The Fireseed Wars

"Field Agent Maldar, the man who just spoke is Inspector Vordran Larn, one of my top troubleshooters-only he usually shoots first. The tall man seated next to him is Kiro Soran, he's another First Class Field Agent, who should have been promoted long ago to Deputy Subchief. But he's too useful in the field, like yourself. You know Deputy Altarn. Inspector Kostran Galth is my man-on-the-spot-which right now is a very hot spot-in Greffa as head of the Greffan Study Team. Finally, that man over there- who looks like he's part of the furniture, but don't let that fool you; he's aware of everything going on in this room-is Dalzar Hoik. He's spent the last two years on Kalvan's Time-Line watching out for Rylla as Captain Dalzar; he's the one who saved her during the Phaxos fiasco. He took a gunshot to the shoulder for his efforts. If that doesn't qualify as hazardous duty, I don't know what does!"

They all laughed. The stories around the shop about Rylla's suicidal bravery and beauty were legend.

Verkan continued when the room quieted. "Since I'm going to be deskbound for the next year or so, at the very least, I'm sure all of you were thinking that you'd be acting as my surrogates on Kalvan's Time-Line."

Everyone but Deputy Bureau Chief Altarn nodded.

"Sorry, but we've got other fish to fry. Some of you are going to do some digging right here on Home Time Line, while the rest will do some reconnaissance on Kalvan's Time-Line." Verkan turned around and opened the door to the right side of his display case, removing the battered breastplate. "This was supposed to be a durasteel breastplate, made right here on Home Time Line, a special design for the Department's outtime inventory. Anyone have any idea of how the original-I've seen the manufacturer's manifest-got substituted by this chromium-steel alloy breastplate? It's good steel of First Level manufacture, but not impervious to two-ounces of lead shot at point-blank range.

"Obviously, there's termites in the walls. I want two of you, Deputy Altharn and Inspector Vordran, to look into this for me. This isn't an external enemy; it's one of our own gone bad. I'd get Internal Affairs on it, but for all I know Barton Shar may have infiltrated them, too."

Barton was the Paratime Police Deputy Inspector in charge of Stores and Equipment and was known to be deeply resentful that former Chief Tortha Karf had passed him over to advance his protege Verkan Vail. Maldar had heard all the scuttlebutt, but didn't feel any sympathy for him; no one with his head screwed on right had wanted Barton, who was as well known for his hair-trigger temper as his arse-kissing, to be Chief.

"Altarn thinks Barton may be in bed with Hasthor Flan." Verkan paused to let that sink in.

Hasthor Flan was the current head of the Opposition Party, and it would be hard to find a more fervent Verkan hater. It was also rumored that Hasthor had ties to Hadron Tharn, the Chief's mad-dog brother-in-law. Maldar was glad to not have been picked for this assignment; especially, since he preferred working outtime-like most Paratime Policemen.

"Dalzar," Verkan continued, "I want you to continue protecting Queen Rylla. I know it's a difficult assignment and you've been on this assignment for almost three years, but you've got a good cover and the Queen trusts you. In a sense, you've made yourself irreplaceable."

"Thanks, Chief. I was hoping for some down time." Dalzar didn't appear that unhappy to Maldar. He wondered if Dalzar had found some outtimer to soothe away his off-duty hours; if so, he wouldn't be the first.

"Soran, I want you to go to Nythros and establish yourself as a free trader, looking for goods. Rumor around the palace has it that Kalvan's been spending a lot of time learning Urgothi and has a meeting scheduled with the Nythrosi ambassador. You'll also be in a good position to do some reconnaissance if the Hostigi or the Grand Host reach Rathon City"-Verkan paused as he accessed his memory-"or what Kalvan would call Columbus, Ohio. Your Urgothi cover name will be Survan."

The tall Paracop with a short beard nodded. It appeared that this wasn't news to him.

"Kostran, tell Dalzar what you've heard at Theovacar's court."

"As you'd expect," Kostran started, "there are a lot of silly rumors floating around. The big one is that Kalvan is going to invade Greffa-as if he needs that kind of trouble! However, there are also some rumors that make a lot of sense. Another is that Kalvan's trying to find an ally so he can move into one of the weaker states in the Upper Middle Kingdoms. Everyone knows that even the Hostigi scullery maids were smart enough to leave Hos-Hostigos. Right now the Nythros City States is in the middle of a trade war with Greffa and would aid Styphon himself for the right price. Nythros is a merchant-run state and the Family of Five, the ruling autocrats, are looking for ways to hit the Grefftscharri where it hurts.