by Jeff Carlson
It was difficult to think in the noisy crowd.
Vonnie picked at her hashbrowns and eggs as she provided an account of her conversations with the matriarchs to Tony, then Hernandez. They were business-like. So were McGill and Hunt.
Claudia briefly set her hand on Vonnie's wrist. "Are you okay?" Claudia said. She was the fourth person to ask this question, but Vonnie smiled and nodded, glad to resurrect their friendship. She thought it was interesting that Claudia -- like Ash -- now seemed to be pursuing her rather than the other way around. Their gestures were little things. Ash hadn't wanted her to disconnect their call. Claudia made a show of asking if she was okay.
Ribeiro didn't speak to Vonnie, but he greeted Jan in the proper manner of two equals. "Good morning, Commander," he said. "I understand your mission was productive."
"Yes, I think so," Jan agreed.
Only Dawson sat wordlessly with his meal. Vonnie caught him looking at her, but he said nothing.
Then she realized that Ribeiro was furious. He'd repressed it during his formalities. Now his tone was militant. "While you were gone, Commander DeBrun and I remained in close contact with our grid," he told Jan. "The PSSC are reinforcing their control in orbit. Our latest count is fifteen HKs and a new fighter overhead. Very likely, there are others we haven't seen."
"Thank you, Colonel," Jan said. "I know Washington appreciates the time you've put into our defenses. Let's hope for the best."
"I do not rely on hope," Ribeiro said.
"Sometimes patience is our most powerful weapon," Jan said. "We should--"
"I contacted the M4-9," Ribeiro said, meaning the FNEE cruiser. "I asked them to support the Jyväskylä by deploying HKs near Europa."
"What? When?"
"They refused," Ribeiro said. "Their orders from Brasilia supercede mine, and Brasilia is in lockstep with Washington, but I wanted you to learn of this from me first. All of you. Our situation is precarious. We must correct it."
"God, yes," Troutman said.
"See?" Ribeiro asked. "Your people know I'm right."
"Colonel, we're moving as fast as we can. Troutman, I don't want to hear more out of you," Jan said.
"We must show the PSSC who they are dealing with," Ribeiro said. Then he signaled Claudia. Obediently, she walked after him. Araújo had placed three trays of breakfast on the next table. The FNEE soldiers sat in a row.
Vonnie hoped all three of them would remain in camp. Like Ribeiro, she wanted revenge, but restitution would come from outfoxing the PSSC, not more death.
Killing people wouldn't make her feel better. Would it?
Sensing her distress, Ben clowned with Vonnie's food. He stabbed his fork into her eggs. "Gonna eat that?"
She played along. "Mine. Don't make me stab you."
Then he undermined the progress he'd made by talking past her at someone else. "Good morning!" he said.
Andrea Popson had positioned herself nearby, keeping Ben between herself and Vonnie... but Popson didn't answer Ben. To Jan, Popson said, "We have new orders. There are proxies cued for you in data/comm and I compiled our sims."
"Tom led us to another chimney?" Vonnie asked.
Popson's eyes glinted with spite. "You're not in charge. I'll let our commander decide what to--"
Jan interrupted her. "Say it."
"There might be a chimney," Popson admitted. "The sunfish took our doppelgängers northwest. They're near the original landing site where Bauman, Lam and Vonderach went into the catacombs."
Throughout the mess hall, conversations fell away as everyone turned to listen.
Popson said, "We have coordinates for what appears to be a vertical shaft, but it's cold and it doesn't connect to the surface. All we see from orbit is ice. The Jyväskylä is scanning for us, but PSSC sats are throwing off a lot of interference. Captain Leber lodged a protest. So did Washington. Beijing hasn't responded."
"They know we won't shoot," Peter said. "They may not even care what we're looking for. The jamming is routine. They'll say it's their regular signals crossing with ours, not a hostile act."
"Sons of bitches," Hunt muttered, and Araújo cursed in Portuguese. Troutman's hands whitened on his fork as if he could bend it. These men wanted to fight.
"What are the doppelgängers reporting?" Vonnie asked.
