Osiris

"Typhon being out a hunting by moonlight came upon it, and recognizing the corpse, tore it into fourteen pieces, and scattered them abroad." - Plutarch

-----

To Colonel A_______ M_______

Re: Michala "Mikie" Rhiadra

My lead on Ariel to files concerning the modifications done to Michala Rhiadra pointed me to an asylum on Osiris, where Ms. Rhiadra was held for 10 months after leaving Hale's Moon and prior to her arriving on Shadow.

The facility on Osiris is in the process of being decommissioned. Most patients have already been relocated. A skeleton staff remains until closure takes place. Fortunately, the records of discharged patients have yet to be moved off-site.

The records I have retrieved contain medical information and some case history.

Ms. Rhiadra's file starts about 6 months after the end of the unification war.

She was found critically injured, with multiple fractured bones, and severe burns. There is absolutely no record of her before that. There is a note in her file that her DNA scans did not match any known persons, living or deceased.

Some extremely experimental and highly invasive procedures were used on her at that time. By whom exactly, is unclear.

Both arms and both legs were replaced with bionic components, as were her eyes, and one ear.

She also has a cortical implant that acts as a processor to control the bionic systems as well as manage the nanites that keep her body from rejecting the technology. The cortical implant also makes her programmable with the access to the correct technology.

As she recovered from the original procedure, it was clear she had military training, but no memory at all of where she came from. False childhood memories were implanted into her, though some of the memories corrupted over time.

For example, the medical notes indicate, she remembers the war as a browncoat, though she was originally programmed as an Alliance tactical asset.

Initially very aggressive, she had to be kept sedated between missions to keep her compliant.

During her service, she was assigned to work under different operatives. Covert insertion and target elimination. High risk scenarios, it seems. If she was ever caught, she literally didn't exist.

However, over time she also started developing a mind of her own, possibly her original memories were re-exerting themselves and driving her to act against the Alliance. In time, she disappeared. No details of the disappearance are included in the file except that she was working for General Ascott at that time.

She turned up some time later on Blackburne. From there she went to Hale's Moon, then the mental hospital on Osiris.

Cross checking with public records, prior to admission to the hospital, an attempt was made at asset reacquisition while Ms. Rhiadra was a resident of Hale's Moon. The venture ended in disaster and disgrace for the Alliance forces involved.

http://cortexnewsservice.com/2008/10/10/rp-hales-moon-resident-wanted-by-alliance.aspx

http://cortexnewsservice.com/2008/10/21/rp-hales-moon-battles-ease.aspx

http://halesmoonherald.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html

The circumstances surrounding admission to, or discharge from the asylum, are unclear, leading me to suspect that the records themselves are incomplete.

As we know, after the stay in hospital, Ms. Rhiadra appeared on Shadow. Public records are very complete after this.

There are no command codes present in the file. It appears that hospital staff did not have access to that information, or it was stored elsewhere. There is, however, a list of drugs used.

Major Pepper Siamendes, SIU

-----

To Major Pepper Siamendes

Re: Michala "Mikie" Rhiadra

Chipheaded Anthrocytic Cyborgs are a rare find. Especially since anthrocytes in their bloodstream have a short lifespan, up to 5 years in the recent models. Liberal application of stasis can extend that. I doubt there are street level suppliers of anthrocytes. The latest I was updated, they were custom made for each subject.

Some of the symptoms you are describing are consistent with implanted memories. Is it possible that she had a "Rekall" process? In addition to Rekall, Replacement Technologies had a similar memory overwrite process. Somewhere out there, there might be a syncording of Rhiadra's original memories, neural pathways and mental states. That is assuming she was a volunteer, otherwise it may have been a one way street and there would be no backup.

It makes me wonder if they actually intended to execute Rhiadra or just rewrite and reassign her.

Commander and General Faith appear to have her chiphead control codes. I will see if I can find some resources who can change the access codes. Is the activation electronic, verbal or other?

Until the control codes can be changed, blocking the signals can prevent her being used against us. Hopefully they are not planning on having her self terminate and are arrogantly expecting to still be able to utilize her.

I have a report stating that a Buddhist monk by the name of Cursa Charisma had some success with sorting through implanted memories. Maybe he might be willing to lend a hand.

