Solbidyum Wars Saga 7: Hunt for the Reduviids (5 page)

“Ah, there you are, Tibby,” exclaimed a high-pitched voice from somewhere in the direction of the dinner table.  I looked to my left to see Leader Tonclin moving in my direction with another individual by his side.  “Leader Pheosa, allow me the special privilege of introducing you to First Citizens Tibby and Kalana.  Without the heroic efforts of these two patriots, it’s unlikely that the Federation would still be in existence today to receive your leadership.”

“I am deeply honored to meet you both,” Leader Pheosa exclaimed.  “I have heard so very much about you and studied the history of your deeds since the return of the
TRITYTE
and the legendary lost solbidyum cargo.  I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am to actually meet you in person and share a table with you during this celebration.”

“I assure you, Leader Pheosa, the honor is ours.  I’m certain the stories you’ve heard about us are greatly exaggerated,” I replied.

Leader Pheosa was a short and stocky man, barely 1.5 meters tall.  His thinning black hair appeared to be pasted to his head by some kind of substance that created a glossy shine under the hall lighting – and his pencil-thin mustache seemed to be groomed with the same care.  His appearance brought to mind a time back on Earth when it was common for men to slick their hair back with creams and gels in to keep it in place.

“I notice you’re wearing your Admiral’s uniform this evening.  Should I address you as Admiral or as First Citizen?” Leader Pheosa asked.

“Just call me Tibby,” I replied.  “I hate honorifics.

Pheosa grinned.  “Very well then, Tibby, but you will have to reciprocate and call me Pheo, as all my friends do.”

Tonclin laughed, “Pheo, Tibby has always insisted that I call him Tibby and I tell him to call me Tonc, but he seldom does.  Perhaps you’ll have more luck with him than I do.”

“I’m a bit surprised that you’re able to get so many security troopers inside the hall tonight, given the number of senators and dignitaries expected to be present,” Kala said to Tonclin.

“Yes,” Tonclin replied with a slight tone of disappointment.  “It’s only possible because so many senators found excuses to decline attendance.  I suspect the impact of the losses resulting from the Brotherhood’s early attacks will forever create apprehension about large assemblies; and the current escalation of terrorism is only fueling those fears.  However, tonight I believe we are quite safe.  I have been informed by Admiral Wabussie, as well as your people, Tibby, that there has been no sign of a Brotherhood presence in this sector for some time now and no rumors or intelligence that indicate a threat to tonight’s celebration.”

“Well, let us hope all our data is correct,” I said with a smile.

“Besides,” Tonclin said, as the pitch in his voice raised a note higher, “we’ve got
you
here to save us.  I haven’t forgotten that you saved both Admiral Regeny and me at my own inauguration.

“Pheo, you’ll never be safer than when Tibby’s around,” he added.

“Tonc you have that all wrong.  The truth is you’ve never been attacked when I
wasn’t
around.  I attract trouble like a magnet.  You’re far safer when I’m not around.”

Tonclin’s face took on a serious expression and his voice dropped a tone, “Don’t ever think that, Tibby.  Were it not for you, none of us would be standing here today and don’t think for one moment that we don’t know it.  The Brotherhood would have killed or enslaved us all by now, had you and your friends not intervened.  Now, I think we need to take our seats.  The evening’s celebration should be underway shortly.”

As First Citizens, Kala and I were seated at the main table with Leaders Tonclin and Pheosa.  Tonclin’s wife had died years earlier, but his daughter, Chanina, was able to attend with him.  I was surprised to see her there, as she was also a member of my crew on the
NEW ORLEANS
.  Kala and I had known her since she was a young girl, when Tonclin, who was a Senator at the time, brought her aboard the
NEW ORLEANS
for a visit, during which she managed to wander off and get lost in the ship’s maze of corridors.  Now, I’m not one to judge what constitutes beauty in alien species, especially ones with skin that looks like old, gray, weathered tree bark; but I’m sure that, by Nibarian standards, Chanina was quite beautiful.  Regardless of her physical appearance, she was indeed a lovely person.  When Lunnie and Reidecor were younger, she even offered to babysit and help Kala with them when she was not on duty as the ship's navigator.

