Albion City

June 17 - Albion City, Zenobia

"Ce que fer, flamme, n'a sceu paracheuer,
La douce langue au conseil viendra faire"

"That which neither weapon nor flame could accomplish
will be achieved by a sweet speaking tongue in council."

Nostradamus, Century I 97

-----

I had come to Albion City to obtain information from the university on the planetary positions at the time Lynx had made his first journey to Hale's Moon.

The woman in the astrophysics department was very helpful. Soon, I retired to a nearby restaurant with an armload of charts.

I ordered a coffee while I waited for a table.

[Source: Department of Astrophysics, Zénobie Insitut Polytechnique]

-----

As I began reviewing the material, a call came through on my private channel.

It was the Registered Companion, Calina Tereshchenko. "Major," she began, "did Lynx send word last evening that Cindal has returned to Al Raqis?"

I placed my coffee cup down, and answered her transmission.

"Hello Calina. No, he did not. That is wonderful news. He did mention he was helping her with an apartment though, when I spoke with him earlier."

"It was a very happy reunion. I dare say that seeing her improved his health and mood more than any visit to the hospital or the Bai every could," she added with a chuckle.

I smiled, "No doubt."

There was more.

"Also, did you hear of the pirate attack on Jade? My former seamstress from Persephone. She is now on Al Raqis and was assisting with a search and rescue operation on a damaged shuttle when two Orions attacked her. From what she said, they tried to depressurize the shuttle and blow her out one of the airlocks. But she stabbed one of her attackers before that could happen and fled. She's safe now."

I made a small growling sound. The Orions were bandits. And Jade. Jade was a gentle soul.

Calina continued, "I have it on my schedule today to speak with the administrator of the colony regarding this escalating level of violence. The Myrmidons assigned protection details to both myself and Jade. Nothing like wandering through town with your own personal tank."

"I am sure our government would make a formal protest as well. Has a report been filed?"

"With whom?"

"Anyone at the Zenobian embassy," I replied, "or if you want to take it straight to the Federal level...." I gave her the name of a political liaison attached to the embassy.

Calina was not certain. "Given Jade's reaction to you, I am not sure I want to involve too many federal authorities."

"Whatever direction Jade would like to take," I said, "I am sure that she can count on the local support of the Zenobian government." Jade was an independent miner that contracted with House Zenobia.

"I will speak with her about it," promised Calina, "Lady Rashad was understandably upset upon news of the attacks. Just as one violent episode ends, another begins. Rumors are the Federation will be returning to Al Raqis. They pulled out during the conflict between the Myrmidons and USD. I have not heard anything regarding their new intentions."

"I am not surprised," I remarked, taking a sip from my coffee, "A political movement whose supporters flee at the first signs of the chaos they themselves helped engender, returning once the smoke has cleared. Congratulations, by the way. I hear you were involved in the Armistice between the USD and Myrmidons."

The Companion smiled, "Thank you. It was a wonderful occasion. It was an honor to be a part of such a historic event."

-------

Historic was a good word for it.

On May 28, eight days after the USD counterstrike, a ceasefire was announced by both the Myrmidon Order and the United Systems Directorate. Troops were ordered to specific positions and hostilities were suspended.

Subsequent negotiations resulted in a formal peace treaty.

[Source: Major Arnold J Gustav, United Systems Military]

On June 4, the two parties assembled for a formal acceptance of terms. The ceremony was traditional with the two parties sitting at their respective tables, signing the treaty, then coming together to symbolize the movement from conflict to community. A celebration followed.

[Photo courtesy of Calina Terechshenko. Source: The Spice Report]

The Magistrate Joan al Jofar and her staff were present to witness the occasion. Representatives from a majority of the Great Houses were also in attendance, along with members of the mercenary SSFS, Delta Umino and Neo Poza.

The event gave our analysts an opportunity to gain insight into the complex Myrmidon hierarchy as well as to articulate the current USD chain of command.

