Debriefing

Dec. 27 - Zenobia

Back from Eavesdown Docks I met with my aide. We had a lot to cover now that the investigation was out of the preliminary phase.

"The Colonel contacted me this week," I began, "We have the green light to proceed with our internal investigation into the actions of Commander Faith. There are risks. We are investigating our own after all... and powerful well-connected people... but it looks like maybe illegal genetic material is being traded, possibly drugs, and murder, of course. But while we are investigating him we may uncover some other information..."

My aide was optimistic. "If his actions are not in the best interests of the Alliance. Him, and his powerful well connected people will be 'Corrected'," he said.

"Indeed," I replied, "How well connected.... how far this extends... we just don't know."

"They will find a scapegoat when it goes high enough," he said, "It will end there. Officially."

I nodded darkly.

We set to work in earnest. Together, we began by reviewing various aspects of the case and the evening's events.

"The crowd at the docks today," I said "It is like they had never seen Alliance Purple before."

"I was becoming concerned," said my aide.

"I was glad to have you at my back."

We discussed the nature of the crowd further. It seemed to be made up of primarily locals.

"...and then we spotted the unidentified individual," he added.

"The man in the pressure suit was Brooke's backup," I explained.

"Stealth weave is against the law in civilian hands."

My aide was so 'by-the-book'. It was refreshing.

"Small beer compared to what we will have to face," I remarked.

-----

We worked well into the night.

I was still in my uniform. The warm bath Suzanne had offered me back on Persephone was so far, far away.

"Svetlana Pleides," I stated, "was hired to arrest Sentry Swashbuckler."

"When?" he asked.

"After the nuke," I answered, "She told a friend that someone named Wirefly hired her and that she was given no ammunition. See what you can find out.... I'll send Manda to talk with Dr. Loordes and maybe exhume Sanders' body."

My aide had his answers already. "The mission Ms. Pleides was hired for was a dupe mission."

"Yes," I acknowledged, "setting her up as body count." At least that was the theory. "We need to know who is pulling the strings. This could be bigger than one rogue commander."

My aide continued, "Notifications were sent out looking for people to guard a new construction site."

"Oh?" I asked. "Where?"

"Standby," he requested as he checked his files. He found what he was looking for and elaborated, "Almost all of MacLaren's signed up. Cody, several others. Big money."

"Well good," I said, "Idle hands and all that."

"Cody and his bunch got off the transport. Sentry was never designated as a target."

Interesting. "Go on," I prompted.

My aide checked his records. "After the Cortex message was sent out on general band. MacLaren's and Shadow were designated as pick up points for a security job. Shuttles arrived at took everyone who was interested."

He went on to explain that the shuttle docked with a massive craft. The group was issued uniforms and weapons and told that there would be a quick training exercise to assess skill level. The group was then told that the remaining population were willing to participate in the exercise as the 'pirates' the group was to eliminate. Blanks and training ammo were issued before deployment to MacLaren's Drift and Shadow.

"It soon became obvious that MacLaren's folks weren't using blanks," he remarked.

I sighed, "Any casualties?"

"No."

"Good."

"In the confusion they took Sentry and I assume Mikie in the same manner," he added.

There were more details on Svetlana. It appears that she took a bullet to the shoulder. That she was hired on Shadow and seemed to be assisting with the passing out of the gear to the MacLaren's group.

My aide offered his opinion, "She wouldn't have gone down with blanks if she was in on it."

It was good solid information. It fit with the version Pluto had given me on Paquin.

"Can you get me a list of who was on that mission?" I asked. "Not this minute."

"Let me check my datafile," he replied.

"Okay, I think it's time I headed to my bunk."

"I'll check my files and let you know."

"Very good," I said, "Thank you." I stood up from my chair. It had been a long night.

My aide kept searching through his files.

"Here it is," he called out, catching me before I reached the door.

He offered me a thick packet. It was a transcript. Raw data from the field.

"Thank you," I said. I wish we could clone this one.

"That's the full incident," he explained. "Next assignment?"

"Asharoth Teardrop, a renegade companion with ties to Commander Faith. I'd like to know the nature of those ties."

"I have a report about Blue Sun to write up for you," he offered.