Westminster knows a bit about brain implants, her senior project was the recreation of Doctor José Delgado's early work with cats, dogs, pigs, bulls and chimpanzees. Doctor Delgado was the father of brain implant technology from the 20th century.

Biomedical engineer Miya Wingtips might know something about the cyborg technology or even the anthrocytes. She operates out of Lab 81.

Good follow up.

Colonel A_______ M_______, Special Projects

-----

[ooc - Thank you Mikie!]

Six of Coins (Part Three)

July 4 - In transit on board the "Relentless"

I had to work later than I anticipated. As a result, Ceasar and I had to postpone our dinner plans.

There were a few developments on a number of cases that required my attention.

Our suspect in the Wirefly murder, Svetlana Pleides, had been arrested on Botany Bay by the local authorities for fomenting a slave revolt and for public mischief. This was an added complication, but it was too early to tell if it would work in our favour or not.

Meanwhile, an extensive autopsy on Wirefly yielded a surprising result. There was no sign of atrophy of the muscles in the legs. There were no injuries or abnormalities in the spine, hips, or lower limbs. In fact, there was no medical evidence whatsoever to suggest that Dr. Wirefly even needed his wheelchair.

-----

Our monitoring station in the Mu Draconis system intercepted the following chatter:

"The Space Navigators Guild offers Draconis Desert Spice for the authentic ALEPh sample. Water for information leading to its retrieval."

First, Ardra had sent Lily on a quest for the Zahir. And now she has put the word out for the Aleph.

These are the titles of two of the books Ceasar and I found on the Colchester. The objects, as described in the stories, each had an effect on human consciousness.

The Aleph elicits a panoramic view. A widening of vision to include all time and space.

The Zahir elicits obsession. A narrowing, or focusing of attention to the exclusion of everything else.

Expansion and Contraction. Fundamental principles.

-----

And something the Colonel had said when we met at the lighthouse gave me an idea for a password to another of Wylder's encrypted files. Sure enough, once settled alone on board my ship, one word and the third disk opened. Another piece in the puzzle.

This file dealt with an alternate theory of consciousness first suggested in the late twentieth century that the Colonel referred to when we met at the Lighthouse.

It is suggested that the human brain processes on a quantum level. The neural micro-tubules being the likely structure to support this process.

It reminded me of something Ardra had mentioned months ago. She was offering items that she thought I could use to coax Krenshar to release the raw mining data from the HAL mainframe.

"I am also in possession of quantum sensitive neural micro-tubules," she had said, "which would advance his (Krenshar's) project."

Ardra was missing the Aleph, whatever that was, but she had neural micro-tubules to spare.

Old Flame

July 3 - Spinwheel City, Paquin

"I recognize the signs of the old flame." - The Aeneid, Book IV, 23.

-----

The elevator tube deposited me on the first floor with a satisfied hum.

The apartment building was in the downtown core of Spinwheel City. The units were small, as far as apartments go. But what they lacked in size, they more than made up for in location.

I knocked gently on the door.

No going back now.

"Coming," called a muffled voice.

The door swung open.

"Pepper!" It was Ceasar. Standing in the doorway. Barefoot. No shirt.

"Uh, come in..." he invited.

I smiled, "Hi Ceasar."

He stepped aside to allow me entry.

"Let me go put a shirt on," he asked.

"I brought pizza and champagne," I said. It sounded ridiculous. What was I thinking?

"Celebrating?" he asked.

"Your new career," I explained as he excused himself and moved quickly to his bedroom.

I placed my gifts on the table and wandered over to the kitchen area to look for glasses.

"Great view you have here," I called out as I peered out the window.

"Thanks," he replied from the other room.

I selected two fluted glasses from the cupboard. Rinsed and dried them quickly.

"So have you settled in?" I asked.

"Just about," he called, "Didn't know you were on Paquin."

"Yes, I had to stop in at the UAP offices here."

"And they are in the neighborhood," he replied stepping out of the bedroom.

He wore a white, form fitting shirt that complimented his muscular frame. Broad shoulders. Sculptured arms.

"So odd to see you out of uniform," he remarked.

"Well," I smiled "it's odd to see you on land."

