Gust Front

O'Reilly paid no attention to the code phrase, simply nodding and taking a sip of the fruity Washington State Beaujolais the waiter had delivered earlier. As he did his mind raced and a series of pieces fell into place.

Apparently Paul or someone high among the Fellowship had decided that the Indowy was the perfect conduit into the Galactics. And he was sure enough to possibly burn his sole contact to O'Reilly's Société. The Fellowship and the Société had similar aims, but O'Reilly was, as far as he knew, the sole link. If this little meeting exposed him it would set back the work a decade. On the other hand, access to Galactic technology was imperative. Both groups were hampered by imperfect knowledge of the Galactics' surveillance capabilities.

And the Indowy always insisted on a face-to-face meeting before any serious alliance was joined. From what he had been able to glean from current study, and on the basis of Société records, he could understand why. The Darhel had owned the electronic information systems of the Galactic Federation for thousands of years. That gave them the ability to create any illusion they chose using those systems. Face-to-face was the only way to be sure you were talking to an actual contact.

The logic complete he nodded to himself internally. The risk was worth the action. He would have to sever himself from Paul as a contact for some time to come. However, they would still be able to use intermediaries. And there was always the Internet. The chaotic system still seemed to have the Darhel confused; they depended upon filtering proxy servers for information control and the American Supreme Court—bless those nine unknowing fools—had recently ruled them unconstitutional.

«Well, Indowy Aelool, if this Yankee dandy felt it necessary, I suppose I have to agree.» He delivered the countersign with a broad but toothless smile. A toothed grin was the sign of a predator to the nervous Indowy. Something about this one, though, made him suspect that it could take a full-toothed grin without a flinch. «Will you join me for di

«I think not,» said the alien, his face wrinkling in a complicated expression. After a moment Nathan realized that it was an attempt to copy a smile. The closest Indowy expression was actually a motherly expression of disapproval. «I have a ship to catch. But perhaps we shall meet . . . anon.» Again the odd grimace. In this case a few broad ratlike front teeth were exposed.

Nathan thought for a moment. Then he wrinkled his nose as hard as he could, pulled back his upper lip and crossed his eyes. At the incredibly silly expression Paul nearly choked on his own recently delivered wine but the Indowy simply copied it in surprise and emitted a series of high-pitched whines like a kitten with its tail caught in a door. He clapped his furry hand over his mouth but was unable to stop. Heads throughout the room turned at the odd and a

«Where did you learn that?» asked the Indowy, having finally managed to stop whining. The sound was Indowy laughter and was as infectious and difficult to stop for them as laughter was for humans. «That was the best human copy of 'ironic agreement' I have ever seen.»

«I'm a student of anthropology,» said the Jesuit with deprecation. «There is nothing that says that 'anthro' must refer only to human beings . . . You ought to see me do Darhel 'unfortunate embarrassment.' I've been practicing.»

CHAPTER 18

Ft. Myer, VA, United States of America, Sol III

0710 EDT September 14th, 2004 ad

«Hangover or no, you're giving the brief this morning,» said Captain Jackson as he sauntered into Mike's cubicle.

Mike turned and looked at him with one eye shut, as a piston hammered his head. «I will have you know, I have never had a hangover in my life. This headache that is currently pounding me into the ground is entirely coincidental and based upon nervousness over the briefing. It is not the result of trying to drink officers who have far more experience and training in the imbibing of hard alcohol under the table.»

«Same for the light sensitivity and the taste in your mouth?» asked the nattily dressed aide. Mike was fairly sure that the tailored uniform had not come off the rack at the Officers' Sales Store. Like Mike's it was probably Brooks Brothers or Halberds. The cloth was noticeably better and the fit was immaculate.

«Correct. Besides, in about three minutes the GalMed I just took will kick in and no more headache. To what do I owe the honor, Captain, sir?»

«Actually,» said Captain Jackson, with a smile, «I think you have me by date of rank, Captain, sir.»

«Ah, that would explain the confused look you pere

«Actually, that look comes with the position of aide.»

«That I am familiar with,» Mike agreed with a wince. «I held the position myself, briefly. Thank God there were no real aide's duties, though; I was basically the wild-hair guy for the GalTech program. But since there were no real aide duties it was a good place to stash me.»

«So I've heard. I also heard you fought it tooth and nail.»

«Well, the position of aide is one that is strongly political, no offense, and I'm lousy at passing canapés.»

«Unlike us ring knockers?» asked the new aide with a raised eyebrow and an almost subconscious gesture of his right hand. The West Point ring briefly caught the light.

«I will admit that I have met only one mediocre West Point graduate,» Mike said in oblique agreement.

«Thanks.» The captain's brow furrowed. «Why do I suddenly suspect that is not the outstanding advertisement for West Point it at first sounds?»

«As I was saying, to what do I owe the honor?» asked Mike.

«Well, first the general sends his regrets. He won't be able to see you prior to the briefing, other items have suddenly come up, but he will see you at the reception afterwards.»

«Tell the general, thank you, I can hold my own pecker just the same.»

«You are really in a savage mood this morning, aren't you?» the aide commented with a nervous chuckle.

«Yes. Is there anything else?»

«Do you think the damn medal gives you the right to dispense with common courtesy?»

«No. I was a revolting SOB before I got the medal. Is there anything else?»

Captain Jackson's face worked for a minute. «No. But can I ask you something?»

«You just did.» After a moment Mike relented. «Go ahead.»

«You are about to go out in front of a bunch of goddamned senior brass, under the direction of CONARC, and tell them how CONARC—really meaning you—thinks they should handle their ACS forces. Now, if you show your ass, it's going to reflect poorly on my boss. Since one of my jobs is to make sure that doesn't happen, I've gotta find out if you're up to this briefing, because right now I am tempted to call General Horner and tell him his fair-haired boy is even more ca

«That would be bearing false witness, Captain,» said Mike, casually. He obviously considered it an empty threat. He took a sip of his coffee and swished it around in his mouth. «And isn't there some sort of unwritten code at West Point about ratting?»

«There is a written code about reporting . . . questionable behavior. I would be following the written code. And good sense. I will stop this presentation if I think you can't answer questions civilly. Trust me, I know the system and how to use it. If General Horner doesn't pull you, there are other venues.»

Mike smiled calmly for the first time in the encounter; it was like a tiger stretching to work out the kinks and the toothy smile was strangely feline as well.

«Like I said, Captain, to each his own. Very well, my problems are as follows. One.» He flicked a finger up, counting. «I am about fed up with professional paper-pushers. It was paper-pushing, political, regular-Army assholes that fed me into a grinder on Diess and that probably will here on Earth. So—remember you pointed out that you are politically co