by Dennis Young
“Copy, drones will go up in ten minutes.” Mac.
Nikolay opened his scanner and raised the antenna. In five minutes, he had the infiltration team on one channel, the compound general comm on a second, and the Nemesis drone frequencies on a third and fourth. “Ready Captain. Monitoring in real time.”
“Insert Team thirty minutes out. Going silent.” Rory, riding shotgun in the ATV. Talice knew Martin was driving, with Evans and Bělinka in the back. Being their ordnance expert, Bělinka was hardly unarmed. Woven into her ornate necklace were four stun caplets, and two mini-flash grenades disguised as decorations on her belt. Talice also knew the only other weapon Bělinka had was a knife in her boot. They couldn’t risk her being obviously armed, entering as an “offering” for Nemesis.
She shuddered. Thirty minutes to wait. Maybe we should have started a bit earlier. Waiting is the hardest part.
Talice looked to Nikolay, huddled behind a rock and bent over his scanner. She knew his face was rigid with concentration behind his visor. Not only for the mission; it always was then. But this time, for him, it was much more personal.
Hell, it’s personal for all of us. Every time. She looked away, an idea forming in her mind.
“Drones up.” Mac again.
Talice clicked to Mac’s channel. “You’ve got two more, right, with gun mounts?”
“Yes, but I scaled them back to 7.62mm. Lighter, and I can carry more ammo, AP rounds. And a grenade each, too.”
“Time from Bird One to the compound?”
“About ten minutes. What’s on your mind?”
“Decoy. Put them about two kilometers east and make some noise. Maybe draw out some of Nemesis’s forces.”
“Nice. I’ll get them prepped and call back.”
Talice clicked to All-Channel. “All teams, listen up. We’re going to create a diversion two kilometers east in a bit. Get Nemesis to chase some noisemakers. Even the odds a little.”
“Hua, Captain. Did you think this one up all by yourself?” Briggs. Of course.
Talice ignored the barb and raised her visor mag to maximum. “Forward Team, move up half a kilometer. Cover, follow, maintain two hundred meters separation.”
“Heavy drones at five kilometers altitude, full stealth. I’ve got three grenades each.”
“Copy, Mac. Eyes on the prize.” Talice turned to Nikolay. “Talk to me, Niky.”
“Compound scanners have picked up the Insert Team. No challenge yet.”
Geez, I hope they don’t just blast them and ask questions later. “Niky, put the comm on my channel and relay to Mac.”
Static, then Talice heard an unfamiliar voice issuing a warning. Evans answered with a string of code she didn’t know. She tensed. Another fucking secret. Damn, I hope this isn’t a setup.
“Forward Team in position.” Junior.
Talice sucked at the tube in her suit. She’d filled it with S-H first thing. Her patch was fresh. She had a spare in a pocket and an extra bottle of S-H, just in case.
Evans ordered Martin to slow the ATV half a kilometer beyond the compound sentry post. Talice watched as a groundcar emerged from between buildings, then two ATVs, both mounting light auto-feeders.
If this doesn’t work, they’re dead meat, thought Talice.
“Cover Team ready.” Briggs.
“Diversion drones in position. Just give the word.”
Talice nodded to herself. We can do this. We will do this.
She clicked to All-Channel. “Once they’re inside, we’re not going to just wait. Forward Team, I want you within a kilometer of the sentry. Cover Team, move accordingly. Wait for my signal.”
“Not too close, Talice.” Mac, on the private channel.
She clicked over. “I want firepower to stop anything coming after them.”
“We’ve got the drones. Effectively, we have four more team members.”
Talice considered, then clicked to All-Channel again. “Cancel that order. Hold positions.”
“Captain?”
“Drones, Briggs. Fire in the sky. Big boomer stuff.”
“Hua. I like that better.” Talice could almost hear him laugh.
“Compliments of your TacOps provider,” said Mac, chuckling.
“Captain, they are entering the compound.” Nikolay’s voice carried worry and deep concern.