"Sorry about how I looked when you got here," he said, "It's my day off, so..."

I shrugged. "Hey ... it's okay. Nothing I haven't seen before," I added playfully. Granted, that was a while ago.

Ceasar smiled, "You look gorgeous. I mean..."

"Thank you," I replied graciously.

He blushed a little.

"So tell me about your new job..." I said steering us back into safe territory.

"About what you expect," he replied, "though easier here."

"Good."

"Have a seat," he offered.

I thanked him and sat down.

"How's your case coming a long?" he asked as he joined me at the table.

I slipped off my jacket.

"Good, good.. you were right by the way."

Ceasar took a sip of the champagne, nodding as he enjoyed the taste. "I was?" he asked.

"The containment cases on the Colchester," I explained, "NOT toilet paper and coffee."

He chuckled. "Usually wouldn't be if that well hidden."

There was a pause in the conversation. The sounds of traffic drifted into the apartment from the streets below. People going about the business of living their lives. Somewhere, in the distance, I could hear a siren.

"I love this floor... " I said quietly.

"Yeah, I missed seeing wood."

"So," I said suddenly, "before I forget: one piece of business."

"Yes?"

"As you are the new chief of police here..." I began.

"Well," Ceasar clarified, "captain for the Spinwheel district. It's a planetary force, but I am in charge in the city."

"Perfect," I replied.

"For me it is," he said as he helped himself to the pizza.

I continued, "There has been a Stay of Execution of Judgment Order issued for Matthew Swashbuckler and Mikie Rhiadra, the people convicted in the Aberdeen bombing incident. As part of the conditions of the order they have to appear before a judge."

"I'd heard. We're already working on increasing the security."

"Oh good," I answered, "I just wanted to give you the heads up myself."

"Anything with security goes through me in Spinwheel."

"This is your yard," I agreed, "So anything you need..."

"I'll let you know," he answered, "But we should be in good shape."

"We will have the usual undercover people around," I added, "You know the drill."

"Oh yeah," he replied, "though give us a heads up so we know who we can rely on."

"Well then," I smiled, "with business out of the way..." I reached for my champagne. "...let's toast your new career and your new place!" I held my glass high. "Congratulations!"

Ceasar grinned and acknowledged the toast with his glass. "Thank you very much." He added, "You're actually the first guest here since I moved back."

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah. I haven't been back that long," he said by way of explanation.

I looked around the room. I was starting to relax. "It's quite nice..."

"Yeah, and close to work. The courthouse is just around the corner."

"When I'm in town, I'll be just over there." I pointed to the UAP building behind the courthouse.

How pleasant it must be to live here. Walk to the office in the morning. Work at a desk. Cool evenings in the park. City lights. Music from the concert hall.

"I hope they have a place to bunk there," he remarked.

I blinked. "Oh!...I usually just stay on the Relentless and shuttle down..."

"Huh," he replied, "Not that comfortable, really."

I reached for a slice of pizza and said nothing at first. Was he actually suggesting something? Or was I projecting my fantasy onto his innocent remarks?

"True," I said, testing the water.

Ceasar was watching me closely, smiling a bit.

"...and all that time commuting," I ventured.

"Mm-hmm," he agreed.

I took a bite of my pizza trying to hide the little smile that threatened to betray me.

Ceasar leaned forward onto his elbows, his smile turning into a grin. "It's so cute when you try to be coy," he made his pronouncement.

I laughed. "Drink your champagne."

Ceasar chuckled and took a sip, keeping his eyes on me at all times. "Yes ma'am."

"So I have some work to do at the office... what time are you done?"

"I'm free all day today," he replied, "Even the police need some downtime."

Right. Right. He already said he was off today.

"Nice," I pressed onwards, "Well, if I get done early, can you show me around downtown?"

"Sure, there's a new restaurant that opened too."

"Oh wonderful," I said truthfully, "it will make a nice change."

Ceasar concurred. "Anything makes a nice change from rations."

"Once I'm done on Paquin, I'm heading out Mu Draconis way...."

Ceasar flinched a little. "That's a long trip. Be careful there."

"The governing House of Zenobia has a formal presentation before the Magistrate of Al Raqis and I'm acting security consultant," I explained. A calculated move no doubt to have a UAP officer in that role. It won't go unnoticed.

