Megalodon City, Tundra, Standard year 404

  Samantha Hawk was sitting on the deep, comfortable couch in her cell. It was a very nice cell, intended for VIPs who may yet be found innocent of their crimes. She was sharing it with two assassins, locked together in the master suite of the comfortably appointed cell. Generously, Samantha decided they would need their own bathroom. The front of the cell was a one way glass wall, giving her no visibility to the outside world but allowing others to see in. Samantha sat in the exact center of the couch, one of her arms draped along the backrest, her eyes focused on the glass wall. And waited. It did not take long.

  “We need to talk.” Robert’s voice came through the speakers.

  “I would imagine so.” Samantha replied, ice dripping from every word.

  There was a pause on the other side of the one way glass. “I need to ask you to put on the cuffs.” Robert said. He wasn’t quite apologetic about it, but he came close.

  “Is Jim there?” Samantha asked.

  “I’m here.” Her husband’s voice replied. Unlike Robert, he sounded exceptionally apologetic.

  “And is it your position that I need to put on the cuffs?”

  There was another pause. “Darling, you are the love of my life and I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. But it was my idea to ask you to put on the cuffs.”

  “Well.” Samantha got up grimly. “You aren’t entirely stupid. I’ll give you that.”

  ---

  They were sitting in Robert’s office, the most secure room in TSS headquarters.

  “Is there anything I can get you?” Jim asked, looking at Sam somewhat nervously.

  “Where’s James?” Samantha responded. Only one thing mattered now. She knew the minute Robert locked her in the cell that her son had failed to report in. Her son was somewhere deep in enemy territory. Trapped. And her husband went to great lengths to ensure Samantha would not go after him. Which she would have, dammit. And she should have. Only she couldn’t think of a way to get out of the damn cuffs and escape TSS headquarters. As soon as she thought of a way…

  “James has not reported in.” Jim began.

  “All of it.” Samantha snapped. “Tell me all of it.” She turned to Robert, who she knew would tell her the truth.

  Jim just nodded.

  “James has been captured in what has been termed the manhunt of the decade.” Robert said quietly.

  “So they know.” And for the first time in her life, Samantha felt fear so deep she was dizzy with it. Her hands gripped the sides of her chair. “Is there more?” She asked, her voice still perfectly calm.

  “James…” Jim paused momentarily, but there was no hiding the truth from Sam, and it wasn’t within his power to shield her from reality. “James has renounced.” He said quietly.

  “He renounced Tundra. And in his own name?”

  “Yes.”

  “I see.” Samantha nodded. “And the negotiations? I assume Lorelai has offered to return him if a ransom is paid.”

  “She has asked for all of our ships.” Robert said, speaking up on Jim’s behalf.

  “I see.” Sam repeated. “What happens now?” She asked, turning towards her husband.

  “We are negotiating.” Jim said carefully.

  “Bullshit.” Sam replied. “What else?”

  Jim glanced over at Robert. “Everything else… everything else is classified.” He said.

  Samantha frowned, looking from one man to the other.

  “I am under suspicion.” Robert volunteered. “It is not clear how Lorelai became aware of James Hawk’s presence on Saraya. His face was altered, of course.”

  Samantha considered. “Get me a coffee, will you Robert?” She said.

  “Of course.” Robert got up and walked out, closing the door to his own office politely.

  “How serious are these suspicions?” Samantha asked, turning to her husband.

  “He was captured on his return from the last target.”

  “The specifics would not be known to the Black Hawk crew.” Samantha said slowly. “They were not even known to me.”

  “Correct. The specific targets were known to myself, Robert, and the three people who went down to Saraya, which includes James, Clara and Henry. That is all.”

  “That’s a short suspect list.”

  “Yes.”

  “Could it be Henry?” Samantha asked. “I don’t know him well. We’ve known Clara her whole life.”

  “I think we need to ask Robert some questions.” Jim said carefully. “Henry is of course a possibility but…”

  “Yes.” Samantha agreed. They both looked up at a polite knock on the door.

  “Come in.” Jim called out.

  “The target of the assassin was you.” Samantha volunteered, accepting the coffee Robert brought her without hesitation. If Robert wanted her dead, his opportunities to make that happen would have been nearly endless.

  Robert nodded in acknowledgement, clearly unsurprised.

  “The target of the other assassin was Grant Pardo. A friend of yours, I take it?”

