Isolate

by L. E. Modesitt Jr.

  “That’s a good thought. Those of us in the party leadership discussed that before the recess. Do you think matters have changed that much?”

  “No, sir,” replied Dekkard, “except in one way. You couldn’t get the word out as widely before now, and with Security more disorganized and people likely to be a bit more receptive … spreading the examples of that corruption might be easier.”

  “We’ll consider that. Thank you both.”

  From Obreduur’s tone, Dekkard couldn’t tell anything except that he didn’t want to talk.

  None of the three said anything more on the way to the Council Office Building, somewhat more guarded than on Unadi. Once again, after dropping off Ysella and Obreduur and then parking the Gresynt, Dekkard had to show his passcard twice before he entered the building.

  By the time Dekkard reached the office, Obreduur was behind closed doors, and a small stack of petitions and letters waited on Dekkard’s desk. He sat down and began to read. One of the letters was even about the New Meritorists, demanding that Obreduur and the Council do something immediately. Not surprisingly, it was from one Khermit Franklyn, one of the two Commerce district councilors for the Oersynt district. The others were routine, among them one dealing with the diversion of revenues supposed to go to the Actors Guild of Oersynt and another with the inequality of transit fees for the locks on the Lakaan River.

  As Dekkard began to draft his first response, a Council messenger appeared and delivered several missives to Karola, picking up several for dispatch. Dekkard had just about finished his last draft when Obreduur appeared in the inner office doorway.

  “The Council session begins at noon, but I want to be on the floor early. We’ll leave in a sixth. The session will last a bell, possibly two. You can take a leisurely break to eat, but then wait for me by the councilors’ entrance.”

  “Yes, sir,” replied the two.

  Dekkard finished the last draft and handed it to Margrit with minutes to spare before Obreduur stepped out of the inner office.

  Both Ysella and Dekkard were especially alert on the walk to the Council Hall. When Obreduur stepped through the guarded door into the councilors’ lobby, Dekkard almost felt like heaving a sigh of relief. Instead, he looked at Ysella. “So far, so good.”

  “For another two bells. Let’s go eat. I didn’t eat much breakfast.”

  Dekkard refrained from commenting that she seldom did, instead turning and letting her set the pace toward the staff cafeteria.

  There, Ysella actually selected empanadas and golden rice, and Dekkard followed her example. After they paid, Ysella motioned to a four-top. “We’ll see if anyone interesting wants to join us.”

  Dekkard immediately took a bite of one of the empanadas, and then a sip of café. He looked up and saw Jaime Minz peer into the cafeteria, but he didn’t enter. Several bites later, from the other direction, a pair approached, Laurenz Korriah with Shaundara Keppel. Keppel took a table for two, and Korriah set his tray there, but then walked over to Dekkard. “I read that there was some trouble in Oersynt. How’s your boss?”

  “He’s fine,” replied Dekkard. “The New Meritorists shot a district councilor and tried for Councilor Obreduur. We managed.” Hoping Ysella wouldn’t say too much more, he asked, “What about Councilor Navione?”

  “Seibryg’s too small for them to bother.” Korriah paused. “Well … there were a handful of demonstrators, but his personal guards suggested they move on. They did.”

  “You mean you suggested they move on,” said Dekkard with a smile, imagining just how intimidating the big isolate could be.

  “Shaundara and I might have had a little to do with it. Nothing happened. That’s what counts.” Korriah smiled warmly. “Just wanted to see how you two were doing … and your councilor.” With a nod, he turned and walked back to his partner.

  “He actually sounded concerned,” said Ysella. “But he knows more. He would, since Navione’s on the Security Committee.”

  Dekkard had taken another mouthful, this time of rice, when Ysella gestured. He turned his head as Amelya Detauran and Elyssa Kaan neared the table.

  “May we join you?” asked Detauran, looking to Ysella.

  Dekkard managed not to offer the amused smile he felt.

  “Of course,” replied Ysella, gesturing to the open chair beside her.

  Elyssa Kaan took the place beside Dekkard.

