‘You don’t anticipate any trouble?’
‘I always anticipate trouble, Thonks; That’s why it never bothers me.’ Justin smiled, a slithering of lips across irregular teeth, making Wuyllum think of snakes writhing over stones. ‘Trouble is just another thing to plan for, Governor.’
Wuyllum shivered for no discernible reason. ‘I’ll tell Honeypeach.’
‘Speaking of your charming wife.’ Justin smiled again, a particularly reptilian smile. ‘Honeypeach promised to introduce me to your lovely daughter, but seemingly she’s disappeared. Did you ever find her?’
‘Not yet.’ Wuyllum waved the question away, refusing to consider the implications of what Justin had just said. ‘Maybelle had planned to return to Serendipity. It’s her home, you know. When she was disappointed about the journey, she probably went to stay with friends. No doubt she’ll turn up. Well. We’ll be expecting space, Justin. On the first ship out. You’ll let us know.’
‘Remind your charming wife about the introduction, Thonks. I certainly want to meet your daughter before you leave. The Governor’s residence is right next door. Call me when you find her.’
The Governor left, ashen-faced. He did not care terribly what might happen to Maybelle. He was, however, suddenly very worried that he might not be able to find her. Justin, for some inscrutable reason of his own, had just placed a price on Wuyllum’s departure.
As soon as Justin was alone, he commed Colonel Lang, commander of the troops on Jubal. The men and the equipment were ready. As soon as the commission announced its findings, they could start blasting their way into every dirt town east of the coast.
‘Colonel Lang?’
‘Manager Justin.’
‘It comes to mind, Colonel, that there may be some demonstrations when the commission announces its findings.’
‘Is that so, Sir? Everything seems very peaceful.’
Justin sneered. The man was being slow on the load. ‘Well, the findings haven’t been announced yet, have they?’
‘That’s why I’m wondering why there should be disorder, Sir. If we don’t know what the findings are, then we can’t know what the response will be, can we?’
The officer’s voice had been very dry, almost insolent, and Justin cursed himself. Damn the man’s nerve! He was right, though. Any preemptive action, particularly while the commission members and observers were still on the planet, might be interpreted as exactly what it was.
‘So long as you’re ready for any eventuality, Colonel.’
‘Oh, indeed, Sir. Always ready for any eventuality.’
Colonel Lang punched the com out. Every company of troopers moving toward the east had trailed behind it a string of relay points. Orders could be sent down those relay stations within hours. Once the commission’s findings were known, orders to begin destruction would be received by the troopers without delay and Colonel Lang intended to join in the fun. However, just to avoid any problem later on, the Colonel did not intend to send those orders until the commission’s findings were formally announced.
At another military office in Splash One, Captain Jines Verbold put down the snoop-ear that had been tuned to the Colonel’s call.
‘Harward Justin,’ he explained unnecessarily to his visitor.
‘I thought so,’ said Rheme Gentry. ‘He’s getting nervous, now that everything’s coming to a climax.’
‘When’s all this climaxin’ goin’ to take place?’
‘After the commission reconvenes to consider its findings, but before those findings are announced. While the observers are still here, needless to say. Probably tomorrow.’
‘It would’ve been nice to have a little more notice,’ the Captain said mildly. ‘Not complainin’, you understand. Just commentin’.’
‘Sorry, Captain. We’ve only known about it ourselves for the past day or two. We’ve acquired some unexpected allies. It was … well, to say the least, it was a surprise.’
‘You wouldn’t care to tell me….’
‘Can’t. Sworn to secrecy. You’ll know when it happens.’
‘You want to tell me where?’
‘You know where the commission members are housed, Captain?’
‘Justin fixed up an old BDL residential building out at the east edge of town.’
‘Right. I’d keep an eye on that if I were you.’
‘How can I help?’
‘Captain, it would be useful if there were a few troops on Jubal that Justin couldn’t get at for a while. Just in case some very important orders arrive, you know? Orders that replace the current chain of command? Since you were given the assignment of keeping order here in the city, you’re elected. Of course, your opinions have been noted, too, along the way.’
‘My big mouth,’ murmured the Captain.
‘Let’s say you let it be known where your sympathies lay. Well, as I said, it’d be a very good thing if there was a good-size body of men elsewhere. Elsewhere, but not too far away. Say, oh, an hour’s move, if possible. Needless to say, they should be ready for action on receipt of orders.’
‘Who – ah, who might they expect to get orders from?’
‘Someone very high up, Captain. Someone outranking the Colonel by a good bit.’
‘Sayin’ they’re my men, I’d be in the clear then?’
‘Oh, yes, Captain. You’ll be in the clear. Better than in the clear. Your cooperation with legitimate authority will be noted.’
‘If I can stay out of Colonel Lang’s way until then.’
‘Yes. There is that.’
‘I’m not sure enough of the men would back me in outright mutiny.’
‘I understand the problems.’
Verbold frowned, drumming his fingers on his desk as he considered the situation. ‘You know, Justin has his own security forces. BDL people. They’re spread all over, watchin’ everyone, runnin’ back to the BDL building carryin’ tales. I suppose you know that Justin doesn’t trust just anybody. That bunch is hard and mean, and I wouldn’t want to tangle with ’em.’
‘Hm. Damn. I’d forgotten that. Is there anything you could do to be sure they are where they won’t give you any trouble? Say at BDL headquarters.’
‘Ah.’ Captain Jines Verbold thought quietly for a time, stroking his chin. ‘If his security forces are in the building, then you’ve got all the maggots in one hole, don’t you? Well, I might call Justin and tell him to be sure his own men are guarding BDL because….’
‘Because you’ve had rumors of ah … an assassination attempt among … ah, covert
