Stone Blade (31 page)

“You must work quickly,” admonished their supervisor, “but you must also be thorough. The Brethren are not to suffer the indignity of filth as they work.”

Micah and Ferrel agreed quickly.

Now Micah turned his attention to the office. He labored at the work of two as Ferrel powered up his terminal and jacked into the one inside the office.

“Ahh, bliss,” said Ferrel as the terminals synced, “You missed a spot there, boy. Clean clean! Quick quick!”

The terminal beeped, cutting off Micah's sarcastic reply. Ferrel donned a dex to increase his speed and started his burns. After a few minutes he made a delighted noise and started working the dex even faster. Just before Micah finished he jacked out and helped with the finishing touches.

“Bonusjack, my brother! These Brethren are responsible for the security in several places we might want to be.”

“Did you...”

“Of course I did. Don't be insulting!”

***

“Well,” asked Kidwell.

“Smooth and easy,” said Ferrel, “Shall we cast some aspersions tonight?”

“Likely,” replied Kidwell, “While you two were having tea with the Brethren I received a blip from Ted.” She handed Ferrel the handterm. Then, to Micah, “It seems all of the information Sirra Orris gave us was accurate. At least to the extent Ted and Ian could verify it and that was quite an extent.”

“So it seems,” said Ferrel, his smile a bit lackluster now.

Kidwell held out her hand and Ferrel handed her a five-credit bill that had seen better days.

***

Micah didn't like the datamart Ferrel selected. It was clean, well-lit and situated in a decent neighborhood but it still made Micah uneasy. Showing a nonchalance he didn't quite feel Micah sat and watched Ferrel conducting his burns.

“Polarity,” said Ferrel softly, “Our illustrious Page Velvert has some interesting security. Or perhaps I should say 'had.' This might almost be a challenge.”

Micah admired the technique Ferrel used. With the back door he'd left as Loglain Ferrel burned several trails, deceptive and not hidden well, before turning his attention to serious work. He deliberately roused several watchdogs and placated them. During that process he 'revealed' himself as user 'qmaas' and tried a sloppy burn into Velvert's datacaches.

Ferrel copied what data he found, of course; to do otherwise would grate his very soul. Most of his activity centered around investigating that information and leaving Velvert an almost-visible trail to trace back.

“I'm glad we're out of there,” said Micah, “I know Unity doesn't have many datamarts but I do not like that one!”

“You probably shouldn't,” answered Ferrel, “It's a front operation for the Hand of Inquiry. We were under observation as soon as we hit the doorway.”

“Burn it! They took our rets!”

“Mmm...,” said Ferrel smugly, “Perhaps this isn't the time...”

“What?” Micah hadn't missed Ferrel's expression.

“Norril has rets on file for his agents. All of them. The ones I scribed tonight belong to two of his best burners.”

Micah took a sharp breath and hissed it out.

“That was a risk! Clever, but not smart!”

“My mark in water,” smiled Ferrel, “You did say sow chaos, yes?”

“Yes,” admitted Micah, “But next time warn me!”

***

Micah and Ferrel spent most of the next day prepping for their night's work. Kidwell mapped rumor flows and calculated effectiveness patterns. Ferrel blipped Ionoski all the new data they had and the three turned in early for a short rest.

Three hours after midnight found Micah, Kidwell and Ferrel making the medium-short trip to First Juch's manor. They ghosted around its not-too-large perimeter planting various electronic devices. Micah approached but carefully did not molest Juch's open-link security fence. Ferrel worked at the back gate but as yet had given no sign. A full squad of Brethren patrolled the area by pairs and they deliberately kept no regular pattern.

Micah and the others wore mercuries with the gain turned down for general darkness. This made them more easily spotted but able to move more quickly. Juch did have a sizable yard and none of the three wanted to spend a long time crossing it!

Ferrel blipped Micah and Kidwell. Success! After a moment to ensure the guards hadn't tracked the blip Micah headed toward Ferrel. By the time Kidwell got there Ferrel had the gate open and was himself halfway across the yard.

Micah's heart leapt to his throat! A pair of Brethren walked around the house with lightstaves set to a moderately wide focus. Micah thumbed his suit to full gain and winced as Ferrel did the same. His outline blurred in one of the staves' beams. The light panned the area then moved back to Ferrel.

