“The latest from Yassem,” Krossig replied. “Shots from McConnell. Just in over their wire from Sacramento.”
“Who there provides them like this? Why?” Susan asked.
“Yassem didn’t say.”
An image of Nyarl appeared to one side, supplying a commentary. “The aftermath of a defenseless American habitat caught in the kill zone of one of our orbital bombardment masers.” Nyarl was not actually present in LA when Yassem put the sequence together, of course; he had spoken from the flyer. “Its crime? Aircraft from the nearby McConnell base flew in defense of the newly proclaimed nation against armies sent by the Chryse-supported Washington regime. . . .”
Just then, a shrill tone sounded from the Hyadean equipment. Another display lit up with lines of data and code, while the system voice announced, “Probe attempt Sector five six, scan three-nine, four-zero-three, five-five, Mode 7A-3, successful. Connection is to Querl deep-space monitor station, location undisclosed.”
Ominzek turned sharply and stabbed at control keys. “Gravcom Sys, Supervisor. Report link quality status.”
“Resolution high at seven-two-zero. Submodal encoding. Recipient active and acknowledges.”
“We’re through!” Krossig whispered to Susan. “It’s found one of the relays.”
“Identify,” Ominzek instructed.
“Nebula Two”—obviously a code name—”Deputy commander, Querl long-range task group, nature of mission, undisclosed. Range and location coordinates suppressed. Identified as former contact established by Hetch Luodine from West Coast Trade and Cultural Mission.”
“Connect.”
A relief display opened to show the figurine likeness of a lean, red-haired Hyadean in an officer-style tunic, seated against a background tableau of panels and bulkheads in what was evidently some kind of control room. Nebula Two stared for a second or two, looking at first uncertain, then suspicious. Finally, he said, “I don’t know you. We’ve been awaiting further contact for over fifteen hours. What’s happening? I wish to speak with Luodine or Nyarl.”
“There is unfortunate news here,” Omnizek replied. “The place Luodine was in has been destroyed. There were no survivors. Nyarl was elsewhere and escaped. I cannot specify our whereabouts, but we have established an alternate connection. I am a communications technician. You can refer to me as K. The person who has taken over Luodine’s function is with me. His name is G.” Krossig moved closer to come within the viewing angle of the unit that Omnizek was addressing.
“I must ask you to submit the agreed security verification sequence,” Nebula Two said.
“I can’t. It was held in equipment that was also destroyed,” Ominzek said. “Everything was destroyed.” Codes of that kind would have been too sensitive for Yassem to carry around as a copy. That was apparently how the technical information needed to reconstruct the link had been preserved.
“Then how can I be sure you are who you say you are?” Nebula Two asked.
The question had been expected. “Does it really matter?” Krossig replied. “If we’re sending you reports that the Chrysean authorities would suppress if they could, you can do nothing but help your own cause by rebroadcasting them. Would impostors who were working for the Chryseans do that?”
Nebula Two frowned as he considered the unexpected logic, but evidently couldn’t fault it. He killed the audio and disappeared from view, presumably to consult with others.
“It isn’t the time to count fishes,” Susan said, attempting a Hyadean saying. It was the right sentiment but the wrong phrase. Krossig smiled tolerantly.
“How long it will take Xuchimbo to track down this equipment and silence it?” Freem muttered.
“I was wondering the same thing,” Krossig said moodily. A movement caught his eye on the Terran screen connected to Los Angeles. He moved back to it. Yassem had reappeared. “We’re through,” he said before she had a chance to ask. “There’s an authenticating problem, as we thought. I told them our answer. They’re debating it now. . . .” He paused, seeing that the news wasn’t having the effect he had anticipated. Yassem was looking dazed. Then Krossig realized she was in tears. “What is it?” he asked.
“They’ve just wiped out Edwards,” she said, her voice choking. “Ten minutes after Hudro and the others arrived there.” Krossig stared, horrified.
“Oh, no,” Susan groaned behind him.
Nebula Two returned on the Hyadean display. “Very well,” he said. “Send us what you have.” Krossig nodded mutely to Ominzek.