by C. R. Daems
"Good, could you replay it in slow motion, so … Representative Sharli and whoever is in charge of this meeting can review it to ensure there is no doubt who drew first?" I said looking at Sharli, who nodded. She was holding her left elbow in obvious pain. "Those who would like to leave or go outside while we wait for the camera crew to get set up can do so now. But please go slowly, so no one gets hurt." I waved to Sergeant Ganz. "Ms. Sharli, let Sergeant Ganz look at your arm. He's a qualified medic."
It took an hour for the dead bodies to be cleared out of the way, the chairs to be reset, and to get the camera crew to set up a feed to several monitors scattered around the room. Then the meeting's chair, a Mr. Holt, went through the recording with Sharli, noting the time each person had drawn his weapon. It was a slow process as the differences in some cases were fractions of a second and the recording had to be run four or five times. After fifteen minutes, it became a party as food and drinks appeared and everyone became glued to the monitor. In the end, it was clear the raiders had drawn first in every case. We had just finished when the police arrived. Fortunately, Sharli's two assigned policemen had been there during the fight and the review of the recording, which shortened the time with the police lieutenant sent to investigate the incident.
"I had expected you to jump in front of me, not kick my feet out from under me," Sharli said, sounding thoughtful.
Ganz had determined she hadn't broken anything in the fall, only bruised the bone in her elbow.
"Although we are willing to die to save your life, we're not suicidal. If we die, in all probability you die next, since there would be no one to protect you. So we do our best to get you safely out of the way so we can engage the person wanting to kill you."
"I would apologize for all the names I called you for dumping me like you did, but I think I already apologized a couple of days ago for all the things I was going to call you." she smiled.
"You did, and no additional apology is necessary."
* * *
The incident at Lahore had caused the Safort government to round up all the crew from the Wanderer and detain them while they investigated the involvement of the Valhall crew. The Valhall government representative on Safort demanded the Black Guard be arrested for unjustified killing of the Valhall crew, claiming they were there visiting old friends.
I hoped that would disrupt any additional attempts on Sharli's life, but I couldn't wager her life on it. There was little more than a week remaining until the vote on the alliance, and whoever was in charge not only couldn't delay for long but probably figured it was their last chance—all or nothing.
"Well, Captain, what does your crystal ball say is next?" Sharli asked, looking far too serious. I had been contemplating that very question ever since the shooting. There were many possibilities, but one particularly ugly one stood out.
"I'd like to install recording equipment on all your communication devices until after the vote."
"Why?" She frowned. "You think they will try threatening me?"
"Yes, to see your reaction."
"What would be the point? It's a reality."
"No, not you but your daughter and mother, after the vote," I reluctantly said. "It would be good to have a recording of that conversation and to know your response."
Sharli staggered to an empty chair and sat. Her face had turned a pasty white and her lip trembled. She closed her eyes and sat rocking for a long time. "Thank you, Captain Sapir. You're right. I need to have a response if that happens. One I've had time to consider. You have my permission to install the equipment." She rose and went to her bedroom and closed the door.
* * *
The next four days were uneventful. Sharli had visited her family-owned store and spent several hours discussing business with her manager, stayed home two days reading SUC proposals, and visited a town meeting where she mingled with the people attending. I became increasingly nervous as the day of the alliance vote neared.
"I need to go into the office today," Sharli said as she sat down for breakfast. Her mother was in another room working with Tami on school lessons. "And you were right. Some woman called and threatened my mother and daughter would die within a year if the alliance wasn't approved. Did you hear the recording?"
"No. Your conversations are your personal business, so the recordings are yours to do with what you choose."
"What would you have told such a caller?"
"I don't have a child and haven't seen my mother since I was six, but if they threatened to kill my Guard detail, who I consider close family, I would have told them I would see that their organization or country would pay in kind. I would not kill for revenge, but there are many ways to exact justice."
