The Return of the Grey

by Robert Lee Henry

Leaning back from the input screen on the left hand panels the tech answered. ‘Yes, the old program assigns that. It recognises the subject from the sensor scans. We put it in as a cross reference to the hard copy printout.’

  Nata scrolled back through the officers’ results, giving orders to the tech as he did so. ‘Calculate the number of individuals tested in the last ten years, from the old program and from your records. Independently.’

  He beat the machine, not to the number but to the outcome and its underlying cause. The code on Colda’s sheet was the same as that on Coltrane’s, the Commander of the Blues. Their aides also matched.

  ‘Six thousand two hundred and twelve from the old program. Six thousand two hundred and fifty seven according to our records,’ said the tech.

  Nata had turned to Elsewise in triumph only to find his friend still locked in deep contemplation, his pose unchanged. Better safe than sorry, he thought as he struck.

  *

  Elsewise ran his hands to the back of his head then squeezed to constrain the dull ache. He felt Nata’s hand on his shoulder.

  ‘Did I hurt you, my friend? I am sorry. I do not know the fine details of your physiology. We must consult with the Doctor for a kinder solution.’

  A rattle from the door to the eval room followed by a storm of papers flying into the corridor drew their attention. The tech backed out dragging Elsewise’s staff. He leaned the long stave against the wall and knelt to collect the papers only to have the hard wooden rod slide down and strike his legs.

  ‘Do you doubt your proficiency now?’ Nata asked Elsewise. ‘At least you have only hit me, not yourself.’

  Elsewise could appreciate the tech’s clumsiness. The staff was long and awkward to one unaccustomed to its heft. In practice, out of Nata’s sight, he had hit his legs often and painfully. Not only the staff, but the paper also, would be unfamiliar to the young man. Few worked with paper now. It must be some request of Nata’s.

  ‘Bring the staff then go back for the papers,’ directed Nata. He waved the tech down to sit beside them on his second trip.

  ‘Scholar Elsewise, this is psych tech Sanseen. I repeat the introduction as I am not sure how long you were with us inside. In mind, I mean.’

  Elsewise leaned forward and politely nodded past Nata to the nervous tech.

  ‘Sanseen, please call your Senior and ask her to join us, as a priority,’ said Nata, taking the bunched papers from the young man and passing them to the Scholar.

  Copies of the results for the cadre leaders and sub-commanders, augmented by those for eighty six others, printed out from the official records, and hand drawn lists of numbers and details from the old program displays. Elsewise saw the artifice immediately. ‘This solves one of my concerns. I had wondered if the Aide, Addikae, could be so different from me,’ he said. ‘Otherwise, this data is more pertinent to your evaluation of the House threat than to the murder.’

  ‘I will not let it divert us. My plan to check the evaluations is sound. The list will not be all encompassing, that’s all,’ said Nata falling silent.

  A passer-by stepped over the Scholar’s long legs with hardly a glance. If we were standing, he would have hesitated in the corridor, perhaps even backtracked, but because we are doing something odd, he is at ease, thought Elsewise.

  ‘Those that are missing may not be significant if the connection of the Box with the murder as suggested by that cross is correct,’ resumed Nata. ‘There are a great many records to review. We will have to divide the data to make speed. You keep these copies. Sanseen and I will expand the search. Your ideas on categories?’

  This plan will also keep me from having to re-enter that room, understood Elsewise, appreciating his friends care.

  They had just finalised their scoping when Sanseen suddenly stood up, dislodging Elsewise’s staff from its position against the wall. Nata caught the end before it could do harm and passed it to the Scholar. The reason for the tech’s quick movement was striding down the corridor towards them.

  ‘Somehow this staff comforts me when I see her coming,’ said Elsewise in low tones to Nata as they rose. Nata looked like he wished he had a staff also.

