Spinwheel City

June 3 - Spinwheel City, Paquin

To hold a pen is to be at war. - Voltaire

-----

The head offices of the Cortex News Service are located in the downtown core of Spinwheel City, the administrative center of Paquin.

I arrived unannounced. I wanted the benefit of meeting Tillery without bodyguards, associates, or any other staff for that matter.

He did not keep me waiting.

"Hello, Major. Welcome to Spinwheel."

"Hello Tillery...Thank you. Are you keeping well?" I asked with a gentle smile, "Have I caught you at a bad time?"

"No," he hesitated, "I'm just... dealing with some news."

He seemed reserved but it was not anger this time. Something was troubling him.

"I dropped by because I had something for Mikie Rhiadra. I hoped perhaps you could pass it along."

"Oh?" he asked, "I don't talk with her often, but I can pass it along."

I held out the document, "It's a Stay of Execution of Judgment."

"Oh my."

"Not quite overturning her conviction..." I continued.

Tillery took the parchment.

"...the first step though," I said.

"Not quite?" he asked.

I pointed to the text, "The foregoing Stay of Execution of Judgment Pending Appeal, having been presented and reviewed by the undersigned, a presiding Justice of the Union of Allied Planets Supreme Court, the undersigned is satisfied that sufficient grounds have been established for the issuance of this order staying the Execution of Judgment of Defendants... etc etc."

"How?" he asked.

"Well, the investigation so far has been enough to convince the judge that there is a cause to pause." I smiled. I was feeling rather pleased with myself.

"Does this mean she can come above ground now?" he asked.

"Indeed. It also means that we are charged with keeping her alive. She will need to cooperate with the investigation of course. It's all in the document."

Ironic when you realize that this was the woman who declared Shadow independent from the Alliance. My unit was now bound by our own laws to protect her.

"Oh Buddha," muttered Tillery and he walked back to his chair.

He was curiously subdued. Even with the matter of Sveltana Pleides between us, I expected champagne.

"Have a seat," he offered.

I took my chair and began reviewing the clauses of Special Rule 425 that outlined the legal responsibilities of the defendants.

"Special Rule 425 requires that if an eligible defendant is released on bail pending appeal pursuant to stated conditions of the bond shall include..."

There were a number of requirements that needed to be fulfilled. I covered them point by point.

"...The defendants are hereby released on the foregoing conditions mandated as per Special Rule 425 and the additional condition that they cooperate with the Union of Allied Planets Special Investigations Unit in their ongoing investigation of the Aberdeen Explosion and its related crimes."

I looked up.

"There will be a news release of course," I added.

"Of course."

"I can perhaps arrange for a photo op with the Judge."

I was trying to cheer him up.

"Who is the judge?" he asked.

"Sir Beaumont Lordhunter," I smiled triumphantly pointing to the name at the end of the text. "The ink is still wet."

"This is excellent news," he conceded.

"I agree."

"Anything for Sentry?" he asked.

"The same exactly." I hesitated for a split second. "I have informed him," I added.

"You found him?"

"Yes," I said simply, "It is what I do."

"I'd pay cash money to see his reaction."

I chuckled. "He had questions. He is a good fellow."

"He is," acknowledged Tillery, "If somewhat insane."

"Well, please see if you can get this news to Ms. Rhiadra..."

"I will."

"She will need to appear before an officer of the court and so forth and meet with investigators."

"Doesn't she need to report on a specific world?"

"She could report here in Spinwheel," I offered helpfully. We had offices here next to the court.

"Alright," he agreed, "I don't know where she is, but I will find out."

I looked again through the document. "Have your legal team look this over." I suggested.

"I will."


I stood up and glanced around the office, "Very nice offices Tillery. Is that a Picasso?"

"Indeed. One of the few to make it from Earth-that-was."

I smiled with one eyebrow up. "That must be worth something..."

Tillery let a small smile show. "A bit."

I answered with a merry laugh.

"I do have some news for you," he said, "Svet will give you the testimony you need. No argument."

"On the events of Shadow?" I asked. "That's good news."

He nodded with mixed emotions showing on his face.

"Your own testimony will be most valuable too," I added graciously then indicated the document, "And with what Sentry and Mikie have to say."

"And you'll have it whenever it goes to trial," he promised.

I nodded satisfied, "Thank you."

"Have you been to Spinwheel City before?"

"No," I replied, "I have to acquaint myself with the UAP offices here in fact."

"It's the main admin center for Paquin. One of the reasons we moved the headquarters here. You can see the tower from here, actually."

Tillery pointed out the window to the large gray tower to the east displaying the flag of the Union of Allied Planets on it's surface.

"Ah, there it is..." I chirped as I looked out the window.

"Good view of the rest of the city, including the spaceport," he added.

"Nice and close," I remarked. "We should do lunch when I am in town."

"That would be excellent." He continued, "Doesn't hurt that the city is a quick flight to Saona Island."

"Indeed," I replied.

Tillery looked like he had more to say, but gave a very slight shake of his head.

I could ignore it no longer. "You look glum Tillery..."

"I just got some disappointing news," he replied, "that I'm not really ready to share."

He said nothing further. Instead, he looked down at the central plaza with its flags and fountains.

