by Gregg Vann
Tana blinked the interface away and then freshened up before heading out the door—setting the defgun to auto-patrol, and locking the apartment up behind her.
Sri is out.
And with all the money coming in from the ceremonial set, maybe it really is time to move to the Middle District. Maybe, just maybe, things are finally starting to go my way.
CHAPTER FOUR
Friends and Enemies
They smiled as they saw each other in the street, running the last few meters to clasp one another warmly. The embrace lingered, and when Tana finally leaned back she ran her fingers through Sri’s golden-blonde hair, staring into her eyes.
“I can’t believe you’re really here,” she said.
“No one is more surprised about it than I am,” Sri replied.
“Do you have any idea why they let you out?”
“Only what they told me…about it being part of the celebration. The Wardens just said it was to honor Sergeant Barent, like that somehow explained everything. It was all pretty strange, actually, and even the prison guards seemed surprised by the Wardens’ visit. But to be honest, I didn’t hang around long enough to ask any questions.”
“I don’t blame you.”
Tana pulled Sri’s chin up and gave her a kiss. “I’ve missed you.”
Sri grabbed Tana’s hands and held onto them tightly. “I’ve missed you, too.”
They stood speechless for a moment, gazing at each other as pedestrians moved past them in both directions—a few squeezed into vacant spots on the curb behind them to wait for the parade.
Although they’d been apart for two years, Tana easily recalled the good times they’d shared in the past. If anything, the separation had only intensified her feelings—anticipation and longing pushing Tana’s affection for Sri to greater heights. But she also remembered the bad times, the drugs, and the frequent betrayals. And Tana used those memories to quell the strong flow of emotions—to maintain a modicum of composure and distance. If anything was to become of this—if she and Sri were to rebuild their previous relationship—it would be slowly, if at all.
But for now, they would be friends again.
“Come on,” Tana said. “Let’s go get something to eat and catch up.”
“Sounds perfect.”
But as they turned to walk away, a black armored personnel carrier skidded to a halt in the street right next to them. The side of the APC pivoted upward, and then four heavily armed soldiers leapt out, leveling their weapons at the pair. The people waiting for the parade scattered—abandoning the prize spots they’d fought so hard for without a second thought. And within just a few seconds, only Tana and Sri remained on the sidewalk. Tana looked past the guns and saw the uniforms.
Wardens?
“Hands up!” one of them shouted.
Tana and Sri complied instantly, and then two of the Wardens stepped forward—pressing self-adhering scatter-patches against the temples of both women.
“I don’t have a datalink,” Sri said. “They removed it in jail wh—”
“Quiet,” the Warden nearest her said.
He grabbed Sri’s hands and fastened them together in restraints behind her back—as another Warden did the same to Tana. Tana noted that their actions were brusque and efficient, yet not abusive like the police often were.
“What is this all about?” she asked.
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
The Wardens led Tana and Sri over to the APC and gently placed them down on the floor inside the vehicle. Then all four soldiers jumped in as well, dropping onto bench seats mounted to the thickly armored walls. The large door automatically swung closed behind them—latching with a loud clank—and then they sped off down the road. As the APC accelerated away, Tana looked out through the front window and saw people starting to come back out of hiding.
“I was stupid enough to think you actually served the people,” she said angrily. “And now you’re snatching innocent citizens off the streets?”
The Wardens ignored her and continued to stare straight ahead, saying nothing. Sri was also silent during the short ride, and Tana could see the fear set deep into her face. She was already convinced that she was going back to prison, and Tana had every reason to believe that she’d be joining Sri this time. One question still remained, though… Why? But when the APC finally slid to a halt and the door opened up again, Tana saw where they were and it all began to make sense.
The Wardens hefted the pair up and pushed them outside, guiding them straight across the sidewalk and into the building. There wasn’t enough space for everyone in the small room so two of the Wardens remained outside.
“You son of a bitch!” Tana yelled. “You sold me out.”
Cobin was standing behind the counter, as usual, but this time he was not alone—the old fence was flanked by two men Tana had never seen before. She could tell by the insignia on his cloak that one of them was a high-ranking officer in the Wardens; the black armor underneath was a dead giveaway as well. But the other man wore civilian clothing, with no outward clues to his identity. He wasn’t stocky and imposing like the Warden, but he still bore himself like someone of great importance. The man’s strong voice reinforced the impression that he was someone to be taken seriously.
“My name is Nedol Cedef,” he said. “Grand Editor of the Vade Mecum. And this, is Major Kline.”
“You can release them now,” Kline directed his men. “And then wait outside with the others.”
Tana rubbed her wrists as the restraints came off, and then she glowered at Cobin.
“I didn’t turn you in,” he said defensively. “A few hours after I started asking around about the pistols the Wardens just showed up.”
“So you are Tana Neng,” Cedef said. “Somehow, I thought you’d be larger…more formidable.”
“Where are the police?” Tana asked him, already resigned to her fate. “And what’s with all the Wardens?”
