Normally, Nerishka had an operative on the ground—such as Karsin—to set up the hit, or she had weeks, sometimes even months, to plan a hit.
But given the public attention currently focused on the Yazata disaster, and Nerishka’s worry that he may take his research out of the Ayra system to either sell it or continue on elsewhere, she needed to hit him soon.
The longer she waited, the harder it would get.
Lyra had been monitoring the reports on Yazata, and it was surprising how little attention was being paid to the asteroid’s destruction.
It was impossible to hide it, so the government was playing it off as an undeclared cache of antimatter that had been left behind. The antimatter’s containment bottles had run out of power, and explosion was the result.
<I can’t believe everyone is buying the cover story for Yazata,> Nerishka muttered under her breath.
<Why would they not? Any real investigation of Yazata would lead to too many questions. Questions that would increase exponentially depending on what is found.>
<And if it leads them to Xerxes and Greshan, they’ll know something is fishy. Too many missing pieces for someone to not notice. Though I’m not sure they will connect it to Azag.>
<He has certainly covered his tracks well.>
<He’ll have the best contacts. With the smartest tech.> Nerishka nodded. <For all we know, the investigators themselves could be on his payroll.>
<I have it!> crowed Lyra. <I have the press briefing of upcoming appearances for Azag. The general is the guest speaker at the opening of a new military academy on Ishtar tomorrow. This could be your chance.>
Nerishka nodded, glad that they had an avenue of attack, but still more than a little worried about the mission. Gritting her teeth, she turned on her heel. The best way to avoid being worried was to formulate their plan of attack. She headed out into the corridor and made a left in the direction of the galley.
She reached the doorway and paused on the threshold, watching Judith and Kelem as they argued about who had won a wager they’d made, while Dresden was sprawled on a seat beside them, his long legs spread out before him, his head tilted to rest on the back of the chair. From the banter, it soon became clear that said bet had been made more than six years ago.
Nerishka shook her head and walked inside, her footfalls on the hard deck alerting them to her presence.
Her team members looked up and grinned, though Dresden’s smile was more of the faded variety. She ignored it and took a seat at the table.
“Time to formulate the plan. Azag’s going to be at an opening ceremony tomorrow. Looks like our best chance. We’ll arrive with a couple hours to spare.”
“That’s not leaving us with much of a chance to prepare.” Judith sat back, frowning.
Dresden grunted in agreement. “Yeah. No time for recon with such a small window.”
Nerishka pursed her lips, sharing their concerns entirely. “You’re singing my tune, here. But if we have a chance at success, we should take it. Lyra can get into the station’s systems and pull the details we need. It won’t be clean, but it’ll get the job done.”
Judith nodded and tapped her finger on the table. “That would be good enough, I guess. If it’s the only option.”
“It is. I’d like for us to get in, get out and get gone. Before anyone even realizes we were here. Stopping jump gate research is worth the risk of exposure.”
“Is your super-secret shadowy organization going to be OK with that?” Judith asked, an eyebrow arched as she voiced the question.
Nerishka couldn’t tell if Judith was toying with her, or actually upset—but then Dresden laughed and shook his head.
“Yeah, they’ll be pissed, probably tear a strip off Nishka here, but they’ll understand. In the grand scheme of things, this mission will barely stand out.”
“When are you going to tell us who you work for?” Judith asked, eyes narrowing at Nerishka.
“Never. I like you too much to have to kill you.”
No one spoke for several long moments before Kelem coughed and shifted in his seat, his blue-haired head bobbing up and down slowly. “OK. We can make that happen. The timeframe is tight but with the intel we have, I think the op is actionable.” He glanced over at Dresden who nodded.
“Azag’s going to have personal security. A lot of it,” said Judith. “We need a way in. A way to get close to him.”
Kelem chuckled, giving the redhead a deliberate stare. “Always one way to get close to a guy.”
Judith slapped him upside the back of his head. “That’s not the way we work.”
