Part 83 (1/2)
”If they say a Seti invasion, I'll buy it. What's Fleet have insystem?”
Sricka did not know that. Ford thought about the information lock put on the invasion news, and wished he could talk to his old buddy Killin. But at least Arly could call for help via the IFTL link. Ford decided not to worry about what he couldn't change. That brought his thoughts back to their uniforms, even more conspicuous as they came into better-lighted streets.
”And your orders?”
”Captain . . . Commander Arly told me to take a shuttle down in case the captain, Commander Sa.s.sinak, that is, needed it. To do whatever it took to help her.”
”Well, then. First we'll have to find her, then we'll know what help she needs. And to do that, we'll have to look less like what we are. Here, hold up this lamppost for a minute.” He had spotted a larger, much busier subway access, the kind that would have shops and other facilities on the platform below. ”Sergeant, if anyone asks, tell 'em your officer went down to make a call to the office to get a vehicle.”
Back down underground again. He found He was enjoying this much more than he should have. Even the contrast to Auntie Q's luxurious entourage cheered him. He found an automated clothing outlet where commuters who had just spilled something on their suit on the way to a conference could get a replacement. He dared not buy clothes for all of them, but two or three coveralls wouldn't be excessive.
No, four: the least expensive garment came in green, 308.
blue, gray, and brown. He inserted his card, punched the b.u.t.tons, and caught the sealed packets as they came out of the slot. No one seemed to be watching. Back up the escalator, packages in hand, to find the group had put on a small show for a group of late diners who'd stopped to ask questions about Ireta's mysterious plague. He took control, briskly and firmly, and marched his troops off as if to a definite destination. Half a block later, he slowed them down again. The Wefts wouldn't find much privacy in the subway tunnels of the inner city this early in the night. He glanced back at the marines, and met the wary glance of their sergeant. Who'd picked them? Arly? Currald? Whoever it was had had sense enough to send more than one NCO. Which should he peel off for Sa.s.sinak? The old rule held: don't tell 'em how to do it, just tell the sergeant what you need done.
”Sergeant, the Wefts'11 need a couple of marines just in case someone comes after 'em while they're hunting the captain.” Not that the Wefts couldn't outfight any three humans while in their own shapes, but he suspected that the mental concentration needed for hunting her could take the edge off their other abilities. ”Take these clothes and the next dark patch we come to, put 'em on over your uniforms. That'll take care of three of you. One Fleet uniform shouldn't be too dangerous. Then take off. Tenant Sricka, you find the captain, and tell her where the shuttle is. Find out what she needs. If she can't contact me, you do or send one of the marines. Can you find me, the way you sense her?”
Sricka frowned, then smiled. ”I was about to say we couldn't, sir, but you've changed.*1 ”That's what I was told,” said Ford, remembering the demise of Madame Flaubert.
”But it would be easier if one of us stayed with you.”
Ford shook his head. ”I know, but we don't know how bad her situation is. She may need both of you, or it may be harder than you expect to find her in a maze of tunnels. It's not like free s.p.a.ce. If she knows she has .
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you and a shuttle when she needs it. Which reminds me. Ensign.”
”Sir?”
”You've got the toughest a.s.signment. You're going to have to get back out to the shuttle-alone-and be ready for a call. Can't even guess when we're going to need you, or for what, but I know absolutely without a doubt we will, and we won't have time for you to take the subway back out there. D'you have rations on board for several days?”
”Yes, sir, but ...”
”Ensign, if I could send someone back with you I would. I need all the rest of these in the city, nearby, in case she wants them. This is not an easy a.s.signment for someone your age.” That stiffened Tim's backbone, as he'd hoped. ”But Commander Sa.s.sinak's told me you have potential, and if you do, young man, this is the time to show it.”
”Yes, sir. Anything else?”
”Yes. Take this.” The last package of civilian clothes. ”Put it on first, then go straight to the subway, and back out to the shuttle. Try to look like a young man who's just been told he has to go back to work and fix a problem. Shouldn't be too hard. Get some sleep. Whatever breaks won't break right away. Just be sure you're ready to get that thing up the instant we call for you. Ill try to patch a call to you from the Fleet offices when we get back, in an hour or so, but don't count on it.”
