Child of the Moon

February 3 - In transit

A message arrived from Lynx while I was on my way to Hale's Moon:

"Major, I hope this wave gets to you quickly. I have found myself in a bit of a jam. It appears the synthetic says we are married. I danced with her at the bar. Nothing else has transpired. However the head of the colony suggested I send this wave before anything happens. Miss LilyBell insists you come to the reception.... We, to my knowledge, are not married. I need help! Please make contact as soon as possible."

I replied upon receipt: "Lynx, I am on my way. I am still a few hours distant. See if Mr. Winterwolf is about. He has a connection to Lily and may be able to act on your behalf."

"He was somewhat unhelpful when he was informed by Miss LilyBell," added Lynx, his young face appearing on the comm screen.

"Unhelpful how?" I asked.

Lynx continued, "He commented I should move on with my life after.... Cindal. It seemed to spark the synthetic. She was angry at him...."

I muttered under my breath, "Unhelpful indeed."

"...He walked away in a decidedly unpleasant mood. I'm not sure I want to go near him at this time."

"And the Mayor," I asked, "Lily's adopted mother, what did she say?"

"To contact you immediately."

"Fair enough," I replied.

"I feel at a loss here. She is talking about having.... cubs... Is that possible? She is synthetic." Lynx paused clearly embarrassed.

"Not if you don't participate," I remarked.

Unless they changed the rules while I was away, participation was a prerequisite.

"I'm unsure what she would do if I chose not to," he admitted, "I have seen her claws and have been bitten by her."

"I will be there in a few hours," I assured him.

"Thank you Major."

"Stay safe Lynx."

Lynx nodded in reply, his face a mask of fear.

-----

February 3 - Hale's Moon

It was dark when I arrived.

A stray dog trotted past, heading off to whatever place it is that stray dogs are intent on reaching.

The streets were fairly quiet. It was still early enough to see well lit homes and apartments as residents settled into their evening routines.

I was dressed in civilian clothes. If I had the opportunity to meet with Lily's foster mother, the Mayor, I wanted no doubt that I was here on personal business, and not in any official capacity.

Across the landing area, a figure moved quickly and low to the ground. The figure was small and was scampering like Lilybell. But as she drew closer, I could see this was someone new. A small blond child dressed in white. Two swords were strapped to her back. She disappear behind a concrete pillar.

"Hello...." I called.

Now standing on two legs, the little girl peeked around the pillar and waved. She approached carefully.

I smiled. "You move like some one I know."

She looked up, and tentatively touched the cloth of my jacket.

"I'm looking for a friend of mine..." I continued, "His name is Lynx. Do you know him?"

The child turned her head from side to side.

I smiled again, "Okay... I will look around."

She looked at me carefully, then pointed up the stairs. In a moment, she was leading the way to the upper floor.

"You do look familiar..." I said as I caught up to her, "What is your name?"

She did not reply.

We stood together looking across the room. It was a new office. Big windows. A good view of the settlement.

The child pointed at an empty desk and then shrugged.

I had seen a desk like this once before here on the moon. Eighteen months ago. Same basic curve design. A laptop to one side. Same type of coffee machine.

"That looks like the Mayor's desk," I said, "am I right?"

The child nodded her head up and down.

I smiled, "Good ..I hope to chat with her too."

-----

"Do you go to school here?" I asked.

My little companion had led me across the settlement to a small grey building with a cheerful green sign above the door. Inside were rows of small desks facing a larger teacher's desk. Same basic set up used since the 19th century.

The child pointed to the desk in the corner.

Before either of us had a chance to interact further, we were interrupted by a young man's voice coming from the door behind us.

"Major?"

The little one pointed passed me to the source of the voice.

I turned and smiled, "Hello Lynx."

The child pointed at the desk then back to Lynx again.

"This little girl was showing me your school," I explained, "She moves like Lily."

The child suddenly turned towards me.

"Like the synthetic?" asked Lynx, "Oh. Then this is the child Mister Winterwolf is nannying."

The little girl nodded up and down very quickly.

I raised an eyebrow then slowly smiled. I knew who this was.

Memories of the dome on Caliban. The fire in the lab. The brain in the jar...

Finally, I thought, finally we meet.

I heard Lynx's voice, "You are Aurora Blue."

"Hello Aurora Blue," I said.

Aurora Blue LittleBoots looked at Lynx and nodded her head up and down. She then curtsied to me and pointed to the bracelet on her arm.

"That's a nice bracelet..." I remarked.

Lynx stepped closer.

Aurora Blue nodded with a very serious expression on her tiny face.

"...it looks very important," I added.

The child nodded slowly with the utmost serious expression.

Lynx tried to get a closer look without getting too near the child.

"May I look closely at it?" I asked.