"Of course. Well, cheer up," I smiled, "We have waited for this day."

"We have," he admitted.

"I must be going. I have to arrange for the next thing and the next ... and the next," I laughed. I was in a jolly mood. Almost compensating for Tillery's solemnness.

"I understand," said Tillery, "I need to get back to work myself. I will pass the news on to Mikie."

"Thank you," I replied, "and if she is having trouble with memory as you mentioned the night Lynx was shot, she will need the support of a good friend."

"She's rediscovered plenty of them since she reappeared."

I nodded with a smile, "That is good news. Well, have a pleasant afternoon Tillery."

"You too Pepper."

"I'll speak with you soon," I promised.

"No doubt," he replied.

Strega's Landing

June 2 - Strega's Landing

I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country. - Nathan Hale

-----

Strega's Landing was a small riverside settlement on Constance, a watery planet orbiting the star Kalidasa.

A collection of wooden buildings and Quonset huts, the site was dominated by the wreck of the Strega, a Firefly class ship, from which the settlement had gotten its name.

There was a hotel, a bar, a mechanic's shop, all catering to the locals and to the river traffic. Sometimes a riverboat would dock here lending the place grace and beauty, before moving on and allowing the settlement to sink back into the soggy mud.

The bar itself was an open affair, more of a porch in front of the small hotel. A tin roof to shelter patrons from the rain. The two sides formed by the walls of the adjacent buildings. A neon sign buzzed overhead.

Recently, on Bihar, Tillery had mentioned that Sentry Swashbuckler was going by the name of Nathan Hale. That information made him easy to find.

Sentry sat drinking a shot of tequila. I could hear him cursing the rain.

Before he could speak, I began.

"Nathan Hale?" I asked, "Mr. Hale... I don't believe we have met. My name is Major Siamendes. I'm with SIU."

I removed my cap, keeping my face calm.

I was actually impressed with his disguise. Subtle alterations to appearance. Not theatrical at all. Just enough to deflect attention, but not so much as to draw interest.

He smiled. He touched his throat in a natural manner. "Well, hello," he said, "Good to meet you, Major."

A different voice. Some sort of voice alteration device.

"May I join you?" I asked.

He indicated a chair, "Please do. Tequila? Or would you happen to be on duty?"

"No thank you," I answered politely, "I am on duty."

I settled onto the stool at the end of the bar. I had a clear view down the street. The door to the hotel to my left. A wall of a corrugated steel hut behind me.

"I am glad to finally meet with you," I began, "I believe you are representing a number of clients that are of concern. If you don't mind perhaps we can take the opportunity to review these cases."

"Of course," he smiled, "Well, I do what I can. Which clients should we be talking about?" He seemed a bit nervous.

"Unless you wanted to go somewhere drier?" I offered.

He looked around the dingy bar, "Completely up to you... there's something to be said about the rhythm of the rain, you know? Cleaning the atmosphere, as it is."

I looked around wistfully. "The last time I was here there was a lovely riverboat. It is a shame but it appears to have moved on...."

"Really," he remarked, "this is my first trip. Welcome change from Al Raqis... so dry there, and water is so scarce. Here, as there, people live because of the water, literally."

I watched the rain as it played upon the surface of the muddy river.

"Just in varying ways," he continued, "but still the same."

"I believe you are representing Svetlana Pleides," I began.

He nodded, "As of my last conversation with her, yes. However, I believe Mr Woodhen intends to replace me in that position."

I hesitated a moment. "...and Sentry Swashbuckler," I added.

He tighten his lips a bit. "Mr. Swashbuckler... I am familiar with the story, but do not represent anyone by that name."

He took another shot of tequila.

I reached into my coat and pulled out my notepad. I set it on the bar.

"That is unfortunate," I said, "Perhaps, being a lawyer... you could find his lawyer and relay a message."

I told him the news.

"There is a Stay of Execution of Judgment order being issued for Sentry and Mikie Rhiadra. The Aberdeen bombing investigation has been reopened."

His eyes widen. "Is there? Interesting that there is a Stay for someone that was officially dead... or did that declaration never happen?"

"They were never declared officially dead," I explained, "Up to now if apprehended the original sentencing would have been carried out."

I continued, "For this conviction to be overturned we need to prove one of two things: one, that it was a matter of judicial impropriety, or two, overwhelming evidence of innocence. We can prove neither of these things at the moment although there has been enough to merit staying the judgment so these two people can be free to make their statements. It is the first step."

"Their first steps..." he watched me carefully, listening intently.

"Yes, to having their convictions overturned and if exonerated they can, of course, pursue civil actions against the state for damages. It is their right under the law."

"Of course," he nodded. "Let me ask something, Major."

"Yes please."

"You have mentioned two possibilities: either the judge or trial was flawed, or there is evidence to prove innocence. This is what you have just said, correct?"

"There are other ways," I answered, "those are the main ones."

"Is the judicial system not still based upon the presumption of innocence... that there needs to be overwhelming evidence of guilt, not evidence of innocence per se?" He looked at me hard, as if to make sure I understood the challenge here.

"Not once a conviction has been made," I admitted, "which makes it difficult for the wrongly convicted. It is a flawed system, with room for reform."

But it was the system we had.

