Cortex Confidential

Jan. 20

Secure Message from Major P. Siamendes, SIU to Madam Ambassador Jai Raghilda, Zenobian Embassy, Al Raqis:

Congratulations Madam Ambassador on your appointment. Please accept this small gift I had copied from the state archives that it may be of good use to you in the coming months. Sincerely, Major Siamendes

"CONFIDENTIAL INSTRUCTIONS By Niccolo Machiavelli

"TO RAFFAELLO GIROLAMI, ON HIS DEPARTURE, 23 OCTOBER, 1522, AS AMBASSADOR TO THE EMPEROR CHARLES V., IN SPAIN.

"Honorable Raffaello, Embassies are amongst those functions in a republic that confer most honor upon a citizen; and any one incapable of filling such an office cannot be regarded as competent to take part in the government of the state.....

"....Above all things an ambassador must endeavor to acquire great consideration, which is obtained by acting on every occasion like a good and just man ; to have the reputation of being generous and sincere....

"....But as the courts are generally filled with busybodies, who are always on the watch to find out what is going on around them, it is very desirable to be on friendly terms with them all, so as to be able to learn something from each one of them....

"....But he who wants another to tell him all he knows must in return tell the other some things that he knows, for the best means of obtaining information from others is to communicate some information to them...."

-----

Jan 21 - Paquin

The elevator tube made a satisfying hiss as I was ushered to the second floor of the CNS office high above the surface of Paquin.

This was the headquarters of the Cortex news Service and the office of Tillery Woodhen.

I knocked lightly at the wooden door.

The door swung wide and Mr. Woodhen wheeled his chair out of the office.

"Major," he greeted me.

"Mr. Woodhen."

"What can I do for you?" he asked gesturing to the sofa.

"Thank you," I said and took a seat.

"It's not all courtesy," he remarked "I'll get a crick in my neck otherwise."

"Of course." I began, "I came by to see how you were. Last time we spoke we discussed you making a statement before a judge."

"Yes," he replied "and I'm still willing."

"That's good," I acknowledged. Finally, a credible witness.

"Where you at the trial of BriAria Mirajkar?" I asked.

"I was, but I was there for Pluto Kuzlov. she was charged in that event as well."

"Pluto, the young companion?"

"Yes. The case was dismissed."

I nodded. "I look forward to reading your coverage of the event."

"I saw some other things," he added.

"Things that will not be in the CNS account?"

"Likely not."

Finally, a credible witness and a man that understands me.

"I would be interested in hearing what they were," I purred.

"I want something in exchange."

"Oh?" I asked "What did you have in mind?"

Tillery suddenly growled, "I want the butchers who attacked Shadow destroyed. I'm in this chair because of them. I still see buildings exploding and pieces of the station falling when I sleep."

I paused for a moment choosing my words carefully.

"I am conducting an internal investigation into the matter. I feel there is a case to be made for criminal charges."

"It should be open and shut," he said firmly.

I continued, "You and I have discussed rogue commanders before."

"Yes, we have," he said maintaining his control.

"They are a threat to the government and its people, more so in many ways that any independence movement."

Tillery's voice dripped with sarcasm, "I think I may have noticed that."

"Have the doctors changed there prognosis? Is their any chance you will walk again?"

"No."

I nodded silently and sighed, "I am so very sorry."

"I've heard it was Commander Faith who ordered the attack."

"Yes, that is correct." I'd love to know how he knew this.

"He was at the trial.."

"His father was attacked," I added reasonably.

"...as were Mikie Rhiadra and Sentry Swashbuckler."

I stopped.

"Excuse me?" I tilted my head. Did I hear right?

"Both of them were there, but in very different capacities."

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

Alive? He's alive? How dare he be alive. Did Brooke know?

"Go on," I said coldly.

"Sentry was there in disguise."

"I'm sure," I added dryly, "There is a federal warrant out on both of them."

"Before the trial he told me he was investigating who really set off the bomb on Londinium."

Conflicting emotions made me cruel. I stifled a laugh. "Investigating? Bless his heart."

"He came within a couple of meters of Faith. He's boo-tai jung-tzahng-duh."

"He's going to get himself killed," I said "For real this time."

Tillery shot me a look that said "Ya think?!"

"Any idea where he is now?" I had my reasons for asking.

"Not right now. Probably skipped out to Rim after the trial."

"Tell me more," I said softly.

"Mikie was there with Faith's father."

"WITH his father?"

"Yes. And there was something about her....I heard her after the trial, talking with BriAria. She was actually hunting BriAria."

I raised my eyebrows.

"I didn't stay long. Her eyes...." Tillery Woodhen shivered.

"Did you know her well... before all this?"

"Mikie?"

"Yes."

"As well as anyone who came through Shadow on a regular basis did."

I nodded. "What was the nature of Sentry's disguise?"

"He cut his hair, had a prosthetic nose. Anyone who actually knows him would see through it."

I smiled without humour. I will have to see that.

"And how did Pluto end up involved in all this?"

"She made the mistake of participating in the ceremony that BriAria used to poison Sedrick and was affected by it as well."

I shook my head, "She seems such an innocent soul."

"Pluto is."

"And where you there representing her? or just offering support?"

"Offering support," he replied "Besides, I wasn't allowed to leave the planet until after the trial."