Aurora Blue walked directly to Lynx and held up the bracelet. She smiled slightly then turned to me and extended her little arm.

Lynx looked rather surprised.

"It says 'Cody'," I observed.

The child nodded with a small shy smile.

"Yes," answered Lynx, "An ID bracelet?"

"Cody looked after her," I said, "She is Lily's cub."

The little one turned towards Lynx with a big wide grin.

He smiled back at her. "I am Lynx," he responded.

Introductions were complete. Now down to business.

"Lynx," I began, "does Lily know how old you are?"

"I have not asked her," he replied, "but I did say I was unable to identify my age."

Aurora Blue looked at Lynx with a slightly curious expression. Suddenly, she stepped back and began to dance around the room.

"You are too young to marry," I said conclusively, "If she doesn't understand the concept we will ask the Mayor...her foster mother... to explain it to her."

"Her mother did request to speak with you."

Aurora Blue looked at us both then reached out to take Lynx's hand.

"And you Aurora," I added, "I have something for you that I have been saving..."

The child began to shake her head violently from side to side.

Okay, I thought, we will try again later.

"Where is your apartment Lynx?" I asked.

"I can show you," he replied.

-----

"This is my room," said Lynx, "Considerably smaller."

I squeezed inside, watching my head on the ceiling. I have seen larger closets.

Aurora Blue, still in our company, sniffed the room.

"Well, it is cosy," I smiled, trying to keep positive. This move to Hale's was a sign of Lynx's growing independence. I'll be damned if I was going to throw cold water on it.

"It is," he replied, "It is home for now."

Aurora Blue was shaking her head 'no' once again.

I ignored her. Lynx, however, frowned at the child, "No?" he asked.

"Why did you choose to return to Hale's?" I asked him.

"I was given a letter," he replied.

"A letter?"

Aurora Blue walked outside and pointed across the landing pad to an empty apartment. For a child that appeared to be mute, she never stopped communicating.

Lynx opened one of his books and handed me a letter. I glanced at it and noticed it was unsigned.

"Let's go outside," suggested Lynx. "I received that over a week ago."

"Can I keep this?" I asked.

Lynx nodded.

The child meanwhile pointed to an apartment above the news office. She began tugging at Lynx's shirt.

"What is that place?" asked Lynx.

Aurora Blue nodded toward Lynx's flat.

"Is that where Miss LilyBell lives?" he asked.

The child nodded.

"Go with Aurora," I instructed, "See what she wants to show us. I will join you momentarily. There is something in my shuttle I want to get."

"Alright," answered Lynx.

Aurora Blue looked at me and almost snarled. She shook her head 'NO' even more violently than before.

"What's wrong?" asked Lynx.

Aurora Blue pointed at me, at Lynx and then at herself.

"She is my guardian..." began Lynx.

"She wants us to stay together perhaps," I suggested.

Aurora Blue shook her head 'no'. She then pointed at me again.

"The Major..." said Lynx.

She nodded and pointed at Lynx.

Lynx looked at me but spoke to the child, "I'm called Lynx... I don't know my last name."

Finally, Aurora Blue pointed to herself.

Lynx paused unsure of her meaning.

Again, the child pointed at me and nodded. She pointed at Lynx and nodded. Then she pointed at herself and waited.

"Aurora Blue," I said.

"Yes," agreed Lynx.

Aurora Blue nodded dramatically.

And with that, she was off and running once again.

"Do we follow her?" asked Lynx.

"Yes," I sighed. "She is quick one..."

The child looped back towards the centre of town. For someone with such little legs, she was certainly fast.

"This way," called Lynx, "She went behind the buildings."

I followed at a steady walk.

"There she is," I called as a white figure ran up the street.

Lynx and I crossed the landing area in pursuit, but by the time we reached the cargo containers the child had disappeared again.

We found ourselves near the Applecado offices. I looked at the doorway and paused.

"Major, are you alright?" asked Lynx.

"Yes," I replied, "I just want to check.... something."

I walked towards the office. Lynx nodded and followed.

-----

The offices were empty this time. Empty except for a cat sitting quietly on the counter. Tail tucked around her paws. Eyes half shut.

"I saw Mister Winterwolf in here earlier today," remarked Lynx.

"Ah good," I said.

I walked over to a row of lockers tucked in one corner of the room.

"He came here after telling me to get over my past," added Lynx, "He was somewhat rude."

"He can be abrupt," I agreed.

I scanned the row of lockers, looking at the names...

"Yes," agreed Lynx, "I found that out. I didn't want to antagonize him further."

I removed a small envelope from my pocket and I slipped it inside one of the lockers.

I stood in such a way that Lynx would have difficulty identifying which locker. This was not about trust. It was about protection. You can't tell what you don't know.

"My friend Brooke owns this company," I said aloud, "Did you know?"

"No. She owns the company?"

