Reavers (Book 3) (42 page)

“We finally heard back from them, sir,” Gazsi said as he saluted rigidly.

“Who are ‘them?’” Nobue asked as he discreetly wiped away the sweat on his brow left over from the jump.

“The investigation unit you dispatched to Masuyo.”

“Masuyo?  Why did I . . . oh yes! 
Sanderson
.  Took them long enough.”

“They lack the discipline of MI, sir.”

“Obviously.  So what did they find out after all this time?”

“There was a confirmed attack, by a Weaver no less.”

“A
Weaver
?  How strange.  There wasn’t any mention of it in Sanderson’s report.”

“According to the investigation unit, there is no definitive proof Sanderson was present for either of the attacks.”

“Figures.  Hold on,
attacks
?”

“Two separate incidents.  One at a diplomatic award ceremony and a second on the opposite side of the world at a transit station.”

“How many witnesses?”

“Let me check.”  Gazsi pulled out his pad and tapped a few commands.  “Impressive.  The diplomatic core was holding a banquet.  Sold out completely.  Several thousand in attendance.”

“And not one of them saw anything, I bet.”

“Quite the opposite.  The target of the Weaver was a Kindra Linwood.  According to witnesses, just as she was about to slit her own wrists, a single shot was fired.  Panic filled the attendees, but a few recalled an unknown male leaping onto the stage and pulling the intended target away.”

“Kindra Linwood,” Nobue repeated as he rubbed his chin.  “Should I know that name?”

“Doubtful.  She’s a nobody.  Her brother, on the other hand, is one of the most decorated members of the diplomatic core.”

“So the Weaver was attacking her to get at the brother?  Seems unnecessarily round about for a Weaver.  Why not just go for the brother in the first place?”

“The investigation unit doubts that was the motive.  They believe the brother had nothing to do with the attack.”

“Really?  What makes them think that?”

“The second incident.  The participants had no relation to the diplomatic core whatsoever.”

“I’m assuming that
unknown
male was Sanderson.  So what did he have to do with the second attack?”

“That’s hard to say.  The second incident is apparently what delayed the investigation unit.”

“This gets better and better,” Nobue said with a smirk.  “What delayed them?”

“Core Industries.  There was evidence of a cover-up.”

Nobue jumped to his feet; he had not expected that.

“Who was the target of the second attack?” he demanded.

“The investigation unit could only guess,” Gazsi said as he double checked the pad.

“Then what did they
guess
?” Nobue asked impatiently

“A few hours after the attack, three troopers were sighted leaving the world with a CI private security force detail.  They were the likely targets.  All three have gone missing, and Core Industries seems to have set up cover stories for them to appease the military.”

“Names, Gazsi!  I want names!”

“Tyra Lucchesi, Valerie Murdock and her brother Ronald.”

“Murdock . . . as in
the
Murdocks?” Nobue asked.

“One in the same.  Looks like the Weaver had an eye out for the sister of a diplomat and two descendants of the famous Murdocks.”

“They practically
founded
MI!” Nobue said in exasperation.  “Why wasn’t I notified of this earlier?”

“Hold on, there’s a section on that,” Gazsi said as he carefully looked over the document.  “They were
very
thorough.  Here it is:  The Murdocks have washed their hands of MI in recent generations.  They are no longer regarded as priority personnel by Military Intelligence despite their contributions in the past,” Gazsi said with a shrug.

“Figures, we start to ignore people
right
as they become interesting.  So what’s the connection?”

“Connection, sir?”

“Of course!  Don’t tell me the investigation unit just assumed that two incidents involving a Weaver were unrelated.”

“There was some speculation, but . . .”

“But what?”

“But nothing.  The investigation found no link between all the targets.  They have different assignments that range across the Commonwealth.  They work for different branches of the military and haven’t seen one another in years.  In fact, there is no . . .”

“Wait.  Back up a bit.  What do you mean they haven’t seen each other in years?  You mean at one point they
did
meet in person?”

Gazsi was stunned.  He had read through the report a dozen times and not once noticed that.  Quickly scanning through the report, he searched for the details Nobue was demanding.  There wasn’t a single mention of any mutual past.  Quickly switching over to classified personnel files, he did a quick run down on their mutual pasts.

“I don’t believe it,” Gazsi said as he shook his head.  “I take back my praise of them being thorough.”