  *

  Celene was angry, angry and frustrated. A day lost to sleep, then one to getting all of her people into vests, and now this. The third day since the murder and she had yet to interview a suspect. Donen, the caretaker, had not reported to Med this morning as directed. Queries as to his whereabouts had initially been met with advice that he was at work high in the Box and unavailable. Upon her insistence that he be sought out immediately and delivered to Med, it transpired, after considerable delay, that he was now missing. She had not attempted to hide her anger and Sub-commander Visco, himself, was ready to accompany her to the Box when this request for her presence ‘as a priority’ had come through. And what do I find, three men sitting in a corridor.

  ‘Scholar Elsewise,’ she said in return to the tall man’s bow. ‘Nata, Sanseen,’ she continued, spreading her glare evenly. ‘What is so important that it would take me from my duties?’

  ‘Specialist, I fear we have put another of your people at risk,’ said Nata.

  Alarm replaced anger in a heartbeat. ‘Where?’ she demanded, ready to take off.

  ‘Here and now,’ answered Nata, raising both hands in the air, palms outward.

  His gesture and the lack of threat in their surroundings calmed her.

  ‘Our investigations of records from Box evaluations have identified House agents,’ explained Nata. ‘Should this become known or suspected then Sanseen’s life will be in peril. They could seize him to ascertain the extent of his knowledge then possibly eliminate him.’

  The 'should’, ‘could’ and ‘possibly’ are only in there for Sanseen’s benefit, knew Celene. Nata’s movements and contacts would certainly be under scrutiny and review by Colda’s advisors. That this surveillance had not been obvious to date suggested they had someone in Command passing on Nata’s conclusions.

  She moved directly in front of her tech. ‘Psych Sanseen. You are not wearing your vest.’ The young man’s eyes went wide in alarm and he touched his chest with both hands. She leaned forward and waited.

  ‘I took it off in the eval room. I was alone, working on records. I wasn’t dealing with subjects,’ he ended lamely.

  ‘Who is the most dangerous person on Base?’ she asked evenly. His eyes went wider than she thought possible and she realised that at the moment she was his likely nomination. ‘Let me rephrase that. Whom do you know to be most proficient in close combat?’

  He seemed relieved to be able to offer Nata’s name.

  ‘That is correct. Could you stop him without your vest? Should I direct him to attack you now?’ she asked.

  He appeared to consider it. She read his thought. Anything was preferable to her continued scrutiny.

  ‘Go. Get your vest on then get back here,’ she ordered.

  His departure allowed her to turn her attention to the other two. This is a formidable pairing. They will be safe.

  In the few minutes it took for the tech to find his vest and return, Nata and Elsewise outlined their discoveries. On the initial entry of PlanCon to the Guard, thirty-six of their number had not been vetted by the Box, their place taken by Blue Cadre personnel. Since that time, a further nine recruits had also been substituted. All of the untested were probably agents. The Houses would not want the Command of the Guard to be aware of their abilities. Also, for some the Box would have meant death, Colda and his tall aide came to mind immediately. It seems whoever advises the Houses has a higher regard for the Box than we do, thought Celene. And for good reason. She did not doubt the connection between the Box and the murder that these two scholars had established. The six-rayed star had been imprinted on someone’s mind and transferred to Briodi's body.

  She took out her comm and flipped it open. ‘Marine Command, Specialist Celene here. I have a request as to training.’ A pause. ‘No, I don’t care who I talk to.
’ Since the last disembarkation, there was no marine command left. Matters were fielded by the duty sergeants. ‘On second thought, give me Tollen.’ He will understand what I want.

  During the delay, she swung her hand with the finger pointed to Sanseen, to let Nata and the Scholar know what this was about. Tollen came on the comm shortly.

  ‘Sergeant Tollen. One of my people does not know how to follow orders. Psych tech Sanseen was found without his stun vest on in contradiction to the Base Commander’s, and my own, order. I would like you to assign him to a squad in training and keep him there until you hear otherwise from me.’ She listened; then answered a query, ‘Full pack or whatever you require, but no weapons. The vest stays on at all times. He does not appreciate the defence it provides.’ She hoped that Tollen would read her full intent. ‘I want him to consider himself under threat at all times.’

  Their conversation sparked along. Celene gazed at those around her. This must sound strange to them, only hearing one half.