"That will be useful," I said. It was always good to hear what Blue Sun was up to.

My aide gave me a few details of what the report will contain.

"We can review anything you have," I said.

"Certainly," he replied, "Goodnight Major

"Goodnight Trooper."

-----


In my cabin, I did not sleep right away.

I had received a message that I had not yet filed. I wanted some time with it alone. It was from Commander Faith. He had sent it on a private channel while I was speaking with Brooke.

*comm* Collusion with the enemy is punishable by death. *stop*

He couldn't know about the official investigation yet. But he knew of me and of my connection to Brooke. He must have caught wind of us meeting.

No matter. It cuts both ways.

I was hunting now and I had my own rituals. Things I never share.

Alone in my cabin.

The lights out. My hair unbound.

I traced the letters of his message over and over with my tongue and my mind.

"...collusion with the enemy..."

I am yours.

I breathed him in, catching the scent of his madness, its shape, its form, its texture.

"...punishable by death..."

You are mine...

William.

Eavesdown Docks (Part Two)

Dec. 26 - 27 - Eavesdown Docks, Persephone

"Nice office." remarked Brooke, "My men would be having a fit if they knew I was here with you."

"We shouldn't be disturbed here," I said, "Their sheriff is a non-starter I hear."

Non-starter was an understatement. The office had the look of being unused. The sheriff, whoever he or she was, probably worked from home.

"First," I began, "how are you doing?" I looked at her very pregnant belly, "My goodness...soon eh?"

Brooke gave a little smile. "My baby is moving around like crazy. I think she's ready to make her mark on the 'verse."

I smiled genuinely. "Well, if there is anything I can do.... tell me."

"I wanted to talk to you," she began "... about well .... about Tee. What can you tell me about his whereabouts ... about what he is doing..."

"Well, the last info I had is that he left the Rim and he went to Al Raqis. That's all I have so far."

The ship he had left the Rim on had been registered as TTW Cordelia class freighter, 'Christine', bound for Al Raqis. Easy to trace.

Brooke nodded and blinked. "So he is here...I heard rumors but ... it's good to know the truth."

"I'll know more later," I added. "I was beyond the Rim checking on the obsidian source you told me about."

I took a breath. "I'm sorry about Sentry."

She sighed. "One other thing, Pepper .... it's about Sentry .... I ... well... we both know what happened. Since well ... I want his name cleared. We both know he didn't do what they said he did..."

"Cleared?" I asked "He's probably dead Brooke, you have to accept that."

"I'm aware that he's dead, Pepper ...." She bit her lip. "But ... I care about his name. Don't you? Want to let his family believe he was mass murderer?"

"Well I.... Brooke... I don't know how to say this." This did feel awkward. "Okay, Sentry's name might be cleared in the process of another investigation.

Brooke gave a nod. "I understand. They might blame it on someone else..."

She didn't understand. Not yet. "Brooke... I'm opening an internal investigation"

"On this judge you told me about?" she asked.

"No, Brooke. On William. I received the go ahead from my Colonel this week." I felt deeply sad. This investigation would open up wounds in Brooke's life.

She blinked a few times. "Tee.... what exactly did he do?" She then frowned. "There was that head in front of his office ... and the body at the crash.."

"Brooke, do you know what blastomeres are?"

Brooke nodded. "They're a highly technical weapon."

"No, they're genetic material, highly illegal to trade. Sentry saw Tee receive some in a deal... before Sentry was framed."

She said nothing.

"What can you tell me about Sanders? You thought he was dead. What happened there?"

Brooke frowned. "Pepper .... I'm not sure I want to talk about it. Not ... not when it might go on the record. He was a good officer, a good man and I don't want his name dragged through the mud."

"That's fine that he was a good man," I granted, "I need to know how come he wasn't dead the first time and where is his body now."

"His body was taken back to his parents."

I frowned "On what planet?"

"Londinum." She raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying his body wasn't returned? I had Sentry and Dex take care of it."

I said nothing. I was piecing things together.

Brooke frowned. "Pepper .. what is it?"

"I have to get back there... I will have someone check."

She looked at me.

"Brooke," I said softly "...this thing is big."

"You aren't saying that he survived a headshot ... or someone took his body?"