“Maybe that’s the way we should work,” muttered Nerishka before asking Lyra, “Does Azag frequent any establishments of ill repute in the station?”
<He does, but if you think you would audition for the part, I believe you need not apply for the role,> Lyra replied, a distinct smirk in her tone.
“Why? Does he like redheads?” Nerishka glanced at Judith who made a face in response.
<No, Judith won’t suit either.>
Both women began to laugh, then turned to study Dresden and Kelem. “So, which of the two of you is going to be our bait?” asked Nerishka, her eyes flitting toward Dresden.
He held up a hand. “Just don’t get ahead of yourself now. Let’s formulate Plan A first.”
“That’s the location of the academy. Lyra’s getting her hands on his schedule. A little slow as it’s encrypted.”
“Guy thinks he’s special, huh?” Kelem snorted.
“I have an idea that increases our odds,” said Lyra. “It does mean you all have to get close to him.” Nerishka stared at the three faces waiting for the AI to speak. “For some reason, Azag doesn’t use the military for his personal security—he contracts a private company.”
“Brilliant!” Nerishka said, slapping her hands together. “Now we figure out a way to get his current team rotated.”
“Leave that to me,” said Dresden, a cool smile on his face and he straightened on his seat.
“And if Plan A doesn’t work?” asked Judith.
“Then Kelem can be bait.”
GENERALITY
STELLAR DATE: 10.21.8948 (Adjusted Gregorian)
LOCATION: Ishtar Station
REGION: Ayra System (Independent)
<Well, at least there’s one good thing about this mission.>
<There is?>
Dresden nodded. <We only have to worry about getting a single hit. No mysteries, bizarre radiation, abandoned facilities, and no green women or fake Nishkas trying to kill us.> He smiled, his lips turning up at the corner as he stared straight ahead.
<Seriously?> Nerishka groaned. <You go and jinx us like that?>
Nerishka and Dresden were standing outside the small boardroom that had been allocated to General Azag in the Ishtar Military Training Academy’s main building.
Dresden had gotten into the network of the security company Azag used and rerouted the pair who were meant to cover the general for the opening ceremony.
They were surprised to learn that the security company’s personnel were on constant rotation—guards assigned to Azag tended to request transfers to other details with great frequency. Working security for Azag must not be a pleasant experience.
Either way, it meant that the team Dresden diverted didn’t even raise a fuss at being sent somewhere else.
<Have you considered handing the good general over to Inanna,> Dresden asked. <I bet she’d strip his hide an inch at a time. And she’d enjoy it.>
<No. I don’t believe that’s an option. What happens if Inanna learns about his gate research? She’d pick right up where he left off—and that assumes she doesn’t already know about it.>
<True, I suppose it’s easier to kill him than the president. These military types always think they’re untouch
able. Presidents are usually a lot more paranoid.>
Nerishka nodded only slightly. The general seemed to be the tardy type. Either that, or he liked to make a grand entrance. They had three minutes to go until he was meant to be on stage. And the walk from the office to the podium lasted two minutes.
She took a deep breath and knocked on the door. “Three minutes, sir,” she called, giving Dresden a glare as he grinned and looked her up and down.
They were both dressed in black cloaks, their hoods up, shadowing their faces, while the front of the cloaks hung open to reveal the weapons at their sides. Nerishka had repositioned her flechettes and lightwand to her back and had inserted her hairsticks into the sides of her boots, the severe bun at the back of her head at odds with her almost-frivolous sticks.
The guards wore armor beneath their cloaks and suits, but Nerishka was shocked at the outdated tech. “You’d think they’d consider working on armor before they get to jump gates,” she’d grumbled when initially studying the intel they’d gathered, annoyed at the lives that could have been saved with better gear.
“Probably why their turnover is so high,” Judith had added.
Judith had volunteered to be at the general’s side in place of Nerishka, but Dresden had shot the option down. He and Nerishka would ensure the general made it to the shuttle. Judith and Kelem would be responsible for the diversion.
