[FIC] Reckoning {Chapter X+2}
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2003 11:21 pm
Music filled the air, courtesy of an exquisite Viennese chamber ensemble. Large tapers burned at the center of each grandly set table, and the scent of freshly cut blossoms filled the air. Couples danced on the marble floor, underneath intricate crystal chandeliers, in an area at the center of the room. Waiters in pressed white tuxedos flitted about the tables, like bees going from flower to flower.
Watching from a balcony, Melissa felt exposed and out of place. Although the large mirror on the wall told her otherwise, she was certain there was something about here appearence that screamed she did not belong in a place like this. Her dress was hideously expensive, but wonderful to behold.
A perfectly dressed matre de approached her, informing her that the table was now ready and she could now be seated. Her guest would be brought to the table when she arrived.
Walking down a large curving stairway--one of the architectural wonders of the Comme Chez Cygne restaurant---Melissa drank in the fine artwork and splendid furniture in countless nooks and crannies. Making her way between tables, she was nearly overwhelmed by a palpable sense of ambience.
Her mind wandered. She thought back to her last conversation with Sousuke and Kurz aboard the TDD-3. A fortunate turn of events highlighted their discussion. In addition, Cmdr. Horowitz given them permission to attempt a low level mission, one which would involve a single potential participant in the prior fraudulent reports. They were to be as discrete as possible, and as ruthless as required. The expenses from the foray would come from their own pockets. Neither he nor Lt. Cmdr. Ben-Elieden had ever heard anything about the mission, or about the past events that triggered it. They would do absolutely nothing to draw attention to Mithril.
Melissa felt guilty when she thought about that particular turn of events. Tessa had told her that she would be attending a meeting in Brussels, and would then join her boyfriend for a brief European vacation, stopping along the way to meet with his parents. In return, Melissa informed her that the Urzu team would be in Germany at the same time, meeting in secret with knowledgable German military personnel. Melissa offered to buy Tessa dinner at a posh Belgian restaurant, in honor of her impending retirement as an active submarine commander. Tessa was only too happy to accept.
How could she do this to Tessa, after all they had been through together? Melissa tried to justify matters, telling herself that this would take place among friends, not in front of a military tribunal or deep in some dark alleyway. And, all of the operatives involved were her indeed friends, or at the very least had once considered themselves such. The coup de grace would be shocking, if the game lasted that long. The choreography was set up in stages, with stepwise progression at each point of failure.
Melissa's self recriminations were interupted bt the returning matre de, walking in with Tessa on his arm. How had she charmed the man---he was positively fawning over her.
Melissa stood, embracing Tessa warmly, trying not to seem abnormally stiff.
"Melissa, this is such a wonderful place. I am so glad to see you again. And I am amazed at how marvelous you look in that dress. It certainly is s good thing that Kurz is hundreds of miles away, shivering somewhere in the Alps!" Tessa looked splendid in her dress, one she had not worn since her visit to the opera with Sousuke. She had felt moments of near suffocating guilt, but felt a need to overcome her past fear and trepidation.
"Yes, Kurz would certainly put a damper on the evening." That was more true than Melissa would say. Her throat felt thick, but she was speaking in a smooth and strong voice.
Their conversation bounced around randomly, touching on current events, past times together, and current gossip from both of the submarines. Melissa had made it a point to order a new bottle of wine each time they found the bottom of the current one. Tessa was past her drinking threshold, laughing giddily, and occasionally fanning herself with her wine menu. When the food arrived, she herself was ripe for the plucking.
"I still can't believe how happy I am now" Tessa started, driving an emotional stake into Melissa's heart. "I only wish things could be that wonderful for you. I wish that Gordon had accepted a position with Mithril. That way you could see him more often."
"It's probably best that he didn't, Tessa. The world is a safer place this way. I get into enough trouble with Sousuke and Kurz as it is." She stopped, sighing. "Besides, it will be a long and winding road, with a good chance of a fatal wreck if we drive too fast. There's still no guarantee how things will end up." Seeing her chance, Melissa allowed a strong note of melancholy to permeate her speech.
"Oh, I'm sorry if that's a touchy subject. I didn't mean to make you sad, especially not tonight." Tessa sounded truly concerned.
"It's not that," Melissa said honestly. "I was thinking of Sousuke. He still hasn't found anyone to replace Kaname, and I wonder if he ever will. I suppose it is all water under the bridge, but I can't help but feel as if the accident happened just yesterday. I still can't believe that she's gone!"
Tessa was caught entirely off guard. For a brief moment she looked frantic. A strange look flashed across her face, possibly guilt. Even tipsy, she was able to regain her composure quickly, forcing herself to look saddened herself. "I can't either."
Melissa wiped her eyes. Tessa would have no way of knowing there were no tears there. Head bowed, the AS pilot moved her fork in seeming absentminded fashion across her plate, looking as if she were deep in thought. She was quiet for an uncomfortable period of time.
"Melissa?" Tessa asked, without any response. "Melissa, are you OK?"
Shaking her head fiercely, Melissa squared her shoulders and shook her arms every so slightly. "I'm sorry Tessa, I don't want to ruin the mood. Sometimes, though, the pain comes back unannounced. It was so sudden, and the details were so limited. It's been hard to get any kind of closure!"
"I'm sorry. It's been hard for everyone."
Melissa wanted to believe that. But she had seen Tessa's look earlier. There was no choice. She had to continue fishing for reactions, even though her friend was on guard now.
"Tessa, it's been a while now. Is there anything more you can tell me? You know it won't go any further than here." Melissa ached inside, telling that lie. The pain in her voice then was real.
"Melissa, I...." Tessa's voice did not crack or waver, but there was an unmistakable look of fear in her eyes.
"Please! Even if it's something simple. Did you have anything sent to her funeral? Flowers? A representative? Some form of condolences for her father and sister?" This was a safe topic. A trap was set, and it would prove instructive to see where Tessa's foot landed.
Tessa's answer was swift, unforced. "Yes, Melissa. I arranged to have flowers sent, and Mithril anonymously set up a memorial college fund in her name at Jindai Highschool. No one that knew her personally was able to attend the services, unfortunately." Tessa hoped that those lies would steer Melissa away from the topic of conversation, the longer the better.
Melissa's face crumbled, she could not prevent it. Tessa's duplicity struck her hard, doubly so because it had been directed at herself and her friends, and because it was perpetrated by another friend. It was a simple matter to cover for the reaction, however. "It hurt so much, not being able to pay my respects in person."
A prearranged signal, Melissa jerked her hand up to her forehead, knocking over a water glass in the process. Two waiters moved closer to the table, standing uncharacteristically still, not making any attempt to assist with the clean up.
A familiar woman walked up to their table soon thereafter. "Tessa, how wonderful to see you here. Melissa, I was able to break away for a while after all. I hope I am not intruding on a personal conversation!" Casimira Concecion looked stunning in a black split calf dress emroidered with colorful South American beads.
Tessa was taken aback. Melissa hadn't mentioned anything about Mira joining them this evening. "Mira, I must say I am surprised to see you. Surprised but happy!" She truly was pleased. There was a chance that this would take Melissa's mind off of a very hazardous topic. "What are you doing in Brussels?"
"Business" Capt. Concepcion answered. "I suppose I can tell you. Cmdr. Horowitz had sent me to Antwerp to meet with some of our covert operatives, one of whom does stage work for the latest run of Les Contes d'Hoffman." The latter was one of the more popular European operas at the time. "An old enemy we thought vanquished may be raising its ugly head again." She nodded her head, as if to say it was a matter of where and how, not 'if.'
"She was planning to spend her time alone. That would be boring, so I asked if she could join us. She said it was unlikely, so I didn't think to mention it." Melissa sounded truthful and sincere.
"Fortune smiled on me. Things went quicker than anyone had a right to expect. Given that, I looked forward to a marvelous dinner in pleasant company. And, I couldn't pass up such a rare event...Melissa Mao treating people to dinner!" Both Tessa and Casimira laughed, and Melissa frowned convincingly. "But, Miss Mao is sadly mistaken. I was not bored. I still had plenty of time to view plenty of Rubens, and I spent a month's pay on dresses by Nadine Wynants and Walter Van Beirendonck."
"Hah! Boring AND excessive. Mira, what in God's name do you need any more fancy dresses for? Besides, you're beautiful enough without them." Melissa laughed half-heartedly, perking up somewhat.
Capt. Concepcion looked at Tessa. "Well, if rumors are correct, you won't be jealous. I hope!" She turned to pat Melissa on the hand. "You're not working hard enough on your squadmate for me, Melissa. It's rare that a man escapes when I get my hook in him, but there has been no sign that Lt. Sagara has any intention of being reeled back in again."
"Mira! You and Sousuke!" Tessa looked incredulous, not jealous.
"You sound surprised." Casimira came dangerously close to gloating. "Not being his commanding officer, I had certain advantages. Persistence and and experience proved effective assistants and patient bedfellows."
"I am rather surprised, " Tessa said cheerfully, without a hint of envy. "I never knew that Melissa could keep a secret. This was the first I heard of it." Tessa stared at Melissa in an accusatory manner. "Some friend you are Melissa!"
That final statement stabbed at Melissa from inside and out, nevermind that it was said only in jest. Just what kind of friend had Tessa been before? What kind of friends were Mira and herself now?
"Melissa, are you alright? I am certain Tessa was only joking." Getting no response from Melissa, Casimira continued. "What's wrong?"
"Tessa and I...." Melissa sounded depressed, downhearted.
"We were discussing some rather difficult times in the past before, but I think we have had enough of that for now, if you don't mind. The food and company are too good to ruin with any further such talk." Tessa said that a little too shrilly and quickly.
"Sousuke, Mira. By coincidence we were talking about Sousuke. And Kaname." Melissa's gaze looked more intense now. "I was hoping for some answers." Her gaze turned thoughtful. "Maybe you could help! How about it, Mira!"
"I have to apologize, Melissa. I am truly sorry. I tried to find out something before, but a level four block had been put on the situation. I wasn't going to tempt fate and challenge that. Oh!" Casimira feined shock and embarrassment. "Please Melissa, forget what I just said."
Melissa suddenly sprang to life. "What? No way, Mira! Give!"
"Melissa, Mira cannot do that. If anyone reported a breech in protocol, she could be in serious trouble! Let's just put the subject to rest. A terrible tragedy happened, but we have had time to come to terms with things as best we could. Don't open all of the wounds again, I beg you." Tessa definitely did not want any further discussion about the incident, and especially didn't want any specific questions about security protocols.
"C'mon, Tessa! I'm not going to tell on her. I doubt she'll turn herself in. Are you planning to rat her out?"
"Of course not! But...." Tessa didn't have a chance to finish her request.
"Good. Mira! Who can order a level four security block?" Melissa's voice was getting louder, as if she were truly getting wound up.
"Melissa, that is need to know information. And..." Mira sounded regretful but determined.
"MIRA!" Melissa's voice carried across the room, stopping a number of nearby conversations. "I NEED to know. Let's just leave it at that before things get ugly. If you know something and hold out on me...."
Tessa tried to stop her, but Casimira gave in to Melissa. "Onboard, at the time, only Tessa; Cmdr. Mardukas; and Lt. Cmdr. Kalinin. Off ship, any one in the Higher Command."
