“Sometimes. It depends on your adversaries. But as my grandfather told me, be ready in case they capitulate before you do.”
“Grandma always said she had to just show them the facts and repercussions and let them make the decision for themselves. You can always vidphone her if you need the facts behind a particular change we made.”
While they chatted during the short drive to the Embassy Building, Ian ignored the conversation. He stared out the glass sides morosely acknowledging the differences between the wide open space of the government area and the cramped space of the area around his family’s small apartment. True the buildings were just as imposing with their tall stone and glass exterior, but the distance between each building allowed for some modicum of breathing room. The buildings were clean, with the colorful flags of the various ambassadors displayed in the large windows or flying outside. He noted plants and trees in many windows and rooftop greenhouses that spanned the entire roof with greenery while allowing for a few tables and chairs in the cool shade. In his restricted section of town, few green things grew outside the window box herb gardens that many people tried. The buildings were more stone and old brick than glass, each building touching its nearest neighbors. Some buildings even changed material and architectural structures part way up the sides as more floors had been added. There were few rooftop landing pads and even fewer at the individual floor level that many of the elite apartment buildings had. The disparity between those in control and those who had to obey was all too obvious.
Joel showed his id to the guard post as usual, but then headed for a rooftop landing pad, setting the pod down gently before turning to the others. “The President likes to pick a setting for treaties that represents something about the treaty. In this case, she thought a natural environment would be best and has arranged for one of the greenhouses. She hopes the greenery will remind people why we are supporting the peace talks and your independence.”
“I take it you do not approve.”
“Normally I would, but I think it would be better to emphasize the possible war zone. To help keep people out until you can make all those changes we were just talking about.”
Vividly Angel recalled the images from her dreams. “I hope it does not come to war, though I know it will.” The others turned to her, stunned. “My dreams showed a battle field and wounded. And the Gods said there will be a war. Grandmother said that they have never been wrong.” As the others stopped smiling, Angel forced a tight laugh. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring everyone down.”
Joel shook off the momentary gloom of her surety. “It’s fine. This is a huge step forward for peace and I won’t stop working towards peace.” He forced a smile to help lighten the mood. “If you all are ready, we can go.”
They exited the pod and Joel secured it before leading them into the greenhouse. The assembled crowed was smaller than Angel expected, with only a few reporters present, including Ryan Jute.
“You can wander anywhere, just please stay inside the greenhouse,” Joel said low. “I will be nearby, but I have to check in with the Security Chief.”
The group nodded and Angel waved to Ryan. Ryan excused himself from the group he had been talking to and headed over. Angel handled the introductions as she had seen Gillian and Joel do many times now.
Ryan ignored the Chancellor’s young attaché and assessed the older man. “Congratulations on today.”
“Yes, Earth’s support in these peace talks is very important,” the Chancellor replied.
“Would you have time later this week for me to interview you regarding the Peace Conference?”
Before the Chancellor could reply, Angel laughed. “What he means is, do you have time to answer many questions on the Peace Conference, the Sleeping Sickness, your home world, and society in general on Parrhesia. Probably on your government as well,” She turned to Ryan. “Did I guess correctly?”
Ryan chuckled. “Yes. I’m a reporter and when I find a good story, I’m not shy about asking.” He turned to the Chancellor and spoke quietly. “I have an agreement with Dr. DeWitt that I will not print anything about Llanelyn that he does not agree to. I will gladly extend that courtesy to you. You can review my article before it goes to print and I will remove anything you do not want in the article.”
The Chancellor glanced at Angel who nodded, then offered his hand to Ryan. “Thank you. I should have time after the conference, before I return home.”
Ryan shook his hand and thanked him, then steered the conversation back to the signing event. As they talked, he surreptitiously assessed Angel’s young Advisor and dismissed him as too young to know anything about the events of the past.
As Ryan talked to the Chancellor and Angel, Nik quietly asked Pieter to stay with the group, then wandered over to where Joel stood talking to the security group. One of the young guards stopped him before he could reach Joel. “Can I help you?”
“Nik Landis, bodyguard for the Cerato of Llanelyn. I merely wanted to talk to General Peterson regarding the security here today. I need to be sure she is safe.”
“I assure you sir that we take our job very seriously. She is safe here.”
Joel came over as he caught Pieter’s gaze and motioned him over. “Sergeant Wilson, please take Nik and Pieter into the coordination room and show them all aspects of our security detail. In the future, please be sure to brief them upon their arrival of our security plans for an event.” To Nik and Pieter he smiled. “I’ll await your return with the Cerato and the Chancellor.”
“If you would follow me, please.”
Nik and Pieter followed the young sergeant into a room off to the side of the greenhouse. Nik had thought the building a part of the greenhouse, a storage area perhaps, but once inside he noted the room was anything but. The walls were lined with vid monitors, each showing different scenes. Many people crowded into the small room, watching the monitors intently. As his eyes adjusted to the dimness, Nik could tell most of the people wore some sort of protective equipment.
Sergeant Wilson indicted the wall to the left of the door they had entered through. “Here is the small arms weapons locker, within easy access of the door. The larger weapons are kept on the other wall,” he nodded towards the wall to the right.
