Earth-Thunder

by Patrick Tilley

  Steve nodded. These guys had thought of everything. He answered Karlstrom’s question. ‘Sir, there is someone who could’ve tipped off the Yama-Shita.’ He paused before letting the name drop. ‘Cadillac M’Call.’

  Karlstrom and Jefferson looked at each other, then the P-G said: ‘Would you care to elaborate?’

  ‘Yes, sir. When Cadillac and I escaped together from the Heron Pool, he was in a position to observe what happened every step of the way. If I may recap briefly, we ditched our gliders at a pre-arranged rendezvous near the Hudson River, set them on fire, then were hidden in a house by an associate of Major Fujiwara until the wheel-boat arrived to take us through the canal system to Bu-faro.

  ‘This jap used a hand-set while we were in the house. Side-Winder – a mexican – was on the boat disguised as a Mute, then more of Ieyasu’s people helped us get onto a fishing boat, from where we transferred into inflatables to reach the air pick-up point on the western side of Lake Erie.

  ‘It was obvious they were all hooked into an efficient radio network. From what I learned during my training at Rio Lobo, the hand-sets Side-Winder and I were using weren’t powerful enough to reach the Federation. The signals had to be relayed – probably from inside Ne-Issan.’

  ‘It’s an interesting supposition,’ said Karlstrom.

  Steve continued undeterred. ‘Cadillac is one smart Mute. Once he saw that Side-Winder was working alongside Ieyasu’s agents, and that they had radios, it wouldn’t take long for him to put it all together.’

  ‘I can see that,’ said Karlstrom, ‘but what makes you think he’s been talking to the Yama-Shita?’

  ‘Because of something he said to me after Mr Snow and the She-Kargo had destroyed the wheel-boats and most of the D’Troit. He was going on about how the Yama-Shita – when they realised they’d made a big mistake in allying themselves with the D’Troit – might be persuaded to cut a deal with the winners.’

  ‘And he was going to try and set this up?’

  ‘That was the idea, yes.’

  ‘So how come you didn’t mention this when you came back in with Clearwater?’ asked Karlstrom.

  ‘Because I didn’t believe he was serious. You have to understand that this is someone who believes he’s a man of destiny. He’s full of big ideas, but most of them are pure fantasy-land.’ Steve shrugged. ‘To be honest, sir, I just couldn’t see it happening.’

  ‘And now?’ said Jefferson.

  ‘Maybe he found a way to get to them. Having had a chance to think it over, I realised that the Yama-Shita don’t know that Mr Snow – the She-Kargo’s secret weapon – is dead. After the way he wrote off their punitive expedition I’d say they might be prepared to listen – wouldn’t you, sir?’ Steve addressed the question to the President-General.

  ‘That would depend on what Cadillac had to put on the table.’

  ‘Exactly,’ said Karlstrom. ‘And it’s now clear it wasn’t furs and buffalo skins. It was a plan to destabilise the whole goddamn fucking country! But where did he get hold of the equipment? The Yama-Shita wouldn’t have bought this story without some tangible proof!’

  ‘Didn’t he steal a Mark 2 Skyhawk from The Lady, sir?’

  ‘An aircraft was seen to take off shortly before she blew up, yes.’

  ‘Then that’s where he got a radio from. He also learned to speak Japanese while he and I were in Ne-Issan. With the record facility, it wouldn’t be too hard to put on a convincing show of picking up a transmission.’

  The P-G fixed him with pale, hard eyes. ‘You make it sound like you were there.’

  ‘With respect, sir, I am only putting together a scenario based on my own experience. The Iron Masters are scared stiff of anything to do with the Dark Light. They’re not going to get too close or ask too many questions. As for Cadillac having the necessary expertise, he’s been inside my head and Malone’s – and he got hands-on experience when we were setting up the M’Calls for the attack on The Lady from Louisiana.’

  ‘But you’re not suggesting that it was his idea to murder the Shogun and Ieyasu.’

  ‘No, sir, it couldn’t have been. He had no knowledge of the political set-up. On the other hand, if he was working closely with the Yama-Shita, it would explain why whoever hit me on the head only took Commander Franklynne.’

  ‘I don’t quite follow,’ said Jefferson.