"Who signed?" Melissa had picked up a knife and was stabbing the remnants of her chicken dish.
"Melissa, I won't tell you that. What will it tell you?"
"WHO F@CKING SIGNED!!!" Melissa was standing now, and the matre de was headed in her direction. One of the uncharacteristic waiters moved to intercept him.
"I did." Tessa realised that she would have to give a little if there was to be any chance to save the majority. She did NOT want Casimira's interest piqued or her suspicions triggered. If either of them started digging on their own....
Melissa's knife dropped from her lax hand and riccocheted off of her glass and her plate. Reaching for it, she knocked it onto the floor. The ersatz waiters nodded to one another and headed closer to the table, cutting off any potential avenues of escape.
"WHAT?!" Melissa needed little acting at that moment. She was becoming truly angry.
"Melissa, please calm down." Casimira sounded as if she were concerned. She stroked Melissa's hand, and moved it away from her knife. "You are drawing unwanted attention. Let us give Tessa a chance to explain. I am convinced she has a good explanation. Certainly we can trust her."
With one hand waving stylishly in the air as a distraction, Capt. Concepcion used the other hand to activate a recording device in her designer hand bag. She didn't expect to record any truths, necesarily. But it would be potentially useful to catch Tessa telling untruths.
"We had BETTER be able to trust her" Melissa growled. Watching Tessa closely, she couldn't help but feel a small flash of pride for her one time commander. She has certainly grown! Before, she would have flinched, looked frightened, or gotten overly petulant. Instead, Tessa sat impassionately.
"Melissa, please. I can understand why you are angry. You know me, I would NOT do anything to purposely hurt you. But, as Captain, I have defined responsibilities, and I do answer to a well established chain of command." Tessa's mind continued to do trial runs on a number of different lies and half-truths.
Casimira saw an opportunity to interject. "Tessa. Was the decision to place the block your own, or were you following orders from someone else? Was this an Upper Level imperative?"
Tessa looked intently at Capt. Concepcion for a few uncomfortable moments. What were her intentions? Suspicions began to form in the back of her mind.
Before Tessa could reply, Melissa jumped in. She did not like the look in Tessa's eyes, and feared that she and Casimira might lose the advantage. "Can it, Mira. At the moment, I don't care who f@cking started the ball rolling. You and I can find that out later when we convince the rest of the Intel gang to join in the hunt!!!" Tessa jumped slightly at that one. Good.
Melissa stood up and pushed her chair close to Tessa's. "What I want to know NOW is why. Why Tessa? I hope to Hell you weren't playing school girl pranks, trying to get an exclusive shot at Sousuke! We all know that Kaname had her ring in his nose."
Tessa's suspicions would have to wait a while longer. She was being hit hard from two sides, a clever flanking maneuver. Melissa questioned her character? Melissa and Casimira might start serious efforts at discovery, acting against a long time moratorium on further investigation?
Wait! She finally hit on a story that might do the trick!
"Do you REALLY think I would have gone THAT far, Melissa? Do you?!" The tears coming to Tessa's eyes were not forced.
Melissa lowered her eyes. "No. Not really, Tessa. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that." She would continue to play the game at this level a little while longer. A quick glance at Casimira gained a raised eyebrow. She too felt it was nearly time to change tact.
"Thank you" Tessa wiped away her tears. "If the two of you promise not to take things any further, I will tell you the basics. However, you will NEVER have heard these words from me. Do we have an agreement? Do I have your word?"
"Yes!" from Melissa. "We will not pursue your information any further" from Casimira.
"Everything was initially done on my prerogative. I later informed the necessary personnel, and they told me to put a hold on further investigations. The accident that claimed Kaname's life was no accident. It was premeditated, aimed particularly at her. But, it was not the work of an enemy to Mithril." Melissa feined shock, then looked intently at Tessa. "No, Melissa. It was not my doing, or the work of anyone within Mithril."
"An ally of Mithril's? Or, at least someone with common goals in mind?" Casimira thought she could see where Tessa's fabrication was headed.
"Yes, Mira. The nuclear threat in Iran had drawn Mithril into the maelstrom, but had also provided a key opportunity for a a group of Western-sanctioned 'patriots' who were ready to wrest control of the country from the hands of Ali Hoseini Khamenei and the religious leaders.
They were ruthless men. Ruthless and insistant. They wanted to know everything about Mithril's operations, and they recieved information from people I had thought to be trustworthy." Tessa did not miss a beat or slur a syllable.
"OK, Tessa. But how did Kaname get involved with all this?" Melissa looked eager.
"From what I could piece together, the details of our team were leaked. The Iranian opposition group learned that Sousuke was one of our best pilots, and that he controlled an AS with special properties...properties that might prove invaluable to the success of the mission. Someone most likely gave details of Sousuke's personal life, noting that he might be unwilling to take risks because of his attachment to Kaname. Obviously, to someone, any impediment was unacceptable, as this might be the only chance at a succesful take over." Tessa took a moment to finish off her glass of wine.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Casimira was impressed. Tessa was a very convincing liar. Waving her hand again, she asked Tessa a question, noticing that one of the waiter look-alikes was approaching at her signal. "So, what method did they employ?" It sounded as if she were asking from professional interest.
"Apparently, they recruited an Islamic fanatic, who I would guess supported a change in leadership, as long as the new government was religious, not secular. There were two bodies found in Kaname's car. One was identified as an Iranian national. That information was not allowed to make the news. And, you can now see why the investigation was stopped, and why it should not be reopened."
"Would madame care for another bottle of wine?" A waiter asked. Tessa turned around to look at the speaker, recognizing the voice. It was Kurz! "Hey, Tessa babe. I don't want to seem rude, but are you going to get around to the truth any time soon? I'm renting this tux by the hour!" With that, he took off the dress jacket and reversed it to the black side before putting it back on.
Tessa was speechless, watching Kurz look for a seat. He tried to sit next to Casimira, but she held strongly onto the chair. Next he headed towards Melissa, who picked up a knife and a fork. Sighing, he chose a seat near Tessa.
A whole set of emotions ran across Tessa's face, fear in the lead. Anger nipped fear at the finish line. "I see. This has all been a trick, a trap. Thank you SO VERY MUCH, Captain Mao. I won't be saying anything else, you can be certain of THAT! I strongly suggest, that no one pushes things any further. Things could be MUCH worse than they are now!" She got up, preparing to leave.
"Tessa...Tessa...Tessa" Kurz was chuckling. "You can sit back down voluntarily, or good ole Kurzeroo can lend you a hand." He showed her a palm-sized auto-injector. "We're all friends here, aren't we? There's no need for things to get ugly." He also showed her a syringe, no doubt containing a truth serum. The look in his eyes told Tessa that he considered the past events rather ugly themselves. He was not bluffing.
Realization hit Tessa hard. She could call out for help. But, even if restaurant staff believed she fainted and insisted an ambulance be called, matters would only be delayed. Her fellow Mithril members would find her later, unless she gave up everything and went into hiding. Images of her bofriend crossed her mind. Thoughts of her new position followed. She teared up. She sat back down.
"See, I knew you were our friend, babe. Now, perhaps you'll tell the amazing Kurz Weber the things that my two less capable companions were unable to uncover." Kurz gave Tessa his best smile, cringing when he heard both Melissa and Casimira growling. This was his good cop routine.
"Kurz, PLEASE! This is NOT a game. Kaname's death was a terrible tragedy, but I have good reasons for doing what I did. I have ALREADY told them the truth, at terrible risk to us all!!!." There was a strong pleading tone to Tessa's voice.
"Don't worry, sweet stuff, I am NOT playing. Rolling your pretty eyes and asking us to trust you just won't cut it! Melissa and Cassie tried smooth. Their womanly tenderness did not work. Right now, babe, I couldn't give a rat's ass for your feelings, not after what you've done to Sis and me. After what you did to Sousuke!" And this was his bad cop routine.
Casimira kicked Kurz under the table, hard. He was coming on too strong. It wasn't time to let her know that they knew the full extent of her lies. They were saving that for later, if necessary. "Not allowing him to attend the funeral was unforgiveable!" Kurz didn't miss a beat.
"Melissa, you've already lost my f@cking trust. And you ought to know I'm telling the goddamn truth when I say I will track this as far as it can be tracked. If you level with us completely, perhaps the buck can stop HERE!" She was twirling her knife in her hand as she spoke.
Tessa's mind kept trying to grab ahold of an important thought. Yes. Why were they acting so intensely? Was it merely a ploy to affect her resolve, or did they know more than she first assumed? She would have to proceed as if her most crucial secret was safe, believing that they were simply after the names of the people forcing her hand.
"There is nothing more of importance I can tell you. Knowing the identity of the people who ordered the cover-up will not help anything. They were simply doing what they thought best, and exposing them will only put your careers in jeopardy!" That should do it, Tessa told herself. At the very least, Casimira should be able to perform a rapid risk-benefit analysis and second her opinion.
Kurz whistled, startling a table full of elderly men behind him. He bowed to them with a flourish, then turned back in time to see Sousuke walk up in his waiter's garb.
"I take it that Captain Testarossa was no more susceptible to the Weber charm than any other woman?" Sousuke said from behind Tessa. He placed his hands gently on either side of Tessa's neck, squeezing ever so slightly. Melissa and Casimia nodded. Removing his hands, he said "Perhaps I shall prove more successful." He sat in the chair that Kurz had just vacated.
S-Sousuke...." He was the last person Tessa wanted to see at that moment. She had hoped that the others were acting without his knowledge or participation.
"I-I've already told them as much as they need to know. It's a tremendous risk, already. Of all people, I would expect that you would realize the cost of going too far with something!" Sousuke cringed slightly at the word 'cost.'
Sousuke looked over at Melissa. "Melissa, if you would give me a synopsis of what Captain Testarossa has told you, please." His look was stern, determined.
Melissa gave him an efficient and accurate retelling. Sousuke looked over at Casimira, who said "I have nothing to add." Turning back to Tessa, Sousuke heard Kurz exclaim "Hey, Sousuke old buddy, aren't you going to ask if I have anything to add?"
"No!" That came simultaneously from Sousuke, Melissa, Casimira, and a number of the gentlemen at a nearby table who had no choice but to hear what Kurz had said. At the very least, the latter participants served as a reminder to keep things more discrete. Who could say who might be listening in.
"Captain, it sounds like a very plausable story. I can see a few weak points, but it was well thought out. However, I do not believe a word of it. And, it is very much to your benefit that I believe what you have to tell me." Sousuke's look could have curdled milk.
"I am not talking about my feelings for you, because they may have been fractured beyond repair. I am not threatening to bring you actions before a review board, because that will not regain me a single moment of closure that was stolen from me. And, as you should realize, I have no intention of physically harming you---that is not my way."
"Sousuke...." Whatever Tessa had tried to say was waved away with a firece chopping motion of Sousuke's arm. Even Melissa and Casimira felt a little subdued in his presence at that very moment.
"As you may have heard from Melissa, I have changed somewhat over the years since I left the TDD-1 and your command. I would like to think that I am no longer as headstrong or reckless. I am less prone to making things worse before I make them better." Melissa nodded her head in confirmation. "However, I am not any less determined."
