by S. H. Jucha
“Also limited, but there is a further development,” Sika stated.
“Explain,” Dorelyn requested.
“When Major Finian leaves the office or home, he has two constant companions, Lieutenant Devon Higgins and Delegate Aurelia Garmenti,” Sika replied.
“An odd pair,” Dorelyn commented.
“No, smart,” Sika replied.
“Explain,” Dorelyn asked.
“The empath tends to walk forward of the men. She can sense the emotions of others. The lieutenant’s demeanor has changed since his return. His walk is no longer casual and unrestrained. He’s intense, wary.” Sika had delivered her information in her usual monotone.
“Summation,” Dorelyn requested. Sika’s estimation of Liam’s companions underlined Harbour’s subtle maneuvering. Her earlier admiration of the woman was quickly turning into frustration.
“Probability of a catastrophic accident is near zero. A direct attack would have to occur during the day, with multiple attackers, which defeats your request for deniability. The option remains to eliminate the entire family in the evening,” Sika replied.
“Can that latter scenario be performed in a manner that looks entirely accidental?” Dorelyn asked.
“That probability is also extremely low,” Sika replied.
“Thank you, Sika,” Dorelyn said, and Sika slipped noiselessly out of her office.
-36-
Attack
Half the days between the plebiscite’s announcement and voting day had passed. Candidates were visiting cantinas, putting out messages on the station’s media channels, and finding ways to influence voters. Emerson and Rod were proving to be much better at pushing their agendas than Liam, who was the most reserved of the three men.
Reports to Dorelyn showed the council’s two contenders were still equal in influence among voters, and they were slowly closing the gap on Major Finian.
Harbour had her own sources, and they were telling her the same things that Dorelyn heard. She was plagued by the thought that they had an unreleased treasure trove of Emerson’s recordings with the governors and Dorelyn. Unfortunately, every idea she proposed to Jessie to make them public, he shot down.
During one discussion, Harbour had grown extremely frustrated and shouted, “You’re my advisor. You come up with an idea and stop saying mine are idiotic.”
Jessie was shocked by Harbour’s outburst. It was unlike Harbour, and he chose to reply calmly. “I’ve never called your ideas idiotic, Harbour. I’ve only tried to point out the ramifications of each of your scenarios. In each case, there are devastating consequences to exposing those recordings. And as to why I haven’t made any fabulous suggestions, it’s because I don’t have any and it’s not for lack of trying.”
“I can’t believe we might lose,” Harbour complained, throwing herself dejectedly into a chair.
“I admit the trend looks bad, and with the time to go before the election, this could turn into a tossup,” Jessie admitted.
Jessie watched Harbour gather herself. She folded her legs, as Aurelia had done, indicating she intended to focus herself. He sat back in anticipation. To his way of thinking, a calm empath was much better than an upset one.
Harbour relaxed her mind and examined their challenge, as if it was a client’s problem. She dissected the issues, attempting to see what lurked behind the obvious manifestations. She smiled, opened her eyes, and caught Jessie’s noticeable exhalation.
“I’m better,” Harbour said apologetically. “You needn’t have worried. I might get angry, but it wouldn’t cause me to project my power uncontrollably.”
“I wasn’t worried for myself,” Jessie said, sitting forward on the edge of his seat. “You’re the architect of this scheme. It won’t work if you aren’t thinking calmly and deliberately. What made you smile?”
“We think the council is backing Emerson and Rod, correct?” Harbour asked. When Jessie tipped his head in agreement, she said, “If the council is getting the same information we are, what do you think they’ll want to do?”
Jessie sat back in his chair. This had been one of questions bothering him. He couldn’t see them backing both men and hoping that one of them beat Liam. “I think Dorelyn will convince the council to smear one of their candidates and boost the other,” Jessie replied.
“And how do you think topsiders would shift their votes?” Harbour asked.
Jessie offered a small shrug before he said, “I wouldn’t know. I guess it would depend on how they denigrated the one candidate and boosted the other.”
