Paltronis paced the narrow cell. The old-fashioned bars mocked her, closing her off from her dreams. The whole fight was stupid, she could admit that, but the satisfaction of beating the smirk from the faces of Jevis and his friends almost made it worthwhile. Almost, if Commander Haywarth didn't kick her out of the Academy. She rubbed the sleeves of her cadet uniform. The fight with Jevis was her fifth in the last two months, enough to land her behind bars. Or maybe it was the number of broken bones she'd left behind this time.
Paltronis kicked the bars in frustration. The resulting pain only soured her mood further.
The outer door clanked open. The warden stepped in, giving her a cold stare. "You have a visitor. Be civil, if you have any sense at all." He moved aside, letting the visitor pass. "Last warning," he said as he left the cell block.
The man stopped just outside the bars of her cell, studying her with dark eyes. His face was a mask, giving nothing away.
She planted her feet, crossing her arms over her chest. She couldn't help the belligerent set of her chin. The man's black uniform and insignia scared her. An officer of the Enforcers meant she was fast descending into dangerous territory involving criminal charges, not just expulsion.
He stood motionless, just watching.
Paltronis fidgeted, waiting for him to speak. Nervous twitches crawled across her skin. The man was tall, looming over her short, stocky frame without even trying. She looked away, unable to hold his stare.
"Did they send you to press charges or just to scare me?" His face could have been used for recruitment posters, except it was too cold, like stone. "I know the Commander won't believe me, but Jevis had it coming. He and his friends are running a gambling ring and stealing from the other cadets."
His impassive expression didn't change.
"What do you want me to say? I'm sorry? Because I'm not."
The man's lip twitched.
"And the other fights? They had it coming, too." She shifted her weight. "Well? Just tell me how much trouble I'm in."
His relaxed stance didn't mesh. Maybe he wasn't there to punish her. And maybe space was full of happy little fishies singing happy little songs. She studied him through the bars, trying to guess his motives.
Silence stretched in the cell block. Paltronis fidgeted with her sleeves, wishing he'd say something. He wasn't much older than she was, much too young to be an officer, which meant he either came from lots of old money or he was very, very good. She couldn't guess which. He was impossible to read.
He extracted a mem sheet from his pocket, passing it through the bars.
Paltronis pinched the lower corner to activate it. She frowned, expecting legal documents. She stared at the page in confusion. "Floor plans?"
"If you were to assassinate someone in that building, how would you do it?" His voice was deep, smooth and as emotionless as his face.
"I'm not an assassin." She snapped the mem sheet closed, shoving it back through the bars.
"You scored very high in tactics. Prove it." He didn't take the mem sheet.
She watched his face as she opened the paper again. "You're trying to prevent the attack."
He nodded.
She scrolled through the images.
"She's speaking in the main hall, then hosting a reception in the gallery on the second floor."
"The target's a woman?" Paltronis glanced up. "Do they want her to die publicly? Do they care about collateral damage? Messy or clean? What motivation do they have to kill her?"
"She's a politician, very outspoken, popular with the people in her area, but not with those in power. She's made enemies."
Paltronis enlarged the map of the main entrance hall of the building. "If they want public, I'd slip a sniper into the ceiling here and shoot her in the middle of her speech. Or plant explosives in the podium if I don't care about killing the people near her."
"How? There are guards on every entrance, everyone is screened. No weapons can get inside except for the Patrol and every one of them has been vetted."
"They can still be bought. But for this, I'd suspect someone with a grudge. Paid assassins wouldn't risk this venue. Too easy to be trapped afterwards. What about rooftop or underground deliveries? Caterers? Janitors? Maintenance? A big event involves more people than normal." She turned the page sideways, studying the electrical grid under the main hall. "An electrical surge through the sound system could kill someone, if they were holding the microphone. But it wouldn't be a guaranteed kill. No, probably not an option here." She shook her head, her short blond hair shifting.
"I hadn't considered that." The man crossed his arms, tapping one finger on his sleeve.
"If they just want her dead, they'll probably strike during the reception. I assume they're serving refreshments. A guest or a server could easily slip poison into a drink."
He shook his head. "She doesn't drink during public events, or eat. It's a well-known fact she's deathly allergic to certain foods. It would be too easy to slip something into her food in a public venue, even on accident."
"Handshake? Skin contact poison?"
He shook his head again. "She's careful not to get too close to her adoring public. Or her enemies."
Paltronis scrolled through the floorplans, studying every angle, noting the position of the guards and security cameras. "What about using a restroom? Or doesn't she do that in public places? It's the only weakness I can see."
"They're covered. Cameras and security checkpoints."
