Mirror Friend, Mirror Foe

by Asprin, Robert

  The bald man moved forward to meet Hosato“MrMathers?” he asked.

  “I am Hayama,” said Hosato“I have been retained by MrMathers to settle this affair.”

  The bald man swept him with a speculative glance before replying“I am Moabe, MrHayamaI have been asked to serve as umpire.”

  Hosato inclined his head slightly in formal acknowl-​edgment.

  “HeyAre you one of Mathers' seconds?”

  Hosato turned to face the speaker“Might I ask whom I am addressing?” he queried.

  “I'm Harry Scale, the challengerThese are my brothers, Casey and Tom.”

  Hosato inclined his head to them“I am Hayama.”

  One of the brothers, Tom, snorted derisivelyThe other studied Hosato carefully.

  “You didn't answer Brother Harry's question,” he commented quietly.

  “I have been retained by MrMathers to settle this affair,” Hosato replied“He sends his regrets over last night's incident and states he is ready to make public apology under any condition you might set forth.”

  Tom grinned and began making clucking noises like a chicken.

  Harry was more to the point“No deal, HayamaHe's not getting off the hook that easyI challenged him and he accepted, so he's going to have to fightYou just go back and tell him we'll wait here one more hourIf he isn't here by then, we'll come and get him.”

  Hosato smiled“That will not be necessaryAs I said, I have been instructed by MrMathers to settle the affairIf possible, this was to be done with an apologyIf not.” He shrugged and let the sentence hang in the air.

  “What do you mean-?” Harry began.

  “He's taking Mathers' place,” interrupted Casey.

  “What?” exploded Tom, finally coming to life“He can't do thatMathers was challenged, and he's got to be the one to fight.”

  Hosato looked at the umpire.

  “It is not without precedent,” Moabe ruled, “for a challenged party to appoint a champion to fight in his stead.”

  The brothers bit off their objections and huddled together for a quick conference.

  Hosato smiled to himselfHe found a certain ironic justice in the situationIf thugs tried to use the format of a duel to cloak a murder, it was only fitting they find themselves bound by the rules and traditions gov-​erning that form of combatHe caught Moabe's eyeThe black looked at him impassively for a moment, then slowly closed one eye in a conspiratorial winkHosato was not the only one present who appreciated the humor of the situation.

  “Okay, Hayama!” Harry calledThe huddle was breaking up“It's your funeralIf you want to die in-​stead of Mathers, that's your privilegeWe're willing to settle this with you.”

  Moabe was suddenly between them, one hand on the butt of his blaster.

  “A duel is individual combat,” he said levelly“The seconds are to serve as witnesses only, and are not to take an active part in the battle,”

  “Hey, Moabe!” Tom protested“Remember, we're the ones who are paying you.”

  “That's right,” Moabe retorted, “and you're paying me to umpire this duel, which means I guarantee the rules are strictly followed by both sides.”

  “Shut up, Tom!” Casey interrupted“Don't worry, MoabeThis is Harry's fightHe'd probably shoot us himself if we interfered.”

  His smile was not convincing.

  “Very well, gentlemen,” Hosato replied, as if there had been no interruption“As representative of the challenged party, I believe I have choice of weaponsI choose epees.”

  “What?” bellowed Harry.

  “Epees,” said Moabe“SwordsNot only is it an ac-​ceptable dueling weapon, it is one of the original duel-​ing weapons.”

  “Go ahead, Harry,” called Casey“It's like using a long knife.”

  “But I don't have a sword,” protested Harry.

  Hosato was already at Suzi's side, opening one of her many storage compartments.

  "I happen to have a matched set of dueling epees.

  MrMoabe, if you would be so good as to inspect them for acceptability.?"

  He passed the weapons to Moabe, who examined them closelyThe Negro's eyebrows shot up with sur-​prised appreciation before he caught himself and re-​stored his normal unmoved expression.

  “YesThese weapons are acceptable,” he ruled“MrScale, as your opponent has provided the weap-​ons, you have first choice.”

  He offered both weapons to Harry, who scowled suspiciously, then made a large show of examining them closely before choosing.