“What?” Nobue demanded.

“They all attended the same academy.  More!  They all were in the same squad at one point!”

“And the investigation unit didn’t see that as a link?” Nobue scoffed.

“There’s more, sir.”

“You’re grinning . . . what is it?”

“Among that squad is another name I think you’ll recognize.”

Gazsi tossed the pad into his lap as his smile expanded.  Nobue raised an eyebrow as he glanced at the pad.

“
Sanderson
,” he said as he matched Gazsi’s grin.  “I knew there was more to this.  Do we have any free agents?”

“Sir?”

“Don’t be naïve, Gazsi.  Do you honestly believe that an investigation unit just missed so basic a fact?  Even an amateur unit would have checked personnel files first off.  They said there was evidence of a cover up.  My guess is CI
persuaded
them to conceal a few facts themselves.”

“Are you saying there is a conspiracy?”

“You know Sanderson as well as I do.  There is no way someone so prim and proper would accidentally omit something so major from their report.  The fact they are all linked seals the deal.  There is something deeper here, and I intend to get to the bottom of it.”

“All agents are actively on assignment, sir.”

“So there is no one?” Nobue asked.  “I won’t allow Sanderson to get away with whatever he is hiding because we are too busy!”

“Well, there is one possibility . . .”

“Yes?”

“A large number of our agents are deployed on ongoing operations.  Those missions have very vague goals, and they largely serve as our eyes and ears.  If the need were great enough, we could pull several of them away and task them with . . . with . . . what exactly are you planning on doing, sir?”

“It seems unfair to me.”

“Sir?” Gazsi asked with a raised eyebrow.

“The investigation unit said they haven’t seen each other in years.  I think it’s high time for a reunion, don’t you?  I think I’ll enjoy a bit of a . . .
heart to heart
.  Whatever they are up to, I’ll bring them all down - CI too if it interferes.”

Rupert and Cain paced back and forth parallel to the massive window.  When they neared one another, their faces would contort into disgust and revulsion, only to quickly fade back to the persistent worry they shared.  Cassandra had started screaming in pain long before they had reached the hospital, and only the sound proofing of the inner rooms silenced it.  Even without sound it had been apparent over the hours that her pain had been steadily worsening.

Through the window they watched as Brent sat at his wife’s side - it was hard to tell which was in more pain.  Even Rupert seemed to feel sorry for the norm as he sat helplessly next to Cassandra.  The doctors and their assistants worked in silent pantomime behind the sound-obscuring window.  It was obvious they were doing everything they could, but no matter what they did, her pain never wavered.  No one dared speak or break the absolute silence of the observation area.

Cain had wanted to make fun of there even being such a room.  He had thought up dozens of jokes that would compare heavy gravity birth to a spectator sport or something along the lines of equating human birth to livestock.  However, even he knew better.  Whatever odd local customs revolved around childbirth could wait for ridicule until
after
their friends were safe and sound again.  The most alarming thing to Cain was that Angela seemed to be the most worried.  As a Weaver she no doubt was privy to certain facts that were beyond the others.  For her to be so obviously worried didn’t bode well. 

Abruptly, a loud clanging of metal broke the silence.  As the gathered troopers searched for the sound, a second even louder set of sounds rang out.  Owen was the first to leave the observation room, headed toward whatever was being so loud.  As the others followed, they found Janet in the hallway.  She was knocking over trays and machinery as she thrashed about.  The high-pitched sounds of knives and other sterile tools rattling on the floor reverberated through the building.

“Have you gone insane?” Humphrey mumbled as he approached her.

She didn’t seem to notice him in the slightest and forcefully pushed over an expensive looking machine.  The loud crash and sound of shattering glass made Humphrey jump back.  Without hesitation, Ronald grabbed the doctor’s arms and held her still.  After struggling futilely for a few moments, Janet broke down into tears and collapsed.  If Ronald hadn’t been holding her so tightly, she would have crumpled to the floor like a lifeless doll.

“Show some respect!”  Rupert grated his teeth as he eyed the limp woman.  “Norms, can’t even be civil in a hospital.”

“Murderer,” she said in an almost lifeless voice.

“What did you call me?” he said in complete revulsion.

“You heard me!” Janet screamed as she lunged at him.  “You’re all murderers!”

