Текст книги "Coupe"

Sian Commonality, Capellan Confederation

3 August 3029

Justin realized something was very wrong when he noticed members of the House Imarra battalions standing guard on either side of the briefing chamber's portal. Where the hell are the Death Commandos? Who authorized a shift of duty for them?Remembering the urgent sound in Candace's voice and the worried look on her face on the visiphone's view screen, Justin answered his own question. Romano. She has to be the source of this trouble. I hope she's done nothing I can't fix.

The two hulking guards did not look at Justin as the chamber door rose into the ceiling, but they moved instantly to block Alexi Malenkov's passage. Seeing their movement out the corner of his eye, Justin spun and batted the nearest guard's hand away from Alexi's shoulder. "Let him go."

The Imarra warrior glanced over his shoulder as Romano framed herself in the doorway. "Malenkov is not allowed in here. I do not trust him." She held her head high, and her green eyes blazed with defiance. Her black trousers and green tunic had been cut in a military style, but the way she let the blouse gap open to reveal tantalizing glimpses of her breasts mocked the crisp correctness of the guards' uniforms.

Justin stared at her implacably. Warlord or seductress, Romano? Which will it be today?"I do not care if you trust him or not. I do." Justin let his voice drop so that only Romano could hear his words. "If not for him, Ling would have had me."

Justin's revelation smashed Romano's haughty facade like a sledgehammer hitting bone china. He guided Alexi through the door, then entered the chamber himself. Romano nodded reluctant permission to the guards, then turned away from the door. Despite the blow, Justin noticed that her color and confidence returned as she moved toward the head of the table and drew closer to both Maximilian Liao and Tsen Shang.

Justin glanced at Candace, reassuring her with a smile. Her expression lightened somewhat, but she looked anxiously at her father and the holographic map suspended above the holotable. What is going on here? Candace looks as though she's been through a month-long campaign. Max seems enthused and Tsen is beaming like a child who's won a contest.

The Chancellor folded his arms across his chest. "Please, ShonsoXiang, do not feel slighted that this is the first time that I discuss this matter with you. I know you have many worries concerning the refit of the House Imarra regiment with the new myomer muscles. I wanted this to be a surprise."

Justin nodded. "I am honored by your concern, Supreme Counselor." A surprise! What now?

Maximilian smiled at Romano. "Romano, who has been as concerned as you about the recent Davion advances, has worked with Tsen Shang to come up with a way to break the back of the invasion. The Interdiction has already slowed our enemies. This will stop them dead in their tracks and even force them to retreat."

Justin shifted his gaze to Tsen Shang and appraised him openly. The tall, slender analyst's smile nearly died under Justin's gaze, but a squeeze on his arm from Romano buoyed his spirits. Justin noted this new fire in Shang with a mix of amusement and fear. He's abandoned himself to her. That will make him either useless or very dangerous.

"What have you got, Tsen?" Justin asked.

Smiling at Romano, Tsen disengaged his arm from hers and moved to the table. He hit a few keys, commanding the computer to redraw the map. It formed itself into the strategic display Justin had become all too used to seeing of late: red worlds denoted those taken by the Federated Suns, and green stood for those still loyal to the Chancellor. The Tikonov Free Republic, governed by a Davion-backed military council since Ridzik's death, had been colored in with blue.

Tsen pointed his right hand toward a world in the Capellan March of the Federated Suns. Red highlights sparkled from diamond chips mounted along the long fingernails of his last three fingers. "This is the key to the Davion war effort. If we cripple this world, we will hamstring Hanse Davion's invasion."

Justin peered closely at the map, then felt his heart rise to his throat. Kathil!Justin's head came up. "You can't hit the shipyards at Kathil."

Tsen's grin faltered momentarily, then Romano slid her left hand along over his right shoulder as she advanced to the table. "His plan is brilliant, Justin Xiang!" The map's reflected light bathed her face in blood. "You're just jealous because Tsen Shang found the one assault that will stop our enemies while you were out hunting down a measly scientific base."

Justin stared at her, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. "You can't hit Kathil. That world is one of a dozen planets in all the Successor States that has factories capable of repairing damage to or building new JumpShips." He looked over at Shang. "Those JumpShips are the apex of lostech.We don't know how to build them anymore. We don't know what makes them work. But we do know how to keep the factories running to turn them out. If you destroy those orbiting factories and drydocks, you will cripple the Federated Suns all right, and the future of mankind along with it!"

Romano sneered. "That hardly sounds like the Justin Xiang who hates Hanse Davion enough to mount hunting expeditions into Federated Suns territory."

"Romano," Candace broke in sharply, "you have forever been too stupid to look five minutes into the future. Hanse Davion did restore production of the yards just for this war, but destroy the factories capable of creating and repairing JumpShips and you doom mankind. The JumpShips we have now will eventually wear out and fail. When the last of them does, we will be forced to remain on our worlds forever. Trade between our diverse colonies—trade that makes life in the Successor States possible– will wither and die!"

