members of the First Division, people I know the Network hasn't got its hooks into. And most of them have some experience with 'throwing the book right out the window and playing hardball,' as you put it. I intend to clean house, Colonel. Make no mistake about it, I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to get the job done. I'm the one running this outfit, not a bunch of underground profiteers and scam artists.'
“I think you'll find that they're a little more than just profiteers and scam artists., sir, “ said Steiger. 'At least let me help organise the strike force while I remain on standby. I have some idea of what they'll be going up against. I can point them in the right direction, maybe keep them from making some mistakes. And it might create less friction in the agency if the former senior covert field agent was officially heading up the strike force, rather than having it all be a First Division show.'
— All right,' said Forrester. 'I see your point. But I don't want you going out on any field operations, is that understood? I need you available, on standby with your team.'
'Understood, sir. May I have your security detail take me into custody now for immediate scanning?'
Forrester frowned. 'What for?'
'I want to have myself scanned so that you can be absolutely certain that I'm not involved with the Network. And I'd like too be taken into custody at once so that you'd be certain I'd have no time to warn them if I were,' said Steiger.
Forrester shook his head. 'That won't be necessary, Colonel. I'd be a damned sorry commanding officer if I couldn't pick an exec that I knew I could trust. '
'I appreciate that, sir, ~ said Steiger, 'but just the same, I'd like to insist. I want to be able to say that I did it, that I didn't get any preferential treatment, that I got on the machines and passed. I can't expect to ask anybody else to do it if I don't.'
'I see,' said Forrester, nodding. He summoned his security detail. 'Sergeant, place Col. Steiger under arrest.'
Finn and Andre hadn't seen much of him since he'd taken command of the Internal
Security Division, but they had sure heard a lot about him. In a matter of weeks, Steiger had organised the I.S.D., composed largely of handpicked commandos from the First Division, some headbusters borrowed from the M.P.'s and a few trusted T.I.A. agents. He had whipped them into shape as a tight, well co-ordinated unit and brought down twenty-seven section chiefs who were functioning as cell commanders in the Network. Steiger had hit hard and fast and he had made his presence known. He, along with Forrester, was a marked man now.
'Creed, what's going on?' said Finn.
'I don't know,' said Steiger. 'I only just got here. I got the call a few minutes ago and hurried right up.'
'The general will see you now,' the sergeant of the guard said, beckoning them to follow him. He conducted them down the hall to Forrester's private quarters, then left them. Forrester was waiting for them, fully dressed in his black base fatigues. It was three o'clock in the morning and he looked wide awake.
'At ease,' said Forrester, tensely. 'Bar's open. Delaney, do the honours.'
They exchanged quick glances, then Delaney went over to the bar and poured a couple of neat Scotches for Andre and Creed, and an Irish for himself. He saw that Forrester already had a glass on the end table.
'To those who fell,' said Forrester, after they all had their drinks. They all stiffened slightly, then tossed back their drinks, emptying their glasses. Forrester sighed. 'Your brother's dead, Creed,' he said, flatly.
Steiger paled. 'Sandy?' He blinked twice, his breath caught and then he swallowed hard and stiffened, getting control of himself. 'How did it happen?' he said, softly.
“Sit down,' Forrester said. They all sat. Forrester took a folded sheet of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Steiger. 'That is your brother's handwriting, isn't it?' he said.
Steiger unfolded the paper and glanced at the shorthand notation. He nodded.
'Read it out loud,' said Forrester.
'Field Observer Report, Cpl. Steiger, A.P.T.O.
#617079972, Post 17-259. 29 April 1702, 1930 hours, Post Headquarters.' Steiger took a deep breath, cleared his throat and continued. 'At approximately 1800 hours, encountered Dr. Lemuel Gulliver in the company of Mr. Jonathan Swift at
Pontack's eating house in Abchurch Lane.'
Delaney frowned. 'What were those names again?' he said. 'As you were, Delaney,' Forrester said. 'Hold the thought.' He turned to Steiger. 'Go on. '
'Dr. Gulliver claimed to be the sole survivor of a ship 24
Simon Hawke wreck,' Steiger read…the Antelope, under Capt. William Prichard. reportedly lost at sea somewhere off Van Diemen's Land. The man was in a state of near nervous collapse. He had been drinking heavily, but his report of encountering miniature people, approximately six inches in height-'
“What?' said Andre.
Forrester silenced her with a look. Steiger continued.
…. approximately six inches in height, created quite a stir. Most people hearing this reacted as if he were demented, but certain elements of his fascinating story drew this particular observer's attention. Dr. Gulliver described, in great detail, some of the weapons used by these little people, or Lilliputians, as his companion, Mr. Swift, referred to them. From the lucid description of these miniature weapons and their function, they were unquestionably miniature lasers and autopulsers. '
Steiger stopped for a moment and glanced up at Forrester with astonishment, then continued reading the report.
'From the description of their uniforms and tactics, these so-called 'Lilliputians' sounded exactly like modem commandos, only on an incredible, miniature scale.
The story sounds unbelievable, until one asks himself how a man of Gulliver's time could possibly imagine weapons such as lasers and autopulsers and describe their function in such accurate detail, right down to reporting the extremely high-pitched, staccato, whooping sound made by a cycling autopulser the extremely high pitch possibly accounted for by the scale of the weapon. Taking into account the fantastic genetically engineered creatures from the alternate timeline previously encountered by temporal adjustment agents on-'
The expression on Steiger's face abruptly changed. 'What is it?' Andre said.
Steiger looked up. 'It stops there.' He glanced at Forrester.
'Do we have a confirmation on this?'
Forrester nodded. 'Your brother was very thorough in noting the time and the location. I had an S amp; R team clock back. I took special care to instruct them not to risk arriving any earlier than an hour after the stated time in the report. You understand, of course.'
Steiger nodded.
'Search and Retrieve clocked back with your brother's body about half an hour ago,' said Forrester. 'We have full confirmation…
'I'd like to see him, sir.'
'I'm told he looks pretty bad, Creed,' said Forrester.
'I don't give a damn. Sir.'
Forrester nodded. 'I understand. But you're to report directly back here when you're through. I have a security detail standing by to escort you. '
'I don't need a goddamn-'
'As you were, Colonel,' Forrester said, quietly, and Steiger immediately shut up. 'I'm not insensitive to your feelings at the moment. However, there have been threats against your life and you are understandably distracted.
You will accompany the detail and return here when you're through. Is that clear?'
Steiger licked his lips and took a deep breath. 'Yes, sir.' 'Good. You are dismissed.'
Steiger stood, snapped to attention and saluted smartly. As he turned to leave,
Forrester stopped him.
'Creed?'
'Sir?'
'I'm sorry as hell, my friend.'
Steiger grimaced and nodded curtly. 'Thank you, sir.” As he left, Delaney said, 'I think I'd like another drink, sir.' Forrester nodded. 'Get me one, too,' he said.
