Whitlock looked at his crew. Scarecrow shrugged. Gabby and Jazz beamed their beautiful smiles. Whitlock was intrigued by that. “You two up for a killing?”
Gabby jumped in quick. “After what the Goths did in our home systems. Hell, yeah. Count us in. Revenge is a good thing.” Jazz gave a nod of agreement.
Whitlock looked to Raferty. “No need for a P4. You got a hit team.”
Chapter 25
Mason Reed walked into Leos Sontek’s office. He looked and acted the part of a businessman with a routine appointment. He approached the secretary and smiled at him. “Charles Finley to see Mister Sontek.”
The secretary referred to the schedule on his computer screen. “Of course, Mister Finley. He will be available shortly.”
Reed nodded and took a nearby seat while setting his small case beside him on the floor. Bence Mostova had made the appointment for him three days prior. Reed assumed Sontek would remember him from his days with Colandra and had gotten the appointment under an alias. Once inside, Sontek would probably recognize him, but he would already be in the room. Reed scanned the secretary’s office. It was quiet in here, but the walk through the building to this office told a different story. The atmosphere reeked of quiet desperation. Reed wasn’t surprised. Using Colandra’s resources, Reed had researched the financial situation of Leos Sontek. Due to his association with Sunrise, he was also hemorrhaging money in the same manner as Colandra. However, Colandra’s other enterprises were keeping him solvent for now but, for Sontek, Sunrise was just one of several failing investments. His financial state was precarious. Hopefully, this would make him support a change in the status quo.
The secretary rose from his desk and moved to Sontek’s office door. “Mister Sontek will see you now,” he announced as he opened the door. Reed put on a smile, rose, and moved into the head man’s office. The secretary closed the door behind him as Reed moved quickly across the room. Sontek was not looking at him but was glancing down at his hand placement on his desk as he was preparing to rise in greeting. He looked up as Reed arrived at his desk. His face registered confusion as he realized he knew the man in front of him but couldn’t quite remember from where and when. Then the “where and when” fell into place and his face reflected the delayed arrival of the truth. Too late. Reed reached across the desk and grabbed the man by the collar and pulled him toward him from the other side of the desk.
“If you have alarms or magic buttons, don’t push them. I’m not here to hurt you.”
The man tried to bluff his way through it. “Of course not. Why would you hurt me?”
“Because you know I worked for Colandra, and you ratted him out when he tried to talk to you about pulling out of Sunrise together a few months back. Now you’re afraid he figured it out and hired me to do something about it. Well, he did figure it out, but that is not why I’m here.”
Sontek was on his toes with Reed still pulling him over the desk. Reed continued to talk in a smooth, reassuring voice. “Why don’t we make ourselves comfortable and talk about it?” Reed smiled at his host and then nodded towards a couch and chair setup by the wall. He slid sideways in front of the desk while dragging Sontek around the desk with the man’s feet barely touching the floor. Once beyond the desk, Reed let go, and they moved to their seats while Sontek adjusted his shirt and took a couple of deep breaths. They sat at opposite ends of the couch.
Reed leaned toward Sontek. “Let me explain a few facts. There are literally hundreds of Badlands investors in the Sunrise Grange, but there are five big ones. You’re one of them. All five of you will pull out of the Sunrise deal at the same time. You will tell the truth about why. You’re leaving as it is a failed investment, and you are washing your hands of it. We will ensure this makes the financial media news by sending them a copy of your withdrawal letter.” Reed reached into his small case and pulled out paperwork. He handed a single sheet of paper to Sontek. “This letter is your withdrawal from the Sunrise Grange. You can adjust it to fit your particular circumstances as far as numbers and dates, but the last paragraph stays the same as it is, the one that states your termination with the Sunrise Grange effective immediately. You will instruct your financial people through your own channels to do the termination. Time will be one week from today.” He leaned closer to Sontek. “We have visited you five investors personally, but we will be contacting all the investors in Sunrise via comm. We will tell them Sunrise is going down and they might want to consider other investments at this time.”
