****
Gupta and Calf Stealer boarded the shuttle, and took seats in the rear. Gupta was quite comfortable but Calf Stealer felt a bit cramped. The cabin was built for normal sized humans, not two-and-a-quarter meter tall human-feline hybrids.
None of the other CEF officers who were assigned to the treaty mission had boarded.
“Where is everyone,” Gupta asked. “We’re running late.”
A crewman came on board and started for the cockpit. Gupta stopped him.
“Captain,” he asked. “Where is the rest of the treaty team? We should have been off the ground five minutes ago.”
“Sorry, General. The preflight checks took longer than expected,” the shuttle crewman replied. “We were told it would only be you. We didn’t even expect to see Colonel Calf Stealer, General. Please strap in, Sirs. We’ll be off the ground in less than one minute.”
Gupta pulled out his personal locator.
“Locate. Commodore Wilkes, David Andrew,” he barked.
In five seconds a voice came through the locator, but it wasn’t that of the commodore. It was a female staffer with a particularly pleasant voice.
“General Gupta, Sir,” she said politely. “This is Ensign Gutierrez. The Commodore is having all of his communications routed through me until after the briefing. Was there something you needed me to tell him?”
“No Gutierrez,” Gupta replied. “I did have a question, though. Why hasn’t my full diplomatic team been recalled for this briefing? It seems to me we would want everyone to get the news at the same time.”
“I can’t tell you that, General,” the ensign replied cheerfully.
“If you don’t know, then put the commodore on, Ensign,” Gupta barked.
“I’m sorry, General Gupta,” the ensign responded, her voice indicating she had not lost one bit of her positive attitude, even though the large amount of Zunnuki ale he had consumed over the course of the last few hours had made Gupta just a bit surly.
“I didn’t mean I didn’t know, Sir,” she explained. “I meant I am not at liberty to discuss it. The Commodore will tell you everything when you board, Sir.”
Gupta was silent.
After a few seconds, the ensign asked, “Was there anything else, General?”
“No,” Gupta replied. “Thank you, Ensign Gutierrez. Gupta out.”
Chapter 34
14-October-2409
The Historian was in his office waiting for a visit from Cadet Non. He had swept the room silently, hoping to find some of the listening devices planted there active.
He found one that was lit up and smiled.
“That should be quite useful,” he thought to himself as he sat down at his desk with his tablet in front of him to continue reading the briefings, journal entries and depositions from the Armstrong.
He heard a knock on his office door.
“Come in,” he commanded, not looking up from his tablet.
“Cadet Aro Simas Non reporting as ordered, Colonel Zheng,” Non stated after stepping through the door and closing it behind him. He stood at attention and waited for the Historian to look up and acknowledge his presence.
“At ease, Cadet,” Zheng said, and pointed toward a chair that was directly across the desk from his.
Non went to the chair and sat down. He was curious about why Zheng had summoned him, but waited to be spoken to before asking anything.
“How are your classes going, Cadet,” Zheng asked. “Aside from your scores in my history class, that is. You seem to be having no difficulty there.”
“Thank you, Colonel,” Non replied. “I find your class quite stimulating…”
Non fell silent for a second or two. He seemed to have more to say on the subject of the Historian’s class, but kept it to himself.
“My other classes have been going well, also,” Non added after the awkward pause.
“That is good to hear, Cadet,” the Historian said. “Of course,” he added as he looked up at Non over his reading spectacles. “If there is anything you need or would like to discuss, please feel free to visit me here during office hours.”
“Thank you for that kind offer, Colonel, Sir,” Non said. “I will certainly do that.” He was still curious and decided to find out why Zheng had summoned him.
“Colonel,” he asked. “Is that all?”
The Historian leaned back in his chair. “Not quite, Cadet,” he said. “I have a couple of questions I would like to ask you about something that has been bothering me.”
“Bothering you, Colonel, Sir,” Non asked.
“Well it isn’t as serious as it sounds,” Zheng replied. “I’m more puzzled than concerned. I was just wondering if you could tell me what it is you hope to gain by attending the Academy. The advantages of coming here are obvious for someone of the lower caste who has ambitions he can’t realize on Ekkida. But, you already have all the advantages that being an aristocrat can provide a person.”
“I have always wanted to be a soldier, Colonel, Sir,” Non stated. “Or, more specifically, an officer.”
There was no hesitation in Non’s voice. To Zheng the reply sounded genuine.
“And, since I was a child,” Non added. “I have been told by my father that in order to become the best officer I can be, I must attend this academy and do well.”
“That was certainly good advice,” Zheng said. “I’m happy to see you took it to heart.”
“Thank you again, Colonel, Sir,” Non replied.
“However, Cadet,” Zheng added to his previous assessment. “It seems odd to me that an aro would be happy and supportive of his son’s desires to take on a vocation normally left to those of the lower caste. Doesn’t your decision amount to forsaking your birthright?”
“Many upper caste Ekkidans have served in the military,” Non told the Historian.
“As generals and admirals,” the Historian replied. “Most assumed command without having to rise through the ranks. Usually out of deference to their standing. Few of them made the military a career.”
