Wine of the Gods 05: Spy Wars

by Pam Uphoff

  "Do you know, I think they grabbed a native and he's escaped. More than one. They've escaped."

  "Did they recapture them?" The Ambassador looked over his shoulder.

  "Maybe, the transmissions cut off several hours ago. Ah, wait . . . I need a time of detection for this one. 'Almost Dark' at six hundred hours? They must be in the eastern hemisphere." Looking around he found that the leaders of both the Action Teams had joined the crowd.

  "Yes, and they auction off the rights to new worlds to competing private companies. This will be some fumbling civilian excuse for security. We should take them out quickly. Before their military takes over." It was rare for a woman to lead an Action Group. This Kael just dripped aggression and violence, possibly a deliberate public show to keep the male wolves at bay. She was tall, whip thin, and shaved her head. Her large team had just arrived from the military training site.

  Where Edmo had a bare compass—eight men, including himself—Kael had two compasses, a junior leader for each of them, and a personal aide. No love was lost between Edmo and Kael.

  The Ambassador frowned. "For this we'll consult both the Princess and the Priest. We'll see if they want information or elimination."

  His assistant shifted. "The Princess is meeting the Amma tomorrow."

  "Yes. Well. Perhaps I'll speak to the Priest first, and the Princess once I have Ygti's recommendation."

  Ajha leaned over the tech's shoulder; the static was clearing a bit.

  ". . . retrospect, I think holographic illusions concealed a high bridge across the canyon. The low bridge was undermined. Ten vehicles and thirty-eight men crossed before it . . ."

  "One! That sounds like more than an escape."

  ". . . orce of high tech trained and armed soldiers—possibly Oners in person—used lasers and other weapons . . . cealment, while . . . . . atives put on a show to hold our attention."

  A noise that might have been a derisive snort answered. ". . . tech includes these force fields and weather control? We'll get . . . . . . check your recordings and then . . . . ur wounded back to the Gate Camp, and maintain your . . . tion. Putatively waiting for a diplomatic mes . . . haps you are competent to hold that side of the pass."

  A long staticy silence.

  "Our position here is in . . . sible, given the tech we've already seen."

  "Colonel, you and I are going . . . " Static drowned out the words altogether.

  The tech beamed. "Got 'em. They're well north of us, just on the east side of the Rocky mountain equivalent. So they've encountered the Kingdom of the West."

  The ambassador curled an amused lip. "And we're getting the blame? Or is that, the credit? Not really funny, though. We need to be alert, the Earthers military is already engaged, and they aren't going to take a defeat well. They could do something drastic."

  "Nuclear? Do they have the ability?" Idre scowled at the recorder.

  "They have the tech level, but frankly we don't know as much about them as we'd like. We know a little, from the few captives we took before we had to close the gate to Granite Peak. Our lost colonists will have suicided, rather than give the enemy any information. So they should know even less about us. And they don't know we're here." The Ambassador paced.

  General Ifge scowled. "Let's keep it that way. No radio frequency communications, from here out. We don't want Fascia to be the target of a nuclear missile."

  The Ambassador bit his lip. "I'm more worried about biological weapons. We need to be prepared to evacuate on a moments notice."

  Ajha shivered. "The Post Head in Karista, the capital of the Kingdom would be in a position to see the effects early. But not in time to safely withdraw."

  The Ambassador nodded. "Like all of us, he is prepared to send himself to the One, if that is what is needed to keep our world safe. He might give the rest of us enough time to evacuate. If we could be sure the contagion hadn't reached here."

  "Do you suppose they'll do something sensible, like send in their version of Info Agents, to infiltrate?"

  "Earthers? Sensible? Admittedly our sample size is small, but 'sensible' doesn't seem like something they do."

  Chapter Four

  10 December 3478ce /Late Fall 1360 local

  Asia, Comet Fall

  "We have orders to infiltrate?" Sergeant Damien Malder didn't even try to control his grin. He'd been guarding this side of Earth's transdimensional gate for months. Hoping for just this opportunity. This world had so many oddities, so much potential . . . .