Sontek looked skeptical. “I understand a list of the investors in Sunrise is not available.”
Reed smiled. “I’m sure the Sunrise people have a list of their investors. We’ll just ask them for a copy.”
He handed over another sheet of paper. “Here’s a list of talking points in case anyone asks you for a comment. You can peruse it at your leisure, but the basic points are the Sunrise people have been holding your investment hostage; you have wanted out for a long time, and you don’t care about the lost money as investments go bad all the time. You will also tell the truth about Sunrise’s methods and their operations and how you find it all abhorrent.” Reed smiled at Sontek. “Just tell the truth. You know what they are like. Just say that.”
Sontek looked over the paper. “They might threaten me and my family.”
“I guarantee they will do that. Move them to an unknown location to ride out the storm. Remember the Sunrise people will have a lot more to worry about than you. We will be telling all the investors about current events. They will be spooked. When you five pull out, there will be a stampede for the door. Sunrise can’t threaten everyone. When news of the mass pullout hits the financial markets, Sunrise stock will be hit hard. In addition, we will be doing a few things to Sunrise in the field. They will have several problems to attend to. You’ll be fine.”
Sontek looked at the paper in his hand and at Mason Reed. The pirate could see the wheels turning. He spoke up. “This is risky, but doing nothing is riskier. The pullout is going to happen with or without you. If you do not partake, you will be a pariah regardless of how it turns out.” He leaned toward Sontek. “Doing nothing is not an option. This is the only opportunity you’re going to get to change course here. I walk from this room without your commitment, you are truly alone and always will be.”
Sontek looked at him for several seconds. “I’ll do it.”
Chapter 26
The Hawkins briefing for Admiral Hochstadt took place in the main conference room of the Cathedral, the informal name for Third Fleet Headquarters on Rosstrappe. Attendees were Admiral Hochstadt, Admiral Dietrich, and the principle staff members for Third Fleet. These were the officers who would accompany their commander to Lorelei to meet Raferty Hawkins.
The Third Fleet staff had complied and sent a position paper to their commander regarding the proposed meeting with Hawkins. They had been opposed to the meeting as they thought nothing could be gained from it for the Goldenes Tor. The very fact Hawkins had suggested it made the whole idea suspect. Hochstadt had overruled the objection. She saw value in her department heads seeing the enemy close up. They would meet Hawkins and his chief lieutenants. A rare opportunity that had to be taken advantage of. Now the officers were being briefed on the pirate leader and his people to ensure everyone had all the appropriate information committed to memory prior to the meeting.
Hawkins was covered first and the new information gleaned from Aurora Empire media reports were included. The facts of Hawkins’s early life were now public knowledge and were stated in the brief. His family and its history, his goals and methods, and his psychological profile were topics. Principle pirate leaders were also given the same treatment. Pirate Flotilla One and all their battles were dissected. The assets of Pirate Flotilla One were discussed. Their ships, weapons, and tactics were covered. Speculation on finances and influences were also reviewed. Suppliers were named.
Destiny Flores was also briefed as a friend of the pirate leaders and an infl
uential figure in her own right. The file had nothing further back than eleven standard years but painted the picture of a woman who was not to be trifled with. People who had threatened her had disappeared. Rivals gave her a wide berth. Depending upon which rumor one wanted to believe, Destiny was friends with, or related to, or was a business partner with the leaders of Pirate Flotilla One.
On a personal level, she was universally regarded as honest and personable. She treated everyone with kindness and charm, regardless of their station in life. Her business was considered a thriving concern and honestly run. She did not flaunt her wealth or power, a woman who preferred to stay in the background.
All potential discussion items were covered. Their own topics as well as predicted pirate concerns. Normally, an agenda of discussion items would have been agreed to by all attendees prior to the meeting, but this was not even considered here. Thus, the subjects to be discussed could only be estimated.