"No," I said, "I'm saying this thing... with Tee and Sentry... the orders to hold Sentry came from high up..."

She nodded. "How do you think Tee was involved?"

"I'm not sure yet....I'm trying to get the whole picture." The answer to that still eluded me.

I continued. "The blastomeres... did you ever see them appear on cargo manifests when Tee was ... well before he showed himself to be who he was?

Brooke shook her head. "Honestly ... I uhm ...." She thought a bit. "It wasn't just the blastomeres that weren't on the cargo manifest."

"What else?"

"Weapons ... energy substances..."

"Why did Tee kill Sanders?" I asked. "Jealousy? or something more?"

"I ... don't know. It was all a blur."

My communicator buzzed quietly and I received a private message.

"Zenobia Base to Major Siamendes" It was my backup.

I touched my radio, "Go ahead Base."

"An observation probe has detected an unknown figure outside your location," reported my backup.

"Roger that," I replied.

Brooke frowned staying as quiet as possible.

"Check you perimeter for possible security breaches," my backup added.

"Roger that," I replied once more.

I put my finger to my lips and stepped out of the door.

A quick survey of the street and the space between the sheriff's office and the infirmary next door showed no one. I was not prepared to leave Brooke and search house to house. Instead I returned to the office and beckoned Brooke to join me.

"What's going on Pepper?" she asked.

I took her far out onto the empty landing pad where I would see anyone approach us, then I explained, "Long range scans from my Trooper indicated someone near us."

I continued. "Look ...I don't know how he is involved yet.."

"I understand, but you will let me know...."

"..but there is enough for me to open an investigation on William."

She smiled a bit "And I'll give you any help I can." She sighed. "Pepper .. I loved Sanders and ... I loved Tee."

"You need to stay clear of him," I added.

She nodded. "I plan on it. The man that is William is not the man I loved." Brooke sighed, "And he has promised to do everything he can to take my child."

I grew cold when I heard this.

"Do you have someone you can trust? to hide you?" I asked.

Brooke gave a little smile. "Yes, though as much as I trust you, probably best not to reveal his name. Just in case someone is listening."

"Yes. Good," I said. "I need to know as much as you can tell me about William and anything else that can help me on this."

"Don't worry," she said, "I won't let him get the child." She then smiles. "I wish ..." She stops herself. "Alright. What I know about William. He, well, is intelligent. I know that he was sent to watch over Mikie."

"You said she was a weapon. What did you mean?"

Brooke bit her lip. "Something was done to her. I'm not sure what, but she has some kind of verbal trigger. She heals faster than anyone I know .. and is incredibly strong."

I sighed, "Okay..I've heard of that sort of thing."

I had heard of gifted children adjusted, modified to accentuate their talents. Recently, one of them hacked into my computer back on Zenobia. How she got into my ship I have yet to discover. The watcher drones showed no signs of tampering.

"...and William was to watch over her," I connected the dots. "Then she was arrested ....with Sentry... for nuking Londinium. What was Sentry's link to Tee?"

"He was hired by Tee...through me ...." Brooke shook her head. "In some way I am responsible for the death of Sentry, and for every life that Tee has taken.. if I hadn't been in his life..."

"Stop that!" I said firmly, "He is responsible for his crimes. Not you."

She smiled slightly. "Maybe ...."

My radio buzzed. My backup reported, "Ma'am You've got multiple questionable figures in your location." A crowd of five.

"Sentry saw him make the blastomere deal... that was enough to have Tee on charges," I shook my head. "I still can't figure the whole picture."

Brooke sighed. "Sentry is gone, Pepper ... he can't exactly testify."

"Exactly," I admitted, "I need to get to Londinium and find out more." Londinium was the key.

"But .. if he was alive .. would the testimony be enough to get him off?"

"Sentry?" I asked, "Get him off? I don't know anymore Brooke."

"I will see what I can do," she said "Maybe he wrote it down somewhere in a journal."

"No," I said. There would be little point. "I want you safe. Let me see what I can do." I looked at her belly again. "I'll send word."

"Pepper .... I ... I would ask you to join us.. but I know better. Plus .... you're the only person I still trust in the Alliance..."

