by Chris Bunch
Carruthers shifted uncomfortably and buried her nose in her mug.
"I need a very fast final assessment. Rykor?"
"I have no reason to change my initial evaluation. His training performance, as predicted, was near record. His profile did not alter significantly. In no way could Sten have become a successful Guard soldier. His independence, instinctual animosity to authority, and attraction toward independent action are especially jagged on the curve. In other words, for your purposes, he seems ideal.
"The peculiar individual traumas we discussed when he entered training are maintained at close to the same level in some ways. But in others, since he has proven himself successful in training and in dealing with other people, he is far more stable an entity."
"Carruthers?"
"I dunno how to put it, sir. But he ain't anybody I'd pick to team with. He ain't a coward. But he ain't for-sure either. At least not in, mebbe, a red-zone assault."
"Only one sir! Thank you. Buy yourself another drink. And me one, too."
Mahoney passed his mug across.
"I could probably elaborate on Carruthers’ assessment,” Lanzotta said carefully, “but there's no need. Gargle words don't explain things any better than she did."
"Come on, Lanzotta. Like pulling teeth. You know what I want."
"I'd rate Sten first rate for Mantis Section. He reminds me of some of the young thugs I tried to keep under control for you."
Carruthers spun, spilling beer.
"You was in Mantis Section, sergeant?"
"He was my team sergeant,” Mahoney said.
"And I got out. Carruthers, you don't know any of this. But there's a clotting difference between going in hot, facing entrenched troops, and cutting the throat of some small-time dictator while he's in bed with a girl. Remember that, colonel?"
"Which one?"
Mahoney gestured, and Carruthers passed Lanzotta his shot/beer. Lanzotta stared into the amber distance, then upended the mug. “I didn't like it. I wasn't any good at it."
"Hell you weren't. You stayed alive. That's the only grade.” Lanzotta didn't say anything.
Mahoney grinned and affectionately scrubbed Lanzotta's close crop. “I'd still trade half a team if you'd come back, friend.” Then Mahoney turned business. “Evaluations?"
"Transfer recommended, Psychiatric Section,” Rykor put in briefly.
"Recommend transfer,” Carruthers aped awkwardly.
"Take him, Mahoney,” Lanzotta said, sounding very tired. “He'll be a great killer for you."
* * * *
Frazer slipped off the slideway and hurried toward the zoo. He was nervous about the meeting and the handivid burned in his pocket. He carded into the zoo and walked past the gate guard, waiting for the hand on his shoulder.
His clerk's mind told him there was nothing to be worried about—Frazer had covered all of his tracks—He was a master at the computer and the Imperial bureaucracy. No way could anyone know why he was there.
Frazer stopped at the saber-tooth tiger cages. He grew more edgy as the beasts paced back and forth. Like all the creatures in the zoo, the tiger was part of the gene history of humankind. If Frazer had gone farther, he would have encountered sloths and giant-winged insects and enormous warm-blooded reptiles. He could smell the reptiles from where he was, rotten meat and bubbling swamps...
The assassin moved in beside him. “Got it?"
Frazer nodded and handed the assassin the vidpack. A long wait.
And the assassin said: “Excellent."
"I chose someone whose record could be easily manipulated,” Frazer said. “All you have to do is step in."
The assassin smiled. “I knew I could count on you. The best. You have the computer touch."
Someone recognized Frazer's talents. Only he could dip into the informational pile and cut it out, one onion slice of information at a time. “Ah—the money?"
The assassin handed him a slip of paper. Frazer studied it. “It is untraceable?"
"Of course, pride in my work, and all that. You can see..."
Frazer was satisfied. His only regret was that Rykor could never know exactly how clever he was.
The assassin draped an arm over Frazer's shoulder as they walked away from the cages.
"You wonder about loyalty,” Frazer began. “Yes. You do,” the assassin said.
The arm draped lower, curling around. Right hand curling around Frazer's chin, left hand snapped against the back of his head. There was a dull snap! Frazer went limp. Dead.
