The Burning Crown (Stone Blade Book 4)

by James Matt Cox

  "All truth and no blather, Cap'n John. There's not only correlation there is tight correlation. Near unity in some cases. All of the defective units fall within this single category. Every single one! Not only that, but there are no instances outside of it!"

  "So what category is that," he asked, "I don't see any classifications."

  "Blind-keyed elsewhere," she said, "Charlie and I have seen this before. They might not even have the categories recorded on any documents here. It's a simple but sometimes-effective way to add to data obfuscation. That doesn't matter, though, since we have the actual data tied together!"

  Thompson eyed the results critically. "No blather, for a company spiking the League on bad parts Catonatta sure keeps good records of it. It's not like there is zero possibility of a random audit."

  "You are correct," she said, "but blind-keyed hashes like this can be scattered quickly should the need arise. Too, don't forget these are their top-secret company records and not available to any jacked-in nubb on the net. I don't know if I mentioned the fact but it took a lot of work to get them! Charlie probably would've demanded two desserts for it."

  "Slib," chuckled Thompson, "We shall take it as platinum that these records will not appear on their annual statement and that the Guild auditors would have to dig hard to find them."

  "At least four sigmas there. Besides, everything I've observed and read says Brightcrowns are uniformly meticulous, very detail-conscious when keeping track of things and obsessed with following propriety. I'd even venture to say it's ingrained in them, even when it comes to records they shouldn't be keeping. Very convenient for us."

  "Truth, but consider a possible alternative rationale. What if they subcontract and the key code is their subcontractor?"

  Kidwell indicated a small annotation. "I thought of that too, John. This says each defective part came from a registered and verified Brightcrown source. Not just registered with Brightcrown but registered specifically with an Elder Guard port authority. I did a simple query-veri with Sjoerd credentials on several transactions at random and they checked."

  "The individual sources are very scattered. That's strange."

  "I concur, but that's where the dispersion comes into play. That's a good way to hide things but doing it right requires a lot more work than these stapes did. These transactions are dispersed uniformly across a set of Crown systems and obfuscated with a lot of paperwork, all properly documented, but they overlooked one critical detail."

  "How so?"

  "Official paperwork leaves official trails. I suppose they're so accustomed to it they don't think of it as something that can be used against them. If someone is patient or paranoid enough to drill and search through four layers of indirection, a common origin can be found."

  "I take it you are adequately patient or paranoid?"

  "Or both." She winked and keyed the terminal. "Observe. Here we have our common origin of every suspicious failure and the veracity of that source is absolute."

  Thompson whistled through his teeth at what he saw on the readout. "Hell's frost! I didn't even notice that."

  "Because we take it for granted, dear heart. The which is why they managed to slip it under our orbits for so many years. This also adds a lot of weight to the theory that something other than curve-cutting and petty embezzlement is happening here."

  "For truth, I'm coming around to your point of view," said Thompson, "It would take titanium nerves and floppers the size of asteroids to even try this."

  "Exactly. But, if you play close and tight and make the effort to go out of your way complying to rules and standards that aren't mandatory, legally, even a Guild Arbiter might miss the dirty details."

  "Especially from a company with a pristine record. That makes me wonder if we shouldn't check into all of Catonatta's other customers."

  "Definitely," said Kidwell, "but not now. Let's crack this one open and get plenty of good, solid evidence. Once that happens and the light hits the dark parts it will be L-shots easier to find anything else."

  Thompson nodded and Kidwell began doodling on her 'pad. The display changed to a link-time map of the Crown worlds.

  "We are here," she said, highlighting Faircoast, "This is the main transit point between the League and the rest of the Crown worlds. There is some trade between League systems and other Crown worlds but this is primary. The planets where Catonatta allegedly purchased the bad parts are these." Quite a few systems lit up. She added lines from Faircoast to each of them. "The time correlations are mostly uniform and not particularly relevant so we won't bother with them.

