This Day All Gods Die Part 34

The FEA rose smoothly to his feet. At once everyone in the room s.h.i.+fted to stare at him, some avid for any reprieve the Dragon might devise, others in mistrust or disapproval. Koina herself stared, trying to gauge the depth of his game.

As he spoke, complex intentions disguised each other in his tone. She thought she heard concern, scorn, humor, rea.s.surance, threats; but she wasn't sure of any of them. His stiff beard surrounded his mouth with an impenetrable tangle.

"Mr. President, your summation of the responsibilities of the Council is especially apt. Some of you may be aware that apart from UMCPHQ, the UMC Home Office is the only armed station orbiting Earth. And let me say, by the way, that if they're needed those arms will surely be used in our defense. The point I wish to make, however, is that HO is armed because Holt Fasner-no one else-sets policy for the UMC. I mean no disrespect when I say that he has always taken the dangers of dealing with the Amnion more seriously than the Council."

Koina allowed herself to c.o.c.k an eyebrow. Under other circ.u.mstances she might have asked, Our Our defense? Who do you mean? Those of us here against defense? Who do you mean? Those of us here against Calm Horizons? Calm Horizons? All humankind? Or do you mean just the UMC? All humankind? Or do you mean just the UMC?

"I'm sure what you say is true, Mr. Fane," Sixten remarked unexpectedly. He didn't stand; ignored dozens of heads craning to peer at him. His voice was high and thin with age, but he managed to make himself heard clearly. "Are you quite sure that arming HO is consistent with the terms of the UMC charter?"

At once President Len intervened to deflect the challenge; the insult. "Captain Vertigus, please. I must have order, I recognized Mr. Fane out of courtesy to an interested guest. If you wish to be recognized, I can only a.s.sure you that your turn will come. Any Member who wishes to speak will be heard. But this is an emergency session of the Governing Council for Earth and s.p.a.ce, and it will be conducted in good order."

"Order." Sixten flapped his hands dismissively. "Rules. I'm too old for all this, Abrim. By the time you get around to me, I may be dead. You You ask him. Ask Mr. Fane if the UMC charter provides for an armed station." ask him. Ask Mr. Fane if the UMC charter provides for an armed station."

Exasperation hunched Abrim's shoulders. "Captain Vertigus-"

"I'll answer, Mr. President," Cleatus offered without hesitation. "Maybe then we can go on." He brandished his whiskers to suggest perplexity. "Although why anyone would object to HO's guns at a time like this is beyond me."

Koina could think of a reason. She had no difficulty grasping Sixten's point. An armed station could defy the law; defy the Council. But she didn't say anything. The time hadn't come for her to speak.

The President sighed. "Perhaps you're right, Mr. Fane. If you're willing, please go ahead."

Fane bowed from the waist. "Thank you, Mr. President." Then he pointed his smile at Sixten.

"Captain Vertigus, the UMC charter neither provides for nor disallows an armed Home Office. You can look it up if you want to. I'll happily refer you to the relevant subsections."

"Don't bother," Sixten muttered.

The FEA shrugged, "In the absence of an explicit restriction," he concluded, "we have cannonand s.h.i.+eldsbecause CEO Fasner decided we should."

"Are you satisfied, Captain?" Len made no attempt to conceal his vexation.

"Satisfied?" Sixten's voice cracked; perhaps deliberately. "Of course not. But I'll shut up anyway. Maybe you'll be kind enough to wake me when it's my turn."

With another bow, Cleatus seated himself.

On impulse Koina leaned toward him and whispered, "I take it you think the government should be turned over to CEO Fasner?" She kept her voice too low to be overheard.

Fane's eyes flashed. "We're staring down the guns of an Amnion defensive because your director screwed up," he replied softly. "But he won't face the problem-or the consequences. He refuses to talk to his boss. Instead he's aboard Calm Horizons Calm Horizons making decisions for the whole human race. Who knows what he's giving away to keep us alive-or cover up his mistakes? And there's nothing the Council can do about it. He can hide behind those War Powers provisions until we all dry up and wither away. making decisions for the whole human race. Who knows what he's giving away to keep us alive-or cover up his mistakes? And there's nothing the Council can do about it. He can hide behind those War Powers provisions until we all dry up and wither away.