Then a thought struck Jessie, and he said, “No. Dorelyn would cut Emerson loose, and she’d do it in such a way that it besmirched the existing security structure. In that way, she would drive Emerson’s supporters to Rod.”
“That’s what made me smile,” Harbour remarked. “Instead of railing against our seeming misfortune, I tried seeing our challenge dispassionately and viewing it from the council’s perspective.”
“Any other thoughts?” Jessie asked.
“Yes. We have to move before Dorelyn does,” Harbour said. “Once she smears security, we’ll never recover those voters.”
“So what’s the plan, Envoy?” Jessie asked, smiling.
“We announce our support for Liam,” Harbour supplied.
“I thought you wanted to remain in the background,” Jessie said.
It was Harbour’s turn to shrug. “When we started, I thought it was a good idea. Now I’m convinced that we have to beat Dorelyn to whatever action she’s planning to cut her candidates from two to one.”
Harbour picked up her comm unit, “Birdie, I need a Pyre-wide broadcast.”
“Certainly, Envoy,” Birdie replied. “When do you want to schedule it?”
“Give me five minutes to prepare, then Advisor Cinders and I will be on the bridge,” Harbour replied.
Birdie set up the comm board, accessing the app that she hadn’t used in half a year. Then she made a quick call to Dingles, who told her to route a signal to his comm unit so that he could watch real time.
Harbour and Jessie entered the Belle’s bridge, and Birdie reported that she’d sent a Pyre-wide message announcing the upcoming transmission. “I take it that it’ll be full signal, Envoy,” Birdie said, eyeing Harbour’s decorative skins.
“Only the best for our citizens,” Harbour replied, which made Birdie snicker.
Harbour and Jessie took up positions in front of the vid pickup. Birdie watched for Harbour’s hand signal. When she received it, she initiated the broadcast and cued Harbour.
“Citizens of Pyre, specifically stationers and spacers, you face an important decision in a few weeks,” Harbour said. “It’s one that will greatly affect the future of the planet and its surroundings. I want you to know that I initiated this plebiscite, with the approval of the Review Board. I believe that we need to take a bold new direction to ensure the viability of our society. We can’t depend on living in space anymore. We must have the planet’s surface to support our growing population, and we have the means to do that. Maybe not tomorrow, but someday.”
Out of sight of the pickup, Harbour signed to Jessie, who took over the message. “In case you’re not aware, the envoy and I requested the three delegates, who first returned to Triton, to ensure the completion of the three intravertors that accompanied them. In addition, they were to initiate the building of a launch platform and a JOS to Triton passenger shuttle. Whether we like it or not, humans aren’t alone in this galaxy. There’s a marvelous collection of sentients out there, and we’ve earned their respect. The envoy and her team returned with three more intravertor parts.”
Jessie passed the broadcast to Harbour, who said, “But what’s the status of these plans? Six sets of intravertor parts, and only two constructed, no platform, and the needed shuttle is being constructed by the domes’ council. Is this what you expect of a commandant? I don’t. I want someone in charge who believes the planet’s surface needs to be recovered for future g
enerations of Pyreans. This person should have integrity and respect for stationers, spacers, and downsiders … except maybe the family heads.”
Harbour could hear the chuckles of the bridge crew.
“What you might not know,” Jessie continued, “is that the alien alliance is governed by entities who call themselves the Tsargit. For what the envoy and her explorers accomplished, during their journey, the Tsargit has announced their own rewards for us. These are in addition to those offered by the Jatouche. And while this aid is welcomed, we need to demonstrate to these alien cultures that Pyreans are capable of helping themselves.”
Harbour concluded the broadcast. “We tell you these things so that you understand we believe only one candidate embraces this future vision of Pyre. That’s Major Liam Finian. We hope you’ll join us in electing Major Finian as the new commandant.”
Birdie ended the transmission and turned in her seat to stare at Harbour. “The things you don’t know,” she said softly, and received a wink from Harbour before Jessie and she exited the bridge.