"I see. But...." Again, the chopping motion.
"Captain, you will tell me what I want to know, or I WILL chase down every possibility. In doing so, I will not stop out of fear for my safety, because I do not feel safe as it is. I will not stop to prevent collateral damage, because I WAS the collateral damage from the previous subterfuge."
Sousuke's attention was drawn to Kurz, who was giving Sousuke a large smile and a big thumbs up. Sousuke ignored him, scowling.
Tessa was certainly in a bind. If Sousuke had found out that Kaname did not actually die, he would know she was prevaricating. However, he could also be putting up a front in order to see if he could pressure her to change her story. Or, not knowing the truth, he might somehow sense she was spinning a web of deceit. If it was the former, nothing more could be lost by misdirection. If it were one of the latter two, she would have to convince him.
"Sousuke, whatever else you might think, you have to believe that I acted in your best interest. I did nothing that was solely for my benefit to the detriment of others!" That definitely had the ring of truth about it.
"I hope that is true, Captain. I do not want to hate you; however, that is not the major issue here." Sousuke turned to Kurz and pantomimed an injection. Tessa took notice. Kurz handed Sousuke something under the table. He wouldn't use it here, but he wanted Tessa to think otherwise.
Sousuke reached over and placed his hand on Tessa's arm. "Kurz, find me some hard liquor. I don't have any alcohol swabs with me."
Kurz left the table. Turning back to Tessa, Sousuke said in a reasonable manner "One last chance of your own accord. When Kurz returns, I will place my trust in the latest pharmaceuticals. Perhaps the people you are protecting will take that into consideration when they realize from whom the information came."
"Sousuke, I do not know why you refuse to believe the truth. But I will make this promise to you. I will take your truth serum. If it proves me a liar, I will do whatever you ask. BUT, when my story holds true, you will stop at the information I have already given you." This might actually work to her advantage! She had previously learned that she could use the Whispered state to avoid the actions of drugs.
Kurz handed Sousuke one of two glasses of finely aged Scotch. He downed the other quickly, coughing slightly when he was done.
"Do you, Captain Teletha Testarossa---in front of these witnesses---swear upon your honor and reputation that you will tell us the full truth if I can prove you wrong following this injection? Do you swear it in the name of the man you love and the life you hope to live?" Sousuke dipped his napkin in Scotch and wiped it across Tessa's arm, now held under the table.
"Yes Sousuke, I so swear." Tessa was beginning to feel hopeful. She had faced up to a rather forceful and talented group of individuals, and it looked as if she was going to be able to prevail.
Sousuke injected the contents of his syringe into Tessa. He had previously expelled the original contents and refilled it with water from a glass he had placed his chair.
"We will give that sufficient time to act. I will return shortly."
"Sousuke, where are you going?" Tessa hoped he wasn't resorting to trickery. Hopefully he had not injected her with a knock-out agent!
"Captain Testarossa, is that something you ask a man! Really, you have no sense of decency." Sousuke was certain that Tessa would pick up that reference.
"Oh! I see." It seems she did.
A little while later, Tessa noticed that her remaining three tablemates sat up straighter, large smiles on their faces. All of their eyes were looking in the same direction. She turned in her chair to see what had caused their reaction.
Sousuke was returning, walking with a slow elegant gate, a woman on his arm. Radiant in face and well proportioned in body, long dark hair swinging with each step, Kaname made her entrance into the arena, her magnificent designer gown catching the attention of male and female patrons alike.
Tessa was affected somewhat differently. At that moment, her feelings reminded her of a number of major life events. Her kidnapping by A21. Her brutal treatment at the hands of Gauron. Her captivity at the hand of the vanquished shadow group. It looks like she had been caught again.
"Oh...my...God. Sousuke, you lucky dog, you." Kurz and Melissa had seen Kaname the night before during a tear and laughter filled reunion. They had not, however, seen her dressed like this until now. Kurz was staring unabashedly.
Casimira poured a glass of ice water onto Kurz' lap. Melissa applauded.
"Good evening, every one. Melissa, this is a fabulous place! Is Kurz paying?" Kaname was beaming. Perhaps because she was with Sousuke. Perhaps because she was with old friends. Perhaps because Tessa would get her come uppence. Likely all of the above.
Kaname had purposefully avoided looking at Tessa up to that point.
"Mmmm, Ka--na--may! I would gladly pay YOU! Sousuke, be a good friend and...." Kurz jumped when Casimira poured Melissa's glass of water down inside his pants.
"Casimira, it is good to see you again." This was the first time Casimira and Kaname had seen each other in over four years.
Kaname was smiling, but the smile was a touch crooked. Capt. Concepcion thought that she knew why. "Kaname, you look wonderful. I am so sorry that I was unable to attend your funeral. You make certain that you take good care of your young man there." She smiled and gave Kaname a wink. She continued smiling and gave Sousuke a leer.
Sousuke blushed, making Melissa laugh. Kaname noticed as well. "Sousuke, it seems we have something to talk about. LATER." She wasn't angry or scowling, however. She gave him an obvious pat on the rump.
"Yes, Sousuke. Menage a tois!!!" Kurz was pumping his fist in the air. It drew the attention of a very observant waiter. Casimira asked for a pitcher of ice water. Kurz quieted down.
Kaname and Sousuke both glared at Kurz, saluted Casimira, then smiled at each other. Sousuke whispered something into her ear. She nodded.
"Tessa, what a pleasant surprise to find you here tonight." Kaname said, as she and Sousuke took seats next to one another. "I had heard false rumors that you had been in an accident." Zing. Kaname had changed in many ways. Some things remained the same, however. "You've put on some pounds! But they're all in the right places. Wouldn't you agree, dear?" She squeezed Sousuke's arm.
"Uh...I hadn't noticed."
"Oh! Some things never change, I guess" Kaname laughed, but it was a restrained musical laugh. She picked up her napkin and wiped her tearless eyes. "I'm feeling so nostalgic now."
Tessa took things with good grace. She was too numb to do otherwise. Anger began to seep in, slowly building. The actions that she had taken years ago had been mostly for Kaname's sake.
"But I understand congratulations are in order! You finally get to step down from that overly large Captain's chair. And, you've found yourself a man. It must be SO wonderful. I hope the two of you are able to enjoy a long and happy life together, with as few hardships as possible." To a casual observer, Kaname would have sounded sincere.
"But I should give you some good advice about relationships! Might I suggest that the two of you stay away from gas stations whenever the fuel truck is there?" Kaname had a lot of pent up anger. Who would have guessed that?
"You GO girl! Oh yeh!" Kurz was enjoying himself. Casimira wondered where that waiter was.
Melissa hadn't minded seeing Kaname get in a few digs at Tessa. They both certainly deserved the opportunity. But, Tessa was still her friend, and there were issue that needed to be discussed further.
"Tessa, I believe that you promised to tell Sousuke the truth if he could prove you were lying?" The look she gave Tessa was neutral. Turning her head, she gave Kurz a look that would warp steel. She smiled at Kaname's salute.
All eyes turned to Tessa.
Her heart racing, and feeling somewhat dizzy, Tessa tried to organize her thoughts. She would tell them what she knew, and the onus would fall on THEIR heads. The axe might very well fall on ALL of their necks.
"Why, Tessa. Let's start with 'why.' " Above all else, this was still a very personal matter to Kaname.
"I did it because of you, Kaname." Tessa fought mixed emotions, past and present.
"I TOLD you, Sis!" Kurz was not laughing. The look he gave Tessa seemed out of place on an ex-model.
"Shut up, Kurz. Let her continue. If it leads where you think it will, she's fair game. If it doesn't, you owe her an apology." Melissa hoped that Kurz was wrong.
Kaname looked on expectantly, squeezing Sousuke's hand to the point that he was forced to unwrap her fingers.
"They threatened to kill Kaname...." Tessa's heart constricted. Would they resume trying, now? If anyone pursued matters further...or the wrong people learned that Sousuke and Kaname were seeing one another again....
The silence was deafening, so to speak. Tessa looked directly at Kurz, who bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Tessa."
Tessa found it hard to continue unprompted. She stared into her wine, watching the ruby liquid swirl as she rotated the stem of the glass.
"Why did they want Kaname dead, Tessa. And who." Sousuke's voice was respectful on the surface, but Tessa could easily detect the cold steel underneath.
Tessa bowed her head. She couldn't help herself. She was frightened. The others could clearly see that she was shivering. Melissa stood to go comfort her, but Sousuke raised his hand and directed her to sit back down.
"I think I understand the reasons why this is hard for you, Tessa." The 'Tessa'---instead of 'Captain' or 'Captain Testarossa'---made her lift her head back up. "Let's start with who. I will make it easier for you. I will mention three men. You will let me know if it is one of them, or one of their subordinates. Agreed?"
"Yes, Sousuke."
"General Bonanno...."
"No."
"Lord Elgin...."
"No."
"Mister Borodenko...."
Tessa's eyes widened. Her tongue felt as if it were glued to the roof of her mouth. She nodded her head in the affirmative.
"Him personally, one of his lieutenants, or a lower subordinate?" Sousuke was glad to have an answer. It was not the answer he had wanted. Now it was time to see if things were very bad, extremely bad, or unbelievably bad.
The first step already taken, Tessa found it easier to speak now. Easier, but no less harrowing. "Liang Yong." The name meant nothing to Sousuke. It drew a quick response from Capt. Concepcion.
"Oh shit!" Casimira was not one for expletives. However, the occasion called for it. Most definitely.
Kurz almost succumbed to the impulse to pounce on Casimira's verbal descent into the gutter. The look on her face stopped him cold, a notable feat.
"Mira?" Sousuke sounded more interested than concerned.
"Sousuke, are you aware of the rumored connections of Mr. Borodenko to the Russian mafia?"
"Yes."
"Well, whether or not the rumors are true, it certainly has bought him a reputation that certainly serves his purpose. The concern within Mithril goes deeper than that, however. Liang Yong is Deputy Finance Minister for Mithril. Vassil Tahirjanov is the Chief Financial Coordinator. Their jobs overlap to some degree, and there is a continual jockeying of position between the two of them to see who can get Mr. Borodenko's favor. Neither would want to lose their position to the potential replacements nipping at their heals. I suspect each man pockets a sizeable amount of money with each new contract or paying assignment brought into Mithril."
"I take it they both have unsavory reputations." Kaname had a personal stake in this discussion.
"You could say that. If you did, it would be an understatement. Both men filled their positions with little resistance. They had impeccable credentials, as they were major talents at their above the board activities. Liang Yong was one of China's rising financial consultants. Vassil Tahirjanov was one of Europe's best economic theorists. Their seedier sides were well hidden, unlike many of their shady contemporaries. I suspect many people were taken in by the phenomenal possibilities, seeing what they wanted to see." Mira spoke with the same tone and body language she used at mission briefings.
"What was it that they failed to see, or conveniently overlooked?" Kurz didn't like the direction things were taking.