  ‘It would be a way of getting his own back for what happened to the Clan M’Call. Instead of having his jap friends capture or kill me, he left me to take the full rap from the Federation for coming back without a deal – and losing Commander Franklynne.’

  Karlstrom pinched his nose again. ‘Yes, well, that’s one explanation. But how did he – or they – figure you were going to make it?’

  ‘I’m not sure, sir. But since we’d managed to get out of the Palace after being tossed in jail, it must have been obvious to the guys who jumped us that we were in the process of being rescued. The meeting at the Summer Palace was supposed to be top secret, but whoever set up this coup knew exactly what was going on, who was going to be there and when – and had access.’

  ‘Ye-esss.…’ Karlstrom sought Jefferson’s reaction to this.

  Steve watched the silent exchange and knew he was out from under. He jumped up as the P-G and Karlstrom vacated their seats. ‘Sir, I realise that my failure to provide Commander Franklynne can’t be erased from the record –’

  ‘Damn right!’ exclaimed Jefferson.

  ‘– but I’d like an opportunity to make restitution.’

  ‘Don’t worry, you’re going to! This screw-up has brought her father and half his kin-folk down on my back. And pressure from that quarter is the last thing I need.’

  Jefferson treated Steve to a mocking smile. ‘But at least you’ve learned you can’t win them all. Even so, you’re still a lucky son of a bitch. In fact we both are. It was Fran who talked me into giving her this mission against my better judgement, and insisted on taking you – instead of someone with similar experience who could actually speak the language!’ He waved dismissively. ‘Take him away, Ben.’

  When Karlstrom and Steve emerged into the glistening marble lobby, Steve asked: ‘What’s going to happen to Major Fujiwara and the other men who helped me escape, sir?’

  ‘They’ve been temporarily assigned to our language laboratory. But we’ll probably send them back in to Ne-Issan to make contact with the operatives we still have there and – hopefully – set up a new network working directly for us. If the Toh-Yota lose control of the ball, it could all get very messy. It’s vital we keep tabs on what’s happening, so that we can be in a position to help the winning side.’ A thin smile. ‘Who knows? You may soon find yourself back in there dressed up as a Mute – but this time with lumps in your face.’

  ‘Does that mean I still have my job on the Eastern Desk?’

  ‘Not yet, Brickman. You’re down for a crash course in Japanese – and you’re also going to be war-gaming in the Simulation Room. The Desk Controller’s office will give you the details.’

  ‘Thank you, sir.’ Steve stiffened to attention.

  Karlstrom returned his salute, then remarked casually: ‘Oh, by the way – there’s something we didn’t tell you in there. Your hunch about Cadillac was right on the money.’

  ‘Beg pardon, sir?’

  ‘While you were all at sea, Monroe/Wichita picked up a signal from Sara-kusa. The Yama-Shita family are holding Commander Franklynne hostage. You’ll be pleased to know she’s alive and well.’

  ‘Wowww … jeezuss! That is a relief.’

  ‘It’s more than just good news, Brickman. Remember our train ride?’

  ‘Very clearly, sir.’

  ‘Then we may have one thing less to worry about. The Yama-Shita family have cut a deal with the She-Kargo. They’re offering to swap Commander Franklynne for Clearwater and her baby son.’

  Steve’s jaw dropped. ‘Baby …?’

  ‘Yes, I forgot. You’re a father. Congratulations.�
� Karlstrom stuck out a hand. ‘But before you go rushing over there, ride down to my office with me and I’ll give you the rest of what we have on the hostage front.’

  Steve looked down at the little screwed-up face then sat on the side of Clearwater’s bed. They squeezed each other’s hands and exchanged kisses.

  ‘Have you given him a name yet?’

  ‘Yes, Sand-Wolf.’ Clearwater lifted the dark-haired week-old baby out of the bedside cot and cradled him in her arms. ‘Because he was born in the Great Desert of the South.’

  Steve laughed. ‘Why do you still call the Federation a desert? Don’t you ever look out of the window? There are trees and grass out there.’

  ‘I know – but what lies beyond the wall?’

  ‘More trees, more grass, streams, rivers – things you’ve never dreamed of. There’s more to the Federation than concrete warrens and wagon-trains.’