"I told you," Popson said. "There might be a chimney, but it's cold. It's clogged in places. It doesn't reach the surface. The initial report is it goes down a few klicks, but it might not reach the ocean and we can't get the Lewis into it."
Vonnie stood. "Let's see their sims. I can talk to Tom."
Jan rose beside her. "I'll take you to data/comm."
"Wait," Popson said. "The AIs finished their transcripts. They found some weird implications from your run-in with the matriarchs."
"Like what?" Jan asked.
Popson looked at Vonnie. "They don't trust you. They might have sent our mecha to a dead-end."
Vonnie kept her composure, but she thought, you stupid cow. Why are you trying to turn Jan against me? So you won't feel marginalized? Any one of us could do your job standing on our head and you know it.
Jan must have shared Vonnie's feelings. She snubbed Popson by turning her back on her. Then she beckoned for Ben, Peter and Ribeiro. "Ben, you should review the transcripts," she said. "Peter, Von, come with me. Colonel, would you please join us? I need your expertise."
Ribeiro nodded. He stood up.
"Everyone else, get back to your assignments," Jan said. "We're in for another long day."
The five of them left the mess hall.
Vonnie had already plotted her next move. If she could influence the make-up of the submarine's crew, she might affect the entire future between humankind and the Europan civilization.
As they moved through the tube connecting Module D to A, she said, "Colonel, can drones from the FNEE ship bring new war machines to us around the far side of the moon without alerting the PSSC?"
Ribeiro stared at her. Then, as if cautioning them both, he said, "Such actions would be in violation of our cease-fire."
"Von, that's a bizarre question from you," Peter said.
Jan also glanced at her sharply, but Ben's gaze was more clever. He said, "We won't sneak anything past the Dongfangzhixing. It's easier to build new mecha from scrap."
"What about ammunition?"
"We can forge a little of that, too," Ben said as Peter asked, "Are you trying to start another fight?"
"When we take the Lewis out of camp, the PSSC will respond," Vonnie said. "The worst part is we'll leave too many people behind. Whoever stays, they might be in for a hell of a shootout. Colonel Ribeiro, Lieutenant Araújo and Sergeant Tavares are soldiers. NASA's security personnel can support them, but they'll need firepower. We'd better modify our GPs or construct new mecha."
Her real goal wasn't to flatter Ribeiro, of course. It was to get the right people on the sub. Ben knew what she was doing because he said, "Three soldiers and some cops against the PSSC? No way."
To Ribeiro, the challenge was glorious. "We only need to hold on until the allied fleet arrives," he said. "My people are up to the task."
Jan shook her head. "Let's talk to the proxies before we decide anything. I'm sure Earth has their own ideas."
They entered data/comm. DeBrun stood inside. All of the stations were active and he said, "Sitreps on one, Commander. Proxies on two."
Jan, Peter and Ribeiro opened their situation reports as Ben went to an available station, where he brought up translations and analysis. Peering over Jan's head, Vonnie saw that little had changed while they slept.
The AIs had combined FNEE surveillance with the Jyväskylä's charts of the PSSC assets in space. They also had updates on the Lewis. Its data/comm units were complete. So were the GPs that Mississippi had adapted. They were also done with the weapons and tool pods mounted on the exterior.
Next, Jan and Peter went through several messages from Earth. The tab with the highest priority had
Peter's ID.
He opened it. His screen lit up with an image of EUSD Admiral Cornet, a seventy-year-old man with a bent nose and spectacular hair. The image was in dress uniform.
"I am a new proxy of Admiral Joost Cornet," it said. His earlier manifestation had been corrupted by SCPs along with everything else in their databanks. "I've been appointed chairman of the allied mission on Europa."
At his display, Ribeiro grunted, but apparently Ribeiro and Jan had the correct flash codes.
"I confirm your appointment, sir," Ribeiro said.
Jan nodded, although she didn't speak.
Answering her silence, the proxy said, "The Americans approved because I have a history of friction with Berlin. The Brazilians like me because I was involved in the Colombian prisoner exchange in '96 and we treated each other well. We prevented atrocities. Some of the best advice I can share is to insist that your people's conduct be exemplary, which allows your opponents to become friends in time. Otherwise you'll fight the same war again."
