“But...” Reynaud continued a bit more brightly. “It is highly doubtful they would use such a pretext if they were gathering intelligence in preparation for a war. We believe a clandestine approach would be more logical. Why alert us unnecessarily when surprise would provide an additional advantage? No, it is unlikely this is a prelude to an attack, but I did need to mention it as a possibility. However, improbable that it might be.”
Reynaud’s calm reassurance eased some of the tension that had been building in the room. However, now with the realization his assignment would be much more than he had first anticipated, Owens’ slight relief gradually turned to dismay. He couldn’t picture himself as a spy or diplomat for that matter, but it was obvious they expected him to play both roles. He thought sourly; this was just getting better and better.
The silence was becoming uncomfortable and rather than continuing this line of discussion he decided to ask another question that had plagued him, “Do you have any idea why they chose me?”
Reynaud chuckled with genuine amusement, “Absolutely none whatsoever. Perhaps you were picked out of a public directory. They may believe they can get a more accurate picture of Confederated Planets by choosing an average citizen at random, though after reviewing your file, I’d hardly call you average. Maybe it’s something in your background. If it is, we haven’t been able to find it. Frankly, we haven’t enough information to speculate. We were running blind three hundred years ago; we are still running blind today. Not a comforting thought I know, but it’s the simple truth.”
Owens was at a loss. He had concluded soon after leaving Neven’s office that he would be expected to play dual roles; that of an investigator (if the request was legitimate) and spy. With some chagrin, he realized he had not really given careful thought about the ramifications of being the first to penetrate the curtain of isolation surrounding what he had believed only a short time ago, as pure myth.
He had not contemplated he would act as a representative of Confederated Planets. It was now so obvious, yet he had initially missed it. He felt his anger begin to rise and quickly squelched it. Though he had no background or appetite for such a responsibility, his circumstances had not changed. Even with this new revelation, he remained committed and an angry outburst would do no good.
Reynaud asked, “Can I take it by your silence that you have no further questions at this time?” The Consul took Owens’ lack of response as an affirmative. “Well then, I believe now is as good a time as any to break for dinner. We’ll reconvene in an hour for another four-hour session before we finish for this evening. Before you leave, we will provide you with a little bedside reading on the politics of that time. I do apologize, but we have so little time to prepare you. I’m afraid you’re in for some long grueling hours.”
“In my line of work that’s not an unusual situation. The sooner we eat, then the sooner we can get back to it.” Owens rose to follow the others filing past him to the dining room down the hall.
Reynaud hadn’t been exaggerating. The next three weeks were grueling. He barely had time for a short night’s rest and a quick shower before he was back in the conference room for the continuing history lessons. He was never able to take advantage of the bar in his apartment or, more to his regret, Paula Frizzen. Her initial, cool demeanor thawed towards him. She actually smiled at him on occasion. Sadly, he found that every available moment was filled. By the end of each long day, his head was spinning and the only use of his bed he looked forward to, was that of sleep.
The briefings eventually concluded with a more detailed analysis on the devastating visit of the Golstar ship to Confederated Planets’ home system, the final event that triggered the quarantine. He was happy the briefings were finally over, but he still had two more days left before he could return to his ship. They would be taken up with medical examinations and a technical briefing on the ship’s upgrades. At the end of his final day of briefing, he was ushered back into Neven’s office.
Neven motioned for Owens to sit, “Well, I think now you know more than I do about Golstar.”
“That isn’t saying a whole hell of a lot, is it?” Owens rubbed his chin. “The only thing I do know for sure is that they’re real, come from human stock, and are technologically superior to us and nasty as Glovian cat shit.”
Neven smiled and said, “Sums it up rather succinctly. Before you go down to Medical for the last screens, and a final readout, I wanted to let you know your ship’s modifications are just about complete. Once you’re provided a short review on upgrades and declared healthy, you can return to your ship. You will need to complete the final weapons check before heading out for Golstar. The diplomacy training data has been loaded in your ship’s library files. Needless to say, we expect you to make good use of your time in transit.”
Owens yawned dramatically. “I can hardly wait; three months of listening to Vice Consul Stewart Reynaud wax eloquently on the niceties of protocol and which fork to use at a state dinner. I suppose you’ve also provided me with the appropriate apparel those special occasions?”
“As a matter of fact, we have.” Neven stood up and walked around his desk. “And if you think of anything else you might require that we haven’t thought of, call my assistant and he’ll take care of it. The best of luck to you,” he said and extended his hand.
What the hell, Owens thought and shook Neven’s hand. He turned and headed down a long hallway for the first series of his medical screens. He would receive his last briefing on his ship’s upgrades the following day. Finally, once he was finished with the weapons check, he could begin the long trip to Golstar.
CHAPTER 13
The Grand Patriarch made an unannounced visit. He ignored the two Honor Guards standing rigidly at the entrance to the Guardian of the Way’s suite of offices and strode past the outer portal into the first set of administrative offices. A number of managers were working at their desks. By the time they noticed his presence and started to rise, he was already through the next set of doors. He slowed as he entered and looked questioningly at the aide sitting at an ornate desk to the right of the inner office. The aide immediately stood and bowed. “He is in, Your Luminance. I shall announce you.”
