A Forest Vacation [N]
Chief Belka is joined by a Simhalan naval officer in a meeting room where the crown moudling is engraved with propeller motifs, a legacy of the building's past as the former headquarters of the Camberline Airplane Company.
"This job is of a somewhat sensitive nature," the Chief begins, perhaps unnecessarily. "Our government suspects that the Coiné Union is doing something with Rat Island other than using it as a naval gunnery reservation, coaling station, or nature reserve. This is in contravention of the treaty under which the Simhalan Republic ceded Rat Island to the Union. But they don't want to be so provocative as to send official government representatives on limited evidence, and so here we enter. Captain Thogai, do you care to explain?"
The officer, a rather tall weasel, does so. "The plan is for the RIS agents and a 'new hire' - actually a scientist who works with us - to take a small boat around the southern shore of Erimalai Island to Rat Island, under the cover story that you are on a sort of holiday sponsored by your employer with the aim of building an esprit de corps."
"That sort of thing is a management trend, as I understand it," the Chief chimes in.
"But of course, Rat Island is off limits, so you will have to arrive there 'accidentally,'" the weasel explains, "having intended to land on Munai-Keep island, which is the smaller island just south of it. Munai-Keep island has a native otter fishing village and outside visitors are reasonably welcome. It's plausible as a location adventurous sorts of people might visit."
The officer shows you a weather report from his papers, with a time and date from this morning on it. "We've been waiting for ideal weather. Which is, actually, bad weather. There's a storm expected soon, which is hitting San Benito now according to the wireless. We'll launch the motor boat we're providing for you from a Simhalan destroyer just before sunset, out of range of any Union observers, and you can make for Rat Island. Ideally, you'll land just before the storm actually hits, and make camp. You'll try to avoid detection by any Coiné Union personnel who may or may not even exist, but if you are caught, you'll say you believe you're on Munai-Keep Island and you're looking for the otter village, and explain about the team building activity, and so forth."
The officer hesitates a moment before continuing. "We can't send you with a military radio lest your cover story be compromised if you're searched, but because the island is theoretically a naval gunnery reservation, we've arranged for a pair of Simhalan revenue cutters to be patrolling in the area. If any large Union ships appear and look like they might be approaching to do some gunnery practice, they will radio a man we're stationing at Great Ostrich Radio Station on Erimalai Island, which is broadcasting commercially at 940 kilocycles. The signal will be that they play the song 'Breakwater Blues.' We'll provide you with a portable radio receiver that's marketed to campers."
"When you've finished your investigation, just take the boat back across the channel to the light station at Cape Tanager - can't miss it, day or night. Some naval intelligence officers will be waiting there to take your reports, and we'll have some cars there to drive you to Great Ostrich where you can return to Banda Town by the ferry and thence to the City by the railroad."
"I think that covers the basic logistics," Chief Belka adds, "but do you think they'd best hear what the rumors are?"
The weasel thinks. "This is highly confidential under the official secrets act, but. We're expecting there is some kind of industrial facility there. If it seems reasonably safe, obtain physical access so the scientist can take samples. She can tell you more if you need to know -- your primary role is to keep her safe and support the cover story."
After a few more questions are exchanged, you leave to get on the train to Banda Town, and board the navy destroyer to race the expected storm blowing in...