Code Name Peregrine by Sean Dalton

Author:Sean Dalton
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780441113620
Publisher: Ace
Published: 1990-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Strategy should be circles within circles

—maxim of Mailord General Vür

In the administration wing of Godinye Prison, Mailord Co-cipec stared at the thin, nervous boy seated across his desk. Around them, screens mounted in the walls flickered constantly with changing scenes from the city as security monitors hovered and followed, scanning the population with constant vigilance. Outside the window, silver flashed in the sun as the wing of a land-shuttle took off from the pad on Godinye's roof and banked sharply to avoid flying over the Defended City.

"Cadet Dausal," said Cocipec, "compose yourself. My aide said you have an accusation against a burean. You have spent all day trying to see me personally. Now you are here. I am delighted to talk with you. Have something to drink."

The boy's black eyes were like burning coals in a face handsomely ridged. He looked at the tray of decanters on the corner of Cocipec's desk, and jerked his hand in refusal.

"I ... am ... not ... thirsty," he said, forcing each word.

Cocipec sighed. Dausal's credentials had been checked before his admittance. His corps commander considered him promising officer material. He had no violations upon his record except for a few youthful misdemeanors which to Co-cipec indicated that he was healthy. And his father was a burean well respected in government circles, known for many years of loyal service.

However, this sort of thing was tedious, especially now when the most important investigation of Cocipec's career was going wrong.

No Earthers had been found in Byiul. DUR surveillance of Rafael had failed to find any wrongdoing. A report of three strangers staying in the fat shopkeeper's apartment turned out to be faulty. Investigators found no trace, and although Co-cipec wanted to order an intensive search of the premises-including laser scans, microscopic analysis, and a close study of skin oils extracted from wooden surfaces—he could not do so without the proper warrants. The original informant was a half-witted slave belonging to Rafael. He could not be found either. Probably he had invented everything to get revenge on his master for too many beatings. It happened all the time in Byiul.

"Well, speak up," Cocipec snapped, dropping his courteous manners.

Dausal jumped. "I came to make an accusation."

"So you've said. Against a burean. Who?"

Dausal hesitated, his eyes darting about the office.

Cocipec's gaze narrowed in anger. "It is a felony to mock the processes of law. You do so by wasting my time. Either you have an accusation to make or you do not."

Dausal rose to his feet and stood with his face averted. "Mailord, I ask your pardon. It's just that I don't know what to do. My duty compels me to speak out, but my heart is weak." He groaned. "I shame myself."

Cocipec snorted and picked up the comm handset. He had a meeting with the Pharaon in less than an hour and no time for a boy's hysterics. "Krilit, clear this boy from my office."

"Wait, please!" said Dausal desperately. "It's my father. I don't want to turn him in, but he .

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