No one was around as the assassin dragged the body back to the edge of the cage. Lifted, braced, and Frazer's body lofted down.
The roars and the sound of feeding finished the matter.
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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The Emperor, Mahoney decided, had finally gone mad. He was hovering over a huge bubbling pot half filled with an evil-looking mixture, muttering to himself.
"A little of this. A little of that. A little garlic and a little fat. Now, the cumin. Just a touch. Maybe a bit more. No, lots more.” The Emperor finally noticed Mahoney and smiled. “You're just in time,” he said. “Gimme that box."
Mahoney handed him an elaborately carved wooden box. The Emperor opened it and poured out a handful of long reddish objects. They looked like desiccated alien excrement to Mahoney.
"Look at these,” he boasted to Mahoney. “Ten years in the biolabs to produce."
"What are they?"
"Peppers, you clot. Peppers."
"Oh, uh, great. Great."
"Don't you know what that means?"
Mahoney had to admit he didn't.
"Chili, man. Chili. You ain't got peppers, you got no chili."
"That's important, huh?"
The Emperor didn't say another word. Just dumped in the peppers, punched a few buttons on his cooking console, stirred, then dipped up a huge spoonful of the mess and offered it to Mahoney. He watched intently as Mahoney tasted. Not ba—then it hit him. His face went on fire, his ears steamed and he choked for breath. The Emperor pounded him on the back, big grin on his face, and then offered him a glass of beer. Mahoney slugged it down. Wheezed.
"Guess I got it just right,” the Emperor said. “You mean you did that on purpose?"
"Sure. It's supposed to scorch the hair off your butt. Otherwise it wouldn't be chili.” The Emperor poured them both two beers, motioned to Mahoney to join him, and settled down in a huge, overstuffed couch. “Okay. You earned your check this month. Now, how about the next?"
"You mean Thoresen?"
"Yeah, Thoresen."
"Zero, zero, zero."
"Maybe we should escalate."
"I was gonna recommend that in my report. But it's dangerous. We could blow the whole thing."
"How so?"
"It's Lester. He says there's a lot more motion on Bravo Project. And he's got a way in. Trouble is, if he's caught, we're out an inside man."
The Emperor thought a moment. Then sighed. “Tell him to go ahead.” He drained his glass, filled it with more beer. “Now, what about the other matter?"
"The gun smuggling? Well, I still can't prove it."
"But it's happening? That's a fact, right?"
"Yeah,” Mahoney said. “We know for sure that four planets—all supposedly our confederates—are shipping weapons to Vulcan."
"Thoresen again. To hell with it. Let's quit playing games with the man. Send in the Guard. Stomp him out."
"Uh, that's not such a hot idea, boss. I mean—"
"I know. I know. Lousy diplomatic move. But what about my ‘buddies’ on those other four planets? No reason I can't take them out."
"It's done."
The emperor grinned. Finally, a little action. “Mantis Section?"
"I sent in four teams,” Mahoney said. “I guarantee those guns will stop."
"Without any diplomatic repercussions?"
"Not a whisper."
The Emperor liked that eve
n better. He got up from his couch and walked over to the bubbling pot. Sniffed it. Nice. He started dishing up two platefuls.
"Join me for dinner, Mahoney?"
Mahoney was out of the couch in a hurry and headed for the door. “Thanks, boss, any night but tonight. I gotta—"
"Hot date?"
"Yeah,” Mahoney said. “Whatever that is. Not as hot as that stuff."
And he was gone. The Emperor went back to his chili. Wondering which members of the Royal Court deserved to share his company tonight.
[Back to Table of Contents]
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The Baron watched the screen anxiously as a swarm of Techs moved quickly about the freighter's hold, making final connections and adjustments. This was it. A few more minutes and he would learn if all the credits and danger were worth it
The Bravo Project test was taking place light years away from Vulcan, and far away from normal shipping lanes. The picture on Thoresen's screen changed as the Techs finished, then hustled out of the hold, crammed into a shuttle and started moving away from the ancient freighter.
Thoresen turned to the Tech beside him, who was studying swiftly changing figures on his own screen. Then: “Ready, sir."
