"Your Excellency, I must remind your government that these agricultural technology transfers were contingent upon several factors," Randal told the Minister. "Most important was the restoration of full civil rights to ethnic and religious minorities here in Abkhenazia. We are sensitive to the complexities of the situation, but there has been insufficient progress, in our view."
Minister Ghorbani turned the globe lazily with a finger. "If you are sensitive, then you know how unpopular such a change would be. We Moderates now control the government, it is true. But fanaticism still rules the hearts of many in Abkhenazi. Would you inflame them further?"
Randal rubbed the corners of his eyes with thumb and forefinger. What should have been a simple demarche had turned into a two-hour debate. Things were so much easier when we could just shoot them, he thought ruefully. Abkhenazis made for good enemies and difficult friends. "We would have you honor your treaty agreements. Your country slaughtered a quarter of a million innocent people. You can't bring back the dead, but you will pay back the living."
"Look behind me," the Minister said. "Do you see the holes in the plaster? I leave them as a reminder - if not careful, I will be as dead as my predecessor."
"Without our aid, your government will topple in a month. You may not like us, Your Excellency, but you need us."
Randal collected his comset on the way out of the Ministry of the Interior, and found six messages awaiting him. One was from Ariane, reminding him about lunch. Colleagues in the Political Section had sent three requests for information, and another was the Consul General asking about a visa issue.
A DiploSec officer opened the door to his hovering staff car, while another scanned the surrounding rooftops for snipers. Randal was soon seated in the armored vehicle, and they set off for the Embassy. A reflexive glance verified the security follow car was, indeed, following. The streets of Chimkent, the capital, slid by in all their depressing grandeur. Forever fearful of uprisings, the founders had built their streets wide, the better to bring in tanks and crush rebellion.
Randal read the last message on his comset. It came from Youth for Justice, the group which gave him the most hope for Abkhenazia's future. From what he had seen, the older generation would forever mistrust New Geneva, but young people could still be reached. His diplomatic portfolio included youth issues, and the group was his first real success. "New chapters have formed in Astrakhan University, Chimkent Polytechnic, and the Military College of Abkhenazia," the message read in part. "We're also pleased to report thousands of applicants for the Study in New Geneva scholarship program."
Small steps, to be sure, but Randal thanked God for them. The staff car arrived at the Embassy gates and was admitted after several minutes of security scans. Three checkpoints later, Randal entered the chancery and hurried to lunch. Jean-Marie's happy shout greeted him at the canteen door.
"Hello, little man," Randal said, scooping up the boy and planting him on a hip. "Where's your mum?" Jean-Marie pointed a plump finger, and Randal spotted his wife by the window.
Ariane stood as he approached, and he marveled as always at the gentle roundness of her belly. In a few short months, Jean-Marie would have a sister.
The canteen was practically deserted that late in the afternoon, so he slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her in for a kiss. Jean-Marie made a disgusted sound. "Did the demarche go well?" she asked as they sat.
Randal laughed. "The Minister will meet our request. If we don't send aid payments, how can he embezzle them?" He paused as the waiter brought a menu. "How are things at the vets clinic?" Ariane worked part-time at an outreach for disabled Abkhenazi soldiers.
"Formidable! The Ambassador visited today, so we had a lot of visitors to work around, but it's good. We finally received that shipment of prosthetics from Pieter's factory." She took a sip of coffee, and added brightly, "Guess who I saw today?"
"Who? Did Pieter accompany the shipment?"
"Non, but just as good." She pitched her voice low. "Jeni and Onegin. Though they're traveling as Monsieur and Madame Armansky - tourists from off-planet."
"Did they seem happy?"
"They look like they're in love. It could just be part of their cover, but I don't think so." She grinned and gave his hand a squeeze.
"We'll have them over one of these days, when they aren't up to something clandestine," he said, setting the menu aside. "The new diplomatic bid list came through this morning. I thought we could mix up some cocktails tonight and dream about our next posting."
Ariane glanced through the reinforced blast windows of the Embassy and then rolled her eyes playfully. "And give up all of this? Were there any good posts on the list?"
"A few. Any chance you might like to see Terra again? Our mission to the Terran Hegemony has a job I can definitely score."
"Vraiment? I could show you Earth! My family, my home."
Randal brushed bangs from her eyes and cupped her cheek. "It's settled then. One more year of repairing Abkhenazia, and then off to another adventure."
<<<<>>>>
Glossary of Terms
EMP: Electromagnetic Pulse, a fluctuating magnetic and electric field which can damage computers and electronic equipment
Executive Officer, XO: the second in command of a military unit
Fist of the Mogdukh: Abkhenazi Special Forces, led by Col. Tsepashin
HUD: Heads-Up Display
Khlisti: Lit., “Whips” An adherent of the Mogdukh, or Power-Spirit. The Khlisti religion is ascetic in the extreme, and the followers gain their name from the brutal rituals they observe in worship of their god
LANCER suit: Light Armored Night-optimized Combat Rig
LMG: Light machine gun
NATE report: A spot report used to call in enemy activity. The report includes the Number or enemy troops, their Activity, the Time spotted and any Equipment they might have
NGAF: New Geneva Air Force
NGDF: New Geneva Defense Force
NCO, Noncom: Non-commissioned officer, the backbone of the military
Penumbra: the "outer rim" of underdeveloped planets surrounding the more advanced Core
PSV, Platoon Support Vehicle: These skimmers serve both as a resupply vehicle and as a platform for launching and controlling electronic warfare and reconnaissance drones
Scourge of the Prophet: The secret police of Abkhenazia. Rivals for power with the Fist of the Mogdukh
SMG: Submachine gun
Terran Hegemony: A declining alliance of planets with Terra as its capital
TOC: Tactical Operations Center
About the Author
J. Wesley Bush currently lives and works in Nairobi, Kenya. He has previously served as an airborne infantryman, Military Intelligence cryptolinguist, NGO worker, and historian. He also spent two years as a unicyclist in a circus. John is the husband of one lovely wife and the proud father of four boys.
Connect With Me Online
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Website: http://www.jwesleybush.com
Book blog: http://www.knoxsirregulars.com
Knox's Irregulars Page 30