The Mercenary

by Jerry Pournelle

  “What doesn’t work?”

  “Whatever you’re trying. Like me, you’ve command re­sponsibilities. It’s lonely, and you don’t like that. The rea­son command has no friends, Glenda Ruth, is not merely to spare the commander the pain of sending friends to their death. If you haven’t learned the rest of it, learn it now, because some day you’ll have to betray either your friends or your command, and that’s a choice worth avoiding.”

  What am I doing? Am I trying to protect the revolution by getting to know him better-or is he right, I’ve no friends either, and he’s the only man I ever met who could be- She let the thought fade out, and laid her hand on his for a brief second; “Let’s go tell Governor Silana, John Christian. And let the little girl worry about her own emotions, will you? She knows what she’s doing.”

  He stood next to her. They were very close and for a moment she thought he intended to kiss her. “No, you don’t.”

  She wanted to answer, but he was already leaving the room and she had to hurry to catch him.

  XXI

  “I say we only gave the Fedsymp traitors what they de­served!” Jack Silana shouted. There was a mutter of ap­proval from the delegates, and open cheers in the bleachers overlooking the gymnasium floor. “I have great respect for Glenda Ruth, but she is not old Joshua,” Silana continued. “Her action in removing me from a post given by President Bannister was without authority. I demand that the Coun­cil repudiate it.” There was more applause as Silana took his seat.

  Glenda Ruth remained at her seat for a moment. She looked carefully at each of the thirty men and women at the horseshoe table, trying to estimate just how many votes she had. Not a majority, certainly, but perhaps a dozen. She wouldn’t have to persuade more than three or four to abandon the Bannister-Silana faction, but what then? The bloc she led was no more solid than Bannister’s coalition. Just who would govern the Free States?

  More men were seated on the gymnasium floor beyond the council table. They were witnesses, but their place­ment at the focus of the Council’s attention made it look as if Falkenberg and his impassive officers might be in the dock. Mayor Hastings sat with Falkenberg, and the illusion was heightened by the signs of harsh treatment he’d re­ceived. Some of his friends looked even worse.

  Beyond the witnesses the spectators chattered among themselves as if this were a basketball game rather than a solemn meeting of the supreme authority for three-quarters of New Washington. A gymnasium didn’t seem a very dignified place to meet anyway, but there was no larger hall in Astoria Fortress.

  Finally she stood. “No, I am not my father,” she began.

  “Give it to ‘em, Glenda Ruth!” someone shouted from the balcony.

  Howard Bannister looked up in surprise. “We will have order here!”

  “Hump it, you Preston Bay bastard!” the voice replied. The elderly rancher was joined by someone below. “Damn right, Ford Heights don’t control the Valley!” There were cheers at that.

  “Order! Order!” Bannister’s commands drowned the shouting as the technicians turned up the amplifiers to full volume. “Miss Horton, you have the floor.”

  “Thank you. What I was trying to say is that we did not start this revolution to destroy New Washington! We must live with the Loyalists once it is over, and-“

  “Fedsymp! She was engaged to a Feddie soldier!”

  “Shut up and let her talk!”

  “Order! ORDER!”

  Falkenberg sat motionless as the hall returned to si­lence, and Glenda Ruth tried to speak again. “Bloody noisy lot,” Jeremy Savage murmured.

  Falkenberg shrugged. “Victory does that to politicians.”

  Glenda Ruth described the conditions she’d seen in Allansport. She told of the burned-out city, hostages herded into jail cells-

  “Serves the Fedsymps right!” someone interrupted, but she managed to continue before her supporters could answer.

  “Certainly they are Loyalists. Over a third of the people in the territory we control are. Loyalists are a majority in the capital city. Will it help if we persecute their friends here?”

  “We won’t ever take the capital the way we’re fighting!”

  “Damn right! Time we moved on the Feddies.”

  “Send the mercenaries in there, let ‘em earn the taxes we pay!”

  This time Bannister made little effort to control the crowd. They were saying what he had proposed to the Council, and one reason he supported Silana was because he needed the governor’s merchant bloc with him on the war issue. After the crowd had shouted enough about re­newing the war, Bannister used the microphone to restore order and let Glenda Ruth speak.