“Should not the weapons have locks?” Pieter asked.
“They all have embedded locks that are tuned to our battalion. This allows rapid access and anyone can use any weapon, provided that you have our auth tag on your person. No auth tag and the weapon is inert.” He walked a few steps into the room and stopped again. “These monitors show the ground crew inside the lobby. And these next ones show the ground crew outside the lobby.”
As Nik and Pieter watched, a man was turned away from the elevators by the guard as he pointed to another elevator.
Sergeant Wilson chuckled. “Happens all the time. Passersby don’t read the sign that the elevator is closed and still try to use it. We commandeer one elevator and set it such that it goes express to the necessary floor, today to the roof. With no stops, all we need to do is secure one end and monitor the movement. We don’t need guards posted on all floors.”
He moved further into the room. “These monitors show the local staff on this level. Not much to see there usually,” he dismissed the monitors and moved on. “These next monitors show the aerial surveillance teams. Anywhere the President goes has aerial teams. They monitor the air and space traffic, as well as the ground and buildings for a several mile radius.”
“What are they looking for?” Pieter stared at the monitors closely.
“Anything and everything,” Wilson responded as he pointed to various monitors. “Incoming missiles. Starships within targeting range. Snipers in buildings. Weapon energy signatures. Crude explosive weapon sigs. Possible gas weapon sigs. Bio contagions. All signals and transmissions. Anything that could be used to harm the President or her guests, or disrupt the event.”
While Pieter began asking tech questions, Nik watched the mon
itors, returning to the ones for the local site. He noticed many sidearms on the military contingent. The dignitaries showed nothing. Some of the bodyguards showed knives and sidearms. One man’s hand was lit up with a green triangle.
The console operator noticed Nik’s intent stare. “It’s a poison ring. A favorite of assassins.” At Nik’s sudden intake of breath, the operator chuckled. “This one is being worn by the Chicaran Ambassador as a remembrance of the time he survived an assassination attempt. The green color indicates non-viable contents. If it were red, we’d act on it.” The console operator pointed out two other markers that Nik had not noticed. “The yellow one on Dr. Zui is part of a medical implant that helps keep his heart beating. That purple one would worry me, if it was on anyone other than General Kang. He always carries a sleep agent on him.”
“How do you know who is who?”
“Their identity records.” He moved a crosshair over the figure with the purple marker and pointed to the identity record information in the corner of the screen. “Our scanners pick up anyone within 100 feet of the area and the computers automatically run background checks on those records. If anyone does not have a record, we have a chat with them.” He turned back to the screen. “It sure would be nice if the records were all the same though.” He moved the crosshair over Angel and pointed out the empty record information.
Nik merely nodded as if he agreed, though some of the information seemed very invasive to a person’s private life.
Sergeant Wilson and Pieter joined Nik. “Any more questions?”
Pieter said no and Nik agreed. Sergeant Wilson led them out of the room. “Anytime I’m around, just ask me what the status is and I’ll let you know if we have any concerns.”
“Danku,” Nik replied and turned to go back to Angel.
Joel met them before they reached Angel and the Chancellor. “Satisfied with our security measures?”
“Aiy,” Nik grudgingly acknowledged. “Our knives are ineffective against such scrutiny and weaponry as you have.”
“True. However, outside of any Presidential function, you may still want them.”
They all returned to the Chancellor and Angel. Everyone waited patiently for the President to arrive.
Several minutes later the President’s transport pod landed and she was escorted into the greenhouse. Once inside, her security detail fanned out and allowed her to roam freely.
President Liacomo deliberately walked to each dignitary and welcomed them, ignoring the bodyguards and staff, saving the Chancellor for last. “Cerato Caylen we meet again. I’m glad you could be here today.”
“I wouldn’t miss this,” Angel said smiling.
The President turned to the Chancellor. “Chancellor Berenbaum, good afternoon. How are your people fairing?”
“Madame President, I’m delighted to be here today. My people are recovering well. This area reminds me of home.” He waved around at the greenhouse. “Such a perfect setting for today’s event.”
The President smiled. “I rather thought so. Do you have any additional concerns that we need to address prior to sitting down to why we are here?”
“No ma’am. I think this will be beneficial to both our worlds.”
President Liacomo led the Chancellor to the table in the center of the room.
Angel stayed back to allow the reporters to capture the moment. She wondered if Gillian and Mischka had been through this many years ago. She glanced around for Ian and found him immediately behind her.
Angel motioned Ian forward. “What do you think of all this?”
“Way out of my league. I’ll leave all this to you and go back to the university,” he said with a bemused shake of his head.
Angel chuckled softly. “Would you mind seeing if you could find anything on the treaty signing for Llanelyn?”
“I’ll see what I can find. Though you could probably ask your reporter friend as well.”
“It’s just personal.”
Ian grinned at her. “It’s a family thing, right?” Over the past several months, he had learned that her family meant everything to Angel, possibly even more than her people.
Angel smiled.
Several minutes later the President ended the official signing and picture time, thanking everyone for coming and opening the small buffet. She again shook hands with the Chancellor before turning to talk to other guests.