The last issue was the attendees for Third Fleet. Admiral Hochstadt decided on Admiral Dietrich of Blue Squadron, Captain Bergman as head of Fleet Ops, Captain Morstein as the chief of staff, Captain Senger as head of Intelligence, Commander Steiner of Fleet Ops, and her two aides.
Chapter 27
Commodore Thaddeus Yossian entered the safe room. He was a large man with a full dark beard and long, unruly black hair. He wore a colorful uniform modeled on the Commonwealth naval uniform but flashier and with different, bigger insignia. His boots, buttons, and wide belt were highly polished. He held his uniform cap in his left hand and a dark, impatient expression on his face… an intense man on an important mission with no time for anything else. His dark eyes lit on Hawkins and his two companions seated at the table. He quickly evaluated them and moved on as he scanned the remainder of his surroundings. Satisfied as to the layout of the room, his eyes came back to Hawkins and rested on him as he moved to the opposite side of the table from the pirates.
He was followed through the door by one other man. He wore a uniform with decidedly less splendor in evidence. He was a senior officer, but the settled expression on his face and his demeanor screamed of a man who had the sense to know his place while around the Commodore.
Hawkins studied Yossian as he fit the written description to the living subject. Hawkins had seen his type in various configurations throughout his lifetime. A man to whom the ends always justified the means. A man with no doubt. A man on a self-designated holy mission. A man who would never fade away. A man who had to be killed to be stopped. Hawkins saw a man much like himself, but the pirate hoped he still had the capacity to see the shades of gray and the understanding to know different points of view did not automatically make someone an enemy.
The new visitor stopped behind his chair and his companion stopped behind him. The armored door behind Hawkins opened and Destiny Flores came through it with two armed women. She walked to the end of the table and looked at both parties.
“A couple of rules to cover. The rules are inviolate. Transgressions result in death. There are no sudden movements to pockets. No casual reaching toward your shoes below the table. No scratching the back of your neck or lower back. If my people even think you’re getting cute, you get it right in the head, and we won’t feel sorry about it afterwards.”
She pointed at the end with three rifle ports at waist level. “Three excellent marksmen there.” She spun and pointed at the three men above them at the other end. “Marksmen and grenade throwers.” She looked at both groups and then focused on Yossian. “When this meeting room first opened, about half the meetings resulted in shootouts for the first six months or so. People did not grasp the concept of a safe room or my determination to enforce the rules. My people didn’t lose a single engagement. In fact, they have never even had a casualty. Now altercations happen few and far between. Let’s see if we can keep that streak going today.” She turned and departed through the door in which she entered. Her two bodyguards backed out while never taking their eyes off the groups.
Silence ruled the room as the Commodore stared down at Hawkins while steadfastly ignoring the two women. Hawkins returned his look with a steady, unwavering gaze that reflected boredom. Yossian spoke in a voice that was not as deep as his appearance would seem to require. “I see you brought your women with you. Hawkins’ harem as I have heard it referred to.”
Hawkins was unmoved by the opening gambit. “I guarantee it has never been said in our presence nor by any people who have fought us.”
Yossian smiled. “I’m saying it now in your presence.”
Hawkins replied in a light tone. “Yes, you are… while being protected by six people with guns and grenades.”
“Those people aren’t protecting me.”
“Of course, they are. The fact that you’re still alive is a testimony to their skill at deterrence because if they weren’t here, I would have already killed you.” He smiled at the large man.
Yossian moved to another point of attack. He gestured at Rafe’s two companions. “Your women ever talk?”
“Not my women, but more to the point, they’re analyzing you and figuring out the best way to kill you. They were killing people while you were still sorting out your god complex. I hope you regard them lightly. Makes their job easier.” Hawkins could also go on the attack.
“But easy or hard, killing you will be a pleasure.” Baby Doll could attack too. Tactical watched.
