by Mike Freeman
“Yes, but could you please be more specific.”
Again Zuelth interjected and extended Abbott’s request, tuning it to his religious sensibilities.
“Although we, the believers, know that the time is come for the unbelievers to discard their incoherent and illogical beliefs filled as they are with contradictions, errors and outright fabrications and cast off the cloak of spiritual darkness to stand illuminated and purified in the light, power and glory of the One True God and His sacred, all powerful Son, the Blessed Harbinger of Purity and Light, the Glorious Warrior, the Wrath against the unbeliever army, the Omnipotent Redeemer, we would be eternally gratified to learn of Your Will and Your Ways and have revealed to us the side of truth that we do, and have, always stood steadfastly in reliance of, a rock in the sea of sin and suspicion amongst the unbelievers' debauchery and doubt, for You will find no disobedience nor unbelief here, Oh Lord.”
Abbott thought if the alien could make sense of that then maybe it was a God. He closed his eyes and, in the manner of an ostrich, the stupid were suddenly, cathartically absent. Abbott opened his eyes as the voice spoke.
“My only desire is that you release me from this place.”
Same here, Abbott thought.
Zuelth nodded at the alien's latest profundity.
“Of course, my Lord.”
Abbott thought that if Zuelth was the information security equivalent of a boat then every plank was sprung, every seam uncaulked, the hull too low in the water – its integrity was fatally flawed at conception. Put another way, Abbott reflected, this was a total disaster.
He couldn't believe that Stephanie had agreed it was a good idea.
135.
Havoc piloted the shuttle on a course for his drop pod landing zone as Whittenhorn came back on.
“Havoc, Tyburn's station has a five thousand kilometer exclusion zone. If you cross it, he is authorized to defend himself with deadly force. Return to the pyramid so we can sort this situation out. That's an order.”
“Thank you, Commander,” Forge said.
There was a pause.
“Please, Havoc,” Whittenhorn said.
Havoc said nothing.
“Havoc, this is Humberstone here. We have reviewed the pertinent information and I have to inform you that you have been designated code red. On the balance of probabilities you are a danger to everyone, Havoc, including yourself. Please give yourself up.”
There was another pause. Havoc wondered who they would wheel out next; not that he cared.
“Havoc, this is Yamamoto. I have orders to prevent your shuttle from entering the five thousand kilometer exclusion zone. You are less than three minutes away. Please turn the shuttle around.”
Yamamoto paused.
“We want to help you, Havoc.”
Havoc noticed that Whittenhorn, like many pretenders, was at the critical point of decision now conspicuously absent.
“Havoc, I have a lock on your shuttle from orbit. You know as well as anyone what the Hel will do to it,” Yamamoto said.
Havoc knew. Firing the Hel at his shuttle would be like cutting butter with a filament blade.
He flew on.
Time rolled forward relentlessly like metal off a drum, heated up, drawn out and extruded; spurting forward for some seconds, slowing down for others.
“Havoc, on your present course you have less than one minute before I open fire.”
136.
Stephanie watched Abbott pacing in front of her as the Gathering team departed. She knew Abbott’s moods intimately. It wasn't good. Normally she would slide the blame onto some junior aide but they were thin on the ground out here.
Abbott sighed heavily.
“It was a disaster. A total disaster.”
“Surely something positive came out of it?”
Abbott shook his head.
“Check the file. These conferences will be reviewed throughout human history. It was a disaster.”
Jafari sat silently, not getting involved in Abbott’s review of the diplomatic side of things.
Stephanie eyed the screen that tracked the progress of Havoc’s shuttle. It would be ideal if the Intrepid vaporized Havoc, allowing her to point all the suspicion at him.
Abbott paced as he pulled himself together.
“Alright let's re-assess where we are with this. Do we let the alien out? You could say it's inevitable that we will, so we should. If we don't, someone else will.”
Jafari looked unconvinced.
“We don't have the military capability to stop every other party accessing the pyramid, especially if they group together. That said, I believe it is extremely inadvisable to release something of unknown capability in this threat environment.”
“How do we trade out of what we cannot keep to gain something that we cannot lose?” Abbott said.
Stephanie turned to him.
“Knowledge.”
Abbott nodded.
“Exactly. Which we only get if we release it.”
Jafari frowned.
Stephanie raised an eyebrow.
“So you think we should?”
Abbott ran his hands over his golden mane.
“I’m torn. I don’t think we should but I want to.”
Stephanie smiled.
Jafari turned to her.
“Stephanie, did you see Novosa on her walk?”
Stephanie didn't even blink at this sudden change in direction. She’d been doing this for years. Anyone trying to trip her up would have to be a million times better than that. She nodded.
“Yes.”
Abbott watched her. Jafari leaned forward.
“Go on.”
Stephanie looked regretful.
“We spoke briefly about Havoc and Stone and she talked about getting out of operations.”
Abbott regarded her.
Stephanie looked back, utterly composed.
137.
Weaver looked up as Karch approached her. Karch gestured at the library.