  The Council adjourned for the day without deciding anything. Falkenberg waited for Glenda Ruth and walked out with her. “I’m glad we didn’t get a vote today,” she told him. “I don’t think we’d have won.”

  “Noisy beggars,” Major Savage observed again.

  “Democracy atwork,” Falkenberg said coldly. “What do you need to convince the Council that Silana is unfit as a governor?”

  “That’s not the real issue, John,” she answered. “It’s really the war. No one is satisfied with what’s being done.”

  “I should have thought we were doing splendidly,” Savage retorted. “The last Confederate thrust into the Matson ran into your ambush as planned.”

  “Yes, that was brilliant,” Glenda Ruth said.

  “Hardly. It was the only possible attack route,” Falken­berg answered. “You’re very quiet, Mayor Hastings.” They had left the gymnasium and were crossing the parade ground to the barracks where the Friedlanders had been quartered. Falkenberg’s troops had it now, and they kept the Allansport officials with them.

  “I’m afraid of that vote,” Hastings said. “If they send Silana back, we’ll lose everything.”

  “Then support me!” Falkenberg snapped, “My engineers already have the automated factories and mills in reason­able shape. With some help from you they’d be running again. Then I’d have real arguments against Silana’s poli­cies.”

  “But that’s treason,” Hastings protested. “You need the Allansport industry for your war effort. Colonel, it’s a hell of a way to thank you for rescuing my family from that butcher, but I can’t do it.”

  “I suppose you’re expecting a miracle to save you?” Falkenberg asked.

  “No. But what happens if you win? How long will you stay on the Ranier Peninsula? Bannister’s people will be there one of these days-Colonel, my only chance is for the Confederacy to bring in Franklin troops and crush the lot of you!”

  “And you’ll be ruled from Franklin,” Glenda Ruth said. “They won’t give you as much home rule as you had last time.”

  “I know,” Roger said miserably. “But what can I do? This revolt ruined our best chance. Franklin might have been reasonable in time-I was going to give good gov­ernment to everyone. But you finished that.”

  “All of Franklin’s satraps weren’t like you, Roger,” Glenda Ruth said. “And don’t forget their war policies! They’d have got us sucked into their schemes and eventu­ally we’d have been fighting the CoDominium itself. Colonel Falkenberg can tell you what it’s like to be victim of a CD punitive expedition!”

  “Christ, I don’t know what to do,” Roger said un­happily.

  Falkenberg muttered something which the others didn’t catch, then said, “Glenda Ruth, if you will excuse me, Major Savage and I have administrative matters to discuss. I would be pleased if you’d join me for dinner in the Officers’ Mess at nineteen hundred hours.”

  “Why-thank you, John. I’d like to, but I must see the other delegates tonight. We may be able to win that vote tomorrow.”

  Falkenberg shrugged. “I doubt it. If you can’t win it, can you delay it?”

  “For a few days, perhaps-why?”

  “It might help, that’s all. If you can’t make dinner, the regiment’s officers are entertaining guests in the mess until quite late. Will you join us when
you’re done with politics?”

  “Thank you. Yes, I will.” As she crossed the parade ground to her own quarters, she wished she knew what Falkenberg and Savage were discussing. It wouldn’t be administration-did it matter what the Council decided?

  She looked forward to seeing John later, and the antic­ipation made her feel guilt. What is there about the man that does this to me? He’s handsome enough, broad shoul­ders and thoroughly military-nonsense. I am damned if I’ll believe in some atavistic compulsion to fall in love with warriors, I don’t care what the anthropologists say. So why do I want to be with him? She pushed the thought away. There was something more important to think about. What would Falkenberg do if the Council voted against him? And beyond that, what would she do when he did it?

  Falkenberg led Roger Hastings into his office. “Please be seated, Mr. Mayor.”

  Roger sat uncomfortably. “Look, Colonel, I’d like to help, but-“

  “Mayor Hastings, would the owners of the Allansport industries rather have half of a going concern, or all of nothing?”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “I will guarantee protection of the foundries and smelters in return for a half interest in them.” When Hastings looked up in astonishment, Falkenberg continued. “Why not? Silana will seize them anyway. If my regiment is part owner, I may be able to stop him.”

