***
"So," said Ionoski, "What now?"
They all sat comfortably in the lab they'd used. Meitz and her techs continued working over the data for more information.
"You tell us," said Kidwell, "I got us a start, the rest is up to you."
"Your ball your call, Agent Kidwell," said Ionoski, "You sounded to me like you have a plan. So what's the op?"
"Micah," she asked.
"I shall follow the orders of my commanding officer!" Micah snapped to attention.
"DON'T! Do not salute me," exclaimed Kidwell, "Don't even think it! Charlie?"
Ferrel hooked a thumb at Micah. "What he said but more wit and less work."
Kidwell looked at them uncertainly. Ionoski tried to hide his smile, with very little success. Or effort. Micah sat, openly amused and Ferrel wore his usual mischievous grin.
"We need information, then," said Kidwell finally, "Micah, we'll go with your assumptions until proven otherwise, modulo the exact meanings of the labels. We need contact and archival information from as many sources as we can tap. Subject: Esavian incursion or hostile action with specifics for the last year and a half. We'll start with the systems closest to Allhai Mik and work outward, regardless of sovereignty."
***
"We've cracked Charraud's dataspools," announced Meitz excitedly.
Acting on Kidwell's plan Ionoski and Micah sent out numerous requests for the systems around Allhai Mik and ones close to those. Where the governments had a League presence Ionoski sent specific queries; for the others Micah requested archived newsmods. Now they waited for the information to return, which might take a long time.
"The spools reference some of the transactions recorded," continued Meitz, "We correlated vertically and time-corrected for local conditions and currency. This is what we found so far: 'The cursed infidel has been struck a telling blow! They wish to strike but see no foe before them. Their blood will yet wash clean the sins of their ancestors.' The next one in that series is: 'The great beast slumbers. Its dreams are uneasy but it will not wake to find us. Beware of seeming brethren who speak with honey but strike with venom.'"
"The League," wondered Kidwell.
"Call it four sigmas," said Ionoski.
"Next in that series," said Meitz, "'The lesser infidels still abound in their sin. They must yet learn. Prepare your...' We're not sure of exactly what. Loose translation is 'soldiers,' then '... for the coming action.' The last message in the series and the last one we broke says: 'The recent squabble between Nehguul and Essaba has increased our strength but diminished our numbers. Prepare the worthy for additional sacrifice.'"
Kidwell looked sick as she digested that. "Micah, does that mean what I think it does?"
"Likely, hon. I don't know for truth but it would fit the model. We need to check the records."
"For what," asked Ferrel, looking from Kidwell to Micah.
"If you want to fight hard, train hard," said Micah, "but if you want the best fighters possible and you're not concerned with trivialities like casualties, turn your fighters on each other. The survivors will be the strongest, fiercest, toughest and best you have."
Now Siffai and Barstein gave Micah looks of horror.
"I might be wrong," said Micah, "but that is a bloody good way to train hard fighters. Especially if you don't want them to know they're being trained for something else."
"Recruit heavily," said Ionoski, voice devoid of emotion, "when the time is right. Work to instill in them the belief that they are fighting for a higher purpose. That is especially effective when you can somehow overcome normal rationality and common sense. It works best when you can give them something specific to hate and reasons enough to fuel it."
Micah examined Ionoski closely. Never before had he seen in Ted such a complete lack of emotion. Meanwhile Barstein rose and walked toward the fresher.
"Excuse me, please," he said, "I'm going to be sick."
The others sat in silence a long time after Barstein returned. Finally Kidwell stood and spoke.
"Assume for the moment Micah is right, at least until we can prove it wrong. That leaves us with... with a group of incredibly violent, brutal and barbaric puppets ready to do their master's bidding. What do we do about that?"
"Cut the strings," said Micah, "Cut them or tangle them past repair. That begs several more questions."
"What are the strings," said Ferrel, "Who is pulling them and where are they?"
