‘The information I was read in on,’ Ruben said, ‘suggests that the base on Earth was one of their most important, but any data relating to other locations and their current operational structure was destroyed before the base was captured. Apparently, a few prisoners were taken, but the most reliable of those had only limited knowledge of day-to-day operations. The ASF’s assessment is that the Redwings took a major blow with the loss of their Earth base but they had to have other resources on other worlds.’
‘Even if these attacks aren’t something new by the Redwings,’ Rhianna said, ‘they need to be dealt with. The pattern so far shows considerable sophistication and a significant degree of ruthlessness. Whoever is behind this, we need them stopped.’ She looked across the table at Nava. ‘Though, I happen to agree that a Redwing operative or operatives seems like the best explanation.’ Nava just looked back; there seemed to be no need for a response.
‘The immediate question,’ Hyrum said, ‘is whether we should involve the ASF.’
‘I can’t speak for the school,’ Mitsuko began.
‘Yet,’ Zackery put in.
‘I can’t speak for the school, but I’d imagine that they would prefer to avoid ASF involvement. The reason the school has the SSF and that it has such extensive powers is to make it self-policing.’
‘Courtney Martell considered calling in the ASF after the attack on Tracey Spears,’ Nava said. ‘I advised against it, principally because I doubted that the ASF could do more to handle the situation.’
‘SAS-squared is a training ground for future soldiers and cops,’ Rhianna said. ‘Courtney Martell is a capable investigator in her own right, but she can call upon people with expertise in a number of fields who can rightly be called geniuses in many cases. She can handle it, as it presents itself currently.’
Hyrum nodded. ‘If we don’t directly involve the ASF, we may be able to avoid some political embarrassment. Personally, I won’t allow that to get in the way of saving young adults’ lives, but some people in the administration will appreciate it. Have we any idea what their aim is?’
There was silence, so Nava filled it. ‘What are the stated goals of the Redwing Faction?’
‘They’ve never issued a manifesto,’ Rhianna said, ‘but they used to be a clan. They started operating a number of criminal enterprises, including piracy, and they were cast out of the Alliance as a result. They became a focus for various disaffected groups and their main goal appears to be the destruction of the Clan Worlds. They want revenge for being thrown out.’
‘They want to undermine the power of the Clan Worlds. A significant element in that power is the sorcery the Clan Worlds have access to. SAS-squared is an important element in the development of that magical power. Undermining the school, weakening it, seems like a likely goal in this instance.’
‘I’m not sure that’s enough, but it is the best explanation we have.’
‘The publicity involved in a successful intervention would reflect badly upon the Clan Council,’ Hyrum said. ‘If they can cause sufficient disruption, they can rub the council’s noses in the fact that they still exist despite official claims.’
‘That,’ Nava said, ‘would require them to do something big. Something which would make the news channels and social media pundits sit up and take notice. So far, even the bomb has been kept out of the public domain.’ She paused. ‘Information management at that school is quite strong.’
‘They guard their independence like lions,’ Zackery said. ‘Part of that is ensuring that the place is never viewed in a negative light. How many of them do you think are involved in this? The Redwings, I mean. Are we talking a small team or one individual?’
‘The skills employed so far would suggest a team. If it’s an individual operative, they are trying to obfuscate their nature and they have wide-ranging capabilities. It’s far from impossible that one person could be doing everything, but a team seems more likely.’
‘The Redwings rarely use single-unit cells,’ Rhianna said. ‘Even if a single operative is doing most of the work, they’ll have someone backing them up. A “handler,” if you like. Someone will be providing logistical aid and passing messages back and forth. They may be directing the operation.’
‘They will be very difficult to smoke out, if they exist,’ Nobuyuki said, ‘but doing so would probably cripple their operation.’
‘I’d imagine you want them alive?’ Nava asked.
The ninja looked at her with stony eyes. ‘That is not necessary. They know the stakes. Every member of the Redwing Faction is subject to the death penalty and those operating at the school have killed students. They know they will be shown no mercy and will act accordingly. They are difficult to extract information from anyway. Taking prisoners takes second place to taking them safely.’
‘I’m glad you see it my way.’
‘Frankly, Nava Ward,’ Zackery said, ‘when it comes down to the safety of my wife and children, I don’t care who is trying to harm them, I’ll see those outsiders dead. I’m entrusting Suki’s life to you. I don’t care who you have to kill to keep her safe, I’ll put all my weight behind you if it should be needed. If you can find out who’s behind this, show them not even the smallest hint of mercy.’
235/2/10.
‘So, what did you think of my family?’ Mitsuko asked as they walked back to her room.
‘I appreciate their faith in me,’ Nava replied. ‘They seem like nice people. I like your mother in particular. I’m not entirely sure what I was expecting of high-ranking members of the Sonkei clan… I suppose I have come to know you reasonably well, but you might have been an aberration. I have to say that, overall, this was a more… decadent party than I was expecting.’
Mitsuko’s cheeks coloured. ‘The
