Infinite Day (70 page)

In other words, what we would be carrying out would be a judicial execution. And I would have to do it
. “Fairly put,” Merral answered at length and knew that he had made his decision.
It may be right to execute her, but I am reluctant to do that. Too much blood has already been shed on this voyage. Or am I being weak?
“Here's what I propose. . . .”

Merral read the sentence. “The minor matter first: Betafor, you are in breach of the promise you made to serve the Assembly loyally.”

There was a heavy silence.

“Now the more serious matters. First, Betafor, you are found guilty of the capital offense of murder of your own kind and of seeking the murder of the crew of this ship. There are other charges, such as failure to help a wounded person and attempted treachery. The punishment for these crimes is death. In this case, it would be most appropriately done by voiding you into space.”

He paused and watched a tremor pass through the machine.

“Yet as commander, I am prepared to show grace. I therefore exercise my privilege of mercy: we will not invoke the death sentence. However, your current restrictions of not being able to access any ship communication or computer facilities and being confined to a room are to continue. Exceptions will be made only with my approval. Disobedience will result in us applying the death penalty. What do you say?”

“I am sorry. . . . And I am grateful for your mercy.”

“Do not mistake mercy for weakness. You are dismissed.”

Later Lloyd came up to Merral. “Sir, I rarely disagree with you. . . .”

“But here you do.”

“Yes, sir. She is treacherous. I just hope it doesn't backfire on us.”

“It's a risk, Lloyd. Luke reminded me that grace always is.”

23

E
liza gazed eastward across the salt flats to the smooth waters of the Dead Sea. Beyond the water, unnaturally blue in the early December sun, she could clearly see rugged, reddish cliffs on the far side. The armed guard standing under the nearest palm tree gave her another glance but seemed disinclined to do anything more.
They know who I am; they just don't know why I am here.

She turned back to stare at the waters.
One of the few plus points of the present crisis is that it has shelved the perennial question about returning the Dead Sea to fresh water. That is now pretty low on the agenda
.

She heard a sudden surge of noise behind her and turned to where, beyond the avenue of palms, men and women, half in the blue uniforms of the ADF, were emerging from the conference hall. She scanned the faces, seeing the watchful eyes, security guards, and weapons.
How things have changed.

She saw Ethan emerge with heavyset security guards on each side of him. He was carrying a cup of coffee and looking around. He saw her, smiled, and walked toward her. A dozen meters away, he talked to his guards and they fell back.

A dark shadow crossed the ground and Eliza looked up to see a military rotorcraft circling overhead.
More
guards.

“Eliza! What a pleasure to see you.”

“Eeth; and you.”

Careful not to spill his coffee, he kissed her on the cheek.

“I should have brought you a cup.”

“I don't need one.”

He looks physically frailer but, oddly enough, less harassed. Even so, how much longer can he last as chairman? The irony is that with the rise of Delastro, we need him in place
.

Together they walked to the balcony rail that overlooked the waters.

“I was surprised to get your note,” Ethan said. “There are other ways of contacting me. Your office is not far from mine.”

“Yes,” she said quietly, “but I wanted to talk privately with you.”

“My office is private.”

“I'm no longer sure about that. And it's been difficult to get hold of you.”

Ethan gave an apologetic frown. “Eliza, I'm sorry. I find myself surrounded by guards and advisors. And there are some things that I can no longer talk to you about. Military matters, for example.”

Is he hinting that the military is up to something?

“But we don't have secret rule by the high stewards, do we?”

The response was a weary smile. “Do I look like a tyrant?
No
. Any major decision—military or otherwise—must be approved by the stewards and that select handful of other leaders we always invite. You included.”

“I'm glad to hear it.”

“But even now, I'm afraid I can only give you ten minutes. It's a terrible confession from an old friend. But I cannot afford to slack off.”

“For once, I am in agreement with you.”
We prefer
you
to some alternatives.

“Now, tell me what you want to talk about. Or can I guess?”

Eliza realized that he was looking over his shoulder.
He is no fool
. “Eeth, you can guess.”

“Delastro.”

She nodded. “I am finding it hard to come to terms with the sheer speed with which that man and his beliefs are making progress. He has been on Earth barely five weeks but already he has become a household name across the worlds.”

“He's doing a lot of good.” The tone was defensive. “There is an improvement in morale, a new dedication, and an extraordinary spirit of unity now. The divisiveness I feared has largely gone. The prebendant must get some credit for that.”

And, of course, your enemies are now at bay; the opposition is in chaos
. “So it's all good?”

“Mostly . . . yes.” Ethan paused. “Andreas is pretty happy too. He visited him down at this ranch he has.”

“And you haven't?” She nodded to the south. “It's not far away.”

“No. I haven't found the time. And . . .”

“And?”

“He's not my sort of person. I appreciate him, but . . .” There was a look of discomfort.

How interesting.
“Eeth, the Custodians of the Faith have reservations about Delastro. But the fact that he has made it hard for anybody to openly hold Counter-Current beliefs makes Andreas and others overlook that.”