"You may have your work cut out there," remarked Ceasar.

"Yes," I agreed, "More intrigue than water."

Ceasar smiled, "Not hard to do there."

"I will combine the trip with Alliance business of course...

"Of course," he understood.

"...but it is quite a long trip."

"I don't envy you that," he remarked, "Did you know Al Raqis has an embassy here now?"

"Oh, I did not," I admitted, "that's handy." May speed up any paperwork.

"Woodhen helped arrange it. Heard he's getting an expanded warehouse in Al Raqis City for it."

"A powerful man, our Mr. Woodhen," I observed.

"Oh, I know." replied Ceasar, "He's the one who owns that new restaurant. His house is near it, in fact. Not to mention the tower down the street."

I finished the champagne and gently set my glass on the kitchen table. "Well, I should head to the office."

"Okay," he said, "It was... really good to see you."

I stood up and put on my jacket "Yes," I said with a smile, "for me too."

Ceasar stood steady, keeping his arms to his sides. I touched his wrist gently with the tips of my fingers.

"See you when I get off?" I asked quietly.

"Definitely," he replied firmly.

I smiled and slowly withdrew my hand. "Okay," I said softly, "Bye bye." I made my way to the door.

Ceasar followed.

"Bye... Pepper."

Just outside the door, I turned.

"..bye," I said again, somewhat shyly.

Tea with a Companion

July 2 - Eavesdown Docks

"Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobody's around--nobody big, I mean--except me. And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff--I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be. I know it's crazy." - J.D. Salinger, "Catcher in the Rye"

-----

**Private channel communication**

"Hello Miss Tereshchenko, this is Major Siamendes. Will my gown be ready soon?"

Calina Tereshchenko answered, "It is ready now if you are nearby."

"Excellent," I replied, "I am on approach to Persephone."

"We will see you soon!" she promised.

-----

"Matthew!"

Sentry Swashbuckler looked up, "Oh, hey there."

I was just stepping out of the Port Authority building on Eavesdown Docks when Sentry passed by.

"Nice to bump into you," I said with a smile.

"Likewise," he smiled back, "Keeping busy, I hope?"

"I'm on my way to meet someone," I remarked, "Do you know Ms. Tereshchenko?"

"Miss Calina?" he asked "Yes, she's a very well known resident here. Did you need directions to her Tea House?"

"Would you care to join me?" I countered.

Sentry nodded, "Would be happy to."

"Excellent," I said, "What are those syringes on your leg?"

He looked down, "Stim and antibiotic concoction for emergency use. Been asked to be available for medical emergencies if needed on the Docks."

"Ah very good," I grinned impishly, "So you are a medic as well as a mechanic .... and a lawyer."

He laughed, "Not as much lawyer as just being logical. That's really all it is, far as I think." He looked directly at me. "Not unlike yourself."

I shrugged, "I am just an investigator. I was lucky to have found a job I am good at."

"Shall we head to Miss Calina's?" he asked

"Yes please."

We set off through the winding alleyways on Eavesdown Docks. A shortcut, Sentry called it. I swear, I still don't know the direct route to Calina Tereshchenko's residence.

"And here we are...." he said. We came to a halt next to the tea shop.

"Wonderful, thank you for being my guide."

Sentry nodded, "Always my pleasure. I'm sure we will be seeing each other again soon."

I could hear Jade's voice drifting down the alley. "I don't understand you loving me like a sister and... I have never had a friend before. No, not true, There was Billy, He was another moon baby I use to work with sometimes scouting gas holes in the mines with. But he ...he got careless one day and got blown up."

I addressed Sentry, "You don't have to run off... I am simply picking up an item."

"Wish I could stay," he replied "but I have to get things checked on.... Brooke is unavailable for a few weeks, so I'm helping where I can."

"Very well, " I smiled and gave a quick nod, "Thank you again Matthew."

"Take care Maj.... I mean, Pepper," he said returning the smile.

----

"Hello..." I called out.

Down the passage close to the dressmaker's shop, Calina and Jade stood talking.

"Major!" answered Calina, "Good to see you! I got your message and your dress is ready. I hope your trip to Persephone was uneventful."