* * * *
Alone in her office, Dorelyn was able to give vent to her frustration. She’d watched the Belle’s broadcast, which was transferred down the El’s diamond-threaded cable and carried throughout the domes. It didn’t take long for her comm device to signal her of incoming calls. Every member of the council wanted to speak with her. To her disgust, the family heads forced her to meet with them.
“Yes, I agree we’ve been outmaneuvered,” Dorelyn admitted to the council members. “But it’s a temporary setback. We’ve not lost, and we’ve got one response that Envoy Harbour can’t prevent or overcome.”
“What’s that?” Lise Panoy asked.
“I’m not prepared to share the details yet,” Dorelyn replied. “However, I can tell you that it involves cutting our candidate count from two to one. It will be done in such a way that we’ll shift the voters away from Major Liam.”
“That’s your intention anyway,” Lise remarked.
Dorelyn fielded other questions, intentionally ignoring Lise, until she’d exhausted the council’s inquiries. Afterwards, she met with Idrian and Rufus. They threesome sat quietly together, mulling over recent events.
“I think we can’t wait,” Idrian said, breaking the silence. “The longer we delay, the more time the voters have to consider Harbour’s broadcast.”
“I agree with Idrian,” Rufus added. “We’ve got to throw our support behind Rod Forte.”
“What’s the plan?” Idrian asked.
A cruel smile decorated Dorelyn’s face, and she said, “We start by exposing Emerson’s liaison with Andropov and Panoy.” Her opening made Idrian and Rufus smile in reply. They liked the idea of curtailing Lise’s influence.
“Next, we follow that message with information that Finian has always operated in league with Strattleford,” Dorelyn continued.
“But the citizenry knows that it was Finian who arrested Andropov,” Rufus objected.
“That’s the beauty of it,” Dorelyn chuckled. She was enjoying the opportunity to best Harbour. “The final part of the plan is to leak a rumor that Strattleford and Finian had a falling out with Andropov. Then they conspired with Lise to replace him and support her for the governorship.”
“I love it,” Rufus crowed.
“That’s inspired,” Idrian admitted. “When does this begin?”
“I can initiate the first part in a few days, after I put the right people in place to drive the message,” Dorelyn replied. “We can’t afford to start this and have it sputter out.”
“Are we offering proof?” Rufus asked.
“I’ve obtained image copies of Emerson’s account, the one containing our monthly deposits,” Dorelyn replied. “They were captured off a monitor to ensure there’s no record of data transfer, no evidence of a breach. They cover a few years of time, during which Andropov and Panoy paid him. You can see Emerson’s name, the dates, and the monthly deposits.”
“Will that be enough?” Rufus asked.
“That’s why your people will be aboard the station,” Idrian supplied, nodding his head in appreciation of the plan.
Dorelyn’s self-satisfied smile spoke for itself.
* * * *
Emerson heard Harbour’s announcement. At first he was furious, and then he was frightened. For weeks he couldn’t understand how an unqualified investor, who had wasted his inheritance, could capture as much attention as he had.
Try as hard as Emerson could, he hadn’t identified who backed Forte. That, in itself, was an answer. If they were that well-hidden, it was the council or, more specifically, it was Dorelyn. He could understand that she was being careful to protect the families’ influence over topsider issues, but nonetheless, he felt betrayed.
Just when he thought that the race could be won, Harbour had thrown her influence behind the major. It was all he could do not to stalk into Finian’s office and scream at him. He knew it would make him look foolish, and more than likely, Liam would record his outburst.
The more he ruminated on losing the commandant’s position, the more agitated he became. Too frequently, he was yelling at staff, despite knowing it was affecting his chance of winning.
To add insult to injury, Lieutenant Higgins had taken to escorting the major everywhere, as if he was an exalted person. Worse, when the major left the office with the lieutenant, the empath joined them. He could never quell his deep-seated anger at Aurelia Garmenti. In his mind, she was the reason that his long-standing, stable relationship with Markos Andropov was undone.