“Yes. Those speeches of his about the sins of being weak willed and cowardly were very powerful,” Ethan admitted. He sipped from the coffee and stared over the water. “He is having quite an effect. Stiffening up the mood. Making people more resolute.” Then he looked back at her, and she noticed new lines around his eyes. “But you aren't happy?”

“No.”
And neither are you if you will admit it
. “I'm not happy, and the sentinels I talk to aren't happy.”

“What have you got against the man?”

“It's not just the man, Eeth. It's the movement he is leading.”

“
Delastrism
—it's an ugly word. It's not easy to define. Other than the cult of Delastro.”

“Delastrism does have a meaning: it's a hard-line approach to almost everything. There's a ruthless edge to it. The use of clichés: ‘zeal, purity, courage, dedication, and unity.' And increasingly—and worryingly—‘obedience.'”

“My, you really don't like it, do you?”

She scanned her old friend's face, looking for some hint of concern, and there, in some shadow in the eyes, she found a glimmer of unease.

“No. And deep down, neither do you.”

“Eliza, I'm afraid we have to live with Delastro. These are difficult times. We must focus on the real enemy.” He dropped his voice. “We have just had the
Dove
report and, with it, predictions of what may happen. It's not good.” He pursed his lips. “Not at all. The meeting here today is a bit of a spin-off; it seems we need to channel even more of our resources into building up the defenses.” Ethan's disquiet was so great that she felt a pang of sympathy. “Whatever we say and do, we must remember that the Dominion is on its way.
That
takes priority.”

“Of course. That's what Clemant says.”

“Yes. Do you have a problem with him, too?”

“Less so. He is such a low-profile character that it's hard to know his influence. But our Dr. Clemant has become close to the heart of the DAS and the ADF. Increasingly, I see his hand in many things. Eeth, how do you find him?”

“Frankly, Eliza, I find him invaluable in several areas. His planning has removed some major holdups in production at the factories. His advice to the military has been excellent. We are developing new weapons faster. With his experience, it's hard to argue against him. Things are moving.” His face darkened. “But then, with what we've learned this week, they need to.”

So Delastro is openly useful with the public and Clemant privately useful with the defense force and industry. How extraordinary that both should have become so vital so soon.

“One last concern. The Guards of the Lord—how do you feel about them?”

“The Guards of the Lord?” A look of surprise appeared on Ethan's face. “They're just a club of Delastro fans. It's natural. They have no formal status. They have lively meetings, but I can't say as they particularly alarm me.”

“You know they are recruiting everywhere?”

“K has hinted at one or two cases.”

“It's more than that. This Colonel Larraine is touring the bases, coordinating the cells. In the military, in Space Affairs, in the DAS itself. With the same two watchwords.”

“Yes,
purity
and
dedication
.” He stared at her. “How do
you
know how many there are?”

“We listen, we watch. And it's getting easier; they are having their hair cut really short now. They are starting to wear neck chains or lapel pins with a little
PD
logo—
purity
and
dedication
. In lowercase; the
p
nesting into the
d
. Look out for it.”

“I will. But an ornament isn't a crime.”

“No, Eeth. You're right. It isn't. But this is an odd grouping. If it gets larger and starts to apply pressure, it may be a potent force.”

“Against who?”

“You. The Assembly. Or the sentinels.”

Ethan's face portrayed discomfort. “Surely not. The prebendant has been very supportive of me. And against the sentinels? Are you sure? You were worried about the DAS and Kirana earlier.”

Am I being paranoid?
“Kirana was just watching us. Delastro wants to go further.”

“How?”

“Close us down.”

“Eliza, that's ridiculous.”

“Is it? His office has already politely asked for minutes of meetings and a list of all sentinels and sentinel families.”

She saw eyebrows raised in surprise. “I didn't know that. To which you replied?”

“That we would discuss the request at our next regular meeting. Which is not for three weeks.”

“Are you going to give in?”

“We are going to wait and see. We gather there may soon be laws against societies like ours.”

“Laws!” Open incredulity showed on his face. But Eliza also sensed apprehension. “
I
must sign any laws. And I have heard nothing. But what justification would be given?”

“A need to ‘integrate forces given the possibility of attacks.' Clemant has raised the idea.”

“Hmm. Look, I am still chairman. He cannot move against you without my say-so.”

“Not yet.”

“I hope never.” Ethan shook his head and took a sip of his coffee. “So let me clarify this. You don't like Delastro, Clemant, or Larraine. You think all three are a threat, certainly to the sentinels, and—maybe—to me.”

“I think it is indeed possible that they are a threat; possibly to the entire Assembly.”

“You think they are—what's the bird?—cuckoos?”

“I think that is possible.”

Nothing was said for some time. Eventually Ethan sighed. “Look, Eliza, I do have my own concerns. And you have made me think. But I can't act without proof. Give me solid proof, and I will act. So, do you have any evidence?”