At once Axel swung a punch at Ebert, but Fest, anticipating trouble, had moved between them. He blocked the blow with his arm, then pushed Ebert away to the far side of the carriage.
"For gods' sake, Hans, shut up!"
Then he turned on Haavikko. "As for you, Axel Haavikko, listen carefully. I don't condone what Ebert said just now. But you had best just forget it. Understand?"
"Forget it? How can I forget it? It undermines all we are. If I—"
Fest put his hand roughly over Haavikko's mouth, glaring at him.
"Forget it! Is that clear? Hans meant nothing by it. His temper was up, that's all. Understandably, I'd say. The barbarian insulted him! Spat at his feet! Would you have stood as much?"
"It doesn't excuse—" Axel began, but Fest silenced him with a look.
"Enough! Do you understand, Haavikko? No one's honor has been besmirched. What passed here ... it was only words. Nothing to get fired up about."
Axel looked across at Ebert, his face gone cold. Only words, he thought. Only words! He turned his head away, disgusted with them; aching to make Ebert eat the words he'd uttered and annoyed with Fest for interfering. And understanding now the restraint the big man had shown back in his dressing room.
"Well, Axel, some good came of the day after all."
Tolonen leaned forward across his desk, steepling his big hands together. Karr had just left the office, escorted by two elite guards. His contract had been purchased and he had sworn the oath of allegiance to the T'ang and to General Tolonen. All three junior officers had been witnesses. But now the others had gone and Axel was alone with the General for the first time since the business in the carriage.
Axel hesitated, looking down at the old man. Tolonen had treated him like a son since he had become his duty aide. Had honored him with advice and explanations. He had learned much in serving the General, but now things had changed. "Sir, there's something I wish to speak to you about." Tblonen smiled good-naturedly. "Go on, boy." "I'd . . . well, I'd like a new posting." Tblonen sat back slowly, the surprise in his face quite marked. "What's this?" He drew his hands apart and set them down on the edge of his desk. "I don't understand you, Haavikko. Aren't you happy here? Don't you like the job?"
Axel lowered his head. "I was, sir. And I did. But. . ." Tblonen was looking at him strangely. "What is it? What's happened?"
He kept silent. Kept his head lowered.
Tolonen stood up and came round the desk to him. "Tell me, boy. Tell me what's up."
He looked up and met Tolonen's eyes openly. "I'd rather not, sir. It's just that I feel I can't work here anymore."
Tolonen's disbelief surfaced as a laugh. "What am I supposed to make of that, eh? Can't work here. Don't feel like it. Tell me what happened."
Axel took a breath. "Sir, I'd rather not."
The General's bark of anger took him by surprise. "Rather not? It's not good enough, Haavikko. I'll have no secrets here. You'll tell me what happened. Why you want a new posting. I order you to tell me."
Axel swallowed. He had hoped to avoid this. He had wanted to settle his score with Ebert directly, personally. "It's Ebert, sir."
Tolonen laughed uncomfortably. "Ebert, eh? And what's wrong with young Ebert? Has he insulted you?"
"No, sir. Not directly."
"Well, then, what was it? Don't keep me guessing, boy. Spit it out."
"He was disrespectful, sir."
"Disrespectful, eh? To whom?"
Axel felt Tolonen's eyes boring into his own. "To you, sir."
Tolonen huffed. He was quiet a moment, then shook his head. "I don't believe it. His father is my oldest friend. He's like a son to me, that boy. Disrespect?" There was an ugly movement of the General's mouth. "What did he say?"
"I'd rather—" Axel began, but Tolonen cut him off angrily.
"Gods, boy! Don't 'rather not' me anymore! Spit it out, Haavikko! If you're accusing Ebert of disrespect I want to know the full details. And you had better have a witness. I'll have no unsupported hearsay."
Axel bowed his head dutifully. This was not how he had imagined it. He had thought the General would let him go— reluctantly, but without a fuss. This business of accusations and witnesses had come out of the blue.
"It was earlier today, sir. In the sedan coming back. Fest was present, sir. He heard everything."
Tolonen turned abruptly and leaned over his desk. Touching the intercom pad, he spoke to his secretary. "Have cadet officers Fest and Ebert brought back here, please. At once."
He turned back, looking at Haavikko sharply. "What did he say?"
Axel hesitated, the import of what he was doing suddenly striking him. There was much he disliked about Ebert—his arrogance and assumed superiority being the chief of them—but he had never intended to get the man thrown out of the service. If the charge of disrespect was proven he could be summarily dismissed from the force. For the first time since their exchange, Axel wished he had taken Fest's advice and forgotten the whole business.
"Well?" The General's roar brought him back to himself with a start. He looked up. Tolonen's face was red with anger. "Do I have to drag it from you word for word?"
Axel shook his head. In a quiet voice he repeated Ebert's words. Then what he had added afterward.
Tolonen had gone quiet. He looked away, then back at Haavikko. "That's it?" he asked, his voice suddenly much softer. "Those are his precise words?"
Axel nodded curtly, a shiver running down his back. So it was done. The accusation made.
The General shook his head slowly and turned away, moving toward the window. He gazed outward distractedly, then looked back at Haavikko. "You'll be silent until I order otherwise. All right?"
"Sir."
There was a knock at the door.
Tolonen cleared his throat, then turned to face the door. "Come in!"
Fest and Ebert entered. They marched to the center of the room and came to attention.
Tolonen came and stood directly before them, Fest to his left, Ebert to his right. Haavikko stood to the side, near the desk. From there he could see his two fellow cadets' faces. General Tolonen was in profile.
"Do you know why I've summoned you, Ebert?"
Ebert's eyes went to Haavikko, then back to Tolonen. "I think I can guess, sir."
Tblonen frowned. "Really?"
"It's Haavikko, sir. He insulted me. I had to slap him down."
Tolonen turned to look at Axel, astonished, then looked back at Fest. "Is this true, Fest?"
Fest bowed slightly. "It is, sir. It was coming back here from the Net. The two had an argument. Haavikko was very offensive about Ebert's father. Hans... I mean Ebert had no option but to strike him."
"I see," said Tolonen. "And there was nothing else?"
"Nothing, sir," answered Fest. "It was all very unpleasant, but we hoped it would be forgotten. Ebert feels his honor has been upheld."
"You're certain of this, Fest? You'd swear to it under oath?"
Fest looked straight ahead. His reply was instantaneous, unflinching. "I would, sir."
Tblonen considered a moment. Then he moved across until he was directly in front of Ebert. "Your father and I have been friends more than fifty years, Hans. I held you as a baby. Played with you as a child. And IVe always been proud of you as a soldier under my command. But a serious accusation has been leveled against you. One you must either admit to or deny completely."
"Sir?" Ebert looked puzzled.
Haavikko started forward, then stepped back. The liars! The barefaced liars!
Tolonen turned, looking across at Haavikko. Then, in a cold, quiet voice, he repeated what Haavikko had said to him, all the while keeping his eyes on him. Finished, he half turned, looking to Ebert. "Well, cadet Ebert? What have you to say?"
Ebert looked totally nonplussed. He said nothing, merely shook his head. It was Fest who answered for him, his face filled with indignation and anger.