"Yes."

"I see," he replied.

"Well," I asked "shall we find Aurora?"

"Yes," answered Lynx, "She did want us to follow her."

Special Delivery

Jan 24 - NIV

"Umbrella Corporation develops cloning, genetics, cryostasis and other biotech. They have long been suspected of studying reanimation. Mercedes Celestalis is a licensed acquisitions agent for Umbrella." Colonel M________ to Major P. Siamendes, private correspondence, Jan. 10

-----

NIV would not have been my choice for a package exchange. However, these were the co-ordinates that I was sent.

I was glad that on my last trip to NIV I had spent so much time reconnoitering. If things got really nasty, at least I had some sense of where to run, which air ducts led where, and what areas provided the best cover.

The G-bar wasn't a bad location as such. While it was a cul-de-sac, there were two exits one could exploit. The neon orange color scheme was another matter.

The bar was empty when I got there. Mercedes Celestalis arrived soon after.

"Major Siamendes..." she began.

"Ms. Celestalis, I believe you have something for me."

"I delivered it for you yesterday," she stated.

"Yesterday?" I asked. I had received no package.

"Yes, I believe that is the correct word."

"I was in transit," I explained, "I did not receive anything."

"I left it for you in Al Raqis."

I was caught off guard. "On Al Raqis? I see...and where did you leave this item?" Please, not the desert.

"I did not go to much effort to hide it."

"And may I ask what it is?"

"I was instructed to give you some biological materials coveted by the Rogue Hale Turing Grade Replicant. This tracer should help you track its signal beacon."

She handed me a thick wristband bearing the Umbrella Corporation logo.

A woman with pale skin and huge wings entered the establishment. A glowing ring of light hovered over her head. She eyed us as she moved to the bar and leaned on the counter top.

"Touch to activate," instructed Ms. Celestalis.

I thanked her and pressed the activation sequence. The wristband came to life.

"Touch to deactivate."

The scanner became silent.

A useful tool," I remarked.

"We have found it keeps hands clean," Ms. Celestalis replied.

I removed the scanner and slipped it into the pouch on my hip. "I believe you know our ambassador to Al Raqis," I said conversationally.

"I have heard."

"Madam Raghilda."

"I never would have thought," she remarked.

"Of course, you knew her when she was a simple salvage operator working the derelict ship 'Persephone'."

"A young girl with ambitions greater than her skill," commented Ms. Celestalis, "That was regrettable. Claim jumpers and other rogue elements tainted the ship."

I smiled kindly, "Did you find it profitable nevertheless?"

"That assessment is handled in a different department," she replied.

"Ah I see... well, I'm sure Umbrella did not take a loss." I left an opening.

"The company has run for 500 years. They either had contingency plans or it was an acceptable loss."

"Naturally," I said reasonably.

She continued, "Or planned obsolescence...."

The Woman with Wings listened calmly, a smirk spreading across her face. "Ya two ain't from around here is ya?"

"Blue Sun has been crowding out our operations in the area," finished Mercedes.

I shook my head, "Blue Sun... "

"Is it too loud for you in here?" asked Ms. Celestalis, "Or are you just in the habit of repeating parts of other people's sentences?"

I smiled as a reply, "Why Ms. Celestalis, whatever are you suggesting?"

"You are planning to speak to the Rogue Turing?" she added. It was a question.

I chuckled, "And I would tell you why?"

"Because I have a present for you to give him that would suit both of our purposes."

"Are you an employee of Aurotharius to ask me such things?" I challenged.

"We contribute to Project Aurotharius."

The Woman with Wings had a comment too. "Now see, I was gonna ask yas what ya were doing all the way in a place like this. But I has a feelin' it's somethin' Chios would have a rather large distaste fer. After list'nin' to ya that is."

"Umbrella you mean?" I asked Ms. Celestalis, ignoring our neighbor.

"Yes. Ask the Rogue Turing why Blue Sun is manufacturing this Replicant Elixir." She handed me a bottle.

I examined the item but does not say anything.

"You are missing a special time for the Rogue Turing. You should speak with him soon."

I turned the bottle over in my hands, "You would be surprised how close we are..." I muttered.

Krenshar hadn't snapped my neck the last time I saw him. After the bombing of Caliban, I figured it was a hopeful sign.

"We don't have anyone on the ground, but we have reason to believe that someone has hacked your controls."

"My controls over the Replicant?" I asked.

The Woman with Wings picked up her datapad quickly typing and running a search. She glanced up eyeing us both. "Ya said ya were with Umbrella? My, my ain't that a... int'restin' company history."

Ms. Celestalis continued as if we were alone. "It was subject to Alliance orders, now we think someone has hacked an override.

"Yes," I confirmed "It was Ms Zhangsun. Tell me something I don't know."

