Pathfinder (11 page)

“The gates aren’t open for everybody. In particular, prior TEBI agents.”

“Why would we want Maria Guillotte?” Saying that name gave her a bad taste. She’d added Maria’s statement regarding Abram’s takeover to her report, but avoided speaking with her directly. Interviewing the woman who had kidnapped her last year was low on her list of fun things to do.

“She can provide recent information on TEBI. The Terrans say they’re dismantling the organization and it only has domestic tasking, but we think otherwise. If Dr. Rouxe was killed by a TEBI weapon, then she may provide support for your Istaga- Andre theory. On a more personal note, Maria knows far more than we do about what Cipher did on Karthage Point—particularly how Cipher convinced a Terran mole in AFCAW to do her dirty deeds.”

Okay, so Maria
might
be useful. Cipher was part of the crew on the mission that took out Ura-Guinn, and she had earned her nickname as a cryptography specialist, although she wasn’t too shabby with explosives, either. When she decided that everyone who processed the weapon release orders for Ura-Guinn had to die, including her former crewmates, she used all her specialties toward that end. Karthage Point was still upgrading the security systems that Cipher had infiltrated, as well as the environmental controls she’d used to kill the station commander. In addition to cleverly subverting those systems, Cipher also needed a pair of hands on the inside. These hands belonged to an AFCAW Lieutenant Colonel, whom Ariane identified as a Terran Intelligence operative, but there were gaps in their knowledge: for instance, how did Cipher manage to “activate” a Terran mole? Someone who had TEBI connections might be able to fill in those blanks. Someone like Maria.

Ariane read more, while Edones waited. Maria had contacted the Directorate after her favorite father died, leaving her with three estranged parents. The case file assumed this was the instigating factor for Maria’s defection request. Joyce was initially assigned to contact and negotiate.

“This file says she’s to remain in place, but she
requested
relocation and asylum on a Consortium prime planet.” Ariane looked up, questioning the contradiction.

“She’ll be most useful if she stays on Parmet’s staff. That’s all Sergeant Joyce was authorized to offer.”

“And did she agree?”

“You’ve got everything I know. The Sergeant didn’t have time to report before Abram’s Great Unpleasantness started. Hopefully he can brief you before you arrive at Beta Priamos.”

She didn’t show her distaste. Exploiting informers and defectors was the sleazy side of intelligence, in her opinion. The task looked even more disagreeable when she considered the subject.

Edones’s slate buzzed with an AFCAW-generated emergency message, the only type allowed through the security shield.

“It’s out of
Pilgrimage
security.” He dropped the shield and pointed the slate at the wall so they could both watch the report.

Her jaw dropped in surprise as the video from
Aether’s Touch
ran, concurrent with Matt’s voice-over. She immediately defended Matt’s actions. “The bot didn’t back off, so it was within his rights to fire. Classic defense steps, per CAW Space Emergency Procedures.”

Edones ran the disintegration of the bot in slow motion. Grudgingly, he said, “Mr. Journey appears to be correct. There’s a visible shock wave, courtesy of the escaped gas. Luckily for Mr. Journey and his ship, it didn’t have a lot of power.”

“And, once again, using an amount of explosive small enough to get by the
Pilgrimage
airlock sniffers. Current ComNet equipment would have caught it.”

“Yes. We’d better force some of our equipment upon
Pilgrimage
security. Of course, the senator will insist they pay for it.” Edones’s voice was grim as he ran through the explosive sequence again. “I’ll have Floros analyze this.”

“I’m beginning to take this personally.” She watched Edones’s face. “I’m the common target between the attacks and considering the methods, I might suspect that Cipher is back.”

Edones blinked, surprise moving so quickly through his eyes that she might have missed it if she didn’t know him. “Why would you suspect Lieutenant Paulos?”

“Because she’s not dead, is she? If you had confirmation of her death, you’d have told me. Instead, you’ve been suspiciously quiet.”

“You needn’t worry about her arriving here, in G- 145.” Edones was his carefully bland self again. “We go through each arriving ship’s manifest and examine the background of every Autonomist. We know what to look for, when it comes to ComNet records. So, unless Paulos can pass for a Terran, she hasn’t entered this solar system.”