"Not this one, the small one near the back. No cameras cover the door because of this pillar. And the air vents lead directly to the roof of the loading dock. The main air vent is large enough for a person to slip into. You couldn't climb into the room, but you could shoot into it through the vent. She'd be dead before you knew there was a problem." She tapped the mem sheet, enlarging the view of the small restroom. "You also have this—maintenance access leading into other areas that aren't monitored. That room is your weak point." She snapped the mem sheet closed then pushed it through the bars. "If I were an assassin, she'd be dead and you wouldn't be able to stop me until it was too late. You'd probably catch me, though, so I wouldn't risk it for money. If I were an assassin. Which I'm not."
"No, you're a troublesome cadet facing criminal charges and fines." He folded the mem sheet, then slipped it into his pocket. "A very promising cadet with less than three months left in the Academy, until you chose to throw it away by maiming five other cadets in a fight. I'm impressed by the amount of damage you left behind."
She wrapped her arms around her torso, a weak protection at best. "Why all the assassination talk, if you're here to arrest me?"
His lip twitched into a very small smile. "I'm not here to arrest you, I'm here to offer you another option. Help me stop the assassination, and the charges against you will disappear."
"What about my classes?"
"Finishing at the Academy is no longer an option, no matter what you choose. Take my offer and you'll be given rank with the Enforcers. Refuse it and you'd better enjoy the view behind bars. If you live up to your potential, you'll be a brilliant tactician. You've already proven your hand combat skills."
She hesitated. "There's only one branch of the Enforcers that work undercover. If I ask you your name, will I get the truth?"
"I'm not working undercover. And yes, you would get the truth. This time."
"I'm not good at pretending."
"You won't need to be."
"And what if I fail? What if I screw this up?"
"We'll let Commander Lowell figure it out. I take it you're accepting my offer?"
She nodded, her stomach in knots.
"Welcome to the Enforcers, Ensign Paltronis. Since I'm not big on formality, you can call me Tayvis." He signaled the warden. "Your enlistment papers are waiting for your signature."
The cell door opened, metal clanking as the locks released. Paltronis stepped out. He was taller up close. She barely reached his shoulder.
"I've got a flitter out front. You have ten minutes." He turned.
"It wasn't a hypothetical exercise?"
He glanced over his shoulder. "It's real and it's happening tonight. You're going to be Representative Sila Nurai's new best friend." He strode from the cell block, impressive in his black uniform.
Paltronis flexed her fists. This wasn't the future she'd imagined. But neither was rotting in prison. She followed Tayvis.
* * *
Paltronis plucked the blue swirls on her skirt. "How am I supposed to do anything in this outfit? I feel almost naked."
Tayvis didn't look up from his plans. "You look very nice. Except for the blaster. You'll have to leave that here."
Paltronis pulled the blaster from the skirt's waistband, checking the safety before dropping it to the table. "How am I supposed to protect Sila Nurai without weapons?"
Tayvis jotted a note on the floorplan. "I doubt you left all your weapons at the door. How many knives did you manage to hide?"
"Just four. This dress itches. And these shoes are killing my feet."
"You'd be too obvious in uniform. You're Sila's friend, remember? You go everywhere she goes."
"I met her bodyguards, Tayvis. They follow her everywhere. They're good, too."
"But not as good as you are. And not female. You can follow her into the restrooms without anyone batting an eye." A grin twitched the corner of his mouth. "Unless you insist on sticking a blast rifle in your skirt again."
"I feel like a clown in this makeup."
"The building is as secure as I can make it. Everyone's in place, except for you. Time to meet your new friend." He gestured to the door. "Don't let her get under your skin. Just stick close and keep your eyes open for any trouble."
"Yes, sir." Paltronis flicked a salute before marching through the door into the public area of the building.
Sila Nurai, tall and elegant in green silk, waited with her bodyguards. Her eyes swept over Paltronis, dismissing her with a disdainful sniff. "You're the best the Patrol could find? Whoever chose that outfit should be shot. It's all wrong for you. At least it won't clash." She strode from the room, her dress hugging her slender curves.
Paltronis clenched her jaw on the comment she wanted to make. She stumped after the representative, too self-aware of her own shortcomings. She wasn't tall, thin, or elegant. But she could disable both bodyguards in three moves. The weight of her hidden knives against her thighs reassured her. She'd do this job, show Tayvis she wasn't a total screw-up. She didn't want to contemplate spending the next few years in prison.
Sila's entire demeanor changed as she stepped into the main hall. She greeted her supporters with a warm smile as she took her place on the stand near the podium.
Paltronis stuck to Sila's heels, detesting the bright lights. She'd rather wait in the shadows. She scanned the audience, squinting into the lights.
