The Radical Factor (Stone Blade Book 3) Page 26

  "Without him we'd still be searching in frustration," said Micah, "He was pivotal."

  "I shall inform him," said Orris, "It will please him greatly but he'll not show a jot of it."

  "Sirra Orris," said Kidwell, "You accept this as given. Why? I believe it is correct but despite everything we have no direct confirmation of it. Why believe so quickly?"

  "It is quite simple," said Orris, "I, we of the Unity, understand, perhaps as you do not, the importance of an ecclesiastical calendar. I said previously that for day-to-day business, trade and shipping schedules and official government matters we use a modified Jeffries calendar. I do believe you of the League developed it?"

  "Jeffries and LINC-absolute chronometric," said Ferrel, "A group of standards born of necessity and theory. They were designed well after the League officially formed and its early members discovered the difficulty of synchronizing and coordinating things, even with LINC communication.

  "The Jeffries year was designed to be longer than the year of any theoretically inhabitable planet and for the most part it is. The other annual standards are written to allow flexibility in the j-year versus local. It's meant to be adapted as needed and designed to fit itself to local conditions instead of trying to force local time to fit, say, Imperial standards."

  "You would know that," said Kidwell.

  "Trust me, dear," grinned Ferrel, "When proper astrogation and link coordination depends on hour- or even minute-accurate timing you find the motivation to learn all that is knowable about it."

  "Exactly so," said Orris, "Our Unity Common calendar is an excellent example, both of the Jeffries flexibility and its intended use. It is convenient for mundane things yet still we hold dear our Old Calendar because it pertains to our faith and desire to obey the Great Father."

  "But the Esavian calendar isn't even close to interstellar," said Kidwell, "According to what Micah said and what I found, Aivool says nothing about the stars or planets or any other such thing. It only mentions hours and days and hints about how they all fit together."

  "Think Esavian, doshai," said Siffai, "They do not use interstellar standards because they care nothing for them. Less so than a grain of rock lodged between their toes. Their calendar is sacred of Dhu and Dhu makes up their entire universe."

  "She speaks truly," said Adara, "Did any of you even know of the existence of the Old Calendar when first you came here?" When the others shook their heads she nodded. "Exactly so. It is so much a part of our lives from the time we are young that we simply assume all others know it and we do not speak of it. Could not the Esavians think similarly?"

  "Stated that way it is reasonable," said Kidwell.

  "Then consider this as well. There are congregations in the Unity of Triumph who, even now, use nothing but the Old Calendar. They do not quite call blasphemy on the common but I dare say more than a few wish to."

  "Jilli..."

  "Peace, Joshua. I speak no ill of them! They cleave to the Old Calendar, they use it to order their lives and that is simply the way they are. Did you try to change their minds you would fail, and did you succeed they would lose their identity and shrivel to nothingness."

  Orris nodded. "You speak wisdom, sister." Then to the others, "How will this help us prevent the Esavians from attacking, my friends?"

  Ionoski looked at Kidwell who looked at Siffai who looked at Ferrel who looked at Micah.

  "We, ahh... We don't know," he said, "Yet! But no amount of detail is sufficient and no amount of knowledge is ever truly wasted."

  ***

  Midmorning the next day Ionoski called a meeting.

  "I've been doing some planning. It's time we investigate the Mekhajan agents stationed on Esavian planets."

  Micah, Ferrel and Kidwell exchanged looks. What did he think they'd been doing?!

  "I mean active steps," continued Ionoski, "We'll start on Barrhi Esav."

  "Slib," said Kidwell, "What's the op?"

  "We go in as Mekhajan traders. While the rest of you have been breaking and reassembling data my apprentice on Mek-Bellos has done quite well, business-wise. Understandable since I'm giving him a good commission but also quite useful. My ship arrived and I had her modified into something close to a bally boat."

  Micah smiled at that. Though far short of full contingency ships, bally boats concealed many useful things far in excess of ordinary legality!