  “It wouldn’t mean anything if I granted it,” Hastings protested. “The owners are on Franklin.”

  “You are the ranking Confederate official for the entire Ranier Peninsula,” Falkenberg said carefully. “Legal or not, I want your signature on this grant.” He handed Roger a sheaf of papers.

  Hastings read them carefully. “Colonel, this also confirms a land grant given by the rebel government! I can’t do that!”

  “Why not? It’s all public land-and that is in your power. The document states that in exchange for protec­tion of lives and property of the citizens of Allansport you are awarding certain lands to my regiment. It notes that you don’t consider a previous grant by the Patriot Gov­ernment to be valid. There’s no question, of treason-you do want Allansport protected against Silana, don’t you?”

  “Are you offering to double-cross the Patriots?”

  “No. My contract with Bannister specifically states that I cannot be made party to violations of the Laws of War. This document hires me to enforce them in an area already pacified. It doesn’t state who might violate them.”

  “You’re skating on damned thin ice, Colonel. If the Council ever saw this paper they’d hang you for treason!” Roger read it again. “I see no harm in signing, but I tell you in advance the Confederacy won’t honor it. If Frank­lin wins this they’ll throw you off this planet-if they don’t have you shot.”

  “Let me worry about the future, Mr. Mayor. Right now your problem is protecting your people. You can help with that by signing.”

  “I doubt it,” Hastings said. He reached for a pen. “So long as you know there isn’t a shadow of validity to this because I’ll be countermanded from the home world-“ he scrawled his name and title across the papers and handed them back to Falkenberg.

  Glenda Ruth could hear the regimental party across the wide parade ground. As she approached with Hiram Black they seemed to be breasting their way upstream through waves, of sound, the crash of drums, throbbing, wailing bagpipes, mixed with off-key songs from intoxicated male baritones.

  It was worse inside. As they entered a flashing saber swept within inches of her face. A junior captain saluted and apologized in a stream of words. “I was showing Oberleutnant Marcks a new parry I learned on Sparta, Miss. Please forgive me?” When she nodded the captain drew his companion to one side and the saber whirled again.

  “That’s a Friedland officer-all the Friedlanders are here,” Glenda Ruth said. Hiram Black nodded grimly. The captured mercenaries wore dress uniform, green and gold contrasting with the blue and gold of Falkenberg’s men. Medals flashed in the bright overhead lights. She looked across the glittering room and saw the colonel at a table on the far side.

  Falkenberg and his companion stood when she reached the table after a perilous journey across the crowded floor. Pipers marched past pouring out more sound.

  Falkenberg’s face was flushed, and she wondered if he were drunk. “Miss Horton, may I present Major Oscar von Thoma,” he said formally. “Major von Thoma commands the Friedland artillery battalion.”

  “I-“ She didn’t know what to say. The Friedlanders were enemies, and Falkenberg was introducing her to the officer as his guest. “My pleasure,” she stammered. “And this is Colonel Hiram Black.”

  Von Thoma clicked his heels. The men stood stiffly until she was seated next to Falkenberg. That kind of chivalry had almost vanished, but somehow it seemed appropriate here. As the stewards brought glasses von Thoma turned to Falkenberg. “You ask too much,” he said. “Besides, you may have fired the lands from the barrels by then.”

  “If we have we’ll reduce the price,” Falkenberg said cheerfully. He noted Glenda Ruth’s puzzled expression. “Major von Thoma has asked if he can buy his guns back when the campaign is ended. He doesn’t care for my terms.” Hiram Black observed dryly, “Seems to me the Coun­cil’s goin’ to want a say in fixin’ that price, General Falken­berg.”

  Falkenberg snorted contemptuously. “No.”

  He is drunk, Glenda Ruth thought. It doesn’t show much, but-do I know him that well already?

  “Those guns were taken by the Forty-second without Council help. I will see to it that they aren’t used against Patriots, and the Council has no further interest in the matter.” Falkenberg turned to Glenda Ruth. “Will you win the vote tomorrow?”

