Angry Ghosts (21 page)

The counselor puckers. “I need to convince both Munro
and
Ralla?”

“That’s right.”

The counselor grasps the bridge of his nose between his eyes and rises slowly from his seat. “I have some preparing to do.”

“Please do, Counselor. This is no ordinary rotation. We need to be thorough.”

The counselor nods. “Very true, General.” He pushes his seat closer to O’Kai’s desk. “Thank you for your time.”

“Of course.”

The counselor politely excuses himself from the general’s office, and O’Kai digs back into his terminal.

Having wrapped up his lengthy and detailed case, the counselor sits with dreary patience as Colonel Munro and Major Ralla make their counterpoints, listing the failures and mistakes Team Spectre has committed since their return. Their presentation is well documented, but it makes no difference to the counselor. He knows he is right in his choice.

“In summation,” Munro concludes, “Team Spectre has the most impressive service record of any operator team yet has shown such incompetence of late that they cannot be trusted in such a crucial mission. We are highly impressed with your knowledge of
psy-chol-o-gy
, particularly the predictive aspects for assessing future potential, but we are unconvinced Team Spectre is a proper choice for this mission.”

“Colonel,” the counselor counters, “take a look at the
Europa
—those three overhauled and maintained that
whole ship
, and some of her systems are much more complicated than Cadre One’s! Their failing is not a matter of ability or coordination, it’s mental, and this mission is precisely what they need to become whole again.”

Ralla extends her hand straight at the counselor. “I’m sorry, Counselor. We can’t base our decisions on what the
three of them
need. And even if Argo and Thompson
could
be made fit, Maiella could
not
. She’s a much-older-generation Geek, and though upgrades are possible, almost all of her synaptic bridges have retreated. Retrofitting her HDI and reestablishing those bridges as an adult carries
very
high risk of brain damage or mortality.
If
she survived, which is unlikely, she’d have a longer recovery time and would have to learn all over again how to do her job. We can outfit a new Geek Operator with a fraction of the risk. Regardless of your opinion on her ‘distracted mind,’ she
must
be excluded.”

The counselor peers at the major, searching her eyes. “Are there any other reasons, any
personal
reasons you feel she should be excluded?”

“
Counselor
”—Ralla smiles patronizingly—“emotionality is not something I’m overly burdened with. My decision is based on efficiency and concern for the well-being of all. No other factors are relevant.”

Reluctantly, the counselor concedes, seeing the va
lidity of her argument and recognizing it was he who pushed for personal reasons. Maiella's exclusion raises new questions in his mind, though, as he ponders what will happen if she is split from Argo and Thompson.
She'll have lost everyone she was ever close to, and her condition will worsen. Even her sanity may fail. If that happens, there's no doubt—she'll be reconstituted.

His mind drifts with the horro
r of seeing her blank and mindless, robotically performing mundane tasks. Allowing her to fall to such a deadened existence haunts him. But one more look at Ralla and Munro proves it is pointless to argue any further.

“All right, Maiella stays. But
you've got their full service record in your hand right there. You've read what they can do. I've
seen
them in action, and I think you should, too.”

The counselor sneaks a glance to see if the two will bite. Ralla is as
calm and composed as a mountain lake; but there is a glimmer in Munro's eye, a slight angle in the way he holds his head.

“
So we'll devise a test that will prove conclusively Argo and Thompson should go,” the counselor continues, “and I’ll trust you to provide the new Geek for the team.”

Ralla opens her mouth to remind the counselor that question has yet
to be resolved, but Munro raises his large hand, shushing her.

“
You think there's a way we could test them? What sort of test could suffice?”

“It doesn’t matter,” the
counselor replies quickly. “All you have to tell them is it’s preliminary to their mission to Earth. Set the parameters as high as you want, and I
know
they'll meet or exceed them. Run them ragged, be relentless, the harsher the better. And after you’ve witnessed their improvement, you’ll have the proof you need.”

Ralla leans in toward Munro. “It
would
be an interesting experiment in motivation. And if they do improve, we’ll only need to prep one new operator instead of three.”

Munro n
ods in agreement, adding, “Argo and Thompson have the widest operational experience of our corps, except maybe for Shao-Lo and O'Kai. That'll count in a mission with this many variables.”

“I ask you to permit me a duty,” the counselor begs.

Munro’s eyebrows lift. “Oh?”

“If Maiella must be excluded, I’d like to take full responsibility for her. That includes planning her time and schedule, subject to your approval, of course.”

Ralla and Munro squint at the counselor with cautious interest. “Your request is not unreasonable,” the colonel states, “yet I'd hear your reason.”

“It takes a damaged
gear out of your machine, so to speak; but more importantly, I’ve gotten to know Maiella well in the time we’ve been together. Captain Keller told me what 'reconstitution' means, and I couldn’t endure seeing that happen to her, not until I’ve tried everything I can to help her.”

“Yes,” Munro
says, nodding. He leans over to Ralla, explaining, “The colonists have a profoundly
negative
reaction to reconstitution.”

Ralla’s eyebrows pull together in curious non-understanding.

“Very well,” Munro permits. “Maiella will be released to your custody, and her duty schedule must be submitted four weeks in advance. Thank you, Counselor.” Munro and Ralla stand from their seats across the table.

The counselor stands quickly after them. “One last thing, Colonel?”

Ralla halts with a questioning look until Munro gives her a permissive nod to go ahead. She strides out of the room.

“Yes
?” Munro asks.

“Breaking the team up
, that'll be hard for them. I’d like to be the one who informs them.”

Munro juts his
lower lip out, considering it. “Agreed. You may inform Team Spectre of their dissolution.” He is about to leave, but holds a moment. “Anything else?”