The other dignitaries congratulated the Chancellor and introduced themselves to Angel. Angel smiled and forced herself to talk on the safe subjects with those around. A couple of hours later the Chancellor indicated he was ready to leave anytime she was. She indicated she was and Nik left in search of Joel. Their party left a few minutes later.
Angel relaxed on the quiet ride back to the hotel, until Ian passed her a datapad. The article showed a much younger Gillian with the official looking treaty and a man that the headline said was then President Frangomihalos. Angel scanned the article and noticed General Peterson, Joel’s grandfather, was mentioned several times. She also noticed the byline was Ryan’s. “Danku,” she whispered, then passed the datapad to Nik.
At the hotel, Ian collected his bag. He handed her a data crystal. “Here are several of the articles from Llanelyn’s signing as well as how to reach me for the next few days. I’ll stop by later in the week before you leave.”
“Take care, Ian. And don’t be a stranger. You are welcome on Llanelyn any time.”
“I know, and danku.” He grinned. “I learned a few things as well. Don’t worry, I’ll keep in touch.”
Angel laughed. “We just have to work on your pronunciation and accent then.”
He waved and Nik walked with him to the elevator. “Take care of her Nik.”
“Tis my job. You know she will expect you to visit occasionally.”
“I know. And I will when I can.”
As he lay awake on the sofa in the main area that night, Nik contemplated the security that Joel had allowed him to see. He could not defend against any of the attacks the young sergeant had mentioned, including Joel’s sidearm. He felt woefully unprepared to defend Angel. His knife would only do so much, even in a hand-to-hand situation. Pieter had indicated that he only had a knife as well. Nik sighed and rolled over, trying vainly to clear his mind enough to sleep. Finally he resorted to the meditation exercises Tashi had taught him. He soon drifted into a light sleep.
The following morning, much as they had before, Nik and Angel met the Chancellor and Pieter in the lobby. Today marked the first day of the second, four-day conference.
When Joel arrived, Nik asked quietly, “Will you be with the Cerato again for the entire conference? Tis something I need to do today.”
Joel nodded. “The President has charged me with their safety.”
Before Nik could say anything, Angel laughed and shooed him away. “Escape the boredom.”
Pieter perked up and looked at the Chancellor, who agreed as Joel chuckled.
“I’ll meet you in the lobby this afternoon,” Nik stated quietly, looking to Joel for confirmation that he would not leave until Nik arrived.
Joel led Angel and the Chancellor away, while Nik held Pieter from returning to his room. “Tis something I wish to show you, if you have time and courage.”
Pieter nodded and followed Nik out of the hotel.
Nik led Pieter to the Underground, showing him around much like Mischka had weeks ago. Throughout the day they discussed their jobs, training, family, home worlds, and the inadequacy of their knives. Pieter suggested obtaining small sidearms, but Nik hesitated, knowing that not only Angel, but Mischka would disapprove of that.
That evening in the hotel room, Angel told Nik the highlights of the day. “Joel introduced me to some of the other allies, the Voutii and the Shibins. Prince Tokra from Krandul met us outside the chamber and sat in our box. He is quite funny at times, though his violet eyes did not have the laugh lines that the King has. He can still draw the attention of the other girls though. Several asked
me about him. Oh, and Cecelia, the girl we bumped into last time, invited us to join her tomorrow night.”
“What of the peace talks?”
Angel grimaced. “The President gave her welcoming speech and asked that a few other issues be cleared up first. We spent the day discussing the disposition of a border planet between three of the delegates, as each wanted to claim it. The Prince had a long conversation with Joel, who left us immediately after and spoke to the President. After she spoke, one of the delegates, the Horband I believe, withdrew their claim. Seems Krandul has had dealings with them in the past and they are not always truthful. At least that is what the Prince told me later. It seemed to be more, but I couldn’t tell what exactly. I’m going to ask Joel tomorrow.”
“So nothing on Parrhesia?”
“The President indicated they had one more small issue and then we could focus on that problem.” Angel waved the conversation away. “Enough politics. I want to join Cecelia tomorrow evening. These talks are so boring. Let’s have at least some fun. Besides, I might be able to learn some things from them on the other planets. Ian has taught me all he can, so he says.”
“Tis not safe.”
“Life isn’t always safe. I wonder if Ian would join us tomorrow.”
Nik sighed, knowing that she would not be persuaded out of joining the group. “I can try to contact him tomorrow.”
“Danku. He needs to have some fun as well. He’s so boring at times.”
“Tis safer to be boring,” Nik tried again.
But Angel just laughed. “But where is the fun in that? I don’t think Cecelia would hurt anyone.” She paused, assessing the concern on his face. “I highly doubt that I am known well enough here yet to have anyone recognize me. Twill be fine.”
Nik disagreed, but he knew that arguing the point further would be fruitless. Instead he changed the subject. “Tis time for supper.”
The following morning, Nik led Angel to Joel, then excused himself. He found a public vidphone and called Ian. A tired looking older woman answered and Nik asked for Ian. She left the vidphone and soon Ian appeared.
War of the Innocents Page 23
