Counter-Measures

  Sinklar pitched another rock into the darkness. "The future is a funny place.

  Once, I was rash enough to think I could tackle it head-on, just bull my way through. Meet each challenge by anticipating the enemy's strategy, using t against him, and dashing on to victory."

  :'Sounds good, so what happened?"

  IAdze, I'm damned good when it comes to grand stratgles. On the battlefield, I can anticipate my opponent, turn ie tables on him, and crush him. Through statistics, I can etermine the direction a population will take, anticipate their social evolution. But when it comes to individuals? I'm at a loss."

  "Is that what happened with Minister Takka?" "You know about that?" His voice sank.

  "Only that she arrested you. Didn't you anticipate that?" He shook his head.

  "Don't want to talk about it?" she asked.

  "Why would you want to know?" Sinklar cocked his head. "Gun room gossip?"

  "Lord Fist, I'm STU. That probably doesn't mean much to you, but among the Companions, it's a special honor. We do what no one in Free Space-maybe even the universecan do. We're the best of the best, and you don't get that way by conducting maneuvers or saluting fancy. It comes from thinking, learning, and ambition."

  "And you're going to study me?"

  " What are you going to do now? How do you anticipate tackling the future?"

  "How do you? If this all works out, what are the Companions' dreaded STU going to do for a living? Become a fancy police unit?"

  She shrugged. "Time will tell. No matter what the political situation, there is always a need for warriors. Only the number needed changes. "

  "Supply and demand?"

  "You never answered my question? What are you going to do? Follow Staffa?

  Become part of his administration?" "I haven't really given it much thought.

  Mostly, Staffa

  and I have discussed the immediate problems-like what to do about the Mag Comm. Is that part of your job? Sound out the suspects? Look for treason?"

  "Obviously, if I heard you say something that threatened our security, I'd mention it to Ark. I'm not a fool, Lord Fist." She shook her head. "I don't have a handle on you yet. I watch things very closely. The Lord Commander cares a great deal about you. "

  "I'm his son. For whatever reason, he grants me a little tolerance. "

  "He respects you, values your opinions. When you speak, his expression is the same as when he listens to Ryman Ark, or Kaylla Dawn. Inside the mountain, he pointed out that

  those Regan soldiers marched into that mountain for you, and fought bravely.

  But . . . " She shifted uncomfortably, and in the faint graying of sky, he could see her sudden discomfort.

  Sinklar straightened. "Go on."

  "Excuse me, sir. I'd better go and check the perimeter. It's been too long already."

  "Wait." Sinklar jumped to his feet as she stood, putting a hand on her shoulder. "What were you about to say?" "Nothing, Lord Fist."

  "Don't call me Lord Fist. I hate that. And, Adze, I realize that you're here on the Lord Commander's orders, but you don't have to look after me. I know these mountains. "

  "The Lord Commander did not assign me to watch you. STO Ark did . . . in recognition of outstanding service. My presence is strictly according to standard hostile planet procedure. "

  "You're hedging. You almost let something slip and thought better of it.

  Something about me. What was it?" Her hard gaze refused to yield.

  Sinklar turned, staring out at the graying horizon. "I give you my word, Adze, it will be between you and me. What were you going to say?"

  For long moments, her obsidian eyes probed his. Finally, as if making a decision, she said, "The Lord Commander told me that part of the reason your soldiers marched into Makarta was because you'd cry for them. Anyone can cry.

  What I haven't seen are the qualities of leadership I'd expect from a commander of your reputation. That's all, sir. I was just wondering what they saw in you." She saluted. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to check the perimeter."

  Sinklar stood rooted, staring blindly out at the shadowed valley, feeling as though he'd been kicked in his guts.

  Comm buzzed by Mac's ear. "Commander Braktov is on the way to your quarters -

  Her LC just landed on the building roof. "

  Mac started up, growling to himself.

  Chrysla blinked, yawning and stretching her firm body.

  In the subdued lights, Mac couldn't resist taking time to admire the honey tones of her smooth skin, eyes tracing the curves of her body from the rounded wealth of her breasts to the sway of narrow waist that gave rise to the swell of hip and thigh.