  “My client will accept first blood in settling this matter,” Hosato announced.

  “What's that supposed to mean?” Tom demanded.

  “Duels may be settled by first, second, or third blood,” Moabe informed him“First blood means just that-​the duel is ended when blood is drawn, however trivialSecond blood means the duel will be fought to the first serious injuryThird blood is a duel to the death, and the fight will continue until one of the com-​batants is dead, even if it means the seconds have to hold a wounded duelist up until the death blow is struck.”

  “Oh!” said Tom, properly mollified.

  Casey had been studying Hosato suspiciously throughout the exchange“You seem to know an aw-​ful lot about this stuff, Hayama,” he commented.

  “This is not my first duel,” Hosato admitted.

  “Hayama!” Harry exploded in sudden recognition“HeyI've heard of youYou're a professional duel-​ist!”

  Hosato inclined his head in acknowledgmentThere was a pregnant moment of silence as the brothers ex-​changed glances.

  “MrScale,” said Moabe, stepping forward, “do you wish to reconsider accepting MrMathers' apology?”

  Harry started, then brandished his sword"Why?

  I'm not scared of himCome on, HayamaLet's get this thing over with."

  Mentally, Hosato cursed MoabeIf he had just kept his mouth shut for a few more minutes, Harry might have backed down on his ownBut Harry was a bully, and would never back away from a fight on someone else's suggestionWell, there was no getting out of it nowWith a sigh Hosato stepped forward and struck a pose, legs straight, sword and sword arm extended level at shoulder height.

  Harry regarded the stance suspiciously.

  “If you will come en garde, MrScale,” Moabe prompted“Extend your sword until its point touches that of MrHayama'sI will then give the signal to begin.”

  Harry shot a black look at the umpire, then awk-​wardly initiated Hosato's stance and extended his sword.

  “Ready, gentlemenFighting for first bloodBegin!” It was over almost before it startedHarry plunged forward, trying to overwhelm and surprise his oppo-​nent, but he made a mistakeLike most novices, he ignored his opponent's arm and tried to attack deep, going for a body hitAs he closed the distance, Hosato's sword point floated out and plunged deep in-​to the bicep of his sword arm.

  Harry recoiled, dropping the sword and grasping his wounded arm.

  “Halt!” called Moabe.

  Hosato stepped back and relaxed his guard.

  “First blood has been drawn,” Moabe intoned“The matter is settled.”

  “Not so fast!”

  All heads turned toward the source of the voice.

  During the skirmish, Casey had drifted back and taken up a position behind MoabeHe was there now, but his blaster was out and leveled at the umpire.

  “Harry didn't agree to this first-​blood bull.”

  “He entered into combat after the terms had-”

  “Shut up, MoabeWhat do you say, Harry?”

  “Come on, CaseyI'm hurt!”

  “Casey glared at his brother for a moment, then turned his gaze to Hosato”Hayama,“ he said, ”I know you wouldn't want to take advantage of Harry's condition, so what say you switch that sword over to your left handNow!"

  Slowly Hosato complied with the order.

  “Okay now, Harry?” Casey called.

  “OkayCome on, HayamaJust you and me.”

  Hosato advanced slowly t
o meet him.

  Harry was lyingIt wasn't just the two of themIt was becoming increasingly apparent to Hosato that if he succeeded in killing Harry, one of the other broth-​ers would gun him down, rules or no rulesHe had been afraid something like this would happenThat's why he had a small, flat two-​shot blaster secreted in his pocketCasey had timed his move well, however, and there was no way to reach the weapon without drawing fire from the other two brothers.

  Harry plunged forward againHosato parried and bounded backward, ignoring his chance for a fatal riposte.

  “Not so good with your left hand, are you, Hayama?” Harry sneered.

  “Get him, Harry!” Tom called from the side.

  As a matter of fact, Hosato was almost as good with his left hand as he was with his right, but he didn't dare actTom's shout fixed the third brother's location in his mind, though, and gave him the germ of an idea.

  Steeling himself, Hosato darted forward, on the at-​tackHarry batted the lunge clumsily aside, but didn't attempt a counterthrust as Hosato slipped past him.