"Stop!" Maximilian Liao's voice, again filled with the strength of command it had lacked so often since the invasion, cut off his daughters' bickering instantly. Candace stared savagely at her sister, but Romano smiled and turned to her father.

The Chancellor nodded appreciatively toward Justin. "Once again, I find your concern and insight a blaze that marks the boundary between suitable action and recklessness." He rested a hand on Tsen's shoulder. "However, in all fairness to Tsen Shang, he anticipated that objection and has worked around it."

Justin bowed respectfully to the Chancellor and Tsen Shang. "Forgive my presumption, Citizen Shang."

Tsen curtly returned the bow, then poked several more keys on the table's keypad. Portions of a holographic promotional video created by Kearny-Fuchida Yare Industries flashed up to replace the map. Shot from a small shuttle, the footage showed close-ups of an orbiting factory. Tsen froze the image when the factory's bank of microwave collector dishes came into view.

"I realized we did not want to destroy the factories for a number of reasons, the primary being that we might want to use them ourselves when we return to take the world." Pointing to the microwave dishes, the analyst smiled easily. "Because the Kearny-Fuchida drive components are not shielded during the manufacturing process, radiation outputs from fusion and fission engines can damage them. For this reason, power is sent from Kathil up to the orbiting factories in the form of microwave beams."

Tsen moved the vid ahead to a point where it showed one of the large generating stations on the planet's surface. A grove of smaller dishes moved along, tracking a factory until its orbit took it over the horizon, or just into another power district. "While KF drives might be lostech, geothermal generating stations are not. If we hit the generators and destroy them, the shipyards will be out of business."

Justin frowned. He has a good point there. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and those stations are a very weak link."The generating stations can be rebuilt."

Tsen smiled, then looked beyond Justin. "True, but as the figures Alexi ran for me point out, one station would take over seventy billion C-bills and two years to build. Davion could do it faster, but. .."

Justin nodded. ".. . But he'd be unable to continue financing his war."

Romano smiled sweetly in victory. "And he would face opposition at home. More and more JumpShips would have to be pulled from his consumer economy to move troops. The product shortages caused by the war's hunger for JumpShips have already caused him some problems. He would have to withdraw his troops to bases he can support with fewer ships."

Justin turned to Alexi. "Comments?"

Alexi moved forward enough to use the keyboard on that side of the table. He punched in a request for data, shifting the display to a tactical readout on Kathil. Tsen Shang smiled broadly and Justin realized the grin came easily because spies reported Davion had only a half-strength militia unit garrisoning the world.

Color drained from Alexi's face. "My God, has the Fox been so stupid as to leave this world naked?"

Romano looked down at Alexi. "Would you have expected anything less arrogant from him? He imagines us broken and defeated. He will pay for that."

Tsen shot Romano a quick smile, then met Justin's hawk-gaze. "JumpShip circuits rotate troops out of Kathil on a regular basis, but a circuit got disrupted right after Ridzik's death. It will be another six weeks before troops arrive on Kathil."

Justin studied the readout again. "Can you get there in time?"

Romano usurped Tsen's answer. "We've shifted and extended the command circuit you used to return from Bethel. Our troops land during the first week in September."

Anticipating Justin's needs, Alexi hit a button that summoned the strategic map to the screen again. Justin mentally counted the number of jumps required for the trip. Seven jumps, with a week out of this system and a week heading to the target planet. It can be done.

Justin nodded. "You can use the House Imarra troops, if you wish. Their 'Mechs are all refitted."

Romano laughed aloud. "No. They will remain here. Our troops have already left."

Alexi looked at Justin. "That's why the Death Commandos aren't around."

Justin straightened up. "Just one battalion? Is that enough?"

Tsen shook his head. "The Death Commandos and the Fourth Tau Ceti Rangers headed out this morning at 2.5 Gs to the nadir jump point. That gives us two battalions to face the militia, or whatever rotates in, if the schedule is repaired somehow. Our people will travel in complete radio silence—not even ComStar will know of this mission until it is over. Davion's only ever had a battalion on station there anyway. Like you," Shang sneered, "he could never believe anyone would attack the world."

Tsen allowed himself a loud laugh. "Even if he knew of the assault—which is impossible because ComStar is not passing information from Davion spies—he doesn't have any troops in a position to do anything about it."

The Chancellor looked over at Justin. "Well, ShonsoXiang, are you surprised?"

Justin breathed in deeply, using the time to sort out his emotions. He smiled slowly, but let it widen into a grin. "Surprised, yes." He stabbed his right hand through the holographic map, offering it to Tsen Shang. "Your plan is flawless."

Taking Tsen's hand, Justin shook it heartily. "Yes, Tsen, with the success of your assault, we will finally be in a position to take back what Hanse Davion has stolen from us."

