'Knock that off, captain.' the major ordered and I snapped to attention, my eyes still focused on the sign that read BASE BURLESQUE - OFFICERS ONLY. The major found the key he was looking for and turned it in the lock. 'No performance tonight,' he said. 'We've commandeered the place for an emergency meeting. Top security. As soon as the techs get here I want the entire theatre swept clean. And I mean clean. I want an MP with every tech and I want a headcount and I am making you responsible. Got that?'
'Yes, sir.'
'I'm going to check all the other doors personally to make sure they are locked. Get cracking, we only have an hour.'
I threw a salute as he moved off around the building and wondered just what I had gotten myself into. The rumble of engines cut through my thoughts as a truck pulled up at the curb before me. A sergeant climbed down from the cab and saluted me.
'And what do we have here?' I asked.
'Instrument technicians, sir. We were ordered…'
'I'll bet you were. Unload them and fall them in.'
'Yes, sir.'
I stamped back to the MPs who were neatly lined up at attention and pointed my finger at Morton. 'You, Lieutenant Hesk, get over in front of that entrance. No one in or out without my permission.'
My heart dropped as Morton started to look over his shoulder. Memory of his new name apparently filtered through because he recovered himself and hurried away. I turned back and scowled at the MPs, with particular attention to the sergeant who stood before them. Grayhaired, skin like an old boot, stripes and hashmarks clogging his sleeve.
'You senior NCO?'
'Yes, sir.'
'Right. Here is the drill. Those techs are going to sweep this theatre. I want one MP with every tech. I want every man counted in and counted out and I want no errors. And I want the sweep complete and overlapping and that building clean. Any questions?'
'No, captain. They'll snap-cagal for me.'
'I thought they would. Get cracking.'
He turned on his heel, inflated his lungs - and let out a blast of orders that blew the cap off the nearest MP. They moved. I stepped back and nodded approval. Then stamped over and positioned myself next to Morton.
'Something big coming down,' I said quietly. 'Secret meeting in an hour and we are in charge of security.' I ignored his moan of anguish. 'Just stand around and look military and stay away from the major when he gets back. I don't know about you, but I find this very interesting.' He moaned again and I strolled over to inspect the arrangements.
The technicians had shouldered their backpacks and were adjusting dials on the control panels that each of them wore slung about the chest. One of them pointed his detector wand at the side of the truck and I could see the needles jump; there was a squeal from the earphones that he had hung about his neck.
'Captain. Some trouble here.' I turned around.
'What is it, sergeant?'
'This cagal-kopf says he got a malfunction.' He had a white-faced tech by the arm and was shaking him like a dog with a bone.
'Battery, sir,' the man wailed. 'Checked… it's a malfunction… fuse!'
'Arrest him, sergeant. The charge is sabotage. Have him shot at dawn.' The sergeant smiled, the tech moaned and I bent until my face was close to his. 'Or can you manage to trace and repair this malfunction in the next sixty seconds?'
'It's fixed, sir! I know how! Borrow a fuse!' He stumbled away with the sergeant right behind him. I was falling into my role and beginning to enjoy myself. Though I was sure I would hate myself in the morning.
More MPs had arrived; the major reappeared and spread then around the theatre and in front of the entrance. I could see Morton begin to shiver at their presence so I hurried to take over from him.
'You can open that door now, lieutenant. No one goes in except these search teams. I want a head count going in and coming out.'
Under the verbal abuse of the sergeant the search was finished just in time. The first official cars were appearing as the techs were being loaded back into the trucks. 'How did it go, sergeant?' I asked.
'Lot of beer cans, cagal like that. Swept secure, captain.'
'Good. Move the troops out of the way, but keep them around in case we need them again.'
I waved Morton after me and strolled over to the nearest truck, stood in its shadow where I could see what was happening.
'What's happening?' Morton asked.
'Good question. Big, secret, and very sudden meeting of some kind. See that car, all officers of field rank or better.'
'We have got to get out of here!'
'Why? Can you think of a safer place to be? We are part of the security here - so no questions asked. Except by me. Look at that one getting out of the limo! Must have nine stars on his shoulders. Big stuff tonight. And that officer behind him. Never saw that uniform before. Something special…'
This officer turned about and I froze. A single silver skull on the shoulder of his gray-green coat. Another skull on the front of his cap.
And beneath the black brim of the cap a familiar face.
Captain Garth. Former captain of a Venian freighter. The man responsible for the death of my friend The Bishop.
'Stay here,' I ordered Morton, and stepped out of the darkness as soon as Garth had turned away. I walked toward him as he approached the security check at the entrance. Passed right behind him as he reached the major who threw a very snappy salute. I could hear the major's voice clearly as I passed and went on.
'They are almost all inside. General Zennor.'
'Report to me when the count is complete. Then seal this door tight.'
I stamped on, checked the guards, stamped back to Morton's side.
'What was that all about?' he asked.
'Forget about it. Nothing to do with you.' No longer a simple spacer captain. A general now. Probably always a general. Zennor. What was he up to? What was this entire army up to that he seemed to be ordering around? And how could I find out?
When the major called I did not even hear him. Only when Morton lacked me in the ankle did I realize that I was the Captain Drem he was talking to. 'Yes, sir. You want me, sir?'
'Not falling asleep, are you, Drem?'
'No, major, I was just going over the security in my head.'
'Well go over it on your feet which will accomplish a lot more. I've stationed a man at every entrance to this theatre. Inspect them.'
I saluted his back enthusiastically as he turned away. This might very well be the opportunity I was waiting for. 'Lieutenant,' I called out. 'Inspection tour. This way.' I rubbed my hands together happily as we walked around the theatre. 'Morton, there is something important going on here and I mean to find out more about it.'
'Don't! Stay clear!'
'Normally good advice. But this time I have to know what is happening, what he is up to. Did you see the uniforms? All senior officers. And I was ratted to earlier today that an invasion was being planned. It doesn't take a great brain to figure out that this meeting has something to do with that invasion. But how do I get inside?' We were approaching aside entrance to the theatre and the MP there snapped to attention as soon as we appeared. I shook the locked door and scowled at him. 'This door locked when you got here?'
Yes, sir.
'Anyone try to get in?'
'No, sir!'
'What are your orders?'
'Kill anyone who goes near the door.' He had his hand on his pistol butt.
