“Thank you, commander. I’ll accept your apology, and a personal donation to the Indigenous Education Fund of a thousand dolar.”
Commander Reoda’s lips thinned and I felt the blast of his anger, but he only nodded. “Of course. That’s more than fair. Do please, take a seat. Chai?”
“No, thank you.” He turned to me and nodded formally. “Good morning, Javen.”
“Hello, Shardul. Appreciate you coming.”
Commander Reoda tapped the desk with restrained annoyance. “Sri Ythen asked to be here to assist in this matter. Naturally I agreed. We want cooperation, not coercion.”
“Now,” Shardul said, raising his eyebrow. Sanity, I’d missed that sardonic look. “I’m still at a loss to understand why my involvement in your plans is so crucial.”
“You understand that telling you about this introduces a possible breach in our security. Before I explain, I will need you to sign an official undertaking not to reveal anything of this conversation, on the pain of a lengthy prison sentence.”
He handed over a form on a clipboard. Shardul sat back to read. Commander Reoda tried not to show the impatience he felt, but he was an idiot if he’d expected Shardul to sign without checking every clause. Still, I held my breath as Shardul put the form back on the desk, unsigned.
“I can’t sign that. It’s asking me to agree to concealing information which may be detrimental to the state.”
“It does not!”
“It says I can’t reveal anything I learn under privilege. However, that doesn’t exclude the possibility of me learning, for instance, the identity of the arsonists. Or those who plot to murder the governor and his family.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. That’s obviously not intended by the form.”
Shardul raised his eyebrow again. “I can only go by the wording, commander. I am a lawyer, after all. And traitors have been uncovered from within the establishment in many regimes over history.”
This was all going to shit, and at high speed. I held up a hand as Commander Reoda drew breath to yell. “Excuse me, sir. He does have a point.”
“Be—”
“But you’re both forgetting something.”
The commander exhaled, and Shardul turned to me with a curious expression. “What’s that?”
“You’re a sworn officer of the court. You’re already bound by an oath not to breach government confidentiality....”
“Except when not doing so constitutes a violation of state security or a breach of existing law.”
“Yeah. So, you don’t need to sign anything. You’ve already agreed to do what Commander Reoda wants. Correct?”
“Indeed. And as a responsible lawyer with an impeccable reputation, I would never breach my professional oath or ethics. Not to mention that I’m no fool, commander, and am not going to put myself at risk of being imprisoned or assassinated just to pass on some gossip. So can we please move on?”
I wanted to kiss him, or hug him, or do something that would probably piss the pair of them off. I’d missed this—him—so much. Such an annoying, lovable arsehole.
Commander Reoda had obviously reached his rank for the ability to hold onto his impressive temper when he needed to, because he didn’t draw his weapon and shoot Shardul as I knew he desperately wanted to. “Yes, let’s. Sri Rishabh, there is an indigenous individual currently under surveillance. We believe he supplies and supports a group which is the most likely source of the recent violence. That individual will shortly be arrested. We want you to offer to represent him, and insinuate yourself into his trust with the aim of introducing one of our agents to his circle. That agent will carry out a deep cover operation to determine who’s behind these attacks, and stop them.”
“So you want me to offer representation under false pretences to a client, and then betray my professional ethics in relation to that individual. Am I missing something?”
Reoda’s lips thinned in a menacing fashion. “The part about him being in collusion with terrorists, I think. You won’t really be his lawyer.”
“Oh?”
“You’ll be playing a role, Sri Rishabh. Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about.”
“I’m not. I’m trying to point out that you’re asking me to break the law. And as an indigenous person in this country, forgive me if I don’t believe the government will offer me the same protection it will offer Javen when he goes under cover.”
I hissed in a breath. Fuck you, Shardul!
“You told him!” Commander Reoda bellowed at me, on the verge of bursting into flames.
“No—”
“You just did, actually,” Shardul said politely. Smug little shit. “So can we stop this pretence? Who’s the person you want me to deceive, and what is the evidence of his wrongdoing?”
“Not so fast. That’s need-to-know.”
“And I need to know. Commander, you don’t have a hope in this galaxy of getting my cooperation until I know who I’m supposed to be screwing over in the name of national security.”
“And you don’t have a hope in hell of getting that information out of me until I know you’ll cooperate, which you clearly never will.” Reoda slashed his hand in Shardul’s direction so violently, it came very close to actual assault. “Sergeant, get this man out of here. He’s wasting my time. I’ll decide how we’ll deal with the breach of security later.”
Neither Shardul nor I moved. “Sir,” I said. “At some point, there has to be some trust. Shardul’s shown good faith turning up today after the, uh....”
“Wrongful arrest, imprisonment and intimidation,” Shardul supplied in a perfectly polite tone.
“Yeah, that. For all he knows, you want him to traduce his best friend.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Ythen. He’s playing a game and playing you for a fool. I’m not surprised, considering what I’ve heard about you and your preference for white meat.”
I growled in anger. Shardul stood. “He’s right, Javen. This is a waste of time. Shall I see myself out?”
“No, I’ll come with you.”