"Keep it calm, Paltronis," Tayvis' voice whispered in her earpiece. "Remember, you're her friend. I've got a dozen eyes on the crowd."
Paltronis pasted a smile on her face as she followed Sila across the temporary stage.
Sila swept a quick glare over her shoulder, her smile never wavering. "Don't crowd me. You're giving people the wrong impression."
"I'm here to keep you safe and I will do my job."
Sila turned her back, greeting the local dignitary hosting the event. She didn't bother introducing Paltronis.
Paltronis stood behind Sila through the speeches and cheering without listening to a single word. She focused on the crowd, watching the eddying swirls of people as best she could through the glaring lights. Status reports from the other Patrol agents whispered in her ear.
The last speech ended with another handshake and a loud cheer. The dignitary escorted Sila from the platform. Paltronis stalked at her heels, following them into the reception lounge. Guards at the doors checked invitations before allowing anyone through.
Sila planted herself in the center of the room, where everyone would see her. Paltronis stood behind her, like a shadow.
"You do not need to stand behind me and glower," Sila said. "Go mingle, get a drink. You can watch me from a distance."
"I have my orders."
"And I wish my privacy." Sila turned to face Paltronis. Her smile never faded, though her tone snapped. "This is invitation only. The guest list was approved by your commander. You do not need to eavesdrop on my conversations."
Paltronis moved back three paces.
Sila stepped forward to greet her friends, putting more distance between them.
Paltronis shuffled forward, her gaze scanning the people gathering in the room. Servers moved through the crowd, offering drinks and refreshments.
"Don't lose sight of her, Paltronis. Stick close." Tayvis' voice whispered in her ear.
Paltronis tapped the earpiece. "She ordered me away, didn't want me listening in. How many people are supposed to be at the reception?"
"Too many, the crowd will be thick. Stay as close as you can."
"Yes, sir." Paltronis edged closer to Sila.
"Excuse me a moment, please." Sila smiled at the group gathered around her. She took Paltronis by the elbow. "Didn't you hear me? I wish privacy. I am safe in this room, among my friends. If there was a threat, it was out there." She stabbed a perfectly manicured nail in the direction of the main hall. "If you are trying to overhear my conversation, I will sue you and the Patrol for infringement of privacy. Do you understand?"
"Yes, ma'am. But I'm charged with your safety. I'm here to protect you. If you refuse to let me close to you, I can't do that."
Sila's eyes swept over Paltronis. "Then I'm not impressed with the quality of protection the Patrol gives. Keep your distance."
"Yes, ma'am." Paltronis took three deliberate paces to one side.
Sila shot her an irritated look. She smiled at her friends, moving away.
Paltronis shadowed her, keeping the same distance. The crowds of people eddied in between. Paltronis edged closer.
Sila buried herself in the crowd, letting the group sweep her to the far side of the room. Her laughter trailed behind.
"Paltronis, stay with her."
"I'm trying, Tayvis."
A server stepped in front of her, blocking her view as he offered her a drink. Paltronis waved him off with an impatient gesture. She scanned the room, searching for the green silk dress.
She caught a single glimpse as Sila Nurai slipped behind the pillar, headed for the tiny bathroom. Her bodyguards settled on either side of the door. Paltronis barged through the crowd, pushing her way behind the pillar.
The bodyguards blocked her way.
Paltronis smiled, all teeth. "You know who I am and you know why I'm here. Move."
"We have our orders, and the Patrol doesn't give them. Representative Nurai wishes a moment of privacy."
"In the one room we can't guard. That's why I'm here. Or did she neglect to mention that she's received death threats?" Paltronis shifted her feet. One more second and she'd disable them both. "No cameras, no way to monitor inside the room, but it has access to the loading dock roof and the maintenance tunnels. Either you let me pass, or I'll go through you both."
The guard gave her a patronizing smile. "Look, miss, just go enjoy the party."
Paltronis twisted his thumb. He dropped to his knees, whimpering in pain.
"I can break it, and your face if that will help." Paltronis twisted a little more. "I just want to step inside and make sure Representative Nurai is safe. That's my job and I'm going to do it."
The guard nodded agreement. She let go of his thumb. The other guard turned his gaze to the crowd, ignoring Paltronis.
She pushed open the door to the tiny restroom, slipping inside. It had been remodeled since the floorplans were drawn. The space was divided in two, one half holding an upholstered chair and the sink, the other space behind a thin door. Paltronis moved forward, looking for Sila.
She caught a blur of motion behind her. Something hard and heavy clubbed her across the temple. She collapsed to the carpet. Dark shoes stepped into her line of sight. Another blow to her head sent her reeling into darkness.
