When Diplomacy Fails . . . (17 page)

So it was time to pull in some favors, have the mercenary bastards marked as what they were. She could then separate herself, be magnanimous and fair, and regret it as they went down.

She just had to keep Cruk’s publicity people from covering them against her. So perhaps a call to Blanding was in order, to find some nonprofit group who could sue on behalf of the low-class rabble they’d blithely shot.

The next load that flashed made her grit her teeth and growl. She wanted something to bite, to chew, to rip with her jaw.

People wondered why she hated the common morons the Equality Party attracted. It was because they were morons. Enthusiasm didn’t equate to competence or even usefulness.

The slogan was, “Let’s position Joy on top!”

It was on flash buttons, on shirts, on hats and pennants.

Even worse, at a rally in Bangladesh, a crowd was chanting. The reporter waxed eloquent about the turnout numbers, but behind her it was easy to hear, “Joy on top! Assume the position!”

It might be enthusiasm and lack of familiarity with English idiom. It might be unintentional idiocy. Or, it might be the work of some shill from Cruk’s camp or even Hunter’s. And yes, his name was most certainly part of why she wouldn’t team with him. “Joy/Hunter” would have made this even worse.

It had to be stopped. Morons would ignore spelling errors, or even inadvertent insults. But a catchy phrase with innuendous potential would linger for years. She screened a quick message.

Huble: Cease and desist these moronic fuckers at once.

I want those signs gone within the hour.

Spend the money to make sure they are destroyed.

Then she moderated it slightly, because it just might get cracked in transit. Polite in all matters, she reminded herself.

She understood why so many of her . . . well, no, they weren’t peers, but competitors, took offers from the multinationals. The power was less visible, but that gave leeway to behave more casually.

But she would beat that classless buffoon. It would take a few phone calls . . . which she couldn’t make from here. That twelve-hour delay was infuriating.

CHAPTER 15

ALEX KNEW THIS WAS A GOAT ROPE.
All he could do was keep roping.

He entered their quarters, which were covered by two of Cady’s people.

Marlin said, “You’re secure inside, sir.”

“Thanks. Outside?”

Roger Edge said, “Nothing that we can discern.”

Jason said, “I’ll check,” as he unshouldered his coat, slipped arms through his harness, cleared his pistol before reaching the door to his quarters, and tossed the whole ensemble on the bed.

Alex likewise took his coat off, unsnapped the armor, and said, “Elke, I’ll want whatever feeds you have. In an hour.”

It could be done faster, but they all needed to hydrate after a sweaty ride, standing for hours in a hall and a flight back. Then they needed bathroom breaks, to reconstitute gear, and save files, make notes, debrief themselves. There were several reasons they got paid as well as they did, and the long hours were part of it.

Jason reported secure. Everyone summarized their notes.

“Elke, what do you have for us?”

“She’s angry,” Elke said. “Just as she told us, she thinks it will be seen as weak. Here.”

She started a playback from a video feed in Highland’s quarters. It wasn’t good video, but even the BuState intel people hadn’t found the devices. Nor was he sure what Elke used. If found, he’d deny it, she’d get “counseled,” the lawyers would apologize, and they’d go right back to doing what they’d been doing.

Highland said, “Cruk is going to be the cause of my breakdown. Or rather, his handlers are. That retarded African buffoon is beyond a puppet.” She strode around, distorted slightly from the correction algorithm on the near spherical lens. She had a glass of something, half-drained already, and her biometrics seemed to indicate some sort of tranquilizer.

JessieM sat on the couch, looking a bit tense but unafraid. She said, “It hasn’t affected you negatively yet. They’re reporting that the unrest caused the entire conference to divert to air.”

“Yes, so I personally am okay, but BuState looks like bumbling idiots. That’s why we got rid of leMieure. I can’t be seen in any comparison to him.”

“Of course not. But you present better. Your intro went over well, and your followup release says you regret that further progress couldn’t be made through intransigence and the stress of the civil unrest. I noted the unrest was due to economic and societal inequality, and that you wanted peace for all groups to pursue their joint destiny.”

Interesting. JessieM wasn’t just a lackey. That was a pretty well-phrased release, done on the fly. He looked at the others, they looked back and nodded. It was understood.

“Good. I need to distance myself from Ripple Creek before they take a fall.”

“I’ve been churping that you would rather have BuState security. This change is due to the administration.”

“We can’t blame them! They’ll come back on us.”

“I haven’t. It’s stated as due to necessity, and I blamed the Liberty Party for refusing to accede to a reasonable budget, thus forcing this on us.”

“Good. We’re all friends here, and I greatly respect our faithless and fearful leader. Once we’ve cleared decks and are ready for the caucus, then we’ll pile on.”

