Michael Williamson - When Diplomacy Fails…

She muttered loudly, “Ferin never could find his ass with both hands. He just does what he’s told and smiles vacuously. He’s also not my assistant, he’s a third-tier functionary. At least Jaekel is on Earth, keeping things stable.”

Jason continued, “The good news for Ms. Highland is that this is creating a surge in popularity, over the needed mark. Of course, that also means at this point, any hostiles will simply go for her demise, and try to blame anyone, probably us, for it.”

Alex said, “We need to identify who, and we don’t have the intel resources we need to do so.”

“So we get them all fighting and see who issues what releases first, or who tips their hand.”

Alex said, “Ms. Highland?”

She raised her eyebrows. “Obviously, I’m thrilled at the boost in numbers. Without any political talk, it shows that I do have a good image, and yes, I can see why that would be a threat. Hunter wouldn’t have the means to stop me. That idiot Cruk is both slimy and vicious enough to do so. He’s really not very bright himself, but his cabinet and many of the ambassadors put him in so they could get their positions, junkets and graft. That’s been covered in the news, and no one with a brain disputes it.”

She paused. “I won’t say I’ve never taken favors. It’s part of politics. But this man’s a petty Czech thug who’s been set up to be nothing but a graft nexus. They want him in place.”

Jason was bemused. “And you didn’t think they’d kill over that?”

“No,” she said. “I didn’t think they’d kill me over that. I do have a large following, visibility, and security.”

“They set us up so they could take us down with you.”

Bart asked, “I would like to know why Corporate let us take this mission.”

Alex said, “Because if we pull it off we’ll be untouchable. If we die, we die protecting a major persona, and I expect there are ways to expose the source. I have all our recordings, for example.”

Meyer may also have planned to use that information as blackmail. He wasn’t going to say that in public. It was easy enough to figure out, however. Highland had been in BuState since the debacle with Bishwanath. She’d just taken over the reins about that time. So she very well might have been involved in trying to off him, or at least in profiting from it. Dirt over her would be very useful if she were elected.

Jason said, “Well, we know where everyone stands. The local threats are no longer significant. Bart?”

“I concur,” he said. “We can easily avoid or overwhelm the locals. The relevant threat is some agency under orders from New York.”

“Agency?” Highland asked.

Bart said, “I have trouble with English at times. I mean an agent, an actor, under their orders. It may or may not be an actual agency.”

Aramis said, “I suspect it would be. It’s much easier for them to bring gear in.”

Elke said, “Didn’t someone bring in that crate of gear two weeks ago? It was immediately out the gate and we were told not to worry about it.”

Alex said, “That was BuIntel… who have all kinds of shady connections.”

“Equipping local hires?” Shaman asked. “Or doing it themselves?”

“Too obvious themselves,” Alex said. “But just in case, we’ll plan accordingly.”

He addressed them all.

“Is everyone rested? Cleaned? Latrined? Fed? Stocked with ammo, batteries, fresh phones?” He pointed and said, “JessieM has two units prepped. We have maps,” he nodded to Aramis. “We’re going to create a riot, and…”

It suddenly came to him.

“Jessie, we want Ms. Highland’s supporters to demand she have Special Service protection, that her electability has reached that point. It doesn’t matter that she has BuState personnel and us merc types, she deserves and must have official escorts.”

Jason grinned. “I like it.” If the SpecServ had control, they’d have to take the bite on anything happening to her. It would be too obvious it was action from within. It also meant acknowledging she was a challenge at caucus for the serving SecGen. So Cruk would be admitting her status and protecting her.

Hypothetically, it was possible to arrange a hit then try to spread the blame around to other agencies, since during the transition, SpecServ, Ripple Creek, BuState Security Directorate and the military would all be milling about. But it would still generate suspicion, and it would be much safer to run an actual election, no matter how crooked.

God, I’m glad I moved off Earth, he thought to himself. There was corruption everywhere, but even Salin had nothing on Earth.

Alex concluded, “And we pass off the ball amid a massive scrum, bow politely, and leave the hostiles wondering.”

Elke said, “Does this mean I can blow things up?”

“Anything hostile, obstructing us, or that makes a nice video for the news.”

“Always with the restrictions,” she sighed. “But I’m in.”

Shaman said, “You didn’t ask me, but I have a full trauma bag and enough painkillers to turn a hippopotamus toes up. I suspect we may need it.”

Highland was wide-eyed again, but give her credit, the trembles didn’t show in her face, nor did she object. She was a world class bitch, but she did have guts.

After a moment’s pause, Alex said, “Okay, we’re out of here,” and pointed to the door.

Highland moved okay for a civilian. JessieM was faster. They were still the lag factor on the rest of the team.

“Elke,” he said, “this building is not to conveniently explode after we leave.”

“It’s not full of hostiles,” she said. “Why would I waste explosive?”

“Just so we’re clear. Everyone has water, food bars, a small pack, and we have two rucks of big stuff for backup, plus medical, the jump harness and extra guns.” He checked off and pointed as he counted.

Probably someone noticed them all piling into the car, meant for five, jammed with eight plus gear. It wasn’t likely anyone would tag them as Highland’s contingent, but only as one more factional group of many. Without knowing whom they represented, most people would leave them entirely alone.

Aramis navigated by memory. He really did excel at it. When they first formed the team, he’d been just an expendable grunt with an attitude. Brave, tough, but irritating and just muscle. He’d matured, improved and become a crack pathfinder.

“Destination is fifteen kilometers generally northeast,” he said. “Take any route north to Peace of the Prophet Way, then west. Yes, I said west. We have to go around one of those stupid peace walls.” The glance he shot over his shoulder seemed to be a dare to Highland to argue. She didn’t.

Bart drove, partly because he was the best in civilian vehicles, partly because he wouldn’t fit anywhere else, nor could anyone sit on his lap without being crushed. He was laconic as always, but took Aramis’s directions and moved them smoothly. It was still most of a half hour before they neared the coordinates Aramis provided. The roads were that messed up. This hole wasn’t colonial. It was a dump.

Aramis said, “This is the right area. We’re going to need to debark, get seen, then depart before we get too much attention. Do we want to keep this same vehicle?”

Alex said, “If it works, we’ll use it. If we see something better we’ll take it.”

Shaman said, “I see a very nice church van. On the one hand, opposition groups will be more likely to shoot at it. On the other hand, they can’t shoot very well, and the allied groups will avoid shooting at it, and will act to defend it.”

Alex said, “On yet the other hand, it’s fine transport and I don’t care what the locals think. Jason, steal the church bus.”