He listened, picking up the tequila bottle, looking at it for a long moment, and recapping it. "So, this Stay... means they can come forward and talk to the authorities, and not expect to be bound by law immediately?"

"Yes," I said, "they may wish to use the services of legal council of course and due to the nature of the original crime there are those who will assume they are guilty regardless."

The fact was they had to come forward now. The appeal process depended upon it.

"And what is to keep the corruption from becoming a problem in this case again," he asked, "assuming, of course, that there was something wrong in the last attempt at justice?"

"The judge in their case has disappeared while being under investigation himself."

He blinked in surprise. "Oh really? A judge doesn't just disappear."

"Indeed," I acknowledged.

The rain pounded on the tin roof.

I continued. "Can you also tell Sentry, if he hasn't already, to contact his Aunt Linnea?"

He looked worried, then tried to cover his expression. "Is there an issue?"

I explained, "When I last spoke with her, she believed he had been killed. At that time, to tell anyone anything different would have put him at risk."

The rain trickled off the roof.

"So, you believe this Sentry Swashbuckler to be alive... you never did say if he was or not, when I asked earlier.... only that he was not officially declared dead."

I said nothing.

He continued, "If you are sure he's alive... why not tell Linnea yourself, Major?"

"I can now, of course," I answered finally, "but it would mean more....coming from ...you."

The rain was getting heavier. He did not reply.

"How... has he been?" I struggled with how to phrase that question.

He sighed once, and touched his throat again, removing something small.

"I've been fine."

It was Sentry's voice again.

"I'll take that drink now," I said.

He passed me the bottle, and picking up a small napkin from the table wiped his makeup away.

"Small bar," he remarked, "not much choice here." He talked with a finality that seemed to speak more about his thoughts than the actual selection.

I examined the label, shrugged and went on to pour a small quantity in a glass. Not the most dangerous thing I've done this week.

"Faith is missing too," I remarked almost absently.

"Yeah, I know," he answered, "tracked him into the Core, then lost him."

His words started to flow, "I was following him and his family for a while, trying to find out what he was up to, what made him lose his mind."

I sipped my drink.

"I have to say," he continued, "money and power will help on the Rim, but it's everything in the Core."

"Why did they target you for Aberdeen?" I asked. I have wanted an answer to that question for months.

Sentry shrugged, "I wish I knew. I have some mechanical skills, so I guess I would be a good target. Plus, being the closest person to Brooke when Tee and Brooke were becoming closer... maybe I was too close, even being on the outside?"

"That was the only thing I could come up with too," I added. "Hard to prove... but it is likely we won't need to."

"What are you trying to prove though?" he asked.

"There are two investigations....either should help you: SIU Londinium is investigating Judge Wirefly. SIU Zenobia has been given the go ahead to reopen the Aberdeen bombing file. One proves the judge is dirty... the other finds the people responsible for the bombing. Either way you get your conviction overturned."

It sounded so simple.

Sentry nodded, "Makes sense to me." He then straightened slightly, "So, what do you need from me?"

"Anything about the Aberdeen incident that could help."

He shook his head, "Unfortunately, there isn't much, considering I was on Shadow at the time it actually happened."

"I've seen the evidence they had against you," I said, "It was poor at best. Your vehicle and your DNA but hey, it was your vehicle..."

"A very old vehicle, at that," he interjected, "that thing hadn't run in a long time. I didn't even recognize it at first."

"...and one would expect to find your DNA there," I added, "After all, one doesn't drive wearing latex gloves."

Sentry laughed, "Not me at least."

He continued, "What I don't get... I was raised on Persephone. Served the Alliance there. How does an old beat up vehicle of mine end up on Londinium?"

"We need to find that out," I admitted.

He scratched his head. "I can't even remember who had it when I left Persephone after the kil..." His voice trailed off quickly.

I frowned slightly, "Matthew... if you want my help on this, you need to help me."

Sentry looked at me, "What do you think I'm doing?"

"After the kil...?" I repeated.

"You're gonna take me in for that warrant." He started to get agitated. "The same thing you came to the bar for... that's why you're here, isn't it?"

"Oh Sentry," I replied, "I'm after bigger game."

"And after that? After you get your big buck, then what? Come back for the rabbit?"

I sighed.

"Tell me it's not," he demanded, "Convince me that this isn't just the way it works."

I took a number of papers from my notebook and handed them to him. It was a transcript of his last will and testament.

Sentry stopped and stared at the document.

"You're not dead," I said flatly.

Sentry began to read his own words aloud, "'I really wish we hadn't ended on such bad terms. I truly did want to talk about working with you, finding a way to help you do what you need to. Brooke convinced me that you were as straight and honest as they come in the Alliance. Reminds me of how things were before the War ended... but that doesn't help me out of my current situation, with these corrupt politicians and who knows who else using me as a pawn, making me look like some heartless ~wong ba duhn~. Maybe we could have worked together.'"

He looked up.

"You're not dead," I repeated, "That paper does not belong to me."

"I'm confused," he replied, "That was specifically addressed to you, to use against Faith."

"It contains secrets you planned to take with you to your grave. Rewrite it for me."

He placed the paper between us. "They aren't secrets any longer."

I responded with a gentle smile.

"Okay," he said after a moment, his calm returned, "I'll rewrite it."