"Weren't allowed? on whose authority?"

"The Magistrate's. Sedrick had just inked a deal to open a facility in the planet's orbit."

"Interesting, do you think she is biased?"

"A bit. The Faiths were throwing their weight around."

"I must familiarize myself with Al Raqiian law."

"The 'commander' never passed up an opportunity to point out my situation. He knew when this happened. Seemed to revel in the fact he'd put me in this chair." Tillery clenched his fist.

I frowned and tightened my lips, "He thinks he can hide on a world we have no extradition treaty with."

"More than hide. He had weapons in a warehouse on the planet."

I knew this but wanted to hear it from a new source.

"Go on."

"The same kind that could destroy a good sized city on a Core world."

I let the information I was hearing turn around showing me the possibilities. Some of which I did not like.

"Zenobia has just opened an embassy there, on Al Raqis. While it is not a UAP embassy as such, it does represent a member state in the UAP. Faith is himself from Persephone. There maybe a political solution in this."

"A political solution?"

"Something that will not only lock him away but prevent other criminal from finding sanctuary on that planet."

My understanding was that only the Central Government could finalize an actual extradition treaty. However, once a Federal warrant was issued, a special deportation order might be able to be sought through the embassy of a member state. This would then set legal precedent and form the foundation of further negotiations. I'd have to check with the Colonel on the finer points of interplanetary law. I could be way off base on this one.

"That's rather low on my priority list," muttered Tillery.

"Of course," I said graciously, "One monster at a time."

I brought the conversation back to the matter at hand. "Now I have heard that the poisoning happened at a banquet... were you present for that too?"

"It did," he replied, "I was there. That's why I, and a couple of others, were required to stay on world."

"Can you tell me about it?"

"BriAria had offered to do a Companion wine ceremony. That's how Pluto became involved. She served the wine. After everyone had taken a sip, Sedrick collapsed. As did Pluto."

"You sipped the poison wine too?" I asked.

"Calina, a representative of the Guild, was able to give an antidote to both of them."

"Thankfully," I said. Where did she get it from? I wondered to myself. And how did she know which antidote to administer?

"If I did, it had no effect. Only Sedrick and Pluto were affected. No one else."

"Hmm, designer poison?" I mused "How many people were present? roughly..."

"At that point, maybe seven people."

"Seven," I calculated "That's about 28%."

Poison designed to be selective in its target. Close to one in four. Maybe linked to a certain blood type.

Or maybe a two part poison, harmless alone but lethal in combination. That would mean administering the first part earlier to the target before the second component to the whole group. That would suggest Pluto and Sedrick were both exposed to the first element.

"I'd kill to get my hands on that forensic report," I said out loud.

A theory was forming. Nothing more than speculation, of course. BriAria, Pluto and Calina were all Companions. Following the two part poison hypothesis, Pluto was possibly exposed to the first component here on Paquin, maybe as a plant in its natural form. She would never know she was exposed until she drank from the wine. Calina, trained here, recognized the effects and knew what poison was at work. Possibly the antidote is common enough that she either had the substance or had something close to do the job. Maybe she was somehow involved herself, carrying the antidote as a sensible precaution.

Or possibly, they never meant for Sedrick to actually die...

"So Pluto, Sedrick, BriAria, you, Calina, William Faith too?"

"And the Magistrate," he added.

I nodded.

"Lady Seiko. I'm sorry. It was eight," Tillery amended "Svetlana, the pilot, was also there, but she hadn't participated. She'd just arrived. Ironically, to take Calina and Pluto back to Paquin."

"Ironic indeed. Did they keep her on world?"

"They did."

"Back to Sentry for a moment... you said he is investigating the Londinium bombings... did he say if he has any leads?"

"Only that he suspects Faith."

I shook my head thinking about Sentry. Wandering about with a false nose and sticking it into some very dangerous business. He should take a new identity and stay dead. He'll live longer that way.

"Is there anything else out of the ordinary about either event that you can think of?" I asked.

"Other than the fact it happened? No."

Very well," I concluded "I must thank you for sharing what you have discovered. Faith thinks he is beyond the law... but the law is patient."

"I'm not," Tillery said firmly.

"Don't do anything reckless," I advised, "He is quite mad as you know."

"I do. But if the Alliance doesn't give me justice...." Tillery left his statement incomplete.

"I'm unsure of the father's role in this," I added "He must know about the weapons you mentioned."

"I think he does. He was actually giving Mikie direction."

"Sedrick was? Then the problem is bigger than we first thought. You could get your revenge on Faith no doubt... but then his father would likely have his way with you."

"It would cost him," he replied with a voice full of menace.

I tapped my lips in thought. I will admit that at first glance the idea that Tillery would attack Faith was a complication that I didn't like the sound of. However, it did suggest an opportunity to force William.

"Just be careful," I said finally.

"Just get them," he answered.

I nodded. "If you think of anything else that can help, please contact me..."

"I will."

"...and maybe Sentry will turn something up." You never know with these things.

"Just be sure I have a front row seat at his execution," he said darkly.

-----

I spent the next few day examining the laws and customs, traditions and legends of the people of Al Raqis looking for something, anything that would be of use.

Satisfied with my efforts, I left Tillery a message.

** secure line ** "Hello Mr. Woodhen. Are you familiar with the term 'kanly'?" **