Friedman frowned, perhaps reflecting on the nature of their recent stopover at Ivan. "Then these people... no..." He shook his head, and just watched and listened for a while.
Legroeder, looking over Tiegs' shoulder, tried to follow the worldnet display erupting in a streaming chaos of instant messages. Did they have any filtering software that could help them make sense of this?
Before he could ask, the Kyber captain's voice intruded again. "We're making this port call for another reason, as well. Commissioner North of the Spacing Authority—are you listening? Our captain has a message for you."
Commissioner North! Legroeder remembered YZ/I's comments about Carlotta's tentacles extending deep into Eridani affairs. Did they reach as high as the Spacing Authority Commissioner?
Apparently North was listening. After a brief delay, a voice responded on another thread: "This is Commissioner North. I don't know you, but if you are indeed of the so-called Free Kyber, then this commissioner has just one thing to say to you: Turn your fleet around and get out of our solar system at once." A visual image flickered onto one of the screens. It was North, glaring into a camera, with what looked like a control center in the background. "We will tolerate no interference from pirates of Golen Space."
The channel switched back to the Kyber transmission, catching a different speaker in a laugh. A visual snapped on of a heavyset male, encrusted with augmentation, including a metal ring around his skull. "This is Captain Arden of KM/C Farhawk. Our fleet will be staying just a little longer, thank you. Hello, Ottoson—it's good to see you again. It's been too long, hasn't it?"
North's eyes blinked in dismay. Or was it recognition? Whatever the emotion was, it vanished beneath a mantle of unmistakable anger. "Do not assume familiarity with me, Kyber—"
His transmission was stepped on by the Kyber's. "Commissioner North—no need to apologize for our past history. This seems as good a time as any to thank you for your excellent work on behalf of Kilo-Mike/Carlotta and the Free Kyber Republic."
Legroeder exchanged glances with his shipmates as North's voice strained unsuccessfully to penetrate the static created by the Kyber transmission.
The Kyber voice rose. "Citizens of Eridani, this is Captain Arden of the Kyber fleet, here to safeguard starship Impris. We mean no threat to your world. But it is time you were told: Commissioner North has been assisting us for years, with skill and devotion. Please do not blame him. His diversion of resources to our fleet has been in answer to a higher calling— reaching out to the stars, for all of humanity. We assure you, what little it has cost you will be more than offset by the gains yet to come."
North's voice was barely audible, his transmission hissing through the jamming. "...enough lies, you are trespassing and threatening our territory. Your presence here is an act of war."
"Come now, Commissioner..."
Cantha murmured, above the confusion, "We're picking up some other official transmissions here. Your Secretary General Albright has issued a plea for calm..." Cantha touched a switch, and in one corner of the main viewscreen, a heavyset, bearded man was speaking in front of the emblem of the Faber Eridani world government. Cantha started to raise the audio on that, but Captain Friedman waved it off; the Kyber captain was speaking again.
"Commissioner, you and your colleagues in the RiggerGuild performed beautifully in keeping Impris protected for us—and her history hidden, while that was necessary. We regret that you, or perhaps some of your people, became overzealous and threatened the life of Rigger Legroeder. That was never our intention—"
Legroeder frowned. It was getting harder and harder to sort out the lies, here...
"Fortunately Rigger Legroeder escaped, and has since acquitted himself with great courage in the rescue of Impris. Commissioner, there is no need for you to threaten Impris. These are returning heroes—your heroes, citizens of your world. We all have an interest in learning why she suffered the terrible fate that she did."
The Kyber captain's face was now on many of the news channels, as the direct transmission was fed through the nets to the entire planet. "Good people of Faber Eridani—the safety of Impris is of paramount importance to us. Your rigger scientists will no doubt want to examine her. But we also ask that she be made available to—" and was it Legroeder's imagination or did the Kyber choke a little "—the Narseil Rigging Institute. The Narseil played a great role in her rescue, and they have a role to play yet in unlocking her secrets."