"Write a statement about that obsidian shipment too," I prompted, "I have a feeling it is connected."

He nodded and scribbled a note on the bottom of the transcript.

I looked out into the rain and sipped my drink.

"We will be protecting you too," I remarked.

Sentry nodded, though his bravado showed through. "Don't know that I need protecting..."

"Of course," I said tolerantly.

He grinned.

"You mentioned Al Raqis..." I remarked.

"Yes, Al Raqis... what do you need to know?"

"Well, not so much need to know... Zenobia has House status there. You can now use it as a safehouse."

"I've met a few people there, while visiting as Nathan."

"Good," I replied.

The rain showed no signs of letting up.

"I have to go," I said as I climbed off my bar stool.

Sentry nodded, holding up the paper. "I will have this resent to you and notarized as soon as I can."

He stood up from his seat. We stood face to face.

"You may not be in the free and clear," I said, "but there is no longer a noose around your neck."

"I do appreciate that, Major," he said.

"Pepper," I replied, "Call me Pepper."

A Meeting with the Bai

May 31 - Bihar Sanctuary

It was raining in Bihar.

Again.

I hate the rain. The way it trickles down the neck of my uniform. Wet socks on the march. The way you feel that you will never be dry again.

My mood rapidly deteriorating, I trudged from building to building looking for signs of sanctuary staff.

Nobody. Anywhere.

With a heavy sigh, I walked down the ramp into the catacombs that lay beneath the sacred compound. A relief perhaps from the driving rain, but worse for the oppressive humidity underground.

I made my way past an archaic looking statue. Some sort of gargoyle or demon guardian possibly.

Suddenly, a figure moved in the humid gloom up ahead.

It was unnaturally large and it twitched in a frantic fashion. It pulled itself back into the crypt beneath one of the temples. A flurry of cloth.

The part of my brain wired for self-preservation screamed, "RUN! RUN!"

My legs however, would not respond. My heart pounded against my body armour.

Fighting my instincts, I slowly and calmly walked forward.

At the narrow doorway to the crypt, I paused and called out, "Hello...."

"Namaste," a deep voice answered.

As my eyes gradually adjusted to the dim light, I could make out the source of the greeting.

Dressed in a cloak and a hydrosuit suitable for a desert planet, was a man. However, if Tillery's associate Erik was a mountain on two legs, this man was a small moon. He was truly a giant.

His arms were the size of the legs of most men. His torso wide and strong. His hair brushed against the ceiling.

"I am looking for the curator," I said. My voice sounded small all of a sudden. It could have been the acoustics.

"That would be me," he said, "Bai Feargananym, at your service. Are you on pilgrimage or are you seeking refuge?"

Refuge. What a wonderful word.

Just the way he said it, made me feel that everything was going to be okay.

I introduced myself. "I am Major Siamendes of the Special Investigations Unit of the UAP. I had a question..."

"You are welcome here," he greeted me.

I smiled tentatively, "Thank you."

"I will answer your question," he replied, "if it is in my power to do so.."

"In the course of one of my investigations I came across a word... something called the Zahir. I was hoping to find some understanding of the term."

"A Zahir causes all consuming obsession," he explained, "and it leads you from the quintessential truth."

I frowned, "I don't understand..."

Bai Feargananym continued, "Muslims use the word to reflect people who obsess about the forms in the Koran, but not grasp the spirit. Buddhists use it to point out about the treachery of material things."

"What could this object be then?" I asked.

"For some people, there would be no Zahir. It is different for everyone, if they are susceptible."

I looked at the ground as I thought.

"Are you trapped?" he asked, "Is your Zahir ruling your life?"

I exhaled, "I hope not." I did tend to focus on work, block out other concerns. But this obsession sounded ...religious.

"The part of you that is most conscious and the part of you that is the 'self' are separate," explained the Bai, "What you think of as your 'self' is what will obsess about the Zahir."

"You are an investigator, am I correct?" he asked.

"Yes."

"You are trained to listen to your thoughts."

"Yes ...and to monitor my feelings."

"You must learn to turn that off."

"Turn it off?" I exclaimed.

"To turn away from the part that listens and speaks."

"But I analyze," I protested, "That is what I do..."

"If you cannot turn it off on occasion," he warned, "You will be susceptible to the curse of the Zahir."

Aha, a possible defense against whatever Ardra was planning.

My eyes narrowed, "Go on. Tell me how."

"To be free from the Zahir is what separates us from the machines. There is meditation, but I bet you need something more psycho-physical. Immerse in the mind-body connection might be your doorway.

"I have had some training in the dojo," I offered helpfully.

"Something more serene," he prescribed, "Come with me."

---

Bai Feargananym stood in the Mountain Pose on a red yoga mat at the entrance of a magnificent temple of blue and white. Blue mats lay spread out on the floor in neat rows. Serene Buddhas observed us with detachment.

"I am in armour," I reported, "I should remove it."

"You do not need it here," he assured me.

He began to move into the first yoga posture and from there the next, making it appear effortless despite his massive frame.

In an alcove nearby, I removed my protective equipment. I unbuckled my duty belt and placed it carefully against the wall. Elbow protection, chest armour, all shed and set aside.

