Mirage

Twelve

The agent-in-charge did not return her call. Over the course of the day, Ariel sent a request to speak to him three times, but Agent Cupra either had received none of them or was refusing to respond.

She had been surprised to learn that Special Service had taken over the investigation. Something like this should have been a TBI matter, but the Terran Bureau of Investigation had been shut out of it. In a way it made sense-it had been a Special Service failure in the first place, a smear on their reputation at best, a reason to turn the entire Service upside down and inside out in a search for blame at worst, so they would be strongly motivated to solve the matter. Nevertheless, Earthers tended to be traditional, and tradition alone would dictate that the TBI run the investigation.

She scrolled down the lists Hofton had gotten for her. Casualties, survivors, relatives, addresses-Mia was the only member of Eliton's security team who had lived. Officially, though, she was now listed as deceased.

Twenty-one dead, thirty-three wounded, not counting all those who had suffered injuries among the spectators during the stampede to escape the gallery. Humadros and most of her staff, Eliton and his two aides-those were the costliest diplomatically.

Bogard had given her the name of the agent at the med center. Ariel had Hofton find his code.

Agent Sathen was a thin-faced man with deeply-recessed blue eyes and a short growth of dark brown hair that seemed to hug his scalp like a helmet.

"Yes?"

"Agent Sathen, I'm Ariel Burgess, from the Calvin Institute."

"Yes?" Nothing but professional, impersonal, with no hint that he would willingly tell her anything.

Ariel drew a breath. "I'm calling in regards to Mia Daventri." Seeing his expression change to uncertainty, she made a decision then how to approach this. "I was a friend of hers."

Sathen stared at her for a few moments, then slowly nodded. The set of his jaw relaxed. "How can I help you?"

"Tell me what happened."

"As a friend or as a Spacer official?"

"Both. I understand she originally came in for medical treatment in company with a robot."

"I'm no longer part of the investigation."

"I understand that, Agent Sathen. I'm interested in the part you were involved with."

"As a friend?"

Ariel bit back her impatience. "I-" She stopped. Of course, she realized, this is being recorded. "As a friend. I met Mia on Kopernik Station when I first came to Earth."

Sathen nodded. "I see. Well, there isn't much to tell. I and my partner received the call to accompany an injured agent to the clinic and to stay with her till she regained consciousness. The ambulance beat us there. When we arrived, the medics had already put her in a room and started her on regeneration treatments. They couldn't get the robot to leave, though. It didn't interfere with them, but none of them were too happy with its presence."

"What robot was this?"

"That special one attached to Eliton's security team. Bogard."

"I see. Weren't you able to recover it?"

"It wouldn't accept commands. Agent Daventri had evidently given it a priority to protect her and it wouldn't accept any other direction until she released it."

"That sounds like you understand something about robots, Agent."

"I don't understand a thing about them. That's what Mr. A very explained to me."

Ariel's eyes widened slightly. "Derec Avery?"

Sathen nodded. "From the Phylaxis Group, yes. He showed up about five or six hours after Agent Daventri was admitted. Even he couldn't get it to move and, as I understand it, he built the thing."

"That is odd, but… go on, Agent Sathen. What happened?"

"Well, Mr. A very told us to leave it alone and to call him when Agent Daventri regained consciousness. Then later we were recalled. After we left the clinic, Agent Daventri's room was destroyed, with her and the robot."

"Why were you recalled?"

"Reassignment. My partner and I were to be attached to Vice Senator Taprin's security team. That won't take effect, though, till tomorrow. When the explosion occurred, we went back to the clinic. There was… nothing left." Sathen's mouth flexed. "Another agent was killed, too."

"In the explosion?"

"No."

When he did not elaborate, Ariel asked, "Any evidence who did it?"

"None. The monitors in the entire clinic went down right before the blast."

"Isn't it a little unusual to be recalled before an assignment is complete?"