  "Now. Let's look at the origin points of the components before Brightcrown purchased them. I'm setting the criteria for number of units per planet." She tapped it in and all but two of the systems changed color. Then, when she added the lines...

  "Fallstar," said Thompson with a confidant nod.

  "Dead on the beam, Cap'n John. Almost all of the bad units came from Fallstar. Officially certified by League clerks as you so duly noted."

  "Is it coincidence that Fallstar just happens to be the Crown world farthest from the rest of League space and the most common entry point for traders from outside the League," he wondered.

  "That, my dear love, is something we might do well to investigate!"

  Thompson ran some numbers of his own.

  "The links between Fallstar and the other worlds are feasible both in travel time and cost. They're not always the most efficient but they're not the least, either. Does that sum up to a journey to Fallstar in our near future?"

  "For truth! It seems you are developing telepathy."

  Chapter 11. Departures

  Tobart clamped his emotions hard as he entered Fadding's lair. The man wore a smile so arrogant and condescending that Tobart wanted to remove it with a dull knife. The fool also had a smug and superior look in his eye that Tobart liked not at all.

  "Good afternoon, Master Tobart," smirked Fadding, "Might I hazard a guess as to why you are here?"

  "Your net was compromised, my Laird. Again! More severely than the last time!"

  "Indeed it was."

  Fadding's utter lack of concern only increased Tobart's desire to carve the smile off his face.

  "I must say, my Laird, your lack of concern disturbs me. This is the second severe incident of which I am aware. Regardless of whether you had awkward information there or not, there are still connections to it and to us!"

  Fadding actually laughed at this!

  "Calm yourself, my friend," said Fadding, "I realize that you have your sources of information. Grant that I also have mine. Did you manage to discover the source of the intrusion?"

  "It was from the project. The project!"

  "It was from Lithigrove and the subsidiary involved with the project," corrected Fadding, "Our systems were not the primary target of the incident, nor even secondary. Did your sources tell you that?"

  Tobart started to object but the absolute serenity with which Fadding spoke stopped him.

  "It is quite true, my friend," added Fadding, "My sources informed me that the penetration of our system was an afterthought. A consequence, if you will, of the compromise of the system that was targeted. The intrusion into our cores, and those of several other Houses in case you didn't know, was linked directly to a more... profitable attack."

  "Profitable?!"

  "Profitable. To us. The true intrusion compromised its target to a much worse degree than our systems were, even the first time. The targeted cores were owned down to the last scrap of data they held; nothing was spared. Would you care to guess which House's cores they were?"

  Tobart held his silence.

  "Brightcrown," spat Fadding, "Catonatta. Every shred of their data was compromised! The penetrations were sophisticated well beyond those into our nets and those fools might as well not have had any security at all! I am also told that the information was filtered for transactions involving our project."

  "Do your vaunted sources re
veal the source of that intrusion?" Tobart tried to keep the acid out of his voice, and succeeded. Mostly.

  "They do," said Fadding coldly, "Not precisely, of course, but enough so for our our needs. You knew this would happen, Master Tobart. Our plan hinges on it. I knew it as well, the day I agreed to the plan. The day I agreed to bear the risks and share the benefits! Do not stray from the course now that it is beginning to bloom and yield fruit!"

  "Do you think the League itself is involved?!"

  Fadding shrugged airily. "The League, the Crown, the Guilds... Even a private agency from some other source. What does it matter to us? Our plan is nearing its climax and must be allowed to reach it!"

  "I would prefer the League not be involved."

  "And I would prefer that the foul house of Brightcrown be ground into dust and the soil on which it settled be salted and burned," said Fadding viciously, "But we must settle for what we ourselves can accomplish. You will have your benefits, Master Tobart. The Great House of Varl will ascend to its rightful place, the House of Brightcrown will be no more and I, I shall be in place to bestow rewards beyond what you even dream, sirra. All you must needs do is stay the course!"