“What is it, Brother Harris?”

“I thought I saw something, Patrick. There.”

The other beam narrowed and brightened, playing across the yard. Micah reached for his stunner.

“I see nothing, brother.” The second beam widened and dimmed. “Perhaps your eyes are tired?”

“Perhaps, brother. Still...”

“Come, brother. I have no desire to serve a penance for tardiness.”

The first beam dimmed and the Brethren headed back around the house. Micah breathed a long, slow sigh of relief. He thumbed down his gain and started across the yard before anyone else appeared.

“That,” said Ferrel, once their suits were connected, “was far too close!”

“Are your shorts clean, brother,” replied Micah.

“If this is how you play,” said Kidwell, “I'm staying home next time.”

“We made it, luv,” responded Ferrel, “And that keeps my shorts, clean or otherwise, out of jail.”

Dawn found the three, mercuries at full gain, prone on the ground between the house proper and the scant shrubbery planted beside it. None of the night's patrols had come close to spotting them and Kidwell and Ferrel even managed a few short naps. Micah's chrono began vibrating. The small camera Micah focused on the manor's front door reported motion and blipped Micah an image: Juch leaving.

“Go, Charlie. He should be on his way to work now.”

Ferrel stealthed his way to the back door. The suit blurred once but faded quickly. Now came the riskiest part.

The door opened onto a short hallway which Ferrel was checking for surveillance. None of them had found anything concerning the house's layout. According to what Ferrel had found Juch employed no live-in servants but that didn't mean the house was empty.

“Clear!”

Micah slipped past Ferrel moving as quickly as he dared. At lowest gain the mercury would provide minimal concealment at best but Micah now needed speed. He held a Blackout-loaded needle pistol ready as he began sweeping rooms. By the time he finished, all rooms empty, Ferrel had jacked in to a dataport.

“Clear,” reported Micah, “And secure. I didn't check electronics.”

“No need,” said Ferrel, “and no cameras. They might tattle on something Juch doesn't want told. Basic doors and windows, though. I killed their external link but they'll let us know if someone tries to come in.”

Micah nodded and synced his handterm to the monitors.

“Tollison's logged in,” said Ferrel, somewhat tense now, “This is cagey. Very cagey!”

Micah checked his chrono against how long it should take Juch to arrive at the Dome.

“Give it four or five. That much can be covered.”

Ferrel nodded and Micah looked at Kidwell.

“Shall we dance?”

Micah and Kidwell began a thorough search of the house. Micah didn't know exactly what he sought but training had taught him how to evaluate what he found. After three of the allotted four or five minutes elapsed Ferrel joined them.

“I didn't get much data.” Then, to forestall Micah, “But I did leave plenty. If Tollison has two working brain cells he'll find evidence. Won't take but one and a half to trace it back here. I just wish I'd had time for Ludurz or Norril.”

“We'll hit them later,” said Micah, “And harder, once we have some soft spots.”

Their search of the house turned up nothing. Juch owned some expensive paintings and knick-knacks, several of which bordered on erotic but nothing past. He also had an impressive and varied library but again nothing noteworthy. The three League agents ended up in his basement workshop.

“Feces,” swore Kidwell, “Minus the paintings and statues - art, you understand - this place is bland as the hydrogen band.” She re-examined the workbench. “Hrm. Looks like leather and woodwork. You think he makes chairs?”

Micah shrugged. “Could be. He'd be a fool to keep anything off-Firstly where it would be easily found. Might not even have it here. Besides, that was secondary and low-sigma.”

Kidwell nodded. Ferrel, who'd been tracing electrical circuits started examining the workbench microscopically.

“Clever!” said Ferrel, “But not clever enough! This is a false wall. Help me find the candlestick.”

Micah and Kidwell joined Ferrel. Micah managed to find the hinge tracks when Kidwell located the candlestick. A small switch hidden behind one of the legs caused the workbench and part of the wall to slide forward and aside.

“Well,” said Kidwell, “That answers
that
question.”

A large bed dominated the the center of the small space. A bed covered in soft and exotic fabrics. A cooler and rack nearby held an assortment of rare wines and liquors. From the far wall hung straps, manacles, chains and sundry similar devices.

