Unicorn Point

“One got our flag, but we killed him,” he said. “We were resting, making ready for the final effort. But now, with thy success—“ He relaxed, and she saw that his injuries were worse than they had seemed at first. He had been putting on a brave show, and was near collapse. “There, across the field,” he said, sinking down as he pointed.  Now she saw the dead gob. The blue flag was clutched in his hand. The wolves had not been allowed to touch it, of course, so it remained there where he had fallen. Obviously this had been a near thing!

She reached the body, and extended the captive red flag.

Victory!

The dead gob came to life. He snatched up a dagger that had been hidden beneath him and plunged it into her belly.  Then, as she fell back, shocked, not yet feeling the pain, he bashed her hand so that the red flag fell out. He jammed the blue flag on top of it! “Victory!” he cried.  The final goblin trick had been so obvious—and it had worked. If only she had remembered to make sure he was dead! She had labored so hard, only to cast it away so fool ishly.

The gong sounded. The siege was over—and the goblins had won. The enemy had won two of three sieges, just as in Proton-frame. Sirel’s anguish was worse than the pain in her body.

16 - Purple

Citizen Purple did not waste time performing any jig of joy.  He had been planning and organizing throughout, and now with the victories in both frames he had to act with speed and authority. What he did in these few hours could deter mine the fate of the frames for the next generation.  First he summoned Tsetse. Others had assumed that it was mere lust that had caused him to appropriate her services, but they were only half right. Lust was the cover for her potential usefulness in other respects.

She entered his office, as luscious as ever. “Sir?” she in quired hesitantly. She had been subdued since losing her contest, and he had not reassured her. She feared she would be punished.

“The situation has turned to our favor,” he said. “Your little misstep with the machine turned out not to be critical.”

“Yes, sir.” Now she was almost sure she was about to be punished; she was maintaining as brave a front as she was able, but she was trembling.

“I believe there remains a place for you in this organization, but under probation. You will have to prove yourself.”

“Anything, sir!” she exclaimed, pitifully eager. She thought he was going to come up with some new and strenuous sexual activity. All in good time.  “I want you to take a package to Citizen Translucent, for delivery to his hands only, in strict privacy, without delay.”

“Immediately, sir!”

“And when you return, bring the child here. I believe you know her personally; she should trust you.”

“Nepe? I put her on the shuttle four years ago, when she—“ She broke off, realizing that this too might be construed to her disfavor.

He raised an eyebrow. “Continue.”

“When she went into hiding,” she finished reluctantly.

“So you were involved in her disappearance. It seems fit ting that you should be involved in her reappearance. Bring her to me.”

“But sir, Citizen Translucent—“

Purple frowned. “Am I mistaken? I had understood that you wished to redeem yourself for past indiscretions.”

“I do, sir! But if Citizen Translucent does not release the child—“

Purple waved a hand negligently. “Have no concern. He will not object to your taking her.”

“Yes, sir.” Greatly relieved, she accepted the package he gave her, and departed with alacrity.

Purple smiled. The package contained a gas bomb that would detonate five seconds after Translucent’s contact triggered it. It would render him unconscious for four hours or more depending on his health. Tsetse would be appalled to see him fall, but would realize that she would be blamed unless she made a quick exit. Further, she would have to have protection—which meant Purple himself. So she would have to win his favor by bringing him the brat. Tsetse was certainly going to earn her keep!

Meanwhile, he had to set up for the next stage: possession of the Oracle. Citizen Translucent was slated to take it from Citizen Blue in three hours, but Translucent would prove to be indisposed. Citizen Purple would do it instead.  Soon his various minions were doing their things; Purple had planned for this coup for some time. He had been grudgingly content to let Translucent carry it hitherto, because the job was getting done, but he distrusted the other Citizen’s long-range intentions. Translucent was too apt to be generous to his opposition, and that only set up problems for the fu ture.

A call came in. He accepted it immediately, knowing its nature.

Tsetse’s face showed. “Sir, I have Nepe. But we are pursued, and I can’t get through.”