''I cannot do that, Kris. All media has been asked to carry this, and they have activated override so that it occupies the entire screen.'' That didn't sound all that good to Kris. A politician could get real used to that kind of power.
''My fellow citizens, I have disturbing news for you tonight. As many of you are aware, fire is sweeping through our planet's capitol. Despite the best efforts of our fire department,. the capitol has been totally destroyed. But make no mistake, this was no mere accident. This was a planned attack. More than that, it is an attack on the most cherished institutions of our democracy.''
The screen image changed to a different camera. President Iedinka leaned forward earnestly. ''Worse, this nefarious deed was done by those you would least expect. By some of the very people who have lied to you and persuaded you that they served your best interests. Some of your very own Representatives. Some from my very own political party. These are the people who lit the fire that destroyed our capitol.''
The screen flickered. Now it showed a distant shot of a score of bedraggled men and women as the President named them. ''My God,'' Kay breathed, ''he has nine Senators. There's poor Earlic. He's lost his glasses.''
''He has nine, ten, eleven Representatives as well,'' LaCross counted. ''Do you notice who they are? None in the leadership, but all of them are leaders of one of the independent caucuses. Every one of them represent a lot more than just their vote.''
''How will the rest of their caucus vote?'' Kris asked.
''I don't know,'' Showkowski said. ''It's anybody's guess, and I bet good old Izzic has his people out helping them make up their minds. You want to bet me this is only the beginning?''
As if to answer the Senator, the President came back on. ''We are interrogating these people with full respect for whatever civil rights people may have who sell out their planet, their sacred duty, and their constituents. While our police force is acting at its best, we all must recognize that the repeated attacks that have taken place on our economy and society have taxed our officials to the maximum. Therefore, I am this day calling up the planetary militia to assist the police in all matters relating to these attacks.''
''Who's the militia?'' Kris asked.
''Oh my word, not that old thing. It's an anachronism,'' Senator LaCross said, waving his hand as if throwing the militia away. ''Something from the years just after the planet's founding when we thought we might be fighting alien Iteeche raiding bans.''
''Who is in the militia?'' Kris clarified her question.
''I have no idea,'' LaCross said, glancing at the women Senators. ''I certainly don't know anyone in it.''
''We use it as the legal fiction to provide structure to our police auxiliary,'' Klaggath said. ''There are six battalions here in Heidelburg. The first four are just old farts' drinking clubs. Totally social. The fifth is our police auxiliary. I think the hospitals staff a major emergency response team with the sixth. Don't know if there are any others.''
''There are twelve,'' Nelly said. ''Six were organized in the last year. They are centered around factory workers.''
''Who's on their rolls?'' Klaggath asked before Kris could.
''That information is not available at this time,'' Nelly said, embarrassment in her voice. ''It was public domain until six tonight; then it was taken off-line.''
''See if you can find any place that might have been overlooked,'' Kris ordered, then thought of another way around. ''Also, see if SureFire Security is still on its net.''
''They are still on net, but the traffic level is way down,'' Nelly said. ''I've been monitoring them whenever I had a chance,'' she added, sounding quite proud of herself. Was there anyone but Tru who could tell Kris what part of Nelly's behavior was just the upgrade and what part was that damn chip? Would knowing matter one bit? How many crises did Kris face?
''You thinking Iedinka has deputized a big chunk of Sandfire's people?'' Jack said, bringing Kris back to the human problem.
''Wouldn't you? Klaggath, do you think the present police force is big enough to institute a police state?'' Kris asked.
''Neither big enough nor willing to,'' the Inspector growled. ''Some Liberals may question our commitment to human rights, but I don't think anyone seriously doubts our commitment to civil rights. Police don't make police states,'' he finished, eyes locking with Senator LaCross.
''But the President isn't relying on you,'' Kris pointed out.
''Hold it, folks, I think he's reached the high point,'' Jack said. The others fell silent.
''So, my fellow citizens, it is with heartfelt sorrow that I have concluded this conspiracy leaves me no alternative. If I am to secure the safety of our planet as I am sworn to do, I must declare martial law. I am well aware that our Constitution does not allow for this extreme option. However, our Constitution is not a suicide pact. Faced with these totally uncalled-for attacks on our democracy, I have concluded that no less an aggressive response can save us.''
''Oh my God,'' Krief said, slowly coming to her feet.
''Notice he didn't or couldn't list what those attacks are,'' LaCross said.
''Under Martial Law Order One, which I signed before this broadcast, I am suspending the Congress until we can complete a full investigation of this conspiracy and ferret out all its members. Our interrogations so far have provided clear and convincing evidence that these conspirators are the pawns of another planet that intends Turantic the greatest of evils.
''To delay further before responding to these hostile actions would be to endanger the lives of those who will be called upon to fight for Turantic's survival. Therefore, I am declaring that, effective immediately, a state of war exists between Turantic and Hamilton. If any planet is foolish enough to ally themselves with the forces marshaling against us, they can consider us at war with them as well.''
The camera panned to the flag of Turantic—orange, gray, and black—behind the President. Martial music boomed from all the speakers in the room. A moment later, the screen divided into five, showing the news anchor people of the main media outlets, and the music sank into the background. Kris kept a slow cadence in her head, one, two, three… She got up to thirty-five before the first newsie recovered enough to mumble something that did little more than state his surprise. One screen switched to a talking head chortling about being right, that Hamilton was behind all this and now would get the beating they deserved.
''Off,'' Kris ordered. She half-expected the screen to refuse. The view returned to a sunset's afterglow, waves slightly iridescent as they lapped against the white sands of an untouched shore. Beautiful. Peaceful. All wrong.
I WILL CHANGE IT, Nelly said and switched to a star-speckled sky. Two moons lit a snowy vale surrounded by evergreen trees. What that sky promised was left to the viewer's reflections. Time for me to change something, Kris thought.
''He can't do that!'' ''He's doing that!'' ''We've got to stop him!'' ''You have any idea how we can?'' ''Anything you do will play right into his hands!'' ''But to do nothing!'' The Senators ran out of words.
NELLY, I NEED SOME NANO SPIES THAT CAN SURVIVE AND RECON THE DOCKYARD ABOVE US.
TRU GAVE ME A COPY OF SOME CORRESPONDENCES SHE HAD WITH SEVERAL OLD FRIENDS LOOKING AT THE PROBLEMS OF NANO SPY SURVIVAL IN A WELL-DEFENDED AREA. IT SUGGESTS BUILDING SPY UNITS, DEFENDING UNITS, AND COMMAND CENTERS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THEM. I HAVE THE DESIGNS HER EXPERTS THINK WOULD BE BEST. THE DESIGNS ARE UNTESTED.
START A REPORT FOR TRU ON HOW YOU APPLY HER GROUP'S DESIGNS. NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT FOR A LIVE-FIRE TEST OF ART.
I HAVE THE LEFTOVERS FROM TODAY'S RECON UNITS.
THEN GET TO WORK. I'D LIKE THEM SOON ENOUGH SO SOMEONE CAN PASS THEM AROUND AMONG THE SHIFT CHANGE AT ELEVEN.
Only a hum answered. Senator Krief stared at Kris. ''You hear so many stories about what this or that Longknife has done. It makes you sound like miracle workers. Do you by any chance have a spare miracle? We could use one to stop this war.''