Rogue(50)

One Rajini al Alrab was a minor sheik and major financier for the Shia Nation Movement. Their agenda was a distinct nation for Shia followers, specifically, with others “tolerated” as long as they followed the official Shia law in public. Unsaid was that they wanted the choicest land and the capital, and to drive everyone else out or kill them to get it. For some reason, the other factions didn’t agree to this.

Alrab was an agent who transshipped stuff through Mtali space to other systems. He personally owned an almost-completed grav-sling setup to make this more efficient, at the trailing Trojan and at two jump points, one from Earth and one from Novaja Rossia. In exchange, he did provide lots of money for development and charity, though with the environment, breeding rate and sheer numbers, it didn’t go far. Still, he was no worse a bastard than anyone else. He arranged investors, he took a percentage, and everyone gained some benefit in the deal.

He was wealthy and visible, though, and the key speaker at this thing, which was in seventeen days.

We sat at the cheap extruded dining table next to the bed in our tiny apartment, with a large fan acting as background noise and hindering any scans from the window, but we had to have some cooling. It was dry, but stifling.

Silver concurred. “He does seem to be the only one who makes sense. Easy to find, contentious, has previous attempts.”

“Pretty much the biggest fish around these parts. Lots of unhappiness all around about him, versus all the money he doles out and the hatred the other groups have for him.”

“Would they jointly finance a hit?”

“It seems most unlikely, but it’s possible. Do you suspect something?”

“No, just wondering for now.”

“Well, the forum isn’t the only place to tag him. I’d go for his residence, and just hang out and wait for a quiet moment. Either shoot from a distance, or slide in and look like a guest on a junket or some minor staff. However, I’m guessing Randall wants another scene. These seem to be largely message as much as kill.”

“Complicated, but there is an MO there, and he’s shown the skills so far.”

I said, “However, this is a major event. Security will be much tighter than military, because they’re expecting hundreds of people with limited access each, and their badges will be coded accordingly. Checks will be ongoing. Biometrics. We could crack it, but it would take a lot of work, and then we’re caught inside if something goes on outside. I hate to abandon someone to the wolves, but as tricky as Randall is, I want to run recon and wait for him to show. Before, after, doesn’t matter, though it’s hard on the potential victim.”

“I agree,” she said. “There’ll be all kinds of overlapping security. What about a distraction outside?”

“What kind?”

“Something to heighten security all over, to improve Alrab’s odds.”

I thought about that.

“Anything unusual outside will cause them to tighten up inside. That’s a given. So we need something outside to reduce hit probability.”

I thought aloud as I worked it out. “So, we can’t do anything in the entry phase, or in his limo. Inside the arena is unlikely. I made sure word leaked out on the chameleon; Royal intel forwarded info to several agencies here, and there’s little clear space the way the meeting is set up. So if anything is going to happen, it’ll be when he crosses the plaza.”

“Will he cross it?”

“It’s traditional. The grand entrance. Not doing so would indicate a problem to everyone. It’s also a chance for people to gawk at one of their betters and vice versa. He’ll do it.”

“What do you think then?” she asked. “Trap of some kind, rocket, bullet, or something more exotic?”

“I don’t really care,” I said.

“Oh?” She gave me a quizzical look.

“I don’t care what targets Mr. Alrab. It won’t be able to confirm Mr. Alrab.”

“Tell me more,” she said.

“Misdirection. We’re going to hire some actors.”

She smiled with a quirky twist of her mouth.

“Elegant and brilliant. It doesn’t sound simple, though.”

“I take it you haven’t met many actors?”

“Only some of your instructors I met in passing. We get a very brief lecture on making the role and the documentation match.”

“Yeah, I got actual acting classes. I’ve met real local actors. They’re underpaid, love a challenge, and will do ridiculous things for a few creds.”

“Even here?”

“It’s universal.”

The next day I called a local agency. I sought one run by an offworlder.