But so far today, nothing was going according to plan.
Back at the command center, Cullen Roi followed reports from other locations.
“We’ve spotted opposition in two locations,” Norah said. She indicated them on the map. “It could be they brought in a bigger force than we initially thought.”
“It could be,” he said. “What I want to know is why they’re heading that way at all.”
Norah pointed at the location of the fourth warehouse. “Maybe they don’t know about this one?”
“I don’t think so. I think they’re being cagey.”
A fifth cache location lit up on the map. “Ah, here they are.” Cullen called up the scene commander on the radio. “What’s your situation?”
“We’re under attack by about a squad, supported by a ’Mech and vehicles.”
“Can you hold them?”
“For a few minutes.”
“Hold them as long as you can. I’m bringing up reinforcements.”
Cullen keyed the net to Hansel, who would be waiting now at his ambush location for an attack that wasn’t going to come. “Go at once to the fifth location, Donnitz area. Leave slow units behind if you must. The enemy is there. Engage them. All units, expedite relocation of supplies. That is all.”
He looked at the clock. The riots hadn’t been supposed to start for hours. Well, he’d just had his morning ruined. Some other people could have their morning ruined, too.
56
Chamber of Paladins, Geneva
Terra, Prefecture X
20 December 3134
In the Chamber of Paladins, Jonah sat listening to the three-sided conversation between Anders Kessel, David McKinnon and Tyrina Drummond. Drummond seemed to have memorized every word of the governing protocols of The Republic, though Kessel and McKinnon seemed determined to catch her in a misstep. Jonah’s own memories of the previous election were not overly sharp—by his memory, the assembled Paladins had done little more than confirm Devlin Stone’s chosen successor by acclamation.
The three Paladins were still talking when the small door off to the side of the Exarch’s podium swung open, admitting Damien Redburn himself to the chamber. A silence fell as one by one the others in the room became aware of Redburn’s presence. The Exarch spoke into the quiet.
“You’re all welcome here today, and I won’t keep you long from doing the work that you have to do. You have my best wishes for a successful outcome.”
The Exarch paused and looked at the small group of men and women who represented all of The Republic’s Paladins save two—the currently absent Heather GioAvanti and the never-seen Ghost Paladin. Then he continued, “Clearly, with an absent Paladin, no binding vote or formal deliberations may be held. I imagine, though, that each of you has plenty to say. Perhaps you should commence discussions.”
Kessel stepped forward. “We’ve already voted to do that, Exarch. Just ironing out a few procedural kinks.”
“Well, that should be the job of the facilitator. Have you chosen a facilitator?
A slightly embarrassed silence descended over the chamber.
“When something is done only once every four years, it’s easy to forget protocol,” Redburn said gently. “Choose a facilitator and begin discussions. Hopefully Paladin GioAvanti will arrive shortly.”
There was another silent moment, then Otto Mandela’s booming voice: “I nominate Tyrina Drummond as facilitator.”
“Seconded,” said Jonah Levin.
“No!” Kessel objected.
“You may take a few moments for debate,” Redburn said with a sigh. He had hoped this, at least, would go smoothly.
Drummond stared ice at Kessel as he spoke. “With all due respect to Paladin Drummond, what this process requires most is free and open debate. Paladin Drummond’s demeanor has been known, on some occasions, to be somewhat… brusque. Intimidating, even. I’m afraid that’s not what we need in a facilitator.”
“I do not believe that Paladins are so easily intimidated,” Drummond said curtly. “I am as interested in choosing a worthy Exarch as anyone. I do not think efficiency in my activities should be counted against me.”
“Does anyone have a suspicion of how Tyrina intends to vote?” interjected Meraj Jorgensson. Several Paladins started to speak, but fell silent. “Me neither. I think that alone makes her a good candidate for facilitator.”
“Tyrina Drummond has been nominated and seconded as balloting facilitator,” said Redburn. “All in favor?”
“Aye,” said at least a dozen of the Paladins in a ragged chorus, including Jonah.
“Any nay votes?”
A few voices responded. Drummond showed remarkable restraint in not glaring at each individual opponent.
Redburn nodded. “The ayes have it. Paladin Drummond, I turn the discussion over to you.”
Redburn turned and left through the same door by which he had entered. Tyrina waited until it had closed behind him, then left her seat and walked up to the lectern. She looked out at all of them with a sharp, penetrating expression—and Jonah remembered that the members of Clan Nova Cat had a reputation for seeing powerful visions.
“In the name of the dream of Devlin Stone,” she said, “and to honor his memory as we wait for his return: Let us cast our first trial ballot.”
“What about discussion?” Kessel immediately interjected.
“Let us see where we stand first,” Drummond said serenely. “I believe that Paladin GioAvanti’s delay will provide ample opportunity for discussion.”
Jonah nodded with the rest of the council. He’d say what he had planned after this ballot, and he was sure there would be an awful lot of discussion when he was done.
Damien Redburn entered his small, private office adjoining the chamber. His guest was waiting.
“Well,” said the Ghost Paladin. “At least they’re started.”
Redburn sat down at his desk and heaved a tired sigh. “There’s no telling how long it will take them to finish, though. They’re still one Paladin short.”
“Ah, yes. Heather GioAvanti is away chasing rioters, or potential rioters.”
“Do your people have anything new on that?”
“My people?” The Ghost Paladin shrugged. “We’ve pulled in two suspected agents of House Liao with what looked like plans to set off a biochemical device in the voting chamber, a squad of Dragon’s Fury commandos intending to seize the main Genevan tri-vid news station and force the personnel to broadcast House Kurita propaganda, and a warrior from Clan Jade Falcon who died fighting before we could get a clear idea of what the hell she was after. Oh, and there’s approximately fifteen organizations named after Devlin Stone fighting each other in front of the Hall of Government. But I’m not worried about any of those.”
“No?”
“No. What I’m worried about are the people out there whose plans we didn’t manage to catch.”
57
Chamber of Paladins, Geneva
Terra, Prefecture X
20 December 3134
Jonah Levin looked at the display on the tally board. Sixteen Paladins were currently present in the Chamber, and thirteen votes had been cast so far in the first trial ballot. He would not have been surprised to see thirteen different colors on the board.
The board displayed no names, only an array of colored lights. That anonymity had been another of the Founder’s political notions, according to Tyrina Drummond. A Paladin wanting to work out who was ahead and who was falling behind in the trial ballots would have to consult with his or her fellow Paladins and gather the information from them directly.