by Ian J Miller
Baht seemed to have come to the same conclusion, since she ran out and picked up the remaining weapon. She came back, and handed it to Natasha.
"I don't know how to use it," she said, almost apologetically.
"I'm not sure I do either," Natasha said.
'No,' came the thought from Katya, 'but if you take the trouble to scan it, you soon will.'
Natasha nodded, and passed her Krezell wand over it. Within a few seconds, she had the strangest of feelings. This alien weapon was quite familiar, in an alien sort of way. She checked the charge, found it was fully charged, as would be expected of an unfired weapon, then she ran out to the soldier, gathered up the spare charges, and returned to the steps and crouched behind a concrete ornament to one side. She then ordered Baht to take refuge inside the building.
She was unsurprised to see two assassins come out of a doorway on the other side of the road and run towards her, weapons firing. Quite calmly, from the crouching position, she let off two bursts. The aim was partly due to her newfound instinct, for as it turned out later, Katya had downloaded a Ranhyn master-sergeant's skill base into her head, but it was also her own instinct. She had always excelled in "search and kill the villains" exercises on Earth. The two assassins had their chests blown away.
She waited, crouching, to see if any further trouble would come her way, but it seemed as if it would not. She re-entered the building and said to Baht, "I would appreciate it if you would drag those two over here. I'll provide cover." She turned to the receptionist and said, "You have a means of making a public announcement?"
"Yes," came the dubious reply.
"Then do so now," Natasha said. "State very clearly that there has been an attempted assassination of a diplomat, and in accord with clause 47 (c) of the Ulse/Ranh treaty, I now request the street to be cleared. Anyone seen moving on it within one block of this building will be considered hostile, and I shall take whatever action I see fit, including the use of lethal force. Now, do it."
"Um, you're not Ulsian and . . ." the receptionist started.
"Do it!" Natasha said softly, and pointed the beam weapon directly at his face.
"Er, yes! Immediately!" He ran to a speaker, and an announcement swept across and down the street. A number of Ranhynn who had come to see what was going on immediately scurried for cover.
"Now, Baht, I think it's safe."
To Natasha's surprise, Baht no longer seemed afraid. It was almost as if she was enjoying having an adventure, and she almost bounced out, grabbed the assailants, and dragged them back. She then bounded out again, and picked up the weapons. Meanwhile, Natasha began searching through the pockets and inside the jackets for any items. When Baht saw what she was doing, she did the same to the other, and soon there were numerous items lying on the floor. Natasha took out her Krezell wand and scanned each item thoroughly. She was just finishing scanning when she noticed Methrell coming towards her.
"What are you doing?" Methrell almost scowled.
"Gathering information," Natasha replied simply.
"You're disturbing and tampering with evidence," Methrell countered. "Now none of that can be used in court."
"If these were ordered to do this by someone in the Conclave, do you really think that evidence will be taken to court?" Natasha replied.
Methrell studied Natasha for a minute, an act that intrigued Natasha. She had expected the blustering response along the lines of 'What makes you think the Conclave had anything to do with it?' but instead it appeared that Methrell had reached the same conclusion.
"So, what are you going to do with this information?"
"Have it analysed by my ship," Natasha said simply, "and ensure if someone kills me, the information goes to Earth and to Ulse."
"Then what?"
"That depends on what I find," Natasha replied. "And you? What are you going to do? And, for that matter, what did you find just then?"
"Your last question's easier," Methrell said simply. "By the time I got to the roof, they'd gone. It was not exactly surprising, because there's a number of ways to go up and down. They left their weapons up there, so as not to draw attention to themselves, and I have ordered a soldier to catalogue the weapons. I'm sorry if you find that unsatisfactory."
"Expected!" Natasha nodded. "The weapons? Where would they have got them?"
"The military could supply any weapon," Methrell replied without emotion. "The police don't have access to weapons with this amount of power, however I should add that we cannot eliminate criminal elements. The Conclave guards may or may not have access; I don't know."
"I cannot see why criminals would be that interested in me," Natasha pointed out.
"Nor can I," Methrell replied, "but by the same token why would . . ."
"Go on?" Natasha smiled.
"You see that I have reached a conclusion," Methrell nodded. "I really don't know about this, but suppose you were killed. What would that Roman do?"
"I don't know," Natasha said, "but I see your point. You think he would vent his spleen on Ranh, or the Conclave, or . . ."
"I'm not quite sure what venting a spleen means," Methrell interrupted, "but I think you have the general idea."
"Then I had better get back to him and show him I am alive," Natasha said.
Chapter 20
"So, let me get this right," Gaius said. "Methrell requested you to go to a meeting, but the meeting was in a rented office, not at a military base. Baht conveyed the message. Methrell offered you a Roman drink but it tasted different from what I gave you. In the event, Methrell did not tell you anything, and instead asked for information about the Space Curia's response. Then, before that conversation could get anywhere, something like a grenade was thrown into the room. Some Ranhynn congregated outside, Methrell dealt with them, but then the local equivalent of a sniper killed the two of Methrell's guard, then the Ranhynn that wanted you. Is that a fair summary?"