* * * *
Every evening after seeing Liam home, Devon and Aurelia retired to a small cabin inward. It was rented for them by Harbour. The compact space contained a kitchenette, two reading chairs, a pair of stacked bunks, and a compact facility.
The pair would purchase food to eat in their cabin. After a quick shower, they would tuck in for the night to be ready for Liam. He was an early riser.
Devon would climb into the upper bunk, and Aurelia would take the lower. They’d chat in the dark, during which time Aurelia would open her gates. Her experience with men had run the extremes. Downside it was the dark, ugly moods of Dimitri, who had molested her. Topside, Aurelia had found safety on Jessie’s ships. She was respected and accepted as a fellow spacer by the crews.
Returning to the station presented Aurelia with the many varieties of emotions that men offered her. Tempted as she was to close her gates, she had to keep them open to protect Liam, and she did her best to ignore the distasteful things she sensed.
Devon was different. Lying below him, with her senses open, Aurelia thought of Devon as a cleansing shower after a long stint in a vac suit — warm water washing away the sweat and grime — gentle and refreshing.
This evening, as Aurelia lay there, she asked, “You haven’t had much experience with empaths, have you?”
“No, Harbour and you are my first,” Devon supplied, and Aurelia had to suppress a giggle.
“But you’ve never expressed fear of us,” Aurelia said. “Why not? Most every stationer does.”
“I’ve never been frightened of you, if that’s what you’re asking,” Devon replied.
“And Harbour?” Aurelia pursued.
“When we met, it was obvious that Harbour meant a great deal to you. That’s all I needed to know,” Devon supplied.
As with every evening, Aurelia noted that her questioning hadn’t produced strong emotional swings in Devon. He was matter-of-fact in his conversations with her, comfortable discussing any subject.
Tonight, Aurelia chose to bring up a subject that had been bothering her. “I’m concerned for Liam, now that Harbour has come out in support of him.”
“I am too,” Devon replied. “Try not to take any unnecessary risks.”
“Good night,” Aurelia said, smiling. In contrast to most subjects, Devon had broadcasted his fear with his last remark. His heightened emotional state indicated what he felt for her.
&nbs
p; The next morning, Devon and Aurelia met Liam at his cabin door.
Liam had acquiesced to their new routine and had stopped objecting. Previously, as a matter of habit, he’d preferred using the back passageways to reach security administration. Instead, his companions led him through the station’s broadest corridors, where people were more likely to greet him.
Aurelia walked in front of the men, smiling and greeting stationers and spacers. Despite his reticence, Devon attempted to do the same thing. He considered it a small price to pay to see his friend elected.
It wasn’t difficult to initiate conversations for Liam. Investors were eager to talk to the major and hear his views on station expansion, commerce, and the intravertor deployment. Young men were eager to talk to Aurelia, and women of all ages wanted to talk to Devon. Once Devon and Aurelia were engaged, they’d introduce Liam to them.
After a lengthy spate of conversations in the station’s promenade corridor, Liam remarked, “You two are more popular than I am.”
“Only briefly,” Devon replied.
“Yes,” Aurelia agreed. “They might engage us, but most of them want to know you. They like what Harbour said, and they want to place their trust in you.”
“You know this for sure?” Liam asked. When Aurelia squinted her eyes at him, he added, “Of course you do,” and he heard Devon chuckle.
In the evening, Devon and Aurelia met Liam outside security and retraced the morning’s steps. They exited the busy retail corridor and wound through smaller and smaller passageways toward Liam’s cabin.
Aurelia detected a wash of fear and excitement. The passageway was empty, with most doors closed, except for one about six meters ahead.
Devon saw Aurelia tense, and he placed a hand on his shock stick, while Liam chatted on about the stationers he’d just met.
Aurelia felt the excitement spike, and she identified the direction. She had time to yell, “Danger,” swinging her arm up to point to the open door, when a figure in an emergency fire suit emerged from the open doorway. He carried a portable electric torch.