Sharon Green: The Warrior Within

“So the masquerade will soon be over,” Jack said with a slow nod. “I assume you want our word that we won’t mention what’s been happening. I’m willing to agree—for certain considerations.”

“Always the negotiator,” Murdock snorted, looking at Jack with contempt. “It’s a pity you haven’t the intelligence to understand that you have nothing to negotiate with-You’ll keep silent on the matter because you are ordered to do so, and you will cooperate with the needs of my Bureau.”

“What needs?” Jack choked out, white-faced with fury at Murdock’s words: “What could our miserable, insignificant Bureau give you that you could possibly have a use for?”

“That, too, should be obvious,” Murdock said, his tone going flat. “I told you the sort of person Tammad needs. Don’t you think the description fits a XenoMediator?”

A light of understanding filled Jack’s eyes, and the fury evaporated as a grim pleasure replaced it.

“Possibly,” Jack agreed without letting the pleasure show in his voice. “It’s a shame all of my Mediators are already committed elsewhere. Too bad, Murdock, but we carry heavy schedules.”

“I’m sure the disappointment is shattering for you,” Murdock returned, the dryness in his voice more pronounced than usual.” However, you do have one Mediator available, and I am requesting a priority assignment. The Bureau’s Chairman will join me in my request, as this matter is serious enough to merit the attention of a Prime.”

Murdock was looking at me possessively, so I stretched and gave him a lazy laugh. “It really is a shame, Murdock, but I’m not available either. I’m on a class-one vacation leave, and can’t be reassigned unless I allow it. I don’t allow it.”

“She earned the class-one during her last assignment,” Jack put in, looking at me fondly. “The Bureaus Chairman himself insisted that she have it, so don’t expect any support from him. As I said, Murdock—a shame.”

“I agree,” Murdock said with a wintry smile. “But not for the same reasons. Terrillian will be taking the assignment in spite of any views the Bureaus Chairman has to the contrary. Rathmore will insist.”

Jack looked startled, and I wasn’t feeling sleepy any longer. Rathmore Hellman was the supreme leader of Centran in everything but name. His political power was such that no one dared oppose him on governmental matters of any sort. Murdock had the most powerful ally he could wish for. Jack ran his hand through his hair and avoided my eyes, and that annoyed me.

“Will Rathmore publicly rescind my class-one?” I demanded of Murdock as I sat up on the couch. “If he does, he’ll have to admit complicity in this thing. If he doesn’t, I still refuse to allow it.”

“My dear Terrillian—” Murdock chuckled, some slight humor creasing his narrow face -“you bolster my faith in my judgment. You realize immediately that Rathmore’s support is unnecessary to you as a Prime, so you feel free to oppose him. You have no unskilled career position that may be taken from you, as it may be taken from others, so you consider yourself safe.” His eyes flicked to an expressionless Jack, then returned to me.” However, you too are vulnerable to persuasion.”

“In what way?” I asked. “Primes are too hard to come by for Rathmore to be foolish enough to fire me. He’ll still use my skill not matter how annoyed he gets at me.”

“Assuming you are available, yes.” Murdock nodded. “In that you are quite correct. But should you no longer be available, Rathmore will not mourn your loss.”

“And how am I to be made unavailable?” I asked in amusement. “Rathmore detests waste, and will never stand for my being put out of the way- in any manner.”

“There is one way in which it may be accomplished,” Murdock answered comfortably. “Rathmore is more than anxious to establish relations with Rimilia. A small gesture would be completely supported by him.”

“What sort of gesture?” I asked with suspicion. It seemed to me that Murdock looked much too comfortable.

Murdock smiled slightly and turned his attention to Tammad. “You’ve been given a lovely house-gift, my friend. Is it your intention to take your gift home with you?”

“Of course. “Tammad grinned. “A man would be foolish indeed were he to leave behind him so lovely a gift. And one so little used.”

They both turned to look at me, and I began feeling pale. “Don’t be ridiculous!” I said shakily to Murdock. “All I have to do is refuse to go with him. The port authorities would never allow him to...”

“Which port authorities?” Murdock interrupted, his voice soft, “He wasn’t seen when he arrived, and he won’t be seen when he leaves. If there are two of you not to be seen, it won’t be immeasurably more difficult.”

“But you can’t do that!” I protested, staring at a grinning Tammad. “Murdock, that’s slavery!”

“Not at all,” Murdock corrected, his face completely sober now “it is merely political expedience. The altar of expedience has seen many such sacrifices in its time. Have you anything else to say?”

I looked down at the floor, unwilling to admit he had me in a trap. The thought crossed my mind that I could pretend to agree and then go to the peacemen as soon as I was released, but it was only wishful thinking. If I deliberately brought the matter to light, Rathmore would wait until the furor died down, then would personally see to my delivery to Rimilia. Rathmore had more patience than most, but he never forgot a disservice, and repaid it in the exact measure of his own disaccommodation.

I glanced over at Jack, but he still stood stonily silent. His entire career had been threatened, and I knew he’d never jeopardize his career just to help me. His career meant everything to him, much more than a Prime he had occasionally slept with.

Murdock sat quietly in his chair, his eyes fixed on my face. He was waiting patiently for an answer because he knew what that answer had to be.

And how do I get back here once it’s all over?” I asked with barely suppressed fury. “That—that—friend of yours will still have me!”

Murdock took my question for the acknowledgment of defeat that it was, and turned back to Tammad.

“Tammad, I’m sure you realize that Terrillian is the one I mean to send to your aid,” he said in that uncomplicated but not condescending manner he seemed to prefer when speaking to the barbarian. “She is most skilled in her profession, and cannot be bettered even though she is a woman. Are you willing to accept her help, listen to her suggestions, give her the knowledge that will enable her to assist you to victory?”

Tammad rose to his feet and grinned slightly at Murdock. “I have known for some moments that that was the thought of the Murdock McKenzie,” he answered. “I have myself seen something of the ability of this woman, and am not reluctant to accept her aid. When the deed is done, she will be returned to your embassy on Rimilia. For this you have my word.”

“Does that satisfy you?” Murdock asked, twisting around to look at me. “You ought to know that the word of a Rimilian is not easily given.”

“I do know it,” I answered, and stood up from the couch. “I suppose it will have to do. Right now I’m going home and to bed.”

I started across the room, but Murdock wasn’t through with me. “One other thing,” he called, and I stopped near Jack to look back at him. “It will be some days yet before your transportation to Rimilia will be available. As you so kindly pointed out, Sandros is not the one to be host to Tammad. He will stay with you until departure time.”

“Haven’t you done enough to her?” Jack demanded from next to me as I simply stared at Murdock. “Asking her to house that barbarian is unreasonable. If he can’t stay with Sandy take him home yourself.”