* * *
"Paltronis?" Someone touched the back of her head.
She winced.
"She'll live, but she's got quite the concussion." A cold clinical voice spoke above her. "Looks like they jumped her from behind. I recommend sending her to the infirmary for at least a few days."
"Just give her an ice pack for now. I need to talk to her."
"She's awake." The cold voice rose, as if the speaker were standing.
Paltronis groaned, opening her eyes. The tiny room was full of Patrol officers.
"Is she dead?" Paltronis asked.
Tayvis helped her sit. He pressed a cold pack against the back of her head. "You'll want to hold that there for a while. Tell me what happened."
"Is she dead? Did I fail?"
"Only partly. We didn't find a body. Sila Nurai is gone. Someone picked the locks on the maintenance doors. We don't know which direction they took her."
She searched his face for disapproval, but found only his stone mask. "She wanted her privacy. I warned her. I had to threaten her guards to get inside. Someone hid behind the door and clubbed me when I came through. They were waiting for her. Am I going to prison now?"
Tayvis shook his head. "You're reporting to the infirmary. We'll track her down."
"It was my mistake, sir. I should be the one looking for her." Paltronis rose to her feet. Her head spun.
Tayvis caught her elbow, dropping her into the chair. "I knew you were stubborn, but the reports said nothing about stupid. Sit down before you fall down."
"Sir, I'm fine."
"Do I have to make it an order? Stay in that chair and be quiet, Ensign."
Paltronis snapped her mouth shut. She pressed the cold pack against her head. It dulled the throbbing. She closed her eyes, listening as Tayvis' men reported to him.
"The room's clean. We found nothing. Traces lead both directions. No way to tell which way they took her. We locked the building down but we were too late. She's gone. We didn't find any blood. Except the Ensign's."
Paltronis ignored the jibe. She frowned. Something didn't quite fit. Black shoes? Why did they bother her? A woman's black shoes.
"Sir? We've got a ransom call. Patching it through to your com."
The feeling in the room changed, everyone freezing in place. Tayvis tapped his com, answering the call.
A gravelly voice filled the tiny room. "I know you're listening, Patrol. You've got one day to pay twenty thousand credits. Search all you want, but if you don't pay, you'll only find her body. You'll find instructions on the last page of the Representative's speech. She left it on the podium."
Tayvis muttered under his breath before snapping orders. "Go search that podium, look for fingerprints, anything we can use to track these people." His hand dropped to Paltronis' shoulder. "Go report to the infirmary. You did your best."
"No, sir, I didn't. If I'd done my best, Sila Nurai would still be here."
"Paltronis, I'm not blaming you. They were professional, beyond your experience. They planted a ransom note under our noses."
"I saw a pair of shoes, woman's shoes, after they hit me the first time. Something isn't right, sir. I think I remember hearing Sila say something, too. I couldn't make out words, but she didn't sound scared."
"Are you certain?" His eyes were cold behind his usual mask. "Don't try to cover your mistake, Ensign."
"I'm not. You charged me with her safety and I failed. But I know what I saw and heard." Paltronis dropped the ice pack in her lap. "Send me to prison, but it won't change my story."
Tayvis studied her in silence.
She closed her eyes, wishing her head would quit hurting. She'd been given one last chance and she'd failed. Maybe prison wouldn't be too bad.
"What did she say?"
"Something about Calum. I have no idea who or what that might be."
"And you are certain you saw her shoes?"
"No, I'm not. I didn't note what shoes Sila wore, but someone in woman's dress shoes walked in front of me as I lay on the floor. Black pumps."
Tayvis crouched in front of the chair, studying her face for a long moment. The other Patrol cleared the room, leaving the two of them alone.
“I know what I saw, sir.”
“Why would she orchestrate her own kidnapping?”
“So she could get the sympathy vote.” The pain in her head made her voice sharp. She winced as she replaced the ice pack.
“You’re officially off duty, Ensign, as of this moment.”
“And unofficially? It was my fault she got away with it.”
“Report to the infirmary. If you aren’t there when I come looking for you, you’d better keep running as a deserter. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
* * *
Paltronis paced in the room despite the medic’s attempts to get her to lie down and rest. Her head pounded, but she couldn’t stop picking at the problem. She’d been charged with the woman’s safety. It was her fault the woman was gone. She knew the bathroom had been their weak spot. Why hadn’t Tayvis covered it?
Was he involved in the plot? She paused in her pacing.
“This is not what you’re supposed to be doing, Ensign.” Tayvis stood in the door of her room. “Do I have to order the medic to drug you?”
“What good will I be if I’m unconscious?”