  Tobart bit back on his reply and forced himself to calmness yet again. He little liked the spark of madness he saw in Fadding's eye but he stood in the middle of the fool's own castle. High time, he thought, for a strategic reassessment.

  "As you say, m'Laird. We shall do our part even as you have done yours. I shall leave you to your business."

  ***

  "That stultus is insane!" Mooke shook his head as he spoke these words. "He is insane and unpredictable, Ken. That equals danger!"

  Tobart transferred his conversation from his small and very stylish holocaster to Mooke's more secure terminal.

  "I agree wholly, old friend. Message Kenjai. I think it is past time for a strategic withdrawal and redisposition of forces. Inform him that we shall leave soon and that he should not fret while we are out of touch. Have him ready our personnel at the factory for rapid withdrawal. Perhaps he should bring our ship down to the asteroid's surface; I shall leave that to his judgment."

  "Yes sir! I'll message him immediately."

  Tobart nodded and Mooke left. Overall he and his team hadn't done a bad job. They made a tidy profit, did at least token damage to the League and made several paths inward for future operations. Better to consolidate a partial success than suffer a total failure.

  Besides, if the fool Fadding did manage to execute his plan and it succeeded, Tobart and his team would be in position to ask for many things.

  ***

  Karr and Blue sat quietly in Worthington's study. Worthington himself, after providing a rushed meal just sufficient to satisfy hospitality, sat back and spoke little. Rolf Sir Quinby, expression grave and deeply troubled, spoke the most. At first reticent, he finally opened up with Worthington's assurances and upon hearing Karr's suspicions.

  "I heard the rumors, of course," said Quinby, "but as m'Laird Brightcrown did not seem disturbed, neither should I be. So I thought."

  "But he is concerned, Sir Rolf," said Blue gently, "He is very much concerned but, as are all of House Brightcrown, ever hesitant to ask his friends for assistance."

  Quinby and Worthington both looked chagrined at that.

  "But we are always eager to give it at need," said Karr, "whether asked or not. Is there any way to determine where the intruder actually went?"

  "Unfortunately not, Sir Piotr," said Quinby, "For truth, were it not for the redundant slow archive links we'd not have what little we do. She was skilled far in excess of any of Varl's agents, or those of his coterie, I trow. She was almost as skilled as Prince... ahem. She was very skilled. She had a deft and subtle touch, as well. The false traces she planted were most sophisticated."

  "Is it possible Binkor-Sud or Imix could have fielded her?"

  "Doubtful, Sir Allan," said Blue, "House McReely has considerable intelligence on their assets in that regard. The only House even close to her level of sophistication is Lore and they've shown very little inclination or interest in matters outside themselves. It might be one of their young students, but that it should happen exactly when it did... No. Not likely at all."

  "Thankfully," said Karr.

  "Aye," said Worthington, "But the implications are most disturbing."

  "Truth," said Quinby.

  "It raises the wager," said Karr, "but it also helps our mission. Sir Rolf, are you certain she took only the data you've given us?"

  "As much so as I can be, Sir Piotr. None of the others reported aught close to the degree to which our cores were compromised. They might well downplay the damage but... other sources... have validated this. There is also the woman herself.

  "I interviewed as many of the workers as I could and they all told the same story. None of them recognized her specifically, though some of them felt as though they should have. To some she felt like an old friend. Yet for all of that none could describe her appearance fully. We are fortunate to have the caster images that survived. We also found no trace of her comm casts."

  "That was a ruse," said Blue, "and a bloody good one. She planted her first module with her entry card. It took time to work so she distracted the guard with her 'conversation.' She allayed his suspicion and even earned his sympathy. After her card had time to work she finished her 'call' and entered without ado. Then she reinforced her deception whilst she compromised any net she desired. No, Sir Rolf, she is from no House of the Crown."

  Quinby's expression fell despite his effort to hide it.