"Find what and where," said Ionoski, "and that will give you who. Find who and you'll have what and where. A particularly vicious circularity."
"Charlie," said Kidwell, "summarize the metavirus and package it and our data for travel. Include all the crypto and especially the simple one at the end. Sarah, we need any reports, theories, hypotheses, speculations or even wild guesses from any of your folks who've met anything like this, no matter how tenuous or remote. Ted, same for the League. That's going to take more time and we can't act effectively until we have it. That means we need other systems or governments facing potential Esavian terror."
"One government comes to mind," said Ferrel, "and we owe them one."
"I concur," said Micah, "and we can get there quickly from here."
***
This time Karl Perry met them with a full honor guard. Georges al'Marklin stood beside him wearing an anxious expression. After a very formal welcome Perry wasted no time getting them all into a secure room within the embassy.
"I read your briefs and passed them along," said Perry, "Georges?"
"Thank you, Mister Ambassador." Then to the others, "First of all I would like to formally welcome you to the Unity of Triumph Signora Siffai and Seigneur Barstein. The Circle will reiterate and extend when you see them but please accept my words for now. I could wish that more pleasant circumstance brought you here but I and we hope you enjoy your stay here and find our worlds hospitable.
"As to that necessity, First Orris has arranged an emergency meeting of the full Circle tomorrow. If you have any additional information I will be happy to convey it now."
Ionoski smiled and handed him a box of dataspools.
"This is everything we've found, everything we suppose and everything else we know, Signor al'Marklin. We've withheld nothing."
***
"I didn't know we would be ambassadors!" Siffai fidgeted in her formal gear. Again. "For truth we are not the ones for such."
"Just remember what we told you," advised Kidwell, "We know all the members except LaDimaan. All we know about him is what Karl sent us. Besides, once the welcoming formalities are done Micah will be the star of the show."
"What? Since when?!"
"Since your commanding officer just informed you of the fact," said Kidwell, "Now hush! You are the most familiar both with the information we have and the members of the Circle. The rest of us have your six so just do what you do best. Without a blaster, that is."
al'Marklin met them outside the Circle Chamber within the Dome, his face as worried as the day before.
"They have reviewed your information," he said, "Enough to make some sense of it. Upon the Light you do bring grave tidings."
"Not by choice, my friend," said Micah, "I would sooner have the gravest catastrophe be a supply shortage from Kandy's but we don't have that choice."
"I concur, my friends, and the Circle understands but that makes the news no less dire." al'Marklin hesitated a moment. "Please remember that despite LaDimaan and Frond the Circle is not your enemy."
With those unsettling words Micah and the rest entered the Chamber and stood at attention until all the Firsts arrived and took their seats. He first presented Barstein and Siffai and gave brief credentials. First Darby spoke sincere words of condolence and offered whatever aid the Unity could provide. The Circle ratified that unanimously, which surprised Micah, and the pages transcribed it. Next Darby spoke words of welcome and hope of friendship between the Unity of Triumph and the Semid Federation, again ratified unanimou
sly. Finally Micah carefully presented a thorough summary of their data and the conclusions they drew from it. Now came the time for discussion. Senior Page Harlisson, Eighth to the Shroud motioned them all to their seats.
"Tell me," said Frond without preamble, "What would you have us do? These are indeed terrible findings you have brought us but I see little connection with the Unity of Triumph. If they are accurate they do indeed speak grave tidings, but again of what relevance here?"
"We would have you prepare yourselves, First Frond," said Micah, "The Semid Federation is one of peace and peaceful trade. Although your ties to the League are new, theirs are nearly as long standing as the Federation's existence. Yet and still we consider you of the Unity of Triumph no less our friends and we would not have the Esavians, or their masters, commit such atrocities on your worlds as they have those of the Federation."
"For what should we prepare?" Litho now stood as First with an expression matching al'Marklin's.
