The Cleopatra Crisis (TimeWars 11)

Marshall snorted. “Just like old times. huh? Cloak-and-daggerwet work.”

“Yeah. A tribune’s cloak and a Roman dagger,” Steiger said.

“You’re actually hoping it’ll happen. aren’t you? Christ,you really want the conspiracy to fail, so that you can take Caesar outyourself.”

“I’ll do whatever I have to do.” said Steiger. “depending onhow things turn out. But it would be a hell of a thing, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes, I guess it would at that. You’d be the man who sanctionedJulius Caesar. Not even Mongoose ever pulled off anything that big.”

“It would convince Forrester that there’s a place for thecovert field section,” Steiger said.

“With you as senior section chief, no doubt.” said Marshall.

Steiger glanced at him.-Why not? I’d be the logical choice.And I’ll need good, experienced agents.”

“Forget about it,” Marshall said. “I told you. I’m allthrough with that. I’ve got a good thing going here. I’d like to keep it.” hegave Steiger a long look. “I am going to get to keep it, aren’t I?”

Steiger shrugged. “It’s your choice. John.”

“Is it?”

Steiger met his gaze. “What are you saying. John? You thinkI’d turn you in?”

“You’d only be doing your duty if you did,” said Marshallflatly. “It would be another feather in your cap, wouldn’t it? Busting arenegade agent and using him to nail all his Underground connections. Mighteven net you a promotion.”

“I don’t want to be general that badly,” Steiger said.

“So you say.”

They stared at each other for a long moment.

“Is that what it comes down to. John?” asked Steiger, histone emotionless. “We can’t trust each other anymore? Is that what being in theUnderground has done to you?”

“It’s made me very careful, Creed.” Marshall said evenly. “Maybewe’re both working toward the same end. but we’re really not on the same sideanymore, are we?”

“Aren’t we?”

Marshall shook his head. “No, Creed. You’re still on theinside. I’ve opted out. That makes me a criminal. You can drop the hammer on meanytime you feel like it. I’m not very comfortable with that idea.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way,” said Steiger. “But you couldalways leave Rome. Go deeper underground, in some other time period where Icouldn’t find you. Of course. you’d have to start all over, but that wouldn’tbe very hard for a resourceful man like you. If you really believe I’d turn youin, why take the chance of staying?”

“You don’t really understand, do you?” Marshall said. “I’vegot a good life here. A pleasant. simple. comfortable life. For the first time,I’ve found a sense of permanence. I don’t want to run, Creed. I don’t want tospend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder.”

“Then you shouldn’t have deserted.” Steiger said. “What doyou want me to say. John? That after all this is over, I’ll go back to PlusTime and forget all

about you? Fine. You got it. Is that what you want to hear?”

“I wish it were that simple.”

“Yeah, so do I. but it isn’t, is it? Because you don’t trustme. If that’s the way you feel, then nothing I say will make any difference.You see, that’s what happens when you run, John. Sooner or later, you alwayswind up looking over your shoulder. If it’s not me back there, it could besomeone else. You’ll never really know for sure. So you can keep running. Oryou can stop and face the music.”

“I’m not going back, Creed. That part of my life isfinished. “

“Then I guess you’ll have to live with your decision,”Steiger said. “I’m sorry there’s nothing I can say or do to make that easierfor you. but that’s the way it is..

“I’m sorry, too.” said Marshall. Ile sighed. “Hell, let’s goget drunk.”

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