"We are not sure, but we have not been able to get a reliable person on the ground in the Destiny Compound. First we thought it was x0x0, now we think its the project."

"Aurora?" I asked taking a wild guess.

"Rumors, gossip, conjecture, guesswork, etc.," admitted Ms. Celestalis.

"The little one is a loose cannon I have heard." I rotated the bottle of elixir in my hand.

"Regardless," added Ms. Celestalis, "Someone is affecting the behavior of the Rogue Turing, you might not want to miss the window of opportunity."

The Woman with Wings called out, "Hey, look ya two, I re'lly don't care, but ya should be careful sayin' yer from another company round here, som'ones bound ta shoot at ya. As fer reliable mercenaries, there's a ton round here, ya should hire em out. If ya got the fundin'...."

"It appears to be Blue Sun's and the Alliance's policy to let their experiments run loose in the 'verse to field test them," mocked Ms. Celestalis.

I laughed gently, "Well, you would be surprised how effective that really is."

A Woman with purple hair and a red trimmed skirt stretched a little as she made her way into the bar. She nodded as she passed by and sat at the bar, sighing softly "Again no bartender..."

The Woman with Wings smirked at the new arrival, "There's never a barten' when ya need one, I just been stealin' my vodka."

As the bar filled up, Mercedes Celestalis turned and left without a word.

The Woman with Purple Hair chuckled softly as she was already in the process of leaning over the bar, her legs kicking a little as she fished out a bottle from behind the bar "Yeah, but I shouldn't steal too many, I think they'd notice five bottles a day goin' missin' from me alone..."

I approached the Woman with Wings, "Excuse me, you mentioned Umbrella.."

"So I did, I was listenin' ta you. An' I looken em up. I could... benefit from their research."

I nodded, "Well, there are times when I need contract workers."

Another bar patron wandered in and looked at the pulsing lights with a bit of confusion. Her eyes seeming glazed over as she walked down the stairs as slow as can be.

"Yes, that woman who just left... works for Umbrella," I explained.

The Woman with Purple Hair's ear perked. she turned towards our conversation as she took a drink from the bottle.

The Woman with Wings moved closer. "My research shows they had some, int'restin' reanimation experiments, similar ta the first ones done on me by complet'ly different groups, but as it is, I'd keep pretty quiet about bein' en'ployed by tha' competition round here. Your friend, if she said it round the wrong person would be dead now."

"Yes," I conspired "She seems a bit arrogant ... not as careful as she should be. Reanimation you say?"

"I was 'bout ten seconds from shootin' her myself fust fer the entertainment of doin' so." She looked me over. "And you, what is it you do?"

Time to drop some bread crumbs and see what follows.

"I'm looking for someone.... Ardra Aurotharius."

"Yous lookin' fer them here?"

"No, I came here for information..." I looked around the club, "I've been here before actually."

The Woman with Purple Hair shook her head a little as we spoke. She chuckled a little before taking another long drink of the bottle.

"Obsidian began trickling into my sector," I said adding sugar to the mix.

A man who looked like a large fox in a military uniform stood by the door keeping his distance and watching me suspiciously.

"I came here for some background information," I continued.

"A dangerous place to do that kid," replied the Woman with Wings, "Comin' ta the worst place surrounded by criminals, and people whos love ya kill yas. Ya don't look like ya'd last long here, as ya is."

The Fox Man gruffed softly under his breath, "Myust've run out of unarmed agricyultural cyolonies to bombard.."

"I'm haven't been afraid of anything since ninth grade." I placed my hands on my hips. "I would offer to buy you a drink, but I heard you've been getting your own vodka."

The Woman Seated at the Bar chortled softly but stayed silent.

The Woman with Wings grabbed an over-sized pistol from her belt pointing it at my head, giving me a good view of the fifty caliber barrel. "That so?" she asked.

The bar held it's breathe.

The Woman with Purple Hair hearing the sound of a gun being drawn, turned to face us, ready in case a gunfight broke out.

The Fox Man maintained his distance, making it easier to clear out if rounds started flying.

I smiled warmly. "Yes, that is so."

I continued, "Now, you said something earlier about hiring contract workers. What sort of work are you looking for? and are you willing to travel?" I figured I'd leave the reference checks for later.

The Woman with Wings grinned wickedly. "I'm glad yas ain't afraid now. Cause I'm mildly insane." She smirked, "There's a ton a mercenaries 'round here, If yas lookin' ta hire some stick round, and don't do somethin' stupid ta get killed. I ain't a mercenary, I'm an arms dealer. With ya bein' outside a Chios and all, I'd look for the BCM they does outside contracts."

"Oo arms dealer? Wonderful. You will have to let me get you that drink then. I'm Major Siamendes, Special Investigations Unit with the Alliance Military and am always on the look out for good reliable ordinance."

