Stone Blade (37 page)

***

“... that was when we decided assassination would provide the optimal solution,” concluded Micah, “Then, pursuant to League policy and Dr. Colwraith's homework we worked up a plan to neutralize the targets without killing them. Given the society here and its avowed devotion to selflessness, charity and purity, especially for its governing officials, we decided to assassinate certain Firsts' character without killing them. From there we framed Firsts Frond, Juch and Maas for war profiteering. With the fortuitous rearrangement of League forces and given certain large investments by these individuals in stocks that might react favorably we put down hefty suspicion of collusion. Overall impact on the market and local economy shouldn't be excessive and at last rumor our plan succeeded.

“Not long after our evidence was uncovered we met with Orris and Litho. After some fencing they agreed to release the prisoners and to at least open their minds to the possibility of deeper relations with the League. From what I saw in both of them they'll keep to that. It won't be an easy road but at least the gates are unlocked.”

Ionoski nodded.

“That leaves one matter,” he said, “You ignored a direct order to evacuate your position. Comments?”

“Yes sir,” said Micah, “As you have on record I assumed command of the mission. Agents Ferrel and Kidwell were under my orders. I am prepared to answer for my actions and theirs.”

“Feces!” interrupted Kidwell, “Micah gave us the choice to...”

Albeit not easily, Micah silenced her.

“I reiterate my statement, sir. The responsibility for disobedience is mine and mine alone.”

Ionoski stared at Micah a long time. A long enough time for Micah to fully consider the implications of his statement. Micah offered a faint smile in return. He'd considered his actions, consequences, implications and outcomes and he was at peace with them.

“Slib,” said Ionoski, “The mission succeeded and I was not in the field so no blame will be apportioned. You all did a good job. I'm not surprised, you understand, just bloody well proud.”

“So. We passed?” Kidwell's tone was almost light but with an edge to it.

“Considering this was not a test,” said Ionoski, “give yourself a grade. I've always felt each mission was like a final exam. Then you work until you excel and tackle the next one. Of course, it's also a question for the philosophers, no?”

“Blather,” said Micah, “What are you not telling us, Ted?”

Ionoski grinned at this. “I will release some additional information that may be of interest. Strategy and Planning knew something was ripe to happen here. They couldn't model chaos well enough for details but they knew the situation was right.

“Over time pressure builds in any society. Given the one here, it tends to build long and hard and to erupt spectacularly. And no, Vera, they could not have predicted the hostages. According to Planning, the presence of League agents on the ground when the pressure finally blew gave a sigma-vector favorable to both Unity and the League. Given what happened you three prevented a disaster, rescued innocents and guaranteed the League a favorable future  environment. I know that's not a pat answer but it's the best I've got.”

Kidwell considered this a moment before accepting it. It made sense and she, and the others, really had little choice. Failure truly was not an option.

“For the mission itself,” continued Ionoski, “Consider me Dr. Colwraith. Be thinking about every thing you did and what you might have done differently. I shall expect details.”

Ferrel caught Micah's eye and rolled his own. So much for taking life easy for a while!

***

Micah, Kidwell and Ferrel spent the next day completing their official reports, logs, journals and other paperwork Intelligence required. As always they spared some attention for newscasts.

Most of the population took news of the prisoners' release with acceptance. Reliable unofficial sources hinted that various reactionary factions had manipulated their capture in the first place. Speculation on the reasons for doing so ranged from simply damaging League relations to more distasteful personal gain. As a side note three of the Circle's Firsts made significant contributions to charitable causes. This followed the highly-profitable sale of various Exchange shares not quite linked  back to said Firsts of the Circle. Later that afternoon First Darby, speaking with full consensus of the Circle, announced the candidacy of Joshua Orris to Ordination to First of the Circle. The people of Unity greeted that news with overwhelming approval and his acceptance was taken as a fact.

That evening First Litho, Novice Orris and several aides visited the legation. Ostensibly they came to lay the path for future negotiations. In fact they came to meet Ramsey on informal terms. Ramsey set them a banquet to do any League chef proud.

