Audacity (Warner's World Book 5)

by Dave O'Connor

  She stood up and paced over to the kitchen staring at the surroundings but all her focus was internal. Finally she turned. “OK I’ll meet Slirinus tomorrow.” Felis seemed to relax while Erkum shook his head. “Erkum I’ll leave the arrangements with you. Make it for the afternoon. That will give us time in the morning to set things up. Right now though, we all need to rest.”

  Chapter 4. Muntikis 1400, 1 September

  Felis had insisted on attending. Thankfully the swelling had reduced considerably but it revealed terrible bruising. He was not a pretty sight. He sat alone at the table in the restaurant in the small village centre on the outskirts of Muntikis, near where he had been dropped off. It was a weekend and despite the exodus after lunch the restaurant still had a dozen or more occupants.

  He had insisted on being the bunny. So if it was a trap it would just be him in the security headlights. Erkum was up two levels in the shopping complex. From there he could see all who came in. There was no back entrance. If Slirinus came alone Erkum would call and then they would walk a few blocks to where Meelanda and Evie awaited with Oscren.

  Angina walked in at the appointed time, saw Felis, walked to his table, nodded and sat down. “I must say you do look a lot better” she said.

  “You need to get your eyes checked” said Felis. It still felt awkward speaking but he managed. “I trust you are alone.”

  “I have a pilot at the spaceport. No one here but me” said Angina. With a smile she added “but your people already know that.”

  Right on cue Erkum’s message flashed on Felis’ communicator confirming Angina’s statement. “So it would appear” he said as he rose from his chair. “We walk…not far.”

  They took the underground walkway two blocks and then left another before entering an office complex. As they rode the elevator Felis rubbed his sore left eye while he studied Angina with his good right eye. ‘She’s a cool one’ he thought.

  At the 33rd floor they exited the elevator and Felis led Angina to a conference room where Meelanda rose to meet her. It was a very businesslike greeting. They sat on either side of the table. Evie and Felis were the only other attendees and they both intended to let Meelanda do the talking.

  “So” said Meelanda “you called for this meeting, what is on your mind?”

  “Yes I did” replied Angina “and I have come a good distance to be here at a time when time is very precious. You won’t really appreciate just how precious till you hear what I am about to tell you. But believe me it is. I also want you to appreciate that what I am about to tell you will place my life in your hands.”

  “Why don’t you just tell me then” suggested Meelanda.

  Angina took out the ePaper from her jacket pocket and placed it on the table and then slid it across to Meelanda. “That is a hit list to be executed by the head of the Foreign Intelligence Agency. It was intercepted by my organisation a week ago. It was issued by the First Consul and only awaits the time needed to coordinate arrangements before it will be implemented.”

  Angina stiffened a little as she pointed to the ePaper. “If you scroll down a little you will see my name on it. So you see I am marked for termination. My choices are simple.” Angina gave a weak smile. “Either I run away and hide under a rock or I pre-empt this coup with one of my own.”

  Angina paused for dramatic effect. “Needless to say I don’t like rocks. So I am in need of a new Government to serve.” She smiled briefly. “I could easily support one of the others on this list but we have all had enough of this Imperialist system don’t you think. I want to sweep the whole edifice away. I need a clean skin with enough wisdom and courage to lead us on a new path. That is why I have come here. I wish to throw my personal support and that of my organisation behind you. I have a plan to wrest control of the home worlds but it needs to be implemented post haste.”

  There was dead silence for a good minute.

  “And what do you want in this new arrangement?” asked Meelanda.

  “I am happy to continue to serve as head of your security service for one year” said Angina. She mustered up as much sincerity as she could and added “But really I would like to retire in peace after that. I reckon I will have earned that.”

  “What makes you think you can wrest control? What fleet assets can you call on?”

  “Have a look at the list again. It contains nearly half the fleet admirals. So I reckon we can secure a fair percentage of the fleet. We only need enough to secure Cheklin and Istridium in the first instance.”

  “And what of Army assets?”

  “Again there are a number of senior Army commanders on the list. Most are outside the home worlds and without the fleet they cannot intervene. Within the home worlds it is my security forces that predominate.”

  “Very interesting Ms Slirinus” said Meelanda. She pondered for a moment. “I need to consult with my colleagues. Would you mind waiting in the adjacent room. I will have someone attend to your refreshments.”

  “Of course” said Angina. She rose and made a modest tilt of the head before moving to the door which Erkum had just opened. He escorted Angina out and shut the door behind him.

  “Well” said Meelanda to Evie and Felis “What did you make of that?” Her eyes settled on Evie.

  “Could be a total fabrication” Evie proffered. “We have no way of verifying any of it.”

  “Then give her a test” said Felis. Evie looked at him askance. “You know” he continued “something for her to prove her commitment. What about the space station?”

  They each thought about it for a moment. It was Evie who spoke first. “You’re full of surprises Felis. I think it’s an excellent idea.”

  “So do I” said Meelanda. Felis smiled despite the fact that with all his bruising it still hurt to contort his face so. “It will have to be timed right” added Meelanda “just before the Federation fleet arrives.”

