Coffee with Cortex

October 22 - Spinwheel City, Paquin

---



To: Pepper Siamendes, Major, UAP Special Investigations Unit
From: Aodhfionn MacMoragh, Colonel, UAP Special Projects

Reference: Umbrella Hive disaster
Subject: Media pressure.

If it will advance your investigation and get actionable evidence or suspects, use your media contacts.

Please recall the restrictions from the media relations handbook: “Avoid use of media outlets whose modus operandi is to foment dissent in the form of relentless and irrational contrarianism against the Alliance, designed to advance the objective of creating a deliberately misinformed body politic whose fear, anger, mistrust and discontent is the manna on which they sustain their parasitic, succubus like existence.”

Please keep this office informed about the nature of the outcomes.

Aodhfionn MacMoragh
Colonel
Union of Allied Planets, Special Projects
Paquin

---

The warehouse housed a mechanic's shop. The air held the scent of rubber tires, of motor oil and grease. Four vehicles were arrayed along one wall. These were new machines, designs I have not seen on or above the roads.

Half way down the row of vehicles was a man, stripped to the waist with his head under the hood of a car. The muscles of his back and arms tightened as he worked. The hair on his arms and torso was the colour of steel.

It was Tillery Woodhen, CEO of the Cortex News Service and Mayor of Spinwheel City.



Tillery looked up. "Hi Pepper."

"Hello Tillery," I replied.

I watched as he wiped grease from his hands. "I didn't know you tinkered with cars," I remarked.

"It's an old hobby of mine," he explained.

"An impressive fleet," I commented. It was quite a range of vehicles.



"Besides," he continued, "these are prototypes of some cars we plan to sell."

"And you work on them yourself?" I asked. I was honestly impressed.

"I like too." He chuckled, noticing my expression. "I wasn't always an executive."

I laughed gently, "No, of course, I don't suppose you were... but I always imagined you started in journalism."

"Yeah. but unless you own the paper, you don't make much money. I moonlighted as a vehicle mechanic." His hands now clean, Tillery looked around for his shirt. He paused. "Wait, are you in civvies?"

"I was just out for a walk," I said, "enjoying the city."

"I'm just so used to seeing you in uniform," he added.



I chuckled, "And I am used to seeing you in a business suit.. not up to your elbows in grease"

Tillery grinned, "Touche."

"Do you have time for tea?"

"Sure."

"Do you have a favorite spot?" I asked.

"Not really," he replied.



"Somewhere close then," I suggested.

"Well, we can easily drive," he said thoughtfully. "Only place I can think of is the diner near the mall."

I knew the place. Ceasar and I ate there all the time. "That sounds perfect," I said.

Tillery selected a metallic green Speedster Hovercar with an open top. The kind of car people on my salary can only dream of owning.

"Hop in," he called.

---

The seats were pale grey and made from the softest of leather. They were shaped to adapt to the body. The chair sighed as I settled in.

Tillery started the engine with a firm voice command, then with a twist of the wrist deftly maneuvered the machine up and over the other cars. The engine purred softly in response.



---



We glided over the streets of Spinwheel, taking the long way around to fully enjoy the ride. Tillery landed the vehicle by the side of the busy street near the shopping mall.

"Careful," he warned, as I climbed out of the car, "the cabbies around here are insane."

We placed our order at the counter in the diner. I ordered a Cafe au Lait. Tillery ordered a chai.

"Would you prefer to sit outside?" he asked.

"Certainly," I replied.

---

Traffic was brisk this time of day.



We sat ourselves at a small table perched on the sidewalk, on stools hugging the window of the diner. In absence of a proper patio, and on such a busy street, it seemed more an act of defiance than a place to relax.

---

"So what's up?" Tillery began.

"What can you tell me about the Umbrella Corporation?" I asked,

"Not a lot," he replied. "I know they're secretive, but I don't compete with them. I don't do a lot with nanotech and pharmaceuticals."

I nodded and sipped my coffee.

"Why do you ask?" he added.



"I am gathering information," I explained. "There was an industrial accident a short while ago, and the government has an interest."

"Where?"

"At one of their laboratories. Fortunately, not on Paquin."

"Dragon's Egg?" he asked.

"No," I replied. "I am sure that there stock prices would suffer should word of this find there way into the news stream."

Tillery raised an eyebrow, "And you say this to the owner of a cortex network."

"Just two old friends having a coffee and enjoying the pleasant weather... and how about you Tillery? Anything new?"



Tillery would not let it go, "Uh huh, and not hoping to put hints into the press?"

I smiled playfully, "I am sorry, Mr. Woodhen. My department has no comment."

I could see Tillery restrain the urge to roll his eyes. "How have you been outside of work?" he asked instead.

"Oh fine thank you." I took another sip from my coffee. "It is nice to have some time at home."

"You seem to be settling down quite nicely here," he added.

"The climate agrees with me and the beaches are lovely," I said truthfully.

"Have you explored any other part of the planet?"

"Yes, I have ... Dakini Island... Extropia."

"Always feel like Spinwheel is the dowdy older sister to Extropia," he remarked.

"Oh Spinwheel has character," I replied.

"I know," he conceded, "Just a different kind of flash."

I changed the subject. "When does your term for Mayor come up for renewal?"

"Before too long," he replied, "but I haven't heard of any other candidates."

"You should have no trouble getting re-elected," I said.

"Probably not."

I finished my coffee.



"I must be heading back to my office Tillery," I said finally, getting up from my stool, "I am glad to have found you doing well."

"It's good to see you too," he said, "And I'll ask around about Umbrella."

I smiled, "Thank you." With a nod in farewell, I turned away and walked towards the government building at the center of town.