Migou Ceriaptrix

June 10

"The general who is skilled in defense hides in the most secret recesses of the earth" - Sun Tzu

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A communication arrived from Major Muircastle, UAP Monitor for the Mu Draconis sector. An image and transcript. The scene was the main reception hall of House Zenobia, on the planet Araxes.

Light from the twin suns filtered through the deep champagne coloured window panes, bathing the stone walls. In the center of the hall, covering the floor mosaic, squatted a Navigator's tank.

Within the vessel, partly obscured by a cloud of spice, moved the figure of the Navigator Migou Ceriaptrix of the Spatium-Tempus Navigantium Corpus. The figure was mutated beyond recognition, covered with spines and chitinous armour plate. It had grown too many appendages, each ending with two long, thin claws.

The creature was accompanied by a drone, no doubt to do all the tasks that may require hands.

Facing the Navigator was Major Aodhfionn Muircastle, his uniform looking pressed and crisp despite the oppressive heat. Military discipline at its finest.

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- Transcript begins. -

Major Muircastle stood formally. "Navigator," he said.

"Major," acknowledged the Navigator.

"To what do I owe the honor of a visit from the Space Navigators?"

"One of our navigator's went missing at 2200 June 8th," said Migou.

"Did your systems go offline at that time?" asked the Major.

"Correct," answered the Navigator, "our systems went offline for almost an hour."

"Ours also," said Major Muircastle, "I am afraid I can't provide you with anything helpful in that regard other than to corroborate the timeline."

Migou pressed on. "We understand that Ardra Aurotharius is a person of interest to your government."

Major Muircastle was undeterred. "That is not my division, I am merely a monitor officer. You would be better to speak to Major Pepper Siamendes. She is with the Special Investigations Unit."

"Is she currently in the Mu Draco system?" asked the Navigator.

"Yes, she is," said the Major with conviction, "currently on the Jadeist situation." This was, of course, a misdirection. I had left the system two days before.

Migou continued. "Where was Major Siamendes during your system shutdown?"

Major Muircastle gave a standard response. "All UAP personnel were in lockdown as per standard protocols during a systems blackout. Any UAP personnel will corroborate that." He was effectively circling the wagons.

"Your flight logs," said the Navigator.

"All systems were offline," said the Major, "all flights were grounded until the systems came back online."

Migou Ceriaptrix then took a different approach. "We have evidence of a Taurean ship flown during near the Terminus." The Navigator projected an image of Lily's ship. "That is a civilian vessel," Migou added, "not one of ours."

"You have any other information about this?" asked the Major helpfully.

"Blue Sun Single Seeded Genetic Construct 041295 has a long running interest in Navigator Aurotharius," the Navigator replied.

"Miss Noodle."

"As she is known, yes," said Migou.

"We have been monitoring Miss Noodle since 3rd June 2010," said Major Muircastle, "since she scared a couple of school children at a former post of mine. She has people in Blue Sun and UAP intel covering for her."

Migou Ceriaptrix continued. "The Genetic Construct was the last person to contact Navigator Aurotharius before the system outage."

"We are not authorized for law enforcement in this jurisdiction," said the Major, "and we are not bounty hunters. I can speak to Major Siamendes, but she can't investigate with any police powers locally. She would have to cooperate with local law enforcement."

"That would suit our needs," replied the Navigator, "We want the return of our navigator and a subpoena for the GC."

Major Muircastle continued, "Major Siamendes is not under my command and she has a full billet of cases, but I will see if she is willing to take this on."

"That is a weak answer, Major," accused the Navigator.

"I would not want to give you a strong answer that is untrue," replied the Major, "I am sure we will be able to find something of use to the Corpus."

"I think we understand each other," said Migou.

"Thank you for visiting, Navigator."

"Your sentiments are noted, Major."

- End of transcript. -