Thoresen took a deep breath, then told the Tech to begin.
"Countdown initiated..."
The shuttle came to a stop many kilometers away from the freighter. The on-board Techs went to work, changing programs in their computers, getting ready for the final signal.
The inside of the freighter had been gutted, and at opposite ends the Techs had constructed two huge devices—they would have been called rail guns in ancient times—each aimed exactly at the electric “bore” of the other.
Thoresen barely heard the countdown. He was concentrating on the two images on the screen: One was of a huge glowing emptiness inside the hold of the freighter. The other was of the outside of the freighter, the shuttle in the foreground. The Tech tapped him on a shoulder. They were ready to go. All of a sudden, the Baron felt very relaxed. Flashed a rare smile at the Tech, punched in the code that was the trigger.
The “rail guns” fired, and two subatomic particles of identical mass were hurled at each other, reaching the speed of light instantly. Then beyond. Thoresen's screen flared and then it was over—literally almost before it began. Then his screen came to life again. Nothing. Just yawning space. No freighter, no—
"The shuttle,” the Tech screamed. “It's gone. They're all—"
"Clot the shuttle,” Thoresen snapped. “What happened?"
His fingers flew over computer keys as he ordered up a replay of the incident—this time at speeds he could see.
The particles floated toward each other, leaving comet trails. Pierced the magnetic bubble that was the glowing spot inside the hold, and then met ... And met ... And met ... Then they vanished ... reappeared ... moved in and out of time/space ... until they were replaced by a single, much different particle. Thoresen laughed—he had done it. Suddenly, the magnetic envelope began to collapse. There was a blinding flash of light and the freighter and shuttle disappeared in an enormous explosion.
The Baron turned to the Tech, who was still in shock. “I want the timetable moved up."
The Tech gaped at him. “But those men on the shuttle?..."
Thoresen frowned, looked at his empty, screen, and then understood.
"Oh, yes. The unfortunate accident. It shouldn't be too hard to replace them."
He started out of the lab, paused a moment. “Oh, and tell the next crew to back off a little more from the freighter. Techs are expensive."
Lester smiled and patted the Tech on the shoulder. The man babbled something and tears began to roll down his cheeks. Lester leaned forward to listen. Just baby talk. And nothing more to learn.
It had been easy, Lester thought. Easier than he had expected. He had been working on the Tech for half a dozen cycles. Subtle hints of money, a new identity, a lifetime residence paid up on some playworld. The man had been interested, but too afraid of Thoresen to do much more than listen and drink Lester's booze. Then one day he had cracked. He had been almost hysterical when he called Lester and asked to come to his quarters.
There had been some awful accident, he had told Lester, but when pressed he shook his head. No, the Baron ... And Lester knew he had to take a chance.
He slipped up beside the man, pressed a hypo against his neck, and a moment later the Tech was a babbling idiot. But an idiot who would tell Lester everything he needed to know. Lester eased the man down on the bed. He'd sleep for a while, and then wake up with a huge narcobeer hangover. The Tech wouldn't remember a thing. Now, all Lester had to do was contact Mahoney. What he would tell him about Bravo Project would guarantee an early end to Thoresen's career.
There was a loud smash and splintering of plastic. Lester whirled, then froze as the Baron stepped through his ruined door. He was flanked by two Sociopatrolmen. Thoresen looked at the sleeping Tech, grinned. “A little party, Lester?"
Lester didn't say anything. What could he say? Thoresen motioned to his guards; they picked the Tech up and carried him out.
"So, now you know?"
"Yes,” Lester said.
"Too bad. I rather liked you.” He took a step forward, looming over the old man, and took him by the throat. Squeezed. Lester fought for air, felt his throat crush. Minutes passed before the Baron dropped Lester's corpse. He turned as one of the guards stepped back into the room. “Make it look good,” Thoresen said. “A sudden illness, et cetera, et cetera. And don't worry about his family. I'll take care of them."
