Michael Williamson - When Diplomacy Fails…

Highland and JessieM made up for it, though. He figured this morning, the first outing, would add to the stress.

Highland’s first trip was twofold. She was to meet with the Mtali Sufi Council, and to be interviewed for the Mtali release of her video presentation, “Family Across Cultures.”

In fact, the trouble had started already. A Sunni group vowed to protest her appearance. An Amala group claimed they’d been promised her presence first. Someone called her an enabler of illicit occupation, regarding the military mission. They hadn’t even had breakfast yet.

Well, it was time to do that, and decide how to proceed.

Elke had signed out to visit the base, with a note on return. As the five of them ate from a table nicely laid out by the unobtrusive staff, he broached the subject.

Bart said, “With Aramis’s help, I can randomize the routes. Will we have support vehicles?”

“We do not. I’m not sure why yet.”

Jason said, “She won’t think of rescheduling.”

“Nor should we. We can handle it. If we start being timid, we’ll lose professional rating.”

“Are we working on our own PR here?”

“No, but pretty much everything we do is PR. Our ability to deliver a principal safely is all we have. We certainly can’t get anywhere with Bart’s looks or Aramis’s manners.”

Aramis said, “Or Elke’s subtlety.”

“So we load up and do it.”

“At least we have the ARPAC.”

“Yup. Are we ready?”

“It’s fueled and inspected. Cady’s people and subcontractors have charge of the park. I want weapons for all of us, a spare of each and water and food. Aramis?”

“Yes, I have paper and RAMmed backup routes.”

Alex asked, “What’s status on body armor?”

“It was released last night, and Cady’s bringing it up now.”

He heard Cady’s voice say, “I’m here, Alex. Jason pinged me.” He pointed and Bart rose to get the door.

A dolly rolled in, boxes overflowing, with Cady following. Elke arrived behind.

“They’re all here, but I suspect Bart’s isn’t fitted. Corcoran is on the way up to fit him now.” Jason could do armor, but Corcoran on Cady’s team was a specialist.

“Danke,” said Bart. “I prefer not to use mass to stop bullets.” He started unstacking the boxes and ripping their seals.

Aramis said, “Think of it as an ecological mission. You’re a portable heavy metal collection point.”

Jason said, “I like him better as a self-deploying sandbag.”

Corcoran arrived with tools. “I’d forgotten how big you were,” he said.

“No bigger than last time. One nine five centimeters, one four zero kilos.”

“Yes, but that’s a four X vest, and they only sent through two X. I can make it work.” He opened up his box and started adding inserts to the 2X to fit Bart’s frame. Girth was easy enough. Length required drilling holes in the carrier and threading in ballistic cord to hold extension panels. It didn’t take long.

“The four X should be here in a week. This will have to do for now.”

Bart shifted and stretched. “It’s no more uncomfortable than other stuff I have worn. I have my inside vest. This will work, thank you.”

Alex kept a side eye on the process as he chose a route, planned movements and deployment positions, and checked the rest. It looked good, and still looked good, so he made the call.

“Minister Highland, we are ready at your convenience.”

“Thank you. I’ll just finish breakfast.”

“Of course, ma’am.” He hoped that would be five minutes, not fifty, but they were paid either way. She should also know they’d need plenty of bracket time.

This time she acted appropriately, and came through only eight minutes later, with JessieM. Highland clearly had armor under her blazer and polo.

“Ma’am, may I ask about your armor?”

“Angelwear, Rating R Two.”

“Okay,” he said, and left it at that. Angelwear looked good, and he recalled they’d tried to use her for some contract leverage. It hadn’t worked because the stuff fell apart under military tests. However, for what she was doing it was probably okay. The idea was for her not to get shot anyway.

“And you, Jessie?”

She shook her head. “I don’t have armor.”

Elke said, “I have a spare undervest. It won’t stop armor punchers, but it will stop common civilian projectiles and fragments.”

“Thanks, I’d like that.”

“Back here, then.” She indicated her room.

It took another thirty minutes of quiet but active bustle to get everything sorted and ready. They had their uniform and armor, weapons with ammo-he wasn’t sure Highland realized that, and wasn’t going to say anything, backup gear and the vehicle warmed.

Downstairs at the dock, Alex looked for the weapon testing barrel he’d been told would be provided. He glanced at Cady with raised eyebrows. She shrugged back a response he read as, “Yes, I ordered it.”

Shaman said, “Over there in the corner.” Yes, red drum, mounted on frame.

“Good. Bart, Aramis, drag it over here.”

The two men jogged over, grabbed it and heaved. The only effective ways to trap a bullet for test or practice were water or sand. Sand was easier to maintain. This was a specific silica grade and particle shape. With some scraping and yanking, they maneuvered it into place near the exit.

Alex said, “I better contact the command post, just to make sure.” He flicked his mic to phone, said, “Command Post” and waited.

It was only five seconds before he heard, “Command Post, Senior Sergeant Terkel, this is not a secure connection, how may I help you?”

“This is Marlow, Special Agent in Charge, Ripple Creek, escorting Ms Highland on her approved itinerary.”

“Yes, sir?”

“We need to test fire our weapons before departure. Please disregard the fire.”

“Sir, we can’t do that. All reports of fire must be responded to. Additionally, no firing is allowed inside the perimeter except while under direct attack, with logged evidence.”

There was nothing to be gained by arguing the point.

“Then we’ll do so as soon as we’re outside the perimeter. Respond as you wish. Marlow out.” He closed the connection at once.

As he expected, Terkel called back in seconds. “Sir, any fire will be considered a potential threat and investigated.”

“Go right ahead,” he said and disconnected again.

Shaman asked, “We’re really going to piss them off like that?”

“Yes. They need to understand we do our thing our way and not according to their policies.”

“I approve. I do wonder about repercussions.”

“We’ll play Highland against them. Two can run that game.”

He chuckled heartily. “I approve.”

Highland arrived moments later, with JessieM. Elke was with them, and one of Cady’s females. Ridling? Amanda Ridling? Yes, that was it. Highland and Jessie wore long tan skirts, with tights underneath. Some cultural more they were complying with, no doubt.

Highland smiled, nodded, made her way past and stepped aboard the vehicle. They were still using the ARPAC.

Apparently, she felt safe enough on base. Well and good for now, but she really should let Alex make that decision. She obviously knew this, and obviously didn’t care.

“Good morning, ma’am,” he said. “We are ready with your itinerary.”

“Very good,” she said, seeming quite genial now. “Will you be adjusting the route and arrival?”

“Always, and at random. We will deliver you on time, but sometimes earlier or from an unexpected direction.”

“Very well. Let’s go.” She took a seat and seemed comfortable enough, with a rollout computer on her lap. JessieM took a seat across from her.