I returned to the practice area in my service greys.

"Find yourself on one of the blue mats," instructed the Bai.

We did some sixteen postures or asanas in quiet succession. I matched the movements of the Bai as best as I could.

It was some ten minutes before he spoke again. I listened respectfully.

"We used to give classes to the Alliance Monitoring Station during the MKULTRA scares," he commented.

Triangle Pose.

"It is like kata," I observed.

"It is," he agreed.

"Being able to turn off the listening and speaking part of your brain would protect you from an invasive mental process," he explained.

Warrior Pose.

"That could be useful," I admitted, "Even to shut out pain."

"Zahir was one of the MKULTRA projects too I am told," he added.

"It was a project?" I asked.

"Part of one," he replied, "It is how they would get a subject to self terminate."

Downward Facing Dog.

"Tell me about MKULTRA please." I asked.

Upward Facing Dog.

"Government sponsored mind control projects," he replied, "going back to Earth That Was."

Tree Pose.

Chair Pose.

Eagle Pose.

"How was the Zahir one of their projects?" I asked.

Firefly Pose.

"It came out of the Manchurian Candidate Process," he explained, "After the subject fulfilled his mission, the Zahir would activate."

Forearm Stand.

"The person would obsess about it and be immune to interrogation. Only thinking about the Zahir. Eventually go catatonic, refusing to eat or drink."

Scorpion Pose.

"And the antidote?" I asked.

"I do not know of one," he replied.

Handstand.

"...I only know that the soldiers were taught how to prevent it. As we are now."

Backbend.

Firefly Pose.

"How often should one train in this way?" I asked.

Headstand.

"You could do this once per week or spend your ever waking hour," he replied. "Yoga cannot be perfected."

I smiled, "Well, that's a relief." My schedule was tight enough as it was without having to find room for perfection.

Mountain Pose.

"In striving, you can release your mind," counseled the Bai. "There is no destination, only the path, enjoy the journey."

The longer we spent doing our asanas, I found myself opening up to this man.

"My life is so goal oriented..." I admitted. There was that small voice again.

Triangle Pose.

"I hunt those who would mock the law," I said simply.

"Thus you need to be able to look away from those goals sometimes," he remarked, "else you can be blinded by staring at them too much."

Warrior Pose.

"Goal are important," he added, "but do not let them own you."

Downward Facing Dog.

"The Zahir also came about in Artificial Intelligence Lore," he continued.

"Oh?"

He explained, "Those fearing the AI uprisings and zombie apocalypse."

Upward Facing Dog.

"Zombies," he continued, "i.e. Reavers are good examples of people given over to the Zahir."

Tree Pose.

"Artificial Intelligence was hampered for centuries from the Zahir defect."

Chair Pose.

"How so?" I asked.

Eagle Pose.

"If the AI ended up with motivations, it could end up with a Zahir obsession and cease to function."

"Motivations?" I repeated.

"Making it self motivated carried a large risk."

Firefly Pose.

"The difference between being a mere machine and being sentient is to have motives, volition, free will," he expanded.

Forearm Stand.

Scorpion Pose.

"Yes," I said, " but isn't having motivations a characteristic of being human?"

"Yes, he answered, "although free will continues to be debated."

"Wouldn't you want that in an AI?" I asked.

Handstand.

Backbend.

"Every day I try to live without the self or free will...," he answered.

Firefly pose.

"...I am sure I have not succeeded...."

Headstand.

"...It is why I am not a monk."

Again I protested, "How could I possibly function... capturing war criminals and slavers... without focus on a goal?"

Mountain pose.

He began, "The part of you that you think is thinking is only a small part of your mental processes..."

Triangle Pose.

"In fact, there are many things you do not think about, you simply do them...."

Warrior Pose.

"...Neils Bohr used to admonish his students that they were not thinking, merely being logical."

I felt like the Bai had slapped me.

"Thank you," I replied, "That touched a nerve."

Downward Facing Dog.

"I hope it helps you on your path," he said graciously.

Upward Facing Dog.

"You are part of the Zenobian Unit, am I correct?" he asked.

"Yes," I replied.

Tree Pose.

"Have you seen the Pillar of Queen Zenobia we recovered?"

"I have," I answered, "I noticed it when I arrived. I am truly impressed."

We concluded our series of asanas. I joined him at the red mat.

"We are presenting it to House Zenobia later this month," he explained, "We also have an artifact for Al Raqis. We have to arrange transport and security. We don't want a repeat of the reliques of Saint Zenobius."

"The Noble House with be honoured with your gift," I remarked. It was a mighty gift indeed.

"We think they will safeguard it."

-----

The Bai left the temple while I returned to the alcove to gather my things.

I can't say I was dwelling on anything he had said in particular. In fact, as I replaced my equipment, I was simply aware of buckling my duty belt, of the familiar weight of my body armour.

-----

"There are three separate parts to our job," explained Bai Feargananym as I joined him beside the pillar, "Finding it, getting it, keeping it safe afterward. The third part is actually the most difficult."

The pillar was originally from Palmyra, the ancient city of Queen Zenobia. It was inscribed in Greek and Assyrian.

"Why do you think the reliques of Zenobius were taken?" I inquired.

"To cause disarray. It certainly worked."

