Michael Williamson - When Diplomacy Fails…

Aramis said, “I don’t see what other options we have. Delay, escape, or fight are the three courses.”

“Well, I guess we fight,” Jason said. “We stir up enough noise, they have to see us, see the threat against Ms. Highland, then they either give her the protection as her due, or take it from us and make the same jokes about us everyone does, pay our fee, and she’s alive, mission accomplished. We’re Ripple Creek’s best team, and we don’t care about cover stories, or looking good in the press.”

Shaman said, “We’ll be outnumbered.”

“Likely not. I expect the unofficial government agents on planet are under ten, possibly as few as two.”

“Based on?”

Elke said, “Based on what we both know about BuIntel paramilitary teams. We’ve both considered applying.”

Aramis said, “Paramils?”

Jason said, “Who do you think snatched you, knew enough to keep you alive, and had locals do the dirty work so there was no connection? That was meant to deliberately scare us into either leaving, doing something foolish, or embarrassing Ms. Highland enough we got dropped. Now that the lethal force is out, we had a very well-thrown grenade, using primitive tactics, and someone able to steal an armored vehicle and get it to our location. Even with foreknowledge, that’s an expert.”

“Shit,” Aramis said. “Yeah, that makes sense, but… aren’t all those guys former Recon?”

“Or before it was Recon,” Jason said. “Spetznaz, SAS, Kopassus. All professionals, with extra training.”

“What do we do about them?”

Alex said, “We’d have to kill them. Ms. Highland?”

Slowly, she said, “If they ally against the government, which is me, then they’re enemies.” At least moral decisions were easy for her, as long as they benefited her.

“Elke?”

“I could use the practice.” This would mean some nice overpressure.

Bart said, “We can get allies too.”

Aramis said, “We could get dead, too, though that or mindwiping seem to be the choices.”

“We’ve faced that before.”

“So, you’re seriously proposing attacking the paramilitary arm of BuInt?” He looked shaken, but then, he had been captured by the bastards and tortured. She’d have to add in a factor for that, when she built her charges.

“I don’t see what choice we have.”

“Alex, we’re good. We’re really good. But jokes about ‘we might be the best’ aside, those skullbangers are the wrath of the gods themselves.”

“They’re also few in number, don’t want to be discovered, and aren’t likely to risk their lives for a campaign.”

“Possibly. It’s not like we can call a truce and ask them, though.”

“We can maneuver around them and hint, and let them tell us how they’re playing it.”

Highland cut in with, “Are you discussing abandoning me?”

Elke got another thrill. The woman knew she could be a bargaining chip, or just ballast in a sack.

With that score, Elke decided she needed one of Jason’s cigars, and a bottle of eiswein.

Jason said, “Not at all, ma’am. We’ve never done so and won’t start now. We are discussing, however, the best way to keep everyone alive. I think in this case, we have an extra asset.”

“Yes?”

“JessieM can misdirect for us.”

Elke looked at her and said, “I opened a new churp for you. It won’t stay open long unless your followers can secure a pipe and mirror it.”

“They can! And they will!”

“Assume someone will try to hack as soon as you make your first churp.”

She nodded. “What do I need to say, then?”

Aramis said, “Keep it simple. Your communications are compromised and you need your followers to hold the channel and relay. You won’t be able to churp often, they need to be alert. Ms. Highland is battling subversive elements. They’ll want to hear that. Leave it there, pull the card for Elke to secure, and after that you’ll be sending leading messages to get people where we want them.”

“What are you going to do then?”

“Kill them by the fucking thousands.”

Jessie whimpered.

Aramis grinned.

“These fuckers dismembered me, tried to kill you, tried to kill my friends. They need to be taught not to do that. Then, there’s this thing about killing Ms. Highland, who is under our protection. That’s a professional issue, and it’s also a Marketing issue. If you screw with Ripple Creek, we will turn you into a goo sack.”

“Ready, then, Aramis?”

“Yes.” He looked much more himself, now that he had an enemy to aim at. That was all he’d needed, Elke realized.

“Lead the way. Elke, you drive.”

They loaded the car as they’d unloaded, in three groups. Aramis went with Elke. Highland went with Bart, overwatched by Jason, and boarded at the next corner. Shaman took Jessie down. Alex and Jason went last, locking and securing as they went. It was unlikely they’d return to this apartment during this mission, but if they could recover supplies afterward they would. In the meantime, even a poor safehouse was better than none.

They moved quickly and quietly, each carrying a basic box, bag or case with supplies. They had field rations, bottled water, lots of ammo, basic weapons and two big support weapons. It didn’t seem like enough to start a battle with, much less win one.

That’s why Elke had her toys ready.

Shaman was already curbside, climbing into the van in the cool morning air. Elke checked conditions. It should remain dry.

There was a momentary but tense mixup, since Highland had to be in the middle for best protection and bailout. She was flanked by Bart and Jason. Aramis and Elke were up front. That left Alex and Shaman to squeeze into a rear already stuffed with gear.

Elke pulled smoothly into traffic, got onto the thoroughfare, crossed one major intersection and turned into another quiet area.

“Aramis and I are to be seen as a couple. Jason, switch with me and drive. Aramis has directions.”

“Understood.”

They got out, walked rather than ran, and were still back inside in under three seconds. Jason pulled out faster than Elke had, and nodded as Aramis pointed.

“You will come back here afterward,” she said and pointed. “At the house, we can all load stuff inside, then most of you will leave with the van, and return with a load of furniture.”

“Perfect.”

“That’s very clever,” Highland said.

Alex said, “Thank you. We’ve had a lot of practice at evasion.”

“I can see where a lot of incidental expenses go.”

“Yes. We’re more flexible than official agencies. That costs money at times.”

Bart and Shaman remained because to their distinctive appearances. Alex stayed with the principal. The rest went out to get furniture. They chattered a bit as they left, to keep attention on themselves.

Bart moved quickly, placing blinds and curtains. Alex laid out weapons and ammo where they could be reached in a hurry, in several locations. Any intrusion would mean a retreat to the hard center of the domicile, and hopefully Elke would be on hand at that point, to dissuade people.

Highland actually sat quietly. She fidgeted and twitched, but didn’t interfere. Nor did she offer to help.

When the “movers” returned, they also brought food. Jason took a box into the kitchen and started tossing stuff onto the counter.

“We have fresh ingredients. Salad and fruit and sauteed beef to follow.”

To Highland’s glance, Alex said, “Jason believes he’s the best cook here. He believes that because he’s demonstrated it repeatedly. We just help with cleanup and perimeter security while he does.”

In three clunky trips, furniture came through the door and was set to barricade and cordon the rear and one of the windows. Out of the drawers came clothes, weapons, ammo and assorted supplies. That done, Jason went back to the kitchen.