“Power? Pah!” snorted the President. “This is just more rhetoric, we’ve had this for years now. Their announcement will be just another social programme or more likely, an attempt to reclaim their tax concessions for the Church.”
“Sir, the stream indicated that a large number of groups will...” started his advisor before being cut off.
“Look, Wilkins, I’m getting a little bored with these people. Notify the security staff and report back to me at five thirty in the morning. Let them have their talks and streams. It will keep them busy while we get ready to deal with the real problems tomorrow. There are more important issues at stake than one Church!” He stomped off along with his guards.
“Idiot!” muttered General Rivers to himself before turning to Spartan.
“I need a secure link to Admiral Jarvis and fast, something is coming and if I’m right we’re going to need one hell of a plan to get around it.”
He acknowledged the General as he watched the President disappear around the corner, still complaining as he went.
* * *
The early morning light had already started to burn through the cloud cover when the Bishop and his entourage arrived outside of the Assembly Building. The crowds had increased overnight and they now numbered in the thousands. Most were there to hear the message from the Bishop about improvements to their lives and the promises the Church had made in the last few hours. A token number of police were scattered along the perimeter of the Assembly Building. At first glance it looked like a soft hand with regards to policing, in reality most of the riot police were deployed within the compound waiting for the word to move to where they were needed most. Mixed in with the crowd were the scores of press, some with cameras, others with microphones and all waiting for the word from the single most important person on Kerberos that day, the Bishop of Yama.
He stood up on top of the burnt relic of the Church, so recently damaged and scarred by a bomb attack. This ancient relic was already becoming even more important in its damaged state than it ever had been as a survivor from the Iconoclast Controversy so many years before.
“Good people of Yama. I come to you today as a humble man, a man of the Church and a man of peace. I am not here to stir up hostility or resentment. I am here to help turn your lives into those of joy and fulfilment. Let me tell you a terrible story, one of intolerance, depravity and the base desires of men in power. I am in touch with our brothers on every colony, ship and station in Proxima and they all tell me the same thing. When will they end? I tell you all, the time is coming!” he cried.
CHAPTER TEN
Titan, the old moon of Saturn was the first major body to be colonised in the earliest days of space travel. Its atmosphere and abundant resources quickly helped turn it into a hub from which many more stations and eventually colonies could be built. The computer failure of the habitation system demonstrated early on that over reliance on technology could have catastrophic consequences. Over a million people died in that terrible tragedy, one that has still never been fully explained.
The Lost World
Teresa was still sitting at the table, facing Antonius. In front of them was a datapad that contained military schematics and data on a number of pieces of equipment.
“Where did you get this?” Antonius asked as he thumbed through the diagrams.
“You know I can’t reveal my sources. Let’s just say the friends I have are certainly not on good terms with the users of this kind of gear.”
“And what was it you wanted?”
“That’s more like it. I need six hundred metric tonnes of food and medical supplies, about the same amount you would expect on a single military resupply drop.”
“Six hundred? Why do you need that much?” he asked suspiciously.
“None of your business, I have a need for that kind of aid package, if you’re interested in what I have to offer, this is my price.”
The man sat at the table, silent as he assessed the deal in front of him. From where Teresa sat she couldn’t believe the man would go for it. Six hundred metric tonnes could buy several armoured vehicles. It all depended on how much the man wanted the data. He looked at the datapad again, looking intently at one of the items.
“This datafile has the official signature seal of the Avagana Colonial Militia. Have you been there recently?”
“Maybe, why all the questions?”
“Well, I’m starting to think we might have some friends in common. What are your thoughts on the military peace keepers on Prime?”
For a second Teresa almost argued with him, her face betrayed her though. It was obvious she disagreed and try as she might she couldn’t disguise her anger.
“I see, so you’re no great lover of our vaunted friends in the Confederate Military,” he said as he started to relax.
Teresa took a breath, she may have messed up but it had worked to her advantage. She had given the impression she had feelings, strong feelings about those on Prime, it wasn’t her fault he had misread her emotions.
“The occupation on Avagana is good for business if that’s what you’re asking,” she decided to add.
“I think we both know you want those supplies for the rebels on Prime. Many would call that treason. Perhaps I should mention this to our friends in the Confederate Navy?” he added with a mischievous smile.
Teresa was now starting to enjoy this, their conversation had moved on to an almost flirting position as Antonius became a little less suspicious of her. She twisted slightly, knowing it gave him a better view of the gap in her jacket and down to her breasts. She immediately spotted his eyes moving.
“Your friends! You really want those Navy assholes wandering around the station? I have an empty ship, you’re the ones with supplies and the dodgy goods.”
Teresa looked about and then leaned forward.
“I’ll tell you what. I have a few more meetings to make, I know a man who might be able to help with your shipment. If you play your cards right you might even get a permanent arrangement out of it,” he said.
“Sounds good, we’ll be at the bar when he’s ready to talk.”