”Yes, sir.”
In the next darker patch, Ford got them into a huddle. When it opened again, one ”civilian” headed back to the subway access, while three others and a marine continued to the next. Ford led the other nine on toward the center of the city. It was a lovely evening for a walk.
Chapter Twenty.
Trial day. The early news reports had more speculation about the mysterious shuttle that had disappeared ”somewhere near die city” and the strange plague which supposedly afflicted anyone who'd been to Ireta. Riots in the maintenance tunnels, controlled by police with only minor loss of life.
Sa.s.sinak winced. She and Aygar and her crewmembers had just escaped the pitched battle that erupted when the Pollys tried gas on tunnel rats who had gas masks and weapons. She hoped the newssheet was right in reporting so few deaths. Only the knowledge that she had to fight the main battle elsewhere let her live with the decision to run for it. The lower third of the page mentioned the trial and Council hearing on Ireta's status.
Sa.s.sinak watched Aygar reading, his lips pursed angrily. She already knew what it said. No precedent for overturning a Thek claim. But at least he was alive, and if she could get him into the Council chamber that way, he should have a chance to testify.
Erdra had come back before dawn with a half dozen of the pearly cards that guaranteed admission, each one embossed with the name of its carrier. Sa.s.sinak had become ”Commander Argray, Fleet Liaison” for the 310.
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duration, and Aygar was ”Blayanth, Federation Citizen.” She hoped these faked IDs and the database entries backing them up would let them get into Council without being quarantined as dangerous lunatics. According to news reports, the lines for public seating had extended across the plaza by midnight. If the ”invitations” didn't work, they wouldn't have a chance at open seats. A number of the student activists had been in the lines early, but no one knew which, if any, of those waiting would be admitted.
At least, Sa.s.sinak thought, she looked like herself again. Bless Arly for thinking of the clean uniform; familiar in every seam, comforted her almost as much as the bridge of her s.h.i.+p. So did the change in Erdra's eyes when Sa.s.sinak appeared in regal white and gold, now suiting the image Erdra had imagined.
”Should be starting now.” Sa.s.sinak nodded to their guide without speaking. Aygar shoved the newssheet he'd been reading in a disposal slot, and came along.
”Do you think well get in?” he asked for the fourth or fifth time. After that he'd ask what they'd do if this didn't work. She was trying to be patient, but it got harder.
”No good reason it shouldn't work. It ...” internal and external communications layered in confusion for a moment. Then she realized that a Weft onplanet had managed to link her with a Weft on the Zaid-Dayan, and with its Ssli, and thence to Dupaynil on a Seti s.h.i.+p somewhere at the edge of the system.
”A Seti s.h.i.+p!” she muttered aloud, and caught a worried glance from Aygar. ”Sorry,” she said, and clamped her lips shut. What are you doing on a Seti s.h.i.+p? she asked Dupaynil.
Wis.h.i.+ng I hadn't ever made you mad. Whether it was his mind, or the Weft linkage, that sounded both contrite and humble, qualities she'd never a.s.sociated with Dupaynil.
Are you alone?
No. A Weft, a larval Ssli, two Lethi, a Ryxi, and a Bronthin are my companions in durance vile. The Seti want witnesses to their power. Then they'll eat us.
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No way. We'll get you out. How she was going to do that, while stranded onplanet with Aygar, in the middle of a Grand Council trial and hearing that was expected to turn into a revolution, she did not know. But she couldn't let him think she wouldn't try.
Don't fret . . . we're sending data to Arly. And I got what you wanted on the Seti, and more. That Claw escort was suborned. All but one of the crew were in with the pirates and in the pay of the Paradens.
Sa.s.sinak hoped he could interpret the cold wash of amazement that took all the words from her mind. She had been furious with him, but she hadn't intended that.
Now his contact carried a thread of amus.e.m.e.nt. That's all right. I didn't think you knew. But if I live through this, you may have to fix some charges for me and a young Jig named Panis.
What charges?
Mutiny, for one. Misappropriation of government property, grievous bodily harm ...
We'U get you out alive. I have got to hear this.