That's it, Legroeder thought. KM/C knows their operations are on the skids here, so they're cutting their losses. They can't seem like enemies, or they'll be cut out of the findings from the mission. How long do they think they can play the innocent?
"We also request—insist upon!—safe passage for Rigger Legroeder, whose role will be no less important..."
Legroeder was aware of all eyes on the bridge turning to him. He pressed his lips together grimly.
On the com-console, messages streaming from the worldnet had become a blur, impossible to follow with the eye. Tiegs increased the number of frames on the viewscreen, until it was filled with an array of tiny faces of excited newscasters, all talking about the confrontation in space. Cantha glanced over from his attempt to filter the message stream and remarked, with wry Narseil humor, "I believe the planet knows about you now, my friend. Are you ready to fulfill your destiny?"
Legroeder grimaced.
Cantha hissed a Narseil chuckle. "I'm making some progress here. Your computer was good in its time, Captain. But the newsnets are ahead of us. Here's one analysis of worldnet opinion..." On the main screen, a large frame showed a graphic representation of worldnet message streams, branching and growing with the live public debate. "The largest stream there represents people who want Impris brought in safely. It overlaps with people claiming Commissioner North is a Kyber collaborator. And that's about the same size as the stream supporting him..."
Captain Friedman squinted at the display. "What's that big band smearing across the whole frame?"
Cantha hummed. "There you have the people who are—what is the term?—scared witless about an invasion fleet in their—"
"Reply coming from North," Tiegs interrupted.
"...these ridiculous claims! If you came to provoke a confrontation, we'll give you one. We hold you completely responsible for any harm that may come to Impris, or any other—"
His signal again disappeared under the hiss of the stronger Kyber transmission.
"Commissioner—we mean no harm to Impris or anyone else. In fact, we have an offer to make. We invite you to come personally to our flagship for a conference, a parlay. We have worked together before; there is no reason for threats and posturing. Let us put mistakes of the past behind us."
A break in the static. "The mistakes are yours, Kyber—"
"We feel, in light of your past service to our cause, that we owe you a place here with us..."
From the North channel there was only silence.
Freem'n Deutsch floated close to Legroeder. "Was North really working for KM/C the way they're claiming?"
Legroeder closed his eyes, thinking about the conspiracy against him. Had that been orchestrated from the very top, by North—at the behest of KM/C? How many others were involved, and how long would it take to flush them out?
The Kyber captain concluded, "...if you accept our offer, notify us when your ship has reached orbit. We will escort Impris inward, and meet you for safe transit in low orbit. For the sake of peace, we urge you to accept. Farhawk out."
Captain Friedman glanced at Tiegs. "Any official reaction?"
Tiegs shook his head. "Nothing from the world government yet. But listen to this news commentary..."
One of the frames containing a talking head was magnified, and a newscaster's voice came up. "...Analysts have been comparing the Kyber statements with evidence released last week by attorney Harriet Mahoney. And they're finding some startling points of agreement."
Legroeder stood open mouthed. Harriet
Mahoney?
On the main display, the Spacing Authority destroyers were edging away from Impris as several of the Kyber ships completed their protective gauntlet around the starliner.
"Impris, this is KM/C Kyber Farhawk. Are you able to make normal-space headway?"
Friedman answered, "Farhawk, Impris. Affirmative—though we were about to request a tow for final approach."
"Well, follow us on in. We'll see if anyone wants to screw with us. All right?"
Friedman's eyes closed to slits as he contemplated this turn of events. He was clearly thinking, Do I want to fall in with a KM/C fleet? Do I have a choice? Friedman said to Tiegs, "Get me the Spacing Authority ships." When Tiegs nodded, he said, "Vigilant, this is Impris. Do you intend to interfere with our movement?"
There was a long pause before the destroyer replied, "Impris, you are cleared to establish a one-thousand kilometer orbit."
Captain Friedman's eyebrows went up, as the two Spacing Authority destroyers began to accelerate away from them, toward the large, blue-and-white orb of Faber Eridani.