  For several minutes, no one spoke as they ate.

  “The newssheets said there were attacks on councilors in Oersynt…” offered Detauran almost tentatively, again looking to Ysella.

  “There were. They attacked Councilor Obreduur and District Councilor Vandenburg. Steffan took care of both…” Ysella looked to Dekkard.

  “I wounded the man attacking Councilor Obreduur, and a patroller killed him. The other attacker shot Councilor Vandenburg while I was dealing with the first attacker, but Avraal dropped the councilor out of the line of fire, and I managed to kill the second attacker before he turned his gun on Obreduur.”

  “You two are good,” said Detauran.

  “We’re at our best together,” returned Dekkard.

  “Did anything happen in Caylaan?” asked Ysella before anyone else could say anything.

  “There was a small demonstration. They scattered when the patrollers opened fire. Two men were killed, and one woman was wounded,” replied Kaan.

  “That wasn’t in the newssheets,” said Dekkard.

  “There were several smaller cities where demonstrations weren’t reported,” said Detauran. “Maybe more than that. Security’s trying to keep the numbers down.”

  “Who’s heading the Security Committee?” asked Dekkard. “I read that Councilor Maendaan was killed, and the next ranking councilor is Ulrich … and he’s the Premier.”

  “Right now, the Premier is handling that, according to Councilor Bassaana,” said Kaan. “There’s talk…” She shrugged.

  “Talk?” questioned Dekkard. “Perhaps transferring Marrak from Commerce and making him chair? Why him?”

  Detauran smiled sardonically. “You know that as well as anyone. Anyway … nothing’s been announced. I have a question. The New Meritorists attacked four councilors. Two were Commerce, one a Landor, and one a Crafter. Why those?”

  “It’s just a guess,” replied Dekkard, “but the New Meritorists don’t like Security, and they don’t like the Council much. Maendaan was head of the Security Committee, and then one from each party. Most likely they picked the three whose appearances made them most vulnerable.”

  “It makes sense … but…”

  “If you have a better idea,” replied Dekkard, “I’d love to hear it.”

  “Councilor Obreduur is the political leader of the Craft Party, and Councilor Maendaan headed the Security Committee. That makes them more prominent,” suggested Detauran.

  “That’s true,” agreed Dekkard, “but neither Haaltf nor Devoule were particularly noted.”

  “You do have a way with words, Steffan. Not particularly noted? How about embarrassments to the Council? Maybe those behind the assassinations picked either councilors they saw as threats or those whom few would miss?”

  “That makes sense, too.” Especially since Security is most likely among the assassins.

  “You don’t think it was random, just whoever they could get?” asked Kaan.

  “Aashtaan’s death wasn’t random,” replied Dekkard. “Neither were all the attacks on Security buildings, or on water and sewage systems.”

  “Aashtaan’s death? What do you mean?” asked Detauran.

  “It’s likely that the empath who killed him went to the New Meritorists and offered to kill him if they’d help her. Aashtaan was a womanizer. He was seeing her sister. Then that sister vanished. Shortly after that the empath sister appears in the Council Hall as a messenger—”

  “I knew it had to be something like that!” interrupted Kaan. “I couldn’t figure out how an empath could kill someone that way and then be caught
without creating more emotional damage.” She turned to Ysella. “So there was only one really strong emotional blast?”

  Ysella nodded.

  “That’s not widely known.” Dekkard wondered if he’d made a mistake in revealing what he had.

  “It will stay that way,” said Detauran.

  “You can tell your councilor.”

  “Thank you. Kaliara might enjoy it. She never cared for Aashtaan.”

  Dekkard nodded.

  Detauran took a last swallow of her café, then stood. “We need to go.”

  Once the other two left, Dekkard looked to Ysella. “Your thoughts?”

  “Telling them about Aashtaan was a good thing. I’m certain Ulrich already knew what you told them, and Bassaana might be quietly helpful … in the future.”

  Dekkard hoped so.

  “We’d better finish and go wait,” suggested Ysella.