“About as much as you are with a concussion.” Tayvis stepped into the room, letting the door swing closed behind him. “We’re officially off the case. The planetary police pulled jurisdiction.”
Paltronis dropped her head. He was going to send her back to prison. She’d screwed up her last chance.
“Lowell wants us to stay. Consider yourself reprimanded.” He sank into the chair in her room.
Paltronis studied him for a long moment. “That wasn’t much of a reprimand.”
He closed his eyes. “Lowell also told me if I didn’t find out what happened to Sila, I’d learn what a real reprimand felt like.”
She eyed the commander’s clusters on his collar. “I didn’t think people of your rank ever got reprimanded.”
His lip twitched into a brief grin. His eyes stayed closed. “You don’t want Lowell reprimanding you. Ever. Just a word of advice.”
Paltronis settled on the bed. Tayvis didn’t look like he was going anywhere for a while. “How long have you worked for him?”
“Long enough.”
“Why are you talking with me this way?”
Tayvis opened one eye. “You’re my new recruit. The rest of the Patrol are assigned to the base here. You’re leaving with me when we’re through.”
“Through with what?”
“Finding Representative Nurai. But since we’re off the case, starting tomorrow, I’m on vacation for two weeks.”
“And me?”
“You’re on probation. I think the paperwork says you’re my personal aide.” He slouched lower, stretching out his legs. “Get some sleep, if you can. If anyone asks, I’m making sure you don’t run away.”
“This is the strangest assignment I’ve ever heard of. You don’t act like an officer.”
He closed his eyes.
Paltronis eased back onto the bed. She watched Tayvis until she fell asleep. He never moved.
* * *
“What are we doing?” Paltronis leaned on the rock wall. The city spread far below them. A breeze teased her hair.
“Sightseeing. We’re both on vacation, remember?”
She gave him a sidelong glance. He looked good in casual clothes. She felt uncomfortable in hers. She preferred her uniform, but it would have been too noticeable.
The other group of sightseers moved off the platform, back to the tramway. The two of them stood alone on the isolated peak.
Tayvis met her look. She dropped her gaze back to the city, trying hard to ignore the heat in her cheeks.
“We’re still on duty,” he said. “I know I promised no undercover work. But you’ll have to pretend until we either find Sila Nurai or Lowell sends you somewhere else.”
She took a deep breath. “I’ve been trying to remember what I saw and heard.”
“I’ve got some inquiries out. You and I aren’t the only members of Lowell’s team here. Just the most visible ones. Sila’s biggest political rival is Calum Freligh. He’s the one most likely to keep her from landing a seat on the planetary council.”
“Why are we involved in this, Tayvis? It’s planetary politics. The Patrol has no jurisdiction.”
“Unless they invite us in. Sila wants to discredit the Patrol, prove we’re incompetent. With the Academy here, the Patrol has a fairly large presence.” He pointed to the Academy and Patrol grounds, hazy in the distance. “Prime real estate. If she can push the Patrol and Academy back to a minor presence, she gains a huge political bonus. The Patrol doesn’t vote and they don’t pay taxes, not like a business would. Lowell suspects she’s trying to push the Academy offworld and the Patrol base to a station in far orbit. Either she set us up and planned her own kidnapping, or she’s involved in something deeper. I don’t have to warn you not to breathe a word of this, do I?”
“No, sir.”
They lapsed into a silence filled with birds fighting in the bushes just below the platform.
“What are we doing up here, sir?”
“Sightseeing, as I said earlier. Calum Freligh’s mansion has a lot of traffic, considering he isn’t in residence. He’s at the capitol all month.” He watched a flitter pass over the wide-spaced grounds of the rich section of the city. “What’s really bothering you, Paltronis?”
“Why didn’t you have someone watching the vent into the bathroom? Why didn’t you seal up the maintenance hall?”
“I did.” He let the statement hang in the air.
It took her a minute to work through the implications. “Someone in the Patrol is involved?”
“Up to their necks. I’ve got no idea who yet.”
“Why? What reason would they have to push the Patrol out? Havors needs their presence. It’s a messy system and it’s on three major trade routes. The Patrol holds jurisdiction for everything in the system except the planet itself. It keeps the area safe.”
“That’s your civics course talking. The Patrol brings in people from all over the quadrant and beyond. The Patrol answers to the Emperor, not the local system government. Havors is after more independence from the Sector government, but with the Patrol here, they can’t push too hard. They get the Academy relocated to a different system, and the objections fade away.” He shifted his position, putting his back to the view.
“I still don’t understand why.”
“Lowell has someone else working on the why. Our job is to find Sila.”