"Liang Yong is rumored to be Lai Dechuan, a young Chinese crime boss who once had ties to the Serpents, Wild Dogs, and Angry Tigers before he disappeared after a particularly brutal attempt on his life. Vassil Tahirjanov is rumored to have strong ties to the Surcin crime clan in Belgrade. There has been no factual evidence to suggest that they have gone so far as to have anyone within Mithril injured, but the concern clearly remains. It may well be that no one they have threatened has dared to cross them." At that moment, Casimira was easy to read. She was clearly very much concerned.
"Why would either of them want me dead?" Kaname was more puzzled than frightened.
"Me. Most likely." Sousuke sounded contrite.
"Sousuke?" Kaname put her hand on Sousuke's.
"I suppose I shouldn't limit my suspicions to only one possibility, as there may well be angles that I am unable to see. Nevertheless, you of all people, Kaname, should know my past history with the Financial Division." Sousuke was not stating anything that was new to any person at that table.
"Yes, Sousuke. The financial officers of Mithril AND of Jindai Highschool couldn't have been very fond of you!" Kaname's voice was beginning to become exothermic.
"No, Kaname, just Mithril. All of the damages paid by the school were reimbursed by Mithril, often with a substantial bribe to allow the operation to continue. The Jindai financeers probably learned to look forward to my mistakes."
Kurz whistled. He had not know THAT part of things. "Oh yeh! I thought it strange that a public school might have a budget larger than the GNP of some third world nations. They could have knocked that school down, built a new one, and still come out ahead!"
Tessa risked a moment of levity. "It's true. Those of us at command level often joked that Sousuke was a member of a competing organization, secreted into our ranks to affect destruction from within. Those lies about Gauron being Sousuke's father were written off quite easily, thanks to the marvels of DNA testing. However, that still remained a treasured inside joke." She went as far as to smile. Others smiled as well.
"Sousuke!!!" Kaname started to tremble ever so slighly, as if she were undergoing the H.T.s---halisen tremens, the physical signs of halisen withdrawal.
"Yes, Kaname dear?" Sousuke was once clueless to the extreme. He was now a much quicker learner. The use of 'Kaname' + 'dear' currently had the capacity to diffuse lower level seismic activity.
"Do please try to bring the conversation back on topic." That was not what Kaname had originally intended to say.
"Certainly. As I was saying, my reputation within the Financial Division and Public Relations Division became progressively worse, to the point that Lt. Cmdr. Kalinin threatened to keep me confined to the ship when I was not directly involved in a combat mission. There was a very real possibility that I could have been permanently recalled from Tokyo years earlier."
"Tessa, did you talk to Liang Yong directly? What exactly were you told?" Melissa asked.
"Yes. It was not an experience I would recommend to anyone. I had been called into a Finance meeting at Headquarters, and was asked to stay behind with him and a couple of his aides. He had the best etiquette and diction of anyone I have ever met. Nevertheless, I felt like I was waving my arm in front of a shark, a bloody wound on that arm." Tessa shivered, and closed her eyes momentarily, as if wishing her memories to dissipate.
"Did he use threats or innuendos?" That question came from Casimira.
"Threats. He was very direct. His tone of voice, and his attitude...it was almost as if we were discussing the weather."
"What did he say?" Kaname's gaze fastened on Tessa.
"He said that personnel within the Finance Department had written unwelcome complaints directly to him, and that the contents of those communique's had the strong potential to cause him to lose face. Sousuke's name figured prominently, and the Depuy Finance Minister wanted to know what value Sergeant Sagara had to Mithril."
"You told him?" Kaname's question was rhetorical
"Yes. Appraised of Sousuke's combat record, his unique connection with Arbalest, and the substantial amount of money that had been effectively invested in his training and ongoing missions---not to mention the substantial amounts of money that Sousuke saved or earned Mithril through his uncanny mission success rate--Liang Yong came to the conclusion that Sousuke paired with the ARX-7 was a powerful drawing point for Mithril regarding potential customers. He went as far as to call Sousuke a valuable commodity that had been improperly used." Tessa's hands clenched the table cloth.
"I take it he was of the opinion that you were the one responsible for that misuse?" Melissa was right on target.
"Yes. He said that he would be certain to have his people perform a risk benefit analysis on ME! As a result, I was...I...I could not keep a level head throughout the entire discussion. When he told me it would be to everyone's benefit for Sousuke to be moved to a location where he would no longer cause the Financial Division to write inflammatory reports, I mistakenly told him that Sousuke might possibly quit Mithril as a result." Tessa looked somewhat embarassed, as if her slip of the tongue was responsible for everything.
"And when he asked why Sousuke might quit, you no doubt pointed to ME!" Kaname's eyes did a good imitation of hot coals.
"Yes, but not out of spite. I was being factual. Any attempt at misdirection or a cover-up could have proven disastrous. I had no idea that he would say what he did then." Tessa was nearly in tears.
"Tessa, what did he say about Kaname?" Sousuke's look was direct, but not accusatory or judgemental. Tessa felt a small bubble of gratitude rising within her, joining the bubbles of fear, shame, and regret.
"Sousuke, he started by saying that you were too valuable a tool to discard. If your success in battle might bring in lucrative contracts, you should be used exclusively in combat. Any impediment to that use would be removed by whatever manner necessary." Tessa paused to take a drink from her water glass.
She addressed the entire table when she continued. "If Kaname was the magnet to Sousuke's steel, he would be moved away from her. If there was any chance whatsoever that her pull might be strong enough to draw him away from Mithril...." Tessa ran down, her throat feeling too tight to talk.
"You need not carry that thought any further. I am certain we can all see where that is leading. And, unless I am mistaken, you had reason enough to believe that he might carry out his threat." Sousuke was not surprised when Tessa nodded her head.
"Another question remains. Why the accident story, Tessa? Why didn't you just tell Kaname and myself, allowing us to make the decisions that we chose to make, taking whatever risks we chose to take?"
"I was afraid, Sousuke. I was afraid of a good many things. I was afraid that you would refuse to abandon Kaname to what you viewed as a significant threat from outside forces interested in the Whispered. I feared you would not walk away from the internal dangers presented by the Deputy Minister's hirelings."
Tessa looked at Kaname. "I was scared that Kaname's pride and temper would prevent her from backing down from such a blatant disregard of her life and happiness."
She looked at Kurz and Melissa. "I was concerned that Melissa and Kurz would be drawn into things. I considered myself responsible for you all, and I could not take those risks. I...I..." Tessa bowed her head again, placing her face in her hands.
"You were afraid for yourself?" Melissa asked.
"Yes. I had asked for the responsibility of arranging a suitable outcome. There was no way I would voluntarily leave the choice of action in his hands or the hands of his toadies! There was a risk involved. If I failed, my career would fall on hard times, at best."
"Yes." Kaname clenched her teeth, hearing what she wanted to hear.
"Furthermore, if I did not arrive at a solution quickly enough, then the problem would be taken from my hands and given to someone whose top priority would be timeliness. There was no doubt what the simplest, fastest, and most irreversible solution would have been. Everyone would have been allowed to attend THAT funeral!" Tessa looked at Kaname, hoping she would find some small bit of forgiveness. She did not.
"So, my report of the accident to the Mithril operatives provided you with a gift-wrapped idea for a solution?" Kaname had accepted that possibility after her earlier discussion with Sousuke.
"Yes. It seemed too good to pass up. It provided me something real and substantial to wrap my hands around. I had been tearing myself apart. There was the gnawing fear that time was running out. My anger and righteous indignation almost led me to drag Mardukas and Kalinin into things, with a subsequent request for an official investigation, one which would have been based only on my word versus the word of the Deputy Minister."
Casimira whistled quietly when she heard that.
"At one point, I almost conveniently convinced myself that the threats were all smoke and mirrors, and I was strongly tempted by the simple solution of doing absolutely nothing."
The memories were clearly painful to Tessa. She did not consciously seek sympathy, but the plea was clearly written on her face.
"I am haunted by my decision to this very day. Not only because of the pain it caused, but because of the uncertainty. What might have happened if I HAD procrastinated, or simply decided not to do anything at all? Would his threats had been proven to be bluffs? Could there have been an assassination I would feel responsible for, and then be afraid to expose and unable to prove? Might I too have been viewed as a risk worth removing?"
Melissa nodded her head. She could only imagine what she might have felt if she had found herself in a similar situation.
"What would have happened to everyone if I had taken matters to the High Council? I couldn't judge just how far the ethical rot had spread...one root, or the whole tree? Might such a claim make it less likely that anything suspicious might happen to Kaname? Or, might it force their hand, even if the threat was initially a bluff?"
Kaname resented the fact that her choice had been usurped. However, the striking truth remained. She was alive. Sousuke and she were together again, stronger than before. What would have happened if she had been allowed to dictate the course of action?
"The only thing I could be certain of was that Kaname's and Sousuke's greatest probability for safety rested on their separation from one another, with no reason to seek each other out again."
Sousuke looked in turn at Melissa, Casimira, and Kurz, nodding his head and pointing to his watch. The message was simple. They had all been given a lot to think on. They were all stressed and tired. There was little to be gained from any further interrogation. There were other people who needed to be informed of their findings before any further decisions could be made and sanctioned.
The primary purpose of the dinner had been to discover the particulars behind the false stories that had impacted their lives. Sousuke was wise enough to realize that a secondary opportunity existed as well, whether or not the people at the table were cognizant of that fact.
Tessa's eventual admission of guilt---and her thorough discussion of her reasons and motivations---would play a large role in how she would now be viewed by her once and future friends. The response to her confession would affect how she viewed herself.
Sousuke spoke quietly into Kaname's ear, asking if she would be hurt by something he had decided to do. She was clearly torn, but she consented. She kissed him, pleased that he had thought to ask her before he acted.
Banging his fork against his wineglass, Sousuke stood up and made certain he had everyone's attention. He then walked over to Tessa's chair in a casual manner and kissed her on the forehead, catching her by surprise.
"I cannot say whether your decisions saved lives or created unecessary hardships. But I thank you for your good intentions. You've carried that burden by yourself for too long." This had not been as easy as it might have seemed. He was still of two minds himself, not ready to let go of his anger and disillusionment. However, this simply felt like something that needed to be done.
Tessa could not speak. She placed her face into her napkin and let the tears flow.
Melissa looked at Sousuke with a mixture of pride, love and gratitude. She got up and headed to Tessa, stopping first to say something quietly to Kaname. "You have a fine young man there. But, I shouldn't have to tell you that!"
Kaname nodded, smiling, hearing echoes from the past. "Yes. I remember what you told me once. I don't plan on giving him up. No matter what."
Melissa went and spoke briefly to Tessa. Casimira and Kurz soon followed suit.
Tessa and Kaname looked at one another, but neither had anything further to say verbally. Kaname's eyes opened widely when she received a Whispered communication from the smaller woman. "Thank you for letting Sousuke do that. If even one of you can find it in your heart to forgive me, perhaps I can forgive myself. I'm sorry. I did what I thought was right."
Kaname's emotions were confused and mixed. Tessa read that. It was a start.
Emotionally drained, but strangely at peace, Tessa said goodnight to everyone and made her way towards the reservation desk, intent on calling a taxi. Sousuke and Kaname excused themselves as well.
