“I told him the basic idea. The Margrave will try, I’m sure of that. His pride won’t let him refuse. If you watch him closely, you’ll know how well he succeeds even before I do.”
They were back at the level where Tatty Snipes lived. She had arranged sleeping accommodations for both of them, in large, luxurious apartments. King Bester had rolled his eyes when he saw them, and given thanks aloud that he wasn’t expected to pay for them.
“One more thing,” added Brachis, as they came to his apartment door. “About the Needlers. Those products are wonderful. You could export them all over the Stellar Group. But you don’t.”
Bester fidgeted in his patchwork clothes. “Yeah. Well, they would, you see — if they was allowed to. But there’s a problem.”
“If it’s a question of export licenses — ”
“Not that. See, the Needler labs make all kinds of Artefacts, but all the best ones have something in common: The DNA in ’em is mostly human. That’s not permitted, but they all do it or they can’t compete. Remember Sorudan? Didn’t look human, I know, but there’s more human DNA in that Artefact than there is in the smart chimps in the transportation system.”
Luther Brachis shook his head. He went into his apartment without speaking. And yet King Bester had the odd feeling that he could not have given the big security commander more welcome news.
An hour before sunlight touched the surface far above him, Esro Mondrian was waiting in total darkness. He had slept for three hours after midnight, and awakened shivering and perspiring.
Tatiana lay at his side, one arm across his body. He eased away from her and moved slowly and carefully through into the next room. Once the door was closed he turned on a low-powered light and switched the communicator to whisper mode.
“Captain Flammarion?”
As Mondrian had expected, Kubo was awake. The wizened little man drank too much, ate almost nothing, and seldom slept. Both of them were awake twenty hours out of twenty-four.
“I’m here, Commander. I’d been wondering how to get in touch with you. Nobody seemed to know, and I really needed to talk.” But even now Flammarion was cautious. He waited for receipt of Mondrian’s ID before he continued. “We made it up through the Link without any trouble, and we’re all on Ceres. But I think there’s a real problem, and I want you to know about it before anyone else does.”
“Appreciated. Carry on, Captain.”
“The woman is fine. Her name is Leah Buckingham Rainbow. Her title seems free and clear, she’s twenty-two years old, and considering where she came from she’s in great physical condition. Prime training material. Mass one twenty seven, training quotient — ”
“Slap all that, Captain. Get to the problem.”
“Yes, sir. It’s the man. His name is Chancellor Vercingetorix Dalton. He’s twenty years old, a wonderful physical specimen, and his title is clear, too.” Flammarion cleared his throat. “Only trouble is — he’s a moron.”
“What!” Mondrian did not raise his voice, because he did not want to waken Tatty, but its intensity seared along the communications link.
“A moron, sir. Literally. Remember when we first saw them, the woman seemed to lead the action?”
“I noticed that.”
“Well, when we caught them she still did all the talking. But he seemed to be listening, and kept nodding as though he was following everything. He didn’t say anything, except his name when we asked for it. And now I know why. We gave him a standard test when we got up here, and his name’s about the only thing he can say, with any understanding. He takes all his action cues from her. Sir, did you know any of this already?”
“No. But I should have guessed it when Bozzie was so happy to make the deal. Mondrian sat hunched by the communicator. “Damn the man. He knew it, the fat fraud.”
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“Not your fault, Captain. Mine. Just how bad is Dalton? Did you get a complete profile yet?”
“They’ll do more tests, but we have enough. It’s pretty hopeless. Mental age of maybe a two-year-old. See, him and the girl were raised together, and apparently she has always looked after him. That hasn’t helped at all — may have made him worse.”
“Apart from you, who knows about any of this?”
“Well, the psych tests on both the man and the woman are part of the general records. But I don’t see anybody bothering to look at them.”
“Don’t you believe it. Commander Brachis will look at them if they’re anything to do with Pursuit Team candidates. We have a wager on it.”
“Yes, sir. I’m sorry, sir.”
“He’ll think he’s won. Maybe he has. Captain, do you have the profiles with you?”
“Right here.”
“Take a look. Do you think we have a situation where we might be able to use a Tolkov Stimulator?”
There was a long silence at the other end.
“Captain Flammarion?”
“I’m here, sir. I’m looking, but I just don’t know. His profile’s pretty good, so there might be a decent chance. But Commander — ”
“Captain?”
“The Tolkov Stimulator. It’s not — I mean it is — isn’t it? It’s supposed to be for top security. Top security use only. It’s not — I mean it is -
“ Don’t gibber, Captain. When I want a monkey on my staff, I can find one down here on Earth. I know the restrictions on Stimulator use better than you do. But this use is a top security issue — the security of the whole Stellar Group. Can you think of a more urgent use?”
“But it’s not just that. I’ve seen the Stimulator used — it only works one time out of ten.”
“So it’s a long shot.”
“And if it doesn’t work, it kills the subject.”
“Which would mean the wager with Commander Brachis was off. Captain, don’t waste any more time talking. Find a Stimulator. I’ll make sure we have all the approvals.”
“Yessir.” From the sound of Flammarion’s voice, he was standing to attention. “I’ll do it, sir. But sir — ”
To still here.”
“Remember how the Stimulator works. Somebody has to be present to apply it to the subject. There’s a real strong bonding involved, and it can take months. And from what I’ve heard, it’s absolute hell for both of them. After the first few tries, the person applying the Stimulator usually wants to up and quit. It will be like that using it on Dalton. You’ll have to appoint somebody to stay with Dalton and the Stimulator, for weeks and weeks, and — ”
Kubo Flammarion realized where his line of speech was taking him. His tongue froze in horror.
“Relax, Captain. You are definitely not a candidate. I appreciate your concerns, and I know all the risks of using a Tolkov Stimulator as well as you do. Let me worry about that.” Mondrian leaned back, studying a calendar on the desk in front of him. “Note your own orders. As soon as the tests are complete, take the man and the woman to the Horus confinement facility. Set up the maximum security environment there. Also set up a system for education, and one for Pursuit Team training.
Allocate a chamber for a Tolkov Stimulator — I’ll arrange for the equipment to be shipped to you. Any questions?”
“The person who will be applying the Tolkov Stimulator to Chancellor Dalton—”
“Is no concern of yours. I will take care of that also.”
“Any other questions?”
“No, sir.”
“Then proceed.”
Mondrian pressed the disconnect and walked quietly through into the bedroom. Tatiana lay flat on her back. She was still sleeping, but when he moved to her side she turned to him in the darkness. Mondrian touched her, caressing her slowly and gently. She pulled him close and muttered in pleasure at what he was doing.