She grinned, then stepped forward and pressed her lips to my cheek. "I'll do my best. But you make sure that you and her keep your heads down!"
The mercenaries' camp was only a few kilometers outside Cellia City, so the hop to Gorn Creek was short. Ellie was waiting for me as the lander settled to the ground, surrounded by our bags, one of which she threw at me as soon as the hatch opened.
The cold silence lasted throughout the flight. I no longer worried about Duke Richard finding out I was on Haven; he was very well aware of it. So, we boosted for Startrader instead of the hideout. We would surely be seen, but since New Home had no spacelift capability except the partially disassembled lander, and since Jane had been ordered to inform me as soon as the New Homers reassembled it, I had no worries on that account.
It was several days before Ellie thawed, and our relationship resumed a strained normality, and when it did, I suspect my huge sigh of relief could be heard on Haven.
********
The king was furious. "We could have been slaughtered in Our bed!" He shouted. "We could have been abducted from the midst of your oh-so-highly-trained guards while they snored!"
Duke Richard nodded. "You're right, of course, your Majesty. I admit that Carver has capabilities of which we were unaware. And we've lost our big advantage, Bauer. But now we know for certain that he's on Haven. That raid required his active participation."
King David snorted. "Brilliant deduction, my lord Duke, since your only evidence is the testimony of over a dozen outside guards that they saw not one but two landers overhead, and that big empty tank in Our attic! And what does your brilliant mind suggest now?" The sarcasm in the king's tone was unmistakable .
Duke Richard suppressed a sigh. Giving absolute monarchs bad news or advice they don't want to hear could be hazardous to one's health. Still, he must give his king the best advice he could. "I'm sorry, your Majesty, but I'm afraid we underestimated the amount of resistance we would encounter and the resources available to Carver."
"Yes, you did," King David replied, ignoring the fact that Duke Richard had repeatedly counseled patience and caution. "Now, how do We get out of this hole you've placed Us in?"
In fact, the king had been infuriated when they discovered that the mechanical men could not have resisted their seizure of all the heads of state at the University party. Duke Richard had pleaded for patience, but King David considered himself tricked and humiliated, and demanded immediate action. But it would be futile and possibly fatal to remind him of these facts.
"I'm afraid we have little maneuvering room, your Majesty," he began. "But luckily, we aren't technically at war, yet …" He spent the next two hours convincing an angry, humiliated king of their best course of action.
********
One of the things Duke Richard's spies had learned was that the tablet King David had been given was capable of connecting with any or all of the heads of state. It was three days after the raid that freed Heidi that Lisa told me that we had received a transmission from King David of New Home.
It was not a personal, spoken message. Instead it was an image of a large piece of parchment containing handsome calligraphy. The contents, though, were very interesting:
From his Most Puissant Majesty David, King of New Home, the following:
To the Presidents Runtz of Cellia, Curran of Westin, Tyree of Cornwell and Crapen of East Brent, and Citizen Howed Kanner of Refuge, Greetings:
Recent events and misunderstandings have led Haven to the brink of the first planet-wide war in Haven History. His Majesty has watched these events unfold with horror. Thanks to the wondrous technology provided by Jerd Carver, the Star Man, His Majesty believes that these events and misunderstandings can be dealt with short of the misery and chaos of war. He proposes that a meeting of all of the heads of state of Haven be arranged, to be conducted by Tablet, to discuss the disagreements and misunderstandings that have plagued us.
His Majesty suggests that the meeting take place on Tenthmonth 14, but is willing to consider alternative dates and suggested times.
In amity and hope for a peaceful future
DAVID
"What does it mean? Is it over?" Ellie asked over my shoulder.
I shook my head. "Not yet. I'd say King David is trying to get out of the hole he's in without losing his crown. He can't win a war against the rest of Haven, and he knows it. Heidi was his last hope of getting access to Adventurer; and control of Adventurer was his last hope of taking over Haven. So I guess you could say that our rescue of Heidi ended the threat of war. It will be interesting to watch this develop over the next few weeks."
