Deserter

Chapter 18

Ten minutes later, Kris was shushing the others while Nelly and Jack debugged her place. The senators were at first nonplussed, but as the crackles and zings added up, frowns took over. ''Is this normal?'' Krief asked as Kris served tea from a tray she'd ordered in while still in the ballroom.

''One thing I've noticed since becoming a Princess,'' Kris said, ''room service is noticeably faster. Amazing. Hotels, at least, take this royal stuff seriously.''

There was no more serious talk until Jack said, ''I'm done.''

NELLY?

JUST A SECOND MORE. Something buzzed, then sparkled from high on the chandelier and began a death spiral. Jack snapped it up before it landed on the rug. ''All done,'' Nelly agreed.

''Can we join you?'' Tommy asked and, when only yeses answered him, helped Penny slowly into the room. This time, she was the one sitting in the overstuffed chair, he the one with his legs folded to sit beside her.

They do make a good pair. Kris swallowed a sigh. When one is down, the other carries the load, and then they switch without a word. Not a bad basis for a lifelong relationship. No envy from me; I just would like a bit of the same.

Kris did a slow sweep of the group. Abby stood in the doorway to Kris's room, Jack next to her. Had they had a talk about all the rabbits that woman kept pulling out of trunks or whatever? Penny and Tom had the big chair. The two women Senators occupied ends of the couch. Senator LaCross sat in the straight-backed chair Abby normally used. Inspector Klaggath stood by the door, seeming unsure whether to stay or go. Kris wanted him here, so she cleared her throat and asked. ''Where is Turantic headed?''

That started two or three immediate discussions with at least one Senator talking to the room in general and no one in particular. Kris let it go for a few minutes, using a quick wave of her finger to bring Klaggath in from the door to stand beside her chair. When coincidence finally stopped the speakers at the same moment, she said into the sudden silence. ''So, we don't really know.''

The Senators exchanged glances, then looked at Kris. ''No, we don't,'' Showkowski agreed.

''Inspector Klaggath, you have access to the police net. Does that give you any information to go on?''

''No, ma'am. As I mentioned earlier, several special teams were directed to different nets that I didn't know existed. My people can't access them. I don't know any more than you do.''

''Senators?''

''What do we know?'' Krief said, glancing at the others. ''Not much. I've had my staff calling around. They can't locate eight Senators. I understand some Representatives are also missing. I know from eyewitnesses that at least four were hurried off by police special teams. But if they are under arrest, we don't know for what.''

''Does the news have this story yet?'' Kris asked.

Leaving the ocean sunset that filled the wall behind Kris undisturbed, Nelly turned the portion close to Tom's room into five screens showing different news coverage. ''The fire is the main news item,'' Nelly said. ''The two stations that were not covering the cat in a tree are claiming the fire department was slow to respond to the fire. The others are pointing out how training like the cat rescue helps the fire crews stay in shape.''

''So the media is involved in a catfight at the moment,'' Kris said dryly. There were several snorts in the room.

''May I point out,'' LaCross said, leaning his tall frame forward in the chair, ''that we do not even know for sure our colleagues are under arrest. They could be under some kind of special protection. Maybe the President knows of planned attacks on them. We could be looking at this all wrong.''

''Oh, Lord,'' Krief prayed, ''I hope you're right.''

''We may be about to find out,'' Nelly said, and the sunset view on the wall screen behind Kris changed. Now it showed a close-up of the President seated at his desk. Occupying the entire wall, he looked to be six meters tall.

''Nelly, bring him down to normal proportions,'' Kris said.

''I cannot do that, Kris. All media has been asked to carry this, and they have activated override so that it occupies the entire screen.'' That didn't sound all that good to Kris. A politician could get real used to that kind of power.

''My fellow citizens, I have disturbing news for you tonight. As many of you are aware, fire is sweeping through our planet's capitol. Despite the best efforts of our fire department,. the capitol has been totally destroyed. But make no mistake, this was no mere accident. This was a planned attack. More than that, it is an attack on the most cherished institutions of our democracy.''

The screen image changed to a different camera. President Iedinka leaned forward earnestly. ''Worse, this nefarious deed was done by those you would least expect. By some of the very people who have lied to you and persuaded you that they served your best interests. Some of your very own Representatives. Some from my very own political party. These are the people who lit the fire that destroyed our capitol.''

The screen flickered. Now it showed a distant shot of a score of bedraggled men and women as the President named them. ''My God,'' Kay breathed, ''he has nine Senators. There's poor Earlic. He's lost his glasses.''

''He has nine, ten, eleven Representatives as well,'' LaCross counted. ''Do you notice who they are? None in the leadership, but all of them are leaders of one of the independent caucuses. Every one of them represent a lot more than just their vote.''