The door slid open, and the general walked out of the boardroom, his head held high as he passed between Nerishka and Dresden. He didn’t acknowledge the pair, for which she was grateful. She’d have been happy to sneak into the room and get the job done right then, but the general didn’t seem to go anywhere without Major Gilit and taking out two targets before they could call for help was tricky—especially with much of the Ayran Space Force in attendance at the ceremony.
As Major Gilit passed, Nerishka saw that the dark-haired woman’s face was set in a perpetual scowl, as if she was permanently angry with the world. It was no surprise when she worked alongside a man like Azag.
As she passed she looked Nerishka up and down, her blue eyes curious and yet approving, as if she liked what she saw.
<Oh dear,> said Lyra.
<Doesn’t count,> Nerishka replied as she and Dresden followed the pair down the hallway.
<One minute fifty-seven to the podium,> said Lyra.
Nerishka gritted her teeth. The diversion was set for thirty seconds after the general begins his address. Their plan had one chance and one chance only, and the general was dragging his damned feet.
<Kelem’s confirmed. Diversion in place and counting down,> said Dresden.
<I wish Azag would move faster. The man really does want to make them wait,> Nerishka muttered.
<Anytime now, Nishka. Don’t think I didn’t see the way she looked at you,> Dresden said, a strange edge to his voice.
<Don’t rush me.> Nerishka glared at him and then took a breath.
<One minute forty-five,> Lyra counted down.
Nerishka stumbled and let out a soft cry. Azag stiffened but kept walking while the major faltered in her stride.
<She’s coming,> Lyra announced.
Nerishka prepared her best ‘in pain’ expression and glanced up when the major crouched at her side.
“Is something the matter?” Gilit asked, peering at Nerishka’s face.
Nerishka grunted and pushed to her knees, keeping her face directed away. She stumbled again, and the major grabbed for her arm.
<Here, let me help you,> the woman said, taking Nerishka’s hand to draw her to her feet.
<Contact,> Nerishka muttered to Lyra and Dresden.
<A minute twenty to the podium, a minute fifty to diversion.>
“Gilit!” Azag growled from up ahead where he’d paused to look over his shoulder at the two women. “What in Marduk’s light are you doing? She’s meant to be our security. Not the other way around.”
The major stiffened then moved to walk away, but Nerishka gripped her fingers, pretending not to have noticed that the major had retracted the offer to help and was now walking away.
Gilit froze then turned to glare at Nerishka. “What are you—”
“Thank you…for offering to help me. I…I’m not feeling so good.” Nerishka straightened and let the major go.
<Deployed,> she updated the team.
The major stared at Nerishka then tugged at the bottom of her jacket then turned on her heel and walked off. <See that you get yourself checked. We can’t afford to have people on security who aren’t fit.> Despite the coolness in her tone, Gilit glanced over her shoulder again, sending Nerishka another appreciative look.
<Sixty seconds to podium, ninety to diversion,> Lyra updated them.
<That’s the look,> Dresden pointed out with a smirk.
<I saw it, thank you.> She shook her head and said, <Activation in ninety seconds.>
Nerishka counted the seconds as they headed down the hall and took a right toward the auditorium, the general and the major in whispered conversation.
<Thirty seconds to podium, sixty to diversion. We are in sync and good to go.>
<Ready and waiting,> came Judith’s voice. <Wheels up in two minutes, people.>
Nerishka chuckled and shook her head.
<What?> asked Judith innocently. <I’ve always wanted to say that.>
They turned a corner and Azag slowed as he and the major reached the entrance to the school’s auditorium. Two representatives from the school were waiting to greet him but Azag merely waved them off and entered the hall.
<Seven seconds to podium. Thirty-two to diversion,> said Lyra, sounding a little excited.
<Activation in five,> announced Nerishka, watching Gilit as she reached the stairs to climb after the general. <Three…two…one.>
The major hunched over and let out a soft gasp. Nerishka remained stiff-spined and beckoned to one of the school representatives, pointing to Gilit briefly before following Azag up the stairs.