Ronald easily restrained the woman as Rupert pulled back.  The heavy gravity slowed her movements, but it was obvious she was furious.  Cain snickered slightly at the heavy-worlder retreating from a woman half his size and no doubt a tiny fraction of his strength.  As Cain opened his mouth to add insult to injury, Angela started crying openly and collapsed to her knees.

“It’s spreading!” Doug said in alarm.  “There must be some kind of virus that’s making people go insane.”

“Don’t be an idiot, Dougie,” Marie said as she slugged his shoulder.

“What is it?” Cain asked gently as he kneeled next to the sobbing Weaver.

Without a word, she tightly embraced him and cried profusely into his shoulder.

“I hate to agree with Humphrey,” Rhea asked, “but have you two gone insane?”

“We’re not the insane ones!” Janet shouted, still struggling to attack Rupert.  “They are going to let her die!”

“Who?” Tyra asked, a hint of fear entering her voice.

“Cassandra,” Angela choked out between tears.

“You can’t be serious,” Marie said quickly.  “She looks fine.”

“She did look like she was in a lot of pain . . .” Liz said quietly.

“Maybe the doctors are dropping the ball,” Erin said with a shrug.  “We are out on the rim after all . . .”

“How dare you say that?” Rupert shouted, finally recovering from the shock of the doctor’s savage lunge.  “They will do everything in their power to keep my daughter well.”

“Apparently the good doctor disagrees with you,” Cain said mockingly.

“Will all of you shut up?” Hiroko shouted as she stomped her foot down.  “This bickering is pointless!”

“Don’t you tell me to . . .” Erin protested.

“Will everyone with extensive medical training raise their hand?” she demanded as she glared at Erin.  “Those with no clue what they are shouting about can shut it,” Hiroko said coldly.

A hush fell over the group as she eyed them one after another.  Owen raised an eyebrow as she finally turned an expectant gaze on him.  With a sigh, Hiroko gestured for him to raise his hand.

“Oh, right!” he said with a hint of surprise.  “You were meaning me.”

“Obviously,” Erin said under her breath.

Hiroko turned an icy cold stare on her as Owen approached Janet.  The restrained doctor seemed to calm down slightly as the group’s shouting subsided.

“So what did you find out?” he asked in a plain voice.

“She’s going to die, and they won’t do anything to help her,” Janet said in a tone of defeat.

“I’ve gathered that; I meant specifically.  What
exactly
is the matter?”

“The girl is a heavy-worlder.”

“Really?” Erin said sarcastically.  “
Never
would have figured that one out.”

Tyra stepped over and covered her mouth.  Owen gave a thankful nod to her as Erin quieted down.

“What does that have to do with anything?” he asked.

“She spent years under standard gravity,” Janet said in an uncaring monotone - she had given up completely.  “The gravity treatments kept her body from killing itself, but they weakened her.”

“Weakened her?” Cain asked.  “What do you mean?”

“The gravity treatments adjust a person’s body so they can live and work in gravities they were never designed for.  In the short term, only the pain is to be worried about.  However, in the long term the body will actually adjust to the new gravity itself - permanently.”

“I had no idea,” Owen said as he mused over the facts.

“No one wants to admit it,” Janet said with a wry smile.  “Would be bad for relations if heavy and light-worlders knew what was
really
happening to them.”

“What does this have to do with Cassandra dying?” Liz asked.

“After so long on the gravity treatments, her body has adjusted about half way,” Janet said in her uncaring monotone. “She’s no longer fit to live here.  The heavy gravity is an incredible strain on her body.”

“Impossible!” Rupert shouted.  “She never showed any signs of being weak.  She’s just as hearty as she was before she left.”

“Of course not,” Owen said, finally understanding.  “She only had to support herself.  Even though her body was weaker than it had been, she only had her own needs to deal with.  Now she has three lives to support, and it’s more than she can handle.”

“So she’s really going to . . .” Ronald asked.

“She won’t survive the delivery,” Janet said with a tone of finality.  “The children will make it, but she won’t.”

“Is there anything that can be done?” Abigail asked in terror for her daughter’s safety.”

“Of course there is!” Janet shouted again, all vitality instantly returning.  “But you fist draggers won’t do it!”

Again she attempted to attack Rupert, only to be easily restrained by Ronald.

“What’s she talking about?” Tyra asked as she turned on Rupert and Abigail.