  “We are acquainted.” Robert said carefully.

  “That’s the giant, isn’t it?” Jim asked

  “Yes.” Samantha nodded. “That is indeed the eight foot tall giant. Robert tells me there was a hormonal malfunction during the gestation.”

  “Imbalance.” Robert corrected automatically.

  Jim raised an eyebrow. It was the sort of information that implied a relationship deeper than a mere acquaintance.

  “And the methodology was the same.” Samantha continued. “Both assassins were professionals, both were paid electronically, the origin of the payments has so far proven untraceable.”

  “I see.” Robert said.

  “You promised me your assistance in getting James back.” Samantha said, her icy gray eyes focusing in on Robert. “You promised me, Robert. To your fullest abilities, using all of your resources. I have given you the information you needed. I may have saved your life by taking out the assassin. Cut the bullshit. What is your plan to get back my son?”

  “I…” Robert began. “Sam, at the moment I’m afraid I… am somewhat resource constrained.”

  “You have resources on Saraya.” Samantha said sharply.

  “Yes but…” Robert spread his hands, uncertain of how to communicate his dilemma. Jim and Samantha were longtime allies, but Robert was not at all clear on how much they understood.

  “It’s not the time.” Samantha said, leaning forward. “It’s not the time for secrets. Did someone go after your people on Saraya, as well?”

  “Yes.” Robert answered.

  “And James?” Jim’s eyes narrowed, focused on Robert. “Am I correct in my understanding that the attack on your people and the attack on James took place nearly simultaneously?”

  Robert blinked. Until Jim had phrased it the way he did, Robert had not been thinking about it in quite those terms. But now that the words were out the words were out there, the connection seemed downright likely. “Yes.” He agreed.

  “Did you disclose the targets?” Samantha asked.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Robert paused. “Yes.” He admitted.

  “To who.” Jim said, the intensity in his voice sharp enough to cut.

  “One of my people on Saraya would have been impacted by the planned attack. I informed him. But Jim, my people did not betray James. I swear to you.”

  “How many targets were there?” Samantha asked.

  “Eight.” Jim replied. They both turned towards Robert.

  “Did my son’s capture take place at the location you disclosed?” Samantha asked softly.

  Robert sighed. “Yes.” He admitted. “I cannot explain it, but yes.”

  “Even if you trust your ally.” Jim said carefully. “He may have been questioned.”

  “That is not possible.”

  “I am quite certain that it is.” Jim replied sharply.

  “It is possible that he was questioned, of course. But we are quite resistant to torture. Pain, is a choice. Somewhat.” Robert added in response to the dubious looks that statement received. “The manhunt for James happened at approximately the same time as the attacks on my people. There simply wasn’t time to question and extract information. The source of the information must have come from somewhere else.”

  “How did you communicate?” Samantha asked.

  “The channel of communication… the channel of communication was secure.” Robert said carefully.

  “That’s what everyone thinks about their channels of communication.” Jim said cynically. “They are perfectly secure, right up until the point when they are not.”

  “That is not possible here.” Robert said insistently.

  “Either you betrayed us, your ally betrayed us, or your channel of communication was not secure.” Samantha said, her tone painfully polite. “For the loyalty you have shown this family, through the decades, I choose to believe the third option until the investigation is complete.”

  “I cannot argue with your reasoning.” Robert said.

  “The next time you contact your allies, it will not be via that channel.” Samantha continued.

  “And the location of your communication, will also be different.” Jim added. “There must be no points of similarity. Do you understand?”

  “You have my word.” Robert acknowledged. It was impossible, of course… and yet, Samantha’s logic appeared infallible. And it would do no harm, he thought, to take certain precautions. He glanced down as the buzz on his wrist comm informed him that a message had come in. And not via the usual channels. He looked down, puzzled at the unfamiliar number. But the message was clear.

  Unknown: Will and James Hawk are being held together at Phoenix Penitentiary. There is a special section for political prisoners. That is all I have at this time. Daren.

  “What is it?” Samantha asked.

  “I am… I am entirely resource constrained.” Robert said slowly. Unexpectedly, he got up and paced the room before sitting back down. “We must talk.” He said.

  “We are talking.” Sam said. And so far, she was unimpressed with the progress. She certainly hoped that her tone communicated that view effectively.