''How will the rest of their caucus vote?'' Kris asked.

''I don't know,'' Showkowski said. ''It's anybody's guess, and I bet good old Izzic has his people out helping them make up their minds. You want to bet me this is only the beginning?''

As if to answer the Senator, the President came back on. ''We are interrogating these people with full respect for whatever civil rights people may have who sell out their planet, their sacred duty, and their constituents. While our police force is acting at its best, we all must recognize that the repeated attacks that have taken place on our economy and society have taxed our officials to the maximum. Therefore, I am this day calling up the planetary militia to assist the police in all matters relating to these attacks.''

''Who's the militia?'' Kris asked.

''Oh my word, not that old thing. It's an anachronism,'' Senator LaCross said, waving his hand as if throwing the militia away. ''Something from the years just after the planet's founding when we thought we might be fighting alien Iteeche raiding bans.''

''Who is in the militia?'' Kris clarified her question.

''I have no idea,'' LaCross said, glancing at the women Senators. ''I certainly don't know anyone in it.''

''We use it as the legal fiction to provide structure to our police auxiliary,'' Klaggath said. ''There are six battalions here in Heidelburg. The first four are just old farts' drinking clubs. Totally social. The fifth is our police auxiliary. I think the hospitals staff a major emergency response team with the sixth. Don't know if there are any others.''

''There are twelve,'' Nelly said. ''Six were organized in the last year. They are centered around factory workers.''

''Who's on their rolls?'' Klaggath asked before Kris could.

''That information is not available at this time,'' Nelly said, embarrassment in her voice. ''It was public domain until six tonight; then it was taken off-line.''

''See if you can find any place that might have been overlooked,'' Kris ordered, then thought of another way around. ''Also, see if SureFire Security is still on its net.''

''They are still on net, but the traffic level is way down,'' Nelly said. ''I've been monitoring them whenever I had a chance,'' she added, sounding quite proud of herself. Was there anyone but Tru who could tell Kris what part of Nelly's behavior was just the upgrade and what part was that damn chip? Would knowing matter one bit? How many crises did Kris face?

''You thinking Iedinka has deputized a big chunk of Sandfire's people?'' Jack said, bringing Kris back to the human problem.

''Wouldn't you? Klaggath, do you think the present police force is big enough to institute a police state?'' Kris asked.

''Neither big enough nor willing to,'' the Inspector growled. ''Some Liberals may question our commitment to human rights, but I don't think anyone seriously doubts our commitment to civil rights. Police don't make police states,'' he finished, eyes locking with Senator LaCross.

''But the President isn't relying on you,'' Kris pointed out.

''Hold it, folks, I think he's reached the high point,'' Jack said. The others fell silent.

''So, my fellow citizens, it is with heartfelt sorrow that I have concluded this conspiracy leaves me no alternative. If I am to secure the safety of our planet as I am sworn to do, I must declare martial law. I am well aware that our Constitution does not allow for this extreme option. However, our Constitution is not a suicide pact. Faced with these totally uncalled-for attacks on our democracy, I have concluded that no less an aggressive response can save us.''

''Oh my God,'' Krief said, slowly coming to her feet.

''Notice he didn't or couldn't list what those attacks are,'' LaCross said.

''Under Martial Law Order One, which I signed before this broadcast, I am suspending the Congress until we can complete a full investigation of this conspiracy and ferret out all its members. Our interrogations so far have provided clear and convincing evidence that these conspirators are the pawns of another planet that intends Turantic the greatest of evils.

''To delay further before responding to these hostile actions would be to endanger the lives of those who will be called upon to fight for Turantic's survival. Therefore, I am declaring that, effective immediately, a state of war exists between Turantic and Hamilton. If any planet is foolish enough to ally themselves with the forces marshaling against us, they can consider us at war with them as well.''

The camera panned to the flag of Turantic—orange, gray, and black—behind the President. Martial music boomed from all the speakers in the room. A moment later, the screen divided into five, showing the news anchor people of the main media outlets, and the music sank into the background. Kris kept a slow cadence in her head, one, two, three… She got up to thirty-five before the first newsie recovered enough to mumble something that did little more than state his surprise. One screen switched to a talking head chortling about being right, that Hamilton was behind all this and now would get the beating they deserved.

''Off,'' Kris ordered. She half-expected the screen to refuse. The view returned to a sunset's afterglow, waves slightly iridescent as they lapped against the white sands of an untouched shore. Beautiful. Peaceful. All wrong.

I WILL CHANGE IT, Nelly said and switched to a star-speckled sky. Two moons lit a snowy vale surrounded by evergreen trees. What that sky promised was left to the viewer's reflections. Time for me to change something, Kris thought.