She agreed. Cipher didn’t have the right body build to mingle, unnoticed, with Terrans. She was far from being tall enough, or slim enough, and her facial features weren’t unremarkable. Even if she suppressed her urge for bright hair, skin, and clothing colors, Cipher would still stand out.

“However, you’re right to suspect you’re a target,” Edones said.

“And if this trouble follows me to Priamos?”

“I hope that’s the case, Major.” When her eyebrows went up, he added, “If you pull even one culprit to Beta Priamos, please drag along the one with a fetish for explosives.”

“But that’d put everyone on Beta Priamos Station in danger.” Not that she’d mention it, but she was tired of dealing with explosions and decompressions.

“They have less than two hundred and fifty civilians, mostly contractors, plus three companies of Terran special forces, with a platoon of our commandos. By comparison, we’re trying to protect nine hundred civilians on the
Pilgrimage Three
, including visiting dignitaries, Feed correspondents, and one hundred twenty-seven children under the age of sixteen.” Edones cocked an eyebrow and his voice was heavy with sarcasm. “By all means, Major,
please
lure the miscreants to Priamos.”

She didn’t have a response. When he put it that way, hanging her out as bait,
again
, seemed to be the sensible course. Edones’s logic was always sound, even if it was ruthless. She looked at her slate and scrolled through her queue until she found the orders, which she accepted with a thumbprint.

“You also have authority to take emergency mission command of the platoon on Beta Priamos. That doesn’t give you command of day-to-day operations, but you should introduce yourself to Pike and stay on his good side. Remind him that both you and State Prince Parmet must be kept safe so you can testify to the ICT.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll make sure my employers understand I have to give testimony. Am I dismissed?”

“One more thing, Major.” He paused. “Don’t trust Maria, or forget she was TEBI.”

Well,
that
didn’t seem likely. She sighed as she opened the hatch. No Directorate orders would be complete without some cryptic warning from Edones.

 

News travels fast on a generational ship. By the time Matt met David Ray in Dr. Lee’s lab, everyone had heard about the exploding bot. Decompression and module integrity was important to everyone on the behemoth that was, after all, only a fragile spacefaring habitat.

“No damage to the ship?” David Ray pointed at the status display near the door.

“They think it’s a similar device to what nearly killed Sergeant Joyce and Ariane. At least that’s what Denise overheard from Benjamin. She told Barnes, who told Randall, who told Jamie and me.” Lee efficiently moved a circular wheel of samples between equipment as she spoke, her tall thin body moving gracefully.

Matt’s eyebrows jumped. Once again, the lack of privacy aboard a generational ship didn’t bring back fond memories. The level of privacy Autonomists insisted upon was considered unhealthy, inconsiderate, and self-serving by the generational lines. However, he’d gotten used to the sense of freedom he felt from the “self-serving” privacy. He was saved from commenting by a call on his ear bug.

“Matt, are you okay? How’s
Aether’s Touch
?” It was Ari. “We saw your report.”

“Where are you?”

“Leaving the
Bright Crescent
. I’m released from uniformed active duty, so David Ray can negotiate with the Minoans. I’ll have to stay in-system, until I testify to the Tribunal.”

Uniformed
active duty. She’d used those careful words for a reason. He paused, laying his hand on the edge of the cold smooth lab counter and softly drumming his fingers. Did it matter, for the Minoan contract, that she was doing some skullduggery for Edones? “Good. Considering that your employment was nonnegotiable, we’ve probably got the contract.”

Matt terminated the call to find David Ray nodding. Sure, it was great to have the work, but being employed by aliens? This would be new territory for all of them.

“We’re not the only ones going to Beta Priamos Station. They’re moving three artificial wombs out there,” David Ray added. Crèches in use were rarely moved, even when occupants were in the embryonic period.

“Abram’s children.” Matt easily guessed which crèches were being moved. He couldn’t forget the isolationist aiming his weapon at one of the wombs, nor what the man’s body looked like after the Minoan beam weapon hit him. Matt closed his eyes and shook his head hard, hoping to dislodge the image.

