Office of Senator Geoffrey Mallowes, Geneva

Terra, Prefecture X

13 December 3134

Mallowes’ face hadn’t changed much in the past quarter century. The crags were a little deeper, his earlobes hung slightly lower and his hand occasionally shook when he held it out too long. But the hair was still thick and white, the eyes cold steel, the jaw firmly set in place.

“Paladin Levin,” Mallowes said warmly, clasping Jonah’s hand in both of his. “I’m always honored when your path intersects mine.”

And he still had the same formal way of speech, Jonah thought to himself.

“Good to see you too, Senator,” Jonah said. “Though the circumstances could be better.”

Mallowes dropped his smile. “Very true. You sit in the center of an uneasy Republic, and recent events have done nothing to bring it peace. Please, sit.”

Mallowes’ office was clearly distinguishable from the others Jonah had visited recently. It should be—Mallowes had had decades to customize it to his liking. Its décor was a miniature history of politics, with framed replicas of the Declaration of Independence from the ancient United States of America, the Ares Conventions, and the Constitution of The Republic of the Sphere. Surrounding them was a miniature hall of fame of great diplomats featuring nearly twenty portraits, most of them personally inscribed to Mallowes. Jonah noticed with some amusement that Mallowes had pictures of Victor Steiner-Davion and his sister Katherine on the same wall, though placed far from each other.

“Should I be troubled, Paladin, that your investigation has led to me?” The Senator’s tone was light, but it held a clear message—Mallowes knew why he was there, and there was no reason for Jonah to play any games.

“No, Senator. I’m currently gathering information on someone you’ve worked with before, a man named Henrik Morten. You’ve sent him on a number of tasks over the past few years.”

Mallowes nodded. “Yes. A very capable young man. A noble, one of the Mallory’s World Mortens, as I’m sure you know. He crafted more than a few successes for me.” Mallowes paused. “It makes me regret, to a small degree, the fact that I have not been able to utilize him recently.”

“That’s what I noticed. It seems he was working for you regularly until about half a year ago, then, from everything I’ve been able to find out, your connection to him dried up. He’s been freelancing for about half a dozen others recently, but not you.”

“Yes.” Mallowes clasped his hands, index fingers extended, and rested his fingertips on his chin. “I assume you’ve heard of some of Morten’s most valuable qualities? His discretion, his ability to deal with highly sensitive matters with a minimum of detection.”

“People have mentioned that, yes.”

“I discovered some unfortunate information on how he achieved those ends. I never had enough concrete proof to bring formal charges against him, but suffice it to say he sometimes pays people to keep secrets—” here Mallowes delicately cleared his throat “—and sometimes he makes others pay in advance. If you take my meaning.”

“I’m guessing the payment he extracts isn’t always monetary.”

“You have it precisely.”

“Are you pursuing any of this information? Looking to bring charges?”

Mallowes sighed. “I intend to. However, with the election and assorted doings, my mind has been focused elsewhere. Hopefully, when the new Exarch is seated, I will be able to pursue a case with more vigor. I assure you, however, that I have done my best to spread the word about the young man’s activities to my colleagues, hoping to dissuade them from employing his services. Possessing noble blood brings with it a responsibility for noble behavior, and this young man seems to have forgotten—or never learned—this principle.”

“And how have they responded?”

“Most of them trust me, knowing I do not convey information lightly. A few, though, have noticed the lack of substantial evidence against Morten and choose to ignore my counsel and employ him anyway.”

Jonah leaned forward. A list of officials willing to use Morten even after hearing about some of his seamier activities could prove valuable. “Who?”

“Hmmm… actually, there are only two I can think of offhand. Governor Newberry of Dieron seems to believe the young man’s coalition-building capabilities are second only to Devlin Stone, and continues to employ him. And an old friend of mine, your newest colleague—Gareth Sinclair. He actually remains a firm supporter of Morten, from what he has told me.”

That was the fourth time Sinclair’s name had come up in the course of Jonah’s investigations. He’d already scheduled a meeting with him, and it was shaping up to be an unpleasant conversation.

“I’m sorry if I haven’t given you the help you sought,” Mallowes said, noticing Jonah’s silence.

Jonah forced the corners of his mouth into a warm smile. “You’ve been plenty helpful, believe me. I appreciate your time.”

“And I would appreciate yours, if you’re willing to lend me a few more moments of it.”

“I’d be happy to. How can I help you?” Jonah asked, even though he knew full well what the Senator wanted to talk about.

Mallowes stood, pushing his shoulders back slightly, looking for all the world like a man about to deliver an important speech. “As you well know, had Devlin Stone intended the Senate to play an active role in the election of an Exarch, he would have given us a vote.”

Jonah sighed inaudibly. Why doesn’t he just come out and ask the question he has undoubtedly been thinking about since I first called, Jonah asked himself.

“But he, in his wisdom, bequeathed sole responsibility in the manner to the Paladins of the Sphere, people who ascended to their lofty position by virtue of their honor, honesty and incorruptibility.”

Ask the question! Jonah yelled in his head.

“However, it is abundantly clear that Stone intended his Paladins to be people of wisdom, and it is equally clear that Stone believed a major portion of wisdom to be the ability to hear and receive counsel. And we must not forget that he intentionally allowed only those of noble blood into the Senate, filling that body with individuals whose families have vast experience in matters of government.”

Here it comes, Jonah said. Either the question, or an hour-long lecture on the role of counselors in Devlin Stone’s life.

“While I’m sure you’re not surprised to know I have some thoughts on the upcoming election, it would be quite out of turn if I shared my ideas without knowing where you stand in the matter. I was wondering, then, if, given our extensive history, you would be willing to share your thoughts on who will receive your vote in the coming election.”

Finally! Jonah hoped the Senator could not hear the rush of air escaping his lungs. Since Mallowes had given him plenty of time to prepare a response, he answered quickly.

“I’ve thought about it a lot, but I haven’t come to a final decision yet. I don’t think it would be proper for me to name names until I’ve made up my mind. I wouldn’t want the others talking about me like that, so I won’t do it to them.”

Mallowes smiled, though his exposed teeth seemed a bit clenched. “I cannot begin to tell you what a pleasure it is to talk with one who gives such a prominent consideration to honor as do you. It was a trait that greatly impressed me when we first met.”

Jonah remembered the Senator seeming more confused than impressed at that meeting, but he felt it best not to point that out.

Mallowes, still on his feet, paced around his desk and stood over Jonah, trying to make Jonah crane his neck upward. Instead, Jonah smoothly rose to stand next to him, and Mallowes was forced to raise his eyes to look into the face of the Paladin.