"Apart from the fact that Baht also helped defend me," Natasha said. "Also . . ."
"Also?"
"I'm not sure I was the target," Natasha said. "The sniper had a light-guide, and the first illuminated was Methrell. She could well have been the target."
"A coup within the Military Curia?"
"At least the start of one."
"Then why kill the mob? Because they had been hired, maybe, and whoever hired them did not want to be identified?"
"That's my conclusion," Natasha said.
"The next question is, who, if anyone, can we trust?"
"I trust Kazyn," Natasha said, "but his being on the run is not exactly helpful."
"No, and it raises the question, who is trying to frame him?"
"According to Baht, Kazyn said that he was told that one of Cardinal Sender's unacknowledged sons paid to get that plucked specimen into Kazyn's larder."
"Yes, but how did Sender know that Kazyn would not be at home?" Gaius mused. "The only ones who knew where Kazyn went were Hadell and the Seppets."
"Unless Kazyn was under surveillance," Natasha warned.
"True. So, do we trust Hadell?"
"My guess is, yes," Natasha said. "There's no reason not to, as yet."
"Agreed, with the reservation that we may have to revisit that. What about the Seppets?"
"I am reasonably convinced that Methrell is not against us, at least not yet," Natasha said, "but I would not put it past her to have another agenda."
"Agreed. Then the question is, now what?"
"My suggestion is that we should make another approach to the Space Curia, and request information on progress, and offer to give further information if such is required."
"Hadell has requested that we wait," Gaius reminded her.
"Yes, but Methrell seemed to think we should have an answer by now. I can tell Tenzat Tergyn that the military Curia has enquired about progress."
"I suggest you don't do that. If Tergyn enquires and Zakryn denies it, which he will if Methrell did not tell him, then you lose status. On
the other hand, I suppose a general enquiry is all right. I'll check with Hadell, and if she does not object, go ahead."
Hadell did not object. She said that enough time had passed that a mild prompt was probably justified, so the enquiry was made. Tenzat Tergyn listened, then said that the matter remained under consideration. When Natasha asked whether further information was required, Tergyn asked what extra information she had in mind. Natasha responded by saying that she was unaware of what was holding up the decision. Presumably the Curia needed some extra information. Tergyn was unresponsive, and the meeting was over.
"At least we know the problem is not a lack of information," Gaius said. "Someone does not want peace."
"Why not?"
"If we knew that, we would know how to fix this problem," Gaius shrugged, "but at least we know what we have to do. We have to work out how to unravel this mystery."
"And where do we start?"
"By my visiting Cardinal Sender," Gaius said. "And in answer to your question, why not you, I go as a representative of Ulse, and of military commander of all Ulsian and Ulsian allied forces in this region."
"You think the Ranhynn are going to let you command their forces?" Natasha said as she shook her head in disbelief.
"No, but it gives the Cardinal a problem."
* * *
Gaius had to sit in a waiting room for some time. He was dressed in full dress uniform, with all medals and decorations, which he knew should make some sort of impression, because it verified that he had considerable battle experience. It did not avoid the wasting of time, however.
Finally he was admitted. He marched into the room, and saw the Cardinal, who was dressed in impressive robes, sitting at a huge desk. Above and behind him were huge gold and silver decorations of some religious significance.
"I come as Marshall of all Ulsian and allied forces in this region," Gaius announced. "I wish to convey a certain concern to the Ranhyn government."
"And that is?" Sender said, as if unconcerned, except that Gaius noted a degree of tension in his voice.
"The government of Earth has sent a representative to Ranh with the objective of signing a peace treaty and a treaty of cooperation between the two planets. This is in full accord with the procedures Ulse expects of such an emerging civilization, and accordingly, Ulse supports this request."
"So?"
"There have been two problems," Gaius said. "The first is the Space Curia has refused to answer the request."
"Perhaps they do not like the terms?"
"That might be an excuse," Gaius countered, "except that so far, the Space Curia has not even started negotiations. The issue of terms has yet to arise. Further, I have informed the Terran government of the terms Ulse expects to see in a standard agreement, and they have agreed to all these terms. To argue against them means Ranh does not accept its obligations under its treaty with Ulse."
"Then you should presumably take these concerns to Tenzat Tergyn."
"As a representative of the government of Ulse, I am taking my concern to the top representative of the government of Ranh," Gaius said. "I do not expect you to become involved in the terms, but I do request you to get Tenzat Tergyn to make progress in the negotiations.
"There is also a second matter. Ex Commissioner Kotchetkova was threatened by a Ranhyn mob –"
"That was regrettable," Sender interrupted, "but we cannot control all Ranhynn. We have freedom of action here and –"
"Then an attempt to assassinate her was made by a sniper," Gaius interrupted. "The weapon was not freely available, and was only available to the military and a very few extra forces."
"Who are you accusing?"
