Simon Hawke - Hellfire Rebellion

“You play games with T.I.A. and the Network for as long as I did, you learn to suspect everyone and everything,” said Steiger. “Don’t forget. I infiltrated Drakov’s old organization back when I was undercover as Sgt. Barry Martingale. I know how the man thinks. I wouldn’t put it past him to play out a hand like that. Think about it.”

“Andre sighed. “You may be right, that’s the scary thing about it,” she said. “The trouble is, how would we know?”

“The early hominoids had run numbers tattooed on them somewhere, often high up on the inner thigh.” said Steiger. He grinned. “I’ll leave it up to you to decide how you can manage to get that close. But if Hunter’s got a run number on him somewhere, then he’s probably a C.I.S. hominoid left over from Project Infiltrator. If he hasn’t got a run number on him anywhere, then he may be one of Drakov’s more advanced models. the result of genetic engineering and implant program ming. Which means he’s essentially as human as you and I are, only Drakov doesn’t think of them that way. Or maybe he’s actually who he claims to be. Only that still doesn’t tell us whose side he’s really on.”

Andre shook her head. “I sometimes wonder what it’s like inside that mind of yours,” she said. “It must get very complicated.”

“Not really.” Steiger said. “There’s a refreshing clarity to knowing that when it gets right down to it, you can depend on one thing and one thing only Yourself.”

“I see,” she said. “I wonder, if that’s what it comes down to, how can you he sure that I am who I say I am?”

Steiger chuckled. “Go see your friend. Hunter,” he said. He touched his warp disc and clocked out.

“So,” said Drakov, leaning back in the velvet upholstered reading chair, “it appears that we have been discovered.”

“It was only by chance that the fugue clocking sequence saved me,” Moffat said. removing his black horseman garb. He was visibly shaken. “How? How could they possibly have known?”

“What difference does it make?” said Drakov. “There are any number of possible explanations. The man with the laser might have been a Temporal Observer stationed in this time period. Or he might have been a member of the Underground or of the Network. In their fear of temporal interference, the fools have so thoroughly infiltrated the past that they are only making our job easier. However, I think it would be best to proceed on the assumption that a commando adjustment team has been dispatched to this temporal scenario. And if that’s the case, then that should make things very interesting. indeed,”

“It’s become too dangerous for you,” said Moffat. “You must leave at once, for your own safety.”

“Leave?” said Drakov, raising his eyebrows. He chuckled. wouldn’t dream of it.”

“But why? There is no need to take unnecessary chances. I can carry on for you here.” Moffat said. “From what you’ve told me of the time Commando units, they won’t rest until they had you. The risk to you is far too great-”

“What is life without the spice of risk’?” said Drakov, interrupting him. “Besides, the risk to me is negligible. They do not know where I am and now that I have been forewarned. I will not be so careless as to frequent public places. The advantage is still mine. I can still act anytime I choose.”

“Then let’s kill Adams and have done with it,” said Moffat. “We can wipe out the entire leadership of the Sons of Liberty in one quick stroke and completely change the course of history. They will be helpless to do anything about it and we can all make our escape.”

“No.” said Drakov, firmly. “I will choose the precise moment when to strike, so that the damage will have the greatest impact. I have planned this operation down to the final minute detail and I will not cheat myself of the opportunity to settle an old score. This time, the odds are on my side. The horseman and his followers are the obvious temporal anomaly that they must deal with first and in doing so, they are certain to reveal themselves. And while they have their hands full with the horseman and our Hellfire Club, thinking that is the main focus of the disruption. I will be free to make my move at the appropriate time. Their presence here changes nothing. Let us see what happens at the meeting tomorrow night.” He smiled. Who knows, we may even have visitors. We shall have to do our best to make them welcome.”

“I don’t like it.” Lucas said after Andre had finished giving her report. “This boy could cause us real problems if he talks.”

“I don’t think he will,” said Andre. “I think we can trust him to keep quiet about me.”

“What makes you so sure?” Lucas asked.

“He’s infatuated with me,” Andre said.

“I see. And you’re willing to trust him on the basis of a kiss and a quick feel?” Lucas said.

Andre gave him a hard look. “I’m just going to pretend I didn’t hear you say that.”

Lucas shook his head. “I’m sorry. That was out of line. But the fact remains that Johnny Small has become a complication. An infatuated seventeen-year-old is completely unpredictable.”

“I can handle him,” said Andre.

“Can you?” Lucas said. “How much experience do you have with teenager: having a crush on you? A seventeen year-old boy with his hormones in full roar can be one hell of a handful, especially if he’s got something to hold over you. What’ll you do if he decides to pursue this infatuation to its logical conclusion?”

“I don’t know,” said Andre, “he’s a cute kid. Maybe I’ll let him.”

“Very funny,” Lucas said. “But suppose he makes a pass. At his age, he probably won’t handle rejection very well. What happens if he threatens to expose you unless you accept his advances?”

“Well, then maybe for the sake of the mission. I’ll just have to make the sacrifice and go to bed with him.” said Andre.

“For Christ’s sake, Andre, I’m serious!”

“What do you want me to do. Lucas?” she said angrily. “You want me to take him out because he’s jeopardizing the security of the mission?”

“No, of course not, but-”

“What then?”

Lucas sighed in exasperation. “Hell, I don’t know. But we’ve got to do something.

“Why?” said Delaney.

“What do you mean, why?”

“Just that. Why?” Delaney said. “So what if he tells the Sons of Liberty that Andre is a woman? How does that jeopardize our mission? What’s the worst that could happen? We might encounter some 18th-century sexism’? I’m not sure it would even be a problem. The American colonies are fairly progressive for this time period. Women here own and operate their own businesses; on the frontier, they share in the work, hunt and help defend the homestead. The Sons of Liberty might raise a few eyebrows if they found out that Andre was passing as a male, hull hardly think it would cause any serious problems. Are you sure that’s what’s really bothering you?”

“Just what is that supposed to mean?” said Lucas.

“You tell me.” Delaney said. “Are you quite certain that your apprehensions aren’t based on a more personal reason?”

“Such as?”

Delaney stared at him. “We’ve known each other for a long time, partner.” he said. “I don’t really have to say it, do I’?”

“Yes, I think you do.” said Lucas. “Spit it out.”

“Stop it, both of you!” Andre said. “This isn’t getting us anywhere. Our personal problems can wait until the mission is completed. I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Finn’s right. If Johnny talks, it might do some damage, but it won’t be very serious. Anyway, I don’t think it will come to that. I said I could handle him. It’s my responsibility. Let me worry about it, okay?”