I ignored the hand cannon and fished out the photograph of Lynx standing next to the warhead in Faith's warehouse. "In fact, I have a photo here...."

The Woman with Wings paused a bit finally lowering the weapon to her belt. "I take it ya has an int'rest in some firepower then." She looked me over, "I deal in two things mostly, High tech, very potent gear, the second, is upgrading existing gear som'one has. Anythin' big like say a small mech, or a tank, will take time, but is doable."

"Excellent, excellent." I showed the Woman with Wings a photo showing the multi-yield warhead. "I would like something like this..."

The Woman with Purple Hair slowly turned back around when the woman put the gun down, returning to her drink while leaning against the bar counter.

"Have you seen a warhead like it? That boy standing next to it is about fifteen years old to give you the sense of size."

"Yas lookin' for somethin' ta really f*ck somethin' up bad then," the woman remarked, "That's doable without any problem, But it's be more my style to make a real devistatin' weapon."

"Have you seen this particular type?" I stressed. I wasn't in the buying mood of course. This was simply a good opportunity to see if Faith's missile was on the market yet or being kept for home use.

The Woman with Wings looks at the photo again, "Looks like a human design, a simple toy. I seen a similar one."

I nodded, "I think it is Faith Industries... have you heard of them?"

She shrugs, "Nah, I don't keep up much on human companies, Chios bein' the first company with heavy human involvement I been employed at fer a time."

I was satisfied. Chances were the Faith weapon was not yet on the market, out here at least. "Very well then."

The Woman with Wings looked at the warhead, "What is it yas lookin to f*ck up?"

"Oh nothing special, I just like to keep our troops equipped with the latest. Next time we are accepting bids I will be sure to have you invited. May I give you my card?"

Another patron walked in and hopped into a chair, glancing around for points of interest.

"Please contact me if you hear of this item going on the market."

The Woman with Wings looked at the picture of Faith's missile again. "Then ditch the big hammer, and get yaself some real weapons. I might suggest atomic destabilization systems, just as potent as ya hammer, but more efficient, and fir'able more than once." She nodded handing over a small card, "When yas lookin' for an advantage, not a hammer, come see me."

I took her card. Her name was Zetriya.

"Good," I said in conclusion, "Thank you for your time."

The Fox Man hung back, keeping to himself for the most part. He leaned up against the wall with a frown on his face that seemed to ask 'when did the Alliance start scavving bars in uncontrolled sectors for procurement contracts?'

I took one final look around the bar, nodded to Zetriya and left.

-----

Jan. 24 - Al Raqis

I crossed the main square of the Al Raqis settlement. I was in a hurry and didn't change into my hydrosuit. It felt wasteful but felt a growing sense of urgency about the matter.

I turned the scanner on but it showed no signal. The welcome house with the free soup was empty. I passed the courthouse, Faith's warehouse, and the Cortex News office. Still nothing.

Tracer: No sources detected
Tracer: No sources detected
Tracer: No sources detected
Tracer: No sources detected...

The auto-shutoff kicked in before I had finished searching the main square.

I reinitialize the probe then headed towards the diplomatic quarter. As I passed the bakery, now closed, a faint signal was captured.

Tracer: 1 source detected
Tracer: Beacon detected. Bearing undetermined.
Tracer: 1 source detected
Tracer: Beacon detected. Bearing undetermined....

As I approach the Zenobian Embassy compound the signal strengthen.

Tracer: 1 source detected
Tracer: Strength 0 milliunits
Tracer: Bearing 305 degrees from north
Tracer: 1 source detected
Tracer: Strength 0 milliunits
Tracer: Bearing 306 degrees from north
Tracer: Elevation 2 degress from horizontal

The package waited patiently inside the main embassy building. The scanner, having accomplished its task, announced that it was turning itself off.

Bending down, I examined the box for signs of explosive or poisonous traps. Finding nothing, I gave the code word and watched as the lid flipped open automatically revealing a second inner box.

I ran my finger along the rim of the inner lid until it revealed the vessel within.

Carefully removed a large jar and it's contents and set it upon the ground.

It was from Caliban, from Alliance Laboratory 81.

It was the cloned brain of Aurora Littleboots.

-----

Bear Hunt

Oct. 23 - Hale's Moon

“Give me a place to stand and with a lever I will move the whole world.” -Archimedes

-----

With x0x0 Zhangsun visiting Krenshar on Caliban I had a brief margin to search the settlement on Hale's Moon sure that I would be uninterrupted. I needed to find Aurora's bear for Krenshar.

More and more Blue Sun is exerting it's presence here. It seems they are the masters of corporate crawl and could teach the Zenobian Trade Association a thing or two.

In the Blue Sun compound, there was a swing set, a slide, a play land for children ...but no stuffed toys. I headed into the town itself and found my way to Lily's coffee shop.

