Setbacks (Part One)

Jan. 10

My mysterious informant made contact again. For purposes of reference I named him 'Budweiser' after the crates of contraband at the old smuggler's site.

Budweiser: **coded message** "Examine the evidence file with image. You should now have no trouble finding BriAria Mirajkar - she is in prison on Al Raqis for the attempted murder of Sedrick Ascot Faith."

The attached file read:

"This image was taken in the Faith Industries warehouse on Al Raqis by William Faith.

"The two persons in the image are young refugees who entered the warehouse without invitation and who report being challenged by Faith as they reacted to the discovery of the multiple independent-warhead re-entry vehicle (MIRV) shown.

"Faith reportedly commanded them to pose for the image and then gave it to the male juvenile. Given his known patterns of behavior, there is a strong possibility he has now targeted these two individuals as 'Rim rats', targets for pursuit, torment, and eventual destruction.

"Both refugees report large stocks of offensive military hardware present in the warehouse."

-----

I examined the photograph and cursed inwardly.

"These young people," I asked. "Where are they now?"

Budweiser replied, "I will not give them to you until I see how you handle Mirajkar, but they need protection."

"The young man is named Lynx," I began.

"Then you know where to look already."

"Stop the nonsense," I hollered, "He is one of mine."

Not exactly on the payroll but I felt responsible. I had encouraged him to poke around, and even suggested to one of my staff that he might be useful as another set of eyes.

"You have no qualms about using them that young?" asked Budweiser.

"Save the preaching for later," I commanded, "Is the boy safe?"

"For now," answered my informant. "He and the girl were transported off Al Raqis and appear to have no tracking devices on them - if Faith can track the image, then your search may be simplified."

"What is the name of the girl?" I asked.

"Ask the boy. Get Mirajkar's statement before she is beyond access."

"Who transported the youth off world?" I demanded.

"Good Samaritans."

I fumed. "See that they are kept safe."

"That is not in my power," replied Budweiser, "Neutralize Faith and they will be safe."

-----

Jan. 10 - Al Raqis

I landed on the Splintered Rock landing pad and crossed the desert by foot as is my habit. It was night.

My objective was the residence of Joan Al Jofar. If I was to see BriAria Mirajkar, I had to first meet with the Magistrate of Al Raqis. I called ahead. She offered to grant me a few moments from her busy schedule.

I passed through the settlement and up the winding path. A narrow bridge led to her Keep. I approached the heavy wooden door and there removed my sand goggles and mask.

The door swung open with a creak. The vast stone chamber lay before me. Vaulted ceiling designed to make one feel small. Ancient tapestries declaring wealth and tradition. A forest of stone pillars.

It reminded me of my homeworld.

I crossed the floor of the great hall and stood in the doorway of the small chamber, politely waiting while at the same time evaluating the scene before me. The Magitrate sat a low round table with three other people. Lady Bondar, Commander Faith and a third woman I had never met.

"Greetings," I said respectfully.

The ladies returned my greeting. The Magistrate herself standing to meet me. Commander Faith simply nodded.

"Magistrate, Madam Bondar, Commander..." I acknowledged each of them, nodding to the third lady that remained unintroduced.

"Please," began the Magistrate, "Let us meet in the hall."

I stepped out into the Grand Hall joining the Magistrate. We stood close to the small chamber. It was the illusion of privacy.

"Thank you for meeting with me Magistrate," I began.

"How can I help you today?" she asked.

"I would like to see one of your prisoners," I replied.

Our proximity to the small chamber also permitted me to overhear the chatter of the occupants.

"You really do attract a crowd," remarked Lady Bondar.

Commander Faith whistled an old tune.

In the Hall, the Magistrate asked me, "Which one? I have many. Have many prisoners that is."

"BriaAria Mirajkar," I said.

"Ahh. That one."

"She was present for the arrest of a woman convicted of detonating a nuclear device on one of our worlds," I explained.

In the small chamber, Commander Faith commented, "Hmm, the psycho sister has a groupie."

I continued, "I have some questions for her."

The Magistrate expressed her concerns, "She is in solitary confinement at the moment. I have heard that her friends are planning the 'rescue her.' That doesn't happen in my jurisdiction."

Meanwhile, Lady Bondar asked Commander Faith, "Can you influence Bri in any way or has she just lost her mind?"

"I am not sure that I can." he replied.

The third woman corrected him, "Certainly you can. She hates you...so suggest the opposite of what you want her to do."

I pleaded my case to the Magistrate. "I am in law enforcement myself as I believe you know."

"I'm sorry," she replied "But I will have to refuse your request. Only her lawyer may see her. Unfortunately, you are not law enforcement here."

She was more than correct. I had no rank on this world. The UAP had no extradition treaties in place. We were not co-signers to their Great Convention.

I could hear Commander Faith laugh. He obviously came to the same conclusion. "Father has chosen well," he murmured.

I continued, "I am with the Special Investigations Unit of the Alliance Military... you may assign a squad of guards to watch me if you feel I will abuse your laws but surely you only need my word. I am only here to question her... not to facilitate an escape."

In the small chamber, Lady Bondar addressed the Commander, "Faith..you know perhaps if your father would meet with her,give her a chance to air out that hurt with protection , of course, that might go a long way."

"I don't think she wants to meet with my Father," answered William, "He was not all the way nice to Bri last night."

"For us, this would be a family matter," interjected the third woman, "Slice her throat...no more problem."

Lady Bondar chuckled. "Well, I think the Magistrate would not like that."

"Some Ginsu action," Faith said with a smile.

A bloodthirsty bunch it seemed.

In the Great Hall, the Magistrate looked me up and down, "I'm sorry, I also have reason to believe that there may be an attempt on her life. You may question her after she is convict... I mean the trial, you may speak to her after the trial. My guards will see you to the door. Thank you for your visit Major."

"Of course." So that was it then.

I lingered however. I wanted to hear as much as I could of what passed in the small chamber as I was in seeing BriAra.

As for Budweiser, I planned to put him through the nearest wall for sending me on this fruitless mission.

In the small chamber, Lady Bondar continued, "I asked Mr. Woodhen to get me the archive file on the death of your mother Commander Faith..I hope you won't mind."

"That is a sore subject," answered Faith.

"Yes I know..and I don't wish to dredge up more hard feelings but it seems to me every one needs some more facts about what happened. I mean...maybe Bri is carrying the hate and it is aimed at the wrong person, or..maybe she is right,and then...well...this is why I say perhaps your father should talk with her."

Lady Bondar, at least, seemed a reasonable woman.

In the Great Hall, the Magistrate paused as she received a message in her ear. She looked visibly upset.

I gave her a quick nod. Time to leave. Linger further and I would be outstaying my welcome.

"Well," I said in closing, "I would like to speak with her before her execution."

Lady Bondar overheard me and echoed, "Execution?"

Commander Faith remarked, "Father would like nothing more than to offer her water to Reiko."

"I will accept, of course," replied the third woman with a smile. Lady Reiko.

The message must have been important as the Magistrate turned and addressed me, "I see that you have influential friends. You may meet with the prisoner. But you will be thoroughly scanned before you meet and you will not be allowed any physical contact.

"Of course, I travel unarmed."

"I have a meeting to attend to." She motioned the guard to lead me out. I was dismissed.

Surprised at this turn of events, I left quickly before she could change her mind.