I spelled it out for her. "I promised that I would protect the Alliance from all enemies and dangers from outside or within. Nothing has changed."

She nodded a bit. "You are a better solider than I, Pepper."

I gave a half smile, "You have more friends, so maybe you are better off."

My radio buzzed again. The crowd had grown to seven.

Brooke put her hand on her stomach. "I'd like you to see the baby, once she is born, but I .... it probably won't be for a while. I don't trust William not to track you in order to get to the baby." She smiled a bit. "I'm sure you have more friends than you think..."

"I'll be tracking William," I admitted, "I'm sure he will be doing the same once he realizes."

I paused then added, "I might have to dig a bit into Sanders' background."

"I ... Pepper. There is something you should know. The reason I left...."

"Yes?"

"Sanders, over two years ago, he found information ... about what Blue Sun was doing to certain subjects..." She shook her head. "Pepper ... it was horrible. He ... he wanted me out of there. So he sent Chai to get me. I had no choice at that point but to leave. A few months later before he left for his last mission, he sent me all the paperwork."

"Which you kept safe?" I asked.

Brooke replied. "I might. Either way. I ... I know you'd find that out. Your investigation will lead to me in time ... you'll have no choice at some point, Pepper ...."

"You haven't done anything wrong Brooke... and Sanders found out.... hmm, did he fake his death or was it something else?"

"The Alliance doesn't care Pepper .... It isn't what you and I believed in school."

"There are more like me than you may think Brooke."

"I believe at first he faked his own death. Wanted to live a new life ... only he was corrupted by the drug." She sighed. "Pepper ... there might be more .. but you must join together. You must keep them from destroying the rest of us."

I grew quiet.

"I'm not just talking about me," she elaborated "... but my crew and the others."

My radio buzzed. It was my backup. "You have incoming."

An unidentified figure wearing a pressure suit approached across the empty landing pad. He appeared to be unarmed.

I touched my radio "Stand by."

The voice of the figure in the suit was distorted through the helmet speaker. His or her face was disguised by the polarized glass. "I was wondering if I could find passage off this planet..."

Brooke looked over and smiled at the figure. "Don't worry too much about him," she assured me, "he's a friend..."

"A friend..." I began

Brooke smiled. "I think he's telling me I'm being slow.."

"Very perceptive, Ma'am" said the one in the pressure suit.

"Does he mind removing his helmet?" I asked.

"Just looking for passage," he said "Sorry to have bothered you."

I smiled as the figure withdrew to the street next to the sheriff's office.

"What drug?" I asked "You said 'he was corrupted by the drug'."

Brooke laughed. "Wish I knew ...." Then she grows serious. "Oh, you mean Sanders."

"Yes."

"The drug you are looking into: OX."

"Obsidian?" I rolled my eyes.

She nodded "I found that he was given it when he was sick ..."

"And he became a user?" I asked.

"At least from what I was told."

"Okay," I said adding things up. "There is another connection then. Your crew goes to protect your trade route and finds the drug but someone takes a picture of them with it and sends it to me."

"Yes ... they wanted to cause trouble with my crew..." She frowns. "And I don't like that..."

"Cause trouble? or get them out of the way?" I asked rhetorically.

I noticed the sky. The night had progressed.

"You better get going," I said.

She nodded. "Alright. Just be careful."

"You too." I managed a weak smile.

Brooke hugged me quickly. "Don't forget who you are. And that's not just the uniform."

She joined her friend with the pressure suit and together they slipped away into the night.

I touched my radio. "Transport please."

Eavesdown Docks (Part One)

Dec 26 - Eavesdown Docks, Persephone

I made landfall on Persephone rather than pushing straight on towards home. I had been meaning to take a look around Eavesdown Docks for some time now. It was as good a place as any for a meeting.

Like most ports there was a fair share of warehouse facilities and a number of landing pads. If the conflict on the Rim heated up any more this place could see a lot of traffic passing to and from the Core. I passed the customs house, sent two messages and went for a little walk.

Near a pair of parked Fireflys, I came upon a short man, well dressed.

"Afternoon," said the man, "Don't believe we've met."

"Hello," I replied, "This is my first time to the docks."