  Robert paused. “I must now speak, not as the head of the Tundran Secret Service, but as the leading representative of the Carda’an Empire in this sector of space.” His words were followed by a much longer pause, as Jim and Sam processed those words. Neither of them appeared entirely surprised, Robert noted.

  Sam took a sip of her coffee and looked to her husband. They weren’t on the best of terms at the moment, but this was Jim’s show.

  “I am listening.” Jim replied, his face perfectly blank.

  “Citizens of the empire have been attacked.”

  “You’ve been attacked before, surely.” Samantha pointed out.

  “The head of the Tundran Secret Service has been attacked, yes. To the best of my knowledge, there has never been an intentional attack against citizens of the empire in this sector of space… until now.”

  Jim nodded, and waited.

  “The investigation is ongoing.” Robert said carefully. “But if the results of that investigation are what we all now suspect, if citizens of the empire have been intentionally attacked, then there will be consequences.”

  “They have not been attacked by us.” Jim said immediately. “My wife may well have saved your life.”

  “Tundra is not under investigation at this time.” Robert acknowledged. “Based on the facts at hand, there is reason to believe Lorelai Achly, Saraya’s president and chosen representative, may be directly involved in the attacks.”

  Jim’s eyes narrowed as he considered what struck him as some very carefully chosen words. “And what is the significance, of Lorelai being Saraya’s chosen representative?” He asked.

  Robert smiled slightly. It was always easier, dealing with Jim. Jim understood things. “The consequences for the attack will be borne not only by Lorelai but by all the people who have allowed her to lead.”

  “Are you suggesting there may at some point be an attack on Saraya?” Jim asked.

  “I am.”

  “Are you asking to coordinate?” Jim clarified, his focus on the timing.

  “I am not.”

  There was another pause.

  “I’m not quite following.” Jim said frankly.

  “There is no need to coordinate.” Robert explained. “If citizens of the empire have been attacked by Lorelai Achly’s administration, we will deal with it.”

  “And our support is not needed.” Jim said carefully.

  “It is not.”

  Samantha opened her mouth to ask the obvious question, looked over at Jim, and closed it. It wasn’t her place.

  “Go ahead Sam.” Jim said unexpectedly.

  “What is it you propose to do, Robert? What consequences do you consider fair, for an attack that as far as we know, has not actually resulted in anyone’s death?”

  “The intent of the attack, was to kill.” Robert responded.

  “And the consequences?” Samantha asked, not bothering to mask the suspicion in her voice.

  “The consequences may be the elimination of the human colony on Saraya.” Robert replied.

  Jim sat silently, as his entire understanding of the power players in their solar system shifted radically in the space of a few seconds. “Excuse me.” He said quietly. “I would like to get myself a coffee, as well.” He got up and walked out of the room.

  Samantha looked over at Robert across the desk. “You can’t just go around eliminating human colonies, Robert.” She said. Samantha had immediately realized that if Jim didn’t want her to state the obvious, he would not have left her alone in the room with Robert. She was left alone in the room to do exactly what she was inevitably going to do. Her husband knew her well.

  “I believe that I can.” Robert replied.

  “I am the last person to defend Sarayans but even to me, this seems like an overreaction. For an alien race to come in and do what you propose to do… the consequences of that will live on long after the name Dragon City means nothing. It is too much, Robert. Let Lorelai pay for her crimes. Eliminate her government, go after her allies. You always say that actions must have consequences, let people see those consequences. We will help you. But… but it must stop somewhere. You cannot overreact!”

  “We have been known to overreact.” Robert shrugged. “It happens.” He turned his head slightly, watching the door to his office reopen as Jim returned.

  “I brought you a coffee, as well.” Jim offered, placing the cup on Robert’s desk before sitting back down.

  Robert accepted it without hesitation.

  “It is a difficult time, for all of us.” Jim said, somewhat unexpectedly. “There is a part of me that always thought James was untouchable, indestructible. Perhaps because of your involvement in his birth.” He nodded towards Robert, watching the other man take a sip of his coffee. “But he is not untouchable. It is a difficult lesson to learn.”

  “No one is untouchable.” Sam said. Both of the men in the room nodded in acknowledgement. No one knew that simple fact better than Sam. Killing those everyone thought untouchable was her special skill. Sam knew with absolute certainty, that no one was ever untouchable.

  “Your people on Saraya have been attacked.” Jim continued. “May I ask the status?”

