Boros (Part Two)

April 3 - Boros

I was shown to a small wooden gazebo, perched at the edge of the lake. My boots sounded heavy on the wooden planks. The creaking of my leather armour sounded coarse in contrast to the delicate sound of wind chimes.

I did not have long to wait.

Calina Tereshchenko made her way to the gazebo with a small basket in hand. A flask full of tea, snacks and other sundries.

"Hello Miss Tereshchenko," I smiled.

"Ni hao, Major," she said, "Welcome to House Shanjian. May I offer you something to drink?"

"Yes please," I said. "I feel.... overdressed," I confessed.

Calina grinned, "I hope that you will find it as peaceful as we do. Aside from some local trouble when we first arrived, the House has largely been undisturbed." She set the basket down and prepared two cups of tea. "There are some biscuits, cookies, local fruit... the apple trees just became ready for harvest a few days ago."

"Ah splendid," I replied.

"We try to be self-sufficient here," she continued, "as much as possible." She offered me a cup of tea with the words, "May your journeys be peaceful," then she picked up her own.

"Thank you," I said, taking the cup, warm in the cool night air. "I was asked to contact you," I began, "to help you prepare for your talks on Al Raqis. I do have some papers..." I offered her a collection of documents sent through diplomatic channels including one from some official in the federationist movement. "...it would seem that the request for extradition was refused," I added.

"Wonderful. Thank you," she said as she took the papers, "I have sent an invitation to the Ambassador and his... her... Superior. I will find that out before I meet with them... but they have not responded to my invitation to meet at the Shanjian House on Al Raqis as of yet."

I nodded, "It would seem that there are a number of groups operating on Al Raqis that claim to be part of this federation."

Calina read over the documents, "Interesting... did the Magistrate, Lady Rashad or the Orion Advocate have a response?"

"I am not party to that information, I am afraid," I replied, "I am only loosely connected to the Zenobian Embassy... in an advisory capacity. Most of my dealings on Al Raqis are on UAP business."

"Just as well, to be honest," she replied, "Politics is an amazingly gray area. Who is actually in power, pulling the strings and directing the chess pieces is sometimes not clear. And the reasons behind for certain moves or associations do not make sense. I would imagine military life to be somewhat clear - this is your order. You follow it."

"Yes," I concurred, "and unlike politics, one usually knows who your enemies are."

The Companion chuckled, "Very true."

"It is possible," I offered, "that the group that formed an alliance with the USD are not the same command chain as Lt. Ravenheart. When you begin talks with these people, you may want to keep that in mind."

"A rogue group? Or just that she was not aware of the connection with USD?"

"They could be operating as part of a multi-prong incursion," I suggested, "Operating independently even." I gave a little smile, "Too early to know."

"Major," began the Companion, "if I may speak frankly, this entire incursion seems to have something else behind it. Since the attack on the refineries, the Orions have very quickly gained a foothold in local politics the likes I have never seen for an off-worlder. I have occasionally wondered to what end their purposes are...."

I nodded, "That could be."

"...and why they chose to bring their problems with this federation to Al Raqis," she added.

"Well, like you said...a chess game."

Calina continued, "And why the desert-born have not risen up in greater numbers to expel all the off-worlders. It is a marked change from when I arrived and after BriAria tried to poison Lord Faith... they were much more controlling of off-worlder movements."

"Perhaps they have weakened," I suggested, "or perhaps they are keeping their forces in reserve."

"It will eventually move into a very dangerous end-game," she said.

I paused for a moment. It was always possible that this conflict would spread beyond the Mu Draco system. "I would have to agree," I said.

The Companion picked through her basket and pulled out a cookie, "Have you had much contact with USD?"

"I have spoken with Lt. Colonel John Collins on a number of occassions in the course of my investigations."

Calina nodded, "It may be good to speak with him as well. Have you spoken to him since the hostilities started?"

"Just last month in fact."

"And the Myrmidons," she continued, "Other than a military force, I am not sure how they fit into this. Did he have any information or opinions? Opinions can sometimes be just as useful as the facts."

"It would seem that they have strong ties with House Morloch," I offered.

"Yes, they do," she agreed, "I attended an event and Lord and Lady Rashad of House Morloch were guests."

I took a sip of my tea. Some things needed to be said. "If things go from bad to worse," I began, "and the UAP decides to offer evacuation to its citizens ...this of course, includes you and your staff as well as House Zenobia and House Bondar."

"House Bondar?" asked Calina, "I was not aware that Lady Bondar was a UAP citizen. Then again, where she is from never came up in our few conversations."

I honestly did not know either way. Brazen Bondar did a great deal of trade in the 34 Tauri system in the past. Perhaps she had connections with some one in the foreign office.

"Have you spoken to Tillery?" asked Calina, "He has interests on Al Raqis as well and would want to see them protected."

"About this? I have not," I said.

It would be a large evacuation indeed. I could see scores of refugees huddled on the floor of the Trade Association frigate. UAP warships running escort.

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