The Myrmidon Order

• Ares Prime - Head of the Military
• Athena Prime - Head of Civilian Government
• Krakken Hyperion - Warlord, Second-in-command of the military
• Cruis Pryxis Obsidian, Head of Intelligence
• S'khmet Pryxis, Security Officer

The United Systems Directorate

• Lt. Colonel John Collins
• Major Arnold Gustav
• Lieutenant Dan Stellman

------

My table was ready.

"Do you think the peace will last?" I asked Calina, as I climbed the steps to the dining area.

The Companion sighed, "With USD? Perhaps. But groups that are, well, militaries need war to survive. If it isn't one group, it is another."

I smiled. "Well, I might disagree with that, but okay."

Calina chuckled in response. "The UAP was not founded as a military faction... but as a system of governance of which a military is a part. The Myrmidons and USD have other facets to them - commerce, scientific research, but their strongest and most dominant side are their armed forces."

"That would seem to be the case," I agreed.

I settled at a table with a good view of downtown. The CNS building. The new hospital. The university.

"I have heard that Captain Barbosa has returned," I remarked, as my food promptly arrived.

"Yes," replied the Companion, "Jade said he is the one who attacked her."

I did not know what to say. I had heard he was a diplomat.

Calina tapped her pen "And I will prove my point - the Myrmidons are now on the hunt for Barbosa because of the attack."

"That will prove ...interesting," I wonder if anyone will find the body. "Is Jade okay?" I asked.

"Yes, she is resting at her home on Al Raqis, which is near the Zenobian Embassy. She said it's a bunker."

I sighed heavily. Sounded like post traumatic stress. No walls too thick.

"She can't lift anything heavier than her kittens for three weeks," added Calina, "The doctor gave her explicit order to rest. He cracked several of her ribs. He tried to throw her out of an airlock. But, she had picked up a blade - something that was a point of contention between Barbosa and the other Orion with him. Jade was trying to get them to leave the damaged craft. When they wouldn't stop fighting over this blade, Jade picked it up to lure them onto a different shuttle. That's when the Orion female, according to Jade, threatened to depressurize the shuttle and Barbosa grabbed her. Jade stabbed him in the leg and used this thing... a transporter... to what was that word they use... Beam! Beam out of there. Such things.... really...."

"Madness," I remarked.

She continued, "I told Lady Rashad about it and she arranged for the Myrmidons to serve as a personal guards until the pirates are brought under control."

"Please send my best wishes to Jade," I said, "Let me know if you want us involved in a formal manner and I will see what we can arrange."

Calina nodded, "I am going to speak with the administrator at the colony regarding this attack. It was vicious."

"Jade has had enough suffering."

"More than her fair share," agreed the Companion. She then chuckled, "But to amuse you, she didn't understand why I was there to get her. She wanted to walk home. And then she drew a kitty face on the armor of the Myrmidon with some chalk."

I laughed gently, "That must have been well received."

"He was very stalwart and patient. I think Jade left them speechless," she grinned, "Lady Rashad calls her 'The Mime'."

I smiled, "Oh, that is cute."

There was a soft beeping from my communicator. Green light to proceed with interrogation...

"I must be going Calina," I said, "Thank you for the call."

"Anytime, Major," she said, "I always enjoy speaking with you. Safe travels!"

"You too," I replied, and disconnected the transmission. I quickly summoned the bill for my meal and gathered up my papers. Dessert would have to wait.

USD Counterstrike

"Prest à combattre fera defection,
Chef aduersaire obtiendra la victoire :
L'arriere garde fera defention
Les deffaillans mort au blanc territoire."

"Ready to fight one will desert,
The chief adversary will obtain the victory:
The rear guard will make a defense,
The faltering ones dead in the white territory."

Nostradamus, Century IV 75

-----

[Photo courtesy of the United Systems Directorate]

News from the front.

After having the bulk of their invasion fleet repelled at the Battle of Splintered Rock, Myrmidon forces began a series of harassing raids on USD positions, including the destruction of water vaporators on May 11.

By the third week of May, the United Systems Directorate commenced large scale operations against the Myrmidon ground forces that had established themselves in remote regions of the planet.