"Yes, thank you."

Jade blinked and stepped back behind Ms. Calina but gives a small curtsy.

Calina looked over her shoulder, "Jade, Pepper isn't going to hurt you or haul you away. Come inside and we will get the dress boxed up."

Jade nodded but waited for us to go inside first.

I could see my gown hanging by the window. Glorious red satin. Magnificent. The other dresses in the room paled by comparison. I am sure my enthusiasm for my new acquisition must have shown.

Calina smiled as she lifts the gown from the nearby rack and draped it over her arm, "I think it came out beautifully."

"It looks beautiful," I agreed, "Did the alterations take long?"

Calina shook her head "I don't think so. Jade did most of them."

I turned to the young albino woman, "Thank you Jade."

"Yurelcome," squeaked Jade. She blushed.

Calina chuckled as she gingerly folded my dress in tissue paper and placed it in a large white box, "I'll be sure to send Jai the bill."

I let out a breath. "That is generous of the Consulari," I confessed.

"She sent a coffee set that I have yet to set up," added the Companion.

"The last time I was here you mentioned that there had been some trouble recently..."

Calina nodded, "I was held up at gun point and the tea house robbed. One of the two robbers has shot at me twice. Marshall Ishtari has been by to interview me twice."

"And has the Sheriff or the Marshall been successful in apprehending those responsible?" I asked.

"No, they have not," answered Calina, "They are a part of this gang run by a Dan McMahon. The Marshall implied that someone I know may have tipped them off since she used to work for McMahon. She is first mate on Raivenn now. That is just shy of crazy talk and I nearly told him so."

"So any idea as to the motive of those involved?" I continued.

"One of the robbers mentioned spice. I had some in the safe. At the time, spice was hard to come by due to the refinery fire."

"Ah," I remarked, "and is that what they took?"

"That, rare coffees and tea, and all the paper credits and some platinum I had on hand... total value was over 10,000 credits. I guess - some of them really cannot be priced accurately."

"Is the tea house repaired?" I asked.

"Finally. The upstairs still needs some work."

"I'd love to see it."

She nodded and smiled, "Follow me."

-----

Calina and I walked to the building next door. A rough exterior perhaps but inside warm and welcoming.

Plush cushions surrounded a low table. Rich drapery graced the walls. A golden Buddha sat serenely in one corner. It was as relaxing as any place I have seen a Companion call her own.

She explained the sign. "'Tongdu' means Unification and Independence... I thought it was a great name... appropriate for Persephone."

"Yes. It is very pleasant." I spoke of the tea house as a whole.

"They blew out the door of the safe upstairs," she reported, "but left the gold Buddha alone."

"Fortunate," I remarked.

"There was another matter that I wanted to mention," I began, "and perhaps it is best now that Jade is still in the dress shop. Sometime ago my ward, Lynx, was shot here on the Docks..."

Calina looked over at me, her brow lightly furrowed "Yes, I remember."

"He is fine now, thankfully," I added.

"Yes," she remarked, "I saw him on Al Raqis."

I continued, "At that time he gave me some information, that albinos like Jade were being used in the illegal organ trade as mules. It is possible that the person that shot Lynx realized that he had that information. I wanted to speak with Jade about the matter ... but she is rather nervous around me."

Calina Tereshchenko knelt down at the table. "Excuse me," she said, "I need to sit down."

"Of course," I replied and took a seat on the cushion opposite her.

She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, "Jade is... determined to go. She believes she is helping her town."

"Go on," I prompted.

Calina finally opened her eyes, her words measured and precise, "From what she said, a Dr. Collins - who used to be a physician to some parliament members - stated her physiology was perfect to raise new organs. They promised her an education at a school in the Core. For a girl from a dirt poor mining moon... it must be a dream."

I tightened my lips as I listened. So often are people lured into danger with the promise of delights. It is a crime itself. A despoiling of dreams.

"They sent her here," she continued, "and when she was attempting to change boats, she was robbed. We were talking about the return of her bag when you came in last time."

"So is she carrying ... organs, I mean?" I inquired.

"Her own organs," replied Calina, "As best as I understand - they will take hers out - grow a new set for someone who can afford it - and they are supposed to put them back."

