Jay Allan - The Cost of Victory

Stark put up his hand, an impatient look on his face. "Yes, Number Ten, we can bypass the history lesson. Let's focus on the implementation of the Directorate's most recent operational plan."

Mildly chastised, the woman cleared her throat softly and continued. "Yes, Number One. At our last Directorate meeting it was decided that, with the discovery of several additional excavation sites, the colonial population had become an unacceptable security threat to the overall operation. Removal has been completed in accordance with that finding."

"Has there been any blowback from the implementation?" Andres Carillon was designated as Number Three in the Directorate. He was tall, well over two meters, with white blond hair and pale skin. To look at Number One, he could have been an accountant or a college professor; Carillon, on the other hand, was everyone's image of an evil spymaster.

"No, sir." Number Ten paused to clear her throat. Carillon made her nervous. He made everyone nervous. "As per plan, we utilized our new variant of the G-11 virus family, which has a considerably higher mortality rate than the original. Unlike the versions used during the Unification Wars, this new strain carries a specific genetic marker rendering it impotent against anyone who has received the companion vaccination. Of course, only our personnel were given the injections."

Carillon's usual grim expression gave way to a slight smile, which was somehow even more unnerving. "Was the virus 100% effective?"

"Actual mortality among the population was in excess of 94%. The rest have been liquidated through conventional methods, though we have officially attributed all deaths to the virus. We have also utilized the plan to remove the Marine garrison. Their mortality rate was lower, approximately 50%, mostly because the commander responded quickly and put biohazard procedures in effect almost immediately. Nevertheless, the outbreak gave us the perfect cover to have the Marines ordered offworld. Carson's World is now occupied by two battalions of our new Directorate troops. A planetary quarantine is in effect. The orbital defenses remain manned by naval personnel, and there is a reinforced battlegroup permanently assigned to system defense." She glanced down at her 'pad for an instant. "Currently, the AS Sheridan and her group are on station, reinforced by the 3rd Cruiser Squadron."

Carillon looked like he was about to say something further, but Stark spoke first. "Security seems well in hand." He turned slightly. "Number Six, what is the status of the actual excavation?"

"Progress has been slow. As you all know, this is a very sensitive project from a technical perspective." Number Six was a woman, younger than Number Ten. Indeed, she was the youngest person present. Tall, with long blond hair and blue eyes, Alex Linden had risen faster than any agent in the Directorate's history. It didn't hurt her rise that she was drop-dead gorgeous and willing to use it; before she had been appointed to the Directorate she had been the lover of two of the men and one of the women in the room. But she was brilliant too, and cold-blooded. As well as the affections of a roster of highly-placed officials, she also possessed many of their secrets. Alex was a big believer in using both the carrot and the stick to get what she wanted.

"We all know the difficulties involved, Number Six." Stark was amused at how differently he reacted to her than anyone else in the room. It was involuntary, and he found it interesting how difficult it was to suppress. Not that he would ever allow that to interfere with his decisions. But he realized he wasn't entirely immune to her charms. "I think what we need is a reliable estimate on when the shipment will be ready. We are going to need the maximum possible security on that. A full battlegroup, at least."

Alex's smile was brief, barely perceptible, though Stark saw it as she had intended. "Number One, I am confident that the first shipment of items will be ready for transit within six months. With your permission, I will go to Epsilon Eridani IV myself to supervise the final security measures."

"Yes, that is a good idea. You may leave as soon as you are ready." He paused for a few seconds. "Be careful out there." He doubted he would have added that if he were speaking to any of the others. Honestly, he wouldn't really have cared if most of the others made it back. But he'd miss Alex. He'd probably have to get rid of her one day, he thought, but for now he enjoyed having her around. "Number Ten, please clear Number Six through your onsite security and arrange a suitable cover that affords her any access she requires."

"Yes, Number One. Consider it done." She kept her voice even and professional, for which she was pleased with herself. Number Ten hated Alex Linden. Bitch was the nicest thing she called her in private.

"Very well. Let's move on. Number Four, what is the current status of our Marine Corps initiatives?"

Number Four was the only member of the Committee not present, represented instead by a hologram of a professional, middle-aged man in a stylish suit, which was likely not at all what the individual in question really looked like. Stark was the only one in the room who knew the identity of Number Four, and he intended to keep it that way for now. Not even pretty little Alex had been able to charm it out of him, though she'd tried with commendable enthusiasm.

"The plan is underway, but progress is slow." Number Four's voice sounded normal - too normal. A regular crowd wouldn't notice the perfection of the tones, but this was a room full of spooks, and they all could tell it was a fake. But it wasn't in any of their interests to push for information Number One didn't want to share. Not in the open, at least. "The political officers have been assigned to units currently in base. It is not practical to interfere with the command structures of deployed forces while they are on campaign."

"What response have the political officers received from the Marine personnel?" Stark had a pretty good idea, but he wanted to hear it anyway.

"There has been considerable resistance." The hologram moved naturally as Number Four spoke, turning to face whoever had asked the last question. "As you know, the Marines are recruited from among those who least fit in with the normal population. Their training builds on this, and the result has been an extraordinarily effective fighting force. The Corps fills a void in their lives, which creates a very high level of morale and élan. However, loyalty is largely to the Corps itself and not Alliance Gov. In fact, most Marine personnel harbor a level of resentment, at least against the system in general if not the government in particular."

"Yes, yes, we are aware of all of this. It is the primary reason we have initiated this plan." Number One found himself looking at the hologram as he spoke. Damn, those things are realistic, he thought as he forced himself to turn away. "But what is the status of implementation?"

"Few of the officers have truly accepted the attachment of political overseers. Instances of true insubordination have been rare, but there has been tremendous resistance to integrating the new officers into the command structures. Among the Marines themselves there has been considerable grumbling. To date, we have not implemented any disciplinary measures. In fact, with virtually the entire officer corps of one mind on this matter, it will prove to be extremely difficult to impose any serious penalties. At least conventionally."

Stark reminded himself not to look at the hologram. Not for any particular reason other than it made him feel foolish talking to a laser-generated phantom as is it were a human being. "Do we have any reports regarding the impact on the operational efficiency of the units in combat?"