From an intercepted Myrmidon transmission the basic facts were gleaned:

In the early hours of the morning of May 20, before the temperature in the desert began to rise, the well-prepared United Systems Directorate forces launched a three pronged attack on a Myrmidon Outpost located in the deep desert.

Elements of the Myrmidon forces, the 1st and 3rd Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol, put on a spirited defense, but retreated to the mountains as their position was overrun.

When the Myrmidons saw that the day was lost their commander called in a strike from plasma cannons in orbit, covering their retreat, disabling the outpost they were forced to abandon, and baking the sands white in the process. Anyone lingering in the area would have been caught in the barrage.

[Intercepted transmission - Myrmidon Order]

The official death toll has not been released. The Constable's Report read as follows:

-----

Date: May 26
Title: "The Constable's Report"
Source: Splintered Rock

My Fellow Offworlders,

I have been informed by Colonel Collins, Commander of the United Systems Military Forces stationed on Al Raqis that they have successfully conducted a search and destroy operation against Myrmidon forces. The Myrmidon assault group had retreated to the desert after their unsuccessful attempt to take the North Lowport of Al Raqis, the area known to many of you as Splintered Rock.

Colonel Collins reports that the Myrmidons had established a temporary base while they marshalled their forces. The Colonel had received intelligence that the Myrmidons would attack again within a matter of days and so he authorized an attack once his reconnaissance teams reported the Myrmidon base.

The Myrmidon base was incredibly well fortified but after a long battle the Colonel is happy to report his troops have been victorious. Myrmidon forces were able to make an orderly retreat from the area and their whereabouts is currently unknown. Anyone with information concerning the location of Myrmidon troops is asked to contact Colonel Collins at the United Systems Directorate base.

Constable Werribee

Diving the Catacombs

Status Report
Prisoner: Wylder Aurotharius

"He appears to sleep for 80 hours at a time, eats very little and is mostly self involved. Originally this was thought to be a side effect of the cryogenics, but it seems to somehow be by design or otherwise deliberate on his part. The extreme isolation of his current holding does not seem to bother him."

-----

Memo to Archive.
From Major P. Siamendes, SIU

"Requesting any information on file concerning Wylder Aurotharius and daughter Audrey. Details of shared leisure activities, family home, favorite foods, any surviving correspondence or diaries."

-----

I quickly scanned the initial reply to my request to Archive, and settled on one point in particular.

Blintzes, Chicken Kiev, Borscht.

Meals Wylder may have shared with his daughter...

This must have taken some digging.

Wylder was my tangible link to Ardra. One of our most brilliant minds. Next to his intellect, I was a small child. When I finally meet him, it will have to be a different type of interview. And that will take some preparation.

-----

May 23 - The Evangeline Trench, Avalon

"Abraxas begetteth truth and lying, good and evil, light and darkness, in the same word and in the same act. Wherefore is Abraxas terrible." - Septem Sermones ad Mortuos.

-----

Major Muircastle and his team were excavating the vast system of tunnels and chambers hidden deep beneath the surface of Avalon. The complex had once been an Alliance base, or so we were told. It was affectionately known, among the locals, as the Catacombs.

As the Major explained it, "The island has been used for experiments since early settlement. But the island was decommissioned shortly after the war's end. Documents shredded, some things destroyed, others just bulldozed down in haste. Now many years later, it has been turned over for civilian development... I am here in case they forgot something."

The complex had long been claimed by the sea. The tunnels were now flooded. I would have to swim to access the site.

The entrance had already been cleared to the lowest level, exposing the large stone blocks that made up the foundation of the structure.

The walls appeared to be arranged in a twin spiral fashion. Circle in to a square chamber. Change levels, then circle out to a corridor and the next exit.

The outer corridors were quite narrow.

Holes in the ceilings granted access between levels.

By the fourth level strange circular markings began to appear on the walls. Their meaning or significance was unclear at this stage.

Turning one corner my heart skipped a beat. I was confronted by a nest of snakes, each one as thick as my arm, as long as my leg. Fortunately, they seemed frightened of the chemical light.