Micah thought hard as they searched the small room. They found no material usable to blackmail the other Firsts but Micah saw an opportunity.

“Charlie, how long will it take you to bug this room?”

“Thoroughly or don't-pass-a-germ?”

“Just thoroughly.”

“An hour forty-five. Maybe two. I don't have my full kit.”

“Do it. Hardfiber the feed into the datanet. I think I can set up a hidden passive encryption tunnel.”

“I can do that,” said Kidwell, “But not for entertainment!”

Micah scowled at her. “Please note the well-hidden don't-spy-on-me equipment! Ten credits says Juch and Tollison discuss their business here. It would fit the profile.”

Kidwell grinned and nodded. “I'll take that bet!”

***

By midnight they'd evacuated Juch's house. Tidying up after their search took a long time but Micah insisted. Several servants arrived not long before dark and Juch arrived not long after. Micah heaved a sigh of relief when they began cleaning the place and preparing the First's dinner. Their presence lessened the likelihood of a meeting with Tollison and surely covered any traces Micah might have missed. He and Kidwell retrieved the peripheral equipment while Ferrel restored the gate security. No massive arrival of Brethren said their mission succeeded!

Chapter 15. Old Demons

Micah woke early the next morning only to find Kidwell up. She presented him a set of well-refined rumors and several new additions they'd spend the day spreading. Most of them centered on a simple theme: First Orris.

“I'm recording sixteen channels now,” she said, “Charlie, is there any good way to filter commercials?”

Ferrel pondered. “I can try. Just delete what doesn't match a consistent pattern. Give it a few minutes of content and the AI should be able to get rid of 'em.”

“No. I want to keep the commercials and lose the content.”

“Why do... Never mind,” said Ferrel, “Micah, I think you lovebirds may be spreading your gossip without me today. This isn't going to be easy.” Then with a glance to Kidwell, “But still possible, I say!”

“Slib, Charles. Micah my one eternal and true love...”

Feces! thought Micah.

“With your permission I shall work the crowds alone today. A thought struck me last night. I'll be needing interiors and warm bodies on the UNA building. Can you do that?”

“Nonexistent notice,” replied Micah, “But yes. By tomorrow?”

“Preferably by closing time tonight. We may be paying them a visit.”

***

Gaining access to the Unity News Agency building was easy. And it was impossible! Most of the first floor was public access; busy men and women scurried about asking questions of one be-desked person or another. Another part housed a massive public display detailing UNA services and how to acquire them. The rest of the area housed the impressive UNA archives: holocasts, information and historical data. Entry into the non-public area was strictly controlled by polite security and other workers.

“Hello, brother.”

Micah carefully didn't tense for combat. He'd been working his brain on how to get past the first floor whilst perusing the brag section.

“Hello, brother,” bowed Micah.

“My name is Ivan LeMarsh. May I assist you in some way?”

Micah thought fast. LeMarsh wore a finely-tailored suit and an access badge.

“I am Mark Flint, brother. I was examining your wonderful displays.”

“Quite closely, brother Flint. You've roused my curiosity.”

And suspicion? wondered Micah. “Forgive me, brother. I am from Glory In The Light and I had business here in Unity.”

“Truth. A considerable journey. Have you an appointment?”

“No, brother. My family lives a fair distance from the city proper. We often watch your 'casts. But for them we would live in ignorance of what passes in the Triumph.”

“You flatter us, brother. Truth!”

Micah saw his means of escape. “I... I simply wished to visit the UNA, brother. Please forgive my presumption.”

“Presumption, brother? How so?”

“I did not know the UNA was so... grand.” Micah looked downward. “I should leave, brother. I do not wish to waste your time.”

LeMarsh placed his hand on Micah's shoulder before he could walk away.

“Nonsense, Brother Flint! You've completed your business, yes? Most praiseworthy! Come with me, then!”

LeMarsh guided Micah toward one of the guarded portals. Micah tensed a bit; beyond that door he might need to unleash mayhem.

“You say your entire family watches UNA?”

“Yes, brother. Even aside from the news your 'casts are most inspiring!”

“Then, Brother Flint, you shall have a tale to tell when you return. Truth!”