  "If anyone other than an Esavian checks," continued Ionoski, "and more than one will, we will appear to be Jengiil impersonating Mekhajan. Mining ships refitted to traders are commonplace, especially when we give the impression we're working toward a better one."

  "What will we trade," asked Micah.

  "Wine," said Ionoski, "A very special vintage they can't get anywhere else."

  "It sounds polar," said Ferrel, "but what's to keep the Esavians from chopping us into soya?"

  "During my time away from my business, Charles, I educated myself on the subtleties of trade with the Esavians. It is amazing what secrets a gentle application of Jengiil-style bribery will unlock.

  "Besides the list of ceremonies Esavians observe I acquired documents classifying each as 'public,' 'private' or 'avoid at all cost.' We shall do so with the utmost propriety. We also overlooked one major wager in our time on Allhai-Mik, Charles."

  "Howso?"

  "Blip traffic. We neglected to monitor any blip frequencies."

  "Because Esavians don't use them," said Ferrel, "I doubt they could spell it!"

  "Truth," said Ionoski, "but the implication there is that they won't monitor them either which leaves plenty of airwaves for... other activities. We might even be able to trace a few."

  Micah, Ferrel and Kidwell winced at that! Capturing blips was easy, cracking them somewhat less so but tracing the things was a quarter-sigma short of impossible.

  Later that afternoon a spiffed and full-formal Micah accompanied Ionoski to a very special meeting. How Ionoski arranged it on such short notice Micah did not know but that he did came as no surprise once he detailed parts of his plan. First of the Circle Quincy Maas and his cousin Trevor both stood to greet them.

  "Peace be upon you and yours," said Quincy, "in the name of the Great Father, and fair winds favor your back. Your request, Master Theodore, came as no small surprise."

  Ionoski smiled. "Then I shan't bandy words. I appreciate that the two of you were able to meet on such short notice and I am grateful both for myself and on behalf of the League. In short, we need vinostim. Sixty casks at least and eighty-five if it is possible."

  Both Maas struggled to contain their surprise.

  "That is... a sinful commodity," said Quincy, "Especially in such quantity."

  "I assure you," said Ionoski, "I do not intend to drink it myself! We also require the use of a winery to bottle and package it. Neither bottle nor package must contain aught of the Unity of Triumph, and when we are done the winery must be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized. We will be adding... something... to the wine and it must not escape. On behalf of the League we will pay a premium both for the wine and for the haste. We will also pay the workers' wages and bonus in addition to whatever you choose to compensate them."

  The cousins whispered a moment then Quincy spoke.

  "If it is possible it will be done. If not we will find a mutually agreeable alternative."

  "Excellent," said Ionoski, "Finally, the League may, and this is by no means certain, have a future interest in purchasing vinostim from Dawn's Hope." He held up a hand to forestall the response. "I realize past attempts have failed, but Dawn's Hope may have the proper environmental conditions for a particular taste conducive to what we need. If so then it would represent something best kept away from general consumption. The League will buy all that can be produced and will help pay for the development of it."

  This time both cousins nodded quickly.

  "I shall see to it personally," said Trevor, "When you are ready for full development and production it will be there."

>   "As a matter of curiosity," said Quincy, "what exactly is the purpose of this production? I will vouch for Trevor if that is a concern."

  "Thank you, First Maas," said Ionoski, "It is something best kept close, though certainly not secret. There is a faction among the Jengiil who claim good trade with the Brotherhood of Tharq. We believe this wine may be of tradeworthy interest to them.

  "Perhaps by cultivating trade with those Jengiil we can develop it with the Tharqi. I realize it is a low-sigma chance, but an alliance with the Brotherhood can only strengthen us against the Esavians and... other enemies."

  Quincy nodded. He knew Ionoski meant the Consortium.

  "But wait, Master Theodore," said Trevor, "The Tharqi do not welcome trade with anyone outside themselves, even we know that!"

  "You are correct, Master Maas," smiled Ionoski, "but you must also know that we in the League can be very patient at need. Most especially when the result is this favorable. You must also know we will gladly share with our allies, should such a thing happen."