  “We don’t know exactly what her timetable is to counter this plot” stated Felis. “We need to clarify that. We may have to move before Yomoto arrives.”

  “I’m not happy about that” said Meelanda. “Remember this is a test and she may be found wanting. If we move too early we won’t have any support. But I think we have a way forward. Let’s get her back in.”

  A minute later Angina re-entered with a neutral expression though underneath she was anxious to hear their verdict. After listening to Meelanda outline her request, Angina knew they had the basis for a deal. She smiled. “Yes I can deliver you control of the Dogon space station but I do not want to wait that long. We need to act before the end of the month or it may be too late.”

  “I’m sorry but we cannot move before then” said Meelanda firmly.

  “Cannot or won’t” countered Angina.

  Meelanda gave her a weak smile.

  “What’s so important about that time?” asked Angina.

  “Let’s just say that we need to coordinate all our actions and ensure that all our support is in place.”

  “When you say support are you talking about fleet support?”

  “Yes.”

  “If the commander of this fleet is not on that list you cannot trust them.”

  “The commander is not on that list” said Meelanda matter of factly.

  “It’s not rogan is it?”

  “I’m not going to confirm or deny that.”

  “Oh for heaven’s sake” said Angina forcefully “can we cut this game playing. You are going to have to trust me.”

  “I’ll trust you when you deliver the Dogon, not before” replied Meelanda with equal strength.

  “Please don’t bring in foreign forces. We rogan can sort out our mess by ourselves. Don’t you see that it will undermine your credibility? You’ll be seen as a puppet of the foreigners. That is not the basis for a long term change. It’s an invite for another coup.” Angina blurted the last sentence out with as much conviction as she could muster.

  Felis leaned closer to Meelanda and said in a quiet voice �
��I think she’s right.” Meelanda felt stung by the comment and looked to Evie. Evie felt a swirl of conflicting thoughts take over her mind. She wouldn’t be here now if it had not been for the support offered by the Federation but somehow she knew there was great wisdom in what Angina had said. She felt a tremendous burden on her as all eyes other than her own bore into her.

  “Well Evie?” asked Meelanda.

  Evie nodded her head. “Yes I can see that but we have made a commitment. We would not be here now if it were not for their support.” She focussed on Felis. “And you would still be wallowing in a prisoner of war compound. Surely that must count for something.”

  Felis felt the rebuke. “That’s true but are we just going to be a transition between dictators or are we going to offer real hope for a better future.”

  “Perhaps a middle path can be found” offered Angina. “What if the Federation Fleet…it is the humans isn’t it?” Meelanda nodded. “well what if their fleet were but part of a combined fleet operating under command of a rogan Admiral - someone of undoubted authority and status.”

  “And you have someone in mind I take it?” asked Meelanda.

  “I think I might, but I need to confirm that.”

  “It’s going to be a tough sell to the humans” contributed Felis.

  “And to one in particular” added Evie.

  “Yomoto?” queried Angina. Evie nodded. “Then you must convince him. But is there time for you to communicate with him? He must have left Chelora or be about to.”

  “We can try” said Meelanda heading off any further response from Evie, lest she give too much away.

  “It is imperative that you do. I can have a rogan fleet here in two weeks. I would like to act then before we are beaten to the punch. The rogan fleet and the Dogon space station will protect you. The humans can then be seen as supporting not leading. It’s a sound plan don’t you agree?”

  Meelanda looked to Felis and Evie. They both nodded. “I agree” responded Meelanda.

  Chapter 5. Phantom over Q2 1900, 1 September

  Julian, Aubrey and Tola sat around the briefing table with Meg and Hec from the Raptor and Sheldon and Anita from the Spectre. Sheldon had just finished his report on the recent engagement.

  “That’s about it Sir” finished off Sheldon. Julian nodded as he thanked Sheldon and handed proceedings over to Aubrey. He may have been the senior officer present but he was a political officer and so he deferred to Aubrey, the senior operational commander. He was quite content in doing so. By nature he was an observer and an astute one at that. But he didn’t need to be all that astute to detect that all the officers present were anxious. He knew why and it was the first point Aubrey raised.

  “So how many missiles do you have left” asked Aubrey.

  “Thirty three” said Sheldon.

  “Thirty two” replied Meg.

  “And we’ve got 26” stated Aubrey.

  “Not even one full complement between us” commented Anita.

  “So we’re basically a picket till the Maelstrom arrives” said Aubrey. “We’ll spread out on this side of the planet. Probes and sats?”

  “Yeah we’ve already deployed ‘em” said Sheldon and he brought them up on the holo display. He went on to describe their deployment.

  “OK that looks good. So what’s the deal with the transports?”

  “A present from a Mr Likta” chimed in Hec. “They were told to report here to the local authorities and help with the evacuation. I had a meeting with the ship captains and liaised with the local resistance. But no one can agree on where all the people are going to go to. There’s some big meeting going on down below tonight to try and sort it out. Options are limited though.”

  “Chelora” announced Julian “that’s where they should go. We take people to Chelora and bring supplies from there back here. An efficient shuttle-run, don’t you think?”