“We can beat the answers out of her.”
He shook his head. “No, we return her to her home and act very concerned for her safety. Someone else will find the answers. You really aren’t very good at this, are you?”
“I prefer problems I can fight.”
The tram rolled into the station, saving her from his reply. The doors slid open, releasing a group of chattering tourists.
Tayvis sauntered towards the tram, taking his time. It wouldn’t leave for another fifteen minutes. Paltronis trailed behind him. He browsed through a rack of brochures splashed with colorful pictures of the port city.
“What looks interesting to you, dear?” He glanced over at Paltronis. “A tour of the museums or historic architecture? Or perhaps the botanical gardens?”
Paltronis flushed. Dear? Right, they were pretending. Out of uniform, they had to explain being together somehow. She shrugged.
Tayvis traded brochures. “Homes of the rich and famous sounds fun. We still have time to catch the early afternoon bus.” He slid the paper into his pocket.
They took a seat on the tram. It glided leisurely down the mountain.
Paltronis suffered through the tour, doing her best to stay focused.
Tayvis nudged her as the bus crept past a gated area with several large mansions beyond. “Security? That’s Calum’s.”
She leaned closer to the window. “Cameras and sensors, no guards that I can see.”
Tayvis leaned back in his seat, by all appearances fascinated by the lawn sculptures of the house they circled.
Paltronis twisted in her seat, studying the neighborhood around the suspect mansion. It was surrounded by a high wall and shaded by thick trees and hedges. The bus crawled through the area, climbing a low hill. Paltronis smiled. One section of fence on the back side was overgrown by trees on both sides. It could provide a way in.
The bus stopped at the top of the hill in a small, private park. They climbed off with the other tourists to enjoy rubber vegetables and plastic cheese dip. Tayvis and Paltronis drifted to the far side of the gathering.
“I think I spotted a way we could slip in,” Paltronis said, her voice low.
“We don’t know she’s there.”
“Then we sit up here tonight and watch. This park provides a perfect view. And it’s not gated and guarded.”
He fingered the leaf of a bush. “It is monitored. Cameras in the trees and streetlights.”
“Basic ones. A signal jammer would take care of them. No problem.”
“Except for alerting someone watching. This needs finesse.”
“The Patrol has a lot of people with finesse.” Paltronis watched his profile. “We get them to run interference for most of it. But if we come up that gully and stay below those rocks, we could slip in and hide and no one would ever know.”
“We’re off duty, remember?”
She opened her mouth to reply when she caught sight of the tour guide headed their way. “Incoming.”
Tayvis flicked a glance at the trim woman in her white and pink suit. “This one would be perfect in the front yard, don’t you think?” He plucked the leaf.
The tour guide smiled her fake smile. “Is there a problem?”
Tayvis smiled at her. “Just admiring the shrub. It’s a beautiful specimen. Tell me, is there a brochure of something about the plants that grow here?” He took the guide’s arm, leading her back to the group.
Paltronis stood alone. She noted placement and location of the cameras and sensors. She glanced down the hill at the mansion. At this distance, she couldn’t make out details of the two men standing on the back patio. But with distance viewers, she could see everything. All it would take would be the suspicion that Sila Nurai was inside, and they could bust down the door and rescue her. Whether she wanted it or not.
* * *
Paltronis ghosted through the wild bushes scattered along the steep hillside. She knew Tayvis was ten paces to her right, but she didn’t hear or see him. He was good. She was better. She settled under a bush with a good view of the mansion.
She slid the distance viewers out of her pocket. She was in uniform, a dark camouflage that blended well with the shadows.
The mansion showed several lit windows, five on the ground floor, another three on the second floor. She focused on the wide expanse of glass that opened onto the back patio. Four men patrolled the grounds and the main floor. Three of them were average thugs, no real skill and no real threat. The fourth one was the problem. From the way he moved, he knew hand combat.
A woman exited a rear door into the service area behind the garage. She carried a trash container, dumping it into the receptacle. Paltronis noted her apron. She adjusted the magnification. Was the woman armed?
She shifted her view to the upstairs windows. The shades were drawn on all but one. As she watched, a woman pulled the drapes closed. Was it Sila? She couldn’t tell, but it might have been.
She tapped the tiny com clipped to her collar. “I think we got her. I count four guards, at least one staff, on the bottom floor.”
“Are you certain?” Tayvis answered.
“Why arm the staff unless you have something to hide? The woman who brought out the trash had a stunner.”
“We can’t move until we’re certain. Assaulting Representative Freligh’s family in his mansion will get us both court-martialed.”
Paltronis tucked the viewer away. “I can get up to the fence. Close enough to confirm.”