''He can't do that!'' ''He's doing that!'' ''We've got to stop him!'' ''You have any idea how we can?'' ''Anything you do will play right into his hands!'' ''But to do nothing!'' The Senators ran out of words.

NELLY, I NEED SOME NANO SPIES THAT CAN SURVIVE AND RECON THE DOCKYARD ABOVE US.

TRU GAVE ME A COPY OF SOME CORRESPONDENCES SHE HAD WITH SEVERAL OLD FRIENDS LOOKING AT THE PROBLEMS OF NANO SPY SURVIVAL IN A WELL-DEFENDED AREA. IT SUGGESTS BUILDING SPY UNITS, DEFENDING UNITS, AND COMMAND CENTERS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THEM. I HAVE THE DESIGNS HER EXPERTS THINK WOULD BE BEST. THE DESIGNS ARE UNTESTED.

START A REPORT FOR TRU ON HOW YOU APPLY HER GROUP'S DESIGNS. NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT FOR A LIVE-FIRE TEST OF ART.

I HAVE THE LEFTOVERS FROM TODAY'S RECON UNITS.

THEN GET TO WORK. I'D LIKE THEM SOON ENOUGH SO SOMEONE CAN PASS THEM AROUND AMONG THE SHIFT CHANGE AT ELEVEN.

Only a hum answered. Senator Krief stared at Kris. ''You hear so many stories about what this or that Longknife has done. It makes you sound like miracle workers. Do you by any chance have a spare miracle? We could use one to stop this war.''

''I don't think even a miracle could keep Izzic from launching this crazy war of his.'' LaCross shook his head.

''And, rumors to the contrary,'' Kris said, standing, ''Longknifes are only human.'' And if she was to find any miracles up her sleeve, she needed some privacy. ''My father, as Prime Minister, does his best to leave his loyal opposition as few openings to oppose him as possible. Still, they always do. Certainly you have some options open to you.''

''I don't think Prime Minister Longknife ever declared martial law and war and dissolved his Parliament on the same evening,'' Senator Krief said, standing herself.

''I'll agree with you on that. I take it that none of you would have supported his vote for war,'' Kris said, wordlessly getting her guests to their feet.

''I have been in the House and the Senate over thirty years,'' LaCross said. ''There was no sentiment for war in those chambers this afternoon as we adjourned.'' He stared at the ceiling, lips moving slightly. ''Tory, Liberal, Farmers' Party, Izzic didn't have five votes out of a hundred.''

Krief was shaking her head. ''I know those people he's rounded up. They couldn't be in anyone's off-planet conspiracy. My God, the people he's arrested never voted together on anything except maybe a resolution to adjourn. Speaking of which, I suggest we adjourn to the home of a supporter of mine. He has, if not a fortress, at least a place where we will know before the goons arrive to arrest us.''

''That sounds wise. You need to stay free if you're going to speak for your people,'' Kris said as Jack opened the door and she ushered her guests out. ''As a representative of Wardhaven, I can't be too careful about staying out of your internal affairs. I think that last warning may have been personally addressed to me and my father's government on Wardhaven.'' The last was witnessed by at least four guards and a couple in dinner dress walking toward the elevator. Good audience.

Kris kept a hand on Klaggath's elbow until they were alone except for his external guards. ''I am concerned about that last dig the President got in. I fear a bomb or assassination attempt. Could you reinforce my guard and report back to me by, say, ten-fifteen?''

''That quickly?'' the Inspector said, raising an eyebrow.

''You know, it's my planet, too. There are a lot of people who won't take well to what our beloved President is doing.''

''And might even take to the streets. Yes, I understand that, Inspector, but I think my little group here is very high on someone's list of people to keep under their thumb, forefinger, and elbow. It's best people stay clear of us.''

He nodded like a man being denied a hand into a lifeboat and left. Kris closed the door behind him. Nelly, what got in?

Just two. I will have them in a moment.

Kris took her chair silently. No one said a word until Nelly announced, ''All clear.''

''You can't just sit this one out,'' Penny blurted through lips still bruised. ''You can't let the shits who beat me up win.''

Kris said nothing. There was a kind of pleasure in watching someone else racing in where only fools hung out. She raised an eyebrow to Tom, then let her gaze slide over to Jack. They'd never had a good word to say for the messes she got herself—and occasionally them—into.

Jack just stood there, arms folded, lips pursed in thought.