  Dekkard took a last swallow of café. “I’m finished.”

  “I don’t eat as fast as you do. Almost no one does.”

  A few minutes later, Ysella said, “I’ve had enough.”

  Dekkard glanced at her plate. “We have time. You can finish.”

  Ysella smiled sweetly, and said, “I’ve had enough.”

  Dekkard winced. “I’m sorry.”

  Her smile turned mischievous. “I really did have enough. Those empanadas are heavy.”

  The two stood and headed for the main corridor, more crowded than before.

  Dekkard noticed that Ysella had an expression between intent and distracted. “Is there something wrong?”

  “I don’t think so, but there are more feelings of agitation. They’re not as strong as when the empie attacked or when the Council Guards were shooting at the New Meritorists, but they’re more widely dispersed.”

  “People are worried, then.”

  “Aren’t you … a little?”

  “Of course, but I’d wager I’m not worried about what they are,” replied Dekkard.

  “That’s not a wager I’d take, not as well as I know you.”

  Dekkard nodded, but he couldn’t help wondering how well they did know each other. When they reached the area across from the councilors’ lobby where staff waited, most of the space on the staff benches was taken. They took a position against the wall. A good sixth passed, and still no members left. Then two others in security grays approached them. Dekkard immediately recognized Chavyona Leiugan, Councilor Harleona Zerlyon’s empath, and, after a moment, the stocky isolate Tullyt Kamryn.

  “They’re still talking, then?” asked Leiugan.

  “No one’s come out,” said Ysella.

  “Is your councilor all right? The newssheets in Ondeliew said there were deaths in Oersynt. Since we didn’t hear anything … well … we would have heard if he’d been killed.”

  “He wasn’t wounded, either,” replied Ysella. “He has some bruises on his knees and legs, but they did kill the head of the district council. Steffan took care of the assassin.”

  “Only because of Avraal,” insisted Dekkard.

  Leiugan whistled softly. “It was that close?”

  Ysella nodded. “What happened in Ondeliew?”

  “It started peacefully. Just those New Meritorists with signs and placards, but when the regional Security headquarters building exploded—half of it, really—then the patrollers started shooting … mostly in the air. The demonstrators scattered. It would have been fine, except a bunch of Security agents—not patrollers—shot down some women running away. From somewhere, snipers took out the entire squad of agents. Then more agents started shooting anyone who looked like a demonstrator. More of the agents got shot. I wouldn’t be surprised if some were shot by patrollers. Almost a hundred people died. The councilor sent a report to Minister Wyath yesterday. She told him that until his agents shot six women in the back not a single person had been hurt. There were broadsheets out everywhere on Unadi describing the murder of the women. One was a grandmother. Three of them had children at home…”

  “None of that was in Gestirn,” said Ysella. “That’s not surprising, and it certainly won’t be in the Tribune … unless the women are called useless communalist scum.”

  “I wouldn’t be surprised if, by the end of the week, those broadsheets will be in every city in Guldor,” said Dekkard. “Minister Wyath will claim the New Meritorists started it, and that rioters and lawbreakers deserve what they get.”

  “The regional director of Security already said that,” added Tullyt Kamryn.

  “Oh … and she sent a copy of that letter to your councilor,” added Leiugan. “And to all the woman councilors.”

  “Good,” said both Ysella and Dekkard.

  “It looks like they’re done,” said Kamryn. “Some of the councilors are coming out.”

  “Thank you for letting us know, Chavyona,” said Ysella.

  “I thought you should. Sometimes, things don’t get where they should soon enough.”

  While councilors continued to walk out from the councilors’ lobby, not including the Premier, since his floor office could be accessed directly from the floor and also had a private door off the main corridor, Obreduur was one of the last to leave. He and Hasheem were still talking as Dekkard, Ysella, and Hasheem’s isolate, Erleen Orlov, joined them. Both Dekkard and Ysella kept scanning the main corridor, but it was comparatively empty, since most councilors and their security aides had already left for the Council Office Building.