"Don't you think it's time someone with a few brains and a sense of responsibility took charge?"

Koina met his gaze and smiled like sugar. "Personally, Mr. Fane, I would vote for you."

As soon as she saw his disconcerted frown, she turned her attention back to the dais and President Len. There were times, she thought, when being a woman-and being what others called beautiful-gave her a significant advantage. Which was fine, as far as it went; but she needed more.

She needed leverage. Without it the things she'd been ordered to say might give Holt Fasner just the excuse he was waiting for; an excuse to take direct control of the UMCP.

Then he would be the only effective power in human s.p.a.ce.

Nothing has changed. Go ahead.

Fervently she prayed that Warden had taken steps to prevent such a disaster.

President Len had made his opening statement. Apparently he had no more to say. "If we're quite done with interruptions," he announced now, "it's time to address the issues of this session. I'm not going to limit the discussion in any way, except to preserve order. I hope, however, that you'll restrict yourselves to the subjects I've outlined. If you don't, I'll accept motions from the floor to cut you off.

"To begin, I recognize the Senior Member of the Eastern Union, Sen Abdullah."

Carefully Abrim set his mace down on the podium as if he were disavowing responsibility. Then he retreated to a seat at the back of the dais.

At once Abdullah surged to his feet. "Mr. President," he half-shouted. "Members!" He may have been trying to camouflage his habitual whine with volume. "I was not the first to use the word 'treason' in this room, but I can promise you I won't be the last. It must be said now, and it must be said often. Treason! Warden Dios has committed treason treason against the GCES, against the GCES, treason treason against the planet Earth, against the planet Earth, treason treason against all humankind. against all humankind.

"By the rules of order, I yield the floor to Special Counsel Maxim Igensard."

Len steepled one hand over his eyes. Slowly he nodded.

Oh, s.h.i.+t, Koina thought. So that's how it comes. Not from Cleatus. From Maxim. Of course. Cleatus didn't want to look complicit. Or maybe he wasn't complicit. Maybe he just knew that Maxim would do his work for him.

A moment ago she'd dreaded facing Sen Abdullah's fanatic petulance. But now she realized that the EU Senior Member would have been a far easier opponent than Maxim Igensard. Even the FEA would have been easier-Abdullah would have undermined himself: his hate was too obvious, too partisan, and too irrational to sway the Council for long. And Cleatus made too much money in Holt Fasner's service. Maxim had far more credibility, if for no other reason than because he had no const.i.tuency; no vested interest. As long as he did his job, he was safe no matter what his investigation uncovered.

With his ego and his intelligence, he was the perfect tool- Rising from his seat, he moved through the crowd cautiously, like a man trying to minimize his profile. Two steps took him up onto the dais. There he approached the podium, positioned himself behind it, and gripped it by the edges with both hands as if he were anxious and needed support. Although he wasn't as small as he made himself seem, only his head and shoulders showed above the rim of the podium.

"Mr. President." He turned a courteous bow toward Abrim. "Members of the Governing Council for Earth and s.p.a.ce. First Executive a.s.sistant Fane. Protocol Director Hannish. Thank you for your attention. I won't waste it.

"You may think I exceed my mandate by speaking to you now. I've been charged to investigate the so-called 'Angus Thermopyle case'-his arrest, conviction, and subsequent escape-not to comment on matters of war policy. For that reason, I wish to make two points immediately clear. First, I am here as the a.s.signed proxy of Eastern Union Senior Member Sen Abdullah." Maxim nodded respectfully at Abdullah. "I have both his right to speak and his vote. Confirmation is available from your terminals."

A rustle of movement followed as Members told their aides to check. Koina didn't bother, however. She was sure that Igensard hadn't made any procedural mistakes.

"Second," the Special Counsel said, "I am here because I believe that the 'Angus Thermopyle case' has a special bearing on Calm Horizons' Calm Horizons' presence in our s.p.a.ce. If I'm right, then what I have to say is directly, explicitly relevant to the issues of this session. And, whether we like it or not, we'll all be forced to use the term 'treason.'" presence in our s.p.a.ce. If I'm right, then what I have to say is directly, explicitly relevant to the issues of this session. And, whether we like it or not, we'll all be forced to use the term 'treason.'"