Casimira and Melissa told Kurz that they were off to the ladies room to powder their noses, giving him the honor of selecting the next bottle of wine while they were freshening up. They neglected to tell him that they were refering the ladies room at Melissa's hotel. They also forgot to inform him that he was responsible for picking up the check.
Watching from a balcony, Melissa felt exposed and out of place. Although the large mirror on the wall told her otherwise, she was certain there was something about here appearence that screamed she did not belong in a place like this. Her dress was hideously expensive, but wonderful to behold.
A perfectly dressed matre de approached her, informing her that the table was now ready and she could now be seated. Her guest would be brought to the table when she arrived.
Walking down a large curving stairway--one of the architectural wonders of the Comme Chez Cygne restaurant---Melissa drank in the fine artwork and splendid furniture in countless nooks and crannies. Making her way between tables, she was nearly overwhelmed by a palpable sense of ambience.
Her mind wandered. She thought back to her last conversation with Sousuke and Kurz aboard the TDD-3. A fortunate turn of events highlighted their discussion. In addition, Cmdr. Horowitz given them permission to attempt a low level mission, one which would involve a single potential participant in the prior fraudulent reports. They were to be as discrete as possible, and as ruthless as required. The expenses from the foray would come from their own pockets. Neither he nor Lt. Cmdr. Ben-Elieden had ever heard anything about the mission, or about the past events that triggered it. They would do absolutely nothing to draw attention to Mithril.
Melissa felt guilty when she thought about that particular turn of events. Tessa had told her that she would be attending a meeting in Brussels, and would then join her boyfriend for a brief European vacation, stopping along the way to meet with his parents. In return, Melissa informed her that the Urzu team would be in Germany at the same time, meeting in secret with knowledgable German military personnel. Melissa offered to buy Tessa dinner at a posh Belgian restaurant, in honor of her impending retirement as an active submarine commander. Tessa was only too happy to accept.
How could she do this to Tessa, after all they had been through together? Melissa tried to justify matters, telling herself that this would take place among friends, not in front of a military tribunal or deep in some dark alleyway. And, all of the operatives involved were her indeed friends, or at the very least had once considered themselves such. The coup de grace would be shocking, if the game lasted that long. The choreography was set up in stages, with stepwise progression at each point of failure.
Melissa's self recriminations were interupted bt the returning matre de, walking in with Tessa on his arm. How had she charmed the man---he was positively fawning over her.
Melissa stood, embracing Tessa warmly, trying not to seem abnormally stiff.
"Melissa, this is such a wonderful place. I am so glad to see you again. And I am amazed at how marvelous you look in that dress. It certainly is s good thing that Kurz is hundreds of miles away, shivering somewhere in the Alps!" Tessa looked splendid in her dress, one she had not worn since her visit to the opera with Sousuke. She had felt moments of near suffocating guilt, but felt a need to overcome her past fear and trepidation.
"Yes, Kurz would certainly put a damper on the evening." That was more true than Melissa would say. Her throat felt thick, but she was speaking in a smooth and strong voice.
Their conversation bounced around randomly, touching on current events, past times together, and current gossip from both of the submarines. Melissa had made it a point to order a new bottle of wine each time they found the bottom of the current one. Tessa was past her drinking threshold, laughing giddily, and occasionally fanning herself with her wine menu. When the food arrived, she herself was ripe for the plucking.
"I still can't believe how happy I am now" Tessa started, driving an emotional stake into Melissa's heart. "I only wish things could be that wonderful for you. I wish that Gordon had accepted a position with Mithril. That way you could see him more often."
"It's probably best that he didn't, Tessa. The world is a safer place this way. I get into enough trouble with Sousuke and Kurz as it is." She stopped, sighing. "Besides, it will be a long and winding road, with a good chance of a fatal wreck if we drive too fast. There's still no guarantee how things will end up." Seeing her chance, Melissa allowed a strong note of melancholy to permeate her speech.
"Oh, I'm sorry if that's a touchy subject. I didn't mean to make you sad, especially not tonight." Tessa sounded truly concerned.
"It's not that," Melissa said honestly. "I was thinking of Sousuke. He still hasn't found anyone to replace Kaname, and I wonder if he ever will. I suppose it is all water under the bridge, but I can't help but feel as if the accident happened just yesterday. I still can't believe that she's gone!"
Tessa was caught entirely off guard. For a brief moment she looked frantic. A strange look flashed across her face, possibly guilt. Even tipsy, she was able to regain her composure quickly, forcing herself to look saddened herself. "I can't either."
Melissa wiped her eyes. Tessa would have no way of knowing there were no tears there. Head bowed, the AS pilot moved her fork in seeming absentminded fashion across her plate, looking as if she were deep in thought. She was quiet for an uncomfortable period of time.
"Melissa?" Tessa asked, without any response. "Melissa, are you OK?"
Shaking her head fiercely, Melissa squared her shoulders and shook her arms every so slightly. "I'm sorry Tessa, I don't want to ruin the mood. Sometimes, though, the pain comes back unannounced. It was so sudden, and the details were so limited. It's been hard to get any kind of closure!"
"I'm sorry. It's been hard for everyone."
Melissa wanted to believe that. But she had seen Tessa's look earlier. There was no choice. She had to continue fishing for reactions, even though her friend was on guard now.
"Tessa, it's been a while now. Is there anything more you can tell me? You know it won't go any further than here." Melissa ached inside, telling that lie. The pain in her voice then was real.
"Melissa, I...." Tessa's voice did not crack or waver, but there was an unmistakable look of fear in her eyes.
"Please! Even if it's something simple. Did you have anything sent to her funeral? Flowers? A representative? Some form of condolences for her father and sister?" This was a safe topic. A trap was set, and it would prove instructive to see where Tessa's foot landed.
Tessa's answer was swift, unforced. "Yes, Melissa. I arranged to have flowers sent, and Mithril anonymously set up a memorial college fund in her name at Jindai Highschool. No one that knew her personally was able to attend the services, unfortunately." Tessa hoped that those lies would steer Melissa away from the topic of conversation, the longer the better.
Melissa's face crumbled, she could not prevent it. Tessa's duplicity struck her hard, doubly so because it had been directed at herself and her friends, and because it was perpetrated by another friend. It was a simple matter to cover for the reaction, however. "It hurt so much, not being able to pay my respects in person."
A prearranged signal, Melissa jerked her hand up to her forehead, knocking over a water glass in the process. Two waiters moved closer to the table, standing uncharacteristically still, not making any attempt to assist with the clean up.
A familiar woman walked up to their table soon thereafter. "Tessa, how wonderful to see you here. Melissa, I was able to break away for a while after all. I hope I am not intruding on a personal conversation!" Casimira Concecion looked stunning in a black split calf dress emroidered with colorful South American beads.
Tessa was taken aback. Melissa hadn't mentioned anything about Mira joining them this evening. "Mira, I must say I am surprised to see you. Surprised but happy!" She truly was pleased. There was a chance that this would take Melissa's mind off of a very hazardous topic. "What are you doing in Brussels?"
"Business" Capt. Concepcion answered. "I suppose I can tell you. Cmdr. Horowitz had sent me to Antwerp to meet with some of our covert operatives, one of whom does stage work for the latest run of Les Contes d'Hoffman." The latter was one of the more popular European operas at the time. "An old enemy we thought vanquished may be raising its ugly head again." She nodded her head, as if to say it was a matter of where and how, not 'if.'
"She was planning to spend her time alone. That would be boring, so I asked if she could join us. She said it was unlikely, so I didn't think to mention it." Melissa sounded truthful and sincere.
"Fortune smiled on me. Things went quicker than anyone had a right to expect. Given that, I looked forward to a marvelous dinner in pleasant company. And, I couldn't pass up such a rare event...Melissa Mao treating people to dinner!" Both Tessa and Casimira laughed, and Melissa frowned convincingly. "But, Miss Mao is sadly mistaken. I was not bored. I still had plenty of time to view plenty of Rubens, and I spent a month's pay on dresses by Nadine Wynants and Walter Van Beirendonck."
"Hah! Boring AND excessive. Mira, what in God's name do you need any more fancy dresses for? Besides, you're beautiful enough without them." Melissa laughed half-heartedly, perking up somewhat.
Capt. Concepcion looked at Tessa. "Well, if rumors are correct, you won't be jealous. I hope!" She turned to pat Melissa on the hand. "You're not working hard enough on your squadmate for me, Melissa. It's rare that a man escapes when I get my hook in him, but there has been no sign that Lt. Sagara has any intention of being reeled back in again."
"Mira! You and Sousuke!" Tessa looked incredulous, not jealous.
"You sound surprised." Casimira came dangerously close to gloating. "Not being his commanding officer, I had certain advantages. Persistence and and experience proved effective assistants and patient bedfellows."
"I am rather surprised, " Tessa said cheerfully, without a hint of envy. "I never knew that Melissa could keep a secret. This was the first I heard of it." Tessa stared at Melissa in an accusatory manner. "Some friend you are Melissa!"
That final statement stabbed at Melissa from inside and out, nevermind that it was said only in jest. Just what kind of friend had Tessa been before? What kind of friends were Mira and herself now?
"Melissa, are you alright? I am certain Tessa was only joking." Getting no response from Melissa, Casimira continued. "What's wrong?"
"Tessa and I...." Melissa sounded depressed, downhearted.
"We were discussing some rather difficult times in the past before, but I think we have had enough of that for now, if you don't mind. The food and company are too good to ruin with any further such talk." Tessa said that a little too shrilly and quickly.
"Sousuke, Mira. By coincidence we were talking about Sousuke. And Kaname." Melissa's gaze looked more intense now. "I was hoping for some answers." Her gaze turned thoughtful. "Maybe you could help! How about it, Mira!"
"I have to apologize, Melissa. I am truly sorry. I tried to find out something before, but a level four block had been put on the situation. I wasn't going to tempt fate and challenge that. Oh!" Casimira feined shock and embarrassment. "Please Melissa, forget what I just said."
Melissa suddenly sprang to life. "What? No way, Mira! Give!"
"Melissa, Mira cannot do that. If anyone reported a breech in protocol, she could be in serious trouble! Let's just put the subject to rest. A terrible tragedy happened, but we have had time to come to terms with things as best we could. Don't open all of the wounds again, I beg you." Tessa definitely did not want any further discussion about the incident, and especially didn't want any specific questions about security protocols.
"C'mon, Tessa! I'm not going to tell on her. I doubt she'll turn herself in. Are you planning to rat her out?"
"Of course not! But...." Tessa didn't have a chance to finish her request.
"Good. Mira! Who can order a level four security block?" Melissa's voice was getting louder, as if she were truly getting wound up.
"Melissa, that is need to know information. And..." Mira sounded regretful but determined.
"MIRA!" Melissa's voice carried across the room, stopping a number of nearby conversations. "I NEED to know. Let's just leave it at that before things get ugly. If you know something and hold out on me...."
Tessa tried to stop her, but Casimira gave in to Melissa. "Onboard, at the time, only Tessa; Cmdr. Mardukas; and Lt. Cmdr. Kalinin. Off ship, any one in the Higher Command."
"Who signed?" Melissa had picked up a knife and was stabbing the remnants of her chicken dish.
"Melissa, I won't tell you that. What will it tell you?"