  ‘Yes, you may hit him.’

  ‘Yes, I have mine on.’

  ‘That is not your concern.’

  ‘No, I want your attention on Sanseen.’

  ‘Twenty-four hours a day.’

  ‘Now you understand. Good.’

  She closed her comm and turned to her tech. ‘You are to report immediately to the lower bay of the training sector, western end. Exactly as you are. Sergeant Tollen will be waiting for you. I suggest you pay more attention to him than you have to me.’

  Celene waited until Sanseen passed beyond hearing range. ‘The marines will keep him secure,’ she told Nata and the Scholar. ‘His assignment will not seem unusual. I hope for his sake that we can reduce his risk in a matter of days.’ She then went on to outline her plan for diverting suspicion. It would require Nata making a report to Quartermaine before the end of the day, a delay in his work but necessary for the subterfuge. She could appreciate Nata’s urgency to continue examining the Box records. She hoped he did not see the urgency that had come over her. I need something more to divert these two. Both could order her to stop.

  ‘Why are you out in the hall?’ she asked. When she saw them exchange a concerned look she pressed harder. ‘Why were you sitting on the floor, surely the eval room would have been more comfortable?’

  Nata’s explanation caused her some concern. Again, we have underestimated the Box. ‘I take it that you,’ she indicated Nata, ‘will continue to assess the records inside and that you,’ switching her stare to the tall Scholar, ‘will stay out of that room?’ She didn’t wait for their confirmation. She leaned in towards Nata and fixed him with her gaze. ‘There could be more subtle traps than patterns of light in there,’ she warned. ‘He has had specific tuition in their avoidance. You will have to use your own training. Consider it an adversarial situation. Define your goals, assign a set of tasks to that end and complete them. Keep it simple. Do not leave yourself open. You can not outthink AI and it is not wise to go down their paths. I will organise some assistance for you but it will only be clerical. That should protect the techs from both House suspicion and internal complications.’ Celene stepped back. That should hold them. ‘Please advise me of your progress,’ she said as she turned away.

  *

  Nata and Elsewise watched her in silence as she departed. When she turned the corner they turned to each other.

  ‘Why do I feel that we have faired less well than poor Sanseen?’ asked Nata.

  ‘She has a daunting manner. It was wise of you to hand control to her,’ replied Elsewise with a smile. ‘Her solution for Sanseen’s protection is excellent. Perhaps her plans for us will be as effective.’

  ‘You only have to stay out of a room. I have to define, assign and complete,’ complained Nata. ‘I have not had so many tasks since I was a disciple.’

  That was exactly how he felt now, like his master had loaded him with tasks to keep him busy. He had done the same to his students, not for training but to get peace to work on a problem of his own. Ah. He tugged at his friend’s arm, disturbing the distant look of contemplation that had been settling on Elsewise’s face. ‘Pardon the rudeness, but what are you pondering?’ asked Nata.

  Blinking his eyes, Elsewise gathered himself. ‘Specialist Celene included AI in her warning to you. Her advice was particularly apt. It suggests knowledge of AI that I did not expect here on Base. I was considering the implications. Why do you ask? Do you have similar concerns?’

  ‘Our immediate concern should be what she is doing right now. All the orders and hints were to keep us occupied.’

  The tall scholar lifted his staff and was off without a word. Nata chose not to follow. Her vest will protect her, and either Trahern needs her help or not. It would not be help she has planned, Nata expected, but that was what it would resolve into.

  CHAPTER 26: CELENE STRIKES

  Celene was heading for the Number 7 Mess. Trahern should be there now. Her steps had quickened after her call to organise assistants for Nata. The morning’s events in the zero G chamber had been passed on. So he nearly killed a woman. This will stop today.

  Celene had spent her share of time in the eval room as a tech. She had her own theories as to the significance of the figures on the old program printouts from the Box. Nata was on the right track. He is proving to be an excellent scholar. We need one here at Base, she thought. Perhaps we wouldn’t be in this mess if we had some earlier analysis.