  ***

  "Clever," said Micah as they rode back to the legation.

  "The entire Maas family are traders," said Ionoski, "With the exception of Quincy and he still has connections."

  "They'll trade the information."

  "To best advantage for the Unity and for themselves. Yes. Orris and his sister will keep them in check and they will keep their own mouths shut. They realize the Esavian threat it might call down upon them." Ionoski paused. "Does it bother you the way we use our allies?"

  "Not when I consider the alternatives."

  They rode the rest of the way in silence.

  ***

  "You want me to what?!" Davies looked at Ionoski in disbelief.

  "I want you to begin preparations for culturing casks of vinostim with the Mekhajan bacterium," repeated Ionoski, "Sixty to eighty-five casks. You can introduce the agent into the casks or into the bottles. Your choice. Based on your results so far it will be ready when we need it. Afterward you must remove all traces from the facility used to bottle the 'stim. The locals will cooperate fully."

  "Flames! Do I actually have any time to make preparations?"

  "Until I receive the call that the vinostim is ready," said Ionoski, "That probably won't be too long now."

  Davies nodded, rose and headed for his lab muttering.

  "Micah. We shall soon again need to become the crew for a trading ship and we will need a pilot. Perhaps some sim time is in order?"

  Chapter 13. Counterfeit Wine

  Micah found driving the XMA-22105, now the XMA-22015-t even less enjoyable than the Nerissa. Though the League techs aboard the contingency ship had indeed refitted her she still had no zip. Fortunately the contingency ship had a simulator and once the techs reconfigured it Micah took it over and practiced.

  Ferrel also spent a great deal of time aboard the Intelligence vessel. He flatly refused to divulge any details of his project but from the gleam in his eye Micah knew its eventual revelation would cost at least a week's worth of fine meals. With dessert!

  Barrhi Esav grew in Micah's hud. They shot him a wire as soon as he requested it and verified their Mekhajan credentials without ado. He guided the ship down a graceful and speed-killing spiral and landed a little hard, but well within safety margins. GC berthed them within thirty minutes and Ionoski left to take care of the details. He went alone, which bothered Micah, but at least he carried a concealed holocaster with emergency-blip capability.

  When Ionoski returned an hour later Micah knew from his smile that things went well.

  "Bloody well, no blather," confirmed Ionoski, "If any of you had doubts about the Mekhajan-Esavian link you owe me some metal! The portmaster asked if I knew anyone from three different families, showed sadness when I didn't and certified the landing and inspection without turning a hair. He also invited me and any of you interested in attending to the Festival of Cleansing next week."

  "And our cargo?"

  "He regretted the lateness of the hour over excellent khav. He hastened to assure me that we would have more khav along with a dozen or so merchants tomorrow morning."

  "I checked the other ships here while you were gone," said Ferrel, "Non-intrusively! Two are Jengiil, two more are independents from ports unknown and the fifth is a Vezieri courier. A courier!"

  "Busy port," said Siffai sarcastically.

  "Truth," said Ferrel, "Better for us, though. More ships means a greater likelihood of blips, the which we can capture if not trace. Yet. Ted, do you need me tonight?"

  "No."

  "Polar. In that case I have some maps and charts to explore." Then, grumbling loud enough for everyone to hear. "Ruddy actual work. Again!"

  Micah sat alone in the lounge and read the Lan'Quor again. This time he skipped the natural order and read according to altar and day. There he found the pattern they missed before! The topics stayed consistent and the disjointed mess vanished.

  As he read Micah gained equal measures of appreciation, amazement and disgust. Appreciation of the effort it took to write the book without computers and their advantages. Amazement at the degree of consistency and organization present now that he knew the secret. Disgust at the rituals and requirements, and also the treatment of non-Esavians. Both disgust and amazement at the pain, scarring and outright brutality Dhu inflicted upon his followers. He also saw how easily different sects could form. Although the text laid out many things explicitly, it still left ample room for interpretation in others.