"You have had incidents with the Esavians," said Micah, "Not as many as the Semids have suffered but still you know their bite. As yet we have not determined who controls them or to what ends but we would be remiss in our partnership if we failed to warn you or help you to prepare. You also have the report of at least one Esavian here."
"Truth," said Brellin, "but I put forth the same question. For what should we prepare?"
"I offer another question," said LaDimaan, "You say the Esavians have acted frequently against the Semid Federation, whom you claim as long-standing allies. Does that not put us in similar peril by association? Perhaps the Esavians have hatred only for the League and attack your allies in your stead."
Ionoski stood before Micah could reply.
"We know the Esavians don't like us, First LaDimaan. We, too, have suffered some attacks from them. But did they not attack you and begin harassing your worlds even before you strengthened your League ties?"
"Aye," said LaDimaan, unruffled, "pray do not misconstrue my words. I lay no blame at League feet but only question the wisdom of stronger relations."
Ionoski shrugged. "I do not speak with Esavian authority, First LaDimaan, but from what I have observed so far it does not matter to them whether or not their enemies are associated with the League. Once they mark you a foe that mark does not fade."
"There is truth in that," said LaDimaan, "and truth that must needs be spoken and not merely understood. I call my question answered."
Ionoski sat and Micah caught a brief flash of relief from Orris.
"Brother Orris," said Litho, "You are silent as should not be. Please speak your thoughts."
Orris stood. "My thoughts are well-known, brothers. I seek only what is best for the peoples of the Unity of Triumph, as do we all. These four League agents risked their lives when we took into custody four of their citizens."
Several frowns and scowls appeared around the Circle but vanished as Orris continued.
"Do any here question that the League could have wrought terrible and catastrophic damage here, did they so desire? Do any question the League's ability to attack in force and capture any of the worlds of the Unity of Triumph? I do not. Yet they did not! I also call your attention to the benefits, both large and small, that we have all reaped from the ripening of our friendship. Do any deny that? Have any of us served penance for it?
"My question, brothers, is not what our League allies would have us do but rather how they can assist us in doing what we can."
"Well spoken, brother," said Brellin, "I stand with Brother Orris on this. Master Flint, are you prepared to assist us in discovering how you can assist us?"
"Absolutely, First Brellin! Ted?"
Ionoski rose with a smile. "My associate is being diplomatically optimistic, First Brellin. None of us here is fully qualified for what you ask and what you need. Make no mistake, we will work to the extent of our abilities but in this area they are rather limited. What we can do, and will do at earliest opportunity, is to put in a call for our experts and advisors."
"Details!" Impatience radiated from Frond. "I do not like you, League man, but the Unity must subsume all such likes and dislikes. I call this question resolved and put forth that First Orris and First Darby should tend the details of it."
Ratified and acclaimed! Micah heaved an inward sigh of relief. The Firsts once again welcomed Siffai and Barstein and adjourned.
***
"That," said Micah, "is an immense relief and a pleasant surprise!"
The six visitors plus Orris and Darby now sat at ease in one of the Dome's less formal chambers. Pages brought tea along with the fruit tarts Micah and Ferrel enjoyed so on their previous visit.
"How so, brother," asked Darby. Outside the Circle he was the least First-like of all the others, "Do you doubt the resolve of the Circle in tending the welfare and well-being of Unity and her peoples?"
"Not at all, Sirra Darby. I am only surprised that it happened so quickly. We were prepared for a long battle only to have matters settled with a short skirmish. We truly do take seriously the best interests of our partners."
"Well and true," said Orris, "Now tell us, my friends, how can you help us and what can we do?"
As Ionoski detailed the advisors and assistance the Unity could request Orris' and Darby's expressions grew quite serious.
"It pains me to say this," said Orris, "but the more I learn the more prudent our policy of isolation seems. We did not have these concerns before."
