The children conversed excitedly. They clearly enjoyed the reward. They wouldn't enjoy what Kepper would do to them if they were misleading him.
The translator looked back and nodded.
Kepper flashed more money at them and grinned. "Then show me."
* * *
The embassies and consulates that other governments used as part of their day-to-day relations with Lusitania were scattered around the city. Many used buildings initially constructed for other uses, ranging from big townhouses to old office buildings.
The League of Sol had built their own.
One might have heard that and expected it to have been built on the outskirts of the city as a fenced compound to keep the chaotic Lusitanians from causing any trouble. Instead, the League built their embassy in São Miguel, one of Gamavilla's poorest neighborhoods. The central building was secured with a fence, security doors, and other measures, but the outlying buildings were repeatedly leased to the people of the neighborhood for social gatherings and events. Ambassador Taney Salinas frequently appeared at such gatherings, using the goodwill to play up the League as the friend of all oppressed and impoverished people. Doing so also allowed her and her subordinates to propagandize the local people, with the Coalition as a particular target for the speeches.
There had been some altercations, of course, pitting the PdDN and its hatred of foreign influences against the pro-League residents of São Miguel, such that despite the Home Ministry's tendency to turn a blind eye to the misbehavior of their minister's followers, the police often had to break up fights to prevent them from spilling into the embassy and harming diplomatic workers.
To Chantavit Li, this merely reinforced his belief that this entire world, the whole galactic arm, would be better off once it was brought into the fold of Society. Everyone would have a place then, and any anti-Social behavior could be swiftly and thoroughly corrected.
His quartering was in the central building, of course, where he was officially listed as chief of the embassy's security staff. It was a job he did tend to, in fact, but only in conjunction with his intelligence work.
That intelligence work included dealing with the witness from the Kensington Star. That was why Li had gone to the anti-Social beast Kepper. The mess had to be cleaned up and preferably on Li's terms, given their ally's meddling.
Indeed, their ally in the government was too independent for Li's liking, and the unknown crew sent to pick up Gaon on Harron was a wild card he didn't want in the situation. He'd made that clear in a message on the matter.
The reply was what he expected—dissimulation, defensiveness—but with useful facts. The Lusitanian government was taking a direct interest in the Kensington Star survivor story. Such knowledge was useful. It would help to sell the plan when it was ready.
Li transmitted a reply in text: I must have information about the crew you sent to Harron. Our people will be on site as well.
The reply was a file. A vessel, Shadow Wolf, Holden-Nagata Mark VII Medium Cargo Holder, was out of Darien. Those facts did not worry Li.
That her captain was from the Coalition and a former CDF officer was somewhat worrying, at least until he called up the file on James Henry from League intelligence files. The data on his military service was thin, as he was never known to have gained any prominence. Since then, as an independent ship captain, his career had gained more interest, including several visits to League-occupied or aligned worlds.
It also was reassuring. James Henry was just a washed-up Coalition officer, a wretch and a fool who would pose no threat to the operation.
Li signaled as such to Hartford to relieve the concern about their ally's meddling. He knew that after what had happened on Lowery and the Admiral's last offensive plan against the Coalition, Hartford would be quite glad to hear it.
If only Li could get his ally in check, everything would be ready.
* * *
There was silent tension in the meeting room of the Lusitanian Cabinet as Prime Minister Raisuni called the government ministers to order. Vitorino and Caetano exchanged long, quiet looks that the others couldn't help but notice and feel curious over. Usually, the two had nothing to do with each other, but it suddenly seemed as though they were at odds.
"Minister Caetano, you asked for this meeting," said Raisuni. "What is the issue?"
"The disappearances," she said succinctly. "As we are all undoubtedly aware, for the last several months, there have been increasing disappearances of merchant vessels in the systems around the Trifid Nebula." Her remarks drew nods of understanding. "This has had a severe effect on trade in this area, and it harms our economy. For the good of our people, we must take more proactive steps."
"What steps can we take at this time, with all of our power focused upon system defense and maintaining domestic order?" Raisuni asked.
"For one matter, I do not consider these two things unrelated." Caetano's cold blue eyes swept the room. Vitorino thought she looked at him a moment longer than she should have. "These attacks have the potential to destabilize our world. As for steps, we should begin extra-solar fleet patrols and urge our neighbors to do the same under the auspices of the Trifid Neutrality Patrol."
"This is an aggressive act you propose," Raisuni said evenly, "and a costly one. We will have to activate the fleet's emergency supply ships to enable such patrols. The costs will threaten our budget."
"True, but it is necessary." Caetano's voice was steady. "The security of our world is at stake."
"She is correct," Vitorino said, nodding to Raisuni. "Our trade indicators are down across the board. Shipping prices are climbing steadily, especially in insurance costs. We’re getting to the point where we must act or see our storehouses fill with goods we cannot sell to other worlds."
Raisuni considered the matter with a careful look. "Minister al-Idrisi, have you consulted with the other governments that are with the patrol?"