  "Apparently the Council Committee on Military Affairs had enough common sense to realize they needed information. Or maybe they just couldn't stomach a war with the One World. In any case, we've got orders to infiltrate the native society, and get into position to spy on the Oners." Lieutenant Mike Alton looked over at him. "So, how are we going to do this? After what I saw in the battle, I'm not at all certain of what we're going to be facing."

  Damien nodded. Command's first inclination had been a straightforward invasion. They'd been defeated by a combination of terrain factors and . . . really strange stuff. Pity they hadn't realized they needed info first, but better late than never.

  "Speculation later. First, what we have data on. We've worked out the Oner's signal protocol, so we understand the data we're collecting from the Oner's satellites. They have three currently in a low orbit. Mapping and message relay. These are the latest updates on the maps we're making from their data. The natives have got dozens of good sized cities, four approaching half a million people each. There's some very odd terrain, I'm not sure what to make of it. We've estimated a world population of half a billion max. They still haven't recovered from what they call the comet fall."

  The lieutenant looked back and forth, map to satellite pictures. "That looks like a mid oceanic spreading ridge. Right up the middle of North America."

  "And right into the ice cap. Hence the canyon all the way through the ice cap."

  "Damn. It was weird, but I hadn't realized we were crossing the Pole. I figured we were crossing the Bering Straits and coming down through Alaska."

  "Nyet. More like Montana or Wyoming. With Canada and Siberia completely under ice. In any case, the society seems to be based on horse power. I've got the horses those natives from the western hemisphere abandoned when they escaped. So I've been studying them. We probably shouldn't use them, they're fairly recognizable. But it should be easy to get similar type horses from Earth. The wagon can be duplicated."

  The lieutenant was still studying the map. "Hmm, there aren't many roads through the equivalent of the Rocky Mountains here. Or are those the Sierras?"

  "Rockies. Dallas Dimensional's geologist says there's been extensional faulting on the west side, and these little hogbacks of granite out here are all that's showing of the Sierras. Unless we want to bring in a boat, we're going to have to truck horses and wagons across the Arctic, and then drive them over the mountains. I don't know where the natives'll be watching for another attack, but I'll bet it'll be somewhere in those mountains. If we get past them, we ought to be fine. Alternately we can go all the way south to here, where you can see these little towns scattered through the desert. Then we'd be at horse speeds to drop further south, loop around the southern end of the Rockies and head north for the capital city, Karista. Damn long trip. I'd rather try our impersonation out on troops at the northern pass while we're still close enough to run for home."

  Damien reached over to his desk comp and brought up his collection of interviews and copied data. "I interviewed the Department of Native Affairs team, as well as the Dallas Dimensional Exploration's contact team. Definitely a mixed bag of reactions, and mostly favorable toward the natives. The culture sounds almost more Early Industrial than Medieval. Small steam engines in factories, wind and water mills and so forth. Definitely a capitalistic financial system. Swords, spears, cavalry, armor, all that sort of thing. The Cove Islands, a major sea trading nation, apparently has cannons. I haven't picked up any other indication of firea
rms. The general culture should be simple for us to adapt to. It's the ‘magical’ stuff that is . . . bothersome. But according to the company people, it is an apparently small, and definitely separate, almost secret, segment of the society. There was no obvious Oner presence unless they were the ‘Magical’ subculture."

  "We'll avoid them, as much as is possible." The lieutenant leaned over and tapped at the computer. "Good thing the winter is long. It looks like we'll be studying up for months."

  "Yeah, I have copies of the linguists' recordings of every conversation. Two months' worth of meetings with various government officials, as well as more casual exchanges. They bloody well talked to the . . . umm, escaped spies the Gate Authority Agents were after, those natives the Dallas company met." Damien scratched his chin. Still classified, as far as I know. "Invisible" and "walked right through the wall" had best be left unsaid.

  "Right. We'll firm up plans this winter, pick personnel soonest and start practicing the patois. We'll leave in the spring. Two squads, one solid infiltration team, one tech qualified squad." The lieutenant shot Damien a grin. "You are in charge of finding us some horses that will fit into the local scene, teaching everyone how to handle a horse, and I just might let you come along."