“Security is too tight.”
“Are we supposed to find her or not?” Paltronis glanced at the dark bush where she knew Tayvis hid.
“Take the south corner. I’ll take north. Two hours and we meet back at the groundcar.”
She heard the click of his com going offline. The sensors on the fence must pick up transmissions. She turned off her gadgets.
She caught a single glimpse of Tayvis as he melted through the undergrowth on the hillside. She took a deep breath, centering herself before following.
An errant breeze ruffled the bushes as she worked her way down the slope. The crescent moon gave only a little light. Paltronis placed her feet carefully. She reached the stone wall circling the neighborhood without triggering any alarms. She slid along the wall towards the south end of the property. A low tree spread branches over the wall. She paused in its shadow. The leaves would obscure any camera view. The branches brushed the top of the wall, which would confuse any sensors. She could slip over the top, run a quick loop around the property and be back before anyone knew.
She jumped for the top of the wall, hands finding purchase on the flat top. She pulled herself up, then eased over the other side. She crouched next to the trunk of the tree, scanning the area.
The two guards on the back patio stood to one side, talking in low voices. She saw no sign of the others. She darted forward, rolling under a spreading shrub. She was close enough to make out the conversation.
“…tomorrow. Think that’s what she wants?”
“I don’t know. Women are fickle. You should know.”
The first man glanced up at the second floor window, then shook his head. “Her Majesty will shoot us both if we don’t run another check of the grounds. I swear I’ve never seen anyone more worried about being seen.”
“Meet you around front in ten minutes.”
The guards split, one heading north around the mansion, the other one passing within a few feet of Paltronis under the bush.
She held her breath, watching until they moved out of sight around the sides of the mansion. She rose from her hiding spot, ghosting across the patio to the back doors. If there were alarms set, the guards would have triggered them. She should be safe enough. And she’d never get a better opportunity.
The door was unlatched, open just wide enough. Paltronis hesitated only a moment before slipping inside. The room was dark, lit only by a light in the hall outside. She padded across the room, peering into the hall before venturing further into the house. She saw no sign of people anywhere. The guard had glanced up, though.
She found the stairs. Just a quick look, enough to confirm Sila was inside. Then she’d call Tayvis. She pretended her heart wasn’t racing and her palms weren’t sweating.
She was halfway up the stair when she heard a door open below. She swore silently as she raced up the remaining steps. Several doors along the upstairs hall were open, spilling light across the carpet. She heard voices farther along. Someone downstairs whistled as they approached the stairs.
Paltronis panicked. She ran down the hall, glancing briefly into the open rooms. She caught a startled glance from a man in one room. Paltronis put on a burst of speed, racing for the farthest doorway.
“Hey!” The man burst into the hall, chasing her.
Paltronis shoved the closest door open, barreling into the room.
Three men turned to face her. Sila Nurai sat in a chair, her hands cuffed to the arms. Paltronis slid to a stop.
“You,” Sila said.
The men didn’t bother with words. They drew weapons.
Paltronis swore as she ducked her head and charged. If they hit her, she was dead. She swung one foot to the right, using her forward momentum to connect. Her foot landed on the man’s thigh, knocking him to the side. She continued the motion, swinging a fist at the man on the other side. The third man fired. She ducked. The bolt hit the first man in the face. He crumpled to the floor, unconscious.
Paltronis let instinct take over. She was a whirlwind of fists and feet. The two men weren’t amateurs. They landed a few blows. Someone shouted in the hall. Paltronis grabbed one of the men by the head and slammed him into the door, knocking it closed. The man slid to the floor, blocking it temporarily.
The last man backed away, fumbling for his gun.
“Kill him,” Sila shrieked. She wasn’t the polished politician, not now. Her hair hung in wild strings around her face. Her green dress was streaked with dust.
Paltronis advanced on the man, ready to dodge. She ignored the pounding on the hall door, focused on the man. She jumped and spun, her foot catching the man on the side of his head. He crumpled to the floor. Paltronis scooped up his gun and turned to Sila.
A woman, her face older but her hair still jet black, stood behind Sila. Two men stood behind her, weapons aimed at Paltronis. The woman shook her head.
“Pathetic. What did you think you could accomplish, all by yourself? You wanted to be the hero? You will be a dead one.”
Paltronis spread her hands wide, slowly lifting the weapon. The two men relaxed, just a fraction. Paltronis whipped the gun forward. The man on her left dropped. The knife strapped to her wrist caught the man on her right in his shoulder. Paltronis slid the knife on her other wrist into her hand.
The woman made an abortive gesture towards the weapon lying at her feet.