The foreign minister, Omar al-Idrisi, nodded. Of primarily Moroccan ancestry, he was a member of Caetano's party but lent the PdDN an intellectual, cultured air to leaven her stern demeanor. "I have not received replies by all, but several worlds on the Neutrality Commission are in agreement and will bring it to a vote alongside us when the committee recommences in a month. I believe we only need a few more votes to get approval. It will not be easy, as the Galters are, as always, steadfast against further activity by neighboring navies."
"With the right arguments, then, we will have their approval. We may even have a target for them."
"Oh?" Raisuni seemed surprised.
"I have sources on New Cornwall myself, Prime Minister," Caetano said. "And I know Patterson & Yarborough believes it has a survivor of the presumed-lost Kensington Star waiting on another world. Harron, we think."
"A witness?" The question was from another minister. "Can she identify the attacker?"
"Possibly, but we have no news of confirmation yet. I will find out what I can. We will need that information to work with the others." Caetano smiled thinly. "Even those anarchist money seekers on Galt will have to act if we find a single source for the attacks."
"I would hope so," Raisuni remarked. "Minister al-Idrisi, please keep the Cabinet apprised of all further developments on the issue, and I would like Minister Vitorino to do the same with any more news involving disappearances."
"This has gone on long enough, yes," Vitorino said. "Whether carried out by pirates or state actors, these attacks are intensifying. If we don't stop them, the League or the Coalition may move to do so."
"My thoughts exactly," Caetano replied.
The look they shared wasn't one of agreement, though. They kept it until Raisuni adjourned the meeting. Everyone could see they were about to have a frank discussion and said nothing more before departing. It was politics, given that their respective parties were the linchpins of the Raisuni Government.
"You want to talk"—Caetano folded her arms—"talk."
"You arrested one of my agents, C
aetano," Vitorino said harshly, "and then threatened me. If this arrangement between our parties is to work, you should not be so quick to attack us."
"I must fulfill my duties as Defense and Home Minister, and that includes dealing with potential subversives and foreign agents," Caetano replied. "The Faith Outreach Mission is suspected. You should warn your man away if he doesn't want to be caught up in our work."
"I am well aware of that mission. It is harmless!"
"By its very existence, it is a threat to our nation," countered Caetano. "We have our own churches. Allowing the Coalition's Christians to proselytize among our people gives them the means to turn our citizens against the Estado Novo. I have reason to believe Coalition Intelligence uses it as a safe house."
Vitorino rolled his eyes. "Your paranoia is worse than Ascaro's. If this coalition fails, you will be the cause."
"Likely, and I will undoubtedly win the resulting election." Caetano's grin turned wolfish, justifying her nickname. "I wonder how many incidents of corruption your successor will find in the Trade Ministry?"
Vitorino paled with anger at that. "Do you have an accusation to make?"
"No need for one," Caetano said, almost laughing. A smile formed on her face. "Your corruption is well-known, Vitorino." She leaned forward over the table. "Here in private, let us not mince words. You are a corrupt, greedy man seeking wealth and riches. You’re a poor excuse for a Culture Minister whose knowledge of our national art begins and ends with Hakkaoui and the make of our wines, and your very existence offends me as a patriot of our world."
Vitorino listened to the calm diatribe and gave no reaction. "Then honestly, I believe Ascaro and her democrats are right about you," he said. "You are a brute and a thug in a party built on brutality, and we are cursed that you can restrain those impulses enough to be an effective parliamentarian. Your election would be the downfall of the Republic."
Caetano showed no signs of caring what he called her. "Then we understand each other. I look forward to your trial, Minister."
"Perhaps it will be yours instead," he replied before standing. "Now, I have other work to get to that doesn't involve fomenting mobs against other Lusitanians. A pleasant day." The last was spoken with a cold formality that belied the sentiment.
"The same to you."
They departed through opposite doors.
17
The Trifid Nebula's three lobes were a bright backdrop against the void when the Shadow Wolf completed its last jump. Piper was at the helm with Tia seated behind her in the central chair. "Jump complete," Piper said. She turned and noted the displeased look on Tia's face. "Feels like the drive needs realignment again. Pieter's getting overworked."
"I think he secretly enjoys it," Tia said. "It gives him an ego boost to be able to say he's the only one running the ship's engines. But you are right about him being overworked." Lawrence drives were sophisticated pieces of equipment, an unsurprising fact, given that they could punch holes through the fabric of space to permit instantaneous wormhole travel between solar systems. The maintenance required to maintain such machines could be extensive and time-consuming. Military vessels had the luxury of affording the necessary manpower to keep constant watches on the system and maintain it in the face of any problem. Commercially owned ships didn't always have that same luxury, and independent ships rarely did.
Without waiting for orders, Piper ran her course calculations. She noted the various gravity fields from the planets between their ship and Harron, not to mention Harron's star itself. She ultimately chose to go above the system's elliptic then descend on Harron. She used the maneuvering thrusters to orientate the ship then fired the vessel's main sublight drives, a quartet of matched GXR-4500 plasma drives. When in operation, the old-fashioned electro-plasma engines gave the Shadow Wolf respectable and expected acceleration for her mass.