"Perhaps," said Micah, "but in our experience and that of many other sovereignties outside the League, isolationism doesn't work. A threat is a threat whether or not you perceive it and these concerns have always been there, even if unrealized. Ignoring them won't make them go away."
"Truth, my friend, and a truth we all realize. If not the Circle would still be in session and every point you have made would cause contention. Did you not see how quick Brother Frond was to agree? He truly does not like the League yet he is not blind to truth or facts."
Darby cleared his throat.
"Your pardon, brother," smiled Orris, "I do not malign First Frond but praise him. As you well know he can be obstinate over the smallest of motes when he truly has a question of the best path the Unity should take. His wisdom may be inconvenient at times but wisdom it is, still. He is a strong and worthy man, even when he irritates me."
Darby chuckled at that, then turned serious again. "Are these measures truly necessary? Some of them do seem excessive."
"The choice is yours, Master Darby," said Ionoski, "Were your planets under my responsibility I would implement them all as quickly as possible. Since they are not I offer this: many of these measures are simple prudence and caution. Implement those. Delay the ones you find most excessive but do have a plan in place for emplacing them long-term. Have you not found trade with the League beneficial and to your liking?"
"We have," said Darby, "and I will say no differently to the full Circle!"
"Then you should plan to trade with other systems around you! No part of our agreements restricts your trade exclusively to the League. Send out merchants and explore! Forge alliances with the governments you can tolerate. Make friends of them. That will do more for your protection than anything.
"Many peoples outside the Unity see you as insular and unfriendly," continued Ionoski, "Please excuse my saying but it is simple fact. Once you establish even infrequent trade with them they will cease to see what they thought you were and see you as you are. There are quite a few governments closer to you than to League space that will not trade with us, yet they trade eagerly amongst themselves. Perhaps they will be friendly to you as well. When you allow such trade to happen you will see both the benefits and the drawbacks of it."
"Your Merchant's Guild is strict, there is no lie to that," said Darby, "but even non-members trade fairly. Is the Guild that powerful within your borders?"
"It is powerful," said Micah, "but that is not the reason. Intelligent merchants, League or otherwise, understand
the long-term value of good relations and repeat business. We do try to discourage the other sort and the Guild is indeed powerful at that."
"Heh," said Orris, "Trade can be annoying."
"But more so beneficial," countered Micah, "Have you begun exporting those wonderful tarts?"
"I had Georges mention it to several business councils. First Maas and Master Treadley both thought it a good idea and are working to speed up the process." Orris chuckled. "In truth your Master Treadley does seem more eager to protect the interests of Unity than those of his Guild and the League."
"Of course," said Kidwell, "He's made a name for his company establishing trade with the Unity. He doesn't want it tarnished or smirched."
"It seems our greatest hurdle is ignorance," said Darby, "Other than our unpleasantness with the Esavians we have little trade outside the Triumph."
"Then that ignorance is easily cured!" Barstein regarded both Firsts critically. "If you would care to whet your skills, we of the Semid Federation are always eager to trade!"
"Best to send sharp negotiators, though," said Kidwell, "else they'll learn it quickly."
Barstein scowled at that but Siffai chuckled.
"That is well and good," said Orris, "and this has been most enlightening but how soon can you have your advisors here?"
"Three to five weeks for the first wave," said Ionoski, "Longer for others."
"Your pardon," said Siffai, "Ted, why not bring in help from the Federation? SIFComm is thinly stretched, truth, but a strong Unity will help us more than just defensively."
"If they will indeed help," said Orris, "we shall gladly accept."
"I am certain they will," said Siffai, "We'll message them today."
"We will start tomorrow," said Ionoski, "Your most critical need is a good information infrastructure. You should have had one in place but establishing it won't take that long. Charles, you and Vera help them infin their critical services and libraries. Start with the basic LISA protocols and work outward from there. Karl should have the information you need. By the time we get that going well some of the others should be here."
The Radical Factor (Stone Blade Book 3) Page 13