“Command staff thinks Dr. Rouxe was targeted and killed for revenge. They’re worried the three embryos will be next; in particular, Charlotte Anne. Abram considered himself childless and the isolationists call first-born females abominations. They’re aborted when they have the technology to detect them, or if born, they’re murdered or abandoned.”

“Moving them will risk their health. Should they really be sent off-ship in such a rush?” Matt was used to speaking of those in crèches as if they were present. He already considered Nigel, Peter, and Charlotte Anne crew members.

David Ray shrugged. “The decision’s made.”

“But they listen to you, and to Dr. Lee.” He gestured toward the tall woman with his chin.

“I’m not on staff anymore; I’m on hiatus. Besides, Lee thinks it’s feasible and she’ll accompany them to Beta Priamos. She’ll make sure they’re safe.” David Ray grinned. “I’m not too upset about how things shook out.”

Indeed. David Ray and Lee had been almost inseparable since they’d recovered from the isolationist takeover. Matt suddenly remembered whom he was leaving docked at the
Pilgrimage
while he waltzed out to the gas giant Laomedon, its moon Priamos, and the Beta Priamos Station.

“I should tell Diana we’re leaving,” he said.

“Yes, you should,” Lee said.

Net-think is so fickle. Notice how the Interstellar Criminal Tribunal in G- 145 eclipsed the Ura-Guinn news? Of course, we’re comparing absolute gibbering drama to dry data! I’m glued to my Feeds. . . .

—
Cicely Janda
, 2106.053.21.28 UT, indexed by
Heraclitus 10
under Flux Imperative

 

 

 

B
efore she could leave for Priamos, Ariane had to finish giving her statement to
Pilgrimage
security. Captain Floros, performing as AFCAW recorder and representative, accompanied her to the new security offices. Unfortunately, once the very important members of the ICT learned about Ariane’s interview, it was impossible to keep them away. This made it quite a jaw-clenching episode for her.

“Why didn’t you immediately call after looking into Sergeant Joyce’s room?” State Prince Duval’s eyes were narrow with suspicion.

“Because I didn’t have any reason to suspect an attempt on his life,” she said.

“I should think it obvious that something was amiss.”

As her jaw started tightening in response, Commander Meredith leaned forward and put his hand on Duval’s arm in restraint. “Please, SP, let my people do the questioning. That’s their job.”

From her position in front of this august audience, Ariane watched Duval’s face tense in discomfort. This was cross-cultural clashing at its best, and she tried not to smile. Terrans enjoyed pushing Autonomists and crèche-get about in awkward conversational dances, but
they
rarely enjoyed being touched in public.

Duval muttered, “Excuse me,” and pulled his arm away.

Meredith flashed her a look of un-Commanderly wicked humor as he faced forward again. She took this as a signal that she was, for the most part, among friends.

“Gentlemen, please hold your questions.” Benjamin Pilgrimage, who was presumably taking her statement, finally regained control. “Continue, Major Kedros.”

She described what happened in Joyce’s clinic room, up to the part where Warrior Commander discovered the antipersonnel grenade. “I saw Warrior Commander close its hands over the Terran APG-thirty-thirty-four and snap the connection between sensor and grenade. I covered Joyce and heard the detonation, but the sound was muffled.”

This caused a flurry of questions.

“Its
hands
? The force of a thirty- thirty-four must be . . .” Floros started poking at her slate.

“How could you possibly identify it?” said SP Duval. “Claiming it’s an old Terran antipersonnel grenade is inflammatory, Major. Besides, the model you picked isn’t in our inventory anymore.”

“I’m trained to recognize older Terran weapons, considering their potential to pop up in the strangest places.”

“What?” SP Duval sputtered. “Senator Stephanos, this is insulting. Where’s the objective evidence?”

Stephanos leaned forward. His eyebrows were knotted together, a sign known throughout net-think as a forecast to his bad temper.

Benjamin tried to head off disaster, appealing to the ICT members. “Gentlemen, please. We all want to find the culprit. We don’t have to rely upon Major Kedros’s memory; we have physical evidence, starting with the contained output from the explosion.”

“Metallurgic analysis shows a signature consistent with Terran metals circa 2090 to 2096.” No one acknowledged Captain Floros’s comment.