  “Pretty fancy, Hayama,” he admitted grudgingly.

  Hosato mentally heaved a sigh of reliefThe move had been riskyIf Harry had been an experienced fencer, he wouldn't have dared try it for fear of the reflexive counterthrustBut he had gambled, and it workedNow he was in positionHarry advanced again, but this time Hosato gave ground, backpedaling away from his opponent.

  “Ready, Moabe?” he called.

  “Ready for what?” Tom demanded.

  For a reply, Hosato whirled and plunged his epee into Tom's chest.

  “Hey!” shouted Casey.

  That was all the distraction Moabe neededDrop-​ping to the ground and drawing his blaster in one smooth motion, he cut Casey down with one shot.

  Harry had dropped his sword and was drawing his own blaster as Casey fell“You bastard!” he screamed, leveling the weapon at Moabe's back.

  Hosato's shot took him as he squeezed the trigger stud, the two blasts sounding as one.

  Silence echoed over the field.

  “Moabe?” Hosato called at last.

  “He has ceased to function,” Suzi informed him.

  Hosato hung his head in fatigue and sorrowHe had liked Moabe, however short their acquaintance had been.

  Suzi retrieved Harry's sword and floated silently to his sideHosato sighed and began to secure the weap-​ons in her storage compartmentHe didn't chide Suzi for not assisting in the fightHowever human she seemed at times, she was still a robot, and therefore incapable of killing or injuring a human.

  “Someone's coming,” Suzi announced.

  Hosato raised his head and saw a man approaching from the spaceportThis man was of a different cut than most, his conservative clothes, like a uniform, identifying him as a corporation manHe gave the strewn bodies no more than a casual glance, striding purposefully toward the survivor.

  Hosato studied him with mild curiosity as he ap-​proachedHe had been hired as a duelist by corporate men before, but not often.

  The man came to a halt at a slight distance“May I ask whom I am addressing?” he inquired.

  “I am Hayama,” Hosato replied.

  A vague ripple of relief crossed the man's face“ExcellentMy name is ReillyI represent the Raven-​steel Corporation, and we are interested in retaining your services.”

  Hosato's eyebrows went up“Am I to understand it would be the corporation and not yourself individually who would be retaining my skills?”

  “That's rightWhyIs something wrong?”

  “NoI just can't imagine why a corporation would require the services of a duelist.”

  “We don't.” Reilly smiled“You see, we at Ravensteel are aware that despite your obvious abilities, dueling is not your main livelihood, just as Hayama isn't your real nameYour name is Hosato, and you are a freelance spy and saboteur, one of the best, according to our sourcesRavensteel needs a saboteur, and we need one badlyThe fact you can fence is merely frosting on the cake.”

  “MrMathers?”

  The bartender turned at the sound of Hosato's voice“Hayama!” he exclaimed.

  “It is settled,” Hosato said quietly.

  “They accepted my apology?”

  “No.”

  “But you said. Oh.”

  “Harry Scale will not trouble you againNeither will his two brothers.”

  Mathers stood regarding Hosato with a new respect.

  “I seeWell, I guess you want the rest of your money.”

  He went to the cash register, and returned with a handful of billsWordlessly he counted them onto the bar counter in front of Hosato.

  Hosato picked them up without checking the count and started to stash them in his tunic; then he hesi-​tated“Did you know Moabe?” he asked.

  “The NegroNo, I didn't know him and didn't want toThe Scales always had a couple darkies hanging around with themNever could warm up to them, my-​self.”

  “I see,” said Hosato.

  “Hey, nothing personal, you understandYou Ori-​entals are all rightYou're quiet and politeBut Ne-​groes well.you know how they are.”

  Mathers smiled and winked knowingly.

  Hosato regarded him for a moment, then put away the money and turned to leave.

  “HeyNo need to hurry off, HayamaCome on, I'll buy you a drinkI figure I owe you a little bonus.” Hosato left without acknowledging Mathers' words.

  Reilly was waiting in his hotel room as promised, and answered the door promptly when Hosato knocked.