"Yes, Ms. Burgess, it is. But then everything about this is unusual, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is." Ariel paused. "Did you know Mia?"

"Not well. She seemed like a good agent."

"May I ask who recalled you?"

"It came through our general dispatch. Normally, another team would relieve us. I thought-well, it didn't happen. An oversight."

"I didn't think Special Service made mistakes."

Sathen's expression hardened. "We don't. Is that all, Ms. Burgess?"

"Unless you can think of anything more. "

"I can't think of anything I left out."

"Thank you for your time, then, Agent Sathen."

The screen blanked. Ariel entered the code for Agent Cupra once more and again got a recording that Cupra was unavailable, please leave name and code.

No forensics… Ariel thought.

She called up the staff registry for the clinic in which Mia was "killed" and found the head nurse that had been on duty that night.

"My shift ended at ten," Nurse Carther explained. "But I was there when the injured agent and that -thing -came in. Dr. Jaley oversaw treatment. He just ignored it, the robot. I couldn't, but I didn't have to be in there with it."

"When did the other agents arrive?" Ariel asked.

"A few minutes after we got the biomonitors connected. Agent Sathen and Agent… um, Vetter. They ran security checks on all of us. Agent Sathen was upset that he couldn't get the robot to leave. Then a man from the Phylaxis Group showed up and he couldn't get it out of there, either. After he left, the other two agents arrived. My shift ended about twenty minutes later and I left."

"Who was your replacement?"

"It was supposed to be Karl Funil, but he called in sick. I'm not sure who was called in then."

"So your relief hadn't shown up when you left? Isn't that irregular?"

"Most of the clinic functions are automated," Carther explained. "If someone isn't there for ten minutes, it's not a problem. The physician-in-charge was there. I could check if you like, see who was called in, but more than likely it was a temp. We draw from a couple of hospital resource pools for emergencies."

Ariel considered for a few moments. That night would have been filled with emergencies. "No, that's all right. What other agents showed up?"

"Two more Special Service people. I don't know what was said, but Agent Sathen was pretty angry with them. I heard yelling."

"They were still there when you left?"

"Yes."

"Can you remember their names?"

"Just the one and only because I heard Agent Sathen say it. Cupra."

"They didn't show you ill?" Ariel asked.

"Agent Sathen knew them."

"Thank you. I appreciate it. If I have any other questions, can I-?"

"I'd rather you didn't," Carther said sharply.

Ariel started. "Oh."

"If that's all, I have things to do."

"Yes, I -"

The image winked out. After all this time, Terran prejudice still surprised her. Too often it came wrapped in a false tolerance that camouflaged real sentiment.

Ariel checked the clinic records again. She found a note appended to the staff log that night: HEAD NURSE KARL FUNIL: EXCUSED FOR ILLNESS. But there was no notation for who took his duties. The way the log read, Nurse Carther had stayed.

Was anyone on staff after she left…? Ariel wondered.

Agent Sathen had said nothing about the visit by Agent Cupra.

"I can't think of anything I left out," he had said.

"How paranoid do you want to be?" Ariel muttered aloud.

"Ariel," Hofton's voice came over the intercom. "Gale Chassik is calling again."

"Damnit!"

"Do you want me to?"

"Put him through. If I don't talk to him now he'll never go away."

A moment later Chassik's face appeared on her com screen. Gale Chassik's features implied an athletic youth unmaintained in middle age-wide jaw, a fleshy chin, and solid cheeks below bright greenish eyes and a seamed forehead.

"Ms. Burgess," he said slowly, "thank you for taking the time to speak with me."

Ariel heard the unspoken "at last" at the end of his sentence. She made herself smile and hoped she looked convincingly apologetic.

"Sorry, Ambassador Chassik, but it has been a hectic day."

"I can imagine. I truly hate to add to your burdens, but I do have a matter or two that require attention. The sooner the better and I can leave you in peace."

"Of course. What can I do for you?"