Koina couldn't contain herself. "Forgive me, Mr. Igensard," she said so that everyone would hear her. "'Treason' is a highly emotional word. You haven't earned the right to use it yet."

At once Maxim retorted, "But I will, Director Hannish. Toward that end, I mean to examine you shortly. Perhaps you'll take my charges seriously enough to answer them truthfully. With or without your cooperation, however, I will earn the right."

Then he returned his attention to the Council.

"As you recall, President Len called this session before Calm Horizons Calm Horizons appeared here. He called it because he'd received a formal announcement from UMCP director Warden Dios, informing him that a Behemoth-cla.s.s Amnion defensive-apparently this same appeared here. He called it because he'd received a formal announcement from UMCP director Warden Dios, informing him that a Behemoth-cla.s.s Amnion defensive-apparently this same Calm Horizons Calm Horizons-had encroached on the Ma.s.sif-5 system. The information had reached Director Dios by gap courier drones from Valdor Industrial and UMCP cruiser Punisher. Punisher. The first, from VI, reported The first, from VI, reported Calm Horizons' Calm Horizons' incursion and incursion and Punisher's Punisher's engagement. The second, from UMCP Enforcement Division director Min Donner aboard engagement. The second, from UMCP Enforcement Division director Min Donner aboard Punisher Punisher, reported that the cruiser had broken off the engagement, in part because she was too heavily damaged to prosecute her attack successfully, and in part to supply protection for another UMCP vessel, the gap scout Trumpet Trumpet, believed to be the target of Calm Horizons' Calm Horizons' incursion." incursion."

The Special Counsel didn't use notes. Apparently he didn't need them. He gave the impression that he never forgot anything. His voice sharpened as he spoke, and his physical presence seemed to expand, as if what he said made him larger.

"Because we've all been quite naturally appalled and alarmed by Director Dios' information," he stated, "we have perhaps failed to notice that much of it makes no sense. In fact, however, the director's announcement is far more significant for what it conceals than for what it reveals."

"'Conceals'?" Captain Vertigus interrupted scornfully. "He was in a hurry, for G.o.d's sake. What do you want him to do, write you a G.o.dd.a.m.n white paper on human-Amnion relations?"

"What I want want is simple, Captain Vertigus," Maxim shot back. "The truth. Nothing more. Nothing less." is simple, Captain Vertigus," Maxim shot back. "The truth. Nothing more. Nothing less."

Koina applauded Sixten in silence; but she didn't support his objection. Instead she made use of the distraction. She thought she could see where Igensard was headed. I mean to examine you shortly-Turning away, she leaned toward her communications techs. "Flare Chief Mandich for me," she whispered carefully, hardly moving her lips. "Flare Director Lebwohl. Tell them I'm running out of time here."

The tech responsible for keeping UMCPHQ informed of events nodded. "Right away, Director," she breathed.

As the tech obeyed, Koina straightened herself to listen again. Cleatus treated her to a cold smile, which she ignored.

"Time and again," Maxim was saying, "we've been given reason to believe the Amnion don't desire war. Their imperialism-rampant though it may be-is of another kind. In the simplest terms, their production methods aren't adequate to supply the s.h.i.+ps and materiel a war would demand.

"This raises a number of questions.

"Why now have the Amnion elected to violate a peace on which they're dependent? And why did they do so by encroaching on Ma.s.sif-5, a system far better defended than Earth-indeed, quite capable of repulsing and even destroying the defensive? How can a mere UMCP gap scout justify such action? What is at stake, that having failed to kill Trumpet Trumpet would cause the Amnion to compound their act of war by coming here? would cause the Amnion to compound their act of war by coming here?

"Director Dios' announcement gives no answer. Perhaps a 'white paper' on the subject would have been useful."

Igensard glared briefly at Captain Vertigus, then continued like a cutting laser.