* * *
As they moved inward with the Kyber ships, Legroeder had for a time the surreal feeling that all spacing activities around the planet had simply frozen in a state of panic. Planetary defenses were at a state of high alert, monitoring the approaching fleet. Ships moved in their orbits, of course, but most ordinary departures and arrivals had been put on hold as traffic control waited to see if hostilities would erupt. From Spacing Commissioner North, there had been no further word.
Cantha continued to monitor net transmissions. According to the news channels, messages on the public net were coming in at a rate of half a million a minute, and were deeply divided between fear of the Kyber fleet and ambivalence over North. "Everyone's wondering what the World Protectorate and the secretary general will have to say," Cantha observed. So far, there had been no further official statement.
Captain Friedman, pacing nervously between the com station and the nav and helm who were flying formation with the Kyber ships, seemed to be working himself up to a dangerous level of tension. Finally he stopped and cried out, "Would someone, for God's sake—" and he hesitated a moment, as everyone stared at him in alarm.
"Sir?" said crewman Fenzy.
"—please go and get us all some coffee?"
"Yes, sir."
"And sandwiches. Call the galley for some sandwiches."
The tray of food arrived just as Cantha called out, "Legroeder! We've reached your friend Harriet—at the Narseil Embassy!"
"Harriet!" Legroeder cried, practically throwing himself onto the com-console. "Can you hear me?"
"Legroeder—is that you? You're really there, with Impris? My God, I can't believe it!"
"It's really me. Have you been following what's happening?"
"Yes, of course! Good Lord, Legroeder, what sort of a ploy are these Kyber up to?"
"I wish I knew. What's this about your releasing evidence on North? Is it true, what the Kyber captain said about him?"
"Quite true. We have not been Mr. North's favorite people lately. Robert McGinnis left a breathtaking record of Kyber meddling, and of North's complicity. I'm not sure I understand why this Kyber captain is proclaiming it, as if he ought to get credit."
"I can probably explain that, but it's—"
"Wait a minute, something new's coming over the net. From the secretary general..."
"Here it is," Tiegs interrupted, and put it on the main screen.
A voiceover was saying, "...statement from Secretary General William Albright."
The bearded world leader was standing at a podium, and speaking with a drawn face. "...to announce that I have relieved Spacing Commissioner North of his duties, without prejudice, pending a full investigation. I am naming Deputy Commissioner Ahmed to the position of Acting Commissioner, and am instructing him to take all proper precautions in dealing with the incoming fleet of ships..."
"Whoa," said Tiegs, lowering the audio slightly. "This is coming in at the same time." Two large frames appeared in the main screen, one showing the secretary general, and the other North. The latter appeared to be outside now, standing with an aide next to an aircar. The Spacing Authority headquarters were visible behind him.
North was hemmed in by a crowd of newscasters. "—I'll not comment on the secretary general's statement—"
"Commissioner North—"
"No comment."
"But Commissioner—"
"Whatever I have to say to Mr. Albright, I'll say to his face."
"Commissioner North!" a newscaster shouted. "What about the claims of the Kyber captain—"
"Reckless fabrications!" North snapped. "I have ordered our forces to full alert." North edged toward the car as his aide attempted to force an opening.
The newscasters yielded only reluctantly, with shouts of: "But the Kyber say—" "What about the accusations—?"
"No comment!"
The camera view moved up jerkily, practically into North's face. A rapid-fire voice asked, "Commissioner, the accusations of the Kyber captain seem consistent with those brought by Attorney Mahoney—"
Something in North's gaze seemed to snap at the sound of Mahoney's name. He stabbed an angry finger into the camera lens. "You mean, ex-attorney Mahoney. If you want to investigate something, investigate how a fugitive hiding out in an alien embassy can put out this kind of trash and get away with it. You're all so bent on crucifying Centrist Strength, which is only trying to make something of this world, when you could be exposing criminals. Well, if I have anything to do with it, we'll be making an example of Ms. Mahoney, very soon. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an important conference to get to." He snapped inaudibly at his aide, who was trying to maneuver him into the car. Pressed by reporters, North swung his elbows to make room.