"To what end?" I asked.

"Albion had a substantial change in government."

"Yes," I acknowledged.

"The certainty of the overclass was subverted. If what Mirra says is correct, they planned this for a long time."

"So better I should ask, who would profit?" I mused. A hint of a whisper of a clue to Ardra's employers.

I turned and asked, "Mirra?" Who was Mirra?

"She thinks that it is most likely that the reliques were switched out during the war. Mirra is our artifacts authenticator."

"Ah, yes. I actually met her once.... in church." She was examining the casket of St. Zenobius. I was sitting in the rear of the church. I had dropped by to quietly observe.

"Long term planning," I reflected, "and broad thinking too I fancy."

I turned to face the Bai, "Thank you for your kindness and the benefit of your knowledge."

"Any time," he replied courteously, "it is why we are here."

"I must go," I added.

"We work with old stones like this, but it is all really about people and souls. Come again whenever you need to."

I reached out and touched the stone pillar gently. "Thank you," I said with a smile, "I will."

"Namaste. Pranam," he said.

I turned and walked across the wet and soggy grass the towards my shuttle.

It was only then that I realized that we had been standing in the rain.

Whatever Happened to Lilybell Snoodle?

May 30 - Hale's Moon

"We foot it all the night,
Weaving olden dances,
Mingling hands and mingling glances
Till the moon has taken flight;
To and fro we leap
And chase the frothy bubbles,
While the world is full of troubles
And is anxious in its sleep."

----

After departing the lab, I made my way back towards the landing area.

Off in the distance, I caught a glimpse of a figure moving fast. It jumped and scampered, and weaved in and out of buildings

It had to be Lily. No one else could move like that.

I sent a communication to her private channel.

"Deputy Snoodle...... Lily... this is Major Siamendes."

She hissed. "Lily got shocking 'tricity from bad Redfur, now Little and H I D I N G but...would see you if you gots somefing her need.... maybe make a deal." She purred.

"Lily," I began, "she talks to me too, you know."

"Miss Ardra?"

"Yes."

"I know them words," she declared.


"What words are those Lily?"

"You know."

"Ardra tells me many things," I said.

I spoke of Ardra herself. Lily however carried the Ardra AI from one of the drones. She had downloaded it some time ago. And I wanted to know what the Ardra AI whispered into Lily's mind. I counted on Lily not making the distinction.

"I need my medicine," she said directly.

"Medicine?" I asked.

LilyBell hissed. "Her tell you I gots her in a special place, not really gone? And her tell you also in the cube, Miss x0x0 take her but I trick her? Her tell you we like how it taste? Not supposed to be so small, but ok ok can hide. You got spice?"

She purred. "Lily gots big sapphire. Will trade."

"Yes Lily, I have spice. Come and meet me," I invited.

"Where am you Miss? Where at you being now? Huh huh?" she asked with some urgency.

"The butcher shop," I said.

.............

Lily approached the butcher's shop from a protected angle and scurried around the rear of the building in a counter-clockwise direction.

"Hello Deputy," I called out, "I am alone."

I held out a small bag of raw spice.

Lily crawled out from behind the wall. Smaller than normal. More the size of a child.

She came closer and accepted the gift.

Without further discussion, we settled next to each other on some barrels at the entrance to the stall.

"You are smaller than I remember," I remarked.

"That her fault," she admitted.

"Ardra?" I asked.

LilyBell shivered. "Miss Redfur," she replied. "Wanted to 'get it all'. I fool them all."

She laughed a bit eerily.

"I stay this way now," she continued, "Not gots to do no grown up fings and nobody chase me. Eat cats from the fire. Berries. It nice life."

She looked up at me. "Got any more?" she asked.

"Yes," I replied, "For later."

LilyBell's hands trembled.

"I remember you liked chocolate once," I commented.

She nodded, "Chocolate not keep you from getting tall."

From a pouch on my duty belt, I produced a chocolate bunny on a stick made of pressed paper. I had come prepared.

Lily grabbed the treat and declared, "I can sell it for money and buy more spice. Ardra eat it all day. Now Lily eat it too."

She continued, "It that bad lady do it. Feed her from a big jar. Now, now this one know why. It nice.

"Are you still carrying Ardra?" I asked.

"Got two," she answered.

Two?

LilyBell looked up, "Why you ask?"

I did not reply.

"Tillery gots a big mouf," she said suddenly, "Dangerous to have big mouf."

"Ardra told me the true colour of the sky," I offered.

"What her said.... you see her laser so pretty, many colour. See wif you eyes? Not believe all you see Miss. Those words."

"She said the skies were violet," I said coyly, "What did she tell you?"

"Colour of eyes... violet eyes!"

LilyBell screamed.

And she was off and running.

"Lily wait!!" I cried as I ran after her.

She ran straight for a cluster of cactii. Then arching around she tore across the street, a spray of dust and gravel in her wake. She fled into a nearby building.

"Lily wait!!"

Her refuge was an apartment on the ground floor of a two storey building. A picture window in the front.

The grey door swung open with a touch.

"Can I come in?" I asked gently.

Lily was in the far corner bending over a child's bed.

"A lot has happened to you," I said as I slowly crossed the room.

LilyBell sang looking down into the crib.