  “One is MIA. The other managed to escape but” Robert sighed, seeing the look of hope on Samantha’s face. “Sam please understand… different agents have different capabilities. This one… just think of him as a civilian. And not a particularly competent one.”

  “And the one that’s missing, is he young?” Jim asked.

  “Yes.” Robert nodded. “He’s quite young.”

  “Around my son’s age?”

  “We age at different rates but functionally yes, they’re about the same age.”

  “It’s difficult.” Jim repeated. “When those we care about, those we thought safe, fall into danger. Grave danger.” He glanced over at his wife, still chained to her chair because of how terrified he was of losing her. Of letting her fall into danger. “William Atwater is running for the presidency of Saraya.” He said, quite unexpectedly.

  Robert started. “Yes, and?” He asked, puzzled.

  “If the Sarayans were to elect a new leader before your investigation is concluded, then Lorelai would no longer be their chosen representative.”

  “But the attacks happened. And at the time of the attacks, Lorelai was their chosen representative.”

  “But surely changing their mind would work in their favor.” Sam spoke up.

  “It may.” Robert agreed.

  “Is there any chance the man who’s MIA is still alive?” Jim asked.

  “Will Atwater of Atwater ships.” Samantha spoke up suddenly, interrupting her husband’s train of thought.

  “Yes.” Robert agreed.

  “His factory would have been one of the targets.” Samantha observed.

  “Yes.”

  “And either he is deeply mentally ill, or he has reason to believe he will have a way to escape Lorelai’s wrath.” Samantha continued.

  “Until the inevitable Tundran attack.” Jim added pulling on the loose thread Samantha had unraveled, his eyes on Robert.

  “In his capacity…” Robert began.

  “Except he can’t escape Lorelai’s wrath in his capacity as Will Atwater of Atwater ships.” Jim said. “One wonders whether he expected to rely on something not available to human Will, to get through the next several weeks.”

  “He is young.” Robert admitted. “And he does not listen.”

  “Sam.” Jim said with a sigh.

  Samantha nodded. Once again, Jim relied on her to speak in her less official capacity. “It looks like you attacked them first.” She said. “And by you I mean the… what was it, Jim?”

  “Carda’an empire.” Jim supplied.

  “Will is running against Lorelai in what is purported to be a free and open democratic election.” Robert replied mildly. “That is not an attack.”

  “I will not play semantics with you, Robert. My son is in danger. Will, is also in danger. I think he is the man you are missing. Let’s get James and Will away from Lorelai and let her pay for her crimes. You may have the resources to blow everything up but I choose to believe you when you tell us that you do not have the resources to save James. Which means you do not have the resources to save Will. Let us help you. Let us save the people we care about and take down Lorelai and her allies. Let there be a free and open election which I do not believe Lorelai will win, and then let us all move on and work towards peace.”

  Robert considered. “You are negotiating on behalf to the Sarayans?” He asked mildly.

  “I am negotiating on your behalf, Robert. Because you are and will forever be a part of my legacy. You are the man who orchestrated my rise to power. We all know that. I do not want my legacy to be what you are proposing here today. I would like us both to be something better.”

  Robert leaned back in his chair, considering. “Lorelai and her administration will be removed.” He said slowly. “Our way.”

  “Of course, with our full support, if you need it.”

  “If William Atwater…” Robert paused. “If Variel lives.” He said, because suddenly he wanted to give the man the benefit of his real name “if he lives, then I agree to the terms you have proposed.”

  “There is a plan…” Jim began.

  “No.” Robert interrupted, his voice unexpectedly harsh. “No.” He repeated, more quietly. “Do not tell me. Samantha is correct. The information I was given appears to have been leaked, and none of us know how. I will follow Sam’s excellent advice. All new channels of communication, all new locations. Every element of risk must be eliminated. There is something happening here… something that I do not understand. We will keep our efforts separate, for now.” He stood up, unlocking Samantha’s wrists from her chair without being asked. “A piece of advice, Sam. If you do not like the consequences I have proposed today, you do not want to see what Jim will do if you and your son fall on Saraya. Humans have been known to overreact, as well. Remain on Tundra, and trust Jim to do what he does best. We all need you here.”

  “You will allow me to help with the investigation?” Sam asked, rubbing her wrists absentmindedly.

  “I would appreciate it.”