  Damien reeled out the list he'd been mentally building for months. "Two wagons, do you think? That'll be four pinto harness horses and maybe some rather nice ordinary riding horses, to judge from the small sample we've got. If we want riding horses at all. We took pics of the details of the wagon, and if the techs want it, it'd be easy enough to take through the Gate for more study. It should be easy to duplicate and has enough room for all the electronics someone will insist we take along. There was a bit of coinage in the wagon, we'll get copies made, take a lot of synthetic gemstones for trading. The usual."

  "Good. And quit grinning. This is work, not play."

  "Right. It'll be a couple of months before we're ready—and probably a couple more before we can get across the Arctic or that mountain pass."

  Chapter Five

  1360, last days of the year

  Karista, Kingdom of the West

  "The Earther's doing anything new, Lefty?"

  "They've got their infiltration team all trained. I think they may use our wagon, they've been practicing with it. You still want to let them through?" Lefty knew he sounded a bit dubious, but wasn't worried. General Rufi was too smart to discourage his officer's opinions.

  "Yes. From what we've overheard them say, they only attacked us because they thought we were a proxy for this One World. We need to let them see that we aren't. And depending on their reactions, maybe drop other information on them. So, I've sent orders up to Fort Stag that they should let any suspected Earthers pass, so long as they're in just a few of those vehicles." The general leaned back in his chair and watched their expressions.

  Dydit snorted. "Assuming they take the same route as their assault force. They may think going south and cutting across to Farofo is a better idea."

  Lefty nodded. "And they'll recognize me. So, clearly I should get back to exploring."

  Rufi chuckled. "Good try. You're simply too valuable at Fort Stag and Ash. For now. Once things settle down a bit, I've got a marvelous new job in mind for you."

  "I'm not sure I like the sound of that. I'd really like to check the sea coast for old ruins from before the comet fell. There were some interesting things showing up on the Earther's aerial photographs. Once we see what's there now, we can compare it to what used to be there. Although jiggling the gods' memories can be pretty . . . umm . . ."

  "Mind boggling." Dydit finished for him. "Or entertaining, if you don't mind occasionally getting the shit scared out of you." As a civilian volunteer, he'd been exploring with Lefty when they discovered the Earthers and their transdimensional gate.

  "Speaking of whom, I've a report I need you to take to the Auld Wulf. A new group of people are working hard to insinuate themselves into the Auralia government bureaucracy. They may well be these 'Oners' the Earthers are so paranoid about. My spies—I'm sure you remember Oscar and Bran—should report back soon. I think I'll send them to Ash before I send them back to Auralia." Rufi broke off uncertainly, eyeing Dydit. "I got the impression that the Sheep Man knows some tricks the Mages don't. This invisibility thing, I believe Never called it a light warp?"

  Dydit nodded. "I take it you want Oscar and Bran to get a bit more training? Bran shouldn't have any problem picking it up. And Nil could add several nasty attack spells the Mages might not, umm, have emphasized in Bran's training. Oscar's one of Harry's orphans. I don't know if he's had any formal training at all."

  "Apparently he used to help Bran memorize chants and so forth, but didn't realize he had magic abilities himself until they bloomed suddenly four years ago. Selano has been working with them both, and suggested they go to Ash for more training." The General shrugged. "If I have to start considering forming a magical cadre, I want a dangerous and well trained magical cadre." The general shot a look toward Lefty. "Good thing I have a well qualified officer handy."

  Lefty closed his eyes. "It's going to take more than another winter's round of training to get me to the point of being really dangerous. And I have, so far, managed to dodge officer's school, as well."

  Rufi grinned. "True. So, I'll send a few of the basic training manuals along with you when you head for Ash. I hope Oscar and Bran will come back soon enough to send them, too."

  Dydit grinned. "Well, while you wait, and try to convince poor Lieutenant Lebonift that he ought to want to be a proper officer, I'm going to head home."