"WHO F@CKING SIGNED!!!" Melissa was standing now, and the matre de was headed in her direction. One of the uncharacteristic waiters moved to intercept him.
"I did." Tessa realised that she would have to give a little if there was to be any chance to save the majority. She did NOT want Casimira's interest piqued or her suspicions triggered. If either of them started digging on their own....
Melissa's knife dropped from her lax hand and riccocheted off of her glass and her plate. Reaching for it, she knocked it onto the floor. The ersatz waiters nodded to one another and headed closer to the table, cutting off any potential avenues of escape.
"WHAT?!" Melissa needed little acting at that moment. She was becoming truly angry.
"Melissa, please calm down." Casimira sounded as if she were concerned. She stroked Melissa's hand, and moved it away from her knife. "You are drawing unwanted attention. Let us give Tessa a chance to explain. I am convinced she has a good explanation. Certainly we can trust her."
With one hand waving stylishly in the air as a distraction, Capt. Concepcion used the other hand to activate a recording device in her designer hand bag. She didn't expect to record any truths, necesarily. But it would be potentially useful to catch Tessa telling untruths.
"We had BETTER be able to trust her" Melissa growled. Watching Tessa closely, she couldn't help but feel a small flash of pride for her one time commander. She has certainly grown! Before, she would have flinched, looked frightened, or gotten overly petulant. Instead, Tessa sat impassionately.
"Melissa, please. I can understand why you are angry. You know me, I would NOT do anything to purposely hurt you. But, as Captain, I have defined responsibilities, and I do answer to a well established chain of command." Tessa's mind continued to do trial runs on a number of different lies and half-truths.
Casimira saw an opportunity to interject. "Tessa. Was the decision to place the block your own, or were you following orders from someone else? Was this an Upper Level imperative?"
Tessa looked intently at Capt. Concepcion for a few uncomfortable moments. What were her intentions? Suspicions began to form in the back of her mind.
Before Tessa could reply, Melissa jumped in. She did not like the look in Tessa's eyes, and feared that she and Casimira might lose the advantage. "Can it, Mira. At the moment, I don't care who f@cking started the ball rolling. You and I can find that out later when we convince the rest of the Intel gang to join in the hunt!!!" Tessa jumped slightly at that one. Good.
Melissa stood up and pushed her chair close to Tessa's. "What I want to know NOW is why. Why Tessa? I hope to Hell you weren't playing school girl pranks, trying to get an exclusive shot at Sousuke! We all know that Kaname had her ring in his nose."
Tessa's suspicions would have to wait a while longer. She was being hit hard from two sides, a clever flanking maneuver. Melissa questioned her character? Melissa and Casimira might start serious efforts at discovery, acting against a long time moratorium on further investigation?
Wait! She finally hit on a story that might do the trick!
"Do you REALLY think I would have gone THAT far, Melissa? Do you?!" The tears coming to Tessa's eyes were not forced.
Melissa lowered her eyes. "No. Not really, Tessa. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that." She would continue to play the game at this level a little while longer. A quick glance at Casimira gained a raised eyebrow. She too felt it was nearly time to change tact.
"Thank you" Tessa wiped away her tears. "If the two of you promise not to take things any further, I will tell you the basics. However, you will NEVER have heard these words from me. Do we have an agreement? Do I have your word?"
"Yes!" from Melissa. "We will not pursue your information any further" from Casimira.
"Everything was initially done on my prerogative. I later informed the necessary personnel, and they told me to put a hold on further investigations. The accident that claimed Kaname's life was no accident. It was premeditated, aimed particularly at her. But, it was not the work of an enemy to Mithril." Melissa feined shock, then looked intently at Tessa. "No, Melissa. It was not my doing, or the work of anyone within Mithril."
"An ally of Mithril's? Or, at least someone with common goals in mind?" Casimira thought she could see where Tessa's fabrication was headed.
"Yes, Mira. The nuclear threat in Iran had drawn Mithril into the maelstrom, but had also provided a key opportunity for a a group of Western-sanctioned 'patriots' who were ready to wrest control of the country from the hands of Ali Hoseini Khamenei and the religious leaders.
They were ruthless men. Ruthless and insistant. They wanted to know everything about Mithril's operations, and they recieved information from people I had thought to be trustworthy." Tessa did not miss a beat or slur a syllable.
"OK, Tessa. But how did Kaname get involved with all this?" Melissa looked eager.
"From what I could piece together, the details of our team were leaked. The Iranian opposition group learned that Sousuke was one of our best pilots, and that he controlled an AS with special properties...properties that might prove invaluable to the success of the mission. Someone most likely gave details of Sousuke's personal life, noting that he might be unwilling to take risks because of his attachment to Kaname. Obviously, to someone, any impediment was unacceptable, as this might be the only chance at a succesful take over." Tessa took a moment to finish off her glass of wine.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Casimira was impressed. Tessa was a very convincing liar. Waving her hand again, she asked Tessa a question, noticing that one of the waiter look-alikes was approaching at her signal. "So, what method did they employ?" It sounded as if she were asking from professional interest.
"Apparently, they recruited an Islamic fanatic, who I would guess supported a change in leadership, as long as the new government was religious, not secular. There were two bodies found in Kaname's car. One was identified as an Iranian national. That information was not allowed to make the news. And, you can now see why the investigation was stopped, and why it should not be reopened."
"Would madame care for another bottle of wine?" A waiter asked. Tessa turned around to look at the speaker, recognizing the voice. It was Kurz! "Hey, Tessa babe. I don't want to seem rude, but are you going to get around to the truth any time soon? I'm renting this tux by the hour!" With that, he took off the dress jacket and reversed it to the black side before putting it back on.
Tessa was speechless, watching Kurz look for a seat. He tried to sit next to Casimira, but she held strongly onto the chair. Next he headed towards Melissa, who picked up a knife and a fork. Sighing, he chose a seat near Tessa.
A whole set of emotions ran across Tessa's face, fear in the lead. Anger nipped fear at the finish line. "I see. This has all been a trick, a trap. Thank you SO VERY MUCH, Captain Mao. I won't be saying anything else, you can be certain of THAT! I strongly suggest, that no one pushes things any further. Things could be MUCH worse than they are now!" She got up, preparing to leave.
"Tessa...Tessa...Tessa" Kurz was chuckling. "You can sit back down voluntarily, or good ole Kurzeroo can lend you a hand." He showed her a palm-sized auto-injector. "We're all friends here, aren't we? There's no need for things to get ugly." He also showed her a syringe, no doubt containing a truth serum. The look in his eyes told Tessa that he considered the past events rather ugly themselves. He was not bluffing.
Realization hit Tessa hard. She could call out for help. But, even if restaurant staff believed she fainted and insisted an ambulance be called, matters would only be delayed. Her fellow Mithril members would find her later, unless she gave up everything and went into hiding. Images of her bofriend crossed her mind. Thoughts of her new position followed. She teared up. She sat back down.
"See, I knew you were our friend, babe. Now, perhaps you'll tell the amazing Kurz Weber the things that my two less capable companions were unable to uncover." Kurz gave Tessa his best smile, cringing when he heard both Melissa and Casimira growling. This was his good cop routine.
"Kurz, PLEASE! This is NOT a game. Kaname's death was a terrible tragedy, but I have good reasons for doing what I did. I have ALREADY told them the truth, at terrible risk to us all!!!." There was a strong pleading tone to Tessa's voice.
"Don't worry, sweet stuff, I am NOT playing. Rolling your pretty eyes and asking us to trust you just won't cut it! Melissa and Cassie tried smooth. Their womanly tenderness did not work. Right now, babe, I couldn't give a rat's ass for your feelings, not after what you've done to Sis and me. After what you did to Sousuke!" And this was his bad cop routine.
Casimira kicked Kurz under the table, hard. He was coming on too strong. It wasn't time to let her know that they knew the full extent of her lies. They were saving that for later, if necessary. "Not allowing him to attend the funeral was unforgiveable!" Kurz didn't miss a beat.
"Melissa, you've already lost my f@cking trust. And you ought to know I'm telling the goddamn truth when I say I will track this as far as it can be tracked. If you level with us completely, perhaps the buck can stop HERE!" She was twirling her knife in her hand as she spoke.
Tessa's mind kept trying to grab ahold of an important thought. Yes. Why were they acting so intensely? Was it merely a ploy to affect her resolve, or did they know more than she first assumed? She would have to proceed as if her most crucial secret was safe, believing that they were simply after the names of the people forcing her hand.
"There is nothing more of importance I can tell you. Knowing the identity of the people who ordered the cover-up will not help anything. They were simply doing what they thought best, and exposing them will only put your careers in jeopardy!" That should do it, Tessa told herself. At the very least, Casimira should be able to perform a rapid risk-benefit analysis and second her opinion.
Kurz whistled, startling a table full of elderly men behind him. He bowed to them with a flourish, then turned back in time to see Sousuke walk up in his waiter's garb.
"I take it that Captain Testarossa was no more susceptible to the Weber charm than any other woman?" Sousuke said from behind Tessa. He placed his hands gently on either side of Tessa's neck, squeezing ever so slightly. Melissa and Casimia nodded. Removing his hands, he said "Perhaps I shall prove more successful." He sat in the chair that Kurz had just vacated.
S-Sousuke...." He was the last person Tessa wanted to see at that moment. She had hoped that the others were acting without his knowledge or participation.
"I-I've already told them as much as they need to know. It's a tremendous risk, already. Of all people, I would expect that you would realize the cost of going too far with something!" Sousuke cringed slightly at the word 'cost.'
Sousuke looked over at Melissa. "Melissa, if you would give me a synopsis of what Captain Testarossa has told you, please." His look was stern, determined.
Melissa gave him an efficient and accurate retelling. Sousuke looked over at Casimira, who said "I have nothing to add." Turning back to Tessa, Sousuke heard Kurz exclaim "Hey, Sousuke old buddy, aren't you going to ask if I have anything to add?"
"No!" That came simultaneously from Sousuke, Melissa, Casimira, and a number of the gentlemen at a nearby table who had no choice but to hear what Kurz had said. At the very least, the latter participants served as a reminder to keep things more discrete. Who could say who might be listening in.
"Captain, it sounds like a very plausable story. I can see a few weak points, but it was well thought out. However, I do not believe a word of it. And, it is very much to your benefit that I believe what you have to tell me." Sousuke's look could have curdled milk.
"I am not talking about my feelings for you, because they may have been fractured beyond repair. I am not threatening to bring you actions before a review board, because that will not regain me a single moment of closure that was stolen from me. And, as you should realize, I have no intention of physically harming you---that is not my way."
"Sousuke...." Whatever Tessa had tried to say was waved away with a firece chopping motion of Sousuke's arm. Even Melissa and Casimira felt a little subdued in his presence at that very moment.
"As you may have heard from Melissa, I have changed somewhat over the years since I left the TDD-1 and your command. I would like to think that I am no longer as headstrong or reckless. I am less prone to making things worse before I make them better." Melissa nodded her head in confirmation. "However, I am not any less determined."
"I see. But...." Again, the chopping motion.