  ‘Yes, I know. It was the skill of their medecine men who saved my life – while their brothers continue to wage war on the Plainfolk. Do you expect me to ignore that? To forget how my kin-sisters and their children died? I was not spared because they took pity on me, but whatever the reason I will always be grateful – not to them but to you. For it was you who summoned help and gave me something to live for. But not here.’

  Clearwater stroked Sand-Wolf’s head. ‘It doesn’t matter how favoured a life you can secure for us. I don’t want my son to grow up in a world where they build walls.’

  ‘He won’t have to.’ Steve reached out and was allowed to take the baby. He held it awkwardly in the crook of his arm and slipped the little finger of his right hand into one of its tiny clenched fists. ‘Got some good news for you, Sandy. You and your ma may be going home soon.’

  Clearwater jerked forward off the stacked pillows. ‘Is it true?!’

  ‘Yes, well – let me put it this way. It’s true in the sense that it’s a serious possibility.’ Steve explained about the message from the Sara-kusa palace offering to exchange Fran for her and the baby.

  Clearwater lay back with a puzzled frown. ‘But why do the Iron Masters want me?’

  Steve flashed a warning glance the hidden cameras couldn’t see. ‘I’m not sure. There’s an unconfirmed report that suggests they may be doing business with the She-Kargo. If it’s true, then getting you back could be part of it.’

  Clearwater caught on. ‘And when is this going to happen?’

  ‘Dunno. That still has to be arranged.’

  ‘But you will be involved?’

  ‘Oh, yes. I’ve been given the job of making sure the hand-over goes smoothly.’

  ‘Which means …?’

  ‘That it will.’ Steve’s eyes gave another warning. ‘If I don’t get it right this time, I’m finished.’

  Clearwater reached out to stroke the baby and the arm that held him. ‘Has it occurred to you that my son and I might not want to leave you?’

  Steve grasped the outstretched hand and squeezed it affectionately as he raised his voice for the benefit of the concealed microphones. ‘That’s tough, because neither of us have any choice in the matter.’

  He looked down at the baby. ‘Hey, you! Small fry! Don’t just lie there. Talk some sense into your mother.’ He laid Sand-Wolf in Clearwater’s arms.

  ‘Are you pleased to have a son?’

  ‘I think so. To tell you the truth, I’m still getting used to the idea. Y’know – the two of us making a human being. I grew up believing that the President-General was the creator of All Life.’

  ‘And now you know it isn’t true.’

  Steve gave another warning glance. ‘Correction. We know he doesn’t create Plainfolk.’

  ‘That’s right. There’s something I have to show you.’

  Clearwater peeled off Sand-Wolf’s white nightshirt and turned him face down on the bed. On the light peachy-brown skin of his back were several darker zebra stripes, running from his shoulders down to the terry-towel nappy, and forming a roughly symmetrical pattern on either side of his spine.

  Steve ran a finger down one of the stripes. ‘So what?’

  ‘You’re not angry?’

  ‘Why should I be? I think he looks great – don’t you?’

  ‘Of course I do.’ Sand-Wolf gave a disgruntled gurgle as she replaced his nightshirt and laid him in the cot.

  ‘Then why are you crying?’

  Clearwater brushed the tears from her face. ‘If you were a woman, you’d understand.’

  ‘But as I’m not, I can’t.’

  ‘One day perhaps.’

  Steve took her hand. ‘I’m sorry I wasn’t here when –’

  ‘You’re here now. That’s enough.’

  Steve glanced at the wall clock and sighed. ‘And now I’ve got to go. See you this evening.’ He kissed her lightly on the cheek then placed a hand on the baby’s chest and rocked him gently from side to side. ‘G’bye, Sandy.’

  As he turned to go, Clearwater threw aside the bedclothes. ‘Wait! I’ll walk you to the door.’

  ‘Walk? You mean without –?’

  Clearwater laughed at his astonished expression. ‘Yes! Did you think I was going to be in this bed forever?’

  She pulled up the hem of her knee-length maternity shift. It was the first time Steve had seen her legs in months. The bullet wounds had healed but her right thigh still bore the scars of the surgical operations that had rebuilt her shattered thigh bone.

  ‘Jeeezuss, that’s look brutal. Does it still hurt?’

  ‘Mutes don’t feel pain. Isn’t that what they say?’ Clearwater pulled on a long white bathrobe and knotted the sash. ‘I still have a slight limp, but the nurses have told me that will gradually disappear.’ She linked arms with Steve.