It paused as if considering this artful philosophy. Cornet was famous for his "orange" politics, which had led him through four decades of jockeying between the interests of his native Netherlands and the needs of the Union.
It said, "I assume you've included Vonderach and Metzler in this briefing for good reason. Joint communications are authorized for Administrator Koebsch, Colonel Ribeiro and Commanders Palmquist and DeBrun. All personnel will be advised of our directives. Nevertheless, I question why a pilot and a biologist are present."
"Sir, she's friendly with the matriarchs and he's running our translations," Jan said.
"All right. Let me commend you again for integrating your crews. I know we handed out some medals. I also know medals are trinkets. Please accept my personal recognition of your efforts and my faith in your judgment."
Amazing, Vonnie thought. A reasonable man.
Weeks ago, Cornet had taken her side when others called for nuclear attacks against the sunfish. She wondered how he'd convinced three governments to align themselves at his heels. Because of his war record?
After their previous encounter, she'd reviewed Cornet's career. Despite what he'd said about exemplary conduct and avoiding atrocities, he was no pansy.
During the One Day War, his squadrons had vaporized fifteen thousand people not on military bases but among civilian populations across Central America. How would he describe hitting the outskirts of Colón and Managua? As a deterrent to prevent enemy strikes on major cities across Europe, the U.S. and Japan?
He could have blasted the teeming metropolis of Rio de Janeiro. Instead he'd walked a few small impacts in the direction of Brazil's homeland to demonstrate what he could do. The gambit had worked. PSSC kinetic missiles hit Denver, Miami, Barcelona, Paris and London -- but for the most part, Brazil's weapons stayed in their silos, hammering only the U.S. naval ships off their coast.
When she was a girl, Vonnie's father condemned the West's politicians and military leaders as failures. Now she regarded Cornet's ability to see big and small -- to balance evil and mercy -- as unusually sane. Certainly the astronauts could have been given someone worse to lead them, a blowhard or a numbskull. As an elder, celebrated veteran, Cornet had nothing to prove except continuing his legacy of prudence.
She said, "I'm glad you're here, sir."
"I'm glad you said that," the proxy responded. "I don't believe you'll like some of my decisions, Vonderach, but you'll obey me. We have a hard road to walk."
"No killing."
"There is always killing. When and how people die is something we might control. More sunfish dying is something we'll try to control."
"Sir, we can't tell the tribes--" Vonnie began, but Jan and Ribeiro cut her off.
Jan said, "Von, shut it or I'll have you removed."
Ribeiro said, "What are your orders, sir?"
"We've analyzed your mem files," the proxy said. "There was a disturbing undertone in the matriarchs' communications with each other. Our concern is their scouts might not have led us to a viable chimney."
Ben said, "They're worried we set them up for a double-cross."
"So they're testing us. Again."
"The sunfish know we have ulterior motives. They don't know what we're looking for. We don't know what we're looking for. We told them we'll gain resources and territory if we get to the ocean, but they know we're not an aquatic species. They know we have more food and room up here than we need. They're afraid we're going to leave them or kill them as soon as they show us what we want."
Cornet was pleased by Ben's deft account. "Well put. The other proxies have been listening, and I have the quorum I need to select the roster for the Lewis. Colonel Ribeiro will take command."
No, Vonnie thought.
Cornet said, "Second in command is DeBrun. Pilots, nav and ROM will consist of Hunt, Popson, Troutman and Vonderach, who'll also serve as our liaison with the sunfish. Dawson is our genesmith. Metzler is linguistics and planetary."
"I can't handle both assignments unless I'm assisted by AIs. My specialties are actually biology and planetary," Ben said like he was stalling for time. He had seen the tempest in Vonnie's face.
Ribeiro and Dawson? she thought. Earth must know how they'll affect decision-making on the bridge. They'll turn us into a warship.
"Sir," she said, "Harmeet Johal is a better choice as our genesmith -- or Assaf or Takahashi. We'll be in close quarters for days, maybe weeks. William Dawson is no one's friend, and, forgive me, he's old. If there are problems, we'll need our strongest people."