"Captain, you will tell me what I want to know, or I WILL chase down every possibility. In doing so, I will not stop out of fear for my safety, because I do not feel safe as it is. I will not stop to prevent collateral damage, because I WAS the collateral damage from the previous subterfuge."
Sousuke's attention was drawn to Kurz, who was giving Sousuke a large smile and a big thumbs up. Sousuke ignored him, scowling.
Tessa was certainly in a bind. If Sousuke had found out that Kaname did not actually die, he would know she was prevaricating. However, he could also be putting up a front in order to see if he could pressure her to change her story. Or, not knowing the truth, he might somehow sense she was spinning a web of deceit. If it was the former, nothing more could be lost by misdirection. If it were one of the latter two, she would have to convince him.
"Sousuke, whatever else you might think, you have to believe that I acted in your best interest. I did nothing that was solely for my benefit to the detriment of others!" That definitely had the ring of truth about it.
"I hope that is true, Captain. I do not want to hate you; however, that is not the major issue here." Sousuke turned to Kurz and pantomimed an injection. Tessa took notice. Kurz handed Sousuke something under the table. He wouldn't use it here, but he wanted Tessa to think otherwise.
Sousuke reached over and placed his hand on Tessa's arm. "Kurz, find me some hard liquor. I don't have any alcohol swabs with me."
Kurz left the table. Turning back to Tessa, Sousuke said in a reasonable manner "One last chance of your own accord. When Kurz returns, I will place my trust in the latest pharmaceuticals. Perhaps the people you are protecting will take that into consideration when they realize from whom the information came."
"Sousuke, I do not know why you refuse to believe the truth. But I will make this promise to you. I will take your truth serum. If it proves me a liar, I will do whatever you ask. BUT, when my story holds true, you will stop at the information I have already given you." This might actually work to her advantage! She had previously learned that she could use the Whispered state to avoid the actions of drugs.
Kurz handed Sousuke one of two glasses of finely aged Scotch. He downed the other quickly, coughing slightly when he was done.
"Do you, Captain Teletha Testarossa---in front of these witnesses---swear upon your honor and reputation that you will tell us the full truth if I can prove you wrong following this injection? Do you swear it in the name of the man you love and the life you hope to live?" Sousuke dipped his napkin in Scotch and wiped it across Tessa's arm, now held under the table.
"Yes Sousuke, I so swear." Tessa was beginning to feel hopeful. She had faced up to a rather forceful and talented group of individuals, and it looked as if she was going to be able to prevail.
Sousuke injected the contents of his syringe into Tessa. He had previously expelled the original contents and refilled it with water from a glass he had placed his chair.
"We will give that sufficient time to act. I will return shortly."
"Sousuke, where are you going?" Tessa hoped he wasn't resorting to trickery. Hopefully he had not injected her with a knock-out agent!
"Captain Testarossa, is that something you ask a man! Really, you have no sense of decency." Sousuke was certain that Tessa would pick up that reference.
"Oh! I see." It seems she did.
A little while later, Tessa noticed that her remaining three tablemates sat up straighter, large smiles on their faces. All of their eyes were looking in the same direction. She turned in her chair to see what had caused their reaction.
Sousuke was returning, walking with a slow elegant gate, a woman on his arm. Radiant in face and well proportioned in body, long dark hair swinging with each step, Kaname made her entrance into the arena, her magnificent designer gown catching the attention of male and female patrons alike.
Tessa was affected somewhat differently. At that moment, her feelings reminded her of a number of major life events. Her kidnapping by A21. Her brutal treatment at the hands of Gauron. Her captivity at the hand of the vanquished shadow group. It looks like she had been caught again.
"Oh...my...God. Sousuke, you lucky dog, you." Kurz and Melissa had seen Kaname the night before during a tear and laughter filled reunion. They had not, however, seen her dressed like this until now. Kurz was staring unabashedly.
Casimira poured a glass of ice water onto Kurz' lap. Melissa applauded.
"Good evening, every one. Melissa, this is a fabulous place! Is Kurz paying?" Kaname was beaming. Perhaps because she was with Sousuke. Perhaps because she was with old friends. Perhaps because Tessa would get her come uppence. Likely all of the above.
Kaname had purposefully avoided looking at Tessa up to that point.
"Mmmm, Ka--na--may! I would gladly pay YOU! Sousuke, be a good friend and...." Kurz jumped when Casimira poured Melissa's glass of water down inside his pants.
"Casimira, it is good to see you again." This was the first time Casimira and Kaname had seen each other in over four years.
Kaname was smiling, but the smile was a touch crooked. Capt. Concepcion thought that she knew why. "Kaname, you look wonderful. I am so sorry that I was unable to attend your funeral. You make certain that you take good care of your young man there." She smiled and gave Kaname a wink. She continued smiling and gave Sousuke a leer.
Sousuke blushed, making Melissa laugh. Kaname noticed as well. "Sousuke, it seems we have something to talk about. LATER." She wasn't angry or scowling, however. She gave him an obvious pat on the rump.
"Yes, Sousuke. Menage a tois!!!" Kurz was pumping his fist in the air. It drew the attention of a very observant waiter. Casimira asked for a pitcher of ice water. Kurz quieted down.
Kaname and Sousuke both glared at Kurz, saluted Casimira, then smiled at each other. Sousuke whispered something into her ear. She nodded.
"Tessa, what a pleasant surprise to find you here tonight." Kaname said, as she and Sousuke took seats next to one another. "I had heard false rumors that you had been in an accident." Zing. Kaname had changed in many ways. Some things remained the same, however. "You've put on some pounds! But they're all in the right places. Wouldn't you agree, dear?" She squeezed Sousuke's arm.
"Uh...I hadn't noticed."
"Oh! Some things never change, I guess" Kaname laughed, but it was a restrained musical laugh. She picked up her napkin and wiped her tearless eyes. "I'm feeling so nostalgic now."
Tessa took things with good grace. She was too numb to do otherwise. Anger began to seep in, slowly building. The actions that she had taken years ago had been mostly for Kaname's sake.
"But I understand congratulations are in order! You finally get to step down from that overly large Captain's chair. And, you've found yourself a man. It must be SO wonderful. I hope the two of you are able to enjoy a long and happy life together, with as few hardships as possible." To a casual observer, Kaname would have sounded sincere.
"But I should give you some good advice about relationships! Might I suggest that the two of you stay away from gas stations whenever the fuel truck is there?" Kaname had a lot of pent up anger. Who would have guessed that?
"You GO girl! Oh yeh!" Kurz was enjoying himself. Casimira wondered where that waiter was.
Melissa hadn't minded seeing Kaname get in a few digs at Tessa. They both certainly deserved the opportunity. But, Tessa was still her friend, and there were issue that needed to be discussed further.
"Tessa, I believe that you promised to tell Sousuke the truth if he could prove you were lying?" The look she gave Tessa was neutral. Turning her head, she gave Kurz a look that would warp steel. She smiled at Kaname's salute.
All eyes turned to Tessa.
Her heart racing, and feeling somewhat dizzy, Tessa tried to organize her thoughts. She would tell them what she knew, and the onus would fall on THEIR heads. The axe might very well fall on ALL of their necks.
"Why, Tessa. Let's start with 'why.' " Above all else, this was still a very personal matter to Kaname.
"I did it because of you, Kaname." Tessa fought mixed emotions, past and present.
"I TOLD you, Sis!" Kurz was not laughing. The look he gave Tessa seemed out of place on an ex-model.
"Shut up, Kurz. Let her continue. If it leads where you think it will, she's fair game. If it doesn't, you owe her an apology." Melissa hoped that Kurz was wrong.
Kaname looked on expectantly, squeezing Sousuke's hand to the point that he was forced to unwrap her fingers.
"They threatened to kill Kaname...." Tessa's heart constricted. Would they resume trying, now? If anyone pursued matters further...or the wrong people learned that Sousuke and Kaname were seeing one another again....
The silence was deafening, so to speak. Tessa looked directly at Kurz, who bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Tessa."
Tessa found it hard to continue unprompted. She stared into her wine, watching the ruby liquid swirl as she rotated the stem of the glass.
"Why did they want Kaname dead, Tessa. And who." Sousuke's voice was respectful on the surface, but Tessa could easily detect the cold steel underneath.
Tessa bowed her head. She couldn't help herself. She was frightened. The others could clearly see that she was shivering. Melissa stood to go comfort her, but Sousuke raised his hand and directed her to sit back down.
"I think I understand the reasons why this is hard for you, Tessa." The 'Tessa'---instead of 'Captain' or 'Captain Testarossa'---made her lift her head back up. "Let's start with who. I will make it easier for you. I will mention three men. You will let me know if it is one of them, or one of their subordinates. Agreed?"
"Yes, Sousuke."
"General Bonanno...."
"No."
"Lord Elgin...."
"No."
"Mister Borodenko...."
Tessa's eyes widened. Her tongue felt as if it were glued to the roof of her mouth. She nodded her head in the affirmative.
"Him personally, one of his lieutenants, or a lower subordinate?" Sousuke was glad to have an answer. It was not the answer he had wanted. Now it was time to see if things were very bad, extremely bad, or unbelievably bad.
The first step already taken, Tessa found it easier to speak now. Easier, but no less harrowing. "Liang Yong." The name meant nothing to Sousuke. It drew a quick response from Capt. Concepcion.
"Oh shit!" Casimira was not one for expletives. However, the occasion called for it. Most definitely.
Kurz almost succumbed to the impulse to pounce on Casimira's verbal descent into the gutter. The look on her face stopped him cold, a notable feat.
"Mira?" Sousuke sounded more interested than concerned.
"Sousuke, are you aware of the rumored connections of Mr. Borodenko to the Russian mafia?"
"Yes."
"Well, whether or not the rumors are true, it certainly has bought him a reputation that certainly serves his purpose. The concern within Mithril goes deeper than that, however. Liang Yong is Deputy Finance Minister for Mithril. Vassil Tahirjanov is the Chief Financial Coordinator. Their jobs overlap to some degree, and there is a continual jockeying of position between the two of them to see who can get Mr. Borodenko's favor. Neither would want to lose their position to the potential replacements nipping at their heals. I suspect each man pockets a sizeable amount of money with each new contract or paying assignment brought into Mithril."
"I take it they both have unsavory reputations." Kaname had a personal stake in this discussion.
"You could say that. If you did, it would be an understatement. Both men filled their positions with little resistance. They had impeccable credentials, as they were major talents at their above the board activities. Liang Yong was one of China's rising financial consultants. Vassil Tahirjanov was one of Europe's best economic theorists. Their seedier sides were well hidden, unlike many of their shady contemporaries. I suspect many people were taken in by the phenomenal possibilities, seeing what they wanted to see." Mira spoke with the same tone and body language she used at mission briefings.
"What was it that they failed to see, or conveniently overlooked?" Kurz didn't like the direction things were taking.
"Liang Yong is rumored to be Lai Dechuan, a young Chinese crime boss who once had ties to the Serpents, Wild Dogs, and Angry Tigers before he disappeared after a particularly brutal attempt on his life. Vassil Tahirjanov is rumored to have strong ties to the Surcin crime clan in Belgrade. There has been no factual evidence to suggest that they have gone so far as to have anyone within Mithril injured, but the concern clearly remains. It may well be that no one they have threatened has dared to cross them." At that moment, Casimira was easy to read. She was clearly very much concerned.