  "Blessed Gods, you're beautiful, Chrysla."

  She smiled at him, a warm satisfaction in her eyes. "And you're the most handsome man I've ever known. But you'd better hur _. I don't think you want to leave Rysta waiting. "

  ry stood. Mac tried to shake the sleep out of his head as he "Figures, the first time we wake up together, we can't take advantage of it - No, it's got to be Rysta wanting to see me. "

  He paused, staring back at Chrysla. "She's going to know. That old battle-ax reads me like a book."

  Chrysla yawned, a,thin hand over her mouth. "You act like she's your mother. "

  Mac gave her a grin. "Rysta's worse. My mother, Bless her soul, didn't have a suspicious bone in her body. Rysta, on the other hand, has larceny and intrigue pumping in her veins. "

  Mac wheeled, trotting into the huge, plush bath. He stepped into one of the showers, palmed the control, and savored the needles of water coursing over his skin. Closing his eyes, he replayed their lovemaking. Real . . . it had happened just that way. Warm, tender, and passionate. They had joined, twining together in mutual fulfillment.

  How are you going to tell Staffa?

  Mac shook water from his head, killing the spray and stepping through the drying fields. Which option would Staffa take? Shoot them on the spot? Order a quiet execution? Public humiliation in a trial? Or something more sinister.

  He has Skyla! Why does he need to hound us?

  "And how would you feel if you were the most powerful man alive, and an untitled, common-born Division First had just cuckolded you?"

  He's going to torture us to death . . . slowly, cutting us apart piece by piece.

  "No. I'll tell him I forced her. That she fought like mad, but I made her do it!"

  "Fool, " Chrysla called from the doorway behind him.

  She flipped her wealth of auburn hair with a graceful motion. "Do you think he'd believe you?"'

  "He might." "Regrets, Mac?"

  He walked over to her, hugging her close, reveling in the sensation of her warm skin against his. "Not even one, at least, for myself. I'll never regret loving you for one instant.

  "You'd better hurry," she said, holding him against her as she teased him with her hips. "Rysta's waiting, and, unfortunately, you're rising to an occasion you don't have time for.

  She kissed him and ducked into the sleeping quarters, returning with his undersuit and armor. Deftly, she helped him fasten the clips. "Don't worry about it. We'll deal with Staffa when the time comes."

  "What do you think he's going to do?"

  She shrugged. "I have no idea. This new Staffa is beyond my predictions. The old one, however, was another thing. " "Uh-huh. Like I'd be spacing for the Forbidden Borders, right? "

  "We'd be spacing for the Forbidden Borders. " She kissed him. "One thing at a time. I'll be out as soon as I'm showered and dressed."

  Mac stilled the runaway pounding of his heart, took a deep breath, and straightened his shoulders before stepping out into the dining room. He found Rysta standing in the main room. She wore her dress armor and carried a helmet under one thin arm. She turned, appraising Mac closely. "Not bad, boy. I never thought I'd see you in the likes of this. Bit posh for a lad of your experience, don't you think? "

  Mac looked around at the gold trim, Nesian carpets, and jeweled orname
nts.

  "Yeah, well, I gotta admit, it's a step up from sleeping in the mud. What's wrong?"

  Rysta stepped over to the giant marble table and set her helmet down before pulling her gloves off, slapping them smartly to straighten the fingers and laying them atop the helmet. "Had a snafu over who was going to control the grain shares coming in from southern continent. Had a regional governor who thought his needs outweighed those of the Empire. Instead of waking you, I dropped down and had a friendly chat with him. He was going to be trouble. I just had that feeling, so I had a couple of marines haul him up to Gyton.

  After he cools down, I'll have another chat with him and make up my mind whether he can resume his duties." She cocked her head. "Just thought I ought to check in and let you know I'd been meddling in planetary affairs.

  "You know I trust you - What else do you hear?"

  "Staffa and Sinklar have arrived at Targa. They've begun the excavations to get to the Seddi computer."

  Mac nodded, turning away, arms clasped behind him. "I take it our team is making progress with the planetary comm. We actually got the announcement that you were arriving before you got here.

  Rysta nodded, a glint in her gaze. "We? Ah, yes, I see." She rubbed her knobby chin. "I take it you've thought this all out?"