"First, may I offer condolences on the losses of your fellow Aurorans?"

"Thank you, Ambassador. And I for yours."

"We were more fortunate, at least in simple numbers. I understand Setaris's top aides were killed."

"That's correct."

"Who?"

"I'm taking over some of their duties for the time being. "

"Ah. Then I have finally reached the office I need."

"That depends on what you need, Ambassador Chassik. "

"Simply the formality of an official statement. What is Aurora's-and the Calvin Institute's position-on the disaster just experienced?"

"It's strictly wait and see. We don't intend to take any precipitate action until we have some answers from Terran authorities. For now, we'll wait on their investigations before taking any further steps."

"Nicely paraphrased, Ms. Burgess. What about the conference?"

"There is no reason currently to believe that the conference should not continue."

Chassik looked surprised. "Without Galiel? Who could possibly stand in for her? And Senator Eliton?"

"Senator Eliton's second, Vice Senator Taprin, will stand in for him," Ariel replied. "As for our own contingent, I don't know yet what the roster will be. What about your own legation? Who's staying?"

"None of them. Why should they? The welcome they received-"

"Ambassador, I already have commitments from survivors of the Auroran Legation to stay and see the conference through. It would be awkward if Solaria backed out, don't you think?"

Chassik pursed his lips. "I'll get back to you on that. May I ask who is staying?"

"You may ask."

Chassik waited, then grinned. "When you have your roster completed, you will let us know?"

"Of course."

"The second matter, then. What is your position on the alleged positronic failure and what do you intend to do about the Phylaxis Group?"

"We have no position on the alleged failure. We haven't seen the evidence on it, therefore we cannot determine the validity of the suggestion. Personally, I find it ludicrous. As for the Phylaxis Group, I don't understand what you mean."

Chassik raised an eyebrow. "Really. Phylaxis built that absurd robot that failed to protect Senator Eliton. Phylaxis is in charge of analyzing the RI in Union Station. The claim that the RI failed has come to us from a variety of sources, some of them quite reliable. If you don't believe that it failed and Phylaxis says it did-well, in light of the incompetence of the bodyguard, can you accept their word?"

"Are you suggesting collusion between Phylaxis and-"

"I'm not suggesting anything," Chassik said quickly. "But I have constituents who are quite uneasy about that robot and after witnessing its performance yesterday, I can't say I disagree with them. If there isn't collusion, there is gross incompetence. We can't have Phylaxis damaging our reputations. It was a Solarian firm that installed the RI."

"I'll look into the matter, Ambassador. Is there anything else?"

Chassik seemed thoughtful for a time. "Have you spoken to the Terran Authorities yet?"

"No. I've requested updates on their investigation, but so far I've received nothing."

"Hmm. When you do hear from them, would you let me know what they say?"

"I'm sure you'll be informed at the same time-" Ariel began.

"A favor, Ms. Burgess. In return, I'll share what I receive from them. It may be that aspects of this will be overlooked."

"I see. I'll let you know, Ambassador. Thank you."

"Oh, and one more matter. I'm officially informing you that the RI at Union Station is being removed by Solarian specialists."

Ariel blinked. "Removed…? When?"

"Work begins today."

"But-I should have been informed."

"I'm informing you now. You have been difficult to reach."

"A Calvin Institute representative is required to be on site for-"

"Ms. Burgess, this is Earth. They have no such regulation. The fact that your people were consulted when we installed it was a political courtesy. Now they want it out and they don't care. They need to get the station up and running and a replacement has already been chosen. All that needs to be done is the removal of the RI, which we have been requested-strongly requested-to do with all haste. If you have anyone from the Institute you can spare, send them around."

"It doesn't matter that this is Earth-this is a Spacer regulation."

"Time, Ms. Burgess, time." Chassik shook his head as if exasperated with her. "My people were contacted early this morning and the request was on my desk when I arrived. I understand their haste, even if I have reservations. The RI is defunct, totally collapsed, a useless mass of pathways. This is a simple physical extraction."