  Hec was caught aback by the suggestion. His mouth remained open while he digested the logic of it. Then he realised and shut his mouth only to reopen it with a question “But surely we can’t just front up there with masses of rogan civilians. The government will need to be consulted. Won’t they?”

  “My dear Mr Shoebridge, that is why I am here…to make those types of decisions. Rarely are they countermanded by the High Council.” Julian paused, waiting for Hec to respond, but when he got no reaction Julian added “You better hurry then don’t you think?” Hec looked incredulously at the Commodore. So Julian stated “someone’s going to have to make the offer to those people down below.”

  “Me Sir?”

  Julian smiled “Yes and you’ll do a fine job too. Commander” said Julian looking to Meg “if you please?”

  “Yes of course Sir” said Meg “Well off you go Hec, take our warthog. I’m sure Commander Brice will give me a lift back.”

  “Glad to” said Sheldon who was quite enjoying the turn of events.

  “Right then” said Hec and he left the briefing room for his cabin before heading down to the hangar bay.

  When he got there the Commodore was already strapped into one of the warthog’s seat. “Sir!” said a very surprised Hec.

  “Oh I’m just here to observe” said Julian straight faced. But on the journey down Julian and Hec worked out a suitable address, well one that the Commodore deemed suitable anyway.

  It was nigh on 2100 when Julian and Hec followed Art into the old Assembly building in downtown Rollinium. “All those people outside. Is that normal?” asked Hec.

  “What’s normal?” responded Art as they walked briskly. “But it is getting uglier. Hopefully you can placate them.”

  “Gee, no pressure then” said Hec. He turned to the Commodore. “Don’t you think it would carry more weight if this came from you Sir?”

  Julian smiled weakly. “But it does Mr Shoebridge. You’ll be fine. I have every confidence in you.”

  Hec looked to Art for any form of help but got none and so he marched on behind Art who was extending his stride a little down the corridor.

  They were greeted by lieutenant Colonel (LCol) Hanza Beglitus, Col Rentra Kaant’s deputy. He looked extremely puzzled when it was explained to him that 1st Lt Shoebridge would be addressing the assembly and not the Commodore. But he eventually nodded without saying anything and led them through a series of corridors to the side entrance to a huge stage. As they got nearer they could hear the voice of a political leader rising in volume to make a point over the ever increasing noise from what must have been a large crowd.

  In the wings of the stage Rentra was introduced to the Commodore and Lt Shoebridge and she too was puzzled that it would not be the Commodore making the address. She whispered something in Art’s ear. Art just nodded and she made a ‘oh well then’ expression on her face.

  A few minutes later Rentra waved for them to follow her onto the stage. It was only then that Hec realised the magnitude of the assembly hall and that it was filled with thousands of rogan. He gulped. As they walked over to the podium, Julian said to Hec without looking at him “You’ll be fine Mr Shoebridge…just fine.”

  He was introduced as the spokesperson for the Human Federation, something he felt unqualified for but he knew there was no backing away now. He swallowed, took a deep breath and began.

  “Rogan of Qwantum” he began. The voices in the crowd began to stop. “I come here tonight to address you, our allies in the fight against the Imperialists, and to offer tangible help to you, our friends, in your hour of need. Above us now, three of our most advanced ships stand guard over your planet. More are on the way. We will do our utmost to defend you.” This kicked off a low hum of voices from the crowd.

  “We also recognise the need for long term evacuation, given the gravitational anomaly so cruelly inflicted by the Imperialists. And we are not alone in wanting to help. The Likta Corporation has sent the first batch of transports that will be made available for this purpose. More will follow.”

  “The big question is where you shall g
o to resettle. We are offering to resettle you on Chelora until a more permanent place can be found. This will allow us to bring more forces here to defend you while evacuating you out of harm’s way. To that end we can commence transport services immediately.”

  At first there was deadly silence, followed by some murmurings and then a flurry of motion as individuals pressed the controls in front of their seat to request an opportunity to ask a question or pass comment.

  Despite his trepidations Hec was able to respond and to do so in a positive manner. The mood slowly turned from deep suspicions to one with a glimmer of hope. Hec seemed to grow in confidence as he fielded the questions and if he had looked around behind him he would have seen that the Commodore was feeling a lot more confident too.

  At 2200 the public meeting was declared over but no sooner had the people started to exit when the three human officers were ushered into a huge conference room to work through the planning of the first convoy.

  At 2315 Julian and Hec boarded Art’s buggy bound for the spaceport. Julian gave Hec a warm smile and said “If you ever wish to become a political officer Mr Shoebridge you can count on my support.”

  Those words sent warmth through Hec’s body.

  Chapter 6. Raptor over Q2 1700, 2 September

  It had been a long day for Hec coordinating the first flights back to Chelora. With so many different fingers in the pie there was a lot of ‘two steps forward, one step back’ before a definitive passenger list was agreed on. Finally at 1600 he was free to return back to the Raptor.

  “Nice to see I have my XO back on board” said Meg. “Though you look pretty done in” she added.

  “I am bushed” conceded Hec as he sat down into the visitor’s chair of her office. “At least the first convoy is all set to depart tomorrow. What a mess though. It would be alright if you only had one organisation to deal with.”