"It's a shame we can't play with the toys in the rear holds more often," Piper said as the ship gained acceleration. Inertial compensators quickly absorbed the relatively light G-forces the main drives caused. "Our runs would be much faster."
"We’d also get a lot more attention than we'd prefer," Tia noted. "And Linh made it clear that the more we use it, the more often we need to go to Trinidad Station for maintenance work."
"Well, Trinidad's not bad," Piper mused. "Not that I'd want to live there."
The door to the bridge slid open, and Vidia walked in. "I'm here t' relieve you, Ms. Lopez," he said respectfully.
"I've got our sublight course all loaded and ready," Piper said to him as she stood. Vidia knew his way around the helm. He didn’t often man it anymore, though, since he was fourth on the helm rotation since the addition of Felix to the crew.
"Understood,” he replied.
"Get some rack time," Tia said. "I have a feeling we'll need to be in top form when we reach Sektatsh."
"With this little extra mission? Yeah, we will," Piper agreed. She didn't like Harron on reputation alone. Getting mixed up in Lusitanian politics and Coalition intelligence stuff made it worse. She had to keep faith in Jim Henry to deal with it. The entire thing was the price she paid to have the freedom she'd craved since her grandfather had first taken her stargazing as a child.
She left Tia and Vidia. The corridor from the bridge first passed Henry's office and his cabin on the right, while on the left were the quarters for Tia and Cera. Then came the first cross-corridor running the width of the ship, providing upper-deck access to the forward holds and the first set of stairwells to the lower deck. Astern along the central corridor were the quarters for everyone else. Piper's quarters were on the starboard side. They weren't quite a live-in closet, but she'd seen larger horse stalls. She had a bed, a desk with a chair, and on the opposite wall, a dresser. A small shelf with viddiscs she'd collected over the years was present at the right-hand corner beside the entrance. A second shelf to the left of the door had some figurines and knickknacks she'd bought from various worlds during her life in space. And finally, the far corner across from her bed had the portable holoviewer she'd bought. Beyond was the small walkway which had the closet on the right-hand side and her bathroom, with a commode and a small sink, on the left. Its far end contained her shower stall.
It was not a luxury accommodation or even a coach room on an interstellar liner, but it was better than she'd seen on some ships. The designer of the vessel had bothered to assign enough space to each set of quarters for private facilities, after all. She didn't need to go to the common areas to shower or use the restroom, a useful perk.
After shedding her jumpsuit and taking a quick shower, Piper put on sleeping clothes and lay on her bed. To ease her way to sleep, she felt for the holoviewer controls and used them to activate it then her particular program.
Like most people, Piper used holoviewers to watch holovids. But she'd acquired a program that used the holoviewer's networking capability and a link she'd set up with the Shadow Wolf computers to create a holoimage of stars as they would appear in her current location if she were in a planetary atmosphere. The ceiling and walls of her small quarters lit up, covered in tiny stars, while her front door had the three-lobed Trifid Nebula covering it.
Content with the view, she settled down on her bed. While it had a proper mattress, her mind reached into childhood memories and replaced it with a sleeping mat rolled out on a grass field. She was six again, and her grandfather Pete was lying beside her outside his homestead in the Cherokee district. The smell of the grass and the soil returned, as did the memory of the weather-hardened face of her mother's father, the gentle look in his eyes, and the tone in his voice as he began pointing out stars. "That's our ancestral home, little Piper," he’d said once, pointing to a distant star. "Right by that star." He identified other stars and what worlds were around them in turn.
"Do people live on them?" asked little Piper.
"Yes. And they have great cities, too, quiet countrysides, and even little homesteads like mine."
With wonder, th
e little girl looked at those distant stars. "I want to go to them," she said. "Can I?"
"One day, little one, you shall," had been his affectionate reply. A hand touched her shoulder. "Dream your dreams, Piper. Believe in them and reach for those stars."
Piper closed her eyes to keep tears from forming at the old void in her heart, rekindled by the memory. "Love you, Grandpa Pete," she said softly in the belief that his spirit could hear her. She turned in her bed and closed her eyes, seeking sleep in starlight as she had when she was a child.
* * *
The planet Harron loomed large on the liquid crystal display built into the inside wall of the Shadow Wolf bridge. It was an impressive garden planet from orbit, thought Cera, with crystal-blue oceans and continents covered in vibrant green-and-brown land. Majestic mountain ranges showed as white, given the snow-capped peaks they formed around.
"A lovely world," Henry murmured loudly enough for Tia to hear. "It's such a shame the locals are slaving bastards."
"Another injustice of the universe, really," Tia agreed.
Cera considered their remarks and found herself in agreement. She didn't say so because there was little need for it, and all of her attention was on orbital space. Harron had many satellites, everything from communication satellites to orbital weapons, put up by the various kings and theocrats who ruled the planet. Hitting any of them would be bad for the Shadow Wolf and her crew, and Cera prided herself on her piloting skills and the years of training and experience that had refined them.
Vidia spoke up from the auxiliary station. "It looks like our fees just went through, Captain. We're bein' granted landin' clearance to the Sektatsh Spaceport."
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