“No need,” the Grand Patriarch replied and walked purposely forward. The aide scrambled to open the door in time. Talin Ruele looked up in time to see his leader rapidly approaching his desk. His aide barely had time to thrust out a chair to receive the Grand Patriarch’s fast descending royal buttocks. Now seated and without turning the leader said quietly, “Leave us.” The aide made an abbreviated bow and quickly departed.
The Grand Patriarch heard the door close and began immediately, “I just received a report from your monitors that he was attacked three weeks ago.”
Talin nodded. “Yes, I was about to inform you of it myself.”
“Our one hope,” the Grand Patriarch replied.
“The outsi… excuse me, I meant to say the Chosen was attacked within Confederated Planets’ borders,” Talin said.
“You might as well call him by his name,” the Grand Patriarch’s brow was furrowed with concern. “Obviously, it is a secret no longer.”
“Very well,” the Guardian of the Way responded. “Janus Owens was attacked while in transit to receive our request. It was a ship-to-ship attack, an ambush of sorts. From the limited data, I believe it is safe to say the attackers originated from Golstar.”
The Grand Patriarch shook his head angrily, “The very gall of it; the opposition has practically shouted to us they know of the plan. To attack Janus Owens brazenly...” he paused. “Given this, I now do not believe he will even be safe here. There are too many places to hide and not enough trusted security personnel to protect him.”
The Guardian of the Way looked down at his hands, “Then we are compromised. The plan is known to your enemies.” He hesitated.
“Go on,” the Grand Patriarch encouraged.
“To go forward as we originally planned may now be imp
ossible. We must carefully reflect on our next steps, in light of this development.” He stopped and searched for the right words. “Perhaps we should consider suspending the plan, at least, for the time being. The risk of public exposure has increased significantly. And if that were to happen, the consequences would be catastrophic. Sharné…” He paused again. “Sharné is also in danger. We simply cannot afford to go through with the plan now. We need to reconsider the other options.”
“That is exactly what the opposition hopes will happen. Any delay would allow them more time to counter the plan.” The Grand Patriarch smiled grimly.
Talin protested. “But the threat to Sharné…”
The Grand Patriarch shook his head, “Putting aside Sharné’s safety, for the moment, they know that if the crisis alone were to be made public, support would be split. While I’m enough of an optimist to believe a majority of our people would side with us, I remain pessimistic enough to believe anything less than a two-thirds majority would end in a civil war. A few nights ago I was sharing this same opinion with Sharné, that the opposition would not openly risk a civil war.”
Talin asked, “With all that has happened, do you still believe that?”
“Actually, I do. I believe this attack to be only a ploy intended to make us believe they would dare to reveal our intent to the public. I am convinced this attack was solely intended to shake our resolve. They are clever in their strategy, but perhaps not clever enough.”
“The ones responsible have yet to be identified.”
The Grand Patriarch said, “True, but I believe it is imprudent to launch an investigation at this time. I do not know how our plan was discovered. Given that someone within the Palace is somehow providing information to the opposition, I suspect that we would not be successful in keeping such an inquiry secret. Forewarned, our enemies can escape. In any case, I believe it is unnecessary. I am sure Joselé is the one behind it.”
Talin’s eyebrows rose at the mention of the woman's name, “I see. Then if we cannot pursue an inquiry, what would you ask of me?”
“I need your continued support.” The Grand Patriarch raised his hand to ward off Talin’s beginning objections. “Our goal is too important to allow this one desperate act to deter us. Even if it places Sharné in greater danger, we owe it to our people. I know she may very well be the key to the success of the plan. Moreover, we are at a turning point in history, and we need the plan to work if we are to survive. Do not think I take the risk to my daughter lightly. No, I ask that you do all you can to protect her and Janus Owens.”
“As you command,” he acknowledged. “While I respectfully have reservations, I have no wish to argue the point any further. I know of the added burden you are taking on by your decision.” The Guardian of the Way bowed his head then looked up. “May I at least look into the security breach here at the Palace? We do not know how much of the plan has been compromised. Perhaps it is not too late to stem the flow of illicit information.”
The Grand Patriarch thought a moment, and then nodded, “I trust to your discretion in the matter.” He rose. “Remember, Janus Owens is scheduled to depart for Berralton tomorrow. Precious time is passing.” He turned and left as abruptly as he had arrived, leaving the Guardian of the Way frowning at the closing door.
Back in his private office, the Grand Patriarch called for a trusted aide. Within less than a minute, a stocky man of muscular build was standing respectfully before the Grand Patriarch. The man’s surprisingly slender hands were held rigidly at his sides. “Be of ease and sit down, Waverly. I have an important new task for you.”
Jason Waverly sat down. No matter the number of times he had been called upon by his leader, he still experienced an almost overwhelming sense of awe to be standing before the greatest man in Golstar. He was second, in Waverly’s estimation, only to the Founder himself. He said, “Luminance, I am always yours to command.”