  Mac felt himself flushing. "One day at a time, Commander. That's all any of us can do."

  Rysta gave him a crooked grin. "I love brash kids. Well, I'll tell you what I'll do. If I get the order to arrest you, I'll let you have twenty minutes head start.

  "Don't joke. "

  "Joke? Me?" Rysta tapped her bony chest with a hard thumb.

  Mac grinned at her. "Twenty minutes? That's with me in Gyton's command chair and you on the planet?"

  "Sure thing, and Staffa's battleship on your tail."

  "I don't think it will come to that," Chrysla stated calmly as she entered the room. She wore the cape she'd adopted to mask the effect of the formfitting armor. To Mac's eyes, she had a new radiance about her.

  "Lady." Rysta bowed her head slightly. "I told you," Mac muttered.

  "Told who what?" Rysta demanded.

  "Mac worries that you read his expressions too easily." Chrysla walked to the dispenser, pulling the jeweled handle to pour a cup of stassa.

  "From the saucy gleam in your eyes, Lady, I wouldn't be making light of Mac."

  Rysta turned, smacking her lips. "Very well, so be it." Rysta seated herself, kicking out her feet. "Can't say as I blame you. Were it me, and I were young and in love, I'd do the same. Life's too short, no matter what the consequences. "

  "It won't come to trouble," Chrysla insisted.

  Rysta made a gesture, as if pushing it aside. "I was just telling Mac that I removed Governor Nathan from the Southern Hemisphere. He'd started to act too stingy with his cereal grains."

  -Place Anton Marrak in charge." Chrysla advised the Commander as she sipped.

  "He's one of the old aristocrats from before the conquest. He's a bright, dignified, and able man, enough so that Staffa simply retired him at the time.

  He'll not only bring respectability to the Southern leadership, but most likely stability as well.

  :'Mac?... Rysta asked.

  'I trust Chrysla's intuition in these matters.

  " Then we " do it - " Rysta took a deep breath. "I never would have thought it would go so smoothly."

  I IWe can thank Chrysla," Mac said. "She has a sense for things here. "

  Rysta nodded. "Assuming this comm continues to improve, we're not going to be needed here much longer. Have you given any thought to that?"

  I IYou're trying to tell me something, " Mac decided. "Want to drop a hint?"

  Rysta's attempt at a grin reminded Mac more of an evil leer. "Itreata just broadcast a report. Skyla Lyma's yacht was observed docked at Terguz. That skinny little witch, Seekore, is stretching Sabot to the limit to get there. "

  Mac drove a fist into his palm. "But Ily will be long gone. "

  ' 'Yep. " Rysta studied the wrinkles and age spots on the back of her hands.

  "So what did she do there? Ditch the yacht, sure. But then what?"

  "New identification," Chrysla guessed. "But did she buy passage, take another ship, or go to ground on Terguz to wait for it all to blow over?"

  "One of the first two, " Mac decided. "Ily isn't a good one for going to ground. She's mad, frustrated. She'll want to act immediately. "

  :'What makes you so sure?" Chrysla asked.

  'I've seen her. " Mac began to pace. "On Targa. We'd just defeated the Regan attempt to crush us. Ily dropped

  down to dicker peace at the brick factory on Vespa. I was in charge when her LC landed, and believe me, it was all I, could do to hold the troops back. Everyone was angry enough to put her against a wall and blow her away.

  She knew exactly how precarious her position was, but she couldn't find it within herself to wait patiently. Unfortunately, Sinklar showed up at just the right moment to forestall trouble."

  "Unfortunately?" Rysta wondered.

  "Yeah, if she'd taken a step, we'd have blown her into tiny charred fragments and we wouldn't be in this position right now."

  -It's not that bad a position," Chrysla corrected. "Ily is no longer in power, Free Space is unified, and without the cost of several worlds being blown apart in the process."

  "Yet," Rysta countered. "Things could still go quantum critical. "

  "Yes," Mac agreed. "We're not out of the woods yet." He smiled at Chrysla.

  And, my love, we may never be. "She'd want to go someplace safe, someplace to reestablish her network. " Rysta said thoughtfully. "Where could that be? Sylene?