Where are you Lily?

....and what are you looking at?

Following instinct more than logic, I traced the line of sight from the sign over Lily's coffee shop to the boarding house next door. It was there, in a room behind a purple privacy door, that I found the toy.

I could only guess at what significance it held for Krenshar.

Clones, Replicants and Other Duplicities

Oct. 23 - Caliban

I had three objectives for coming to Caliban.

First, on behalf of Deputy Lilybell, I wanted to try to convince Krenshar to stop 'cutting up cubs'. She approached me and her good favour would be useful. Besides, despite her eccentricities, dubious acquaintances, and shadowy origins, I found that I liked her. She was a fellow law woman, of sorts. My plan had been to speak with her about her request first, but then she and Cody Winterwolf had torched the laboratory on Caliban and had gone to ground. I would have to approach Krenshar directly.

Second, I wanted to inspect the damage for myself. It was a little known fact that the Alliance has been funding the laboratory and Krenshar's research on Caliban. Most people believe that the Alliance left Caliban after the Miranda Incident. It was more of a downsizing and outsourcing. I had UAP funds with me to restart the operation.

Third, I wanted to ensure that Cody Winterwolf if captured was unharmed.

As I approached the dome, I monitored Caliban radio traffic.

-----

**Mercedes Celestalis: Are there commercal flights to Caliban?**

**Krenshar Magic: This is Caliban control, we have not got any yet, the new ion cannons have just been installed.**

**Mercedes Celestalis: You have not paid for them, you naughty boy.**

**Krenshar Magic: This is Caliban control, may I ask your rank before I answer that question?**

**Mercedes Celestalis: I did not ask you a question that requires rank. Heard you are in the market for some cloning equipment. No warranty, you are a high risk.**

**Krenshar Magic: Yes I could be. I am not sure how I will be able to pay for them.**

**Mercedes Celestalis: We could make a trade.**

**Krenshar Magic: If you would like to come to Caliban and talk about your equipment I am sure we can work something out.**

**Mercedes Celestalis: Be there tomorrow. I will have arranged transport by then.**

**Krenshar Magic: We will expect to see you soon. Over.**

**Mercedes Celestalis: It's a date.**

-----

**Xzariya Khandr: Caliban control, this is Shephard Khandr. Do you know of any shipments arriving your station in the near future?**

**Krenshar Magic: We have a new shipping office opening next to the Cortex building: Sorrowman Shipping Ltd
He is very proud of his fleet of ships.**

**Xzariya Khandr: Thank you Caliban, Blessings upon you and yours.**

-----

I entered the dome and proceeded directly to Alliance Lab 81. I climbed the stairs until I came to the charred laboratory. The walls were blackened, the cloning tanks cracked.

"Mr Krenshar," I greeted the replicant has he entered the laboratory.

"Are you here under orders?" he asked.

"I am here to inspect the damages," I replied

"Under orders?" he pressed.

"And to talk with you," I added.

"Are you here for me?" he asked.

I did not confirm or deny anything. I was not ready to make this official. "I am here to talk. Was all the research destroyed in the fire?"

"Everything, what wasn't destroy was taken."

"What do you need to rebuild?" I asked as I tapped the surface of the growth tank.

Krenshar sighed. "To pay the Alliance, I owe them for two ion cannons and all the equipment in here."

"I have seen the notice on the wire... for LilyBell and Winterwolf..."

"Yes," said Krenshar, "The dome computer and two eyewitnesses have proved they where the ones to start the fire."

"...what do you plan to do next?" I asked.

"Fix Lilybell and Aurora as I have always been trying to do."

"She is concerned that you are 'cutting up' the cubs. Will you put her mind at rest?"

"You know where Lilybell is?" Krenshar asked.

"No," I said truthfully, "She sent me a message on a private channel."

"Aurora has been here with me for some time. Since she ran away everyone thinks I am dangerous but they don't really know me if they would think I would kill my own child.

"Mr. Krenshar...," I began.

He continued undeterred, "I mean they didn't ask me when they shipped her off. Why should I tell people when she comes to me crying and asks if she can live with me?"

Was that despair that I heard in his artificial voice? or some trick of my mind?

"Then why is Lily convinced...."

I stopped as in walked the ubiquitous Jai Raghilda. She really does get around.

"Well, well," I said, "Ms. Raghilda."

"Major," she acknowledged and stood off to the side.

Krenshar did not seem to notice the new arrival. He did however answer my half-formed question.

"Could be the unborn fetuses she stole from my lab. That is the last time I was her."

"Mr. Krenshar ...as a sentient machine... you could possibly be the next step in evolution. Why are you pulling the wings off flies?"

I glanced around the lab at the cracked growth tanks, aware of the dissection lab on the floor beneath us.