"Neither does the UMCP director explain why Punisher Punisher was there to meet was there to meet Calm Horizons' Calm Horizons' incursion. The cruiser had just finished an arduous tour of duty around VI, and had returned to Earth for much-needed leave and repair. Her replacement, the UMCP cruiser incursion. The cruiser had just finished an arduous tour of duty around VI, and had returned to Earth for much-needed leave and repair. Her replacement, the UMCP cruiser Vehemence Vehemence, had already reached Ma.s.sif-5. Yet Punisher Punisher never docked at UMCPHQ. As soon as Director Donner joined s.h.i.+p, never docked at UMCPHQ. As soon as Director Donner joined s.h.i.+p, Punisher Punisher departed on another mission. departed on another mission.

"My investigation has revealed-another detail omitted by Director Dios-that the cruiser was sent, not back to Ma.s.sif-5, but out to the Com-Mine belt."

Some of the Members reacted with surprise. Koina herself was surprised that Maxim had been able to obtain such information. But he didn't pause.

"Her stated mission," he sneered, "was 'to guard against reports of unusual hostile activity along the frontier near the Com-Mine belt.' Why Min Donner's presence was required for such a mission is not explained.

"How then does it happen that Punisher Punisher entered the Ma.s.sif-5 system in time to engage entered the Ma.s.sif-5 system in time to engage Calm Horizons? Calm Horizons? And how does it happen that a UMCP officer with Min Donner's reputation for probity, valor, and determination decided to break off the engagement? Why did she conclude that And how does it happen that a UMCP officer with Min Donner's reputation for probity, valor, and determination decided to break off the engagement? Why did she conclude that Trumpet Trumpet was more important than her sworn duty to defend human s.p.a.ce? was more important than her sworn duty to defend human s.p.a.ce?

"Above all, why was Trumpet Trumpet there?" Maxim didn't raise his voice. Nevertheless it seemed to swell until it filled the room like a shout. "What accounts for the gap scout's presence in the Ma.s.sif-5 system?" there?" Maxim didn't raise his voice. Nevertheless it seemed to swell until it filled the room like a shout. "What accounts for the gap scout's presence in the Ma.s.sif-5 system?"

Koina saw Sixten squirm under the pressure of Igensard's challenge; but the old Senior Member didn't interject a comment. He may have realized that it was already too late for him-or anyone-to defend Warden.

Quietly Cleatus murmured, "An interesting question, don't you think, Director Hannish?" He seemed to be taunting her. "I'm afraid your Warden is in more trouble than he can handle."

Koina kept her attention fixed on the Special Counsel; hid her tension and dread behind a mask of professional detachment.

"One other significant fact is absent from Director Dios' announcement," Maxim proclaimed as if he wished to draw blood. "As if he thinks we might not have noticed, he doesn't mention that Trumpet Trumpet is the same vessel in which Captain Angus Thermopyle and former Deputy Chief of Com-Mine Station Security Milos Taverner are purported to have made their escape from UMCPHQ. is the same vessel in which Captain Angus Thermopyle and former Deputy Chief of Com-Mine Station Security Milos Taverner are purported to have made their escape from UMCPHQ.

"Mr. President, Members"-he paused to scan the room-"I consider the omission of these points to be as significant as their implications."

No one interrupted him now. The Members and their aides stared at him, rapt, as if they'd fallen under a spell. They'd all received Warden's announcement. Most of them probably remembered where they'd heard of Trumpet Trumpet before. Some of them must have been struck by the strangeness of before. Some of them must have been struck by the strangeness of Trumpet's Trumpet's role in events. But they'd been distracted by role in events. But they'd been distracted by Calm Horizons' Calm Horizons' presence; by the threat to Earth-and themselves. presence; by the threat to Earth-and themselves.

Koina was sure that for most of Maxim's audience the picture he outlined had begun to seem profoundly disturbing.