"A lot that .... shouldn't have," I added as I drew close.

LilyBell looked up. "See my baby," she whispered.

Inside the crib was a jar bearing the logo of the Umbrella corporation

And inside the jar something floated. Something red and fleshy.

"I am so sorry Lily," I said sincerely, "for what happened to Aurora."

LilyBell narrowed her eyes and looked at me, "I cut off her head."

I was caught off guard. How do you reply to that? I'm sure you had your reasons?

LilyBell looked around, "It a secret....that cub smart...had...itself ready to go only fixed...and Cody its Daddy now. No tell, ok? Secret. Call it Anna."

She nodded, "This new baby name Audrey".

I arched one eyebrow, "Audrey?"

Ardra's name. From before.

She nodded again, "Yes. This new baby name Audrey."

"And how old is Audrey?" I asked.

LilyBell looked at me like I was dense, "Her not in here YET".

"No, not yet," I agreed.

LilyBell continued to pet the bed linen, "Aurorablue perfect. All human. All computer. Perfect."

"What words did she tell you?" I asked.

LilyBell looked up. "Two words," she said and started to purr.

"Then you need a second bag of spice," I said with a congratulatory tone.

"Yes, yes", nodded Lily, "for later."

"For later, yes," I agreed.

Nods and happy smiles all around.

"That lady gaved me some but I dropped it. Her say 'Come to ma ma.' I go. I stay little, maybe get to keep spice. Not tell her them words. One letter gots in it. M."

"Well," I conspired, "if you tell me the two words, I will give you a bit more."

"You tell me," she answered, "You tell me and I tell you if you right."

I laughed. This was getting us nowhere. "You don't know do you?," I teased.

Lily hissed under her breath, "Barbosa not set me up." She looked up suddenly. "I know", she said defiantly.

"Well?" I prompted.

"I know Controlled Chaos. I know Angel of Mercy," she boasted.

I shrugged.

"Know more than that," she continued, "Know it not in language of this place for sure. See, see....some other language." She smiled knowingly. "Two words," she said.

"In some other language," I repeated.

LilyBell purred as she stroked the jar, "Audrey, you gots justice soon too."

She then answered me, "Yes like, maybe..oh...Latin or...somefing."

"Latin?"

LilyBell started to laugh. "I KNOW!" she exclaimed and spinning about she called out, "We all dance and then we die!"

She stopped and questioned me, "What you come want this one for? Just stupid construct, not worf nuffing. Just a ...I take that absinthe too."

"Want fuel?" she asked suddenly.

I tapped my finger to my lips, puzzling over what the two words could be that she referred to, and then said, "Sure." Fuel might mean fuel. It might mean food. I could eat.

"What you gives me for it?" she asked.

I toyed with a third bag of spice, "I'm more interested in what she told you, on where she is now, and on 'The Project'."

"Memento Mori," she purred.

I translated, "Remember you will die."

Now this was indeed interesting. That was the message I sent to Ardra herself last December when I initiated contact. A poke at her transhumanist views.

Ardra had, in return, carved it on the shipping container that carried the remains of St. Zenobius. Returning the jab.

And now it was etched in the mind of LilyBell Snoodle.

"Do you know what is that Zahir?" she asked.

"No," I replied, "but I can find out."

"You tell me.... and I...let you see her," she squinted.

"I will...did she tell you that word too?" Now, we were getting somewhere.

"Her tell me lot of words in her secret house." She looked at me, "I NEVER let her go".

"I know Lily...." I felt deeply sad for Lily. This thing already had a grip on her.

I couldn't honestly tell if she still carried the AI from the drone. If I understood her correctly, there had been an extraction attempt. It was clear there was still some kind of connection.

And if Ardra herself was planning to do what I suspected, to push the spacial and temporal limitations of what it meant to be human through the use of cybernetics and artificial intelligence, regardless of cost or consequence, what would happen to Lily attached as she was to one of the drones?

I could imagine that one day we might find her dancing on the landing pad, playing little cymbals and chanting the name of Ardra. The light of individuality all but burned from her eyes.

Or perhaps an even more sinister fate awaited her. I could imagine, yes, but I did not know.

LilyBell looked up and asked, "You know?"

She produced a crossbow from somewhere close by and began to stroke it. "What you know? You not take me."

"She isn't done with either of us yet," I said fatalistically. My own role in Ardra's plans was unclear. It is always harder to see the possibilities inherent in one's own trajectory.

"Her gots a big laser. You see it?"

"In long distance scans," I admitted.

"We see it and it almost ready too. Lily not go lately...been...digging.... oh, it beautiful!"

I smiled gently.

"It so beautiful. so very beautiful...all that my mind dream."

"That is a fine crossbow," I commented.

"It pierce armour," she explained.

I resisted the urge to ask to have one of the crossbow bolts for forensics. She might just send it ballistically.

"Miss Ardra not ever mention you," she said.

"Really?" I asked. No surprise there. The drone never knew me. Lily was starting to put it together.

I moved for the exit. "Stay safe Lily."

The door however was locked. A privacy screen slowly rolled up to cover the window.

"You not go no where," she said darkly.

"Okay," I agreed. Don't argue with the pretty synthetic holding the armour piercing crossbow.