“My father supports my decision fully,” Non said, without hesitation. “He has always told me that my happiness is what is important to him.”
“He had no objections at all,” the Historian asked.
“None whatsoever, Colonel, Sir,” Non shot back.
The lack of reticence in Non’s replies caused the Historian to reconsider how he would pose his remaining questions.
As a rule, if an upper caste Ekkidan was doing anything that appeared philanthropic, humanitarian or smacked of egalitarianism, said Ekkidan was almost certainly working some sort of angle.
Upper caste Ekkidans were also masters in the arts of negotiation and arbitrage. They were students of human nature. They trained themselves to find your weaknesses and use them against you. They could convince you there was great value in the most mundane of objects or, if need be, make you think the most precious of things were useless.
They were also consummate speculators. They knew that when gambling on anything, the odds were always in favor of the house. To an Ekkidan, the only question worth asking in such situations was, “How does one become ‘the house’.”
On his first day in Zheng’s class Non showed he was capable of exploiting even the slightest opportunity, but he never forced the issue if Zheng refused to engage. He had, however, been using his natural charisma to make some associations among the freshmen and upper-classmen that would most likely be quite an advantage later in his career. But, that was normal behavior for most successful cadets.
It wasn’t until Len Pedersen had mentioned that Non’s father was a candidate for Ekkidan Prime Minister that Zheng was given any clues as to what larger purpose Non’s presence at the Academy might serve.
Zheng desired more than anything to be able to get into the Ekkidan archives. He had no doubt that this was known by Non and his family, and they would be willing to use that desire, if possible, for their own gain.
The Historian
got up from his desk and turned to face the window that looked out over the common. He crossed his arms over his chest.
Turning his back to Non and assuming such a closed posture was an obvious signal; to an Ekkidan, anyway; that Zheng believed he had something to offer, and was willing to negotiate a price.
“Cadet Non,” Zheng said. “I was wondering if we could talk about the upcoming Ekkidan ministerial election.”
“Of course, Sir,” Non replied. “However, I must tell you now I am honor-bound not to discuss certain details…”
“I fully understand, Cadet,” Zheng acknowledged. “But, I have only recently been made aware you are the son of one of the candidates. That presents some security issues the Academy might need to address.”
“I don’t believe I am in any danger, Colonel,” Non replied. “Nothing was said because my father’s decision to run was not made until well after my application to the Academy was tendered.”
“But still, Cadet,” Zheng protested. “You are the son of a candidate for political office.”
He kept his back to Non as he continued speaking.
“Furthermore, that candidate belongs to one of the most influential families on Ekkida,” he continued. “It seems to me your father might have made some powerful enemies in his political career. Even if he hasn’t personally, I’m sure your family must have at some time in the past.”
“That would be a valid assessment, Colonel, Sir,” Non stated. Non wasn’t sure what the Historian was offering. He decided to eliminate options. “However,” he stated. “There have not been any confirmed political assassinations on my world in over two hundred years. The probability of a political opponent making an attempt upon my father is slim at best, and he has a compliment of bodyguards.”
The Historian remained with his back to Non.
“And, on my planet,” Non continued. “It is believed that to threaten an opponent’s family to coerce him into accepting a situation of your choosing is the worst sort of cowardice. So, I believe I am safe.”
Zheng still remained silent, facing the window.
“As for creating security issues for the Academy, Sir,” Non asked. “Isn’t it true there is a battle group situated above this planet and only military and diplomatic transports are allowed to enter orbit? After all there are ordnance and supply depots in the equatorial region.”
Zheng remained motionless, silent and facing away.
Non had the impression that Zheng might be offering protection when the negotiations started. Now, he was not so sure. Zheng hadn’t yet latched onto any of the arguments to debate. Unless Zheng knew of a plot against his father or him personally; or any other close family members, for that matter; this conversation couldn’t be about that.
“I am confused, Colonel,” Non finally asked. “Are you telling me that even with all of the security measures I have mentioned you don’t believe that my father and I are safe?”
“I wouldn’t know about that, Cadet,” the Historian replied. “My only concern was how your father’s run for political office and your presence might end up affecting the daily routine here at the Academy.”
“Has my presence here affected it in any way so far, Sir,” Non asked.
His experience with Zheng from the first day of class until this visit had made Non think the Historian was oblivious to the subtleties of the art of negotiation, even though Non knew that Zheng had taught members of the Ekkidan upper caste before.
Non could now see that Zheng was quite familiar with the art of negotiation, and had purposefully forced Non to assume too much from their exchanges, using the cadet’s misperceptions to his advantage.
“I do not believe that having a cadet’s parent run for office would be a particularly rare occurrence at a military academy,” Non finally said. “Especially one with a student body made up completely of nominees that must be sponsored by members of the legislature of the League of Aligned Planets.”
Zheng remained silent. He still had not turned to face Non.
Non smiled and decided the Historian was not going to make things easy. He decided to eliminate another option.
“May I assume we are not talking about setting any conditions for my continued attendance here at the Academy,” he asked.