  On the subject of fighting, Dhu had a great deal to say. He encouraged fighting among his followers but only at certain times and with proper rituals. The form of combat reminded Micah of a formal duel, though each side might have many participants. Each side must needs respect the others as brothers in Dhu at all times and so honor the fallen, no matter their sect or side in the fight.

  On the infidel Dhu didn't consider any fight or battle as worthy combat. Infidels received less honor than scavengers or rotgrubs. Killing them was both an honor and a requirement, even though Dhu accorded it the significance of exterminating vermin. He did warn against cannibalizing them: such action would dishonor and desecrate both the consumer and Dhu. Micah knew he'd have troubling dreams over that!

  Dhu's view on wine wrenched Micah's mind away from its previous bent. Although prepared and fermented in darkness, Dhu didn't consider it unclean. Instead it served a function in every single ritual and festival. Wise ones drank it in order to relax before seeking Dhu's guidance and wisdom on their paths. Male children drank it to celebrate and signify their passage into manhood. Warriors drank it when dedicating themselves to battle, whether against brother or infidel.

  Although he did condone its use in his name, Dhu cautioned against overindulgence or abuse of it. Proper use brought the drinker closer to Dhu while overuse or abuse constituted sacrilege and blasphemy.

  When that thread degenerated into punishments for things no sane person would consider a crime Micah stopped for the evening. At worst, he decided, the Mekhajan didn't need to use the Esavians to commit atrocities. They only needed to nudge them slightly in the right direction.

  ***

  The HRAT around Micah ablated to nothing and his first 'chute deployed. His usual look around revealed nothing so he waited to land. The light of the planet's moons on the wispy and infrequent clouds made them look like eyes; eyes that watched Micah as he descended. Eyes that focused on him and him only. Unnerving but he had a job to do. Now even the stars seemed to gather in pairs only to look at him, to stare at him. With considerable effort he thrust that out of his mind and concentrated on landing. He sent out his locator automatically, and just as automatically made note of the return signals. At least that boded well: BJ Tyler and Khamir landed closest. They rendezvoused and vectored their paths to meet up with Captain Larruk.

  Micah twitched uncomfortably. Something felt wrong, terribly wrong, but he had no time for it now. He popped a Flame to clear his mind and he focused
on his target. The infidels here had a very strong orbital defense point and a frontal assault, even with remote bombardment, would waste too many lives. The soldiers kept their wives and whelps in a town nearby, though, and would rush to their defense. Fools! That would weaken the installation to the point where his brothers in Dhu could come in and finish the job, glory to Dhu!

  Micah sat straight up in his bed. He knew the dreams would come and now he worked to shake off the last vestiges of them. The eyes knew he knew that, knew he'd left that part of himself behind, yet still they lingered a few minutes after the dream vanished. Micah dimmed his light and sat comfortably to meditate.

  ***

  The next day a man from the portmaster's office delivered hood-caps and veils, all of a dark shade of blue.

  "This will announce to all that, although you are infidel, you are due courtesy and consideration. Enter no place without invitation and wear no blade. If challenged, take a knee and lower your eyes. May Dhu have pity upon you."

  Ferrel wasted no time prodding Micah into a trip into town. Bharrivert touched the port but didn't completely surround it. A small strip between the starport and the town proper held such outsider trading facilities as Bharri Esav allowed, most of which Micah recognized as Mekhajan. When he and Ferrel passed within social distance they stopped to discuss things with the shop owners. They came prepared for this! Micah and his cousin hailed from the far side of Mekhajan space. Yes, they intermixed with non-Mekhajan, profit upon them and no, they were not related to... As best Micah could tell they made no major faux pas.

  Not far into the town itself they stopped for khav. When Micah paid in mekkas the merchant gave fair change along with a mild insult. Micah grinned and returned one and the man laughed and bade them return soon. By the time they finished - Ferrel wanted to ask the man for his recipe but didn't - other vendors and even ordinary folk on the streets waved and spoke greetings. Micah and Ferrel smiled and waved, and did so even more jovially when the rare friendly insult flew their way. The overall mood of the people around them felt comfortable, both with them and toward them.