  ***

  ". . . and that's the brief version of the New, improved, history of the World." Rufi grinned. "Yes, I was just as stunned as you are. And now you bring us this information."

  "With more people walking into thin air."

  Rufi nodded. "The main reason these Earthers attacked us four months ago without trying diplomacy first was that they thought a rival, 'The One World,' was moving in and taking over here. Perhaps they thought correctly, but had the wrong local nation. We may be in between two advanced and antagonistic governments."

  Oscar wrinkled his nose. "The Oners are certainly arrogant and aggressive. Not the sort of people you want to see with delusions of conquering the world. If these Earthers are actively aggressive, it could get pretty uncomfortable."

  "Indeed. I expect it will be . . . but the Earthers have backed off a bit. My spies report that they've decided to send in an infiltration team to spy on us and report back. So we're looking at a war of intelligence and maneuver. Sooner or later, though, one or the other will send troops. Unless we can play them off against each other, and make us look like we're not worth the effort—simultaneously."

  "That's going to take some doing, sir!" Oscar swapped alarmed glances with Bran.

  "Indeed. However, I'm glad you're back. Selano's been complaining about how I've interfered with your training. I think the pair of you, and Lefty Lebonift need to spend the winter in Ash, buffing up your magical skills. Especially things that will be useful for spying and in battle. Lieutenant Lebonift is a wizard, as well as a damn good scout. He's headed most of the exploration of the New Lands and discovered the Rip Canyon that crosses the Arctic to Asia. He'll be getting lessons from the Sheep Man. While you are, hopefully, working with the mages. So, head for Ash. Depending on any developments over the winter, I'll decide whether you should go back to Fascia or out to sea, next spring."

  Chapter Six

  Winter Solstice 1361

  Village of Ash, Foothills Province, Kingdom of the West

  Rustle turned eight on the last and shortest day of the year. Or as she liked to think of it, the first and longest night.

  The Witches had had their usual all night ceremony at the hot springs, and by dawn Rustle was trying really hard to not be whiney. She'd had the option of staying with Havi and Daddy, so she couldn't whine. That was the deal. When she got so tired she was whiney, she was to not whine, b
ut rather walk over to her blanket on the nice warm rocks and go to sleep. The sky was no longer truly black, or even dark blue. It was delicate shades of pearly gray, a bit of pink, a thin line of spectacular blue. She walked to her blanket and lay down, watching the sky as the sun rose. When the whole sky was nearly blue, she watched the big birds flying over. She looked carefully, and being a child, didn't question what she was actually seeing. She walked over to her mother and pointed. "Look! A whole big family of dragons."

  By the time the witches got back to the village, the dragons had already landed.

  The Elder Sisters had gone ahead, so the younger witches were left to deal with fifteen cranky children. Rustle considered herself a big girl, not requiring care, Ask, on the other hand was so little that she could ride piggy back on Rustle, and the two girls had so much fun they were wet, cold, and muddy and had nearly forgotten about the dragons by the time they were home. Grandmother Happy rushed off, and Mommy got all of them hot chocolate, a hot bath, and a warm bed in record time before rushing out to the front steps herself. Ultra and Ask went right to sleep, but Rustle wiggled out of bed and slipped out to sit quietly on the porch. In her experience, as long as you didn't bother anyone, they wouldn't bother you.

  Somebody had gone and gotten Daddy and the Sheep Man. They and Great-grandmother Answer were talking to the Mommy dragon. The little dragons were yawning and fussing and whining a bit. Then the Sheep Man waved his arms and the Mommy Dragon turned into a lady, and one by one the little dragons turned into little girls and boys.

  They looked cold with no clothes on, which was probably why they went in the Tavern.

  Great-grandmother went with them, and Grandmother and Mommy came back.

  "Well, it looks like we have our Mayor back. And the children should be an interesting addition to the school!" They walked inside, still talking. They hadn't noticed her and Rustle pondered the warmth value of her wet coat and boots. She was cold, and the street was still a bit muddy from the rain last night. Surely they were dry enough?