“We’re good to go. You sure you want to stay?”
Weaver nodded.
“There could be critical information we don’t know yet. I'm going to stay.”
“Ok, then. Whittenhorn wants me on the platform. He wants a security presence there given the Havoc situation.”
“Makes sense.”
“You sure you’ll be ok here?”
Weaver smiled.
“I'm sure.”
“Four cabins out the front remember. And two missile batteries, in case you’re bored.”
Weaver laughed.
Karch gave her a wide smile.
“I’m overdoing it, huh?”
“Not at all, it's nice. But I’m fine with this, honestly.”
“Ok. Good.”
A distress alarm chimed on mission net as Darkwood spoke from orbit.
“This is Darkwood in the research shuttle. I have instrumentation issues.”
Whittenhorn spoke from the disc six platform.
“Please provide an update, Darkwood. What are your issues? How can we assist you?”
There was silence.
“Did Darkwood indicate he had any problems before he lifted off in the research shuttle?” Whittenhorn said.
“No,” Karch said.
Weaver reviewed the position of the research shuttle. Her hand covered her mouth. On mission net she could see the research shuttle fighting a losing battle against the gravitational anomaly. She looked at Karch. Karch nodded with a bleak expression. She was watching the same thing.
“Are you getting this?” Whittenhorn said.
“Yes,” Weaver whispered.
“What can we do?” Karch said.
Weaver shook her head.
“Nothing.”
The distorted image of Darkwood’s shuttle was caught at the event horizon of the gravitational anomaly. The image would stay indefinitely from their side. From Darkwood’s perspective, he would have already have been collapsed to an
immeasurably small point and obliterated.
Weaver stared at Karch in shock.
“Sorry.”
Karch shrugged.
“I hardly knew the man.”
Weaver frowned.
“Not many of us left now,” Karch said.
Weaver felt distraught.
“This is awful. What's happening to us? Seven dead. Leveque has lost her mind and Jed might be losing his. Why is someone doing this? Where will it end?”
“You sure you want to stay here?”
Weaver hesitated as she thought about it.
“If I’m on my own in here, who can get me?”
Karch nodded slowly.
“That, girl, is a damn good point.”
138.
Stephanie gazed steadily at Abbott and Jafari. She knew she didn't have long. The pool of suspects was too small and her actions were too large to hide. At least she’d got the treatment for the tettraxigyiom contamination. Now she needed to get away.
“Is there something I should know?”
Jafari looked thoughtful.
Abbott pursed his lips. He shook his head.
Yamamoto cut in from orbit.
“Havoc's shuttle is turning around.”
There was palpable relief in the room. Stephanie thought only hers was disingenuous.
Abbott straightened.
“Here come some answers.”
“If he's still on board,” Jafari said.
“I doubt he is,” Stephanie said.
At least, she hoped not. She had to get out of here. Her stress level was corrosive. Abbott frowned at them.
“Come on, where else could he be?”
Stephanie looked at Jafari.
“He can’t hope to get near Tyburn. Can he?”
Abbott shook his head.
“Something is wrong with this whole situation.”
Stephanie turned at the screen flashing beside her.
“The People's Republic delegation is incoming, with the United Systems not far behind them. I could go and meet the United Systems and hold them off while you deal with the People's Republic.”
Abbott’s eyes narrowed.
“No, I have another idea. Let's bring them all together.”
Stephanie frowned. This wasn’t Abbott’s usual divide and conquer diplomacy.
“Together?”
Abbot’s eyes gleamed.
“Unify and conquer.”
139.
Tyburn shook his head as Ekker gave him a questioning look.
“There is no goddamn way that Havoc’s returning in that shuttle.”
On the close horizon lightning played over a massive pair of the hyperboloid alien towers – they dominated the landscape, fifteen kilometers high. Tyburn marveled at what he would be able to do with the alien technology.
Tyburn received the communication request he was waiting for and opened a channel.
> Admiral Szabo.
> We have a problem, General?
> No problem, Comrade Admiral.
> On the contrary, General, my men question why your weapon batteries have gone live and are actively targeting.
> All part of the plan, Comrade Admiral.
> Explain, General.
> We have deliberately lured the local security lead Havoc away from the pyramid so your strike team can take the alien. We are confident that our defenses are more than adequate to neutralize him on his approach here. Our missile batteries, platforms and blades are what you see going active. We have recovered the alien energy systems and they are neatly stacked awaiting your collection. Once the battle with Havoc has commenced, we will circle north to the Colosseum and capture any of our scientists that are left on the surface, since they seem to have made so much more progress than your own, so that you may extract whatever information you like from them. The plan is progressing Comrade Admiral and we are perfectly on track.
> Havoc?
> The local security lead at the pyramid. An itch, nothing more.
There was silence for a moment.
> I am satisfied. My forces are not far away, General.
> Then we shall see you soon, Comrade Admiral.
> If we are fired upon...
> It will not be by us.
> The Intrepid?