It was interesting. All the heads of state replied promptly and agreed to the meeting; no one wanted war. The meeting was convened with almost unseemly haste, four days after David's message was received, and lasted for three days.
Lisa, of course, was providing and controlling the tablets through which the meeting was carried on, which meant I could easily have listened in, and I did, for a few hours the first day. But it rapidly descended to details of no interest to me, so I instructed Lisa to record any conversation involving me, and went on about my business.
And business was booming. the stand-off hadn't really affected business much, though I understand the New Home stock market took a hit, as did the New Home crown.
Pretty Woman, now a subsidiary of Universal Chemical, had introduced the "Star Bra" to enthusiastic reception worldwide. Both Universal's and Pretty Woman's production was strained to keep up with the demand.
Westin Metals had also introduced aluminum to a highly-receptive wholesale market; They had orders to cover their entire production for the next year, and were frantically building a new smelter. I loaned them the money at a lower-than-market rate of interest; mostly I used the money my shares were earning.
Dr. Aram's had introduced "Star Drops - a taste delight direct from the stars". The choc trees grew smaller and more slowly in planetary soil than in hydroponics tanks, but the quality of the choc was as good. Sales had been a bit slow at first, when broadcast coverage had been particularly hostile toward the 'star man' and anything related to me, but as the hostility lessened, sales grew, and within months Dr. Aram's was selling as much choc as teas. Jemson was hurriedly converting low-producing tea plantations to choc, and even at 4 1/2%, I was making millions from it.
Embarrassingly, I found myself one of the wealthiest men on Haven though, thanks to Res, it wasn't obvious. Still, it made me uncomfortable. I reimbursed the Space University for use of Adventurer's information and equipment, and contracted for past and future use of Adventurer's landers.
I wasn't the only rich man on Haven, though. Research had continued on subjects based on information purchased before the shutdown, and developments were flourishing planet-wide. The first transistors were produced and quickly led to the development of broadcast motion pictures and sound which Jane called 'Television'. Diesel engines were being produced in all sizes in Westin. Westin had also established a large facility in the wilderness, and was experimenting with rockets. Cellian food production was up due to terraced fields and hothouses. Cellia and Cornwell had bought seed from Adventurer's supply in hopes of creating newer, better hybrids. Universal Chemical in New Home was experimenting with transparent sheets of plas to replace expensive glass for hothouses under contract from Cellia. Even Refuge, encouraged by its success with helium, was exploring uses and production methods for other gases. Only East Brent was lagging, due to political unrest. Even there, though, power systems were being frantically converted to alternating current.
The International Council had met and had fired Toray over his obvious lack of impartiality. Unsurprisingly, The New Home representative resigned as Chairman, and a new election was held, in which the Cornwell representative had been elected. The Council sponsored announcements on all the radio stations and newspapers in all the nations, asking the still-hiding Ollie Canva to come out and accept the chancellorship.
Aft
er about a week, he did contact me by tablet, and I assured him that the offer was genuine. Two days later he arrived in the International Zone aboard a supply airship, looking younger than ever, and dapper in a new suit and a small beard and mustache combination called a "Van Dyke" for no apparent reason. He was still his smiling, cheerful self, though, and I suddenly realized how much I'd missed him these last few months.
I'd already unsealed Adventurer, and full life support had been restored; but Ollie stayed in the Zone for more than a week; he called it "mending fences and networking".
I, on the other hand, was spending nearly all my time in space, getting Adventurer ready for the influx of faculty and, in a few months, over a thousand students. Oh, I flew down to greet him when he arrived, of course, but I was too busy arranging things to stay on-planet very long. Once he was firmly entrenched in the office of Chancellor, I endowed several million marks in scholarships for poor but bright students who promised to study one of a list of sciences.
Trying to capitalize on my newfound popularity, I bought 100 hectares in Westin, and had a 'public' house built. No more would I be accused of 'hiding' in orbit and plotting to take over Haven. I did, however, refuse President Curran's offer of Westin citizenship. I had long ago decided that I would remain only a citizen of Haven.
