory low flying corridor caused everything to flash by too quickly for recognition of structures. Touchdown in Shanghai was also eerie, as the totalitarian regime had censored the occasion to include only the absolute minimum of participants. The three Iberians reflected on how this could not happen in the Republic. The blacked out limousines sped out of the perimeter protected airstrip, exclusively reserved for Party dignitaries. Less than an hour on the deserted roads took them to a ‘reserve’ contained by high voltage wires. The cars ground to a halt and the guests were subjected to security scans and then ushered into a comfortable holding building and offered refreshment. It took fifteen unnerving minutes for them to be shown into the opulent main palace. An enormous table confronted them as they were shown into the conference suite. It was difficult from this distance to make out the features of the individual sitting just to the left of the patently reserved ‘throne’ at the table end. They were motioned to take seats far enough away from the seated interpreter so as to make it difficult to hear soft voices. The entrance of Din Chow Zen evoked the feeling it should have been set to music, so deliberate was the walk. They were encouraged to stand while he acknowledged their presence. He opened the proceedings after asking them to sit, and explaining that although he had rudimentary understanding of Iberian, he had provided an interpreter to ensure he did not miss the nuances of anything that might be discussed.
“Welcome to Orient gentlemen. This meeting will become controversial in both countries unless we produce a joint statement of what we have agreed, not what we have discussed. It may be that we agree nothing. President Sanchez, you requested this meeting, please proceed.”
Sanchez rose to his feet to introduce Pierze and Verdasco, explaining their relative positions in the government and the SACRED Corporation. He hesitated while the interpreter was motioned to Din Chow Zen’s ear. Sanchez resumed. “I asked for this meeting because tension in both states is running high, perhaps for different reasons. I recognise that Orient’s frustration at Iberian sell-off of the agreed colonisation structure is justified. In turn your resumption of this initiative is also understood, it is only the choice of location on the Moon which has raised the temperature amongst our Foreign Office diplomats. I’m sure there is a perfectly logical explanation, which we would be pleased to hear. Our commercial infrastructure depends heavily on Snr. Verdasco’s enterprise running smoothly. At present that is not the case. You will be aware I’m sure, from your monitoring of our newspapers that we are struggling to identify the precise reason for the death of many individuals, whose only connection appears to be through SACRED. I’m not able to reassure you that we are close to solving this mystery. In fact we may need your help. I am prepared for your question - why would you be willing to help a nation which has let you down once before? The answer is regrettably simple. We have eventually found evidence of the ultimate agenda of the people behind the deaths, even though we still have to identify all of the personnel involved. If this agenda succeeds it will cripple Iberia, and Orient will be next. I know you will ask for me to flesh out the claims I make, and I will if you can signal a willingness to trust me. I was not in office when you were let down by my nation. It won’t happen again during my tenure. I await your reaction. Please take time to digest what I have said.”
Other delegates were sent for, appeared, challenged by Din Chow Zen and then sent back to the location from which they had arrived. Din Chow Zen spoke in a dramatic tone. “We will not abandon the colonisation a second time if this is the ‘help’ you seek. There is no possibility of that.”
Sanchez had to decide how big a card he could afford to play at this early stage. He didn’t want to get back to Iberia and admit to the nation that he failed at the first hurdle, so he played high. “I wish to assure you that provided we can agree with your future plans for your Moon project we will cover the cost of that, the way we should have done in the first instance. It would have to be a balance of money, aid, and trade which you could agree to. I have Snr. Verdasco here to take note of any request you may have, to use our space elevator to launch jointly targeted transport. His enterprise has to make profit, so our government would pay his corporation. I’m more interested in our two nations having a common purpose on the Moon and more compatible programmes on Earth. This can be achieved through exchange of raw materials, goods, and technology in the attempt to harmonise our objectives. It won’t be easy. That does not blunt my pledge to achieve a way of working together while respecting the other’s ideology and practice.” This gambit took Pierze and Verdasco as much by surprise as those it was intended to shock. It was suspiciously open and therefore openly suspicious.
The Orient leader sent for another batch of experts and then dismissed them as he had the first contingent
. “Is this offer you make to finance our colonisation dependent on Orient agreeing to the reciprocal help you need?”
“No, it will happen regardless of your decision. We should have ensured this compensation when we sold the lunar base to SACRED. However, if we don’t work together against the evil we have uncovered, there will be no gain for either of us. May I make the proposals which would assist us, so that you can digest the full implications for the entire planet?”
“Proceed.”
Sanchez drew breath; he had to get this right. “We both have citizens who wish to overthrow our regimes by unconstitutional means. Our way of life is currently threatened from within by a science which can only be described as dehumanising. I have with me two envelopes. The first is not sealed and covers the plan you can assist us with. The second is electronically sealed with polarised block foil and if opened will reveal the breach. I propose to go through the content of the first envelope with you now, as that describes a scenario in which we may succeed. The sealed envelope will be opened by both of us, here in your palace, if we have succeeded. It contains every detail we have discovered about the conspiracy, and we would then be able to agree a means of ensuring it can never happen again. We would very much like to hear why you have chosen the specific location on the Moon, so that we can determine if our request is feasible and something you can accept.”
This time Din Chow Zen conducted a prolonged exchange with the interpreter. “You can ask the favour and then I will be better placed to outline the broad objective of our colonisation plan, it is not complicated.”
Sanchez took another deep breath. “It would be of enormous help if you could deploy the latest habitat modules closer to the SACRED installation. This would inject further concern in Iberia, and precipitate the need for Snr. Verdasco to make an urgent trip to his base.” Sanchez took out the content from envelope number 1. “We have listed frequencies on which your people on the Moon can contact someone in the SACRED base who we only know as Prometheus. The message that your people should read out to him is detailed in here. It is basically a threat to destroy the base if it isn’t surrendered. If the base supervisor is convinced of the veracity he will comply. When your people have secured this situation Verdasco will take over and your men can return to their habitat. This will effectively allow Verdasco to eliminate one leg of the Colossus. In the meantime we have to amputate the other leg pretty much simultaneously, in order to bring down the entire plot. If we do not achieve this in time we will send you the coordinates for a nuclear strike. I have signed a document authorising this, only the location is missing. If you receive these coordinates we will have failed and may have been terminated, in which case you should open envelope number 2, as well as despatching the warhead. I realise this may all sound preposterous to you but it is a very complicated and delicate situation. We must wrest total control of the SACRED Moon base from the conspirators in a low key manner for the next step to stand any chance of success.”