As the reporters fell back, one shouted, "What about Mrs. Mahoney's standing and reputation—?"
"Commissioner!" shouted another. "Who are you going to confer with? Are you going to see the secretary general?"
The car door slammed and the vehicle came to life with a thunderous whine. As journalists scattered back in alarm, a reporter turned into the camera and said, "That's Commissioner North's statement."
In the other frame, Secretary General Albright was stepping away from his podium, ignoring his own cacophony of shouted questions.
Legroeder leaned over the com. "Did you hear those announcements, Harriet?"
"Yes, I did, and I—just a moment. Legroeder, let me get right back to you. I have so much to ask you."
Legroeder nodded and stared with balled fists at the still-talking newscasters.
* * *
Harriet turned to Peter, who was plugged into the net monitor. His top-heavy head was tilted in thought, a crinkled smile on his face. "What are you thinking, Peter? Is it time to lean on our friend the A.G.?" They now had the McGinnis report, plus the Kyber captain's accusations, plus new allegations that had come in of armed Centrist Strength ships harbored in Elmira. The release on the worldnet, and investigative journalism in response, had turned up a raft of new information.
"More than time," Peter said.
Harriet turned back to her console. "All right, we're cued up to send." It wasn't as if the attorney general didn't have the information already—they'd been passing it to him as it came in—but so far he'd resisted taking action. Not enough evidence, he said. He'd known Harriet for years, and professed the greatest respect for her—but claims from an acknowledged fugitive required extraordinary evidence. Well, if he didn't call this extraordinary...
She pressed SEND.
After a count of five, she said, "You handle the press release, Peter." Then she keyed the voice-com. "Attorney General Dulley, please. Harriet Mahoney. I'll wait... yes... thank you. Frank? Harriet Mahoney. Yes, I have been. Mr. Attorney General, you've got a large packet sitting in your in-box, and I strongly recommend that you give it your immediate attention. The citizens are counting on you, Frank..."
Chapter 40
Power Play
Urgent... proceed at once to spaceport hangar... urgent...
Major Talbott had gotten the call on his personal com while en route to a strategy meeting. It wasn't a secure line, so he had to wait until he got there to hear the rest. He'd changed course at once and made a beeline to the launch control center in the basement of Centrist Strength's east ramp hangar. On his way to the spaceport, he'd glimpsed a Spacing Authority patrol ship lifting under emergency thrust from the main field. What the hell was that all about? And in the Strength hangar, there was furious activity around one of the pursuit craft. Arming weapons. "What's going on?" he called, striding into the control center. The sound of his voice hurt his head; too much lace-bourbon last night.
Jerry the tech looked up. "Haven't you been following the news?"
Of course he'd been following. One disaster after another. What the hell was going on out there in orbit? Carlotta's people were blowing the whole thing open. Had they decided North was more of a liability than an asset? Were they getting ready to betray Centrist Strength, too?
"I've been out of touch for a few minutes. Anything new on North?"
The tech laughed. "You could say so. He headed off for a 'conference'—only instead of going to see the SecGen, he shook the press and came to the spaceport."
"And then?" Talbott prompted impatiently. He dropped into a seat and slapped his hand down on the DNA-reader to release the coded message waiting for him. "What did he do?"
"Took off in a police cruiser. No flight plan. They're halfway to orbit now, and Spacing Authority is going nuts."
Talbott grunted and hooded himself to the screen. The message flared up; it was from Kyber Command Contact. This was serious indeed; the Kyber liaison would not contact him directly unless drastic action was needed.
"Talbott!" someone shouted from across the room. "Red Knight's ready to launch. Are you taking command?"
He read quickly, not answering.
"...launch fastest available pursuit craft. Code Blue. Acknowledge at once."
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