Sharli laughed for the first time in days. "I told her she had better pay someone to be sure my mother and daughter didn't have an accident, because if they did, I would spend every waking moment lobbying for an alliance with the Jax, and that beside the recording of this phone conversation, I have plenty of examples of Outpost and Valhall treachery to campaign on."
"They now must kill you," I said. You have left them no other option." I contacted Elijah, Catz, and Cerff. They appeared seconds later.
"This very brave lady has taken charge of the game. Her adversaries must now kill her or lose. They have no other option. So, we are going back to two teams. Lieutenant Elijah, you and Sergeant Catz's original team are now responsible for Mrs. Alani and Tami. Sergeant Cerff, I want maximum coverage on Ms. Sharli until the vote."
I clicked my Mfi to the Crouching Tiger.
Blatt answered.
"Your call is early. Is there a problem?" he asked, frowning with concern.
"How would you like to loan Ms. Sharli a combat shuttle until the vote on Saturday? The game is coming to an end, and I believe a combat shuttle will prove to be checkmate." I couldn't help but smile at his deepening frown.
"Do you want marines? I thought—"
"No marines, just a pilot and an offensive and defensive equipment operator. Unless I'm wrong, Ms. Sharli has limited her adversaries' options to just one—killing her. And the easiest way would be to shoot down her skimmer. If that happens, Jax would lose the alliance vote and eight Black Guards, including their heartless captain."
"If that happened, Sapir, the JCC would have me grounded and assigned to them as a clerk so that they could ensure I never had anything to smile about for the rest of my career. Therefore, Ms. Sharli's combat shuttle will be there within two hours." He gave a snort and clicked off.
"There will be a slight delay, Ms. Sharli."
"I heard and I'm happy to wait. I've never been on a combat shuttle."
* * *
I went out to meet the shuttle when it settled some forty meters from Sharli's house. A lieutenant and two warrant officers exited the shuttle and saluted as I approached.
"Ma'am, I'm Lieutenant Sauls, your pilot, and this is Warrant Officers Velez and Murry, your ECM and weapons operators. Captain Blatt sends his compliments. Orders?"
"At ease. Your job is to take Ms. Sharli wherever she wishes to go, without getting her killed. My job is to keep her safe when she's not under your tender care," I said to eager faces. They were bored and this was an exciting diversion. "Gentlemen, when Ms. Sharli steps on your shuttle, I expect one hundred percent of your attention on your responsibilities. Failure could impact the Jax's way of life."
I saw a few grins which slowly turned to frowns when I didn't smile.
"That's no joke or even any exaggeration. Ms. Sharli will decide whether Safort aligns with the Jax or Outpost, and that could sway other systems to go one way or the other. So, when Ms. Sharli is on board, you have to be at your best, because this shuttle will be attacked some time over the next several days. Her assassins have no other choice. They have tried everything else and failed."
Shortly afterward, Cerff, his entire team, and Ms. Sharli approached and after introductions entered the shuttle.
"Not like a skimmer," she said and
then held up her hand. "I'm not complaining. The increased security is well worth the decrease in comfort." She sat and buckled the restraining harness in place and smiled.
An hour later, we landed and escorted Sharli into the building and then to her office. I left two with the shuttle and two in the lobby. Four of us accompanied her into her area. She had three visitors, whom I accompanied into the room with her and, to their annoyance, stayed during the meeting. I wasn't ruling out anything: an attack on the shuttle, a single assassin, or multiple assassins. There were no incidents during the day nor on the trip home. That night I posted two Guards to guard the shuttle, armed with ground to air missiles.
The next day, Sharli was scheduled to visit the town of Snake River to be the guest speaker at a high school graduation.
"These shuttles aren't too comfortable, but they are fast. Usually takes well over three hours—"
"Incoming. Steady as you go, Sauls. Chaff away, bank hard!" Velez's voice was loud but steady—signifying this was a routine event. The shuttle suddenly veered hard to the left. "All clear … second incoming. Hold steady, flares away … got it. All clear."