Tana knew the situation was bad…very bad. This much attention meant the guns belonged to someone really important. But the apartment she’d found them in wasn’t that nice.
“Whose pistols were they?” Tana said.
“They are mine,” Major Kline answered. “And I’m delighted to have them back.”
“Oh shit,” Tana blurted out.
She looked over at Sri and saw that she was on the verge of tears. And Tana knew why. They were both going away for a very, very long time. Stealing from a Collective pretender who kept ceremonial pistols as a keepsake was one thing, but taking them from a Warden was one of the highest crimes imaginable. During graduation from their exclusive academy, the Wardens were presented with actual firearms brought by the First Ones during the colonization—irreplaceable, historic treasures.
“Those were real?” Tana asked, incredulous.
“Yes,” Major Kline answered, “they were. So now you understand just how bad this situation is for you?”
“I do,” Tana replied somberly.
“Excellent. Then you’ll also understand how magnanimous the offer I’m about to make is.”
“Offer?” Tana said, unable to hide the surprise in her voice.
“I’m still not convinced, Major,” Cedef interrupted. “Are you certain that she is the one?”
“I am,” Kline replied confidently. “She’s good, Cedef…very good. She easily defeated the complex security system I have installed in my apartment, leaving no trace. And I’ve done some checking around—she’s smart and discreet as well. Which is exactly what we need in this situation.”
“But you know how important this could be if the Vade is right. It would mean—”
“Say nothing of that!” Kline snapped.
Nedol Cedef fell silent, and Tana saw a brief flash of fear in the man’s eyes. As an editor of the Vade…the editor, he wasn’t accustomed to listening to anyone. But when a Warden spoke, everyone listened.
Major Kline turned to Sri and instructed her to wait outside; she
shot Tana a hopeful glance before departing. Then the Warden motioned for Cobin to join her, and stepped aside to let him pass. When the door closed behind them, Cedef and Kline both walked out from behind the counter to stand in front of Tana.
“If you accomplish a task I have for you,” Kline began, “I will forget all about the theft of my pistols. You will also receive a large payment commiserate with your efforts, and your friend Sri will get a full pardon.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then neither of you will ever taste freedom again.”
Tana could sense that Kline wasn’t an evil man—he carried himself with the same level of respect and honor that all Wardens did—but he clearly meant every word he said. If Tana didn’t agree to his terms, her life was over, as was Sri’s.
She shrugged defeat. “What do you want me to do?”
“Actually,” Cedef replied, “we want you to steal another set of pistols. A very special pair.”
“What’s so special about them?” Tana asked.
“They belong to Sergeant Barent,” Kline said.
Tana’s jaw dropped and she was left completely speechless. Break into the Tomb of the Great Betrayer and steal his personal weapons? It was madness. Not only did the tomb sit right in the middle of the Central District, it was also one of the most heavily protected places in the city. If not the most protected.
But wait a minute, Tana thought to herself. It was guarded by…
“Forgetting about why you even want them for a moment,” Tana said, “the Wardens provide security at the tomb. You could just walk in there and take the pistols, and no one could stop you.”
“That is not entirely accurate,” Kline replied. “The Collective took that responsibility away from us some time ago, and they gave it to the regular military. They’ve been slowly leeching away our duties over the years because they feel we’re too popular with the people, and because we openly oppose many of their policies. The only time the Wardens watch over the Great Betrayer now is during the annual ceremony celebrating his life…today, actually.”
“So take them today.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” Kline said. “The tomb will be swarming with Collective military as part of the celebration. But we can use all of that activity as a distraction to sneak someone into the compound—then they can hide out until later in the evening when everything is over. Once everyone’s gone, the infiltrator can circumvent the tomb’s security precautions, and then remove Barent’s pistols from the coffin before escaping the complex.”
Kline looked straight into Tana’s eyes. “That is my plan, Ms. Neng. And I believe that you have a better chance of pulling it off than anyone else in the city.”
Tana’s shoulders sank. “I always thought the Wardens were above these types of things, Major. When Barent formed your group during the Pardon War it was to ensure that everyone was treated the same: the prisoners, the colonists, and even the original guards that oppressed our ancestors. But now you’re just as bad as the politicians—doing everything you can to disrespect Barent’s memory. And for what? So you can keep his pistols as prizes?”
“I see that you’ve read the histories.” Kline grinned. “You needn’t worry, Ms. Neng, we are still above common politics. But it’s come to our attention that the Collective plans to remove the pistols from the tomb anyway, and then claim they were stolen under our watch. It’s their final maneuver to have the Wardens disbanded once and for all. The people still think we guard the Great Betrayer, as you yourself believed, and the theft will make us seem weak and ineffectual. It will be the end of our order.”
“But I still don’t get it,” Tana said. “You’re part of the Collective.”