"Things like that rarely end well...." I sighed. "Any information on these criminals.... on this Dr. Collins as he is called.... it would help shut their operation down."

Coffee thieves. Gangsters. That was a matter best left for local law. Organ trafficking with links to Parliament, this perhaps I could help with.

Calina started to pick at the placemat, "I agree. I sent a wave to my father. He was the General Counsel to Parliament. He did not respond to my question as to who Dr. Collins was. I am not convinced they will do what they will say.... but just keep her in the hospital and pumping out organs."

My mood darkened at the image.

"Yes.... well, sometimes an investigation is more successful when not confronted head on. Instead of trying to find this Dr. Collins ... let's see... hmm, where was Jade supposed to go?"

Calina chuckled "I didn't say why I was asking... only that his name came up in a conversation."

"Of course," I replied, "I am thinking out loud."

"She doesn't know," replied Calina, "It was written on a note in her pack. She hasn't shown me that since it was returned. Jade cannot read. I assume it is either Osiris - a number of Parliamentarians live there and major medical research facilities at the university or Ariel - hospitals."

I nodded. "A note...do you recall the type of paper? handwritten or printed?"

"I've never seen the note," she replied.

"And this was the bag that was stolen..."

Calina reached forward and poured two cups of tea. A civilized thing to do. Sensible with a topic so stressful. "Yes. But it was returned with as far as I know all the contents inside. She only showed me some photos of home. And her music player - she was very excited to get that back."

"Where is her home?"

"An out of the way mining moon I had not heard of. Past St. Albans."

I smiled warmly, a genuine attempt to be comforting. "She seems like a sweet girl. She is lucky to have found a friend in you."

"She is darling... sweet, kind... a view of the world that is amazing," she smiled and nodded, sighing again, "Thank you."

"Was the note inside the bag before it was taken?" I asked, returning to my inquiry.

"Yes," replied Calina, "she said it was in a box that held her credits to pay for another passage. It had the name of the boat she was to find. I've since put the credits in the bank for safe keeping."

"And the name of that boat?"

"Again," she answered, "I don't know. Jade can't read and I haven't seen this note."

I nodded and reached for my green tea. "Who took the bag? Do we know?"

Calina twisted her cup back and forth in her hands, staring into it, "Another passenger. She fell. He swooped in behind her and ran off with it."

"How was it returned?"

The Companion sipped her tea, only stating, "It was at the boutique one day."

"It is possible that the other passenger read the note...." I mused.

"That's true," she replied.

"So let's back this up," I reviewed, "Dr. Collins tries to lure Jade with all sorts of promises if she will carry organs for him. We don't know how she was first contacted."

"That's right," she answered, "I do not know. Perhaps on some sort of medical mission... there to care for the miners and communities."

"She had a note with what? instructions? She kept it in her bag."

"Yes, she said she did."

"...and she still seems intent on seeing this through," I repeated.

"They told her that by doing this, she pays the town debt - for the equipment they need to start a farming community above ground. So, to my mind... there is someone else... who set the whole deal up."

"And if there was another means of paying to town debt she wouldn't have to go through with this," I suggested.

"Yes, I believe so," she replied.

"How much is the town debt? Do we know?"

Calina shook her head, "No idea."

"I am sure you are right," I remarked, "there is a broker somewhere...middlemen, what have you."

As I sipped my tea, I paused to consider the shape and texture of the situation Jade had found herself in. The scent of the possibilities.

"I will look into the matter," I said finally. "Meanwhile if that note surfaces.... that would be useful to see."

I set my cup down.

Calina smiled with relief, "Thank you, Major. I appreciate any assistance... on behalf of Jade."

"Well," I smiled as I rose from my cushion, "now that I have found a seamstress, I don't want to lose her."

Calina chuckled as she stood up.

"Thank you for the tea, Miss Tereshchenko."

"Anytime, Major. Please feel free to stop in when you are on Persephone."

"Thank you, I will. Please contact me if you hear of anything more."

Pleasantries exchanged, I gathered up my package and stepped out into the evening air.

I could hear Jade in the building next door as I walked away. "Iskrin! You bite at your sisters feet one more time and I will tie your little beak closed."