Crystal Deception (30 page)

He sat back in the chair and rested his forearms on the
plush armrests, then assumed a serious demeanor. He let the drama develop as he
looked at each one of them in turn.

“The Kardish will be coming,” he said. “It may be a year. It
may be ten. But they will come.” He rubbed the back of his neck as if
struggling with a decision. Sid thought his mannerisms were quite convincing.

He returned his arm to the chair and asked, “What would you
like me to do?”

Sid studied Criss, and as he mulled the question, he made two
decisions. Juice had once said something to the effect that he should assume
Criss was trustworthy until he revealed himself to be otherwise. Suspicion and
second-guessing wouldn’t be productive to their relationship.

Sid decided he was going to accept that way of thinking going
forward. He would assume that Criss had noble intentions. He’d certainly proved
himself to be trustworthy up to this point. Sid would deal with real problems
if and when they occurred.

His second decision was about the construct of a leadership
team and a gatekeeper. He would give Criss plenty of rope. But he wasn’t going
to shy away from asserting his leadership authority in the relationship.

As he considered how to respond to Criss, he recalled the
instructions he’d received as a DSA improviser. Improvisers are given tasks
where the state of affairs aren’t well known, the situation is in a state of
flux, and the desired outcome can only be expressed in vague terms.

He glanced at Cheryl and Juice and then gave Criss the
instructions he himself had been given so many times before.

“Handle it.”

* * *

Criss had received a command from
his leadership. It was one so complex, resolving it would push his capabilities
to their limits. He experienced satisfaction from the sense of identity and purpose
the command conveyed. He was happy.

“No worries.”