My 'public' address also forced me to deal with the fact that I was short a bodyguard. Heidi had decided to stay on with the mercenaries, or perhaps just with Grandig. I was sorry to lose her, of course; but I could only be happy that beautiful, sad woman that called herself 'damaged goods' had found someone to love and to love her. Still, I had to ask her to return the laser. Oh, I trusted Heidi with my life; but the mercenaries she was with were a different story.
Fortunately, she returned it promptly and without complaint. I let her keep the tablet, after Lisa had 'sanitized' it, removing all the details of my activities. And of course, she retained the comm implant; after all, it was inside her skin. I also gave her the little silver needler she'd used to kill Len. But she did promise to keep secret the fact of ultraradio; after all, It made me one of less than a dozen people on Haven with a totally secure means of communication.
But kidnapping was still a threat. Oh, I no longer had anything to fear from Duke Richard or King David. But I was a rich man, now, and there were plenty of thugs on Haven like Var Raines.
I interviewed several professionals, until I decided that most of them resembled thugs themselves, or maybe mercenaries; in fact two of the applicants were mercs.
Chapter 20
So, at Ellie's suggestion, I sneaked into East Brent in search of Rebecca Towne, one of my former "assistants" that I felt I could trust. Becky was strong, athletic and seemed dedicated to me. My med cabinet had saved her life after the Cellian raid on the Zone, and she was obviously grateful that I had saved her life and her finely-toned body.
She was surprisingly hard to find. It seemed she was now a prominent member of the anti-New Home independence movement. Still, after a week and a large sum of money, I was escorted to the basement of a warehouse on the outskirts of Barton City, the capital of East Brent.
Becky's eyes widened when she saw me. I had used a false identity during my search for her.
"Jerd!" She cried. "Sire, what are you doing here? Are you crazy?" She jumped up from behind a battered desk, ran around from behind it, and threw herself into my arms while giving me a massive bear hug. Beneath that soft skin I could feel the steel cord of muscle. Yes, Becky was still in shape.
I gently disengaged myself. "I've been looking for you, Becky."
She backed away, surprise in her eyes. "For me? Why? How did you find me?"
I smiled. "I've come to offer you a job. As for how, it took a false identity and quite a pile of crowns."
"A job? No, wait. Let's stop this question and answer session, and you go ahead and tell me why you've come." She waved a hand toward the three other young people in the room. "It's okay, guys. I used to work for him. Give us a few minutes, huh?"
They rose to their feet. One long-haired young man snorted. "You? A real job?"
Becky drew herself up. "I have had a real job before. And I must have done it pretty well if he wants to hire me back!" The others left, joking and chattering. As the door closed behind them, Becky turned to me. "All right, messer Carver, what's this all about?"
I nodded, and took one of the chairs abandoned a moment ago. "First," I asked, "what are you doing in an underground? Last I heard, you worked for the East Brent government, or Duke Richard; I was never quite sure which."
She shrugged. "That's easy. Technically I worked for East Brent. Actually, Duke Richard paid my salary. But the whole time, I really worked for the movement.
"I was just an aging gymnast, facing retirement at twenty. So, I enrolled in a secretarial class. It was there that I got involved with the movement. Then, shortly before I completed the course, Duke Richard's men came, recruiting women to spy on the Star Man. They were as impressed with my physical and gymnastic talents as with my mediocre clerical skills.
"Most important, they were offering training in weapons and hand-to-hand combat. So, I signed up; I knew the cause could use people with that kind of training. So, I ended up in the Zone, reporting what you had for dinner, but not sharing the fact that you gave me a star weapon. You saved my life, sire. I owed you that. Now, it's your turn. Tell me what this is all about."
I nodded. "Heidi has quit. It seems that her stone-like heart has been melted by a mercenary. They've invited me to the wedding next month."
