Chapter 2
Senior Lieutenant George Hanlon opened the designated door and steppedthrough into the next office. A grey-haired man, wearing the Twin Cometsof a Regional Admiral, was sitting behind a desk, studying some papers.He continued sitting thus, the papers held so they hid his face,apparently so intent on his work he had not noticed anyone entering.
But Hanlon instinctively knew better, and stood stiffly at attention,awaiting the other's pleasure. Soon the man lowered the papers ... andHanlon gasped,
"Da...". His mouth snapped shut, and his eyes became swiftly hostile atremembrance of the hate he had carried all these years on account ofthis man. He wanted to stalk out, but ingrained discipline chained himto the spot. His voice, though, was very cold when he spoke. "SeniorLieutenant George Hanlon reporting, sir."
The big man was a startling older edition of the newly-appointedlieutenant, only grey where the latter was blond, assured from long,bitter experience where the other was as yet untried. Now he rose to hisfeet, acknowledging the salute.
"At ease. I can imagine your surprise at seeing me," and if there was ahurt look on his face at sight of that implacable hatred in his son'seyes and demeanor, he could not be blamed. "However, I think yourexperience of the past hour might have prepared you for sight of me inuniform. Yes," as he saw the sudden surprise in the young man's eyes,"that was the reason for my apparent disgrace. I hope you will forgiveme, now that you know why it was necessary."
"Of course," stiffly punctilious, "only," his eyes were still hard andstormy, "was it important enough to break mother's heart?"
The older man's voice grew soft and shook with genuine emotion. "You andeveryone had to believe that, Spence, all these years. I've beenprayerfully waiting for the day when I could explain to you. I canassure you, Son," with all the sincerity his voice could carry, "thatshe did not die of a broken ..."
"I know bet ..."
"You do not know better!" his father interrupted sternly. "Please waituntil I finish explaining. No, Spence," his voice was still, emphaticbut softer now, almost pleading. "She knew and approved. Your mother wasone of Earth's greatest heroines."
Hanlon was still standing stiffly, but now his eyes clouded with mixedemotions, of which doubt predominated. His mind touched that of hisfather, and he seemed to read truth there. But could he believe thisnow ... after all those dreadful years?
"Actually," his father was continuing, "your mother had become a victimof multiple sclerosis. When we knew she had less than two months tolive, I talked to her, with the Corps' permission, about my going intoSecret Service work. With her death so near, it could be doneconvincingly. Believing you would understand some day, and approve, sheagreed. I'm terribly sorry for all you've had to suffer during theintervening years. Again I beg forgiveness."
As his father talked, Hanlon's eyes and heart gradually lost theirhardness, and at the end he ran forward and grasped the other's hands.
"Oh, Dad, I'm so sorry. I've hated hating you. If it hadn't been for thelong talks Pa and Ma Hanlon had with me, I don't believe I would everhave gone into the cadet school."
The older man hugged his son hungrily.
"Believe me, Spence, it wasn't easy for me, either. But I didn'tactually desert you, even though it had to seem so. I know everywhereyou've been, everything you've done. You've been watched overconstantly. I engineered your adoption by the Hanlons--he was a retiredCorpsman, you know--and I've paid your expenses. You see, I happen tolove my son very much."
"And I loved my Dad so, too. That's why it hurt ... say, now I canchange my name back, can't I? The Hanlons both died since I startedcadet school, you know."
"Well ... no, for the time being I think not. You're well known as'Hanlon' now, and you'd better leave it that way, for now, at least.However, you'll find need of an alias from time to time in this newjob--you can use it then. I certainly will be proud to have you wearingmy name again."
But both men were shying away from all this frank expression of theiremotion, and Hanlon dropped back a pace.
"How does it happen I've never seen you around the buildings or groundshere?"
"No one ever sees me in uniform, except in this or some other Baseoffice on special occasions. Outside, I'm always disguised. When I comeinto a Reservation I'm a bearded janitor or something. You'll soon learnabout disguising, yourself."
Then he became all business, and his face sobered as he went back to hisdesk.
"Sit there, Lieutenant. There's a lot to tell you, and you are to paystrict attention and get it all in this one interview, for there can'tbe another at this time. It would attract too much attention for you tobe called here more than this once."