Leader Pheosa was accompanied by his bondmate, who presented quite a contrast to his short stubby countenance.  Unlike Pheo, she was tall, blond and very attractive.  Her appearance brought to mind the trophy wives that many government officials back on Earth seemed to collect.  She was introduced to us as Taunet.  As conversation developed, I discovered her to be quite intelligent and far more genuine than I had prejudged.  I learned that she and Pheo had, in fact, been childhood sweethearts and best friends all their lives.  She appeared to genuinely care for him, and seemed oblivious to her own good looks and uncaring about his lack of the same.  I actually felt guilty over my earlier assessment of her.

Leader Tonclin made the introductory speech, heaping praise on Pheosa and declaring that the Federation citizens had elected the right man for the position.  Pheosa then stepped forward, expressing his gratitude and respect for the Senate and for all citizens, his desire to provide effective leadership for the benefit of all peoples, and his dedication to finding new ways to bring an end to the war.  Polite stomping and cheers followed his brief speech, as the wait staff began the food service. 

We had barely begun the first course, when Kala leaned over to me and whispered, “Tib, something isn’t right here.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, as I felt the hairs begin to rise on the back of my neck.

“See that waiter over there, two tables away?  The one with the large ear lobes?”

“Yes, are his ear lobes significant?” I responded.

“No, not his ears.  Tibby, I went through training with that man and we served on the
DUSTEN
together.  I know it’s him, only it’s not him.”

“What do you mean,
it’s him, but it’s not him
?”

“Tib, the group I trained with was a very close; we came to know each other quite well and we became a real family.  We even had our own secret signs that we’d flash to each other when passing in the corridors while on duty or when we’d catch sight of each other at a club or somewhere other than on the ship.  I recognized him when he looked our way a moment ago, but when flashed the sign to acknowledge him, he didn’t respond or even react.”

“Well maybe he didn’t notice, or maybe he had his hands too full to respond,” I answered.

“No, Tib, it’s more than that.  He
did
see me flash the sign, but it was as though he didn’t recognize it –  or, if he did, he had no idea how to respond.  Tibby, I don’t think it’s him.  I think that man is an imposter.”

“Kala, are you sure?  I mean, if you’re right and he’s an imposter, this could be really dangerous.”

“Yes, Tib, I’m sure and I’m scared.  If he’s not my old shipmate, who is he?  And why is he here?”

If Kala was right, I could only think of one reason he would be here and that was to kill either Leader Tonclin, Leader Pheosa, me, or all of us.  There could be other insurgents among the wait staff, as well, and I had no idea how to gauge the magnitude of the situation.

“Is there some problem, Tibby?” Tonclin asked.  Kala and I immediately realized that our concern was apparent on our faces and we both made an immediate effort to lighten our expressions.

“Possibly,” I said, “but please, everyone, try to act normally and do not look around.  Kala, I want you, Taunet, and Chanina to get up together and act as though you’re casually excusing yourselves to use the toilet facilities.  Several of our guards will go with you and Jenira will probably find you as soon as you leave this room.  Once you’re clear of this area and out of sight, I want you to contact the captain of our security team.  Tell them to discreetly isolate the waiter in question and remove him from the building.  He is to be detained apart from all civilians and non-essential personnel while his credentials are verified and he is thoroughly screened.  Do
not
release him.  Also, arrange for some of the security team to change places with the wait staff for this table and instruct them to remain situated as near to us as possible.  See if they can use a food service cart to conceal some protective gear and bring it to our table.  There may be a number of assassin terrorists among the servers and we have no way of knowing how many.”

Kala nodded to the ladies and said with a smile, “Let’s go freshen up, shall we?”  Taunet slowly rose from her chair and strode away from the table with all the relaxed appearance of a lady completely at ease.  Chanina was not so well composed, but her uncommon appearance served to mask her panic.  I doubt anyone not extremely familiar with Nibarians would have noticed her distress.