Justin looked up from his desk as Alexi Malenkov came through the door. "Good, Alexi. I'm glad you could get here so quickly."

The tall blond man smiled. "I came as soon as I heard you needed me." Concern knitted his pale brows together. "What is it?"

Justin waved Alexi to a chair, then walked around and sat on the front corner of his desk. "I want to ask your advice about something, and I want you to be perfectly honest with me." The smaller man shrugged uneasily. "Seeing Tsen's plan, and knowing how near the end is for Hanse Davion, it got me to thinking about a lot of things."

Justin smiled grimly. "As you know, I have suffered gross humiliation at the hands of Hanse Davion and my father. Hanse engineered a sham trial that stripped me of my rank, my name, and my honor. My father testified against me—his own flesh and blood—in that trial, then later assigned one of his spies to seduce me and watch me on Solaris. Then Hanse Davion offered a warrior a world and a 'Mech regiment of his own if he would kill me. And then the wedding . .." Justin shook his head. "He declared war on us at his own wedding, making us the laughingstock of the Successor States!"

Alexi jumped when Justin's steel fist slammed down onto the corner of his desk and snapped a triangle of wood off. "Easy, Justin," he said. "We'll have the Fox soon enough."

Justin's dark eyes smoldered. "Not soon enough for me." He forced his expression to lighten. "But then, I don't think there ever was a time that wouldhave been soon enough, if you follow me?"

Alexi nodded. "I understand some of what you feel. With Tikonov gone, I can never go home again." Alexi smiled ruefully. "Hanse Davion has orphaned us both."

"Yes. He's caused us much pain—pain I wish to return as soon as possible." Justin reached back and plucked an unsealed envelope from his blotter. "I have created a verigraphI want to send to my father. In it, I tell him much of what I've wanted to say since he betrayed me. In very indirect terms, it will let him know that his downfall, and that of his Prince, is in the offing. I imagine they will believe I am boasting about the information we stole from Bethel, but when the raid hits Kathil, they will realize what I really meant."

Alexi winced. "That's shoving the dagger in and twisting it– which is nothing less than they deserve." His eyebrows sunk into a frown. "I think it would be a great idea to send it, but ComStar won't carry it through to your father because of the Interdiction, will they?"

Justin shrugged. "I spoke with an aide to Villius Tejh, the Precentor here on Sian, and he said it might be possible. I transferred an ungodly amount of money from my Solaris accounts to ComStar, and he said that increased my chances. But he thought the First Circuit might have to discuss it first."

Justin looked Alexi straight in the eyes. "Do you think I should indulge myself in this personal bit of revenge?"

Alexi thought for half a second, then nodded. "Go ahead. Do it. I won't tell anyone if you don't."

"Deal." Justin extended the envelope to Alexi. "Can you take it to the ComStar station for me? I've told them I was sending it along in your custody. Candace is still upset about today, and she's flown out to the Summer Palace." Justin glanced at his chronometer. "I've promised to meet her there, and I'm already late."

Alexi took the envelope. "They know I'm coming with it?"

Justin nodded. "It has all been arranged." He crossed his fingers and held up his right hand. "With any luck at all, my revenge begins now."

31

ComStar First Circuit Compound

Hilton Head Island, North America, Terra

4 August 3029

Myndo Waterly's laughter echoed lightly through the First Circuit chamber. She shook her head slowly as she stared at the small, dark-haired Precentor from Sian. "Did you honestly expect us to allow that message to pass through here without a fight, Villius? Justin Xiang's request should be refused for no other reason than he has tried to send a message to someone in an Interdicted place." She waved Villius's request away like a queen shooing a beggar. "Give him back his money, and tell him no."

Precentor Sian spitted her with a hellish stare, then shook his head in disbelief. "I would have thought you would be the last to oppose me on this subject, Precentor Dieron. You have read the text of this message, and you know that Xiang is full of himself as a result of the successful strike into the heart of the Capellan March. This message is nothing more than bragging about the effort and a hint at future problems for the Federated Suns. This should cause Hanse Davion and Quintus Allard some discomfiture—something I thought you would welcome."

Myndo looked around at the other Precentors' faces. They all wonder at this change on my part. Are they stupid, or are they just so used to opposing me that no argument I make seems logical to them?"You are correct, on a basic level, Precentor Sian. However, my desire to see Hanse Davion twist slowly in the wind does not blind me to the obvious problems with this missive. It is bound for an Interdicted nation-state."

Precentor Tharkad brushed his left hand through his blond hair. "You know as well as I that we can vote to make an exception." He glanced at the other Precentors. "In fact, as I recall, we need only a two-thirds majority to allow this message to pass. Your argument over the verigraph'slegality is invalid."