Micah thoroughly enjoyed the meal. By unspoken agreement they all kept the conversations away from politics and the recent events surrounding it but that left ample room for finding common interests. Ramsey's behavior amused Micah. The man obviously expected a cool reception at best. Orris' and Litho's newly-enlightened attitudes amazed him and toward the end of the meal he only barely concealed it! Micah also enjoyed a pleasant conversation with Orris and Kidwell. One of the League ships actually had a stock of medicine for Parmetheid on board and Ionoski wasted no time acquiring it. Jilli had already begun planning for the League-curable illnesses and conditions she would tackle in the Circle's name. Orris still bespoke his unworthiness but Micah knew that for the lie, even if Orris himself did not.

Finally, after a too-short time among pleasant company, the meal and after-meal ended. Ramsey escorted his guests away with proper formality but much greater friendship.

“That was bloody impressive,” said Ramsey, “Ted said you were hard at work but he didn't give many details. Would you care to?”

Ionoski smiled. Ferrel grinned. Kidwell looked away with modesty and innocence.

“We completed our mission,” said Micah with a shrug.

***

Morning the next day saw the return of the League citizens with much pomp and presence. Micah and the others kept low visibility but stayed well on top of the situation. Officials officiated, Ramsey spoke reassuringly and medics pronounced good health. By nightfall all was well and the reporters had mostly scraped every source dry. Micah even caught an interview of one of the transport crew conducted by none other than the snoring reporter. She looked sleepy but interviewed quite well.

As soon as the hostages reached the legation and dropped out of sight the medics from the T-group administered thorough examinations. Apart from understandable strain and fatigue none of them suffered any lasting injuries. Just being on League territory lifted their spirits considerably. Lafe Treadley even spoke of plans to open trade with Unity.

“I know more about 'em than my competition,” said the plucky Treadley, “And that's an advantage I'll sure-as-flames take!”

Georges alMarklin, who happened to be within earshot, stared at Treadley with open amazement. Micah chuckled softly; he suspected Treadley would succeed admirably.

Micah looked idly at the shuttle now fueled and ready to go. He and the others had avoided the prisoners but one in particular captured his attention.

When she arrived Missy Haffenstatler looked gaunt and haunted by her ordeal. Micah almost regretted his choice of Colwraith's Alternative. Almost. But after a day under League care she and the others improved markedly.

A soft touch on Micah's arm.

“Why, hello darling. I didn't expect to see...”

Micah turned. Lost in thought he hadn't heard Missy walk up. She looked at him, puzzled.

“I'm sorry, sir,” she said, “I thought you were a man I knew.”

Micah smiled. “Then he's a lucky man.”

Missy looked at him closely.

“Lucky? No, sirra. He is skilled. Very much so. And very, very smart.”

“I still say lucky. May I help you with something?”

She considered this.

“No. I thought I might give him a message.”

“If you'd care to scribe it I can see that he gets it. If I can't the Ambassador certainly can.”

Missy smiled warmth and sincerity.

“I was just going to tell him I'll be going back to college now. I plan to turn my utmost effort into my studies.” She paused. “My father owns a small manufacturing and shipping company on Nusalle. I'll be taking it over when he retires and I plan to make an acceptable job of it. I thought one day my friend might grant me the pleasure of a visit.”

Micah returned her smile. “Perhaps he will. Certainly if he's able. What is his name?”

“It's... Not important.” She took his hands, leaned up and kissed his cheek softly. “Thank you, sirra. I see they're boarding the shuttle and I'd best not miss it.”

Missy waved from the 'lock. A few minutes later the shuttle lofted into the sky. Micah felt someone beside him.

“Polar to orbit, my brother,” said Ferrel, “Stud blood besides. Even with a different face! What do you have and why won't you share?”

“Right now I have clean shorts and a plastic cucumber.”

Ferrel chuckled. “I talked to Rob and Sarah. She has enough for her thesis and then some. They plan to get married as soon as they graduate. Rob swore from there they'll take a job on a planet in Sector Prime where people think border systems are a myth.”

