"This is the head of Grieg Samsonov, one of those who conspired to trap your husband," the armored man explained. "It was my task to acquire it."
"I do not want it!" The nun shrank back into the shadows of her cell. Her serenity shattered, her voice quavered.
"Send it to his father. The old man will appreciate the sentiment."
The armored man knelt to refasten the box. As the green light vanished, the nun spoke again with a hint of her former serenity.
"I have sought my own peace here, and found it in some measure. Please do not disturb it further.”
“As you wish."
Dechan's companion executed an awkward bow. Dechan bowed, too, but his awkwardness came from the situation and his lack of practice rather than the armor that encumbered his fellow. The two men walked slowly back across the courtyard. As they did, Dechan heard the nun's door close quietly. The wooden barrier did little to muffle the sound of her sobbing.
38
Peace Park , Newbury, Dieron
Dieron Military District, Draconis Combine
30 September 3030
Theodore watched the woman in the gray cloak turn onto the path that led to the cul-de-sac where he sat. A flash of light from the trees signaled that she had entered the park alone. He nodded his receipt of the message to Fuhito Tetsuhara, hidden among the shadowed boles, before standing to greet the woman. "Ohayo,Precentor."
"Good morning to you, Prince Theodore. Please ignore my rank and call me Sharilar."
"You are kind to allow me such familiarity." And prudent, too, to be concerned that someone might overhear your title,Theodore observed silently. "Allow me to extend the same offer. Such familiarity was normal among soldiers on the frontlines in the recent unpleasantness, and I have learned the virtue of dispensing with formalities when necessary. Please call me Theodore."
He indicated the nearest in a row of ferrocrete benches. While she sat down, he moved to the other side of the gray mushroom of a table, and took a seat. The table's surface was inlaid with a red-and-black checkerboard of duraplast. Theodore produced a flat case from beneath his long overcoat. He opened it to reveal the ivory tokens within, each painted with the calligraphic symbol for its name. "A game of shogiwhile we wait for your mistress?"
Sharilar shook her head, and Theodore shrugged, returning the case to concealment.
"Perhaps, then, you would care to enlighten me as to your mistress's concern."
Sharilar fidgeted and glanced about warily, but Theodore read her action as a show. He could feel that, underneath, she was not at all nervous. Why does she wish me to think so?
He suddenly wished for the advice of old Tetsuhara- sensei.He was wise in the ways of people and could discern their true feelings, often before they were sure themselves. Sensei'scontrol of his harawas more than enough for such a minor feat. But sensei'svoice was silent, as it had been since the capture of Cochus in '28. His other teachers were equally silent.
When Theodore had complained of their absence to Tomoe, she told him flatly that he didn't need them anymore, that he had outgrown them. When his resolve was strong, he believed her. But most days, he knew that couldn't be so. He didn't feel as assured as he acted. He felt out of his depth, in need of guidance, but had no one to lean on but himself.
People passed the row of benches and game tables. Intent on themselves or their business, they paid scant attention to the couple speaking quietly to one another across the gray mushroom. After a few minutes, a woman wearing a caped overcoat much like Theodore's took the seat next to him.
"Ninyu says she's entered the park," Tomoe said. Her words were for Theodore, but her eyes were fixed on Sharilar.
The ComStar Precentor returned her stare. She-wolves,Theodore thought. They are measuring each other, assessing their positions in the pack. Friend or enemy?Theodore found himself wondering if ComStar emissaries would be friends or enemies.
A woman strolled into sight. She was dressed in elegant but understated clothes, their muted colors appropriate to the drab morning. Nothing the woman wore betrayed her rank or origin; she might have been any well-off matron taking a morning constitutional through the park. As she drew nearer, Theodore realized that she could only be Myndo Waterly, Primus of ComStar.
All the participants in the clandestine meeting had concealed their identities. Of them, only Theodore showed any symbols of affiliation. A large disk held his overcoat closed just over his solar plexus. The plate showed the Kurita Dragon, though an observer might assume it was merely a badge of allegiance, feigned or true, to the Draconis Combine. Tomoe's similar disk was blank.
Greetings were brisk and swiftly completed. All four sat down, to outward appearances merely a group of chance-met friends. But nothing had been left to chance in arranging the meeting. They might all seem friendly at the moment, but for how long?
Apparently glimpsing worry in Theodore's expression, Myndo said, "I assure you that no one will overhear our discussion, Prince Theodore. We of ComStar have certain technological resources."
"A bold assertion, Primus," Theodore challenged.
Myndo bristled. "Fact, Prince," she stated firmly, showing none of the concern about eavesdropping that Sharilar had displayed earlier. Indeed, Theodore noted that the Precentor herself looked more relaxed now.
"No hostility intended, Primus," Theodore said in a conciliatory tone. To himself, he chuckled. I have learned a few tricks from my black-clad friend, Ninyu. Your ruffled feathers direct your attention to me and away from Tomoe. We shall see if your security is as strong as you say. If we can penetrate it, others may as well."All know that ComStar strives to keep lit the flame of the old knowledge."
"It is a struggle," Myndo conceded. Theodore sensed that she was still angry, though he could not tell whether it was because of his lack of faith in ComStar's capabilities or the light tone he had used in quoting the ComStar maxim. He was impressed that her voice gave no hint of anger, but that should be no surprise. Myndo Waterly had been a citizen of the Combine before she joined ComStar. Anyone who had progressed so rapidly must obviously be shrewd in many of the ways of the Dragon.
"The Draconis Combine is in serious danger," Myndo said bluntly.
"That's so." Theodore saw little point in denying it. He was sure Myndo had access to all the communiques that passed through ComStar's hands. From such a trove of data, any dolt would be able to tell what dangers the Combine faced. "I'm not in need of an oracle on this matter."
"I do not pretend to be one. ComStar does not wish to see the Draconis Combine fall."
Theodore could almost hear the words "at this time" that the Primus must have appended silently to her statement. "And what of your neutrality in political matters?"
"We have no wish to see Hanse Davion rule the Inner Sphere, either, for he is no friend to our Order."
"So you feel threatened as well."
"There is some truth in what you say," Myndo conceded.
Much,thought Theodore. If only I knew exactly what you perceived to be the real threat.Aloud, he said, "You wanted this meeting for a purpose. May we get to that?"
"Very well." Myndo leaned forward across the table. "We of ComStar are well aware of the Combine's military and industrial capabilities at this time. We know that you cannot raise and train a sufficiently powerful force before the Steiner-Davion alliance turns on you.