Cornet let her run out of steam. He said, "There are political considerations I won't explain. This is final. Dawson will join you."
Shit. Dawson represents the money and Ribeiro is their sword. At this point, I don't even care about Popson. She's irritating but she won't be a factor in directing the crew. She's a flea. Ribeiro is a panther.
What if he shoots at the first lifeforms we meet?
"Sir, you've listed eight people," Peter said in his stodgy, sensible way.
"Correct. Life support is designed for ten, but the Lewis can hold eight human beings and four sunfish."
"Admiral, I protest!" Ribeiro said. "Sunfish are a threat to internal security."
"They'll be restricted to hab one. Your crew may feel a little crowded in hab two, but most of you will be on duty at any given time, therefore the others will have ample room for sleeping. We will construct an auxiliary hatch directly from hab one into lock one in order to provide the sunfish with an egress point should an opportunity present itself for them to reconnoiter outside the Lewis. You'll need less than an hour to make this modification, which won't delay our schedule. We still need to clarify matters in space and beneath the ice."
The proxy was thinking at lightspeed, combining proposals and data from other artificial intelligences.
The astronauts struggled to catch up.
"Sir, burdening us with additional requirements may take longer than an hour," Peter said.
"My concern is the safety of the vessel," Ribeiro said.
"We won't accept savage males," the proxy said. "We'll ask the matriarchs for volunteers, then select the individuals with the mildest dispositions."
"Even their females have split brains, sir," Ribeiro said. "They can be lucid and they can be animals."
"Colonel, don't humiliate yourself by fretting like a little girl," the proxy said, blatantly manipulating him. Vonnie hoped she hadn't been as transparent. The proxy said, "You'll control the hatches. You'll have suits and mecha. If you can't confine a few sunfish to their room, I'll award command of the Lewis to someone else."
Vonnie was embarrassed for Ribeiro, but he merely tipped his head to acknowledge the ridicule.
He came from a tougher background than hers. Even the sons of the Gran liderazgo, the Brazilian upper class who were assured of top positions in politics or their military, grew up surrounded by slums, protests and severe water pollution as well as shooting
s and bombings by rebel terrorists.
For the proxy to belittle him was nothing.
"Yes, sir," Ribeiro said. "I can control the sunfish, sir. They won't be a distraction."
"Good." The proxy was more systematic now, slowing itself to human speeds. "We have several objectives. First we need to confirm that we have the full allegiance of the matriarchs. If possible, we want them to lead to us a different chimney in better condition. Ideally, four of them will join the Lewis. We need them to feel invested in this mission. They may be useful if you encounter Low Clans or new races. We also want the sunfish to defend our camp. In the long term, we need them to secure the peace. Our endgame is for deuterium production and ice mining to resume. We may build military outposts. We want to reestablish Ghost Clan Thirty, then expand our coalition to other tribes."
That was a mouthful, Vonnie thought, but once again the proxy's speech had its desired result.
"Yes, sir," Jan said.
"Yes, sir," Peter said.
"Palmquist, Vonderach, you'll approach the matriarchs. Administrator Koebsch, oversee our modifications to the Lewis. DeBrun, ascertain that all laboratory equipment and supplies are onboard. I also want a ROM team with Metzler to send our doppelgängers into the chimney. We need intel. Colonel Ribeiro, weapons, then communications with the PSSC."
"Communications, sir?" Ribeiro asked.
"Before we take the Lewis out of camp, you and I will contact their officers aboard the Dongfangzhixing. This will occur soon. I expect everyone to be fully prepared in two hours."
Jan said, "Sir, we may need more time."
"You don't have it. Odds are the sunfish led us to the best remaining chimney in their territory. If they can't show us another access point, Captain Leber has done a fine job of retrofitting several missiles. The Jyväskylä is now equipped with ice busters. We'll pound through the surface, then saw and melt a path for the Lewis, but we have to catch the PSSC napping and their orbital coverage is thickening by the minute."
Peter said, "Sir, if the Jyväskylä launches heavy missiles past their fighter and HKs..."
The proxy nodded. "They may try to stop us."