On the other side of the chamber with the snakes, the circular patterns were less worn or more defined. In either case, an image became apparent.

It was an eye. Rays emanating from the orb. It suggested a praeter-human intelligence. Too elevated to be demonic. Too alien to be divine. Something totally 'other'.

The image was on the floor, on the walls, everywhere one looked. This was not standard Alliance military decor.

I did not find anything to suggest I had discovered the limits of the complex. There may have been levels above, but I had been exploring for some time now, so I began to make my way back.

On the return journey, I found myself in a side corridor containing the only artifact I would find on this expedition. A metal box, the size of a large coffin.

Curiosity overwhelmed any thoughts of caution. I opened the box.

Inside I discovered a large pig, perfectly preserved. I found myself thinking of Mercedes Celestalis and her organ donor pig.

The animal was suspended in a clear, solid medium, like a fly in amber. There was a shimmer, a slight glow. The pig may have been in stasis, I was not sure. Any hint of a heartbeat was drowned out by the beating of my own.

I reached the submarine exactly sixty minutes from the time I began my dive.

The experience left me with more questions than answers. I would be interested to hear Major Muircastle's thoughts on what I had found. I am sure that there were limits to what he had been told about the site.

Sometimes you have to work in the dark.

It is the life we lead.

The Room with No Walls (Part Two)

May 17 - Paquin

"How did you get the name Lynx?" I asked.

"It was on a box in the cargo container I woke up in," he replied.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"What was in the box?" I asked.

"A big sticker with the letters LYNX on it," he explained, "It had some freeze dried things in packets. I couldn't tell what they were and couldn't open them. There were symbols and numbers on them."

"What kind of symbols?"

"I knew one of them," he said, "A biohazard symbol. But then there were a few I haven't seen before and none since I've been travelling."

"Okay..we will be on the lookout. And what were you wearing?"

Lynx blushed slightly, "Ummmmm... I had to find some clothes."

"Were you injured in anyway? Markings on your skin?"

He frowned, thinking back. "I can remember a lot of bruises and feeling sore. Like I was beaten up."

This I had heard before. I wanted to hear it from him again. "Where were the bruises located that you can recall?"

"My sides.. my face," he replied, "I remember one eye was sore when I touched it. A split lip too. I remember because it hurt when I smiled."

I paused, then asked carefully, "When you touched the eye, did it provoke a memory in anyway?"

Lynx shook his head, "No. Just that it hurt. But the box I was in was padded."

"Where was the container from?" I probed, "Any idea?"

He shook his head again, "I don't know. But the box had a set of instruments on it. Like a stasis box. Most likely it's what it was." Lynx suddenly turned pale. "What if I was going to be eaten back then too...." he asked, the fear creeping into his voice.

"It was a different setting, remember," I said, brushing aside his concern.

"I... I suppose it was," he hesitated.

I elaborated, "A shipping container... not a hollowed out asteroid somewhere."

Lynx nodded slowly.

I reviewed. "And you were beaten and any clothing that could have identified you was removed..."

He nodded again.

"...why go to that trouble?" I asked.

"I don't know," he replied, "To hide me or change my identity? Or maybe I was in some witness protection program."

"But why the memory loss?"

Lynx shrugged completely at a loss.

"Trauma induced?" I was thinking aloud. I did not expect him to reply.

He shrugged again, "I don't know."

I shook my head slowly as I puzzled it out.

"How can trauma do that though?" he asked, "There's nothing beyond when I woke up that day."

I was no longer listening to Lynx. This was not Lynx anymore. This was now a mystery to solve.

I repeated the facts. "Beaten... no clothes... in stasis... then in a cargo container. Some one placed you there. It could be assumed they undressed you."

"Yes. And took everything I owned... including my past."

"Bruises only? or dried blood too?"

The presence of dried blood would suggest the body was not washed before placed into stasis.

Lynx frowned. "I think I had a little on my face... and one arm... my forearm...." he raised his left sleeve to look at the barely visible mark. "It was something. Like glue. Like I had a scratch and someone patched it."