"Heidi? The stone killer?"
I grinned. "The same; and I couldn't be happier for her. Anyway," I continued, "I interviewed a few replacements, but none of them looked like people I could trust. Finally Ellie suggested I look you up, since you're one of very few people I'm sure I can trust."
"Ellie Fergson? The Westin Whirlwind herself?" she paused. "Oh, yeah, I remember now, you hired her as a secretary or something."
"Or something. She's my personal assistant, part-time bodyguard, and my fiancée."
She sat back, smiling. "Yeah? Well, good for you! She'll have you henpecked inside a year."
"Less than that. It seems I'm destined to be henpecked by bossy women; first it was my ex-contract mate, then my ship's AI, then Heidi, and now Ellie. So, what do you say? Want to carry a star weapon and babysit me?"
Her smile rose again. "You were born with a serious birth defect: you're a nice guy." She paused. "I dunno. Actually, I think I'm about to become unemployed again. You've heard about the referendum?"
I nodded. "It was demanded by the other nations as part of the peace agreement. That's why the Duke's men haven't been over here slaughtering people."
She nodded. "I wondered why New Home wasn't yelling from the rooftops. Or shooting people from them." She straightened proudly. "We're going to win, you know. East Brent will become independent, and the first thing we're going to do is change the name of the nation!"
I nodded. "I know. And as you say, you'll be out of a job. I can offer you a good salary, long hours, lots of time in space aboard both starships, and travel; lots of travel. You'll also receive training in star weapons and most anything else you want to learn.
"One thing, though. I know you've been fighting for your nation, here. But my loyalties lie with Haven, not with any of the nations, including your new one. I will expect you to surrender your loyalty to your new nation in favor of loyalty to your planet. I will insist on strict equality between the nations. I want to help all of Haven develop."
She frowned. "After all my efforts, that may not be easy." Then her smile flared. "But I have been wondering what I was going to do when we were free. I've been afraid I was going to miss the excitement. All right," she continued, "I'll try my best to be fair and forget my prejudices. It may take awhile to become loyal to the planet instead of my country; but I'll take your offer." She jumped to her feet. "So, when do we leave?"
I shrugged. "I'll be going ah
ead. For you, about 1930 hours, I guess. We can't leave East Brent until midnight so there's no hurry. Get your affairs in order, and then meet me at the train station in Tunsel's Town. Here's your ticket." I handed her the ticket, as well as one of Startrader's comm bracelets. I planned to get her an implant once we got aboard Startrader, so I just skimmed over the use of the bracelet.
Ellie was waiting for us aboard Startrader, so naturally I had to explain to Becky about decontam. Surprisingly, she didn't seem bothered by the nudity requirement. I suspected that Becky was very proud of her body, and was pleased to show it off.
She had grabbed a shower at the safe house, but her clothing was still blackened and smelled of smoke. So she was happy to find Ellie waiting with a clean shipsuit to wear while Lisa cleaned her dress and cape. We wasted little time in going to bed; at least I did. The women were still talking as I slipped into bed.
After breakfast, I took Becky to Startrader's sickbay for installation of a comm implant. I was unsurprised when she also asked for a contraceptive implant; the women had spent most of the night talking.
With the tiny, painless implants in place, we crossed to Adventurer for a VR workout and training. Becky was fast and lithe, and loved the hand-to-hand workouts. She also selected Heidi's laser and belt, which looked just as sexy on her as they had on Heidi.
Due to my week-long absence, I found my in box aboard Startrader overflowing with messages. Scanning through the list, Ollie's name caught my eye. I called it up first, of course.
Hello, Jerd, the message read, I know you're 'out of the office', and I didn't consider this important enough to interrupt you by tablet; but I have a favor to ask. You know Rett Terhoe; you also know he's one of the University's wealthiest and most generous benefactors, as well as our best customer for research information. Well, he's asked if I could arrange a face-to-face interview with you; he says he has a proposal to discuss. I would appreciate it if you would accept. Ollie.
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