  “Have you had a chance to read the message from Councilor Zerlyon, sir?” asked Dekkard once the three were outside on the covered walkway.

  “I did. Why do you ask?”

  “We were talking to her security aides while we waited for you. They said that Security agents, not patrollers, started the violence by shooting unarmed women in the back.”

  “Her message mentioned that.”

  Dekkard said nothing more, since it was clear that Obreduur didn’t wish to say anything … about anything.

  Just before they reached the door to the office, the councilor finally spoke. “I’ll tell you about the session on the way home. In the meantime, I’d like each of you to write up what steps or statements you think I should take in the next week … and why. Have them ready no later than first thing tomorrow morning. Handwritten please, and don’t have them typed up. Don’t talk to each other about this. I’ve also asked Ivann, Svard, and Felix. I want your individual ideas. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  By a third before fourth bell, Dekkard had his recommendations ready. He read through them a last time.

  After reading through the six reccomendations, he stood and walked to the door of the inner office, knocking and saying, “Steffan, sir. I have the recommendations you asked for.”

  “Come on in.”

  Dekkard opened the door and entered, closing it behind him. Then he walked to the desk and handed the two sheets to the councilor. “Before we start, sir, we overheard the possibility that Councilor Marrak will be considered for the chairmanship of Security.”

  “He’s not that senior, but with Ulrich the ranking Commercer … we’ll have to see.” Then, Obreduur began to read. He said nothing. Finally, he looked up and offered a weary smile, then said, “You’re suggesting I take on the Commercers head-on.”

  “I can’t think of another way, sir. You’re more skilled at this than I am. I’m sure you could approach the issues more effectively, but I do see those as the issues where the Commercers are most vulnerable.”

  Obreduur laughed wryly. “You’re right. They’re vulnerable. But there are two other questions. Are they vulnerable enough? And … do enough people really care?”

  “Most people don’t, I’d say, sir. But isn’t it part of the job of a councilor to inform people and get them to care?”

  “I’d agree with that but how? Thank you for being so quick and concise.”

  “Are you leaving at the regular time, sir?”

  “I’ll be later. Karola or I w
ill let you know.” Obreduur paused. “Thank you … again.”

  Dekkard inclined his head, then turned and left the inner office, glad that he hadn’t upset the councilor, but wondering what else they could do to make more people understand.

  In the end, it was well past fourth bell before Dekkard left to get the Gresynt, and almost a third before fifth bell when Ysella and Obreduur got into the steamer.

  “What did Premier Ulrich say?” asked Ysella several minutes later.

  “As little as he could,” replied Obreduur. “He said that fifteen regional Security headquarters had been damaged or largely destroyed, and that there were New Meritorist demonstrations in nineteen cities and eleven towns. He also said that Security was busy tracking down the perpetrators. In short, they’ve caught almost no one of import.”

  “Did anyone question where the explosives came from?” asked Dekkard.

  “Someone did. Councilor Bassaana. She wanted to know if the explosives used were dunnite, as reported by the newssheets, and if so, how the New Meritorists managed to get hold of that much without Security even knowing it was missing. She also asked whether it was necessary for Security agents to shoot unarmed women in the back.” Obreduur paused, then added, “Premier Ulrich wasn’t pleased at the questions. He didn’t answer either. He immediately said that Security was tracking down members of the New Meritorists through their publications, and that they would have answers soon. Saandaar Vonauer then asked if Security intended to interrogate Guldorans on the basis of what they read. At that point, Ulrich said that was all the information that Security had and that a supplemental appropriation would be necessary to rebuild and repair all the damage to public structures. He talked for almost a bell about the need for more funding. The two points made by Councilor Bassaana still might make it into the newssheets. I think she knows more than she’s revealed. In her own right, she has a large minority interest in Northwest Industrial Chemical.”

  So she’d be concerned personally as well. Dekkard nodded.

  “Northwest and Suvion Industries supply all the naval munitions works,” said Ysella. “I found that out from Markell when he worked on a project for Suvion.”