“All teams, look sharp. This could take four hours or ten minutes. Rest in turn as needed.” Talice glanced to Nikolay again. “Except you and me, Niky. We’re on call.”
“I could not rest anyway, Captain.”
Talice nodded grimly to herself. You got that right.
* * *
The camera feeds appeared on Talice’s visor. She knew they were being relayed to Mac’s board as well. Evans and his charges were in the compound and being ushered down a winding street. Apparently, his ID had passed muster. That, or they were just taking him and the others some place they could bury them really deep.
From Bělinka’s camera, Talice could see Rory, his pulse rifle held barrel-up, and Martin, driving slowly, following the groundcar through the streets. She knew the ATVs were following, ready to blow her team to bits at the first sign of trouble, because they’d hidden a rear-facing camera in Rory’s torso armor.
“Activity is minimal,” came Bělinka’s voice from beneath her scarf. On Crius, as on Eos and even in some Theian enclaves, civilian women normally did not reveal their features to strangers. It was a cultural thing, Talice knew. She was glad for the cover. Every little bit helped.
“I’ve counted thirty or so men, perhaps a dozen women, all dressed as entertainers or escorts. They are not doing their business on the streets, but seem to be heading for specific locations.”
“Copy.” Mac’s voice was only a whisper in Talice’s helmet. “Stay in character.”
The groundcar slowed, as did Martin and the ATVs behind. The driver of the groundcar came to Evans’s side and said something Talice didn’t catch.
“Alright, but what about my people?” Evans.
More words from the driver.
Talice grimaced. “Niky, we need better signal.”
“Sorry, Captain, this is as clean as I can get. The throat microphones don’t pick up that well.
“Alright, use your skills. What are they saying?”
“Likely this is a place for a meeting. Mr. Evans wants to know how his people will be kept safe.”
“No, they stay with me.” Evans again, negotiating with the groundcar driver. Another figure came into view of his camera, this one armed. “Right now, she’s mine. I’ll decide what she’s worth. You do your job, I’ll do mine.”
Talice shivered. She had never heard Evans use that tone with anyone. He sounded like… well, like Colonel Fawkes dressing down a junior officer.
More unintelligible conversation from the other side. The groundcar driver stepped away, as did the armed man. The ATV rocked, and a moment later Rory came into the picture, pulse rifle at the ready. Then Martin, weapon at his side. Talice grinned and shook her head. Evans, you fucking chameleon.
The camera jostled as Evans got out. She watched his hand extend and aid Bělinka from the ATV.
“Damn him.” Mac’s voice held a touch of awe. “If this works, he gets a fucking theater award.”
They watched the procession march into the building, through a corridor, into a lift, which barely fit them all, and exit into another corridor. The groundcar driver pressed a series of buttons at a doorway. They entered.
Conversation a few steps away between the groundcar driver and two men standing at a desk. One came around and bowed slightly to Evans, then extended his hand. He said something that sounded like “Glad to know you’re still alive.” Evans chuckled and simply said “Thanks.”
Talice watched as Evans’s camera panned the room. A typical office, there were armed guards in two far corners, a control console on one side of the desk, and only small windows above head-height. Rory’s rear-facing camera showed two arme
d guards at the door they had entered.
Built for security, she thought. Walls are probably reinforced, and I’ll bet there are sleep-gas taps in the room as well. Yeah, this is a big boss’s domain.
“This is like watching a bad holo-film,” said Talice, to herself.
“Captain?” Briggs.
“The team is in, they’re… meeting with some apparently head guys. Evans schmoozed his way in like a pro. For the moment, no problems.”
“I don’t like not seeing what’s going on.”
Talice clicked to Mac’s channel. “Send Evans’s camera feed to Briggs. We need all the eyes we can get on this.”
“Copy, sending now.”
“Holy shit!” Briggs muttered beneath his breath. “Captain, this is getting scary.”
Talice glanced to Niky, listening intently. His visor was up. He was focused on his instruments and readouts. Talice started to say something, then paused. Let him do his job. You’re not getting shot at. Yet.