“No!” Kline replied, much more forcefully than he’d intended. “We are apart from them. We’ve witnessed the Collective twist Sergeant Barent’s beliefs—watched as social and economic inequality blossomed during their tenure. And throughout the years, we’ve exerted our influence to stem their perversions whenever possible. But the Collective has the full power of the military behind them, and if they can make us look inept to the populace, we are finished. And all of Le’sant will suffer for it.”
“So let me get this straight,” Tana said. “You want me to steal the pistols so the Collective can’t?”
“Precisely,” Kline replied.
“And what do the editors of the Vade have to do with any of this?” she asked Cedef. “Where do you stand?”
“With the Wardens, of course, and in defense of Barent’s original wishes. The Vade holds the truth for those who wish to know it.” Cedef paused and gave her a tight grin. “I’ve even read a few interesting things about you in the great book, Tana Neng.”
She was surprised that someone had mentioned her in the Vade, but then Tana realized it probably wasn’t by name. She’d most likely been referred to as the thief who stole my… But the revelation told her something much more important—that Nedol Cedef had done a great deal of research trying to pinpoint Tana’s crimes, and to ascertain her abilities. The effort no doubt helped along by Cobin’s purchase records, and the police reports and other official documentation the Wardens had access to.
These two have been very busy.
“Despite your clandestine proclivities, Ms. Neng,” Cedef continued, “I know that you are a believer; you respect Barent’s legacy. That’s another reason you were chosen for this undertaking.”
Tana looked over at Kline. “Can you at least provide me with information about the security systems installed at the tomb? Or the placement of troops at the facility?”
“Nothing at all,” Kline replied. “Once our ceremonial retinue leaves the facility at 17:00 hours, we’ll have no way of knowing how many Collective troops remain stationed there—or exactly where they’ll be positioned in the complex. Our original security installations were replaced by the Collective long ago, so we also have no idea what they have in place now as far as electronic defenses.”
“That…is not very helpful,” Tana said.
“Nevertheless, it is what we know. Do you agree to my proposal?” Kline asked her. “Will you do it?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“No. You don’t.”
“Then count me in. Sri—”
“Will remain sequestered in your apartment—under guard—until your return. You can retrieve what equipment you need from your place now, and take your pick from among Cobin’s things as well. And we’ll provide you with anything else you require—anything at all—you need only ask for it.”
“A reprieve, if I get captured by the Collective?”
“Except for that,” Kline said. “If you’re caught or killed, we will disavow any knowledge of you. But we’ll still release your friend; you have my word.”
Well, at least Sri will be safe, Tana thought.
“So assuming that I actually survive this and manage to get the pistols, what then?”
“I’ll provide you with a meeting point in the Central District, and we’ll make the exchange there.”
“Exchange?”
“The pistols for your payment. After which, you should have more than enough money to finally move to the Middle District.”
Tana’s eyebrows shot up. How the hell did he know about that? Maybe I wasn’t quite as invisible as I’d always believed.
But despite her relief in having a way out of this mess—one that actually played to Tana’s strengths, and might even help secure her future—Tana’s face still displayed a great deal of apprehension.
And Major Kline saw it.
“I know how hopeless a task this seems,” he said.
“You’re right about that,” Tana replied. “But that’s not what’s bothering me. Breaking into Sergeant Barent’s coffin…touching his body…it just seems so—”
“I understand completely,” Kline told her.
“As do I,” Cedef agreed. “It’s as close to sacrilege as one can venture.”
“But Ba
rent’s ideals are far more important than his remains,” Kline said. “The Wardens must survive if we ever hope to one day enact his wishes.”
Tana looked at Kline’s face and knew he believed every word of that. And so did she. Cedef was right. Tana was a believer.
“But you must go, now,” Kline continued. “We have much to do, and very little time in which to accomplish it all. I’ll be attending the ceremony at the tomb myself in just a few hours—at the conclusion of the parade in the Central District. And I’ll use my personal vehicle to slip you inside the complex then.”
Tana indicated she understood and Kline turned toward the door. “Corporal Filo!” he yelled.
One of the Wardens flew inside, immediately snapping to attention. “Yes, sir.”
“Escort this young woman to her apartment so she can gather up what she needs, and then bring her back here. You have one hour. Leave two men behind at the residence, and keep the other girl there until I say otherwise.”
“Yes, sir.”
Kline nodded to Tana and she followed Corporal Filo out. When the door shut behind them, Cedef spoke in a low voice.
“You lied to her.”
“Almost everything I said was true.”
“Almost.”
“And what I left out wouldn’t have helped her anyway. Even she knew it. You must admit, that plot by the Collective sounds just like something those devious bastards would do.”
“Indeed.”
Kline turned to look at Cedef, noticing his distant stare. “What is it, Nedol? We’ve known each other for a long time, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look so worried.”
“Can you blame me?” he replied. “And I’m not the only one, Major. I know that you haven’t shared this news with the other Wardens, so you must have your own reservations as well.”
“You’re right. I do.”
Cedef shook his head slowly and focused in on the other man’s face.
“Major…what if the information my scribe found in the Vade really is true? Can you imagine the ramifications of such a discovery?”