He smiled again, with a warm, fatherly pride. "First, let mecongratulate you, officially on your decision, and to welcome yousincerely into the Secret Service."
Hanlon bowed in acknowledgement, then sat down and leaned forwardattentively. "I'll try to get it all, sir."
"First, the matter of your dismissal. It will come some time within thenext few days, but even I won't know ahead of time when or how it willhappen. Some SS man unknown on Terra will be called in to attend to it.But when it does come you will recognize it almost instantly, and youmust play it up big. Don't let on in any way that you suspect or know itis anything but genuine. You must impress on your fellow students, andupon everyone else you know or later come to know, that it was real, andthat it has soured you for all time on the Corps, and on all law andorder and government."
The young man nodded, but said nothing, for his throat was clogged andhis spirits quailing at thought of that public disgrace. He had been soproud here ... how could he possibly stand giving it all up? Maybe hewas a fool ever to have agreed.
But the admiral was continuing. He shoved a sheaf of bills across thedesk. "Here's a thousand credits. Use them to buy your civilian clothesand kit after your dismissal. Buy a few shares of some stock, too--theamount or value doesn't matter. Get a small insurance policy. Yes,"seeing his son's questioning look, "there's a reason.
"After you get your clothing and things and have discarded your uniform,go rent a hotel room, then go to the Inter-Stellar bank and rent asafety deposit box. That's one of the first things you do in each cityon any planet to which you may be sent on assignment. Now, here are twokeys that fit box number 1044 in all the I-S banks. They are specialmaster keys of our own designing. Box 1044 is used because of itsnearness to those private booths, in the universal set-up all I-S banksuse. That box is our means of confidential communication.
"After you get into the vault ostensibly to get into your own box, usethese to open box 1044. There's a little electronic gadget in each box1044. When you want immediate service on anything you put into the box,press the red button on the mechanism. Go back a few hours later and itwill have been attended to. So now, when you get into the bank, put anote there listing your hotel room number and also your new deposit keynumber. Come back in a couple of hours and you'll find a key that willhave your box number stamped on it, but which will open both boxes. Thenleave your old key and one of these in 1044, and carry the other and thenew one."
"Oh, I see. The stock and insurance policy in my own box are decoys,eh?"
"Right. You put all your reports in box 1044, and get your orders there.We all use 1044, so just sort through the envelopes for any with yourname on them. The same key also locks the sound-proof and spyray-proofcubicle in the vault, so no one, not even another SS man, can interruptyou unless you want to let them in."
"My own box for decoy; 1044 for service matters; key fits both boxes andcubicles; red button for quick service. Yes, sir."
"When you get to a new city or planet, put your local address there assoon as feasible. That's your one sure contact. Also, in each box you'llfind quite a lot of money at all times. You take what you need forexpenses and get your salary that way. If your job calls for more thanis in the box at any time, leave a request and press the red button.More will be brought immediately."
"That's quite a trust, sir," Hanlon gulped. "I hope I'll always use itwisely."
His father nodded and smiled. "You will, Spence. We wouldn't have askedyou to join us if we weren't sure. As your father, I'm mighty proud tohave you for a son. As Assistant Chief of the SS, I feel sure you'll bea credit to us.
"Now," all business again, "a sleep instructor and some reels of thelanguage and other information about Simonides Four will be delivered toyour hotel room. Simonides Four is your first assignment. There'ssomething fishy going on there we haven't been able to find out about,but we think you can get us some good leads.
"Don't try to handle it alone--just get us information. And, son, useyour talent for reading minds. I heard over the intercom all you said toRogers, and while that wasn't the only reason you were asked into theSS, believe me, it will be tremendously important in your work withus--it'll help us where no other agent can get to first check station.And I have a feeling, too, that you'll develop both that and many othermental abilities once your mind starts to hit the ball. You'll find inthis work every single talent and ability you can develop will be usefuland needed."
"Yes," Hanlon nodded slowly, "I'm beginning to realize that. I'llpractice a lot."
"As for money, don't be niggardly--spend what you like and always carryquite a bit with you for emergencies. Live well, although notextravagantly unless the occasion of your work demands it. Not to savemoney, but to remain as inconspicuous as possible."