“They are letting her die,” Angela said as she continued to cry into Cain’s shoulder.  “They won’t change their minds - they think they are doing the right thing.”

“They are doing this on purpose?” Abigail asked in horror.

“That’s right!” Janet said, laying into Abigail.  “It’s not some
norm
that’s killing your daughter, it’s one of your own.”

“That’s enough,” Owen said forcefully.  “We both know you are over-simplifying.”

“What are you talking about?” Hiroko asked.

“There
is
a way to save Cassandra,” Owen said.

“Then do it!” Erin shouted angrily.

“It’s not that simple.  Is it, Janet?”

She pulled away from him as he locked his eyes on her.  The two continued to stare silently at one another for a seeming eternity.

“Right . . . here’s an idea,” Cain said finally.  “Let’s pretend for a minute that we haven’t spent the last decade studying medicine and have
no
idea what you two are hinting at.  You know, for kicks.”

“There is
something
we could do to save the girl,” Janet said hesitantly.

“But it would endanger her children,” Owen said with a sigh.

“How badly?” Tyra asked.

“If we do nothing, it’s certain the mother is going to die, but her kids will come out fine,” Janet said, staring at the floor.  “If we did go ahead with the procedure, we’d almost guarantee her survival.  However, at
best
the infants would have a fifty/fifty chance.”

“It’s worse than that,” Owen said, instantly correcting the doctor’s sugar coating.  “There is a
chance
that Cassandra would pull through after the procedure.  It’s not one hundred percent - not even close.”

“In other words, lose the mother but save the kids, or potentially kill them all,” Ronald said flatly.

“Talk about odds; I never liked dice games,” Humphrey mumbled sourly.

Instantly the group devolved into shouting and arguing.  No one liked either option and were fighting against the situation more than for one alternative or the other.  As the group’s fighting grew louder, Cain grabbed Owen’s shoulder and pulled him aside.

“There is a third option,” he whispered so no one else could hear.

“You mean have Brent save her like he did with me?” Owen asked.

Cain nodded.  Owen rubbed his chin for a moment before shaking his head.

“I don’t think he can.”

“What do you mean?” Cain whispered incredulously.  “You of all people should know what he could do.  All I can do is guess, you’ve experienced it first hand.”

“That’s the thing.  After he saved me, he tried to hide it, but I’m pretty sure he was close to blacking out.  I think it took a lot out of him.  Remember Octavia?  She sounded overtly worried about him.  Even that little girl could tell he was drained.”

“He did use up most of his strength,” Octavia said in agreement.

Cain jumped back at her sudden contribution to their conversation.  He hadn’t noticed her presence since they had left Brent’s mansion.

“How long have you been here?” he demanded.

“Since the beginning,” she said frankly.  “You don’t think I’d miss
this
, do you?”

“Wait.  How did you know he used up his strength?” Owen asked in confusion.  “I’ve had years of training, and he hid it to the point I could barely tell.”

Octavia stared at him in surprise for a moment.

“You don’t know?” she asked finally.

“Know what?” Owen asked as he glanced at Cain for support.

Cain chuckled as he shook his shoulder playfully.

“Judging from Cain, I had assumed all of you knew . . .” Octavia looked over the others, pondering how many of them had missed it too.

“What am I missing?” Owen asked them both.

“She’s a Shard, Owen,” Cain said with a smirk.  “One of their leaders, if I’m not mistaken.”

“
Really
?” he asked in surprise.

Octavia blushed slightly as Owen studied her intently.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t figure it out,” Cain said as he patted the little girl on the head.

“Didn’t realize there was anything
to
figure out,” he said with a shrug.  “Brent saved the entire human race and settled down on a ranching rim world teaching
history
.  After something like that, what was so odd about adopting a little girl?  Wait.  I think we are missing the point.  Octavia . . . or whatever you are named, can
you
do anything?”

“Please stick with Octavia.  Brent gave me that name and I’ve grown very fond of it.  To answer your question, I’m afraid I’m as powerless as the rest of you.  Third is the one who has maintained that data for us.  Even if I did procure some of that knowledge from him, I’m afraid I lack the . . . capability to adequately use the information.”

“
No
idea what you just said,” Owen said glumly, “but I gather that’s a no.”

“I can’t believe this.  Is there nothing we can do?” Cain asked desperately.  “Brent’s world revolves around Cassandra.  If he loses her . . . I don’t even want to think about it.”