"Has Phylaxis been contacted? Is Derec-Mr. Avery there?"

"I don't know. Would his presence mollify you?"

"I'm not sure." Ariel fought back her irritation. "I don't have anyone to spare. Please make sure they document the removal and forward a report to me."

"I'll see to that, of course."

"Thank you. "

"Good day."

Ariel stared at the blank screen, fuming over the breach in protocol. It was not just a matter of form, but a question of accountability. How could she know that everything was done properly without an inspection? She would have to trust them. She imagined that it was the same Solarian company that had installed it in the first place, which did little to assuage her apprehensions.

Why the rush…? she wondered.

After a time, Hofton interrupted again. "Ariel, Trina Korolin is calling. And I have those downloads for you." At a little past two, Ariel wanted to go back to her apartment. The pressure behind her eyes had mounted steadily over the last two hours till she could no longer deny it and her patience had frayed in equal measure.

Trina Korolin seemed far too young and certainly lacked the experience for what she had volunteered to do, but if enthusiasm and commitment meant anything perhaps she could manage it. Ariel had put her in touch with Jonis Taprin and hoped for the best.

After that, she had spent the rest of her time dealing with panicked Aurorans and at least five attorneys who threatened suits on behalf of Terrans who had been injured or simply frightened senseless at Union Station. They could not sue Aurora -the diplomatic arrangements between Spacer worlds and Earth made it virtually impossible-but they could bring suit against resident Spacers who owned businesses. For the most part, they were only threats designed to elicit out-of-court payments. Ariel told them to go ahead and file, that she thought it likely that, once it was brought to the attention of certain government departments what they were doing, they could lose their licenses rather than risk countersuits by Aurorans. The conversations turned ugly in a couple instances, with one attorney telling her bluntly that he intended to press the suit anyway if there was any chance of getting the damn Spacers off Earth.

Her responses grew sharper and sharper until she finally told Hofton to stop putting the calls through. She could no longer concentrate on her job. Her attention was divided.

"Ariel," Hofton's voice came over the intercom, "I have recordings of the incident, as you requested. Two for now, a third one has been promised."

"I'll view them at my apartment later. Thank you, Hofton."

She stared into space, letting her thoughts collide randomly.

There had been gaps in the exchanges with Agent Sathen and Gale Chassik. She kept turning over in her mind what else they might have left out. Sathen had pointedly said nothing about the two agents who had come to see him after Mia's admission to the hospital. Chassik's implication of wrongdoing against Derec infuriated her. He had danced over the fact that it was a Solarian firm that had installed the RI at Union Station and that if any collusion were involved it would be between that company and the conspirators. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became that both Sathen and Chassik had made deliberate omissions, and in the case of Sathen, at least, unwilling omissions.

Ariel had never gotten used to the standard practice reticence diplomatic service entailed. Not being told things because it was "not your area " or was not part of her "need to know" irritated her to the point of fury, but she had come to accept it. This was different, though she could not quite define how. There was a distinction between covering one's butt as a matter of routine and covering up. She could sense the change even when it defied specification.

Perhaps her insight came only from the fact that Mia Daventri was hiding out in her apartment. It seemed curious that Special Service could pronounce her dead without a single tissue sample.

She stabbed the intercom.

"Hofton, I'm going home. Unless war breaks out before tomorrow morning, handle it."

"As you command," Hofton intoned with mock gravity.

"Don't be impertinent."

"Never."

In spite of her headache, Ariel smiled. She gathered up the disks of all the downloads Hofton had gotten for her and slipped them into her pocket.

She stepped into the lobby and raised her hand to gesture good-bye to her staff.

"Ariel," Hofton said, looking up from his desk, "you might want to take this call."

"I might?"

"I think so. It's Derec Avery from the Phylaxis Group."