[Back to Table of Contents]
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Sten whistled soundlessly and booted the door behind him shut. Flies were already starting to buzz around H'mid's severed head atop the counter.
Sten bent, touched his fingers to the blood pool around the body. Still a little sticky ... no more than an hour. Sten reached over his shoulder and palmed out the tiny w-piece that hung between his shoulder blades.
Sten dodged around the counter and silently ran up the steps to the shopkeeper's living quarters. Deserted as well. No sign of search or looting. Very, very bad. He cautiously peered out one window, then ducked back in.
Two rooftops away, three Q'riya flattened, peering down on the street. And below ... another one, down Sten's escape route. Very badly disguised, polished boot tips protruding from under the striped robes he was wearing. Were they trying to drive him or was he trapped? Sten tried again. They were going to take him. The foodshop across the narrow dirty street was shuttered. Not at this time of day. Inside there'd be a squad of M'Ian—the Q'riya tribe's private thugs.
Sten leaned back against the wall ... inhale for count of four, exhale for count of four, hold for count of six. Ten times. Adrenaline slowed down. Sten started trying to figure a way out. He scooped up a handful of bracelets, the gems still unset, from H'mid's workbench, then the small carboy of acid from its shelf. Went back to the window and waited. He would probably have ten minutes or so before they decided they'd have to winkle the rat out.
A cart rumbled past below. Ideal. He carefully lobbed the carboy out, into the middle of its dry grain load.
Aimed ... hand bobbing, synched with the unsprung cart.
Fired. The carboy shattered. Smoke curled, and the car seared into flames.
Shouts. Screams ... smoke coiling back up the street The best he could do.
Sten tucked his robe ends up into his waistband, kicked off his sandals, and swung over the edge of the window. Hung by his hands, then dropped.
He thudded down, letting himself flatten. The shutter crashed open and a slug whanged out into the mud wall just above him. Sten came up ... three hurtling paces across the street and a long dive through the open shutters. Hit on the inside, rolling, and trigger held back to continuous fire as he sprayed the inside of the window.
Three M'lan gurgled down, the second howled air through a ripped open throat. Sten thre
w a second slug through the center of the man's forehead and was moving, out toward the back door. He burst out then swore. Typical rabbit warren, creaky stairs leading down, past the tiny Fal'ici hovels. Sten went over the railing, and dodged into their midst. Shouts, screams, and shots from the street.
Sten wasn't worried. The Fal'ici wouldn't give any information to help the M'lan, even at gunpoint.
He came out of the slum maze onto another street. Excellent. First luck. Marketing. Thronged ... including a heavy patrol of M'lan. They must have been tipped. When they saw the running figure, they went after him. Sten yanked over a pushcart, leaped over a cart's tongue, then turned and tossed H'mid's bracelets high into the air. The gold caught the glittering sun and there was instant chaos. People came out of openings in the walls that Sten couldn't even see.
Somewhere in the boiling mob were the M'lan. Sten thought it very possible that one or another of the Fal'ici might just turn away from the gold for a chance to slip a couple of centimeters of polished glass into a trooper's throat.
He slowed to a walk, pulled his robe down, and casually strolled on. Tossed a flower vendor a coin, and pulled the biggest flower on her cart off. Shoved his nose into it, and minced onward.
How ... epi? Epi ... clot it! He'd ask Doc when he got back to the cover house.
* * * *
Sten took an hour to make sure he wasn't tailed. He didn't think much of the Q'riya's intelligence squads, but there were more than enough of them to run a successful multitail operation.
He was clean, so he walked quickly up to the gate of the unobtrusive house the Mantis Section team was working out of and went in.
To more chaos. Gear was going into packs neatly, but very, very quickly. Alex Kilgour stood near the door, holding a breakdown willygun ready. Sten took it all in.
"We're blown?” Sten guessed.
"Aye, laddie,” Alex said.” Th’ dark Vinnettsa's been tryin’ t’ convince she's got buttons down her back wae taken."
"And talked?"
"Wouldna you? Word is they could make a tombstone confess.” The heavy worlder was short, squat and stronger than a whole squad of troopies.