"Hold it steady, Lieutenant. I've got the shooter's position. Captain Sapir, permission to engage?" Murry's voice.
"Do you have a clear shot?" I asked, not wanting innocent bystanders killed. The repercussions wouldn't be worth it.
"No other heat signatures in the area," Murry's voice.
"Permission to engage," I said. A few seconds later, I heard the pulsed release of the laser.
"Two toasts," Murry said with satisfaction.
"Make sure you are secured. I'm on my approach for a landing at Snake River," Sauls said, his voice clearly excited. Several minutes later the shuttle landed and the back ramp opened as Sauls appeared from the cabin area.
"Nice job, Lieutenant. You and your team are good." I gave them a respectful bow.
"The colonel sent his number one ranked team, ma'am. He also said if we … screw up and you don't shoot us, he'll leave us on Safort when the Tiger leaves for home." He gave me a toothy grin.
"You were right again," Sharli said as I exited. "I could just imagine what marines felt like being dropped into a combat zone. Helpless," Sharli said, looking a little less pale.
"You could think of it that way, or you could consider it being in the loving care of family who are doing their best to get you on the ground safely," I said with a smile.
She laughed.
"No competition between services?"
"Not on my part. We're all Jax and all ready to help if necessary to meet our commitments," I said, expressing my genuine feelings. "The Guard is my immediate family, and the other services are close relatives."
Sharli was quiet until she entered the church were the meeting was being held. There, she shook hands, spent time with each individual who approached her, and gave a ten-minute speech which turned into an hour as she answered questions and discussed issues relevant to the Snake River residents. Afterward, food and drink were available. I agreed to answer questions about the Guard. It kept my team from being distracted by questions, and to my amusement, helped me with my socialization.
* * *
I suggested we go to Central City a day early, to hopefully throw off any plans the assassins might be making for her return. We had no problems on the flight there or that evening at the restaurant or that night in the hotel. Sharli had an early breakfast, and at my suggestion, left two hours early for the meeting. I hoped to mess up any well-laid plans to catch Sharli on the way to the meeting by being unpredictable. It appeared to work, because we arrived at the conference room early but without incident.
We had just sat down when a police lieutenant opened the door and stepped in.
"Representative Sharli, Chairman Geraldo would like to see you, alone." He held the door open. He was tall, over 190 centimeters, close cut black hair, and had an athletic build. "He's just down the hall."
When Sharli rose to go, I rose and pointed to Cerff and Toch, who rose.
"I'm sorry, Captain. The Chairman says he wants to see Representative Sharli alone." He shrugged to indicate it wasn't his request.
"I'm sorry too, Lieutenant, but Representative Sharli is not permitted out of my sight. So, I go with her or she doesn't go and Mr. Geraldo can come here to see her."
"Is that necessary?" Sharli asked, frowning at me. "I'm safe here."
"My crystal ball says you are not safe anywhere until after the vote." I didn't smile.
Her frown deepened, then relaxed.
"Alright, come along. Can't imagine it's anything you can't hear." She left the room following the police lieutenant, who took her down a long corridor nearly to the end, stopped, knocked at a door, and opened it.
"Sir, Representative Sharli … and her Black Guard."
Sharli walked in and I followed, closing the door behind me and leaving Cerff and Toch outside to guard the hallway.
"Welcome, Captain Sapir. From all accounts you have lived up to your … reputation and have saved Representative Sharli several times. The SUC thanks you. The Black Guard is very expensive but well worth the money. I officially terminate your contract," Geraldo said, with a smile that looked … amused."
"I believe the contract states until Representative Sharli votes at the SUC meeting to decide the referendum on the proposed Helix Alliance. Terminating it now would be a violation of the contract," I said, wondering if Geraldo considered the SUC headquarters immune from assassins.