"Stay wif us."

I wondered how long 'stay' would entail. And if it involved being buried in the wall.

"Let's talk some more then," I suggested calmly. I looked around at the comfortable furniture.

LilyBell looked at me and for a moment, her eyes flashed red, but only for an instant.

We sat down.

We were quiet.

We watched television.

"Fruity oaty," remarked Lily when the commercial came on. She giggled and watched the screen.

"I got pictures," she offered. The good hostess.

I took the opportunity to continue my questioning, "Now this word....zahir... how did Ardra use this word?"

"It me," she hissed. "Don't tell nobody or them think you mad. Soon you not know what am real... fing of nuffing else. Got to gots it and put it in the place for power."

"You are to get this 'zahir' and put it in place?" I asked.

Without another word, Lily handed me a photograph of the interior of the heighliner. It showed the control panel. A mainframe hovering nearby. Activated screens. And Lily in the foreground, walking or possibly dancing. Moving at least.

"It goes here....?" I prompted.

"Maybe I show you what you want." She mused as she looked at me, "Don't know. Miss Mercedes say I see it soon or somefing."

"Tell me," I asked, "do you like Miss Mercedes?"

"Say her, ma ma." she replied then she added, "Mindo shooted himself."

"I heard that," I acknowledged.

"Not got nobody," she elaborated, "Made only..this one just bad."

Then she whispered, "Pax."

"Anyway," she continued conversationally, "Like her ...her seem nice. Say 'ma ma ma' and give spice. Her not really nice ...gots ...well, you know."

I smiled. I had seen the offices of Mercedes Celestalis. Nothing good lurked there.

The door unlocked with a click.

Taking the opportunity I stood up, "Well Lily, I should go ..."

Without actually diving for the exit, I left the room.

"Take care Deputy," I called out.

As the door swung shut, I could hear her talking.

"Miss Ardra... Miss Pepper nice."

-----

"Away with us he's going,
The solemn-eyed:
He'll hear no more the lowing
Of the calves on the warm hillside
Or the kettle on the hob
Sing peace into his breast,
Or see the brown mice bob
Round and round the oatmeal-chest."
- William Butler Yeates, "The Stolen Child"

1010001

May 30 - Destiny, Hale's Moon

"On two occasions I have been asked, 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' In one case a member of the Upper, and in the other a member of the Lower House put this question. I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." - Charles Babbage

-----

This place really needed a new sign.

From all outward appearances, Alliance Lab 81 had fallen on hard times.

Two operating rooms. One reaver cage. All collected in what amounted to a store front in a refugee colony.

A far cry from the revamped facilities on Caliban, before the fire and subsequent decommissioning.

I walked directly to the far wall. I ran my finger tips along the edges of the bulletin board, gently probing.

The wall slid away with a satisfied hiss, revealing a pristine blue corridor.

Just as 'he' said it would.

The mainframe was in one of the side chambers. Smuggled off Zenobia during the upheaval that followed the Aberdeen Incident, it ended up here.

However, there would be no covert mission to reacquire the mainframe and risk an interplanetary incident.

No messy bribes and the owing of favours to unsavory characters.

No.

Because sometimes it is best to let things take their natural course.

-----

"Hello Hal," I said, addressing one of the two primitive AI's known to be stored within the machine.

The Artificial Intelligence whispered in reply, "Sure, Dave, what's up?"

I started probing.

I tried passwords and simple voice commands.

He answered with mathematical constants, dates and figures.

Nothing useful in return.

I did, however, managed to get him to sing.

"Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do."

It was erratic, odd, very ....

The AI suddenly sprung to life.

"Strange Quarks is one of the six quarks that compose subnuclear material. Ultradense macroscopic clumps of the strange quarks passing thru a planet would not be detectable by interactions other than their gravitational wake which would register on seismographs....."

Quantum physics. I pressed the line of questioning.

"Alpha Magnetic Spectometer," I said.

Nothing.

"Cosmic Ray Detection."

Silence.

Again another series of words and phrases, but no further response forthcoming.

Finally, as I am inclined to do when interviewing a person, I repeated what he had said to me, word for word.

"Strange Quarks is one of the six quarks that compose subnuclear material...."

Hal began to chatter.

"Strange Quarks is one of the six quarks that compose subnuclear material. Ultradense macroscopic clumps....

"Strange Quarks is one of the six quarks that compose subnuclear material. Ultradense macroscopic clumps....

"Twinned seismic events are seismic events recorded on opposite sides of a planet several seconds apart....

"Certain twinned seismic events have been classified....

"Strange Quarks is one of the six quarks that compose subnuclear material. Ultradense macroscopic clumps...."

I echoed the AI. Feeding him his own data.

Like two throat singers, we chanted back and forth.

I was his partner. Intoning his lyrics. Matching his rhythm.

"Twinned seismic events are seismic events..." I sang.

"Twinned seismic events are seismic events recorded on opposite sides of a planet several seconds apart....

"Certain twinned seismic events have been classified....

"Certain twinned seismic events have been classified....

"Twinned seismic events are seismic events recorded on opposite sides of a planet several seconds apart.....

"Certain twinned seismic events have been classified...."

And then, at last, having traced the patterns of his thoughts, I said a single word.

Files began to download.