“Tib, how do you think they will try to kill us?” Tonc asked, once the women were gone.

“I don’t know, smuggling weapons in here would be extremely difficult and an enemy would hardly be able to draw one before the guards would mow them down.  My guess would be body bombs.”

“By the stars,” Pheosa exclaimed softly.  “You don’t think there are body bombs
here
?!”

“It’s the only weapon we can’t readily detect, and the only way I can see that they could get in here is by infiltrating or compromising the wait staff in some way.”

As I finished speaking, I was alarmed to see Taunet return to the table.  As she approached, she said with a perfectly natural smile to both Tonclin and Pheosa, “One of you two need to leave.”

“What?  Why did you come back?” Pheosa exclaimed as he tried to maintain his composure.

“Don’t look so excited dear,” Taunet said calmly as she took her seat next to him.  It should be obvious that if the intention is to kill both of you, they will do so when you’re together.  If one of you leaves, it will delay their attempt.”

“She’s right,” I said as the realization hit me.  Tonc, you’re the one who needs to leave the table.  You have the most experience and present the largest threat to the Brotherhood.  You need to excuse yourself and leave the room now.”

Tonclin hesitated.  “Tibby, I feel it should be Pheosa.  I've nearly served my term.  He has a full 15-year term to serve.”

“Look, we don’t have time to argue this, Tonc.  You need to leave now,” I insisted.

“I agree,” said Pheosa.  “If I die, a new Leader can be elected and little impact will be felt in the government; but if you die, everything you control at the moment will be stalled while I try to learn what you were doing.  You’re simply more valuable to the Federation at the moment than I am.”

“I disagree,” Tonclin began to protest when I interrupted him.

“Look, Tonc, either you go now, or I’ll start an altercation and drag you out.” 

Tonc looked at me a moment, nodded and headed toward the door as three men from my security team approached our table dressed as waiters pushing a serving cart.  When they reached us, they began placing covered dishes on the table.  One of them spoke barely loud enough to be heard by those of us at the table.

“Under these covers are small hand weapons, in the event you need them.  In the bottom of this cart,” he continued, as he pretended to present a sample tray containing the next course selections, “you will find several light armor battle jackets.  Sir,” he said with a quick glance and waiter’s bow in my direction, “we’ve contained the suspect and he is indeed a body bomber.  He’s being held in an explosive-proof cell at this time.”  He presented a plate as he briefed me further.  “We believe there are additional bombers among the service staff and a controller staged somewhere nearby with one or more remote detonators, waiting for at least one of the remaining bombers to approach your table before detonating.  Under the circumstances, we recommend immediate evacuation.  We’ll try to provide a cover distraction while you and the others put on the gear, but we need to move you quickly toward the doors and out of the building.”

“I don’t think that will work,” I said.  "As soon as we start to don the gear, the person with the detonator will see and press the button.  Thousands could be killed in here.  There must be another way.  Tell me, is there any indication that the body bomber knows he’s a bomb?”

“No, sir, but he has clearly been subjected to cosmetic surgery to resemble one of the regular staff and he has had eye transplants so that allowed him to pass the retinal scans.  It is highly likely that the original staffer was killed to get his eyes.  Sir, we need to move away from the table now or people will start to become suspicious about us hanging around your table so long,” he said as he and the other staff began to retreat, leaving the serving cart by the table.

“So what do we do now?” Pheosa asked nervously.

“We sit here and try to appear engaged in a normal conversation; and at the very first sign of danger, you and Taunet drop to the floor by the cart, get those jackets on and grab a gun from under one of these dish covers.”

“What about you?”

“I’m already wearing an armored vest under my uniform.  I’m required to wear it almost all the time these days.  It would be a good idea for you to do the same,” I said.  I glanced up to note several troopers taking up positions around the upper balcony of the hall.  At that moment, one of the waiters also noticed the troopers and his reaction was one of instant panic.  He made a dash for the exit, but three steps into his retreat he exploded.