"A few days ago UMCPDA director Has.h.i.+ Lebwohl informed us by video conference that Captain Thermopyle and Deputy Chief Taverner had stolen Trumpet Trumpet and fled toward Thanatos Minor in forbidden s.p.a.ce. So much is plausible. Captain Thermopyle is a convicted illegal. By implication, Deputy Chief Taverner is also an illegal. The bootleg s.h.i.+pyard on Thanatos Minor is an illegal installation-a natural destination for such men. and fled toward Thanatos Minor in forbidden s.p.a.ce. So much is plausible. Captain Thermopyle is a convicted illegal. By implication, Deputy Chief Taverner is also an illegal. The bootleg s.h.i.+pyard on Thanatos Minor is an illegal installation-a natural destination for such men.

"But how does it occur that two illegals in a stolen s.h.i.+p at a bootleg installation countenanced by the Amnion have damaged or threatened the Amnion to such an extent that Calm Horizons Calm Horizons was sent to commit an act of war in response? was sent to commit an act of war in response?

"I'll propose an explanation. Call it a hypothesis if you wish. I don't pretend to have concrete evidence. Until quite recently"-he glanced at Koina-"UMCPHQ has not been open with records and information. But I have the evidence of common sense. The evidence of intelligence.

"When I'm done, I'll ask Director Hannish if she chooses to contradict me. If she does, I'll ask her"-now he did shout-"no, I'll dare her"-at once he softened his tone again-"to supply facts that support her position."

Although she'd seen this coming, Koina felt a new sting of apprehension in the palms of her hands, the pit of her stomach. Still no word from Has.h.i.+, or Chief Mandich-In a few more minutes she would have to face Maxim Igensard and the Council with nothing to go on except Warden's orders and her own untried ability to make Has.h.i.+'s reasoning sound credible.

"Be fair, Maxim," President Len put in unexpectedly. He sounded deeply tired; but apparently he still felt compelled to smooth out conflicts. "Do you really expect her to be prepared for a challenge like that? Without any warning?"

Maxim didn't hesitate. "Mr. President, she's the UMCP Director of Protocol. It's her job job to be prepared." to be prepared."

"Well, don't keep us in suspense," Captain Vertigus said with an acerbic quaver. "If you're so eager to accuse Warden Dios of treason, get it over with. Just what is is this 'hypothesis' of yours?" this 'hypothesis' of yours?"

The Special Counsel faced his audience again. He looked taller, elevated by eagerness. Something inside him had reached critical ma.s.s and begun to expand toward an explosion.

"Members of the Council, the stories we've been told are incredible, and I think they aren't true. I believe Captain Thermopyle and Deputy Chief Taverner did not not escape from UMCPHQ. I believe they're agents of the UMCP, agents of Director Dios. I believe they were sent into forbidden s.p.a.ce to commit some affront or do some harm which the Amnion would be unable to countenance. And when they'd succeeded, I believe they fled deep into human s.p.a.ce on Director Dios' orders. escape from UMCPHQ. I believe they're agents of the UMCP, agents of Director Dios. I believe they were sent into forbidden s.p.a.ce to commit some affront or do some harm which the Amnion would be unable to countenance. And when they'd succeeded, I believe they fled deep into human s.p.a.ce on Director Dios' orders.

"Because it was already known how the Amnion would respond, Trumpet Trumpet ran to Ma.s.sif-5, a place so far inside our frontier that no act of war could be excused, and yet so far from Earth that we-and UMCPHQ-would be in no direct danger. ran to Ma.s.sif-5, a place so far inside our frontier that no act of war could be excused, and yet so far from Earth that we-and UMCPHQ-would be in no direct danger.

"For her part, Punisher Punisher went to the Com-Mine belt with Min Donner aboard to ensure that went to the Com-Mine belt with Min Donner aboard to ensure that Trumpet Trumpet was indeed able to flee. Thereafter she followed the gap scout to the Ma.s.sif-5 system, where she awaited was indeed able to flee. Thereafter she followed the gap scout to the Ma.s.sif-5 system, where she awaited Calm Horizons' Calm Horizons' incursion. incursion.

"The crucial point is this." For the first time he let go of the podium. With the heel of one fist he tapped each word onto the surface in front of him. "I'm certain that all these events occurred because Warden Dios wished it so.

"No, let me be plainer. I believe that the director of the UMCP has deliberately precipitated an act of war."