Paltronis shook her head. “I don’t know who you are, and I don’t care. I’m here for her.” She pointed the knife at Sila. “Uncuff her and let us go.”
“Or what? You’ll do something barbaric?”
“Probably.” Paltronis edged forward another two steps, closing the distance.
Sila cringed at the look on Paltronis’ face.
The other woman stooped, reaching for the gun. Paltronis shoved Sila and her chair to one side, the hilt of her knife slammed into the other woman’s head. She stood over the prostrate body, breathing hard.
“Well?” Sila demanded. “Are you going to uncuff me?”
“Who has the keys?” Paltronis crouched, searching pockets.
The door to the hall exploded inwards. Paltronis reacted without thinking. The gun was in her hands and firing before the broken door hit the floor. The men dodged back out. Paltronis stayed low, gun pointed at the door while she rifled through pockets.
The woman who had taken out the trash earlier peered around the frame. She snapped off a shot at Paltronis. It struck Sila’s chair.
“Get me out of here,” Sila shouted, rocking the chair to the side.
“I’m working on it,” Paltronis answered. Her hands closed over a set of keys. She pulled them from the man’s pocket.
Several of the unconscious men in the room were starting to stir. She heard the group in the hall whispering. She had to do something and do it fast. She pushed the keys into Sila’s hand.
“Unlock yourself, then get to the window,” she ordered.
“And do what? I can’t climb in this dress.”
“Then you can stay here.” Paltronis edged forward, trying to cover Sila.
Lights flared through every window. The mansion shook with explosions as the doors blew in.
“This is the Patrol. We have you surrounded. Come out with your hands up.”
The group in the hall rushed into the room. Sila screamed. Paltronis ducked and rolled, knocking two of them off their feet. She left her knife in another man’s leg. She snapped another knife from her ankle holster, using it to block a roundhouse punch aimed at her face.
Boots thundered up the stairs.
“In here!” She rolled to her feet, swinging upwards. Her fist connected with someone’s stomach. Someone clipped her across the back of her head. She staggered, suddenly dizzy. She swallowed nausea, her eyes refused to focus. She swung wildly, blinking rapidly.
The room filled with uniforms. She sagged against Sila’s chair.
“Get these off me,” Sila demanded, yanking her wrists as far as they would go in the cuffs.
“Just answer one question first,” Paltronis said. “Did you set this up?”
“Do I look like I would set it up? Get me out of here?”
“Why ditch me at the party? Why use that restroom? It was the one room we couldn’t secure.”
“I wanted privacy.” Sila turned away from Paltronis’ glare.
Paltronis caught sight of Tayvis across the room. He didn’t look happy to see her. She left Sila to the ministrations of the Patrol troopers clearing the room.
“What were you thinking?” Tayvis’ voice could have cut steel, though it was pitched low for her ears only.
She ducked her head. “I was only going to look.”
“This is not looking. You were supposed to stay on the other side of the fence.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Good thing I alerted the base before we left tonight. They were waiting, ready to move.”
“We’ve got Sila Nurai back, in mostly one piece.”
“That’s the only thing keeping you out of jail right now. You are going back to base in the transport. You will report to the infirmary, I assume at least some of the blood is yours. And you will have a full report filed by noon tomorrow.”
Paltronis plucked at the bloody spatters and streaks on her dark clothes. “None of it’s mine.”
“Except for the bit on the back of your head. What you did was stupid. Why is your com off?”
She looked up at his face in confusion. “Sensor silence. I thought when I heard you turn yours off—”
He reached out to her collar, tapping a quick sequence on the com. “Standby mode, not off. I’m going to have a word with the Academy commander about training on old equipment.”
She stared at the com on his collar, waiting for him to give her the rest of her reprimand. Going to the infirmary and writing a report couldn’t be the extent of it.
“What are you waiting for? A commendation?”
She shuffled her feet. “Where should I report in the morning? Kitchen duty?”
His lip quirked. “As satisfying as that sounds right now, no. Lowell should be here day after tomorrow. The medic will probably keep you until then. I’m sure Lowell will find quarters for you somewhere.”
“Then I’m still working with you, for him?” Was the man insane? She’d busted the whole surveillance. She’d screwed up royally. And he wasn’t sending her packing.
“I won’t recommend you for any sort of covert operation, but for sheer physical damage. . .” He waved at the bodies scattered in the room. “I think Lowell needs a bodyguard, don’t you?”
“Is he anything like you?”
“Oh, no. He’s much worse. I think you’ll like him.”
Paltronis staggered, the room swimming around her.
Tayvis caught her elbow. “Go with the medics. Yes, that’s an order.”
“Yes, sir.” She couldn’t help returning his grin.