I narrowed my eyes, incorporating the new information. If his memory loss was medically induced, that reduced the number of possibilities for a point of origin.

Silently, Lynx rubbed his forearm then covered it with his sleeve.

Circle back.

"Okay," I began, "can you draw any of the symbols, numbers, words you saw on or in that cargo container?"

"I can try," he replied. Lynx reached for paper and a pencil and began drawing a series of symbols. He frowned slightly checking their accuracy, then pronounced, "These are them," and handed me the paper.

It was the same cypher I had seen in Wylder's ship and in the extracted data from the Arudra drone.

"Do you know any of them?" he asked.

I licked my lips as I decoded the script. # for h. ! for i.

Biohazard(ous) materials.

High priority.

"The numbers were simple," he added, "From what I could tell they were in two rows as I drew them out. Is that significant?" Adding to the surreal nature of the moment, as he spoke, Lynx seemed to be mimicking my accent.

"These symbols..." I began.

"Yes?"

"I have seen symbols like this before. Used by scientists from Zenobia," I explained. "Lynx. Don't show these to anyone..."

"Scientists?" he frowned, "Then what might've been in the packets?"

"...not until we know more." I added firmly.

"Okay," he agreed. "Do you think there was scientific equipment in the cargo container?"

"Maybe," I replied, "you mentioned 'biohazard' on the box marked LYNX."

"Yes." He paused a moment then added, "Ummmm, Could it be a play on words and it meant 'Links'?"

"Perhaps, but it does suggest the container at least, passed through Albion or Avalon."

"Then I could've been from one of those places maybe?" he asked, as if grasping for answers.

"Maybe..." I said absently. It was too early to draw conclusions. Just because Lynx and the bio-hazardous material ended up on Hale's did not mean they shared a point of origin.

Lynx's earliest memories were waking up in the cargo container on Hale's Moon, shortly after the fall of Shadow. Like a pin on the map, Hale's Moon was the end of the journey.

Draw a line to Zenobia for the likelihood that the bio-hazardous material was shipped from there. We now had a rough course for at least part of the journey of that shipment. Lynx could have been placed in the cargo container at any point.

I will need to check the location of nearby planets during that time.

Lynx frowned again, rubbing his cheek. It brought me back to the present.

"I should let you rest," I said finally.

"I guess so," he sighed. He looked out the window then back towards me, "When will you be able to be back?"

"I have to head to Avalon." I could say that much at least. Work related matters.

Lynx nodded.

"You can join me there if the doctor will let you travel... otherwise I will be back when I can."

"I've been able to travel for weeks," he reported, "but wanted to wait to hear from you."

I smiled warmly by way of reply.

Lynx politely stood up as I rose from my cushion.

"The UAP offices are just across there," I reminded him, "If you need to get me urgently and I am out of range, head over there."

"I will, Major."

I told Lynx that Calina had said that he was welcome at House Shanjian. "She asked about your well being," I added.

"That's nice of her," he replied with a smile, "I've missed her too. Will she be around in the next few days? Maybe I could find a ride there."

I did not know. "I will let you rest," I said instead, "We will talk soon."

Lynx bowed respectfully.

The Room with No Walls (Part One)

May 17 - Entering the Red Sun system, on approach to the Heinlein protostar.

"There is one abode called Hlidskjálf, and when Allfather sat in the high-seat there, he looked out over the whole world and saw every man's acts, and knew all things which he saw." - Gylfaginning

-----

** Encrypted personal communication. Connection established. **

"Hello Lynx."

"Is that you Major? I have not heard from you in so long."

"Yes," I confirmed. "It is good to hear your voice."

"It is," he answered. "I've been trying to keep myself busy. But it's a little strange. I sat in on one story telling.... and it was..... well, embarrassing....."

I smiled. I had not expected Lynx to attend the story telling of the Companions of Paquin. While I was not familiar with the specifics of their narratives, I could imagine they might well extend into the embarrassing. I directed the conversation into safer territory. "Let's start with your health. Are you well?"

"I am." he replied, "I feel much better now. I've been exercising to strengthen myself."