Tom looked up at Penny. ''You know, Kris, you said at the Paris system we had to stop a war between Earth and Wardhaven. You said if we let those two get into a fight, the rest of human space might be in deep salad dressing for generations. You said a whole lot of things, but you didn't say a thing about any one. Didn't name a single person. It seems to me you're real good about fighting for an ideal. What do you have to say to Penny here, or me?'' Tom turned to face Kris. ''Did you charge out here because someone had the temerity to steal what one of you Longknifes thought belonged to you? Was that all I was? Well, I may not know much about Turantic, but I know we owe folks like Klaggath and the kids we saw up on the Top of Turantic and even that cabdriver who gave us a ride out when I was supposed to get knocked over the head and left for dead. As I see it, we owe them something better. At least, that's the debt I figure I owe for putting on this uniform.''

Not bad sentiment from a guy who wasn't sure he could use his weapon against swamp bandits on Olympia. The guy had come a long way since he'd put on the uniform to get his college debt forgiven. Maybe Kris was a good influence. That left Jack. She fixed him in her sights. ''You got something to say?''

He rubbed one finger on his still-pursed lips, eying her right back. ''That wasn't a bad speech you gave to those Senators. Did I notice someone going by in the hall?'' Kris nodded. ''So you have other witnesses besides the cops. That damn Longknife luck of yours.'' Jack came to attention. ''I await your orders, Your Highness.''

''You're not going to say where you stand?''

''Why should I? You've made up your mind, and unlike poor Penny and Tom here, I know what's going through your head.''

''Tommy's known me longer than you have.''

''Tom doesn't know you the way I know you. I repeat, ma'am. Where do we attack and when?''

Kris failed to suppress a chuckle. What was it with Jack? Just when she thought she had him figured out, he'd do something totally out of bounds and leave her wondering if she'd ever understand what made him tick, purr, and spin.

''Excuse me, but do I get any vote in this?'' Abby said.

''You're from Earth,'' Jack pointed out. ''You don't have a vote in Wardhaven's affairs.''

Abby elbowed Jack. ''But I do have a say in what pertains to my own delicate skin. May I point out that there is nothing in any of my trunks for fighting a war. I packed to rescue Tom. Nothing more. This is going far beyond what I signed on for.''

''And where did those extra trunks come from?'' Kris asked.

''What extra trunks?'' Abby sniffed.

''The ones that joined us somewhere between my room and airport security,'' Kris said.

''We had twelve trunks all along.''

''Harvey brought up six,'' Jack pointed out. He ducked into Kris's room. ''I think I can even spot the six extra trunks. They are not quite the same color as the others.''

''They are, too, '' Abby insisted. Jack rolled two out. The shading was close, but close was not the same.

Kris crossed the few feet that separated them. She studied her maid: eyes, lips, body tension. ''Whose side are you on?''

The woman looked back at Kris, no change in respiration or stance, eyes steady, not so much as a flared nostril. Then she gave her head a slight cock to the right. ''There are a lot of sides in play here. Have I ever done anything that made you question I am working for your best interest?''

''That's not an answer, '' Jack pointed out.

Kris kept her eyes on the putative maid. There was a slight smile that never got past the woman's lower lip. With a final flip of a mental coin, Kris returned to her seat.

Damn, this is getting interesting. The Typhoon's skipper's treachery left Kris isolated and alone as she decided for mutiny. Now there was time to think. To reflect. Maybe that wasn't a good idea. If a royal Princess takes up arms against a planet's government, does that mean a state of war exists between her planet and that one? Interesting question. Bet the historians laugh themselves silly trying to find a precedent.

Penny and Tom were all for it. Jack was willing. Abby was the one voice of reason, but mainly because she couldn't see anything in her bag of tricks to use for this mess. She and three Senators. Good company. No one knew what was happening outside the tiny bubble that was Turantic. No one knew if a Hamilton battle fleet was marshaling at some isolated jump point, ready to smash this planet under a booted heel.

Any really smart person would throw up their hands and await the outcome.

Kris shook her head. Longknifes did not sit around waiting. When had Grampa Trouble ever done what was smart? And if Grampa Ray hadn't married so well, Kris would be no better off than any of the people who risked their lives for her today.

Kris drew in a long breath, then let her lips slip into a big, vacuum-for-brains smile. ''Ladies and gentlemen. As of this moment, by whatever authority some people consider vested in me, I am canceling the declaration of war between Turantic and Hamilton. This band of like-minded souls will use all means within our power to assure that no forces from Turantic commit acts of aggression against Hamilton.''

''You going to tell anyone on Turantic?'' Abby asked.

''Oh, why bother them with minor details? From the looks of things, everyone is terribly busy. Far be it from me to add to their burden.''

''Yeah,'' Tom said. ''Maybe if they stay real busy, they won't notice what this little band is up to.'' Then he gave Kris that lopsided grin of his. ''So, Princess, what's the plan?''