“He’s going to expect that.”

“Of course. The trick is not to come across as too competent. If he has to throw resources at it, he looks like a bully. Passive aggressive strategy.”

“Ma’am, should we be discussing this out loud?”

“Huh? Oh, it’s fine. Mr. Gillette swept this place right before we came in. Didn’t you get the churp?”

“I did not.” JessieM looked somewhat nonplussed at being left out of that discussion.

“Yes, he’s got us covered.”

That was interesting, Alex thought. Had he done a half-assed job? A good job, but not good enough? Or was he a mole for someone?

“Elke, are you sure no one else has a feed from there?”

“I am.”

Jason said, “So am I. Aerospace Force was able to check on Bishwanath as a colonial power. BuState has made it very clear they won’t allow outside agencies, and I’ve checked. If the military got anything, it would mean someone’s neck. So if someone is even trying, it’s without permission and a hostile act. Then they’d have to go through Cady to do so. Nor did we find anything. Probability, then, is very low.”

“Understood, but low is not zero.”

“Of course. All a matter of odds.”

They stopped as Highland said, “. . . will need to get moving on Ripple Creek. They are going to save me, just not the way those bloodthirsty retards imagine.”

Very interesting, and unnerving. If she’d toss out the R word, and planned to take them down, then this was very interesting.

“I’m glad she underestimates us.”

Aramis said, “I know the military does. We’re deemed second raters. Hell, I used to think so, until that first mission. I suppose civilians have even less grasp of what we do.”

“She’s been around the track, though. She should know better.”

Shaman said, “BuState security are very much expected to take fire, and to not hurt bystanders. It’s not hard to do that among a largely disarmed population that isn’t minded to cause major violence. We come in when there is major violence in the paradigm. Then, she’s been shuffled out here for a reason.”

“So, is this possibly a deliberate assassination attempt?”

“Setup, perhaps. It could be a combination of things. Comply with letter of the law regarding security. Arrange to embarrass each of us—Ripple Creek and Highland, and take out either one if opportunity presents.”

Alex felt a chill.

“Yes, that does fit. Not only does everyone in the equation hate her, they also hate us.”

Bart said, “And now we know.”

“Indeed. Well, our tasking is to keep her alive. I am not bothered at the concept of pissing her off to do so. Whether she gets elected or not is not our concern. I would enjoy aggravating whoever comes after her. And if we confirm who’s after us, we do as we need to.”

Elke smiled that warm, creepy smile and said, “I love you at times like this.”

“Yes, well, let’s see what message she sends, if we can.”

The next morning, it was necessary to sit in conference with Ms. Highland, Mr. Gillette and Captain Das to discuss threats. Das came up to see Alex first.

“Are you ready, Agent Marlow?”

“I am,” he agreed. “I’m eager to swap intel.”

“Same here, though it often seems we provide them more than they do us.”

Alex took that as a suggestion that Das wanted more from him, too.

“It can seem that way, though circumstances do change.”

“Certainly. Some agencies like to receive more than they give, especially at budget time.”

Yes, that was a hint that Das didn’t trust Gillette either.

Das continued, “Though of course, the military’s relationship with BuState is quite solid.”

But not Ripple Creek’s. Yes, they were always an outsider, to everyone. Alex knew that.

“We’ll make it work,” he said.

When they entered Highland’s office, she fairly cooed.

“Captain Das, so good to see you.”

Was she trying to score with him? Enjoying the view? Genuinely pleased? Or trying to frazzle Alex? Who knew? It might be relevant later, so he filed it.

Gillette said, “Captain Das, Agent Marlow, how are you this morning?”

Ah, pleasantries. They didn’t really want to know, so Alex said, “Good enough,” and left it at that.

JessieM was an accomplished press flak, but her duties apparently included coffee. He accepted a cup, though he wasn’t likely to drink it. He was also quite wary of her presence. She was not cleared, that he knew of, but was a personally hired shill, and he knew she couldn’t be trusted with any modicum of privacy.

As they sat, he looked at Gillette, who gave the barest nod of acknowledgment. So, no one trusted Highland, but he couldn’t officially say anything about his boss.

Highland sat down and said, “I wanted to say I do understand the necessities of flying yesterday, and bear no hard feelings.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” he said simply. If she wanted to accept an apology he hadn’t made and wasn’t going to, fine. As long as the bank transfer cleared.

Das said, “While the situation was unfortunate, we hoped it would offer an opportunity to identify either individuals of interest, or refine our understanding of groups.”

“And what did you find?” Gillette asked.

“Not much that is conclusive, but we are building a database. Eventually it will yield results.”