He didn't understand.

"Why would I pull the wings off of flies? They wouldn't be flies anymore."

"Lily asked me to tell you to stop cutting up the cubs."

"It's a metaphor," explained Ms. Raghilda helpfully.

"You want to cure your child..." I continued.

Krenshar interrupted, "I have the solution, but I don't have much time."

"Oh? Tell me what is your solution." I insisted.

Krenshar was resistant to elaborate. "I am not sure I can trust you with that uniform on. I owe the alliance way too much to mess up all I have worked for."

"I see," I replied.

"Is Mindo cooperating?" asked Ms. Raghilda. Her question surprised me. Good question.

"No, just x0x0." answered Krenshar, "She won't let me have Mindo because I would pull his wings off."

Ah, the machine that learns.

"Is this not an Alliance uniform?" I asked, returning to the original line of questioning.

"Yes it is," he replied, "That is why I asked if you came for me."

"Would you come if I asked?"

Krenshar sighed. "I would not fight you, but I need more time before I can come. I will come without a fight but I need more time. Once Aurora and Lilybell are repaired you can do what you want with me.

"Very well..." I decided "You will have your time..."

"I know this," continued Krenshar, "I sleep on the floor next to her bed every night and watch her get worse everyday."

He paused.

"There are 2 things I need to finish the job."

"Go on," I said.

"I need Aurora's teddy bear and 10 pieces of junk that are not really junk but they where sold by Lilybell."

I blinked, "I see." Actually it made no sense to me. The sudden absurdity set my mind momentarily spinning.

"Teddy bear?" asked Ms. Raghilda,"Like robot babies?"

"No," replied Krenshar, "It's her teddy bear, stuffed animal."

"Okay," said Ms. Ragihilda, "What about this junk?"

Krenshar explained, "The junk is really parts that are the same as my necklace."

"And how will that help?" I asked regaining my presence of mind and rejoining the interrogation.

Krenshar sighed, "x0x0 must merge then with Lilybell. This will fix what I have messed up.""

Fine, I thought. "Tell me about the necklace. "I took a closer look.

"It was a gift from Lilybell a long time ago."

"You care a great deal for her," I remarked.

"It makes us very close," said Krenshar.

"She is hurt by what you are doing," I pointed out.

"She made me who I am today. If she would just ask me I would tell her but people feel they need to guess at what I am doing and then spread rumors. I don't really care what people think, but ask if you want to know something..."

Jai Raghilda suddenly decided she needed to be somewhere else. "You will excuse me, I have a meeting. Mr. Krenshar, Major."

"Ms. Raghilda," I said as she departed.

Krenshar continued "...she understands me better than most, she just didn't bother to ask me. She took my subjects and ran and I haven't seen her since."

"Tell me about your subjects," I said.

"They were genetic tests on Aurora's DNA so I could figure out how to fix her."

"You grew clones of your child?" I admit I was horrified.

"I never let them develop they where because I wanted to make sure I was right, I couldn't hurt Aurora."

"But the clones were fair game..." I said following his line of logic.

He nodded.

"Don't you see how this would upset Lily?" I asked.

"No, she was worried about how much coin I was going to make. Aurora and Lilybell do not like each other."

I found this hard to believe. But you never know.... families, eh?

"Let me play back the message for you...from Lily then you can decide." I played back the recording

LilyBell Snoodle's voice echoed in the burned out laboratory: **Mercedes taked cubs and brain too. Not let Krenshar cut up no more cubs name Aurora. Thank you**

Krenshar was puzzled. "By you own organic laws, they where not alive yet, I do not see the problem."

I looked up at Krenshar, "Oh the problem is not with me... your problem is with Lily. I told her I would help."

"She will be returned to me soon or the order will just keep increasing the reward," Krenshar added with certainty.

"I see."

Krenshar continued, "I am not the only one to vote on this everyone of my brothers voted. I am just one of the 248 replicants on the moon."

"248."

"Yes, any replicant that seeks freedom is allowed to come to Caliban."

I nodded. "And what of Mr. Winterwolf?"

"I just want answers," said Krenshar,"If he is honest then nothing should happen, but if he tries to lie the order is not as forgiving as me. In my eyes he tried to destroy my family."

Time to get official.

"You are not to harm his eyes or the chip in his head," I instructed.

"These are Alliance property?"

"They are," I confirmed.

"Chip?" asked a mechanic working quietly in the rear of the laboratory and obviously listening in.

A big smile came to Krenshar's face.

I asked him again about the teddy bear.

"Do you have this bear?" asked Krenshar.

"I can get it," I promised. "Then perhaps the bear for Mr. Winterwolf.... unmolested."

Krenshar laughed.

I smiled.

"I can not say what the bounty hunters will do to him." said Krenshar.