“They'll make it,” said Kidwell as she sauntered up, “I'm going to see to it they both get scholarships enough to take them through graduation and a starship ticket. Plus some very strong recommendations wherever they apply. Ted will help with that.”

“Does he know it?” asked Ferrel.

“Not yet. He will soon, though.” Kidwell slipped her arm under Micah's. “As to you, lover, it seems I've cause to be jealous. After you wipe that drool off your chin perhaps you can explain to me why I shouldn't.”

“I can think of something,” said Micah, “And it takes no explanation at all!”

***

Micah packed quickly. Since the T-group's current mission was ferrying the League citizens home it left the contingency ship behind for Ionoski and his team. Its shuttle would arrive soon and depart not long after and Micah certainly didn't want to miss the ride.

“I don't like this,” said Kidwell, indicating several holocasts, “Micah, there are some pretty nasty counter-Orris articles starting up. We should do something about it. He'll have a time dealing with them.”

“Mmph.” Micah examined Kidwell's findings and began working up plans and options.

“Let me in their net,” said Ferrel, “I'll give Orris their livers on a plate for breakfast!”

“Good for starters,” said Micah, “But let's think long-range while we can.”

“Ahem,” said Ionoski. Then, after catching their attention he abused it with a moment of silence. “Our shuttle will be here within the next twelve hours. We will depart as soon as it's ready.”

“But Ted, we have a potential situation here. These indices...” started Micah.

“Are not important,” finished Ionoski, “Let go. We've done what we set out to do. Mission complete and excellently so. Plus-plus. If we act now that's interference.”

“But...”

“No, Vera. Charles, jack out and power down. I know you all want to help and you can see a dozen ways to do it but it's Orris' problem now. We can't hand it to him on a platinum plate and he wouldn't thank us if we did. Let go. It's done. Let. Go.”

Finally, finally Micah and the others nodded. Orris did indeed want the accomplishment for himself and by heaven's flames he deserved it! And he would make it.

***

Micah watched Azure grow from a small dot to a cloudy blue disc to a puffy planet waiting to welcome him home. True to his word Ionoski debriefed them individually, by pairs and all together. He conducted it thoroughly and with detail. Then more thoroughly and with more detail. He interrogated them on the whys, the hows, the why nots and the how nots. He didn't exclude himself and Micah learned a great deal from it. More importantly Micah, Ferrel and Kidwell passed their first mission. Now they were no longer rookies. First rule of the mission: Learn from success. Second rule of the mission: Learn from failure. Third rule of the mission: Don't count success or failure; the current mission is the
only
mission!

To Micah's delight the ship was well-stocked with datacubes both fact and fiction. He and Ferrel watched 'Lethal Max' parts 1 through 7, much to Kidwell's displeasure. Micah and Ferrel then honed their disguise skills by appearing as the incarnations of Arn Ironhand and his various sidekicks. When Ionoski appeared at dinner tastefully attired as the Nefarious Doctor Vortex, Ironhand's staunchest adversary, Kidwell left the table in disgust. The next morning, for some strange and obscure reason, the food unit failed to add flavor or texture to any meal but hers. That night it refused to serve her anything but a carrot-and-cucumber salad with a simple oil dressing. The trip passed swiftly.

***

Back on Azure Micah found a letter waiting, to his great delight.

“Dear Micah:

“I'm writing to let you know, son, that Deke's graduating next month. We know you won't be able to come but he still wanted to invite you. We're doing well and he's set to graduate top in his class! We're very proud of him and we hope you are too! While he was on the Tech Team he placed first or second in everything he entered.

“That brings me to what I wanted to ask. Micah, son, I hope you'll be able to get Deke away from here. He outdid several highcarders and they're pretty torqued. They can't do a lot to him now but after he gets out he's probably in for a lot of grief. As for Mother and I, we won't be leaving right now. We're doing fine. We don't need to leave and Mister Glade has been helping us as he's able. He's a terrific man and I'm glad you're out where folks like him come from.

“Young Jennifer said to tell you hello, so hello. She still visits from time to time. She said to remind you about the 'port and that she still thinks about you.

“That's all for now, son. We miss you and we wish we could see you. We think about you all the time. Write us back when you can.