Chapter FIFTEEN
Narval slouched back into his overstuffed chair.Drummer faced him from across the enormousebony-composite desk.
Bringing his hand close, Narval searched for afingernail that demanded his attention.
"President Camari must accept that we have themilitary forces to impose our will on Slingshot,"he said, momentarily shifting his eyes to Drummer."If he does not accept my offer I want to ram itdown his throat. Have you come up with an actionto implement our new policy?"
"I have."
"Lay it out."
"With no advance notice, impose the inventory taxon all Slingshot supplies on board the Depot andon UIPS vessels on both sides of the Fandangoforce field. The first step is to conduct our owninventory of UIPS property in Plutonian space; todo that we must have on site access to the Depot'srecords, and spot check the records against theassets. The presence of our military forces inspace close to the Depot will back up our inventorystaff. Businesslike, formal, and highly visible."
"Why don't you use that tactic on the dozens ofSlingshot laboratories and assembly centers hereon Pluto's surface? Seems to me that would beless risky."
"For good reasons, Mr. President. We needan exercise that is sufficiently visible, evenspectacular, to make both the UIPS and ourINOR allies respect our will and capabilities touse organized military forces throughout ourlegitimate jurisdiction. A surface operation onPluto will be barely noticed and not impress themwith our military strength."
"How do you expect the Depot to react?"
"At first, with confusion. The Depot Commanderwill try to bluff. Meanwhile, he'll spunnel an alarmto Earth and insist on guidance. We must notaccept delay."
"What if you meet resistance?"
"Overcome it. Set an example. After all, we areexercising our rights as a sovereign nation."
"And after the inventory?"
"If peacefully accomplished, we withdraw. We'llspunnel formal documentation to the UIPS on theamount of taxes due, the schedule for paymentand penalties for delinquencies."
"The penalties?"
"I have several in mind. Fines for minor delays,blockade of the depot and, eventually, militaryaction should they get nasty."
"How soon can you launch?"
"Three days."
"Do it."
Drummer turned to leave. Narval raised his jeweledhand. Drummer paused and turned back.
"What's this I've heard from Scarf about you takinga pack of escaped Inner Region convicts under yourwing?"
"There's more to it than that," replied Drummer.He filled in the gaps.
Narval scrutinized his fingernails as Drummertalked.
"I'm surprised to hear you patronize drinkingestablishments where such raffish elements gather,"Narval murmured around the focus of his attention.
"I feel it my duty to get about, to see, and tolisten. There is much to learn by observing ourpeople going about their daily lives. The CharnelPit is one of the few places in Coldfield wherepeople gather to relax and talk."
Narval peered sideways at Drummer from narrowedeyes.
"Hm, you see and you listen to the people. Whatelse, I wonder? Do the people also see and listento you? What do you tell them, Drummer?"
"I tell them nothing, President Narval. I don'tknow what you mean."
"Well, let it go for now. Back to your littlebrood. You say they're experienced spacers, andyou've checked the facts of their escape. Youknow we're short-handed in technicians for themilitary fleet. Can we use them?"
"I'm not certain that I trust them," Drummerresponded.
"Test them."
"How?"
"Take them along on the inventory operation."
"...and?"
"As I say, test them. Force whoever is leading theminto a difficult situation. Keep him close to youand watch how he works himself out of it. If hedoes well, throw him to another pack of wolves. Gethim and his gang involved, deeper. Make them provethemselves. When you're satisfied, bring them upto a level where we're squeezing from them allthey have that's useful to us."
"Scarf is after them."
"Leave Scarf to me, Drummer. That's all."
##
Scarf entered and waited for Narval to notice him.Narval's eyes were fixed on his hands. He spokewithout looking up.
"Drummer has given me his side of the incidentin the bar-room," he said, his voice cutting withsarcasm. "The hangers-on in that sinkhole have,by now, spread their version all over Coldfield,Lamplight, as well as the depot and Slingshot.You came out of it looking like a fool in aconfrontation that enhances Drummer's image tothe detriment of the President's Chief of Security."
Narval raised his head. His small eyes drilled intoScarf.
"I don't trust Drummer," he said. "I suspect himof trying to subvert my rule. He's too popular inthe Council and among the officers and men ofthe military fleet. I can't chance direct actionagainst him at this time. For the moment, I needhis expertise in military strategy and managingour resources.
"I'm looking to you to find or create enoughevidence so that, when I'm ready, we can undermineDrummer's reputation. As it is, you've built him upby embarrassing your high position in my government.Do your job right, and my problem with Drummerwill fade away. I'm not pleased at all with yourprogress so far."
Scarf's face was flushed.
"Yes, sir," he said. "My intent was to accostDrummer in a public place, draw him out, and makehim look foolish. The circumstances in the CharnelPit were fine, or so I thought. Intervention by anoutsider was totally unexpected. When I get myhands on that convict, I have plans for him."
"Hold off, Scarf. You can have him when I'm donewith the pack, including Drummer. Until then, putyour anger aside."
"Yes, sir."
"Now, listen carefully."
Narval leaned forward, eyes on Scarf. He describedDrummer's upcoming inventory operation. Stubbyfingers smoothed the desk surface.
"I'll tell Drummer that I want you to go alongon the inventory," he said. "Think up a reason;I don't care what it is so long as it gets youaboard. The real reason is to keep your eyes onDrummer, the operation, and these convicts he'sharboring. I want to know everything that happens.Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir. I do." Scarf's eyes lit up. He continuedeagerly. "If Drummer goes to the depot or boardsUIPS ships, I should go along to see what he does.As Chief of Security, my position should compel himto accompany him. I suggest, sir, that you appointme as your counter-intelligence representativeon Drummer's task force. My job, then, would beto check if the depot or a transport, whicheverwe board, is conducting secret surveillance ofour military facilities, field training, and shipmovements. Drummer can be told that my boardingthe depot would be essential to the mission you'veassigned to me."
"Hasn't our man on the depot told us they've beenperforming those observations for the UIPS forquite a while? Wouldn't Drummer see through thatploy?"
"Not if you tell him this would be the firstopportunity for your Chief of Security to entera UIPS domain and report to you directly on hisobservations. It would take me out from underDrummer's command."
"Hm, yes, I see what you mean." Narval returnedto examining his fingernails. He lifted a finger tohis lips and nibbled.
"Very well, Scarf. I'll tell Drummer."