Apart from Koina, Abrim Len appeared to be the only person in the room who'd guessed-or known?-what was coming. He didn't react; sat without moving. Once again his hand steepled over his eyes as if he'd seen all he could bear. It was possible that he had known. Some argument must have been used to persuade him to sanction a.s.signing Sen Abdullah's proxy to Igensard. Perhaps this was it: perhaps Maxim had convinced Len that he needed a Member's stature in order to present his accusation.

But everyone else- The director of the UMCP has deliberately precipitated an act of war.

In one corner, two or three people jumped to their feet around someone Koina couldn't see; someone who'd apparently fainted. From wall to wall men and women turned pale as if the blood were being drained from the room. The distinguished scholar Punjat Silat clutched at his chest; groped toward an aide until the aide pressed a small vial into his hand. Silat jerked back his head to swallow the contents of the vial, then slumped in his seat, his face as gray as ash. Sigurd Carsin and Vest Martingale stared at Maxim with their mouths open. Sixten grimaced convulsively, then began to beat his forehead with the heels of his palms, trying to drive back his dismay; his sense of betrayal. Cleatus waggled his beard by pursing his mouth like a man tasting a bitter pill to see whether he could stomach it.

Deliberately precipitated- The Council had trusted Warden too long: humankind was too dependent on him. The bare idea that he might have committed the crime Maxim suggested seemed to open a gulf deep enough to swallow the planet.

Could it be true? Even Koina considered the possibility with pain. Oh, G.o.d, Warden. What have you done?

In distress she turned a mute appeal to her techs. Her mouth shaped the word, Anything? But they shook their heads. One of them whispered, "Chief Mandich asks you to forgive him. Director Lebwohl says he doesn't want to be disturbed."

She bit her lip to stifle a groan. She had to have evidence; evidence; needed it desperately. Otherwise everything Warden was trying to do would recoil against him. needed it desperately. Otherwise everything Warden was trying to do would recoil against him.

Beside her Cleatus subvocalized into his throat pickup: a thin, ragged sound, too low for her to distinguish words. Talking to the Dragon- A moment later she was startled to hear Blaine Manse raise her voice. "In G.o.d's name, why why, Maxim?" the Member for Betelgeuse Primary protested. "What kind of man would do that? I didn't think anybody anybody was crazy enough to want a war." was crazy enough to want a war."

"I'm sure you're right," Igensard retorted incisively. "Director Dios does not not want a war. The Amnion aren't the real target of his actions. want a war. The Amnion aren't the real target of his actions. We We are." are."

"How so?" Blaine pursued.

"To put it crudely"-Maxim paused, apparently to focus his audience's attention-"his purpose was to frighten the Council into withdrawing support for my investigation."

From the back of the room, Tel Burnish gave a snort of contempt. "Does the word 'megalomania' mean anything to you, Special Counsel? What makes you think you're important enough for Warden Dios to risk starting a war?

"What makes you think you're important enough to force him to turn his back on a lifetime of dedicated service?"

Maxim faced the VI Member's challenge without flinching. He was primed for a detonation. Gathering pressure seemed to throb under his skin; glint dangerously from his eyes; echo like the clang of a hammer in his voice.

"In the pursuit of my duties," he p.r.o.nounced, "I've been acc.u.mulating evidence of the most malign kinds of malfeasance and corruption. Warden Dios' probity is under question, his power is endangered. You were here-you heard him during the video conference. His back is against the wall. I pushed him there.

"Now he's trying to protect his position by convincing us we can't afford to threaten him. He wants us to think the risk of probing and questioning him is too great at a time when we face the possibility of war.

"And he would have succeeded, except for one fatal miscalculation. The actions of Captain Thermopyle and Deputy Chief Taverner were too extreme. They were so extreme that Calm Horizons Calm Horizons didn't stop when didn't stop when Trumpet Trumpet escaped from Ma.s.sif-5. Prevented from following by escaped from Ma.s.sif-5. Prevented from following by Punisher Punisher, the Amnioni didn't withdraw, as Director Dios no doubt intended-preserving her own survival, as well as the possibility that peace could eventually be restored. Instead Calm Horizons Calm Horizons came here. came here.