Warden: A Novel Read Online Free PDF Page B

tomb anyway, and then claim they were stolen under our watch. It’s their final maneuver to have the Wardens disbanded once and for all. The people still think we guard the Great Betrayer, as you yourself believed, and the theft will make us seem weak and ineffectual. It will be the end of our order.”
    “But I still don’t get it,” Tana said. “You’re part of the Collective.”
    “No!” Kline replied, much more forcefully than he’d intended. “We are apart from them. We’ve witnessed the Collective twist Sergeant Barent’s beliefs—watched as social and economic inequality blossomed during their tenure. And throughout the years, we’ve exerted our influence to stem their perversions whenever possible. But the Collective has the full power of the military behind them, and if they can make us look inept to the populace, we are finished. And all of Le’sant will suffer for it.”
    “So let me get this straight,” Tana said. “You want me to steal the pistols so the Collective can’t?”
    “Precisely,” Kline replied.
    “And what do the editors of the Vade have to do with any of this?” she asked Cedef. “Where do you stand?”
    “With the Wardens, of course, and in defense of Barent’s original wishes. The Vade holds the truth for those who wish to know it.” Cedef paused and gave her a tight grin. “I’ve even read a few interesting things about you in the great book, Tana Neng.”
    She was surprised that someone had mentioned her in the Vade, but then Tana realized it probably wasn’t by name. She’d most likely been referred to as the thief who stole my… But the revelation told her something much more important—that Nedol Cedef had done a great deal of research trying to pinpoint Tana’s crimes, and to ascertain her abilities. The effort no doubt helped along by Cobin’s purchase records, and the police reports and other official documentation the Wardens had access to.
    These two have been very busy.
    “Despite your clandestine proclivities, Ms. Neng,” Cedef continued, “I know that you are a believer; you respect Barent’s legacy. That’s another reason you were chosen for this undertaking.”
    Tana looked over at Kline. “Can you at least provide me with information about the security systems installed at the tomb? Or the placement of troops at the facility?”
    “Nothing at all,” Kline replied. “Once our ceremonial retinue leaves the facility at 17:00 hours, we’ll have no way of knowing how many Collective troops remain stationed there—or exactly where they’ll be positioned in the complex. Our original security installations were replaced by the Collective long ago, so we also have no idea what they have in place now as far as electronic defenses.”
    “That…is not very helpful,” Tana said.
    “Nevertheless, it is what we know. Do you agree to my proposal?” Kline asked her. “Will you do it?”
    “Do I have a choice?”
    “No. You don’t.”
    “Then count me in. Sri—”
    “Will remain sequestered in your apartment—under guard—until your return. You can retrieve what equipment you need from your place now, and take your pick from among Cobin’s things as well. And we’ll provide you with anything else you require—anything at all—you need only ask for it.”
    “A reprieve, if I get captured by the Collective?”
    “Except for that,” Kline said. “If you’re caught or killed, we will disavow any knowledge of you. But we’ll still release your friend; you have my word.”
    Well, at least Sri will be safe, Tana thought.
    “So assuming that I actually survive this and manage to get the pistols, what then?”
    “I’ll provide you with a meeting point in the Central District, and we’ll make the exchange there.”
    “Exchange?”
    “The pistols for your payment. After which, you should have more than enough money to finally move to the Middle District.”
    Tana’s eyebrows shot up. How the hell did he know about that? Maybe I