“No, Colonel. I thank you and Major Ralla for your time.”

Munro nods once and strides out of the room and into the bright metal corridors of Cadre One. He heads to General O’Kai’s office, being saluted by Operators on patrol along the way, and he buzzes for entry. Beyond the door, a commanding voice beckons, “Come!”

The door whisks aside and Munro steps through. O’Kai is seated at his desk, and Ralla rises from her seat
opposite, smiling politely at Munro as he enters.

“Colonel,” O’Kai begins, “
take a seat and let’s have your report.”

Munro sits
in a chair beside Ralla, still mulling over the last two hours of discussion with the counselor.

“He brought some very interesting concepts to the table, particularly the field of
psychology
. It never occurred to me the mind could sustain injury like the body.”

O’Kai nods. “Yes, he has many good ideas. But what are your thoughts on the counselor? That’s really what I sent you to discover.”

Munro thinks for a moment, trying to distill his perceptions, then defers to Ralla.

“He has a remarkable
intellect,” Ralla states, “factual, logical, and rational with a high capacity for creative problem solving and intuitive deduction. Moreover, he seems less attached to his sense of ‘self’ than the others. Every argument or point he has stressed has been for the benefit of those around him, never for himself, and he gladly accepts additional tasks without hesitation.”

“My thoughts exactly,” O’Kai adds. “It’s refreshing to see at least one colonist has the proper priorities. What else?”

“He seems unburdened by emotions as the others are,” Munro describes, “though he places a great deal of concern on the emotions of his comrades, including Argo, Maiella, and Thompson. That aside, I enjoy discussions with him, seeing much that we have in common. His perspectives inspire confidence, and I find myself quite willing to cooperate with him.”

O’Kai leans on his elbows, placing one fist inside the other and nodding
in agreement. “So what did you decide, Munro?”

“I believe
there's a possibility Brick Argo and Gun Thompson could be made fit, but not Geek Maiella.”

O’Kai pans his view to Ralla, and from her serious expression, he can see her opinion was decisive in the matter. He looks back at Munro. “Reasoning?”

“Team Spectre was able to repair and maintain the
Europa
during her long voyage here. It satisfied me that their recent low performance is not a result of physical damage from extended cryo-freeze but is, in fact, mental; considering their length of service, not to mention their achievement...if the counselor will help us salvage these Operators, then I'm willing to try it.”

Ralla adds,
“They were first of the Corps, once. Makes me curious to see how they fight. Maybe they could teach us things, things we might have lost or forgotten in the last two hundred years.”

Munro snorts.
“So long as the last sixteen months with the colonists hasn't turned them soft.”

O’Kai chews on the information then looks at Ralla. “Why not Maiella?”

Ralla sits up. “Her mission-essential hardware is damaged. Add to that, it's badly outdated. To upgrade her functionality with current standards carries an eighty-eight percent chance of debilitating brain injury and consumes resources with which a new Geek could be equipped…
without
Maiella’s behavioral flaws. The costs strongly outweigh the benefits.”

“All right then,”
O’Kai continues, “what's to be done with her?”

“The counselor has volunteered to take Maiella into his custody,” Munro answers. “He will provide her schedule four weeks in advance for my approval.”

O’Kai shakes his head. “With all of his current duties, he’s going to supervise Maiella as well? I think he’s going to be working longer hours than we do.”

Resetting his brow, he issues his or
ders. “Major, we're going to need a Geek for this mission. Review your Operator candidates and make a selection.”

“Yes, sir!” Ralla replies.

“Colonel, we’ll need a transport vessel, both invisible and fast. One that can accommodate an Operator Team and extra equipment for an extended mission.”

“Sir!” Munro replies. “Shall we modify Team Spectre’s virus ship?”

O’Kai thinks hard about the suggestion. “No,” he says reluctantly. “The virus ships were never designed for atmospheric entry.” He trails off, suddenly aware how little expertise they have in aerodynamics.

“Shall I enlist the colonist engineers in the project?” Munro asks.

O’Kai looks up from his deep thought, one hand partially covering his mouth. “Yes,” he says at last. “The main colony structure is designed to drop from orbit through the atmosphere, so they must have an idea of the kind of forces involved.” He gets a slight smile. “Plus, having a common project may be good for us all…keep us from grinding against each other for a while.”

Ralla and M
unro return the general’s smile.

“But keep in mind, both of you,” O’Kai lectures, “we can only ask them to participate, not demand. And if they do join, there can be only one project leader.”

“I understand, sir,” Munro responds. “I will consult with the counselor on the best way to obtain their willing compliance.”

O’Kai
nods, pleased Munro took his meaning appropriately.

“General,” R
alla voices, “selecting a Geek Operator will be a relatively brief process. How else may I assist?”

O’Kai ponde
rs the scope of the new mission. “Following this meeting, you and Chusan will devise the scope of testing required to assure Brick Argo and Gun Thompson are fit for duty. I'll review it, then order them both to report to you for assignment. If they prove themselves, introduce them to their new teammate and designate a new name. Team Spectre is no more.”

Eyeballing Ralla directly, O’Kai leans across his desk. “You are to push t
hem harder and longer than any Operator
ever
. Permit them only the minimum of nutrients and sleep. Chase them. Don’t let up. If they have a breaking point, it is your
duty
to find it.”

Ralla straightens her posture. “I understand perfectly.”

O’Kai leans back into his chair and regards his two officers directly. “Are there any other questions?”

As one, Munro and Ralla reply, “Sir, no, sir!”

“Dismissed!”

* * * * *

The counselor steps into his softly lit office aboard the
Europa
where Argo, Thompson, and Maiella are seated anxiously.