I stalked to the door, furious and humiliated. Shardul held it open for me, and we walked out together.
“Just like old times,” he murmured, and I huffed in disgust.
“I need a drink.”
“Chai. Too early for booze, unfortunately.”
“Let’s get out of here. I’m ditching my fucking bodyguard. Anyone who wants to shoot me today can have their go.”
We headed to the elevator. I didn’t know whether to be angry that Shardul was vaguely amused, or amused that he took Commander Reoda’s anger so lightly. But then he probably faced bullying authority figures all the time in court.
I palmed the elevator control but before the car arrived, Captain Largosen materialised—from where, I wasn’t actually sure. “Gentlemen, come with me, please.”
“No,” Shardul said. “Your superior just threw us out.”
“I know. Please come with me.”
I nudged Shardul’s arm. “What can it hurt? They won’t arrest both of us.”
“They don’t need to. You’re too trusting, Javen.”
“Gentlemen, please?”
Captain Largosen indicated we should join him in the elevator, so we did, though I thought it was a lousy idea. Shardul was a little worried but mostly curious. I hoped he didn’t place too much faith in my ability to protect him because in the current circumstances, I didn’t have anything like as much influence as he might think.
We were headed to the underground parking area, and as we left the elevator car a dark auto pulled up. “Please get in,” the captain said politely, though the option to refuse was missing from his tone.
“Where are we going?”
“Nowhere. This is more discreet, that’s all. Please, Sri Ythen.”
So we got in, Shardul remarking conversationally, “I wonder if the commander realises that it was the assiduous way he referred to you as Sri Ythen, when all your cop buddie
s always call you ‘sergeant’, which gave his plan away.”
“Damn, you’re good.”
“Nice to know I haven’t lost all my edge.”
The captain, climbing in beside us, cracked a small smile. “Drive on,” he said to the driver. “Clearly we have underestimated Sri Shardul.”
“Clearly,” I said, unamused by just about everything. “What do you want, sir? Commander Reoda told us to get out and I’m not inclined to give him a second chance.”
“The commander isn’t in charge of this particular operation. I am. I was listening to your discussion. Sorry he didn’t handle it particularly well.”
I blinked. That kind of overt criticism of superior officers didn’t usually come out of army type mouths. “You’re not military.”
“Yes, I am. Just capable of independent thought as well. Sri Shardul, do you know a man called Sanjeev Unnat?”
“Yes. I’ve heard of him, that is. He’s a businessman. Completely respectable. He’s the one you wish to target?”
“If he was, how would you feel about it?”
“Not immediately thrilled. Tell me more, captain.”
“As you say, he appears completely respectable. However, he’s been in frequent communication over the last three months with Garle. We believe radical elements in Garle may be supplying funds to militants here, as well as inciting religious fervour. You’ve heard nothing of this?”
“None. I know of no one in contact with Garle. Their path to the Spirit is not what we have chosen.” He radiated faint disgust. Garle was something of a swearword to the udawathei in Medele. “Captain, you realise if you involve me in this, in the manner the commander described, you’ll have no chance of prosecuting Sri Sanjeev on any matter on which I’m supposed to have advised him? And that you’ll compromise my reputation as an honest broker should you wish to use me for less nefarious purposes?”
“Yes, I do. Both are acceptable risks. We’re not interested in Sri Sanjeev. I want to catch those behind him, and sweep up those who pose a danger. He’s a criminal, but not our main target.”
“I understand. I wonder why the commander could not have explained this without all the dramatics and insults, and why you’re prepared to trust me now. I could, after all, go straight to Sri Sanjeev and warn him.”
The captain smiled. “You won’t. Not because you’re afraid of us, because you’re certainly not, but because you’d never endanger your friend in that manner. I watched your interactions yesterday and today. We’ve been watching you both for some time—and before you bristle, sergeant, it’s only natural, given your family and position. We gave you plenty of opportunities to reject Sergeant Ythen personally, and yet you walked out of the meeting just now together, united. Your loyalty to your race and your religion does not supersede your personal loyalty to your friend.”
“You planned this from the start,” Shardul said. “It was never me and some random agent. You chose me because of Javen, and Javen because of me.”
The captain nodded. “Yes. An undercover operation of this nature can’t succeed without very strong support and absolute trust. So I only need to know if you’ll do it because I know if you agree, you can be trusted. As can, indeed, Sergeant Ythen.”
I was lost for words. Even Shardul was taken aback. “Does Commander Reoda know what’s going on?” he asked.
“Not as much as he believes. That’s for your protection too. Both of you.”
“If Shardul doesn’t agree, what will you do?”
The captain shrugged. “Try and find another way to gain Sri Sanjeev’s confidence. We can’t just arrest and charge him because the terrorists will simply close off that connection and find another. Our problem is the intense distrust of the Kelons among the indigenous. Someone apparently of mixed race with little connection to the community will be automatically suspected of being a spy, unless we have someone of Sri Shardul’s reputation to vouch for them.”
“A problem of your own making, captain.”
“I’m aware of that, Sri Shardul. Will you do it?”