  "Not to worry, my friend," said Karr quickly, "The data you've given us fits nicely with what we gathered until now. It gives us a solid direction and goal and it reinforces some of our more tentative conclusions. We were planning a trip anyway, this just confirms the urgency of it!"

  Quinby nodded, reassured if not comforted. "Is there aught we might do to help?"

  "There is." Blue handed him a datacard. "House McReely will be alert for this woman. If she visits you or returns to Lithigrove try to delay her. I've given you contact information for tomorrow, before long McReelys will always be close. You as well, Sir Allan. We'll have you contacted; if you chance to observe her please let us know. If you can pass the word to others of your House that will help as well."

  "Be at peace, Sir Rolf," said Karr, "House Brightcrown shall not fall as long as there is one drop of Edders blood unshed!"

  "Or McReely!"

  "Halm's words to his comrades," said Quinby, "Very well, my friends, and blessings upon the mighty and faithful Houses of Edders and McReely! We shall shore our resolve and stand ready for battle: for freedom, Crown and King!"

  ***

  "This is going to splash messy orbit-wide, isn't it." Blue didn't ask, she stated.

  "For truth," replied Karr.

  "It's odd," she said with a bit of irony, "House McReely prides itself as much for the information it can gather as for its trade, but we tend to miss consistently the mischief and malice that happens in the upper Peerage."

  "That is a blessing on House McReely," said Karr, "or a balance against pompous fools like Snughblak or Toms-Watt. Or even some of Edders blood. Besides, m'lady, that's why I'm here."

  Blue curled her lip and shook her head.

  "The new data does help, though," she said, "We were already aimed at Fallstar and this bally well confirms it. It also gives us a lot more information to go on. It seems Lady Sneak is interested in the same thing we are."

  "Aye. We still have no idea on who she is but at least now we know where to look."

  "If not for what."

  "That we can try to discover, my lady. Perhaps Signora Sneak will lead us to it. We'll have ample time for it soon."

  ***

  True to Karr's word he and Blue spent most of their trip to Fallstar studying and re-studying their data. The ship, an Edders fast courier, held what equipment the two of them could think to request. None of the crew knew any
thing of their mission but they had no trouble sensing the urgency there. They warmed quickly to Blue but learned just as quickly not to challenge her at cards!

  "I've narrowed the queries again," he said, "What do these all have in common?"

  "Minus the two or three outliers? They all involve Fallstar, company or planet. The which we knew already, Sir Knight."

  "Patience, dear lady," he said, "Exclude the outliers. They never did show any statistical significance. Now assume the connection."

  She did so, though by now she should have had them memorized!

  "Done," she said.

  "Now try a stochastic comparison against the Brightcrown voids."

  That was new! And somewhat obvious but of potentially little or no value, depending on the query genetics he tried.

  "What are you thinking, dear?"

  "Nothing productive," he said, dismissing most of a query he just built, "I'm trying for non-linearity. So far we haven't found anything Varl or its allies would want. We know tacitly that Lady Sneak isn't from the Crown or its Houses."

  "One of the Houses might have hired her," said Blue.

  "Doubtful. If we take the most likely suspects, Varl et. al., they would already know whatever she might have found. If we assume a non-allied House then where is their gain? True, there is much of value in the Brightcrown data but why should they go to such lengths to acquire it? The value she stole is nothing they could not have discovered through other less excessive means. No, dear lady, Signora Sneak is from outside the Crown and working at the behest of an interest there."

  "I asked Jackie to dig into her company and find out all he can about it," said Blue, "That might tell us something."

  "If it does exist," said Karr, "If it exists past the local level, that is. It would be exceedingly difficult to forge a company that checked as valid, but not impossible. She certainly has the skill to do it and likely the resources as well."

  Blue reached over and shut down Karr's display.

  "What..."

  "You wanted non-linear, let's think non-linear! Forget the data for a moment. Forget what Lady Sneak took and concentrate on what we know of her. What is that?"