Major (The United Federation Marine Corps Book 5) Read Free Page B

he knew.  But he didn’t like Agent Volker pointing that out.  Besides, how hard could it be to simply go to the meeting and listen to what was being said?  And to have his courage even obliquely questioned got his blood boiling.
    Ryck looked around the vault.  The chargé d'affaires and his first secretary sat at the head of the table.  The two FCDC officers and the two spooks sat across from Ryck, CAPT Franks, and CDR Terry Philbin, Ryck’s counterpart assistant naval attaché.  Volker could argue all he wanted, but the decision was Mr. Lamonica’s, the wizened Charge de Affairs.  He might look like a jovial grandfather, but he was whip-smart and brooked no nonsense.  He ran the embassy, not Ambassador Tsung, a former Top 100 CEO and political neophyte.
    “And you, Major?  What do you think?  You up for this?” he asked Ryck.
    “Yes, sir, I am.  Of course, I welcome Agent Volker’s assistance.  In fact, I request it.  But I think I can be trained up for a simple contact.  And his people will be listening in.  Whoever this is, he requested my presence, and we have to honor that.  It might turn out to be nothing, but then, all I’ve wasted is an early night’s sleep.”
    “It could be a trap,” Volker said, obviously not willing to let Ryck have the last word.
    “And if it is, what of it?  Major Lysander will simply report back, and we can decide how to use him for feeding the Confederation what we want,” CAPT Franks said.
    “I was speaking more in terms of a physical threat,” Volker said.
    That got Ryck’s attention.
    “You mean the Confederation would sanction an actual assault on a certified diplomat?” Franks asked incredulously.
    LTC James cleared his throat before saying, “Actually, we have heard whispers about that.  Not the from the Confederation government, of course, at least nothing from official channels, but there are groups within the government who feel that Major Lysander’s presence here is a slap in the face.”
    “And is there any indication that there is anything planned against him, or is this anonymous grumbling?” The chargé d'affaires asked.
    “Well, nothing concrete, sir, but we think it is a possibility.”
    Mr. Lamonica leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling for a few moments as he considered that.  The others sat quietly, waiting to hear his decision.
    Finally, he leaned back forward and said, “We have had a dearth of new assets, so any opportunity has to be examined.  I’m going ahead and authorizing this meeting, but I want the good major wired to his short hairs.  Nothing will be left to chance, and I want personnel ready to move in if need be.  That’s you, Crest,” he said to Volker.  “And if there is any sign that the meeting is going south, you’ve got the authority to pull the plug.”
    “I understand, sir,” Volker said, obviously not pleased with the decision.
    “And if that is all, gentlemen, then I’ve got another meeting to get to.”
    The chargé d'affaires got up without another word and left the vault, followed by the first secretary.
    “Well, OK, we heard the man,” Volker said.  “Major, if I can see you later this afternoon, around 1600, I’d like to get you briefed up and prepared.”
    The gathered men stood up to leave the vault, but MAJ Rychmont caught Ryck’s eye, motioning him to hang back.  Faustus Rychmont was the embassy’s second-ranking FCDC officer, and while Ryck was not overly found of the organization as a whole, Faustus was an OK guy.  Ryck had played him in five several times, and they’d often eaten lunch together at the embassy commissary. 
    “What’s up?” Ryck asked as the last of the others left the vault.
    Faustus reached into his pocket and pulled something out, handing it to Ryck.  Ryck took it without looking, but immediately recognizing the familiar shape of a handgun, probably a snub-nosed 10mm.
    “I expected this was going to be the decision,” Faustus said,