  Her experience was that the crosses did not appear on all printouts. And on those they marked, they were not always in the same order or of the same number. Her interpretation was that the crosses represented the subject’s exposure to patterns related to the fanatical disciplines, time spent in sections of the Box that somehow encapsulated the traits of each of the mad forces. The Box was designed to eliminate subjects susceptible to these extremes, but knowledge of a leaning in those directions would have been important to the Mad Command.

  She was amazed at the complexity of the system. Even for AI, this would have been a monumental task.

  Trahern’s printout carried the most complete set of crosses she had seen. She was not sure if this meant he had leanings toward all the mad callings or simply that to get through the Box, one was exposed to them all. That’s another event that requires study, thought Celene. The subsequent history of the Mad Command showed that they were not immune to the fanaticism of those times. Were they searching for an ultimate commander of their own? Or was the process to AI’s purpose? What does that make Trahern?

  Her musings stopped on her sighting of the man in question. Today I will settle for knowledge of whether he killed Briodi or not. The two Greys sat at a small table on their own. Good. He doesn’t have La Mar to protect him now. The hall was busy, the meal period in full swing.

  She made her way through the tables, leaving a wake of silence behind her. The Armourer’s warning from the plain came to her mind. Gati carries a sharp blade and he is quick and deadly. He will not let you break Trahern. Celene slid her hand in to her vest, to the controls. She pressed the panel and held it. She doubted Trahern or Gati would give her time to push a button, but her hand simply coming off was another matter.

  Gati rose as she approached. He did not appear to understand the threat of her hand. From the narrowing of Trahern’s eyes, he did. And so did those at the surrounding tables, which were vacated quickly. She waved Gati back to his seat with her free hand but remained standing herself.

  ‘Commander Trahern, I would speak with you.’

  He lifted his palm in answer.

  ‘You were interviewed by Psych Briodi on the day of her death. Is that correct?’ she asked.

  ‘Yes.’ He didn’t offer more.

  ‘Details from the routine review were recorded but nothing from your discussion afterward. Can you offer an explanation for that?’

  ‘Little was said between us. She appeared to be unwell and was preoccupied with the condition of Quartermaine’s scout. Once she had a possibl
e solution to that, all her energies went to enacting it.’ He returned her regard. ‘But she did have a notebook and she did write in it in my presence.’

  ‘Her notebook is missing.’ Celene let that sink in. ‘Can you take me through the conversation that led to the solution for the scout?’

  ‘She asked how I survived the deep.’

  Celene was shocked. No artifice, no lead up, straight into a question like that. She was sure that if she had asked, she would have only secured a stonier stare than the one she was receiving now. This was the topic Trahern had closed his mind to. To open it would threaten his survival. Lucky I don’t care much about his survival at this moment.

  ‘And you answered her how?’ she asked.

  ‘To survive in the deep, you must put your senses on the outside, stay attached to the universe, spread your existence wide so the emptiness doesn’t crush you.’ An odd mixture of wariness and entreaty rose in his eyes, quickly replaced by his normal detachment.

  That’s not all you told her, thought Celene. Briodi was frightened. What were her words on the comm? ‘He was not always in his craft.’ Time to press him. ‘An insight we are thankful for. The key to the scout’s condition. With it, and your help, she was able to alleviate his distress.’

  ‘Yes,’ said Trahern to fill in her expectant pause.

  ‘Yet the scout remains hooked up to his craft, surveying the heavens, while you, who have been deeper longer, walk about apparently competent. How do you explain that?’

  Trahern did not answer immediately. Celene flicked a glance to Gati. From here on it gets dangerous. The quick Grey was intent on his friend. I will read him also Gati, and we will see who is quicker. This was such a challenge to her skill that she almost smiled.

  ‘His physical condition,’ said Trahern finally. ‘He is wasted. His craft’s sensors are kinder than his own.’

  ‘So wasted that he is dying!’ spat Celene.

  ‘We are all dying,’ retorted Trahern.

  ‘Philosophy doesn’t remove the differences. He is in a bed. You are here. Not merely competent, you exceed your past performance levels.’ She placed her free hand on the table. ‘How is that?’