What Was Lost

Inbox and Sent Mail...

(Received Tue. March 16 11:36) Dear Major Siamendes, if you have not already made use of the item delivered to you, we would be pleased to trade it back for something which you might find more immediately useful. Get back to me at your earliest convenience. Sincerely, Mercedes Celestalis, Umbrella Corporation.

(Reply Wed. March 17 21:16) Greetings Ms. Celestalis, Thank you for your concern. We can certainly discuss options. What other items are you offering? Regards Major P. Siamendes, SIU

(Received Thurs. March 18 06:48) Salut Major, no items, numbers. The coordinates to an old Asteroid Surveyor. 20 years old, it's a classic. It will only be in position for another 10 days. If you are not interested, I will let someone else salvage it. Don't tarry, there is only a limited launch window. Sincerely, Mercedes Celestalis, Umbrella Corporation.

(Reply Thurs. March 18 13:36) I am interested in discussing this further. Perhaps we can meet at your offices. Major P. Siamendes, SIU

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March 18 - Zenobia

By threatening to contract the salvage of what was obviously Wylder Aurotharius' ship, Ms. Celestalis appeared to be trying to pressure me to return the cloned brain of Aurora Littleboots to her.

But why did Mercedes want the brain back despite the trouble Ardra took arranging its delivery? Ardra wanted the item used as leverage with Krenshar. What plans did Mercedes have for it?

And why did she not tell Ardra herself about the vessel? She would have been rewarded handsomely for such a lead on the whereabouts of Ardra's father.

These questions hinted at the possibility of an exploitable fault line in the opposition. I would have to investigate this further.

In the meantime, I would relieve some of this pressure by putting the word out to an independent salvage team of my own, someone who might hear of the job if Umbrella began shopping around, someone I trusted...

I put a call through to Brooke.

"Hello Brooke, it's Pepper."

"Hey there, Pepper. Everything alright?" she replied.

"Yes thanks... and you?" I asked. "How are the children?"

"Well. They're teething and babbling. Kiah still likes pulling off buttons."

I had to chuckle.

I got to the point. "Why I called: I may have a lead on a salvage job."

"No Feds around .. right?" she asked.

"Well one.... me. I'd insist on going along. It's that research vessel I've been looking for."

"What kind of research?"

"It was lost 20 years ago.... a prominent scientist heading off into the Halo. Sending the visual."

I punched some buttons and sent the image speeding on its way.

"I don't have an exact location," I continued. "One of the people I mentioned in connection with the human organ trafficking...is holding the information."

Brooke must have been examining the picture. "Is this a shield of some kind? And what are my people going to get out of it?"

"I get the files, you get the salvage," I said simply. "I am assuming there is no passenger in cryo of course."

Brooke wanted to know more. "What does this research actually do? I'd like to know what I'm turning over to the Alliance."

"Well, I'm not sure of the details...." I struggled. I could have lied, but not to Brooke. Yet giving up information never came easy for me, even an educated guess ".....I have some ideas...." I grunted. "Possibly life extension..possibly. It all depends on if I can get the co-ordinates," I said finally.

"Just possibly," answered Brooke, "I'd like to get a copy of the research. If we help you. I think that's fair..."

"What good would that do for you?" I asked, a bit puzzled. "You can't sell it."

"Not looking to sell it," she replied. "We aren't all backwater hicks you know. We have scientists among us... Just wanna make sure your buddies can't turn it into a weapon."

I let out a breath.

"Maybe... but some things are best locked away. What if we wait and see what we find?" I said reasonably.

Brooke agreed. "Alright. Deal. When do you want to meet? And I'll see what team I can get together..."

"I have to hear back from this person," I explained. "She mentioned a ten day window... I'm stalling for time. She wants something for the information and I don't want to give it to her."

I was hoping that the approaching deadline would force disclosure or at least movement I could capitalize on.

"Alright. Just let me know," replied Brooke, "And I'll get whatever team I can together..."

"Okay that sounds good. Take care Brooke."

"And you as well. Stay safe."