"Just opening a food commodities shop here at the docks," he explained, "I'm new as well."

I nodded with a pleasant smile.

"You're dressed for....??" he prompted.

"I'm sorry?" I asked. I knew what he meant.

"You had me going there for a minute. The Alliance doesn't get out here too far."

"Well, this is Persephone of course. That's our flag on the customs house." I smiled. "Are you from the Rim then?"

"You're the first for me in such a outfit, like I said new to the docks."

"Well, I likely won't be the last," I added.

"I have only seen three and you're the third," he smiled.

I chuckled.

"What brings you out to the docks?" he asked. He was still unsure of me or what I might be.

"I'm passing through actually.... just in from the Rim on my way back to the Core."

"Well," he said politely "I hope you enjoy your stay over at the docks."

"I thought it would be a good place to rest," I admitted.

"...risky business going back to the Core."

"Oh, why do you say that?" I asked.

"I guess its a personal matter, I stay far away from the Core planets. Not my cup of tea if you know what I mean."

I nodded and smiled warmly.

"I have some grapes that need harvesting," he said suddenly.

"Grapes?" I asked.

"And I may call it a day and be on my way..." he added.

"Of course," I said, "Don't let me keep you."

"The outer rim is needful of such commodities. The core planets have EVERYTHING."

"...and people do need good trade," I completed the sentence. "May I ask where are you from if not Persephone?"

"That my friend is for another day," he answered.

"May I ask your name?"

"Johnnie Spargel.. and yours?"

"Pleased to meet you," I said.

"I'm a doctor..." he continued.

Time to let the cat out. "I'm Major Siamendes, Alliance Military."

"...of tree's and veggies." he elaborated.

"Ah, a doctor," I laughed, "Very good. Hydroponics too?"

"EXACTLY," he replied.

Mr. Spargel continued, "The soil and atmosphere are depleted of nutrients for growth of any kind..."

"In many places, yes," I acknowledged.

"Hydroponics are the only way to attempt this kind of work."

"Do you design your own equipment?" I asked.

"I've had limited...but consistent success. That is another story as well. Some is of my own making. Still other stuff is bought, bartered...or in otherwise obtained."

I nodded "Well, this is a good spot, a crossroads as it were."

"I may have said too much already...I must go..."

I'll bet I thought. "Of course," I said.

"Glad to meet with you. Good day."

"Good day to you too."

I smiled and turned away.

-----

The sign read: Suzanne's Bath and Laundry. The building was a simple wooden affair. It faced a number of empty landing pads. Bars protected the windows. Freshly washed undergarments hung to dry and flapped in the light breeze. Two empty chairs sat inviting me to come join them on the porch.

I handed realized how tired I felt after my long journey. I sat myself down on the chair to the left as you faced the door.

Within moments, the door swung open and a woman wearing a white apron stepped out of the shop.

"Hello there," she said with a pleasant wave.

"Hello," I replied with a smile. "I was just looking for a spot to rest. Excuse me."

"Do you live here, or are you visiting?" she asked as I stood up to move on. "Oh no," she said quickly, "Have a seat. I usually sit on this side anyway."

Gratefully I returned to the chair.

"I am passing through," I replied "I am stationed elsewhere."

"Stationed. As in the military?" she asked.

"Yes."

"I don't see much of presence in this neighborhood."

"Ah I see," I said "There is a base nearby...I would have thought..." Clean socks make a happy soldier, after all.

"Truth be told," she continued, "You're the first I've seen. Military or law enforcement."

No law enforcement? I thought. "Hmm ...well out on the docks I suppose"

"I expect the base has official contracts. I'm strictly freelance," she explained.

"Is there much in the way of trouble?" I wondered.

"I've only been here a couple, three weeks."

I nodded. "I suspect this place sees it's fair share of smuggling."

"It's been quiet," she said, "And I've contracted with a local gang for protection."

"A local gang? Tell me more."

"Undoubtedly, I expect that is why this slum prospers ... at least compares to other slums.... The Afterthoughts, Bernice and Crash, seem to control the area."

I nodded. "Well, I hope that things stay safe for you."

"If not them, it would be someone else with fewer manners. So it's quiet reasonable for me to deal with them."

