Michael Williamson - When Diplomacy Fails…

Jason said, “The question may remain a while longer. However, I’m tending toward the latter. They had good intel and surveillance practice to get Aramis, their interrogation was brutal but effective at its purpose of causing extreme pain with minimal critical damage-not even fractures. They understood the potential for embolism, aneurysm, internal hemorrhage and other complications, and avoided them.”

Alex said, “Except they died quickly. They might know intel, but they don’t know combat.”

Jason said, “The ones interrogating didn’t know combat. They may not have been the only ones.”

“We also know they’re local, from genotype and environmental cues.”

Aramis started and flared his eyebrows.

“Shit.”

“What?”

“The ones who interrogated me were speaking English. North American. Neutral accent.”

Captain Das said, “You know, I could have used that information the day you were brought in here.”

Jason looked at the man and said, “Yeah, well he was a bit distracted at the time. One tends to notice the unusual. I suspect being beaten with boat oars was more unusual than hearing someone talk.”

“Sorry.” Das had the grace to look sheepish.

Alex said, “Significant. So the brains had vacated the scene when we arrived and left flunkies to die in their place.”

Das said, “This would tend to indicate we are dealing with seasoned professionals. The MO does not fit the Amala or Shia. It might fit the Coalition or the Sufis, though I can’t find any motives for them. It also suggests it might be an Earth-based faction.”

“Not necessarily,” Jason said. “Grainneans have several accents, and lots of us sound North American because we were. They could also be hirelings, including possibly suborned military. No offense, sir.”

Das shook his head. “None taken. I have to consider that, too.”

“Could the Isolationist groups have hired outside contractors?”

Das said, “Shia most definitely would not, ever, do that. It would be beneath them. Amala might, but probably can’t afford to.”

“Are we missing any potentially hostile groups?”

Aramis said, “Random pissed off rich dude? I know you said we were told it was unlikely, but it is possible. Caron… Miss Prescot, might have ideas on who’d be willing to throw money away for that.”

“I would expect not random, and well-concealed, but it’s worth asking the question.”

Jason said, “I’ll send that inquiry ASAP.”

Das said, “I appreciate your cooperation. This would be so much easier if we had control of the mission.”

“Yeah, and the reverse is true, of course. Any interaction leads to delays and inconsistencies. I’m also still wondering why BuState wanted us when they have a good security force, and easy access to the military.”

“They didn’t tell you?” Das asked.

“Uh, no?” Alex replied. Was this something known?

“She’s campaigning. BuState can’t use their resources for private escort, just as we can’t.”

“I knew a bit of that, but they still have some personnel, and they’re paying for it.”

“They are? Because officially it should be her campaign’s money.”

“I doubt they can afford us. I will confirm, but I understood they were paying.”

“Well, that’s a potential discrepancy you may wish to investigate.”

“Yes. Very. Thanks.” That would fit a lot of things in, but it also compounded the potential number of threats. Did anyone like this woman?

“Useful. We need to talk more, Captain,” he said.

“Obviously, I welcome that.”

Alex said, “Good. So, with that covered, we have a unit issue to discuss.” That was a hint for Das.

Das said, “I’ll step out for a moment. I’ll come back for the documents shortly. I must secure them before you leave the premises. Official copies will be forthcoming.” He rose and walked out the door.

Aramis looked at Alex, and then the others.

“What’s up?” he asked.

Alex said, “First, how do you feel about returning to duty? Are you ready now, or do you need more time?” That left it open for “more time” to be “past the mission” and then indefinite.

Aramis sat a little straighter and said, “Personally, I’m ready now. I’ll accept your assessment on whether you think I’m ready. But I feel prepared. If need be, I’d be okay swapping out with one of Cady’s people for a few days.”

Alex grinned. “I’d considered that, too. Well, then, Shaman?”

Shaman said, “I’ll want to keep checking him, but he seems sound on the whole. Endurance could be an issue, and that limp might slow him slightly, and, of course, we have had actual engagements.”

“So yes or no?”

“Yes. With the proviso I may need to pull him back if he shows signs of fatigue or injury.”

“Of course,” Aramis said. “But yes, I’m ready and eager to serve.”

“Jason?”

Jason extended a hand to Aramis and said, “Glad to have you back.”

Aramis smiled, so Alex did.

“Good, then let’s clear stuff up for Captain Das and get back to it.”

When they got back to their quarters, Elke was waiting, standing.

“Aramis, welcome back, my friend,” she said with a grin and a brief hug, standing a foot away. For her, that was close.

Alex caught her eye and said, “You look alert, what’s going on?”

“Our principal has friends.”

That was interesting. “What is special about these specific friends?”

“She talks to them. A lot. Too much, in my opinion.”

“Movements and meetings?”

“Yes.”

“So, we should suspect this is a potential leak.”

Jason said, “It breaks down into analyzing which information goes to whom, and cross-referencing to any incidents. Then to attempting to divert schedules further than we do to hinder attacks.”

Alex said, “Sure, but since we suspect elements in the military, local forces, local groups and BuState are toxic, who do we tell? I trust Das, but he has to forward intel to people we don’t trust.”

“Well, what do you have exactly, Elke?”

Elke took out her secure phone and played a recording.

Highland’s voice said, “… Yes, Wally, I’ll be speaking at the Mayor’s Forum, then trying to catch lunch with Mr. Huble. If you want to catch up here, fifteen hundred should be good. I’ll tell them to admit you.”

“Wally?”

Elke said, “Walton Blanding, former state senator for Maryland, North America, then lobbyist for Breeze Power, then advisor to the current SecGen’s Energy Minister.”

“What’s his connection to Highland?”

“He was state senator when she was on the Governor’s Council on Trade.”

Aramis said, “So this guy’s from the windfarm lobby, and she’s an orbital power proponent?”

Alex said, “Okay, Mr. Blanding just earned an investigation. I’ll also caution Highland about releasing information like that. I’m sure she’ll take it in the spirit in which it’s intended.”

Jason said, “In the meantime, just in case, I’ll plan to vary our routes more. That means not using the military assets we tried so hard to get.”

Bart said, “We will still use them, but only as decoys. A task they are well-suited for.”

Alex nodded, “We can improve safety en route any number of ways, but we’ll be fixed in place at the events.”

Jason said, “Also, just because, or even if, rather, he turns out to be the leak, doesn’t mean he’s a conspirator. He may be a patsy talking to someone else, or they may have him bugged.”

“Yes, but he’s certainly a likely source.”

“She’ll never believe you.”

“Of course not, but I’m required to try.”