Hands on my hips I looked about the laboratory. "Now.... looking at this lab.... what can I do to help you get back up and running. The Alliance wants it's research continued.

"I have found a way to get more DNA but I have nothing left to pay for new equipment."

"I can help with that," I said, "How much do you need?"

"I need a new one of these to grow my clones... and at least one of the large tanks. All three are for growing different parts but I can work around most of it."

"Now," I circled back,"... how are we .. you and I going to put Lily's mind at rest."

"Bring her to me and I can do that."

"That will be difficult ... she trusts me less that she trusts you..."

Krenshar proclaimed, "We are one. She is in me and I am in her."

"I see," I replied.

Krenshar frowned a little and looked at the floor, "I would give it up to save them both and it looks like the only way."

"You may have to find another way to fix your child. She makes no distinction between Aurora and the clones."

Krenshar suddenly stopped. "The dome is telling me there is a dangerous person in the dome to use caution. Did you send for more troops?"

"I did not. Like I said I came to talk."

The dome talks to him. Good to know.

"Unsafe," chirped the mechanic.

Krenshar paused, "hmm wonder what has the dome so spooked."

"Then we must be quick...," I said and I handed him some money.

"What is this for?" he asked.

"Use that towards restarting the lab," I replied.

"Is this money?"

"It is."

"I have lots of these papers," said Krenshar.

"Good, then you should be fine."

Exactly at that moment x0x0 Zhangsun walked into the room. She stopped and blinked.

"Ms x0x0," remarked Krenshar, "I see why the dome was spooked now."

"Ms. Zhangsun...," I said cheerfully, "A pleasant surprise."

x0x0 Zhangsun looks at me, then back at Krenshar "When you have a moment, I'd like to speak with you. I'll wait outside."

"A friend of yours?" I asked Krenshar.

"I am working with her, yes." he replied. "I will do as you ask."

"Thank you," I said.

The mechanic stopped his repairs and glared at the wall as though he could see Ms. Zhangsun standing behind it.

"Then I hope to see a report of the research once your lab is back up and running. I will in the meantime get the bear."

"If you have the proper clearance I will be happy to share it. Thank you Ms Pepper."

"Thank you Mr. Krenshar."

The mechanic nodded to me.

On the landing I passed x0x0 Zhangsun. I nodded in greeting, "Ms. Zhangsun."

"Major is it?" she asked.

"Yes," I replied.

"Good day," she said curtly.

As I walked down the stairs, I could hear them.

Ms. Zhangsun's voice: "Close the gorram door!"

Krenshar's voice: "Ms xOXO,"

Ms. Zhangsun's voice: "What in the hell are you doing putting a bounty on Lily?"

Their voices faded as I walked away.

Cri du Pas Chat

Oct. 21 - Zenobia

Another paperwork day, and while not as pleasant as the last one, it was, at least, as productive.

I took a call from Trade Association Delegate, Jai Raghilda.

"I have someone that can help you," she began. "I have located the salvage broker. Mercedes Celestalis."

"You mentioned her on Gateway, yes, and do you have a location?"

"She is back on Eavesdown in Persephone."

I nodded, "Thank you, that is useful. Did you find Cody Winterwolf?"

"He was in MacLaren yesterday."

No surprise, I thought, that is where I saw him last. "And did you get the information that you wanted?"

"Yes."

"Good."

"After the arrests are made I will trade you for the file." She referred to arresting those responsible for black market organ harvesting. The file was the data disk Winterwolf had had in his possession detailing reaver control experiments.

"That is agreeable," I said. "On another matter... have you been to Splintered Rock?"

"Not lately, but soon."

"I have to meet the Governor. I know you are a good negotiator."

"I have some good luck," she conceded.

"I wonder if you would like to join me on that trip."

"I would. What is the objective of the meeting?"

Straight to the point. I was beginning to admire this one.

"At this point, we need to make formal introductions... learn a bit about their world ... who is who, that sort of thing."

"They have a lot of factional politics."

"Yes, and all the more reason to meet the people involved before establishing any kind of formal relation." I left details out. She could do her own math.

"Agreed," she replied.

"Very good then."

"I am not letting Mercedes know that you will be looking for her." She drew us back. This was important to her.

"I appreciated that."

"She is the link to the organ leggers. I am hoping that you can get her to flush out the organ leggers and you can maybe get your contact with Ardra."

This was her price it seems.

"That would be helpful," I admitted.

"But she is the best hope for you to get in touch with Ardra."

"Thank you again for your help."

"A pleasure doing business with you, Major."

"And with you Madam Delegate."

And so ... an understanding after all.

-----

Oh, and then there was this message waiting on my private channel:

**static** This a message for Alliance. **Mercedes taked cubs and brain too. Not let Krenshar cut up no more cubs name Aurora. Thank you**