IV. Observations from a Distance

September 19 - Zenobia

It wasn't even a week before the Marauders made their move, striking at a purely civilian target. A ship transporting nuns and orphans. Can't get more civilian than that. Well, maybe if there were puppies too...

Any sympathy the Marauders hoped to engender should evaporate over this. Any supporters they might have will likely start distancing themselves, realizing that this sort of criminal act can only hurt their own interests.

I had already left the Mu Draconis system when I heard. The news report read as follows:

Marauders Attack Al Raqis Passenger Transport Al Raqis Raconteur

SPLINTERED ROCK, Al Raqis - The quiet still of the SR landing pad area was shattered as a transport carrying missionaries was blasted out of the sky by hidden marauder Anti Aircraft guns; The only survivor of the horrible attack was the pilot, who seems to have taken a nasty head injury and lost his memory.

The marauders shortly issued this statement:

"We will smite the invaders from our skies. There will be more in the days to come. We are here. We will not be ignored. We will win. We are the Marauders. Expect us."

[ http://cortexnewsservice.com/2010/09/19/marauders-attack-al-raqis-passenger-transport.aspx?ref=rss ]

Note: Copy filed.

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September 22

A message from Lynx arrived three days later. It was good to see he was keeping his eyes open.

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"Major, I am sorry I was not here when you arrived here recently. I was away with tracking down some additional cargo which was mishandled. Everything was sorted out and the paperwork sent to the ambassador. However there has been some unusual markings. Large painted red hand prints on the side of two buildings of note.

"I am unsure if you were aware of the situation. It appears to have to do with the native population and outworlders.

"I made note of the particular buildings so decorated. The Orion guild house and Tri V. I made a careful search of the buildings within our care and have found nothing amiss. I felt you should be informed in case of a potential problem. I will keep you informed of any further developments."

Message ends.

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September 24

By the end of the week, the Doctor's promised analysis arrived.

**Begin Comms**

Communication to Major Pepper Siamendes UAP SIU from Doctor Qui Von Wer Foreman Serendipity, secured channel:

"Dear Major Siamendes, I did some preliminary analysis on the "Replicant Elixir" you gave to me. There is a topical version and another version with a security patch of some sort. Toxic to human, consumable by Replicants. I have some ideas as to its function, I think it blocks signals of some sort. I know someone that can give you more information, he is a bartender by the name of Nack Barnes. His name is on the bottle, it came from his bar, "Firefly's".

**End Comms**

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Mercedes had given me this bottle to discover why Blue Sun was manufacturing a substance known as Replicant Elixir. Was it really nothing more than... android beer?