"Captain Sapir, I'm the chairman of the SUC. I will sign a waiver if you feel it's necessary. You have done your duty and you are no longer necessary. Besides, our meetings are confidential." His smile was not quite so friendly.
"I'm sure if Representative Sharli dies between now and the vote, Safort would not blame the Jax; however, the rest of the universe, not knowing the facts, would see it as a failure on our part. Therefore, unless Ms. Sharli demands I leave, I'll stay until the official vote on the referendum has been completed." I looked to Sharli, whose eyes were going from Geraldo to me like watching two jugglers with grenades.
She stared at me for a long time before speaking. "Your crystal ball?"
"Mr. Geraldo may trust the security of the facility, but it's obvious the people who want you dead have money and are desperate—a volatile combination. Until you vote, they have a chance to succeed."
"I could have you forcibly removed, Captain," Geraldo said angrily, his face turning pink.
"Mr. Geraldo, let me remind you what I told you at the beginning of the contract. The Black Guard is only concerned about their client's safety. If anyone puts our client in danger, we will be justified in killing them."
"Are you threatening me?" he said in a low menacing voice.
"No, sir. If you or anyone threatens Ms. Sharli's safety, I will kill that person. There are no exceptions, no negotiations, and no compromises."
"Geraldo, I'd feel better with Captain Sapir staying until after the vote. I agree with her. The people trying to kill me are ruthless," Sharli quickly interjected, then grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the door. "Come, Captain, let's wait in the meeting room."
"The Black Guard will regret this," Geraldo growled as we strode from the room.
"Won't you get in trouble?" Sharli asked quietly as we walked down the hallway.
"That is not as important as seeing you safe. Since you will be safe after you vote, that is when I will be comfortable leaving you."
"You think Geraldo …"
"After we leave, feel free to agree with him and call me arrogant, heartless, and anything else."
"But you—"
"Thousands of years ago, a very smart man called Sun Tzu said in his writing, The Art of War, 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.' It appears that may well apply in The Art of Politics." I shrugged.
Sharli's frown turned to a smile and then a laugh.
Representatives began arriving a couple of hours later. Geraldo arrived las
t and to his credit appeared friendly as if nothing had happened. Sharli to her credit played along. Before the vote was taken, Sharli recounted her four-week nightmare. It took over an hour because of the questions around each incident. Ironically, when the formal vote was taken, several representatives changed their votes.
The proposed Helix Alliance failed by four votes.
* * *
"The JCC will be pleased with the outcome," Captain Blatt said as he sipped a glass of wine. He, Colonel Berger, and I had just finished dinner. "Another system requesting Jax presence."
"I wonder whose idea it was to ambush General Lerman at the Outpost conference? Talk about the mother of all blunders." Berger shook his head in disbelief.
"In hindsight," Blatt said. "Wouldn't you think seven trained guards could kill one Jax security guard? Even a Black Guard, who they had no way of knowing Lerman would bring."
"A double surprise. A Black Guard and a dragon." Berger nodded in my direction. "It has not only cost them the alliance, but also strengthened Jax's influence with the other systems."
"A great historical lesson on several levels—unintended consequences, surprise, know thy enemy, and revenge. If they had just ignored Lerman's refusal to join, I believe they would have gotten the alliance. But they wanted to ruin Jax's reputation."
I laughed. "And what about gambles? No matter how ill advised, if it works, then you're a genius," I said, thinking of Lerman's gamble.
Neither man commented but they sagely nodded agreement.
* * *
I smiled as I stepped off the shuttle, seeing Hada standing there smiling—the perfect homecoming.
"Well Rivka, are you ready for another dose of socialization?" Hada asked as we walked back down the path to level one, the officer's terrace.
"Yes, but first … we have to finish my after-action report." I grinned.
"All right, but you're buying the snacks and drinks," Hada said.
We stayed up all night laughing and acting like carefree children. "You must be the most hated Jax on Outpost. You're like their own private cyclone following them everywhere they go."