Unspoken was whether or not he’d share those results with BuState, contractors, or even his own people. Sometimes, intel served best by not being released.

Gillette asked, “There’s nothing you can share at this point?”

Das spread his hands and said, “We have identified two groups friendly to Ms. Highland who may have, through an excess of enthusiasm, presented so as to alarm others.”

Highland said, “Ah, the Mtali Women’s Conference and the Justice League.”

“You’re familiar with them?” Alex asked.

“Of course!” she said, cheerfully. “Such enthusiasm. They’re creating a future for us.”

Gillette’s expression indicated he didn’t appreciate being blindsided by his own superior. Alex made a note to see if Elke had any other conversations of interest.

“Well, that’s good to know,” he said. “Can you suggest they limit their enthusiasm out of respect for you, to help things move more swiftly? You can arrange a personal meeting with them later.” He intended such a meeting never take place, and he’d juggle schedule and create threats as needed to ensure that.

“I can try,” she said, shrugging slightly. “But these are a simple people.”

What a condescending bitch. Worse, she seemed to delight in “simple people” as her support. She must assume most people were “simple.” Beyond that, many of them seemed proud of the fact.

He brought his attention back to security. There were still items of note.

Gillette said, “I do note there are ongoing discussions between you and Mr. Blanding. My concern is that his communications may not be secure.”

“That’s ridiculous!” she snapped. “He’s been a confidant and trusted friend for decades. You may remember he formerly had your job, among others.”

“I am not questioning his loyalty, ma’am,” Gillette said with a tone that Alex interpreted to mean he certainly was. “But his phone and feeds are no longer subject to shielding through our system. They could be hacked from outside.”

“He’s very knowledgeable. He’d never let that happen.”

“Knowingly, no, but some of the modern techniques are very discreet. I stress constantly over your own quarters here, in case someone is pulling conversations and other data.”

“You assured me they aren’t.”

“That I’m aware of, they aren’t. That doesn’t mean they can’t.”

Thanks for that confirmation, Alex thought.

“I need his counsel. This is a critical time, and will continue to be so for the rest of the election cycle.”

“Of course. I only suggest you be careful what issues you phrase.”

Well, this had easily turned to protecting her campaign rather than herself. Still, if she paid attention, it would help.

Das apparently took a cue to keep her busy and not argumentative.

“Ripple Creek furnished us with their video and EM records. We are searching it for evidence. So far, there were at least three encrypted networks operating in that area. One was for your supporters. Regretfully, some of them were well-intentioned, but seem unclear of where the line should be drawn. They actively agitated for action against your opponents.”

“While regrettable, that’s entirely understandable, given the cruel and false accusations leveled at me, along with threats and actual violence.”

Really, was she unable to not make a campaign speech? No one here cared, all knew the score, and this was about a real issue. She seemed to think talking could fix anything.

Das ignored it and continued, “Well, we’re still trying to crack the other two networks. The encryption was good. Very good. Good enough military experts are fighting with it. This suggests your opposition has serious resources.”

She came out of politician long enough to be bitch. “It’s taken you this long to figure that out?”

“We are determining details, ma’am. The method of encryption should lead to a source, and from there we can learn who is involved.”

“Very well. Inform me at once. The voters must know this.”

Das apparently didn’t know how to refuse without risking her ire. Alex stepped up.

“I will also be using that information to determine best routes and appearances for you, ma’am. My job is to ensure your safety during high-visibility appearances.”

“Yes, with safety that is very high visibility, and excessive,” she snarled.

“Ma’am, you instigated events to create an impression, and neglected to tell us—” The expressions of the others indicated they hadn’t known that.

“I did not! I—”

He cut her off with a steady, firm voice. “Had we known, we’d have helped you arrange it so we wouldn’t respond in a fashion meant to hurt people. I’d have advised against it entirely. You may have now created the meme that it would be clever, amusing or some kind of score to attack you. Now we have to deal with it. My agents respond as the threat appears. If someone tries to look lethal, we respond accordingly. If we don’t, you wind up dead sooner or later and we get the blame. You can have our security, or arrange your own.”

He hadn’t intended to tell her off, but the woman was beyond irritating.

“Yes, your job, your company comes first.” Her tone was belittling.

“Word indeed,” he said. “They do.”

Everyone looked at each other, embarrassed, though she’d apparently forgotten her rising argument with Das.

“I see there is nothing further to accomplish here. Good day,” she said and rose.

Alex realized the other two now considered him a hindrance. He’d had that intel, and not shared it.

He shrugged, nodded and stood himself.

Elke found it amusing to listen in that morning.

Highland was cursing up a storm to JessieM and the walls.