Michael Williamson - When Diplomacy Fails…

The building he entered had been secured by barriers until Elke had cut her way in. The concrete still smoked from whatever she’d used to pierce it. He jumped over the rubble to find a door-shaped hole blown in the building’s extrusion, if doors were round and cut by platter charges.

Inside was barren, stripped of all but structure. He strode fast to catch up with the others, halfway across.

“I’m surprised they didn’t just demolish it,” Cady said.

Indeed. It was a shell of metal and plastic struts, decaying concrete, with occasional weeds growing through the debris.

Jason said, “Rules. Cultural and environmental protections. Even a mundane dump like this can’t be demolished, but it can be stripped.”

“What do we do outside?”

Cady said, “There should be military barricades and interdiction weapons. We can call and negotiate, or disarm and not present a threat.”

“Jason, Elke, can you jam them for a moment?”

Jason said, “Hah. No. Spoof, possibly. Throw up enough chaff, we can distract the automated systems. But someone has to go out unarmed.”

“I will,” Cady said. “I’ll take Jessie.”

Alex looked at Jessie. She nodded nervous agreement.

“I’ll call first. Stand by.”

He pulled out his other phone, punched in the number manually and connected. When the operator answered he cut the man off with, “This is Chief Marlow.”

“Yes, sir, please stand by.”

A moment later he heard, “This is Consul Beaumont. Your request is approved. Where would you like to meet the Special Service detachment?”

“We’re still working on that. Who should I contact?”

“Senior Agent Machac.” Alex memorized the number and recited it. Elke nodded acknowledgment that she had it, too.

He closed the connection, put out a hand for Elke’s spare phone, then used that to call.

“Agent Machac.”

“This is Marlow.”

“Yes, sir.”

“We need to meet with you to transfer Minister Highland to your protection. Is this agreeable?”

“Absolutely. We will accept responsibility on transfer.”

“Yes, did they tell you we’re under attack right now?”

“They did not, but I can follow the news. We can come to your location.”

“Thank you. Sir, I trust you implicitly once we connect. I do not trust our communications or other agencies. We will meet you. Stand by, please. I will be in touch.”

He closed again and looked around.

Elke said, “I have little left at this point. We’ll have one shot and it better work.”

Cady said, “Let us go first. Use it if we need to retreat.”

Alex said, “Go ahead.” To himself he said, if we need to retreat we’re pretty much dead. Highland’s fanclub are squawking chickens, the army won’t help or will be stuck in a bureaucratic loop, and the administration is trying to get her dead. No joy. He’d have words about this with Meyer when they got back. If.

“Jason, keep us secure, I need to watch this.”

“Roger.”

Cady pulled releases and dropped her gear. Two of her team took it. She and Jessie raised hands and carefully stepped through rubble, into the street.

The peacekeeping position was a small-scale fort, with concrete and fill walls two meters high and broad, wire, sensors, observation platforms. One of the buzzing drones circling around dipped low to look at them. Cady kept leading Jessie forward, toward what was officially an “Interaction Point,” where locals could meet for advice, to report incidents, or ask for help. They didn’t often, and Alex had the impression this was actually a first for the unit on shift.

The drone extended a mic for her to talk. Then someone came to the gate, into an entry alcove.

“How are we doing back here?” he asked.

Jason said, “I have a perimeter of Lionel and Bart. Aramis and I have Highland. Elke and Shaman are roving.”

“Threats?”

“I don’t think anyone saw us, or if so, they’re reluctant to enter the building. I’ve got that covered.”

“Good,” he acknowledged. Cady and Jessie had been waiting, and finally someone was coming out in person. Several someones. A squad.

“Troops inbound on foot. Squad strength. Current armor, camo and weapons. Officer accompanying.”

Alex asked, “Are you going out to meet them?”

“If they ask, otherwise I’m right here.”

The squad approached at a light trot. Cady and Jessie had hands on head. They were going to come in, he figured.

“Expect dynamic entry at this location, by friendly forces.”

“Understood. Arms down on my order,” Jason told the others.

He moved farther back, left his carbine slung low, and watched them approach.

They could probably see him by now, despite the brightness differential. The door was large and open for exactly that reason. The first two flanked the opening and poked carbines in. The next pair came in, weapons high, pointed at him, then the others.

Jason said, “Unit, arms down.”

This was a very tense moment. Ripple Creek were all professional. Were all these troops experienced?

Cady led the rest in, arms still up, followed by a sergeant and a captain.

The captain said “You!” and grimaced in distaste.

It was Captain Roye.

“Us,” Alex said.

The standoff between troops and mercenaries lasted fifteen seconds.

“Talk fast,” the captain said.

Alex did so. “There are several threats to the Minister. At least one has hacked her feeds, and at least one is manipulating the opposition. Nothing reported is accurate. We have her here, of her own accord, and have been fighting through factions to keep her safe.”

“Why did you feel the need to fight?”

“Some of them are trying to kill her.”

Roye raised his eyebrows and said, “As I’m informed, most of them are trying to find her.”

Was it possible the signals they’d received had been localized for them only? Possible. If it was narrowcast to a few blocks, there’d be few to receive, or notice, or care, except themselves.

“I can assure you that is not the case in actuality.”

“Well, that’s not my problem. What is now my problem is that you’ve started a massive fight, which is going to require me to fix.”

“If it keeps the Minister safe, we’re available to help.”

Roye did not look happy. “Agent, with respect, every time you try to help, we have another disaster on our hands. I can furnish you a ride back to base, and in fact, I officially suggest so, or you can clear the hell out of my line of fire. Bureaucratic BS following that rescue of your man is why I’m in this tasking now.”

That explained the hideous camo instead of the gray splinter he’d had previously.

He couldn’t fault the man’s position. Given conflicting information, the fact that the difference in their structures and goals had caused problems, and the government’s habit of blaming the officer on scene for everything, it was quite understandable. Nor did he have any idea what he could offer.

Highland said, “Captain, I am here voluntarily now, and I do trust my guards. Any help you can give them is appreciated. I prefer not to return to base just yet.”

Jason shouted, “Contact north!” as fire came through that entrance.

The sergeant repeated, “Contact north!” as a round came his way, and added, “And east! Multiple contacts!”

Aramis and Jason swarmed Highland and pulled her down. Everyone scrabbled for weapons. The troops dove into the building and took positions around the door.

Roye was angry.

“Have you really stirred the natives up to attack a UN position?”

“Sir, it wasn’t us. Really. Someone is playing all of us for power. Highland has supporters, detractors, enemies, people willing to fake attacks for image, possible assassins, disputes with other agencies. She’s somewhat contentious.”