  “Come in, come in,” he invited“I hope you don't mind meeting in my room, but I thought it would be best if we weren't seen together in public.” “It's quite all right,” Hosato assured him.

  “Well, make yourself comfortableCan I get you something to drink?”

  “Not just now, thanks.”

  After the abortive duel, Hosato wanted a drink badly, but thought it unwise to drink if business were to be discussedHe seated himself on the plush sofa and waited while Reilly poured himself a healthy glass of ScotchHe wished he could have brought Suzi along, but it would have been too hard to explain her presence and might have aroused suspicions as to her true capacities.

  “You sure I can't get you anything?” Reilly asked, smilingHe was obviously back in his own element againThe stiffness and formality he had displayed at the dueling ground disappeared now that he was in a hotel room with a drink in his hand.

  Hosato had encountered his kind beforeAn aging pretty boy sincere smile and a firm handshake look you right in the eye: the trademark of a cor-​porate field manHosato never really felt at ease around themHe preferred the company of the rougher set, who would throw back their heads and laugh or glare with suspicionThe unshakable joviality of the corporation types was a mask that successfully screened their true thoughts and reactions.

  “Well, I guess you must have a million questions, MrHosato,” Reilly said, pulling up a chair.

  “For the moment, just one.” Hosato smiled“Who gave you my name?”

  “Oh, thatA gentleman called the 'Hungarian' re-​ferred us to you.”

  The HungarianThat gave a certain air of credibil-​ity to the contactStill.

  “Did he send any messages to me?” Hosato asked.

  “As a matter of fact, he didI was going to mention it later, since it didn't seem particularly importantHe said to tell you his dog died.”

  That was the fail-​safeThe Hungarian never owned a dog in his life; in fact, he hated themHowever, it served to confirm that Reilly had indeed been checked and forwarded by the Hungarian.

  “Very well, tell me about this job you have for meYou mentioned sabotage?”

  “That's right,” Reilly confirmed“What do you know about Ravensteel Incand McCrae Enterprises?”

  “Not much,” Hosato admitted“They're both based on Grunbecker's Planet and they both make robots.”

  Reilly smiled“MrHosato, you have an unsus-​pected talent for understatementStill, that pretty much sums up the situationT
he only major amend-​ment I would make would be to point out that between the two of them, they produce eighty-​five to ninety percent of the robots in use today.”

  Hosato raised his eyebrows in genuine surpriseHe had no idea those two corporations dominated the in-​dustry to that extent.

  “Now, then,” Reilly continued, “what do you know about the corporations themselves, particularly their interrelation with each other?”

  “MrReilly,” Hosato smiled to hide his annoyance, “you asked once what I knew about the corpora-​tions in question, and I told youNow, why don't you just tell me whatever you feel is important, instead of playing Twenty Questions?” Reilly took the rebuff smoothly“Sorry,” he apologized"My basic background is in marketing and sales-​you know, 'get the customer in-​volved'Guess I've never really gotten over it.

  “Well, to keep a long story short, the two corpora-​tions hate each other with a passionNow, don't mis-​take this for an ordinary business rivalryThat's there, too, but it's only part of the storyOriginally they were all one company, IRAM, a partnershipThe two part-​ners had a falling-​out, and they split the company, forming two separate corporationsThe main drive of each of the two has been to put the other out of busi-​nessSo far, though, they're about even.”

  “What does all this have to do with me?” Hosato asked.

  “We at Ravensteel want you to penetrate the Mc-​Crae complex and sabotage their works shut 'em downWe're ready to pay ten thousand credits for the attempt, and an additional ten thousand for every month McCrae is inoperative, to a maximum total of a hundred thousand creditsAre you interested?”

  Hosato stared thoughtfully at the wall for several minutes before answeringThere was no denying a hundred thousand credits was temptingStill.

  “What's the law like?” he asked abruptly.

  “The law?”

  “The policeWhat kind of opposition would I be up against?”

  “No police,” Reilly assured him“Grunbecker's Planet is a corporation worldThere are no inhabit-​ants other than corporation employeesEach of the two corporations makes and enforces its own laws.”