Part 18 (1/2)
The intended victims had faster reflexes than their attackers: Jeff and the Rowan 'ported themselves high up, out of range. Increasing his s.h.i.+elds, Gollee Gren covered Gktmglnt's body with his own. Elizara had 'ported herself and Admiral Tohl Mekturian to the far corner. The four attackers were themselves mind-stunned by Talents and collapsed, paralyzed. The door to the conference room burst open and the security guards rushed in, immediately taking charge of the intruders.
May I as%, Jeff said, in a tone not even his lifelong partner had ever heard him use, how Clarissia Negeva got in here? And he indicated one of the paralyzed forms.
Sir, the location of this conference room is protected, said an exceedingly red-faced and furious T-3 security officer. We do not know how the security system could have been so compromised.
”Clarissia Negeva? Why so it is,” the security captain said as he turned over the first of the two women sprawled on the carpet.
”She's the xenophobic T-2 Laria bounced out of Clarf,” Jeff went on. Elizara was 'porting restorative drinks to the Rowan, who was ashen-faced, and to the stunned Admiral while Gollee apologized profusely to Gktmglnt for both the intrusion and his rough handling of the Mrdini's person.
”The others-both T-2's and strong kinetics-are Duvona Tselli-gan and Nyol Greb, both Capellans,” Jeff said, having touched their stunned minds.
THE MRDINI IS A DISGRUNTLED MEMBER OF MY OWN STAFF, said Gktmglnt in a tone dripping with distaste and disillusion. IT IS TO BE SENT BACK IN A PERSONNEL CARRIER IMMEDIATELY AND-- PLEASE, NOT TO CLARF THIS TIME, the Rowan said, raising one hand in appeal.
IT IS FROM KEF AND WILL BE SENT TO THE MOST PUBLIC PLACE POSSIBLE.
WOULD IT NOT BE WISER TO DISCOVER WHO ELSE AMONG YOUR.
STAFF MIGHT BE INVOLVED? asked T-3 Security Officer Harry Sargent with a formal bow to the High Councillor.
THE MANNER OF ITS PUNISHMENT WILL BE SUFFICIENT DETERRENT FOR ANY OTHERS WHO CONSIDER THAT ELIMINATING A HIGH COUNCILLOR WILL REDRESS WHATEVER GRIEVANCES EXIST.
FATHER! GRANDFATHER? GRANDMOTHER? FATHER? GRANDFATHER? SIR? UNCLE? SON?.
Commendable reactions, all of you, Jeff said with a wry smile as his mind was flooded by the queries from various alarmed offspring and relatives. All is well. A discreet and very private message will be forthcoming. Allow us to deal with the matter in our own time. Than^ you.
They'd'fe been too late, the Rowan remarked very quietly to her mate. * had no idea I'd broadcast this . . . recent untoward event.
I suspect all of us did, Jeff said, managing a grin at Elizara and Gollee.
Harry Sargent, his hand carefully gloved, picked up one of the many darts scattered about the room by the Talents' self-protection instincts. He examined it, sniffed cautiously, and his expression became even more implacable.
”Poisoned. A particularly virulent type. Even Elizara couldn't have saved all of you. Especially these”-he indicated a scatter on the table in front of Gktmglnt-”would have been impossible to neutralize.” He I.
bowed his abject apologies to the High Councillor who had resumed its seat, its figure regally erect.
TAKE THAT AWAY IMMEDIATELY. Gktmglnt nodded at the immobilized 'Dini.
CERTAINLY, HIGH COUNCILLOR, said Sargent.
ALLOW ME TO a.s.sIST, Gollee said, and he 'ported the body to one of the many personnel carriers available at the Blundell Building's yard, an action the others followed with their minds.
WOULD YOU KNOW THE COORDINATES OF ITS ... FINAL PLACEMENT, GKTMGLNT? Jeff asked.
THE BIG SQUARE ON KEF WOULD BE THE MOST PUBLIC PLACE.
WE KNOW THOSE COORDINATES, Jeff said.
YOU DON'T GET TO DO IT BY YOURSELF, the Rowan said, rising straight up from her chair until she hovered tall as the High Councillor. I INSIST ON- NOT UNLESS I AM IN ON THE THROW TOO, Gollee said in an equally arbitrary tone.
IN THE TIME IT'S TAKING US TO ARGUE WHO DOES IT, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE, Jeff replied.
WE'LL ALL DO IT, Elizara said at her most reasonable. ONE, TWO, THREE.
WHAT'S GOING ON UP THERE? MY GENERATORS d.a.m.nED NEAR OVERLOADED! was the outraged roar from T-2 Viling Iredit, the Blundell Tower engineer.
Operation Overall, was Jeffs unapologetic reply. It's not lively to happen again.
THE TRANSFER IS COMPLETED? asked Gktmglnt.
MOST DECIDEDLY, Admiral Mekturian said, leaning across and lightly touching the Mrdini's arm, a big grin on his face.
Jeff held up his hand, looking first to the Rowan, who gave a slow nod of her head, then to Gollee, who was also in accord. Elizara hesitated.
”You'll need to know who else is involved. I shall attend to that when the meeting is concluded,” she said.
”That's my job,” Gollee said.
Elizara, her usually sympathetic expression neutral, turned to him. ”In this instance, I disagree, Gollee. You are an excellent T-2, but I am the medical Prime and these three had . . . sick minds.”
The Rowan leaned across the table, her eyes bleak. ”Their minds are not to be healed, Elizara.”
”That is a given, Angharad Raven, since they have abrogated any consideration by such an unwarranted attack.” She turned to Harry Sargent. ”Secure them in the infirmary and request my a.s.sistant to administer the necessary suppressant. They are to be placed in separate rooms and are not to be allowed to move or communicate with anyone, even my a.s.sistant.”
Harry gestured to his team, who bowed respectfully. The team, Harry and the three remaining limp bodies 'ported out of the room.
”I should review security features,” Gollee said with a grim expression.
”Three kinetic-strong T-2's could, and did, manage it,” Jeff said, rubbing his jaw.
”Who'd've expected we'd be bearded in Blundell after all,” the Rowan said, grinding the words out, obviously still coping with her anger over the attack.
”I'll see it never happens again, no matter how many dissident T's they can a.s.semble,” Gollee said in a tight, implacable tone.
”I shall discover why, which I believe to be even more important,” Elizara said, ”there are dissident T-2's at all.”
”Consider me available, Elizara, if necessary,” the Rowan said.
Elizara nodded in compliance.
”Now that that's all settled . . .” Jeff gave himself a shake, indicating he had been more upset about the incident than he was willing to admit. ”How far had we progressed on the agenda, Admiral Tohl?”
”Item nine,” Mekturian said, blinking slightly in reorienting his attention as he touched his notepad. When he looked up, his expression suggested that Jeff knew exactly what the next topic should be. ”Having a surface team investigating the Hiver-occupied planet named Ciudad Rodrigo.”
”Yes, we could do with more comparative samples of pheromones and soil,” Elizara said. ”As has been remarked, the Hivers might test the air and remove any life-form large enough to be considered a predator, but they don't seem to test soil for its components. They just dig in, as it were.” She gave her mouth a quirk at her phrasing.
”We'll be taking Zara from the Sotigen and Talavera Tower,” Gollee Gren said, scrolling down on his notepad.
”Flavia can do the surface inspection of Ciudad Rodrigo?” the Rowan asked.
”Hmmm, I'd thought to send Rojer-” Jeff began.