The Shattered Empire (The Shadow Space Chronicles Book 2) (25 page)

“Sergeant Timorsky, I understand that you and Lance Namori have asked for administrative punishment rather than a full court martial for the events that occurred on the twenty second of August.  Is that correct?”

“Yes, sir,” Sergeant Timorsky said.

“Yes, sir,” Lance Corporal Namori said.

“Very well.  According to the Michaelston police, you two became involved in an altercation with a civilian at a bar.  During this altercation, Lance Corporal Namori reportedly struck the civilian without provocation while Sergeant Timorsky held him for said strike.  The civilian is reportedly in the hospital with a broken jaw.”  He saw them both shift, slightly at that. 
They didn't plan to put him in the hospital, then
, he thought,
that's something at least.
  He waited a long moment, “Do you have anything to say for yourselves?”

“Sir,” Sergeant Timorsky said, “There is no excuse for what we did.  However...” he straightened a bit, “The bast–  that is, the civilian had just made disparaging comments about the Baron and the United Colonies, sir.”

William had to hide a slight smile of pleasure at that.  From the police report, the man had done considerably more than make a 'disparaging statement.'   He'd outright called the Baron a traitor and called the United Colonies an upstart group of savages who had stolen the rightful dues of their betters.  There was a quite interesting video of the man's rant, accompanied by evidence that he'd been hired by the Centauri Confederation Envoy to say all that an more.

The problem was, he was a Centauri citizen,and Alicia Nix, head of the Federal Investigation Bureau, had already passed along a copy of the official complaint of 'assault' and 'intent to murder' from the Centauri Envoy.  For that matter, the local police had a few complaints of their own, in particular how three of their officers were sporting a number of contusions from attempting to restrain the two Marines.  He had to do something to salve both parties.  William let both Marines stew in silence for a moment longer, before he spoke.  “Very well, I'll make note of that.  Step outside and send in your platoon sergeant.”

A moment later, Staff Sergeant Oson stepped in.  “Sir.”  Like his two NCO's, Oson was from the Centauri Confederation Fleet Infantry, originally.  He had led their platoon since they refused orders to massacre a civilian convoy.  He and his platoon had faced charges of desertion and mutiny as a result, which had led them to Faraday as little more than refugees.  That was where Lucius Giovanni had recruited them.  Since then, they had been split up over the new United Colonies Fleet, but William Proscia had gathered most of them back together to serve in his training cadre for the Academy.  Until now, they had performed flawlessly.

“We have two problems, right now,” William Proscia said softly, “And I think we can solve one with the other.  I want your opinion on the mission I forwarded you.”

“Concerning the Baron's security, sir?” Staff Sergeant Oson asked.  At Colonel Proscia's nod, he frowned in thought, “Sir, I don't think you'll find two men more loyal.  I kept the men fed and alive, but he gave them a reason to live again.”

“Good,” William said.  “Senior Chief Winslow, call them back in.”

Colonel William Proscia waited as the two Marines came back.  Despite their military bearing, there was no hiding the tension in their faces.  Still, that impressed William even more.  They hadn't clammed up, they hadn't gone for lawyers or trial.  They certainly had owned up to their actions... which were brought on by loyalty and high emotions, to be certain.  Faced with punishment, they were worried, not because of what they might receive, he understood, but because they might lose the chance to follow their calling.

“Sergeant Timorsky, Lance Corporal Namori,” William said, his voice taking on an official lilt.  “After due investigation, I find your actions out of accordance with the standards we impart upon our Marines.  As a result, I'm putting both of you on administrative leave pending a review.”  He saw both of them blanch at that.  “However, given the mitigating circumstances, I'm retaining you both at your current rank and not taking pay.”  He saw their eyes widen a bit at that, they both had expected to be broken down to privates, he knew.  “You are, however, restricted to your quarters pending the final results of the review, save for any duties which require other actions.”  They restrained their groans at that, but William still heard them.  Restriction to barracks was almost a prison sentence, particularly since both of them had girlfriends in Michaelston.

“Normally your duties would coincide with barracks maintenance, however, I have a special mission for you both,” Colonel William Proscia saw both of them wince at that.  So called 'special missions' often were seen as worse punishments than cleaning or maintenance details... for good reason.  They were often the brainchilds of bored officers with too much time to set and think.  This one, however, was a little different.

“Baron Giovanni has limited personal security at the moment,” Colonel Proscia said.  “While aboard ship he is protected by Marines.  This is acceptable, though not optimal.  While here on Faraday, he has no personal escort and no private security, other than when he is in his apartment building or one of the government buildings... whose security is oriented on the building, rather than the person.”

Neither of the two men spoke.  Still, William saw their eyes light up as they realized where this was going.  In many ways, this wasn't a punishment... it was a reward.

“Your mission is to provide security oversight.  After a discussion with senior Federal Investigation Bureau personnel, we have some funding available between us and them to provide some equipment and currency for you two to undertake the mission... until this general oversight is fixed, whereupon, I'm sure, you will return to your duties here.”  Colonel Proscia had to hide a smile at the looks of excitement on both men's faces.  They were getting the chance to guard their hero... which was exactly the mindset that he wanted them to have.  A two man detail was painfully inadequate for the job... but it was all that William felt he could put on it without drawing too much attention.

Admiral Dreyfus may think he and his people are the best and brightest... and that may be true,
William thought,
but that doesn't mean that someone won't take a shot at the Baron. 
Ideally the Baron would have a team of five at any given time, along with backup teams in position to provide support and overwatch.  William and Alicia Nix had discussed more, but she wasn't in a position where she could put people on him without parliamentary approval.  With how confused the Parliament sessions continued to be, it seemed unlikely that they would receive that any time soon... and neither Alicia Nix nor Colonel William Proscia wanted to have to live with themselves if something happened to the Baron that they could have prevented.