"Why would either of them want me dead?" Kaname was more puzzled than frightened.
"Me. Most likely." Sousuke sounded contrite.
"Sousuke?" Kaname put her hand on Sousuke's.
"I suppose I shouldn't limit my suspicions to only one possibility, as there may well be angles that I am unable to see. Nevertheless, you of all people, Kaname, should know my past history with the Financial Division." Sousuke was not stating anything that was new to any person at that table.
"Yes, Sousuke. The financial officers of Mithril AND of Jindai Highschool couldn't have been very fond of you!" Kaname's voice was beginning to become exothermic.
"No, Kaname, just Mithril. All of the damages paid by the school were reimbursed by Mithril, often with a substantial bribe to allow the operation to continue. The Jindai financeers probably learned to look forward to my mistakes."
Kurz whistled. He had not know THAT part of things. "Oh yeh! I thought it strange that a public school might have a budget larger than the GNP of some third world nations. They could have knocked that school down, built a new one, and still come out ahead!"
Tessa risked a moment of levity. "It's true. Those of us at command level often joked that Sousuke was a member of a competing organization, secreted into our ranks to affect destruction from within. Those lies about Gauron being Sousuke's father were written off quite easily, thanks to the marvels of DNA testing. However, that still remained a treasured inside joke." She went as far as to smile. Others smiled as well.
"Sousuke!!!" Kaname started to tremble ever so slighly, as if she were undergoing the H.T.s---halisen tremens, the physical signs of halisen withdrawal.
"Yes, Kaname dear?" Sousuke was once clueless to the extreme. He was now a much quicker learner. The use of 'Kaname' + 'dear' currently had the capacity to diffuse lower level seismic activity.
"Do please try to bring the conversation back on topic." That was not what Kaname had originally intended to say.
"Certainly. As I was saying, my reputation within the Financial Division and Public Relations Division became progressively worse, to the point that Lt. Cmdr. Kalinin threatened to keep me confined to the ship when I was not directly involved in a combat mission. There was a very real possibility that I could have been permanently recalled from Tokyo years earlier."
"Tessa, did you talk to Liang Yong directly? What exactly were you told?" Melissa asked.
"Yes. It was not an experience I would recommend to anyone. I had been called into a Finance meeting at Headquarters, and was asked to stay behind with him and a couple of his aides. He had the best etiquette and diction of anyone I have ever met. Nevertheless, I felt like I was waving my arm in front of a shark, a bloody wound on that arm." Tessa shivered, and closed her eyes momentarily, as if wishing her memories to dissipate.
"Did he use threats or innuendos?" That question came from Casimira.
"Threats. He was very direct. His tone of voice, and his attitude...it was almost as if we were discussing the weather."
"What did he say?" Kaname's gaze fastened on Tessa.
"He said that personnel within the Finance Department had written unwelcome complaints directly to him, and that the contents of those communique's had the strong potential to cause him to lose face. Sousuke's name figured prominently, and the Depuy Finance Minister wanted to know what value Sergeant Sagara had to Mithril."
"You told him?" Kaname's question was rhetorical
"Yes. Appraised of Sousuke's combat record, his unique connection with Arbalest, and the substantial amount of money that had been effectively invested in his training and ongoing missions---not to mention the substantial amounts of money that Sousuke saved or earned Mithril through his uncanny mission success rate--Liang Yong came to the conclusion that Sousuke paired with the ARX-7 was a powerful drawing point for Mithril regarding potential customers. He went as far as to call Sousuke a valuable commodity that had been improperly used." Tessa's hands clenched the table cloth.
"I take it he was of the opinion that you were the one responsible for that misuse?" Melissa was right on target.
"Yes. He said that he would be certain to have his people perform a risk benefit analysis on ME! As a result, I was...I...I could not keep a level head throughout the entire discussion. When he told me it would be to everyone's benefit for Sousuke to be moved to a location where he would no longer cause the Financial Division to write inflammatory reports, I mistakenly told him that Sousuke might possibly quit Mithril as a result." Tessa looked somewhat embarassed, as if her slip of the tongue was responsible for everything.
"And when he asked why Sousuke might quit, you no doubt pointed to ME!" Kaname's eyes did a good imitation of hot coals.
"Yes, but not out of spite. I was being factual. Any attempt at misdirection or a cover-up could have proven disastrous. I had no idea that he would say what he did then." Tessa was nearly in tears.
"Tessa, what did he say about Kaname?" Sousuke's look was direct, but not accusatory or judgemental. Tessa felt a small bubble of gratitude rising within her, joining the bubbles of fear, shame, and regret.
"Sousuke, he started by saying that you were too valuable a tool to discard. If your success in battle might bring in lucrative contracts, you should be used exclusively in combat. Any impediment to that use would be removed by whatever manner necessary." Tessa paused to take a drink from her water glass.
She addressed the entire table when she continued. "If Kaname was the magnet to Sousuke's steel, he would be moved away from her. If there was any chance whatsoever that her pull might be strong enough to draw him away from Mithril...." Tessa ran down, her throat feeling too tight to talk.
"You need not carry that thought any further. I am certain we can all see where that is leading. And, unless I am mistaken, you had reason enough to believe that he might carry out his threat." Sousuke was not surprised when Tessa nodded her head.
"Another question remains. Why the accident story, Tessa? Why didn't you just tell Kaname and myself, allowing us to make the decisions that we chose to make, taking whatever risks we chose to take?"
"I was afraid, Sousuke. I was afraid of a good many things. I was afraid that you would refuse to abandon Kaname to what you viewed as a significant threat from outside forces interested in the Whispered. I feared you would not walk away from the internal dangers presented by the Deputy Minister's hirelings."
Tessa looked at Kaname. "I was scared that Kaname's pride and temper would prevent her from backing down from such a blatant disregard of her life and happiness."
She looked at Kurz and Melissa. "I was concerned that Melissa and Kurz would be drawn into things. I considered myself responsible for you all, and I could not take those risks. I...I..." Tessa bowed her head again, placing her face in her hands.
"You were afraid for yourself?" Melissa asked.
"Yes. I had asked for the responsibility of arranging a suitable outcome. There was no way I would voluntarily leave the choice of action in his hands or the hands of his toadies! There was a risk involved. If I failed, my career would fall on hard times, at best."
"Yes." Kaname clenched her teeth, hearing what she wanted to hear.
"Furthermore, if I did not arrive at a solution quickly enough, then the problem would be taken from my hands and given to someone whose top priority would be timeliness. There was no doubt what the simplest, fastest, and most irreversible solution would have been. Everyone would have been allowed to attend THAT funeral!" Tessa looked at Kaname, hoping she would find some small bit of forgiveness. She did not.
"So, my report of the accident to the Mithril operatives provided you with a gift-wrapped idea for a solution?" Kaname had accepted that possibility after her earlier discussion with Sousuke.
"Yes. It seemed too good to pass up. It provided me something real and substantial to wrap my hands around. I had been tearing myself apart. There was the gnawing fear that time was running out. My anger and righteous indignation almost led me to drag Mardukas and Kalinin into things, with a subsequent request for an official investigation, one which would have been based only on my word versus the word of the Deputy Minister."
Casimira whistled quietly when she heard that.
"At one point, I almost conveniently convinced myself that the threats were all smoke and mirrors, and I was strongly tempted by the simple solution of doing absolutely nothing."
The memories were clearly painful to Tessa. She did not consciously seek sympathy, but the plea was clearly written on her face.
"I am haunted by my decision to this very day. Not only because of the pain it caused, but because of the uncertainty. What might have happened if I HAD procrastinated, or simply decided not to do anything at all? Would his threats had been proven to be bluffs? Could there have been an assassination I would feel responsible for, and then be afraid to expose and unable to prove? Might I too have been viewed as a risk worth removing?"
Melissa nodded her head. She could only imagine what she might have felt if she had found herself in a similar situation.
"What would have happened to everyone if I had taken matters to the High Council? I couldn't judge just how far the ethical rot had spread...one root, or the whole tree? Might such a claim make it less likely that anything suspicious might happen to Kaname? Or, might it force their hand, even if the threat was initially a bluff?"
Kaname resented the fact that her choice had been usurped. However, the striking truth remained. She was alive. Sousuke and she were together again, stronger than before. What would have happened if she had been allowed to dictate the course of action?
"The only thing I could be certain of was that Kaname's and Sousuke's greatest probability for safety rested on their separation from one another, with no reason to seek each other out again."
Sousuke looked in turn at Melissa, Casimira, and Kurz, nodding his head and pointing to his watch. The message was simple. They had all been given a lot to think on. They were all stressed and tired. There was little to be gained from any further interrogation. There were other people who needed to be informed of their findings before any further decisions could be made and sanctioned.
The primary purpose of the dinner had been to discover the particulars behind the false stories that had impacted their lives. Sousuke was wise enough to realize that a secondary opportunity existed as well, whether or not the people at the table were cognizant of that fact.
Tessa's eventual admission of guilt---and her thorough discussion of her reasons and motivations---would play a large role in how she would now be viewed by her once and future friends. The response to her confession would affect how she viewed herself.
Sousuke spoke quietly into Kaname's ear, asking if she would be hurt by something he had decided to do. She was clearly torn, but she consented. She kissed him, pleased that he had thought to ask her before he acted.
Banging his fork against his wineglass, Sousuke stood up and made certain he had everyone's attention. He then walked over to Tessa's chair in a casual manner and kissed her on the forehead, catching her by surprise.
"I cannot say whether your decisions saved lives or created unecessary hardships. But I thank you for your good intentions. You've carried that burden by yourself for too long." This had not been as easy as it might have seemed. He was still of two minds himself, not ready to let go of his anger and disillusionment. However, this simply felt like something that needed to be done.
Tessa could not speak. She placed her face into her napkin and let the tears flow.
Melissa looked at Sousuke with a mixture of pride, love and gratitude. She got up and headed to Tessa, stopping first to say something quietly to Kaname. "You have a fine young man there. But, I shouldn't have to tell you that!"
Kaname nodded, smiling, hearing echoes from the past. "Yes. I remember what you told me once. I don't plan on giving him up. No matter what."
Melissa went and spoke briefly to Tessa. Casimira and Kurz soon followed suit.
Tessa and Kaname looked at one another, but neither had anything further to say verbally. Kaname's eyes opened widely when she received a Whispered communication from the smaller woman. "Thank you for letting Sousuke do that. If even one of you can find it in your heart to forgive me, perhaps I can forgive myself. I'm sorry. I did what I thought was right."
Kaname's emotions were confused and mixed. Tessa read that. It was a start.
Emotionally drained, but strangely at peace, Tessa said goodnight to everyone and made her way towards the reservation desk, intent on calling a taxi. Sousuke and Kaname excused themselves as well.
Casimira and Melissa told Kurz that they were off to the ladies room to powder their noses, giving him the honor of selecting the next bottle of wine while they were freshening up. They neglected to tell him that they were refering the ladies room at Melissa's hotel. They also forgot to inform him that he was responsible for picking up the check.
Personally, I'm hoping