<Major down.>
<General is a go,> said Lyra as Azag smiled at the gathered students.
He took precious moments, scanning the room as though meeting each and every eye that gazed up at him. <Looks like they like him. A lot.>
<No reason why they wouldn’t. People play more than one role in life all the time,> said Dresden.
<Twenty,> said Lyra.
<Diversion still functional. All clear,> came Kelem’s voice.
“Thank you! Thank you for allowing me to be present on this momentous occasion,” Azag said, smiling widely. His gaze twitched to the left, likely in search of the major.
<Took him long enough to figure out she was gone,> said Dresden. <How is this man even a general?>
Despite Azag’s limited concern for the major, he continued, “Someday in the future, wherever your military careers may take you…”
<Five,> Lyra said.
“Wherever your passions may guide you…”
<Three.>
“…you will remember this day fondly. You will look back on this—”
An explosion erupted at the back of the room and Azag reacted in an instant, ducking behind the podium.
“Shots fired,” he yelled, his microphone still broadcasting. “Get me out of here, you idiots.”
Dresden and Nerishka rushed forward and grabbed Azag, lifting the general to his feet and shielding him with their bodies. As they hustled him out of the auditorium, the sound of laughter echoed after them.
“They’re laughing?” Azag looked over his shoulder.
“No idea why, sir. We need to get you to safety. Then we can assess the situation.” Nerishka grabbed his arm, pulling him along. He stumbled on the steps and Nerishka placed a hand on the back of his neck and held him down. “Stay low, sir,” she said as she dosed him with truth serum.
<Hope you didn’t mix up the hands,> Lyra said with a chuckle. She’d been the one to ask what would happen if Nerishka’s dose of low level toxins for the Major got mixed up with Azag’s trut
h serum.
Nerishka hid a grin as she and Dresden guided the general back along the hallways toward the emergency exit. Once outside, they rushed across the manicured lawn to the small shuttle waiting a few meters away. The shuttle doors opened as they ran for it and Dresden pushed the general inside before jumping in himself
“Ow! What are you doing?” Azag yelled, tugging his arm free from Dresden’s grip. “I’ll have you fired for that, you imbecile.”
While Azag fought with Dresden, Nerishka turned and shut the emergency doors to the building, trailing some nano into the panel and frying the circuits.
<That should keep the door sealed until they get a tech in.>
<Or until they blow it wide open,> Kelem snickered.
<Watch your mouth,> Nerishka muttered as she ran to the shuttle and scrambled inside.
<What she means is don’t jinx it. Nerishka is superstitious,> Lyra added, her soft laugh filling the team’s link.
<Buckle up kids,> said Judith from the front of the shuttle as she lifted off and surged into the air, the doors sliding shut as they sped off.
“Where are we going?” Azag yelled. “Someone just tried to kill me. Aren’t you people going to call it in?”
Kelem laughed. “Not sure if you’re aware but unless you rig it a certain way, fireworks don’t kill people. At least not that I’ve ever heard of.”
Nerishka grinned. Now that had been a brilliant diversion.
CONTINGENCIES
STELLAR DATE: 10.21.8948 (Adjusted Gregorian)
LOCATION: Ishtar Station
REGION: Ayra System (Independent)
“Fireworks?! What in the stars are you talking about. Someone just tried to kill me and you’re making a joke of it?” Azag vibrated with fury, his face almost purple.
Nerishka grinned. Fireworks had been a brilliant plan. Especially given that they’d discovered the military school to be for children aged fifteen to seventeen.
<Looks like he’s going to give himself a heart attack,> Lyra commented airily.
<Doesn’t he have mods or nano to help him out?> asked Dresden. His forehead creased with concern and Nerishka knew what he was feeling. They couldn’t afford for the general to die before they had a chance to learn if he had backups of the research.