Beaumonde

September 11 - Beaumonde

"Amidst the wilds of Tartary and Russia, although he still evaded me, I have ever followed in his track." - Mary Shelley

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Beaumonde, the capital of the Kalidasa system.

I arrived well into the night, local time, landing at Atoll Plaza.

Despite the lateness of the hour, I found an open coffee shop in the commercial district. I then began my preliminary survey.

Like any developed world, Beaumonde had it's fair share of industry, with all the attendant benefits and concerns. Safe chemical storage, for example. When were these tanks last inspected?

Overall, the city seemed well managed. In the lower city, the streets were well laid out and free of refuse. A large docking area and plenty of warehouse space...

..and even in the most remote alleyways, signs of a police presence.

In the upper city, corporate offices, financial and legal institutions surrounded well-manicured public spaces, and bordered the residential district of the wealthy and powerful.

The courthouse alone was worth the trip. Steeped in tradition and adorned with the emblems of state, an enduring symbol of the human aspiration to build and maintain a just society.

If William Faith did spend any length of time on Beaumonde, there would be an indication. Someone would have seen him. Something would be altered by his passing. Something would be ...displaced.

But while I found no sign of him or of Faith Industries on this initial visit, I felt confident that it was only a matter of time before we picked up his trail.

Here or elsewhere.

It was inevitable.