We were all silent, listening to Lowdrop without comment. A single O to work on—right. Trouble is, he would probably object strenuously to our working on him.
"Beta One, you are in command of a reinforced squad for this mission, to consist of Beta at full strength and Gamma at current strength. Your call sign will be Badboy. Gamma One, you are to retain command of your element, but take your orders from Beta One. Beta, I'd suggest Beta Two take command of your second element as usual, but that's up to you. Your aircar driver will be Beta Ten."
An almost audible sigh of relief rippled through Beta. Boudicca was not to command us—some good news at least! And Redhawk would be our air jock—couldn't complain on that!
"Badboy." Psycho leaned over to me and whispered. "Deadman! How do they come up with these names?"
The screen flashed. Mongera disappeared, replaced by a skeletal black city enveloped in flames, burning brightly under a glowing orange night sky.
"Century City," Lowdrop said quietly. "A few days ago it was a prosperous, modern settlement. Millions are now attempting to flee via the starport. The O are closing in. You will be dropped in here. Your mission is to kill an O—any O—survive, and return to tell us about it. If you get one it will be a first, and could change the outcome of the conflict."
We thought about that. Heavy duty.
"Do you all understand the mission?"
"Does ConFree know about this mission?" Boudicca asked suddenly.
Lowdrop looked at her sharply. "The highest levels of ConFree have been briefed on this mission."
"Well then, screw 'em!" Boudicca snapped. "Why should we die for ConFree? Let those Inners drop in to Mongera themselves and kill an O, if they think it's so important!"
Lowdrop paled with rage, then turned to Snow Leopard. "What the hell is this?" he demanded.
Snow Leopard gazed back at Lowdrop, a trifle uneasily. "I told you what that Systie dip said about ConFree. You didn't respond. Everyone in my squad knows about it. Perhaps an explanation might be in order."
Lowdrop stared at Snow Leopard, then turned away. One hand went to his comset, then hesitated. Finally he turned his gaze back to us.
"All right. I suppose you deserve to know, if anyone does. This information is not to go outside this room. It's true, ConFree did learn about Oplan Gold, about ten stellar years ago. What they learned was that the Systies had a sustained, continuing contact with the Omnis. That was about the most important news we'd ever had. Can you imagine the implications of a Systie alliance with the Omnis? It would have meant System supremacy, and the death of ConFree and the Legion. And you know what that would have meant for humanity."
The capmod was as still as a tomb as Lowdrop continued. "The trouble was, we did not know where the contact was taking place, and we also had no details about it. We did not, for example, know about the unitium. And we had no idea that the contact was taking place in ConFree vac. We naturally assumed that it was somewhere in Systie vac. ConFree has been searching for the zero for ten years.
"When we first learned about the contact, from a highly reliable source, we approached the System, and threatened to publicize it. That got instant cooperation. They promised information about the O's, in return for silence. ConFree couldn't turn that down—reliable information on the O's was hard to come by, and in great demand. Naturally, the Systies told ConFree as little as possible over the next ten years—but what they did tell was totally accurate. ConFree was disappointed in the product, but it was always just enough so we'd want a little bit more. It was certainly better than nothing."
"And the original mission to Andrion 2," Snow Leopard asked, "did anyone know the Systie star track was associated with Oplan Gold?"
"No. ConFree had no idea Andrion was the site they had been looking for. They regarded it as just another Systie intrusion."
"When did the Legion learn about all this?" Boudicca asked.
"We weren't briefed on Oplan Gold until we reported what Gravelight had seen in that Mocain's mind. It was only then that they told us."
"So ConFree approved the attack on Andrion 3?"
"Of course they did! Locating and destroying the site was the ConFree objective all along."
"I don't believe a word you're saying," Boudicca declared calmly. "Cubes told us that ConFree resisted the decision to attack Andrion 3. And ConFree was in bed with the Systies all along! That Systie dip said he briefed a ConFree rep, in STRATCOM Hqs! I'll bet ConFree even knew the location!"
"You shut your mouth!" Lowdrop leaped to his feet and leaned forward toward Boudicca menacingly. "Shut down and listen! ConFree urged caution, but did not call off our attack. I believe that Systie dip was lying to you, but the Legion is investigating your story…"
"It's not my story!"
"Shut down! We are investigating! It's ludicrous to think ConFree is cooperating with the System to protect their contact with the O's. But if there is any truth to it, we will discover it; and there will be serious consequences. And in the meantime, you keep your big yap shut! If this story leaks, I will personally throw your ass into the brig!"
We were quiet. Lowdrop's explanation did not ease my doubts about ConFree. ConFree was a civilian outfit, and they were Inners. Who knew what went on in their minds? I certainly didn't. It didn't seem right to me.
"All right," Lowdrop resumed. "If there are no further hysterical outbursts, let's get back to the mission. With luck, you might not even be downside longer than a few hours. You all now have access to the complete mission orders and ops plans. I'd suggest each of you start on them as soon as you hit your cubes, but I'll leave that up to your One." He paused and took a sip of dox. Calmly, as if he were discussing the weather.
"There are two more details—equally important. As you know, we are in a state of undeclared war with the Systies. However, both the System and ConFree are somewhat busy lately—the Systies are dealing with a full-scale Omni invasion, and ConFree is gathering its strength to defend our own vac from the O's. Neither ConFree nor the System has much energy to devote to another human civil war. Despite this, a Legion warship will not be welcome in the skies over Century City. They're shooting anything that doesn't have port clearance, no questions asked. So you're not going in on one of our ships." Lowdrop smiled, a cold grimace.
I had never seen that before—it was kind of scary.
"Secondly, you won't be going in alone. You're going to have some help, people who know the O's a lot better than we do. They will brief you during your journey to Mongera. I'd advise you to listen to them carefully. They will also be accompanying you downside on your mission. These are VIPs—Very Important People. I expect you to keep them alive during the mission, and return with their hides intact."
"Can't these people take care of themselves?" Boudicca asked, cold and expressionless.
"No, they can't. There are fourteen of you. I'm sure you can handle it. Beta One knows the problem, and he will give you a detailed briefing. So—to summarize: Your mission is to proceed to Mongera, drop in covertly, zero and kill an O, and return—with your VIPs—and report on the results of your mission. Beta One will tell you how this is to be done." Lowdrop glanced at his wristmod. "I've got to go. Badboy, it's quite a mission. I wish I was coming with you, but they've got other plans for me. Beta, it's yours. I know you can do it. It's tricky, but you can do it. Make them understand—tenners?"