He steepled his fingers under his chin, glancing at me before he answered. “I need time to think, and an assurance of no reprisals for refusing.”
“What would be the point of a reprisal? It has to be unforced cooperation or nothing.”
“You expected him to refuse,” I said, now more than a tad irritated by this game and the captain’s ridiculously calm demeanour. I wanted to see him ruffled at least. “The arrest was a test for me, not him.”
Largosen didn’t take offence. “No, actually it was part of the profile we need to build up. Now Sri Shardul has a perfectly legitimate reason to complain about the police, appear resentful and in need of revenge. His arrest was widely reported in the community, as we intended.”
“So nice to know one is simply a cog in a great, malignant machine,” Shardul said, eyeing me. “I’ll give you my decision in two days, if not before, but I want the arrests being made now to be cut back. That’s my price. Fair policing under the law. I shouldn’t have to ask.”
“I’ll do what I can but that’s not under my control.”
“I’ll speak to Dad,” I said. “Put it to him that it’s making attacks more likely.”
“Which it is. You’re radicalising peaceful citizens.” Still looking at me, asking me to understand.
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly.
The captain interrupted. “You can have your two days, but time is short, Sri Shardul. Please try to be speedy.”
He ordered the driver to take us back to the office block, for me to rejoin my own transport, and Shardul to catch a taxi back to his office. “It would be unwise for you two to meet again in the short term,” the captain warned, leaning out of the open door. “The apparent lack of friendship between you is useful to our plans.”
He slid the auto’s door closed and drove off. Shardul and I looked at each other. “Is it apparent or real?” I finally asked.
“I was never your enemy, Javen. I have to go.”
I waved him off, conscious he hadn’t answered the question I wanted answered. Maybe he never would.
Chapter 5
Shardul only took a day to make his decision, news passed to me by Captain Largosen. I tried not to be disappointed he hadn’t called me himself. Now Largosen had what he needed, the scheme to transform me into someone else was green lit. He was gracious enough to let me say a proper farewell to Tara and the children at the residence, but a lookalike boarded the space cruiser in my place, and I never saw Yashi safely loaded in his medipod. As soon as the family left the residence for the spaceport, an auto arrived to collect me and take me to a secure medical facility within the military compound at Paradok. The facility would be my home while I healed and prepared.
Captain Largosen met me there, and an assistant took us to the room where I would stay. The main difference between it and a prison cell was the bathroom off the side. Apart from that, the spare facilities and the depressing grey-green decoration would have fitted perfectly in Hegal central prison. The bed was softer, at least, than those in the police station cells, and the media screen was certainly not a feature there.
“The surgeon will be along to talk to you after lunch. The procedures are straightforward and shouldn’t cause you too much discomfort. You’ll be imitating this man, Gafur Kawildin.” Largosen opened up the media screen, inserted a data stick and showed me a picture. “He works as an administrative officer in the central Hegal police station, under its chief.”
“I’ll be taking his place?” The man bore a superficial resemblance to me—or me to him. “Won’t people notice?”
“No, because you won’t be replacing him as such. The man is Kelon, not mixed race, and of impeccable loyalty. Your back-story will be different. You will play the role of a disaffected mixed-race banis who has been raised as Kelon by his divorced father, but resents being removed from his heritage, and who now seeks to establish himself within the indigenous culture
and religion. This will explain your appearance and your relative lack of familiarity with the language. This officer will continue to work as usual, and has moved to a new apartment under our instructions. He will keep to himself, the better for us to shift you in and out of the scene as needed. If and when Sri Shardul gains Sri Sanjeev’s confidence, he will drop your name as a potential leak from the police service.”
Blending fact and fiction. “This guy doesn’t mind having a reputation as a traitor?”
“He understands and supports the plan. As I said, he has impeccable loyalty.” Nothing in the captain’s tone or emotions said, “unlike you”, but I still heard it. “Databases and records will be altered so that if anyone checks DNA, prints, images, voice recordings and so on, the false identity and history will be obtained.”
“You think you have a leak already?”
“We have to allow for the possibility, unfortunately. You will assume the role of a former police officer, just as this man is, retired from active duty because of injury. Unlike him, you will appear bitter over your treatment by the service. It’s important you give a credible impression of wanting a chance to get back at a race and an employment you feel has treated you shabbily.”
“Understood. Uh, one problem, sir. I’m empathic. If I’m introduced to anyone with the same ability, they’ll detect that, and know my work history has to be crap.”
“Already considered, sergeant. One of the facial implants will contain a simple harmonic canceller. The physical sensation you experience in the presence of others with your ability is caused by the resonance of ultra-high frequencies empaths emit. These hyperstimulate an area in the brain, giving the feeling of tingling—quite harmless, except in this situation.”
“Okay.” I wasn’t sure how I felt about electronics being embedded in my face.
“Other implants will carry tracking and monitoring devices.” He laughed. “ Don’t look so worried. You won’t even know they’re there, and everything will be removed once you finish this mission. I’m told you can even have a free face lift at the same time.”
Different Senses Page 50