"The Service has it all thought out, hasn't it?" Admiration shone in theyoung lieutenant's eyes.
"They've had a lot of years for it, Spence. Now, there's another meansof contact, for cases of emergency. Get word to, or an interview with,any officer of the rank of Rear Admiral or above. The words 'AndromedaSeven' are the passwords to let him know who and what you are. Onceyou've made that contact, commandeer anything or any service needed toassist your work."
"I understand, sir." Hanlon strained to review all this new knowledgequickly. Then, "I'm sure I have it all. Get civilian kit; hotel room;stocks and insurance; deposit boxes--my own and 1044; sleep-learnSimonidean; 'Andromeda Seven'."
"Correct. Now, you'll be interested in a little of the background of theSecret Service. It was John Snyder himself who organized it, shortlyafter the formation of the Snyder Patrol. He realized almost at oncethat such an unknown, undercover echelon would be a must. There'susually not more than two hundred of us. New members are taken in onlyas replacements, or when some Corpsman with a special ability, such asyour mind-reading, is discovered.
"We work anywhere throughout space when there's a need, but there areusually one or two of us on each planet of the Federation at all times.When not on any special assignment we keep busy on some planet not ouroriginal home, checking the background of cadets or especially-appointedgovernment workers, guarding VIP's, and such other vital matters. Butwhatever we are, or whatever we are doing, we _are_ the Corps!
"We are mighty proud of the fact that no SS man has ever betrayedhis trust, even to save his life. Our work is dangerous in theextreme, but without exception we are all men with high mentalability--quick-thinking, clever, and unusually adept at getting out ofscrapes." He grimaced mirthlessly. "We learn that last mighty quick inthis business ... if we last.
"And to all of us, our dangerous, unadvertised, publicly unrecognizedwork is personally highly satisfying. We know we are the guardians ofthe peace of the Federation, even though we get no hero-worship from thepopulace who don't know we exist."
Hanlon nodded slowly, thoughtfully. "One thing puzzles me, Dad. You andAdmiral Rogers both spoke about how secret all this is, yet I was giventhe chance to back out after I knew about it."
His father grinned. "Several have, over the years. They underwenttreatment to erase that knowledge from their mind." He stood up and camearound the desk to where his son had also risen. "I may not see youagain before you leave, Spence ... George, I mean," he smiled ruefully,then brightened. "But the best of luck, son, and keep in mind that youhave the honor of the finest body of men in the Universe in yourkeeping, and always try to be worthy of the trust."
"I will, sir," gravely. "It seems almost too much responsibility for acub like me, and I'm scared. But I'll do my best."
"Take it easy at first. Don't try too much, and don't put yourself inany more danger than you have to until you learn the ropes, which youwill, faster than you may now think. On this assignment, all we ask isthat you try to get us some leads we can work on."
"Right! I don't want to conk out too soon, now. I've got a lot of livingI want to do first, especially now I've got my dad back again. I surehope we manage to see each other fairly often."
"Oh, we undoubtedly will, except when one or the other of us is on along job. We'll meet--somewhere--quite often."
"About this assignment of mine, Dad. Can you give me any dope on it?"
"You'll get what any of us know, from the reels, and the latestdevelopment from the box when you're ready to start out. Oh, yes, Ialmost forgot. The paper we use is a digestible plastic, so make a mealoff all orders and confidential communications you receive. The boxalways contains a supply for your reports or requests for specificinformation or assistance."
"Saves money on feed bills, eh?"
His father grinned appreciatively, then sobered. "Make sure youunderstand each step you take first, and don't try to run until you knowhow to crawl. Well, safe flights, Spence."
"Safe flights to you, too, Dad, always. And I want you to know I'm soglad to have all those horrible misunderstandings and hates clearedaway."
"I missed my boy, too. But 'vast rewards', you know."
With mixed sensations of high elation and worried fear, theswiftly-maturing young Corpsman walked slowly through the beautiful parkthat surrounded the great stainless-steel skyscraper that housed thecadets during their training period. His thoughts were as twisted aswere the meandering paths and walks he trod so unseeingly.