Yossian ignored her as he stared down at Hawkins who calmly returned the look. The Commodore sat down in the chair opposite the pirate leader as he decided to get serious. He placed his elbows on the table and leaned forward on them as he stared at Hawkins. “We have fought and won a major war. Although the fighting is over, the task is not yet completed. Now we are pursuing war criminals who caused the deaths of thousands. It is a noble effort that you are hampering by hiding and supporting at least two known war criminals.”
“First of all, you are using the term ‘we’ all wrong. You didn’t fight in the war at all. You sat on your ass at home while running your mouth. As it so happens, the Humanitarian Commission identified war criminals from both sides and you supported some of that behavior for which your side has been accused, so you can hardly claim innocence now.”
Yossian quickly responded, “The commission was fooled by propaganda produced by the losing Marbellans in a desperate attempt to cover their own crimes while pointing fingers at others.”
Rafe shook his head. “So everything the Commission said about the Marbellans was true and everything they said about the Commonwealth was false. Boy, aren’t they stupid?”
Yossian continued to lean across the table toward Hawkins. “I have been tasked to bring known criminals to justice. It is a mission I endorse with all my heart and one that Providence smiles on. With the help from other good people in this quadrant and the support of our god, I know we can bring this to a successful conclusion. Despite all I heard from the Goldenes Tor and others here, I was hoping you would realize your mistake in supporting them and, once the true facts were known to you, you would aid in accomplishing this holy task. I can see now that hope was misplaced. So be it. Providence knows our cause is just and will ensure our success.”
“Yeah. I’m sure that will happen. I assume Providence will ensure your success by bringing several squadrons to the fight on your behalf. I wait in anticipation at seeing them.” Now Rafe leaned across the table toward Yossian. “Well, Thad, let me tell you something. I’ve seen enough gods come through the Badlands to rival Mount Olympus. They always travel with people just like you. They are wrathful and vengeful so conveniently endorse whatever methods their human companions wish to employ to accomplish their goals. The ends always justifying the means seems to be one of the commandments with these gods. Well, we are up to our ass in self-righteous gods right now, so yours will have to take a seat in the waiting room. The wrath and revenge section is to the right, and he has to check his thunderbolts at the door.”
Baby Doll spoke from her seat.
“Also, no shirt, no shoes, no service. We have standards to maintain.”
Yossian kept leaning in, but Hawkins did not lean back. The two men had cut the distance across the table in half. The six people manning weapons at each end of the room noted the rising temperature and brought their weapons up to their shoulders and began picking targets… just in case. It so happened all the targets were on one side of the room.
Yossian continued his verbal assault. “I have heard many stories about you and your people during my short time here. You could be named a war criminal also, so I shouldn’t be surprised you would protect fellow offenders.”
Hawkins shrugged. “I’m one of the few war criminals where there isn’t even a war going on. I can live with it. So can Terrant. Besides, Terrant’s only crime is she was on the losing side. Many so-called war criminals are guilty of that offense. She is doing quite well here and I see no reason to get in the way of that as long as I get my share.”
“I don’t care how well she is doing or at what. I don’t plan on going home empty handed.”
Rafe stared at his opponent. “You should consider yourself lucky if you get home at all.”
Yossian gave a grim smile. “I will get home. Triumphantly so.”
Hawkins shook his head slightly. “Come on, Thad. If you really believe that, you’re more delusional than I thought you were and, I have to admit, I thought you were damn delusional. Hell, the word from all the smart planets is you were sent out here to get you off Rialta and as far away as possible. You kept expanding the definition of war criminal and the number of people who fit your definition. It looked like your parade was never going to end. On top of that, you were getting a little too self-righteous in the process. The war is over, and all your people want to do is savor the glory of victory without getting down in the mud. Many of these people know their side did the same things in the war. After you’re through with the Marbellans, you might start making the same accusations against some of your political rivals. Bad for business, especially if the charges are true. You don’t get the fact that your own government is tired of your act and got rid of you. They just want to get on with rebuilding and you were in the way of that. They hope you never come back.
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