“If he’s ready to talk, I think you mean.”
Teresa stood up and grabbed the datapad, tucking it inside the leather pouch carried by Bishop.
“Whatever you say,” she said dismissively.
Teresa moved to the doorway, her crewmates moving aside for her but still keeping a watchful eye over Antonius. As she reached the door she turned back just for a moment, smiling.
“Don’t take too long, my customers don’t have much time, if you know what I mean.”
She turned and left the room, closely followed by the others. Rather than stopping she continued walking along the wide walkway, gazing at the stalls as they moved. Once they were out of earshot Bishop spoke quietly.
“Are we in?”
“Maybe, he obviously thinks we are running supplies through the blockade. The question is, will he talk to anyone higher up and if he does, will that get us the leads we need to crack this thing wide open?”
They moved past a few more stalls until reaching a pair of well-worn wooden doors. A drunk staggered out and crashed into Kowalski. Bishop grabbed the man and pushed him on his way.
“I guess this is the bar then?” he said with a laugh.
“Come on, we have some waiting to do,” said Teresa.
Inside they found a long wooden bar with a tattooed man serving drinks. Half a dozen men and two women sat at tables drinking and on the wall an antiquated video display showed video feeds of events on Kerberos. Teresa plonked herself down on a barstool. The rest of her crew spread out with Barca and Williams heading for the pool table at the rear. The barman looked up.
“You’re not from around here?”
“Quite. Whisky,” she said sarcastically.
As the drink arrived a weasel-looking man entered the bar and looked about. As soon as he spotted Teresa he slunk over and dropped down next to her. The ma
n lifted his hand and the barman wandered over, putting a drink in front of him, but saying nothing. The man took a swig and then turned to Teresa.
“Vasili, Antonius says you are involved in supplying the rebels.”
Teresa threw back the whisky and instantly regretted it, but at least it helped calm her already frayed nerves.
“Really? He says a lot doesn’t he?” she laughed.
The man looked around the room, checking for any problems before leaning in closer. He smelt like cinnamon but where he would have got that smell she had no idea.
“Look, we have a few interested parties on the station. This regime is going down and fast. There are going to be opportunities people with the contacts and the knowhow. You interested in upping the stakes and making some real money?”
Teresa looked over to Bishop who was busy watching them from a discreet distance.
“Hey, Bish, you interested in a bit more money?”
“Always,” he came over and sat next to the man. “What do you have in mind?”
“Is it true, you have access to military grade blueprints?”
Teresa waved over to Kowalski who was now holding the satchel containing the encrypted military datapad. He pulled out the device and handed it to her. Before she switched it on she looked at the man for a moment before sliding the switch and turning it on. The first image to pop up was a technical schematic for the CES armour suits.
“Fuck, is that what I think it is?”
“Well, it ain’t no pizza oven,” said Bishop.
The man looked at the details, soaking in the facts and figures.
“Hey, this doesn’t come cheap, we paid a heavy price for this information,” Teresa said as she pulled back the datapad.
“That armour is the stuff I’ve heard about on Avagana. Those fascist bastards used it to kill civilians, you know that right?” he asked vehemently.
“Yeah, yeah, I know what they used it for. Now, what did you have in mind?” she asked.
“Well, there are some people here that could do with this kind of intel. To the right person I reckon we could make some serious money, I mean serious,” he inched closer.
“We?” asked Bishop.
“I can get you a meeting with one of the groups from Avagana. You need to be quick, they won’t be here for much longer, there’s a price though.”
“How much?” asked Teresa as she glanced at Bishop who was already placing a bug in the man’s clothes.
“If I arrange a deal I want a fifty percent stake.”
“Fifty percent, fuck off!” Bishop shouted who then turned away, feigning anger.
“Come on, we have things to do,” Teresa stood up and dropped some cash on the bar for the bartender.
“Okay, easy now. Forty percent plus a look at the files,” he countered.
Teresa turned towards him a little closer so that her skin was almost touching his face.
“I’ll give you forty percent if you can arrange a meeting within the hour!”
“An hour? No way can I do something that fast!”
“Look, we have arrangements with another supplier, you make your arrangements or we move on. I don’t have the time to mess about, it’s up to you,” she made to leave.
“Hey, how do I contact you?”
“My ship, the Tamarisk, don’t leave it too long though.” Then they were gone.
As they went down the corridor Teresa started to speed up. Bishop was alongside, sensing something was wrong. He was about to speak when she pulled over to the side and retched, vomiting onto the metal floor. As Bishop held her, Barca approached.
“I’ve got a message from Anderson, he says he’s picking up traffic from one of the bars two floors up. According to the station plans it’s unused.”
Teresa wiped her face and coughed a little before speaking. “Show me.”
Barca passed the moving map to Teresa and she tracked the bug’s movement and the new location.