* * *
The team waited through interminable small-talk, barely-veiled sexual comments as the Nemesis leaders’ eyes roamed over Bělinka’s slender form, and Evans’s guarded deflections of their questions. Finally, one of the men rose and approached Bělinka slowly, reached out, and removed her scarf. His leer was plain for all to see.
“Let’s see the rest of her,” he said, taking Bělinka’s arms and standing her up. He was close enough that her microphone caught his words.
“Easy, everyone,” said Mac into All-Channel.
Evans’s hand took the other man’s wrist. “No chance. She’s mine for now. In the meantime, I want to inspect your escorts. And their facilitator, what’s her name again?”
“He’s asked for Aya,” said Talice to herself.
“He has to keep one jump ahead of Nemesis. Keep changing the subject, stay in charge, don’t give them time to think about what he’s asking for or why.” Mac again.
The Nemesis man withdrew, although Talice could see tension rising in the room by the way the others rose from their seats. She heard Rory grunt quietly, and grinned. Fucking mountain-man could wipe the floor with these guys. But Evans needs to be careful. Things are getting sticky.
Everyone returned to their seats and sat again. Evans’s hand extended in the camera pickup and reattached Bělinka’s scarf. Bělinka’s eyes met his for a very long moment.
Talice shifted nervously as they waited. I’m glad Niky isn’t watching this.
She clicked over to Mac’s private channel. “Geez, Mac. I’m terrified for her.”
“Stay cool, Princess. Evans seems to know what he’s doing.”
Talice swallowed, took another sip from her S-H tube. “Yeah, but… just… fuck.”
Evans asked for private quarters for himself and his charges. Orders were issued out of hearing range, and a woman entered, bowed to Evans, then the entourage left the room. Rory’s backward-facing camera showed the door closing behind them.
Talice breathed a sigh, clicked to All-Channel again. “Okay everyone, things are moving slowly, but they’re moving. Our team is being sequestered, and I’m assuming Evans will continue negotiations in a bit. Thoughts?”
“This is bullshit…” Briggs.
“It’s what we have,” replied Mac, before Talice could answer. “Evans is doing well. We’re on to Phase Two.”
“In a structured and very paranoid society like Nemesis, power games are a daily occurrence,” said Junior. “He may have won some respect, but that just means they’ll be watching him even closer.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Briggs again, obviously agitated.
“It means we need to stay alert and ready.” Mac. “Talice, we need to determine the best time for our diversion.”
“I want our team closer. We’re just too far away to do anything useful if things get nasty.”
“Don’t forget, we’ve got the drones.”
“Forward Team, move up another half-kilometer. Cover Team, follow in five minutes.” Talice looked to Nikolay, still crouched over his equipment. “Niky, can you move with your scanners working?”
“Yes, but slowly. I must realign the antennae as we move.”
“Alright, get ready. By nightfall, I want us within a kilometer of the main entry.”
* * *
Crius was dark. They’d planned it that way, landing during the Junoran New Moon. The minor moons of Crius gave no real light to the landscape, and only two were visible as moving dots of brilliance in the sky.
The teams had been on-station six hours. They’d found suitable cover and remained quiet and alert, resting in rotation as ordered. All but Talice and Nikolay. And both were getting fatigued.
“Niky, can you patch your feeds in to Mac? I want you off duty for a while.”
“She has them, Captain. And yes, with the infiltration team settled for the night, I may rest a bit.”
“Good man.” Talice clicked to Mac’s private channel. “What about you? You need rest, too. See if Jamal can take over for a couple of hours.”
“I caught a catnap and a quick meal already. What about you?”
Talice let her shoulders slump inside her HCS. “I’ll stay up as Niky rests. Who’s in the cockpit in case we have to do something stupid?”
“Abie is in the pilot seat and Jamal is at Tactical. Will is sleeping. Abie is monitoring our data and vid, too.”