"I thought I saw a sheriff office," I began. It was two doors over I think.

"I understand that the sheriff is on their payroll... and I have yet to see the man or woman in the flesh."

I twisted my mouth a bit and then shrugged, "Well as far as smuggling is concerned...

The woman nodded but remained silent.

"..there are the things that people need to survive and there are the things that will destroy them. I'm only concerned with the things that will hurt people." I thought I might as well state my position while I was here.

A man walked by us as we sat.

The woman shrugged giving the appearance of both attentiveness yet indifference. "There are many independent traders coming and going here, and the customs office is rather busy, I'm sure."

"I'm sure," I echoed.

"I understand that the Afterthoughts have some interest in duties and the like."

"I will have to meet them," I said.

She nodded, "I haven't met the brother Crash. Only the woman Bernice. Their office is around the corner, clearly marked."

"Well thank you," I said.

I looked up and saw Brooke approach from down the street. I smiled.

"Not at all," said Suzanne, "Can I interest you in a bath?"

"Oh, perhaps another time," I said as I stood as Brooke got closer. A bath would have been nice especially after my long journey. In another life perhaps.

As Brooke arrived, Suzanne stood and said, "Hello."

"Officer..." Brooke said giving a nod in my direction, then smiling at the other woman. "Hello there. Nice place you have here..."

"My name is Suzanne. Suzanne Starship. Stop by anytime."

"Thank you," I replied "I'm Major Siamendes."

"Major. A pleasure to meet you." said Suzanne. She turned towards Brooke, "May I help you?"

"I think I will head over to the sheriff's office and see if she is in," I said out loud.

Brooke Rhea smiled as she walked up to me. "I got a wave that you'd be here..." She gave a nod.

"Yes," I acknowledged.

"Sheriff's office?" she asked.

"Just down the way," I indicated

"Alright," said Brooke "I'll follow...I have nothing to worry about after all."

I paused, "Ms. Starship...."

Suzanne Starship nodded, "Good day, Major Siamendes."

"...thank you again."

Return

Dec. 22 - 23 in transit from beyond the Rim

Two messages greeted me as I returned to Alliance space.

The first message was from one of my staff. It confirmed and expanded on some of the information I received from the young companion Pluto Kozlov.

"...One of my operatives gave me a report of a crashed ship. The ship had crashed on Shadow. A charred body was found. It was wearing William Faith's dog tags.

"The first person on the scene was Drake Neximus. The second two on the scene were Pluto and a Dr Harley Loordes.

"They were followed by a pair from the Alliance, Snuggles Easterwood, Doctor, Scientist, and Falcon 53 Neox, Guard. The DNA on the body came out to be Jebbidia Rowlings, an MIA Alliance Soldier...."

-----

The second message was from Colonel M___________. He acknowledged my progress and gave me the green light I was waiting for to move from the preliminary to a full scale internal investigation of Commander Faith. He added this caution:

"...Needless to say, treading carefully is recommended with Commander Faith. But it is exactly that kind of heavy handed flouting of rights that has millions of people wanting independence. Unless we want a verse run by the like of Captain Wind and more glassing of inhabited planets, let's find out who we are dealing with and what really is going on.

"You have my full support, use it wisely.

"We also need to discuss a vetted warrant system, to ward off rogue commanders or we will lose to cooperation of the mayors and magistrates...."

Indeed, the stakes were high. Soon, my team would begin our work in earnest. But first, there was someone I needed to talk with.

Obsidian

Dec. 17 - Beyond the Rim

Brooke said that the obsidian (Obsidian-X) came from NVI, a station well out beyond the Rim. It was to here that I came to find out what I could about the substance that was making its appearance in Alliance Territory.

The laboratories were easy enough to access. While the chemical composition of obsidian was unknown, the effects on human physiology were well documented.

"Scientists have rated it as psychoactive drug, a stimulant that elevates the central nervous system and seems to expand the psyche. After being injected, the user experiences extremely intense hallucinations, muscle contractions, sweating, and increased body temperature, often describing the feeling of being drawn into a larger conscience." [from local files]

The computer core had it's own secrets including a mobile AI that followed me and my progress. It chattered away at me as I explored.