“That has to be the place. Tell Anderson we’re going in, he needs to have the ship ready in case we need to leave in a hurry.”
Back in the main hallway they moved further along until they reached the door that led to different levels. Bishop went in first, closely followed by the rest of them. Teresa was last in and she quietly pulled the door behind her. The stairwell was dark and obviously little used. As they waited Williams checked his scanner for a better way to reach the area.
“The stairwell is blocked one level up. I’ve got a ventilated shaft running two metres outside the bar. Close enough for the UAVs?”
“It’ll have to do. Come on, get them in position, I need to speak with Anderson.” Teresa pulled out her radio.
“Anderson, we’re in position. We’re sending in the UAVs now, are you tracking the bug?”
“He’s entered the area now, send in the bugs. Once they are in position, get back to the ship.”
Williams knelt down and took out a plastic box, laying it out on the floor. He opened the lid carefully to reveal four small metallic objects, each one the size of a finger. He looked up at Teresa who quickly gave him the nod. He took the first object out, twisted the cap and then placed it on the ground. Almost as soon as his hand was clear a wafer thin membrane extended from its side and then started to gently buzz. It rocked to the side and then took off hovering at head height. He quickly did the same to the rest of the units and in seconds all four were hovering near them.
“Okay, they are set to take the air ducts to the floor and then spread out. We need to wait until they reach whatever is going on. Everybody watch the door and stairs, if anybody comes in put them on the ground and shut them up,” Teresa ordered.
* * *
Inside the Tamarisk Commander Anderson and Special Agent Johnson were busy watching the display panels. An additional screen showed a schematic of the station. Flashing dots showed the position of Teresa, her team and the bugged man. The first four screens all showed very dark images as the four miniature-robotic spies made their way to wherever the bugged man was heading.
“What do you think they’ll find?” asked the Commander.
“Well, based on the intel we’ve received so far, I would guess anything from weapons and arms dealers for the insurgents, right up to a meeting between officials. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
On the schematic a number of blue dots started to move about the station.
“What are those?” asked Anderson.
“That isn’t good, the security system monitors the private security firms protecting the different organisations at the station. Something has spooked them. Look, they’re making their way to the stairwell.”
“Shit, they must have rigged them with sensors!” Anderson grabbed the intercom system.
“Private Morato, we’ve got incoming, two security groups moving in on your position. I recommend you get into the main aisle and make your way slowly to the ship.”
“Sir, the UAVs are not in place yet. If we leave we will not be able to send them new commands.”
“They have their location data, let’s just hope it’s the right place. That isn’t a suggestion, Morato, it’s an order, now get your people out!”
“Yes, Commander.”
He then looked back at the schematic, noting that the security teams went directly past Teresa and her group and towards one of the bars. It looked like it must have been a false alarm, or perhaps there was some unrelated incident. He looked back at the other four feeds and noted the first aerial vehicle was making its way through a narrow tunnel and to the air filter near the old club. On the video stream he could make out the grating in front of the robot but nothing the other side. With the poor light it was hard to tell if that was down to dirt or it was simply empty. He turned to the second robot and was surprised to see a clear view into a large room packed with dozens of people.
“Holy shit, are you getting this?” shouted the Commander.
“Already recording the data, Sir. Look, do you recognise
Colonel Tyrol of the Agora Militia?”
“The bastard, he must be working with them!”
They were stood in a loose group around a central figure who wore thick robes that covered his entire body, leaving just a hint of his beard showing. The rest of the room was dark but the movement of shadows suggested there were more people along the perimeter.
“We are at a critical stage in the operation. Send a team and secure the ship, we’ll take the data and dispose of her crew,” said one man.
“I agree, it is too risky to involve anybody else, bring Antonius to us, we will have to explain to him why we do not allow strangers within our midst,” spoke another.
The man in the middle of the room lifted up his hands, indicating he wanted them all to be quiet.
“As you know, the struggle on Prime has expended our first wave of soldiers. More are being converted at our sites throughout the sector but we must have more time. With Kerberos out of the picture we can pick off each of the Confederate Colonies one at a time. In less than a month there will be enough converts to unleash against any single colony with a guarantee of victory.”
A cheer echoed through the chamber, the volume forced the robot to reduce the recording level to avoid excessive noise.
“Now, our plan is already in motion, in the next hour you will see a demonstration of the Church’s power and with it the dawn of the Union.”
Commander Anderson pressed a few buttons to zoom the video feed in so he could get a better view of the meeting. As he moved in he noticed something familiar about the man in the robe. He moved in closer and took a still image from the feed, connecting it to the vessel’s copy of the security database. It quickly found a match.
“Holy shit, that’s the Bishop of Yama! I thought he was on Kerberos for the protests.”
“Are you sure it’s him?” asked Special Agent Johnson, who looked again. “It is him, but that’s a holographic display, see it’s flickering. He’s not actually on the station!”
Tears of Kerberos Page 18