Talice scanned the camera feeds from the infiltration team, clicking through them slowly. Rory was seated, facing the door. She could hear him snoring gently. Martin was in a corner opposite the door. If anyone tried to break in, he had a clear shot. Bělinka lay on a bed, her camera showing nothing but the ceiling above her. Her breathing was soft and regular. Evans was sitting at a table, a nightlight on one side and a bowl of fruit they’d all partaken of on the other. His hand rested in view, motionless, then slowly started drumming on the table top.
Talice dithered with her next question. “Mac, what’s your assessment? It looks like we’re in for the night. Evans asked for Aya, but nothing’s happened for a couple of hours.”
“No idea, but surely, with the deference they’ve shown Evans, something will happen soon.”
A knock came to the door. Rory startled, then sat straight, yawning. Bělinka rose slowly, standing to one side. If the door opened, she wouldn’t be seen initially. Evans remained at the table.
Talice clicked to All-Channel. “All teams, up and at ’em. Company visiting our people.”
Three people entered. One was armed, a guard, weapon at ready, but finger away from the trigger. The second was one of the men seen in the office earlier. The third was Aya.
Evans stood.
Talice tensed.
“All teams, stay calm,” Mac whispered into All-Channel. The one even the infiltration team could hear.
Aya approached Evans at the urging of the office man. Her face was uncovered, as was most of the rest of her. She was clothed in what Talice could only describe as flimsy nightwear, with a shawl draped about her shoulders.
“You are Aya, yes?” Evans’s tone was inquisitive, but held no opportunity for denial.
“I am… yes.”
Talice could barely hear Aya’s voice, but her face betrayed no recognition. She’s as cool as he is. Damn.
“I am here to review and inspect your services and escorts. I require assembling of all at the earliest opportunity.”
The man aside said something. Evans turned to him. “Irregular or not, it’s in my purview to do so. You know that, don’t you?”
The man hesitated, then bowed slightly.
“Good. You have a suitable place, yes? One they can all be comfortable in?”
More unintelligible words.
“See to it. In the meantime, I wish privacy with Aya to discuss matters.”
A snicker from the man, and a quiet remark in a derisive tone. The guard remained stoic.
“I have no intention of seducing the woman. This is business. Treat
it as such.”
The man hesitated, then spoke again, this time at length.
“Very well. I need an hour with Aya, then we will meet in the assembly chamber. If you wish to observe, you’re welcome to do so.”
The man bowed once more and spoke.
“Good. Have the escorts there in one hour. I will attend with Aya thirty minutes after that. A little… buffer of time, in case our discussion runs long.”
The man bowed again. The guard opened the door, and both exited.
Talice let go her breath finally. She sipped from her tube again, then a longer drink. “Okay teams, ninety minutes is our mark. That’s when things will really get interesting.”
“Geez, Captain, I don’t know what to say.” Briggs.
Aya was still on the feed from Evans’s camera as they sat at the table, facing each other. Aya’s eyes showed questions, but she said nothing.
“Let’s get ready to do our jobs,” said Mac. “Evans has an opportunity to get them all out. It’s our job to be sure they make it.”
“All we can do is listen and see what clues he gives us,” replied Talice. “I’m thinking once they’re all together, it won’t be long. Rory and Martin can take care of the office flunky and the guard. Then it’s up to Evans.”
“If he does, I’ll buy him a drink,” said Briggs.
“If he does, I’ll buy him a fucking bar of his own.” Talice chuckled. “Stand by for OpCom in about two hours. Check your weapons and equipment. Curtain time is getting close.”
* * *
Evans and Aya sat silent at the table as Talice watched the camera feeds. Rory was up and alert, standing at the opposite wall. Martin was where he’d been before Aya entered. Bělinka stood at Evans’s side, one hand lightly on his shoulder.
Aya’s eyes flicked from Evans to Bělinka and back. She spoke slowly and softly in a language Talice didn’t recognize. Evans replied, presumably in the same language.
Talice shook her head and clicked Mac’s private channel. “What are they saying? What the hell is Evans up to now?”
There was a pause on the line. “I’m running it through the processors. Let you know in a minute.”