NAIVI: "You are hardly talking quickly enough for us... bye!"

NAIVI whispers: "Did you bring us something?"

NAIVI: "No touchie!"

NAIVI whispers: "For any formal recursively enumerable theory T including basic arithmetical truths and also certain truths about formal provability, T includes a statement of its own consistency if and only if T is inconsistent."

There were many things on NVI that I will not write about. Let it be enough to say that my reconnaissance was successful.

Water for the Dead

Dec. 14 - Splintered Rock, Al Raqis

I carefully filled my litre packs with fresh water gathered from the moisture collector. Water, more precious than gold.

It's funny how much I have settled here in the desert. The solitude has a comfortable weight to it, like a blanket that a loving parent covers you up with, when they tuck you in for the night.

With the destruction of two worlds a mere few days behind us, it is as if the universe itself has paused to take a breath.

And Sentry.

He is likely dead at this point. Crushed under the bombardment of Shadow.

I was amazed how sad I felt. I had such hopes for him. He had done wrong, yes, but I truly believed that he could have made amends. Once he had proved himself to be capable of rejoining lawful society, I would have facilitated the process for his rehabilitation.

How irritating. I must have sand in my eye.

----

The latest message came in from Ardra.

Despite some very solid leads, I had had no luck in catching her. She was a Guild Steersman and if what they say is true, they can see the future. It would explain why she seemed to be two steps ahead of me at all times.

According to the Colonel, Ardra was dedicated to a doctrine of life extension. She was also addicted to spice.

So, I had initiated a little dialogue with her a few days ago. I needed to know how my enemy thought.

Using the outdated protocol that the Alliance had used to contact her when she was in our employ, I sent her a bag of raw spice, along with a message: "Ardra, memento mori" (Ardra, remember you will die).

She received the message. If she was prescient, she probably saw it coming.

Ardra responded: "Turritopsis nutricula." This was a reference to a breed of jellyfish that once it grew to maturity and bred returned to an earlier pre-adult stage of life. For all appearances, it was immortal. It actually reversed the aging process, unlike my skin cream, despite what the manufacturer claimed.

To which I replied: "Cucullus non facit monachum." The cowl does not make the monk. (Do not trust appearances).

Ardra countered with two quotes and a sentence:

"When I see a bird that walks like a duck and swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck." - James Whitcomb Riley (1849–1916)

"Philippus aunswered, that the Macedonians wer feloes of no fyne witte in their termes but altogether grosse, clubbyshe, and rusticall, as they whiche had not the witte to calle a spade by any other name then a spade." - Nicolas Udall (1542), "Retranslation of Erasmus', Plutarch's Apophthegmata Laconica"

"You're a cop."

I smiled. She was an insane, half-human, criminal monster that I had been hunting across the 'Verse for months, but I had to admit, I was enjoying our little conversation.

Apotheosis

Dec. 13 - Zenobia, Pleione Disctrict

"Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad." - Euripedes

-----

I watched the feed from Shadow with a mixture of sadness and disbelief.

Fire raining down from the skies. Global bombardment.

Clearly something had snapped within High Command. First the show trial and now this. While one expects a certain amount of hysteria in the wake of an event like the bombing of Aberdeen, this went above and beyond that.

Oh, and then there was the intercepted broadcast from Commander Faith on a limited band frequency:

"Just so you all know, I have been voted into God. Bow to my greatness."

How democratic.

A low level but well placed contact of mine sent me an image of Commander Faith leaving the Rim. No further details at this time. I should be able trace that ship.

Meanwhile, the news from the Rim itself was no less cheerful. Caliban had also been destroyed by Alliance forces. A flower of flame as the settlement burned in the contained atmosphere. The dome shattering like an overcooked egg. More refugees. More despair.

Machiavelli taught that for an authority, it is better to be feared than loved, but only if that authority could avoid being hated. Clearly no one was studying the classics.

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"For it is bad generals who in a time of universal peace purposely excite their neighbours to war. For peace is the end of every war, but to choose war in every case instead of peace for the sake of anything . . . and always to disregard the good end, this is the characteristic of senseless generals and demagogues and men who are working for the destruction of the state." - Anna Comnena (1083-1159), The Alexiad.