  “There won’t be a vote tomorrow.”

  “So you can’t win,” Falkenberg muttered. “Expected that. What about the war policy vote?”

  “They’ll be debating for the next two days-“ she looked nervously at Major von Thoma. “I don’t want to be impolite, but should we discuss that with him at the table?”

  “I understand.” Von Thoma got unsteadily to his feet. “We will speak of this again, Colonel. It has been my pleasure, Miss Horton. Colonel Black.” He bowed stiffly to each and went to the big center table where a number of Friedland officers were drinking with Falkenberg’s.

  “John, is this wise?” she asked. “Some of the Councilors are already accusing you of not wanting to fight-“

  “Hell, they’re callin’ him a traitor,” Black interrupted. “Soft on Fedsymps, consortin’ with the enemy-they don’t even like you recruitin’ new men to replace your losses.” Black hoisted a glass of whiskey and drained it at one gulp. “I wish some of ‘em had been ridin’ up the Valley with us! Glenda Ruth, that was some ride. And when Captain Frazer runs out of fuel, Falkenberg tells him, cool as you please, to use bicycles!” Black chuckled his remembrance.

  “I’m serious!” Glenda Ruth protested. “John, Bannister hates you. I think he always has.” The stewards brought whiskey for Falkenberg. “Wine or whiskey, Miss?” one asked.

  “Wine-John, please, they’re going to order you to attack the capital!”

  “Interesting.” His features tightened suddenly, and his eyes became alert. Then he relaxed and let the whiskey take effect. “If we obey those orders I’ll need Major von Thoma’s good offices to get my equipment back. Doesn’t Bannister know what will happen if we let them catch us on those open plains?”

  “Howie Bannister knows his way ‘round a conspiracy better’n he does a battlefield, General,” Black observed. “We give him the secretary of war title ‘cause we thought he’d drive a hard bargain with you, but he’s not much on battles.”

  “I’ve noticed,” Falkenberg said. He laid his hand on Glenda Ruth’s arm and gently stroked it. It was the first time he’d ever touched her, and she sat very still. “This is supposed to be a party,” Falkenberg laughed. He looked up and caught the mess president’s eye. “Lieutenant, have Pipe Major give us a song!”r />
  The room was instantly still. Glenda Ruth felt the warmth of Falkenberg’s hand. The soft caress promised much more, and she was suddenly glad, but there was a stab of fear as well. He’d spoken so softly, yet all those people had stopped their drinking, the drums ceased, the pipes, everything, at his one careless nod. Power like that was frightening.

  The burly Pipe Major selected a young tenor. One pipe and a snare drum played as he began to sing. “Oh Hae ye nae heard o’ the false Sakeld, Hae ye nae heard o’ the keen Lord Scroop? For he ha’ ta’en the Kinmont Willie, to Haribee for to hang him up .. .”

  “John, please listen,” she pleaded.

  “They hae ta’en the news to the Bold Bacleugh, in Branksome Ha where he did lay, that Lord Scroop has ta’en the Kinmont Willie, between the hours of night and day.

  He has ta’en the table wi’ his hand, he has made the red wine spring on hie. Now Christ’s curse be on my head, he said, but avenged of Lord Scroop I will be.”

  “John, really.”

  “Perhaps you should listen,” he said gently. He raised his glass as the young voice rose and the tempo gathered.

  “O is my basnet a widow’s curch?.

  Or my lance the wand o’ the willow tree?

  And is my hand a lady’s lilly hand,

  That this English lord should lightly me?”

  The song ended. Falkenberg signaled to the steward. “We’ll have more to drink,” he said. “And no more talk of politics.”

  They spent the rest of the evening enjoying the party. Both the Friedlanders and Falkenberg’s mercenary of­ficers were educated men, and it was a very pleasant eve­ning for Glenda Ruth to have a room full of warriors competing to please her. They taught her the dances and wild songs of a dozen cultures, and she drank far too much. Finally he stood. “I’ll see you back to your quarters,” Falkenberg told her.

  “All right.” She took his arm, and they went through the thinning crowd. “Do you often have parties like this?” she asked.