“How are they planning on getting back through Syndic space?” Desjani wondered.
“How did they get to Durnan in the first place to plant that colony long ago?” Charban asked.
Geary made a helpless gesture. “We’ll have to take the Dancers at their word. There’s nothing in this star system that can catch them or hurt them before they reach that jump point.”
“Something might come out of the jump point,” Desjani suggested.
“Yeah. That’s true. We’ll hang around the hypernet gate until the Dancers jump and we know they’re out of human space, then we’ll head home.” The Dancers themselves obviously didn’t feel that the Alliance had any further obligations to escort and protect them, but Geary still felt a sense of responsibility toward them. He wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving Midway until the Dancers had.
As the hours went by, the Dancers racing toward the jump point for Pele while the Alliance warships orbited near the hypernet gate, Lieutenant Iger’s people were able to build up a picture of events at Midway that was only slightly reassuring. “They haven’t started shooting at the protesters yet, and I haven’t detected any orders for the local warships to move into position for precision bombardments. A lot of the ground forces seem to be missing, and there are references to General Drakon’s being gone from the star system.”
“Do you have any idea where he is?” Geary asked, remembering the stolid general who had seemed glad to shed the trappings of a Syndic CEO.
“There are a couple of mentions of Ulindi, a nearby star system.”
It was odd how someone having a dozen battle cruisers at his beck and call could feel powerless, Geary thought as he watched the Dancers dart away too fast to be caught up with and viewed images of events in Midway Star System that were hours old by the time he saw them. “At the rate the Dancers are going,” Desjani said, “their total transit time to the jump point for Pele will be less than twenty hours. They’re moving faster than sailors heading for the liberty shuttle.”
“Is their return that urgent?” Geary asked. “Or are they hurrying because they know we can’t leave until we know they have?”
“Or are they just sick and tired of us ugly humans?” Desjani added.
“I’m going to get some sleep,” Geary said as he realized that he had been on the bridge for more then seven hours straight. “There’s nothing anywhere near us and nothing I can do. When something does happen, I want my mind to be a little rested. If I’m not back in six hours, give me a call.”
He made a futile effort to sleep, staring up at the overhead from his bed, before eventually calling up some paperwork. But this time not even routine paperwork on the most soul-deadening of topics could make him drowsy.
Geary returned to Dauntless’s bridge, noting that it had been thirteen hours since arrival in this star system. “Anything new?”
“How did you know?” Desjani asked. “We just got a message from that woman who calls herself president. I was reaching to call you when you showed up.”
For someone who had cities full of rioters, alien spaceships on the edges of her star system, and a large force of warships present belonging to an Alliance that had until recently been her bitter enemy, President Iceni appeared remarkably calm and confident. Geary was certain that it was an act, which made it all the more impressive to him.
“Admiral Geary, my friend, I am hoping it is you who have returned to this star system,” President Iceni began. “We are currently undergoing some minor domestic disturbances, which I regret to say are occupying my full attention. General Drakon is at Ulindi, assisting the people there in throwing off the chains of the Syndicate. You will be pleased to hear that your Captain Bradamont has proven to be an exceptionally valuable resource in our attempts to both defend this star system and create a more stable system of governance for it. I regret that she is currently aboard our battleship Midway, which is also at Ulindi and cannot speak to you directly. I assure you that she is both safe and highly respected by the officers and specialists of our military forces.
“From what I can see, it appears that the aliens called the Dancers are returning home. I would appreciate confirmation of this. They sent us a message directly. Watch the different stars. We have no idea what that means.
“I am certain that our current domestic disturbances are the work of foreign agents. I will be focusing my efforts on calming the situation here without resort to Syndicate methods.
“Please advise me of your plans. I remain your friend and ally, President Iceni. For the people. Out.”
Geary sat thinking for several seconds after the message ended. “The Dancers told the locals at Midway to watch the different stars,” he finally said.
“They got a different message than we did,” Desjani said. “Interesting. Too bad we don’t know what either message means.”
“Iceni claimed she was trying to put down the riots without resorting to Syndic methods. I’m sure I know what you think of that.”
“No, you don’t,” she replied. “I believe her.”
He stared at her. “You believe a former Syndic CEO?”
“That’s right.” Desjani indicated the image of President Iceni that still hung suspended next to their seats. “You see, I know that kind of woman. She doesn’t like being pushed around.”
“Yeah, I know that kind of woman, too.”
“Please let me finish, Admiral,” she continued with a sharp look at him. “You heard what she said. This Iceni knows that somebody triggered those riots, that somebody is trying to make her put down the riots using the standard Syndic methods involving lots of dead and wounded demonstrators. And she’s mad enough that she might do that. Except that she knows that’s what the people behind this want. They’re probably working for the Syndic government on Prime. And they’re trying to make her do something.”
Geary pondered that. “Iceni won’t do it because she knows they’re trying to force her into taking that option.”
“Not unless she absolutely has to,” Desjani agreed. “Which she might. This isn’t entirely about her being a Syndic. It’s about her being that kind of person.”
“I hope you’re right. And I hope that Iceni can stop the riots without resorting to mass deaths, or any deaths at all. But we can’t wait around to find out.”
“So, what are you going to tell your friend and ally?” Desjani asked.
“Just the truth. And she really is already an ally of sorts. I hope Iceni turns out to be someone we can call a friend as well someday.” Geary took a slow, deep breath, then touched his comm controls. “President Iceni, this is Admiral Geary. We came here only to escort the Dancers back to Midway. They are proceeding home from here on their own. We cannot remain in this star system one minute longer than absolutely necessary because of the danger that the hypernet gate may be blocked before we can leave. I don’t know when any Alliance ships will be able to come through here again. Perhaps not until we figure out how to override that ability to block access to the gates. I regret that we cannot offer any assistance at this time and also that we cannot offer any suggestions as to the meaning of the message the Dancers sent you. Good luck, and may the living stars aid you. To the honor of our ancestors, Geary, out.”
Desjani rolled her eyes. “You didn’t have to ask the blessing of the living stars for her.”