“Excellent, what I want is for you to conduct a discreet and very critical investigation. I want you to take a few men and search for listening devices that may be secreted within the Palace.” He watched as the aide’s eyes widened in alarm. “We have been aware for some time that someone has been attempting to spy on our confidential discussions. He reached across his desk’s expansive surface and placed a sheet of parchment before the aide. “Here are the specific locations I want you to search.”
Waverly picked it up and scanned the list. He looked back up at the Grand Patriarch and said, “I live to serve you, when shall I begin?”
“Immediately, but before you depart, I have some words of caution. You need to know there will be a parallel investigation taking place, conducted by the office of the Guardian of the Way. It is of vital importance the Guardian’s investigation team remains ignorant of your own endeavor.”
Waverly did not think to question the great man’s motive. “As you order, I will see to it that they never suspect.”
The Grand Patriarch nodded in appreciation, “I know that you will, Jason. Now I have one further instruction.”
At the familiar use of his first name by the Grand Patriarch, Waverly almost swooned with pleasure.
The Grand Patriarch continued, “I want you to know that your task is aimed to supplement the other ongoing investigation. I fear our normal security forces rely overmuch on detectors. Politics being what they are, I would rather not point that out to the Guardian at this time. So, for that reason your search should be limited to a physical one only. Leave the electronic sweeps to the Guardian’s people.”
“I understand.”
“Good, I also want you to know I trust no one else for this assignment. You have proven your loyalty time and again. I know you will perform this task as you have all others I have given you, with precision and alacrity.”
Waverly stood and bowed. “You honor me, Grand Patriarch. I will start at once.”
“Very good, I will leave it to you then.”
At these words, Waverly bowed once more and left. Moments after he was gone, the Grand Patriarch grinned. Waverly was one of many such aides in his service. He regularly cultivated their loyalty by providing them with ‘important assignments.’ Naturally they were heaped with praise and rich rewards with each task’s successful completion. He had learned from his mother long ago you could never have too many supporters within the palace. The costs of creating the relatively meaningless tasks were negligible. Even so, those performing the jobs grew in self-stature, believing their value to the Grand Patriarch to be without peer. The resultant worth of their blind obedience and unwavering loyalty could not be measured.
He turned, and from a crystal decanter resting on a silver tray, poured a glass of red-wine. He swirled the glass watching the ruby-red liquid gently lap against the inside of the glass. He took an appreciative sip, and the grin faded from his lips. He began to contemplate the next important task and to whom he would assign it.
CHAPTER 14
Owens looked carefully at the Sherlock Holmes as his shuttle began its docking maneuver. He saw his ship now sported four streamlined, lozenge-shaped pods spaced evenly around the midsection. The outlines of the apertures in the hull concealing the extendable weapons’ blisters, positioned forward and aft, had been enlarged. The shuttle drew nearer to the docked ship, and he was no longer able to see the ship from his perspective.
The shuttle docked with a muted thud, and after the pressure between the two ships was equalized, Owens quickly disembarked. Before he could reach the inner hatch, it opened. He found himself looking at a woman in a tan and green jumpsuit with Engineering Corps logos on the breast and shoulder.
She smiled, “Mr. Owens. I’m Chief Grandlin. I supervised the team that installed the mods to your ship.” She extended her hand.
Shaking her hand, he said, “Good to meet you. I thought the retrofit was complete. I hadn’t expected anyone would still be here. Is there a problem, any trouble with the ship?” Owens asked.
She chuckled and slapped a su
pport brace. “No, everything is in the green. I had three shifts working around the clock to complete the retrofit. I’m just performing one last minute duty. One of my crew left his alignment gauge in the engine room. I had to make a final inspection anyway, so I came up to retrieve it.” She raised a bulky piece of apparatus clustered with dials and loose, dangling fittings. You’re about an hour early so I didn’t get a chance to re-insert your AI. Would you mind doing it? I want to catch this shuttle.”
Owens felt a sudden twinge in his gut, but did his best to hide any outward reaction. He said, “Oh? I was told it was already up to spec. I didn’t think you needed to work on it.”
She shrugged. “Actually, we didn’t, but one of the first things we had to do was verify it would be compatible with the modifications we were going to make. One of my guys removed it to check the serial number and connection configuration. It’s been such a rushed job; I guess he just forgot to re-install it. It’s been sitting on the deck since; but no harm done. It shouldn’t be any problem since those m-class A6s have plenty of reserve.”
She saw him frown, and quickly said, “If you want, I can stay aboard and reinsert the module myself.”
His expression smoothed, “No that’s okay. I’ve done it before... no sweat.”
She nodded, “You understand we were really under the gun to make about two months’ worth of modifications in just three weeks, but we got it done. My crew is the best.” She said this last with a note of pride.
“I’m sure they are,” he agreed.
“Oh, and you do know we were only able to conduct system test simulations? They all passed, but the final field tests are your responsibility. It’s in your hands now. You can verify the AI syncs up to the new mods when you do the final testing.”
Owens was seething but remained outwardly calm. “Yeah, I was briefed on all that. It shouldn’t take too long, then I’m on my way. Look, I don’t want to keep you. Go ahead; I think you can just make the shuttle.”
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