“The FIB will provide communications equipment, vehicles, and technical support as requested,” Colonel Proscia said.  “But they cannot provide immediate support without signs of criminal activity.”  He waited while the realization that they, and they alone, would be responsible for securing their head of state... and the champion of Humanity.  He saw the excitement on their faces turn to dread at the weight of responsibility.  “I understand that he has also brought on-board a psychic, Reginald, who it would behoove you to work with.”  William had heard that from Alicia, though he wasn't sure how much he trusted the psychic.  He certainly didn't like the idea of a telepath in close proximity to the Baron.  Still, Alicia said the man had passed all of her background checks and he provided some additional layer of security.  “If, at any time, you feel that the Baron is in an immanent threat, you will report directly to me and I will take any and all actions necessary to support you... to include mobilizing our cadre, am I understood?”

Both NCO's spoke as one, “Yes, sir.”

“Excellent,” William said sternly.  “Now, Staff Sergeant Oson has further details for you.  Of particular note, however, is that the Baron just departed for a very rough part of town to find Captain Reese Leone-Giovanni.  You two fine gentlemen should probably get down there and make certain that a random mugger doesn't murder our head of state.”

Colonel William Proscia treasured the looks of shock, horror, and even a little panic on the faces of the two Marines.  He gave them an icy smile, “You are dismissed.”

***

Port Klast System

Port Klast

August 26, 2403

Lauren swore as she tripped, again, in the low heel dress shoes.  In the slinky red dress, she wasn't able to move like she should, so she wobbled and started to fall.  A strong hand caught her by the shoulder and righted her.  “Careful.”

She turned her head and glared at Mason, “I
hate
this thing!”

He released her shoulder and Lauren tried to ignore how warm his touch had felt.  “Well, we're here,” he gestured at the shuttle.  They had come back here, rather than staying at the hotel, which Lauren had insisted on.  She hadn't liked the security situation at the hotel, especially with Mason having indulged.

“Thankfully, yes,” Lauren said.  She stalked up the shuttle ramp and swiped her hand over the biometrics to open the hatch.  She bit back a curse as it gave her an error.  “Why doesn't anything work right tonight?”

Mason leaned over her shoulder and toggled it.  For a moment, she could feel his presence, feel his warm breath on the back of her neck.  She shivered. 
Must be this damned dress,
she thought,
I'll be lucky if I don't catch a cold.

Lauren stalked through the hatch and tripped
again
.  This time, she did fall.  She let out a rather embarrassing shriek as she toppled.

Again, Mason was there and he caught her just before she would have hit the cold metal deck.  He pulled her upright, for a moment, they were face to face.  Lauren could feel the warmth of his chest through the thin material of her dress.

She started to say something, what exactly, she wasn't sure, but he leaned forward and kissed her.  It was her first real kiss and for a moment she wasn't sure whether or not she liked the experience as a dozen sensations washed over her.  She broke away, confused and overwhelmed.

A dozen emotions flashed over Mason's face, before he straightened.  “I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that,” he said.  His voice was stiff, angry.  Lauren wasn't sure if he was angry at her or himself.  At the moment, she couldn't say what she felt herself.  “You look good in that dress,” he said, his voice at once sincere and yet with something rather like anguish.

Before she could come up with a response, he turned and stepped into the shuttle's cockpit and closed the hatch behind him.

***

Faraday System

United Colonies

August 26, 2403

The bar had, Lucius was told, once been a school.  However, sometime during the Chxor occupation, it had received enough damage that parts of it were uninhabitable.  The neighborhood was mostly empty now, anyway, so there wasn't a need for the large building.

It had since become something of a club and the rowdy, abrasive atmosphere had gone a further step in making the neighborhood empty out.  Lucius had discovered that his brother-in-law favored the establishment after asking Alicia Nix.  While it might, technically, be illegal to use her in that role, Lucius didn't really care much at the moment.

Of course, Alicia Nix had then told Colonel Proscia of Lucius's intention to find Reese there.  So a couple of Marines in civilian attire had appeared to 'escort' him.  Neither of them were on duty, which they told him very politely when he told them to go find something else to do.  Both of them merely said they happened to be going to the bar anyway.

Lucius did his best to ignore them as he walked up to the entrance.  The four, big men and two tall women who stood outside managed the line of would-be entrants.  Lucius ignored them as he walked forward.  One attempted to step in his way, but there was a grunt followed by a murmured, “Sorry, excuse us,” from one of the two Marines as the bouncer toppled to the ground.

The others went tense and Lucius saw hands go towards concealed weapons.  He bit his lip, he really didn't want to be involved in a firefight or brawl.  For one thing, his skills in that area were basically nonexistent.  For another, he hoped to keep his appearance here relatively off the radar.  The news media of Faraday had a long way to go to recover from Chxor occupation, but that didn't mean someone wouldn't recognize him if there was a big enough scene.

“Look, fellas,” the second Marine said.  “We just want to cut the queue, I'm sure you got a VIP special, right?”

One of the women nodded, slowly, “Policy is, though, you hit a bouncer, you're out.”  Her voice was abnormally deep for a woman.

“Well,” the Marine said.  “My friend here made a mistake... he'll stay out here.  We go inside, deal?”

The woman nodded slowly, “You got to buy VIP tickets, you got the squeeze?”

Lucius sighed.  He started to reach for his wallet, but the Marine tossed a roll of bills to the bouncer, without counting.  “That should cover it.”

The woman caught it and tucked it into a pocket without counting it either, “Of course.  Sir, have a nice night.”  She swept open the door.