  ‘Are you sure this is allowed?’

  ‘Of course. You’re a member of the Family. The nurses seem to think you’re a very important person now.’

  ‘Then make the most of it. It may not last.’

  No one challenged them as they walked along the passage towards the reception area. Clearwater stopped at the double-doors that divided the Long Term Care Annexe from the rest of the Life Institute and turned towards Steve, her face raised expectantly.

  They kissed and hugged one another, then separated. A passing medical orderly picked up the cap which had fallen from under Steve’s arm.

  Steve put it back on and adjusted it to the right angle. ‘Are you sure you can make it back on your own?’

  ‘Just watch me.’ Clearwater held onto his hands for a moment longer then turned and walked away. With no arm to lean on, the limp was more pronounced. When she reached the side corridor, she looked back, waved briefly and was gone before Steve could respond.

  I should be happy, thought Steve. I’ve got out of that fiasco in Ne-Issan without anyone guessing what really happened. Roz is safe and has knocked some sense into Cadillac. Fran will be handed back, shaken but unharmed. I have a son. The woman I really care about is almost restored to health and may soon gain her freedom. So why do I feel something terrible is going to happen …?

  Ten days after the death of Yoritomo and Ieyasu, while the Toh-Yota family were still trying to sort out the succession and the chaos caused by the dead Shogun’s order to arrest everyone working for, or associated with, his great-uncle on a charge of treason, the Yama-Shita family struck again – this time with their armies.

  Before Cadillac and Roz departed for the Winter Palace, the Yama-Shita and their allies had spent some time working out what action each would take if the planned coup were to succeed, and the call to arms had been sent by courier-pigeon to the expectant domain-lords within minutes of Cadillac’s arrival at Sara-kusa with the severed heads of Yoritomo and Ieyasu.

  In a simultaneous pincer movement from east and west, foot-soldiers and cavalry units from Min-Orota’s army crossed over the Connecticut river into the lower quarter of the Toh-Yota’s huge northern domain a few hours after the Yama-Shita had ferried troops across the Hudson under cover of dar
kness. Their objective was to secure a fifty-mile deep strip along the coast facing Long Island.

  A second Yama-Shita strike-force swung south into New Jersey, to secure the remaining section of the west bank and mouth of the Hudson River where it ran out past Staten Island into Lower New York Bay.

  In the far north, the Fu-Jitsu family, long-time allies of the Yama-Shita, launched an attack along the south bank of the St Lawrence River, to link up with a third strike-force moving eastwards around the northern tip of Lake Champlain.

  But not everything went as the Yama-Shita family had hoped. In the north-east, the Hase-Gawa, regarded as ‘reliable’ neutrals by the Toh-Yota, declined to join the Progressives despite being informed of Lord Ieyasu’s treachery, and his betrayal of a son from their noble house. They had fought alongside the Toh-Yota to depose the ruling Da-Tsuni, and they responded to the Yama-Shita’s invitation by attacking the Fu-Jitsu’s left flank. The Ho-Nada family promptly joined them, foiling the planned pincer movement.

  On hearing of this vigorous response, the Na-Shona family, whose domain covered the north-eastern tip of Ne-Issan, and who had pledged their support during the secret meeting at Sara-kusa, decided to remain on the sidelines – a move which left the Hase-Gawa, Ho-Nada and Naka-Jima free to send their coastal fleets to harry the Min-Orota.

  In the centre, its other principal allies, the Ko-Nikka and Se-Iko began the process of mobilising their reserves. Of the two, only the Se-Iko was in a position to menace the enemy’s front line. Its domain butted onto the Traditionalist strongholds of the Mitsu-Bishi, Su-Zuki and Toh-Shiba. It was not strong enough to take on all three at once and, in any case, multiple forested ridges of the Appalachian Mountains barred a swift advance onto the coastal plain. The Se-Iko responded to the Yama-Shita’s appeal by moving its regular troops into defensive positions along the border, causing the three opposing domain-lords to rush troops to the same area, thus weakening the forces available to meet any further southward movement by the Yama-Shita.

  The news from the far south was as disappointing as that from the north. The Dai-Hatsu, another so-called neutral domain in the Traditionalist camp, was still wavering despite the lure of being allowed to expand its territory beyond the Western Hills.