> Will co-operate.
> Very well, General.
Szabo cut the connection.
Ekker grinned.
“That shut him up.”
Tyburn sneered.
“'I am satisfied'. Pah. Revealing my identity to draw Havoc off is brilliant, nothing less. All we have to do is execute.”
Ekker laughed.
“When I left the transmitter on the table for Stone I thought he was never going to take it. I actually had to go out for five minutes.”
Tyburn smiled.
“The nuke?”
“Done. The ORC need to get out before Havoc arrives.”
“They will.”
“Yeah, but far enough. It's a big nuke. I almost couldn't fit it into the compartment.”
“If you can fit in Intrepido's ego you can fit in a Peacekeeper Five.”
Ekker laughed.
“Intrepido won't know what hit him.”
“He won't feel a thing.”
“Neither will Havoc.”
“If Intrepido does his job we won't need the Peacekeeper.”
“And the ORC?”
Tyburn wasn’t concerned.
“Those walkers are faster than they look, Ekker.”
“You think the ORC will get the alien?”
Tyburn thought about it.
“Depends on the Gathering and the United Systems, but the ORC have the advantage. If they get the energy systems, the alien and the Alliance scientists who can access the alien technology then I think we can say job well done, Ekker.”
“Yes, Sir. And the Intrepid?”
“We want the ship around for the time being. It's the simplest way to kill Havoc.”
Tyburn smiled as he received a communication ping from the Intrepid.
“Speak of the devil... Go ahead, Yamamoto.”
“We see four ORC walkers advancing on your position, Tyburn.”
“We’re tracking them, Yamamoto. It looks as though Havoc is our saboteur and has some kind of pact with the ORC.”
“Do you want orbital support?”
Whittenhorn hurriedly qualified Yamamoto’s offer.
“We’d rather avoid it if possible.”
Tyburn surveyed the disposition of their missile batteries scattered around the shaft. They had other defenses deployed up to three thousand kilometers out. Tyburn was satisfied. They were ready. Of course they were, he told himself, he wouldn't have tipped his hand to Havoc otherwise. Intrepido was in his cabin, his blades deployed to secure the inner perimeter. And Intrepido was the best. He just had to handle the worm in orbit. If they could have Havoc taken out before he arrived, so much the better.
“Thank you for the offer, Commander Whittenhorn. I think we’re secure in our defense here and can negotiate with the ORC from a position of strength. I shall go to meet them and negotiate access to our site while Intrepido defends us from Havoc. If he moves against us, I believe orbital support will be essential.”
“His shuttle has turned around Tyburn.”
“The shuttle is tracking generally parallel to our position, Commander. Havoc has arms and no alternative. I suggest we choose caution before optimism.”
“Of course, Tyburn. We recognize that Havoc is dangerously unstable to say the least. Rest assured we are monitoring the situation carefully.”
“Thank you, Commander Whittenhorn.”
“Keep me updated about the ORC. Abbott will be keen to hear of any developments.”
“Will do, Commander.”
Whittenhorn clicked off.
Tyburn grinned.
“And Havoc takes the fall for the ORC. It's perfect.”
140.
United System
s: Top Secret, Compartmentalized 5
Coding Frame: XWTHVQ TransSlipkey: 818-TOMHE
[Full key omitted]
Timestamp: #661-439-299-897# (Recent-1)
Origin: Scarlet Barracuda
Status: Assumed Secure, Agent Intact
[no deception flags raised]
Coded transcript: Complete, follows
[streaming authentication omitted]
Scarlet Barracuda> Compromised.
US handler> Compromise occurred?
Scarlet Barracuda> Yes, confirmed.
US handler> Resident still at home?
Scarlet Barracuda> Yes.
US handler> Location #3 in one hour.
Scarlet Barracuda> Negative, I need immediate lift out.
US handler> Not possible.
Scarlet Barracuda> I need lift out now.
US handler> Location #3 in one hour. Good luck.
Scarlet Barracuda> What the hell am I meant to do before then?
US handler> Suggest diversion. Good luck.
141.
Havoc swooped the shuttle down across an amber lake and as it reached its perigee he bailed out.
The shuttle meandered back toward the pyramid on its pre-set course, alternating between climbing and diving. The weather was appalling here, electrical storm clouds ramming each other like ancient war galleys.
Havoc hit the surface and plunged into the viscid ammonia tar, sinking until he established neutral buoyancy then diving for the bottom.
In orbit, thrust casings propelled his pods downward then detached. The pods accelerated into the upper atmosphere and hurtled down toward the shallow lake. He targeted two of his pods on other locations, deploying his limited resources for future contingencies.
The pods he'd targeted on his own position plummeted into the storm overhead, dropping rapidly through multiple weather systems and driving precipitation.
The superheated cylinders plunged into the lake, generating billowing clouds of gas at the interface of hot and cold. Havoc felt glancing relief at the success of this first step. More than one poor bastard had been killed by his own pods. He released his equipment containers from the pods and dragged them together in the tar.