“Were you ever concerned about that, Cadet Non,” the Historian asked in return. “Because, I would be insulted if you took anything away from this conversation that made you think I had insinuated anything of the sort.”
“Of course not, Colonel, Sir,” Non replied vehemently.
Zheng had placed Non back on the defensive without giving him a clue about what he really wanted to talk about. Non decided to take a more direct approach.
“I was only thinking aloud,” Non said. “I am uncertain about the essence of this negotiation.”
“What is it that makes you think we are negotiating some sort of an agreement, Cadet,” Zheng asked. He sounded insulted even though he was making it obvious to Non from his posture he was intent on making a deal of some sort.
“You are exhibiting all the behaviors of one who is looking to draw another into some sort of arrangement,” Non answered. “And from your posture, it’s quite apparent you intend it to be more formal than casual.”
“I do not threaten my students,” Zheng said. “And, I do not bargain with them. In the future, please do not interpret any of my personal behaviors or idiosyncrasies as an invitation to barter or negotiate, either in or out of my classroom.”
“If I need anything from you, as your superior officer, I have no problem commanding it from you,” Zheng said loudly. “You are not on Ekkida and the Ekkidan upper caste mindset that assumes everything is negotiable will not make you many friends while you are away from there. Do you understand what I just told you?”
“Of course, Colonel, Sir,” Non replied. He swallowed, with some difficulty, cleared his throat as inconspicuously as possible and then asked, “Is there anything else then, Colonel.”
“Actually, there is, Cadet,” Zheng said. “What can you tell me about Zhereveldonne Cozeremi?”
“If there is nothing I can gain by discussing what I know about this subject, or if there is no legally binding reason why I should, I must decline, Colonel,” Non replied. “I am honor-bound not to discuss the dealings of another family with an off-worlder. No disrespect intended, Sir.”
“None taken, Cadet,” the Historian said. “You are quite correct in assuming there is nothing you will gain directly from discussing this with me, but I do think the subject has some bearing on your father’s political aspirations.”
“Then you should be discussing this with him, Colonel,” Cadet Non replied sharply. “Not me, Sir.”
Zheng softened his stance slightly and quickly changed the subject.
“I imagine it is difficult being here, unable to assist your father in his campaign,” Zheng remarked.
“That is true, Colonel, Sir,” Non replied. “I’ve told him on more than one occasion I felt I was being irresponsible by not being there to help, but he will hear none of it. He told me that my brothers are performing admirably and my focus for now should be on my studies.”
“You have brothers,” Zheng asked.
“Yes Sir, Colonel. Two of them,” Non replied. “And, a sister.”
“All doing well, I hope,” Zheng inquired rhetorically.
“Of course, Colonel,” Non answered.
“And just how is your father’s campaign going,” Zheng asked.
He remained turned away from Non but listened intently, waiting for an opportunity to start the discussion of an arrangement. He knew that Non was smart enough to see through his ruse of denying he was looking to negotiate, but for now, he still had the upper hand.
“It is going well, Sir,” Non replied. “My father expects to win, but it is not certain he will.”
“Elections never are certain, Cadet,” Zheng said. “Public opinion changes with the direction of the wind.”
; Zheng maintained his closed posture and kept his back to the cadet as he asked, “Do the polls give you any encouragement?”
“At the present time, Colonel, public opinion favors my father,” Non answered. “But, his opponent, Barad Jaro, has the support of the Central Government. My father’s lead is slipping.”
“The Central Government doesn’t play favorites in local planetary elections, Cadet,” Zheng said. “That is a violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethics.”
Of course, Zheng knew from his discussion with Lennart Pedersen, there were some in the Central Government who were indeed meddling in the Ekkidan elections. “Those are extraordinary allegations,” he remarked. “You shouldn’t say things like that out loud, especially in front of a superior officer.”
“Begging the Colonel’s pardon,” Non asked, requesting forgiveness from the Historian. “I allowed my emotions about the subject to get the better of me.”
Zheng was still turned away from the young Ekkidan and once again he stiffened his stance, but he nodded to indicate that Non’s apology was accepted.
“However, Colonel,” Non then asked. “If one were to have evidence that such allegations had merit, what could be done about it?”
Zheng’s dropped his crossed arms to his sides. However he still remained turned away from the cadet. The more relaxed stance indicated Zheng’s interest in hearing what Non had to say, but not that he was ready to openly offer any assistance.
“There is no simple answer to that question, Cadet,” Zheng said. “The course of action would depend upon the quality of the evidence.”
“If I told you what I know, Colonel, could you advise me on what I should do,” Non asked.
Zheng deflected the question. “Are there no other instructors you could mention this to, Cadet?”
“There may be, Colonel, Sir,” Non responded. “But, none I believe I can trust as much as you, Sir.”
“That is another strong statement to make in front of a superior officer, Cadet,” Zheng replied. “I hope you aren’t suggesting there are instructors here that might show favoritism on the basis of political affiliation.”
Chamberlain's Folly (The Terra Nova Chronicles) Page 32