She bowed her head. "I understand our regulations, Precentor Tharkad, but I appreciate your reminder. I would like to point out that the message was given to our station chief by an Interdicted agent. Alexi Malenkov is a Davion agent. The verigraphpassed from him to us. It is tainted and, therefore, cannot be delivered."

The flesh around the Primus's eyes tightened. "Do not play these childish games, Precentor Dieron. The message came from Xiang."

"Oh?" Myndo met the Primus's hard stare openly. "And if I were to send a child to a store to purchase wine in my name, do you think the shopkeeper would oblige him? No. Of course not." She turned toward the Precentors. "We have no way of knowing if that message came from Xiang, or if it really is being sent by Alexi Malenkov to his master on New Avalon."

"This is outrageous!" Precentor Sian appealed to the Primus. "Honorable One, please remind Precentor Dieron that we are dealing with reality here, not some fantasy world. Justin Xiang created a verigraph,not a holovid, not a written message. He spoke with my aide via visiphone, and our trace verified the call. He said he was sending Alexi Malenkov down with a verigraph."

Before the Primus could grant Villius Tejh's request, Myndo spoke in a loud and clear voice. "Do not make your case on the basis of lies, Precentor Sian." Her accusation shocked the other Precentors, but she paid them no attention. "The transcript of the conversation, as you provided it, proves you incorrect. In the conversation, Xiang says, 'I've already sent Alexi Malenkov down with the verigraph.He should be there in half an hour.'"

Huthrin Vandel frowned deeply. "What earthly difference does that make? The important thing is that Xiang told our people Alexi Malenkov was carrying the message for him."

Myndo opened her hands. "That statement makes allthe difference, Precentor New Avalon. The transcript marks the time of that line in the conversation as occurring at 6:30 p.m., standard time. That means Malenkov should have arrived at our station at 7:00 or 7:15, at the latest. He arrived at 9:00 p.m. What was he doing for that hour and three-quarters?"

The Primus tucked his hands into the sleeves of his tan robe. "You cannot mean to suggest Alexi Malenkov forged a new verigraph,can you?" The look of contempt on his face matched the derision in his voice.

"It is not impossible." She realized the second she'd spoken that the Primus had provoked a thoughtless outburst, and she rushed to shore it up. "There are rumors that say the NAIS has successfully managed to dissect verigraphsand put them back together."

The Precentor of New Avalon laughed heartily. "You must forgive me, but that is utterly ridiculous. The New Avalon Institute of Science has developed no such technology recently, and even if they had, it would make no difference. There is no way they could have gotten so complicated a device to an agent in the field, especially not to a mole like Alexi Malenkov."

Myndo fixed him with a razored stare. "I was unaware we had agents in the NAIS that could confirm or deny this wild assertion of yours, Precentor. Are you certain you wish to live or die on that pronouncement?"

Vandel pulled himself up to his full height. "I think, Precentor Dieron, that you grossly overstate the case. I stand by my explanation because I know it to be fact." His voice ripped back at her. "You, on the other hand, argue vapor and fairy tales."

Myndo started to reply, but the Primus raised his hand to stop her. "We know well your opinions on this subject, Precentor Dieron. Precentor Sian, do you think there was a chance that Malenkov could have forged or tampered with Xiang's verigraphto communicate information to the Federated Suns?"

"Forgery, no. There is no way he could have forged a message. This is, after all, a verigraph."The small man hesitated as he pondered the second half of the question. "As for tampering with it, that could be possible. My people reported he was nervous, but we assumed that was because he is a Davion agent. Face it. Having us refuse to take the message from him because of his true allegiance could have destroyed him."

The Primus smiled easily, his sallow flesh gathering in flat wrinkles around the corners of his mouth. "Then the solution is simple. Duplicate the verigraphand send the duplicate. If Malenkov did something to it—like injecting a chemical dye that would react to another chemical—our scanning and duplication process will not pick it up. A duplicate should take care of your concerns, shouldn't it, Precentor Dieron?"

"Should it?" Myndo balled her fists in frustration. "We don't know the genesis of this message. What if Malenkov suggested it to Xiang? What if he advised Xiang on the wording? What if he did forge a new message?"

The Primus smiled deprecatingly. "What if Malenkov had General Kerensky return and bring him a Star League-vintage verigraphforging machine?"

Myndo fumed inwardly. You bastard! You back them just to take a cut at me. Very well. You've out-maneuvered me this time, but not again."I acquiesce, Primus, and bow to your superior wisdom. You are correct. This message can do no harm—unless, of course, Malenkov did manage the impossible. As impossible as someone smuggling weapons on to our island at last year's wedding, perhaps?"

Her reminder of the previous summer's security fiasco stung all present, but Myndo realized that it also galvanized their opposition to her. She did not allow defeat to show on her face, however. I will remember this, all of you. If the impossible has occurred, I will not let up until it has destroyed every one of you.