43.
"In a conference room at the old Wolf's Lair Hotel. We're supposed to be a private debating club, and we use one of their shielded meeting rooms."
North had been to that ancient hotel many times, and knew it had only three private entrances. He told Grey Comet he would meet him at the hotel with another person within an hour.
"How will I know you, sir?" asked Grey Comet.
"Just be there at the main entrance," answered North Star. "I know you. When I come up to you, I will say 'Isn't it a fair day for a mystery?'"
"Very well," said Grey Comet and broke the connection. Northern Star quickly called Grey Mountain and the two hurried to the hotel. Grey Comet was fascinated when he found out who was his leader. The time for the meeting was only an hour away. Grey Comet transferred a picture of the unwarned member whose name was Bright River from his pocket-com to those of the other two, and they hurried off to cover the entrances. It was Northern Star that intercepted the young rebel in the main lobby. Giving him a code word, he quickly got him out of the hotel. Getting the others, they quickly sped away. In North's room the four discussed the close call and tried to figure what to do about Red Comet.
"I'll take care of that," said Grey Comet. "It's my responsibility."
"It must look like an accident," North explained.
"It will," Gray Comet assured. "He must be silenced before he can tell them all he knows. I'm afraid I trusted my cousin too well."
The next day North heard on the news how two cousins had been tragically killed in fencing practice when the beam of one of their live weapons had accidently discharged within their shields. It grieved North to lose one of his young workers, but he admired his courage. It must have taken alot to fire his sword inside the shields, knowing that both his cousin and himself would be incinerated. But he had kept his word. The traitor could then tell The Lord's Guard nothing.
This incident though, rose much debate among the other leaders at the next meeting they had with Northern Star. Many were upset over the communication system. It insured secrecy and protected most of the group from betrayal, but it was slow and cumbersome in emergencies.
"You must trust us," said one of the leaders. "Many of us are upset. The Hashons know who you are, but you don't trust your own people. We're loyal to you and will die for you. At least those of us who are your assistants should know your true identity."
"But the less we know of each other, the less we can tell if interrogated. If we all know one-another, if one of us is captured, they can learn who the rest are. I don't doubt your bravery, but they have ways....drugs, torture, they can tare your mind apart until you'd betray your children if they asked you to!"
"You're right there," said the man who had been speaking.