"Nobody yet. I am leaving this matter in the hands of the police, and I expect action. Why I am raising this here is that I expect you to remind the police that this is a serious matter, and to encourage further effort to apprehend those responsible. Further, I should remind you that because Ex Commissioner Kotchetkova has been brought under the protection of the Ulsian military, assassinate her and you declare war on Ulse, and believe me, while it might take over twelve hundred Terran years to pay, pay Ranh will. Further, I remind you that what Ex Commissioner Kotchetkova sees, that is automatically relayed to her companion, and that is automatically relayed to the Ulsian battleships. Finally, I remind you that the Ulsian ships are here as guests of Ranh. Should more than two warships approach those ships, the ships will assume that to be a declaration of war and will respond with force. Do not make a mistake."
"You are threatening me?" Sender was clearly furious, but he was unsure how to proceed.
"Informing you. The Terran representatives and I came in peace, and we wish to negotiate a long-term peaceful relationship with Ranh. There is only a problem if Ranh does not wish peace, and if that is the case, there is war with Ulse."
"You realize you are here and –"
"Yes. If you want to kill us, you can, but that means war, and the ships will send that message to Ulse. Now, the question is, do you want peace?"
Sender stared at Gaius, and Gaius thought he would launch an attack on the spot, but finally he calmed himself and said, "Of course I want peace."
"Excellent. In that case I shall take my leave and look forward to more action from the Space Curia."
Chapter 21
However, action from the Space Curia was not forthcoming, and as Natasha remarked over a meal, "Your attempt to stimulate Cardinal Sender into action seems not to have borne much fruit."
"Seemingly not," Gaius agreed. "So, on the principle that something has happened in the past that is currently a problem, it looks as if we have to do a bit of digging."
"Any idea where?"
"I suggest we start with Tenzat Tergyn, if for no other reason I think he is likely to be the easiest."
"What makes him so easy?"
"It won't be that easy," Gaius replied, "but the others would be a lot harder. A delegate from another planet has a natural reason to go to the Space Curia, but no reason to go to the military. I think the first objective is to simply examine all the decisions over the past twenty odd years."
"To see if we can detect some sort of pattern?"
"Exactly. We may get a clue as to the policy change that has led to this position."
"What about finance?" Natasha asked. "If you recall the situation that Athene gave you, it would make a lot of sense if a large amount of money, or something of extreme value went missing."
"I'm not so sure on that last one," Gaius said, after thinking about this for a minute. "If you're thinking about the reason for a major attack on Earth, it may well be that the recipient of the information declined to honour his side of the bargain, and that was the cause of the attack."
"Yes, but in that scenario, we were not here. The situation is different."
"Agreed, but we may not have changed the first action. It's just a pity we don't know what that was, but in any case, we have to try to do something, so let's do this."
Gaius arranged for the ability to download all publicly stated announcements from the Space Curia, but again, this seemed to gain nothing, because very little was delivered.
"They must have deleted a lot," Natasha growled.
"Not necessarily," Gaius remarked. "It may be that the Space Curia doesn't do very much."
"But there is a significant drop in general activity after Tergyn became Tenzat," Natasha noted.
"But not of expenditure. That may be significant," Gaius agreed. "The next question is, why was Tallyn replaced?"
"The records say he died."
"Yes, but what of? The records I have seen are far from clear on that. I shall ask Hadell whether he had some specific illness, then I shall visit the Records Centre and ask the specific question."
The answer was that no, he was in perfect health when Hadell left for Earth. Gaius then initiated a search for details of the death at the Record Centre, but this was blocked. Apparently that information was only available to Ranhynn, and
in any case, he had it.
"I most certainly do not," Gaius replied.
"Then the incompetence that might be expected from the unacknowledged has stopped you," came the reply from the official. "Good!"
Gaius stared at the official, and realization dawned. Some Ranhyn, quite probably Baht under Kazyn's orders, had already been there and tried to find this information.
* * *
Zander Thuygen realized he had yet another piece of luck, although whether it was good or bad luck was as yet unclear. He had finally partially tracked the area where Baht lived, and there was one obvious route into the city centre, so he watched the obvious exit node. Baht had duly turned up, and had walked towards the Records Centre. On Ranh, records of a great many aspects of life were kept at a central building in electronic form, but the building was difficult to access. A tolerably sanitized version was available anywhere, but if all sensitive details were required, a visit to this building, or a corresponding one in another city, was required.
When she went in, Thuygen watcher her pay for the right to enter a particular area, so he followed, and asked to go to the same place. The cashier was a little suspicious, so Thuygen informed her that that particular unacknowledged one had been sent on a task, and she had forgotten the last page of the instructions. With a shake of the head, the cashier announced the payment, and then Thuygen surprised the cashier by paying cash. This was sufficiently uncommon that there was no change, but Thuygen told her to keep it. The cashier did, and more than the change. Cash was unusual, and Thuygen had used it because there would be no way to trace who he was from the payment. What he did not realize was that it almost flagged him as a criminal, so the receptionist made sure a good photograph was obtained.
Thuygen had by this time lost sight of Baht, but he had been told where she was going, and he had to hope that what he had been told was true. He eventually found her, huddled over a computer screen and in the process of transferring some information onto a memory cube. He waited until Baht had left, then he rushed to the computer and searched for the last entry.