  Another tough world with easy rules, or maybe Riparious? They've got a hardheaded conservative attitude there. Maybe one of those swamp-bunny governors would hide her?"

  "It won't be any place that comes easily to mind," Mac warned.

  Rysta pushed to her feet, grunting as her joints cracked. "I'm getting too old for these Rotted worlds. Gravity's too tough for old bones like mine. "

  "Where are you going?" Chrysla asked.

  "Back to the ship. Make sure everything's all right." "Stay for something to eat." Chrysla's smile would have melted sialon. "We'll put you in a gravchair and feed you like an Empress."

  Rysta shot a speculative look at the dining table, visible through the big double doors. "Ashtan does have a superb cuisine. And I'll bet the cooks in this place are outstanding. "

  "We haven't eaten here yet ourselves," Mac said, taking Rysta's thin arm.

  "Living off of other fruits, eh?" she barked, then cackled. "Yes, well, I see. I guess that's another reason for staying a while longer. We'll be able to give the Ily problem a little more thought. If we can figure out where she's able to lie low, I might be able to hide the two of you-providing Staffa isn't as malleable as Chrysla believes."

  "Wonderful sense of humor you have," Mac muttered.

  CHAPTER 24

  The opening moves had been made. They had come, as the Mag Comm had known they would. They had shown prudence, utilizing an interface to remain safely out of its ability to probe.

  Foolishness, Staffa. I understand your needs better than you do. I've laid the bait. Lost In your past is the story about a magical being locked In a bottle.

  I can sense your desperation-and I can save your empire for you.

  Unfortunately, human, you will find that I do not come cheaply. My first demand will be to have you place the helmet upon your head so I can read the duplicity hidden in your brain. After that. you will sell yourself to me In order to save your species. And then, Star Butcher, the magical being will be free of the bottle-and you will never replace the stopper.

  Kaylla Dawn sat in her office deep within the rock of Itreata. Her back had begun to ache. The atmosphere plant whispered silently overhead, hidden by plain white panels. The offices had become quiet, too many problems mounting up on the overworked Seddi staff who manned the comm terminals and struggled des
perately to hold Free Space together.

  It's like a death watch, she thought. Day by day, we watch the patient continue to deteriorate.

  Kaylla scanned the monitor with the same steadfastness she had for days, and continued inputting data into her system. The reports were coming in rather uniformly from across Regan space. Most of the planets within the old Regan Empire were showing signs of cracking, of coming apart at the seams. The effects had been slow to develop, a shortage of syrup on Sylene, low supplies of socks on Vermilion, a lack of faucets on Rega, drill bits out of stock on Targa. Beyond that, frustration markers were appearing in the reports from field agents. Vandalism had risen by two hundred percent. Reports of rape, assault, and other forms of abuse were on the rise. Suicide rates had jumped dramatically.

  :'Magister? I have the Lord Commander on comm. 'I'm opening a channel now. "

  Staffa's face formed, a grim smile on his lips. Smears of what looked like dust marked his cheeks and the powder could be seen in his hair. "Greetings, Magister. I've just come up from the machine. It will deal with us. The transmitter is successful. We have a way of communicating without falling prey to having the machine inside our minds. "

  Kaylla leaned forward, propping her chin on both palms. "It claims it can administer Free Space?"

  "It does. We know from the projections it has run in the past that it has the capability. " Staffa gave her a scowl from under lowered brows. "While it has indicated that it will help us, I want to take time to discuss the matter with you, with Sinklar, and Mac, and Skyla. I would hate to make a mistake at this juncture. We're on the precipice. "

  I IWe are in more ways than one. " Kaylla tapped her screen. "I was just reviewing the data. The disintegration has begun. Another couple of weeks, and we'll pass the point of no return. Right now, the indicators are mild but substantial. You can't find tissue paper on Etarus as of yesterday afternoon.

  The orders hadn't been processed on Riparious, which means Etarus, no matter how fast we ship that tissue paper, won't have any of the stuff for another three months. If we were talking about water purifiers, a month might have a critical impact on public health. A drain right now on Etarian medicine would be catastrophic."