"Good. Good. Are you visiting the doctor?"

"Yes," replied Lynx, "They've said my breathing's better. They drew blood to make sure I haven't gotten anything while I've been here."

"Just a routine blood test?" I asked.

"Yes. Blood count and for any infections. That's what I was told by the doctor anyway." he added.

"I am on approach," I replied.

** End transmission. **

-----

May 17 - Paquin

I clambered off the small boat onto the sun-bleached wooden dock. The wind flicked the sail of my transportation. I paused to enjoy the pleasing sound of the canvas.

I heard a young voice and looked up.

"Major?"

He looked thinner than I remember. But his colour was good. And he was smiling.

"Hello Lynx," I smiled in return.

There was a moment as we stood facing one another, unsure how to proceed with the greeting, before settling on an awkward hug.

"I'm glad your safe," I managed to say. He seemed to relax.

Lynx nodded, "I'm glad you are too... When I didn't hear from you.... I got worried."

I stepped back and straighten my uniform. "So...please show me the island."

"Okay," he replied, and with that we set off across the beach.

"Well," I said, "I am back in the system now. We should have more contact." In theory anyway, I thought.

"That's good!"

We came to a small structure where the beach met the foliage. It was adorned with a colourful display of signs and pictures.

"This is the greeting area," Lynx explained.

I looked around and nodded. "Lead on."

"I can show you where the beach is," he offered, "and the flats."

We passed a number of houses in the oriental style. The area was quiet. Any occupant was either busy inside or away going about his or her business.

We crossed a number of wooden foot bridges. Clear water streaming along on its way to its own destination.

At last, we came to a plain wooden bench facing out across the water. This little corner of the beach was sheltered from the harshness of direct sunlight by thick growth to the one side.

"The jungle is rather dense," Lynx remarked.

"Very pleasant though," I said, referring to this corner of the island.

It was a tranquil spot. The soothing rhythmic sound of the waves. Pale, white sand. Clean. Pure.

"Yes," he replied, "I come here to watch the sunset."

"And your flat?"

"It's more of a small room. I don't mind though," he added.

"Well, I hope it is bigger than your room on Hales," I smiled.

"It is."

"Have you written to your friends there?" I asked. I was thinking of Lily in particular.

"Not yet," he replied, "I've been trying to sort out my thoughts. Being here helps to a degree, but the loss of time.... it feels like a part of me went missing."

I frowned. That was a bit upsetting to hear.

"I wish I had a better way of putting it," he added.

"And what about your memory? How is that?"

He shook his head, "Nothing. No dreams, no flashes. That part is totally lost."

"I would like you to visit the Bihar sanctuary when you feel stronger," I said.

"Bihar?"

"Yes, on Avalon. To speak with the Bai there. He may have some meditation techniques that can help."

Lynx looked a little concerned.

"You look worried," I probed.

"What if they do come back.... and I find I'm something I won't like?"

I paused for a moment. "Show me your room," I directed.

"It's in the city," he replied.

I nodded. The walk would do us good and it would give me a chance to formulate a reply.

-----

"I hear a lot of the ships coming in," he said, "Sometimes it keeps me awake at night."

Lynx led the way into his apartment and then stood aside allowing me to enter.

"Well," I said, "it is small, but has a great view!"

The view was, in fact, stunning. It reminded me of the nest of an eagle. High above the city, one could see many of the major sights in the city and out to the mountain peaks beyond.

All four walls were set to transparent. The space was filled with natural light. Stark contrast to the dark prison of the stasis chamber that Lynx had to recently endure.

He nodded. "I can see the ships coming in. And there's the beach. Sometimes it looks empty.
We've had a few storms." Lynx looked out the window to the sea then quietly turned around and offered me a cushion.

"Thank you," I said as I took my seat.

"Your welcome," he responded politely and took his own cushion.

"I love the mountains," I added with a smile.

"Yes. The mountains are nice. I've not gone up there yet."

"And you can see my office from here... well, when I am on world." I pointed to a tall building nearby. The magnificent emblem of the United Alliance of Planets watching over the city. With a good scope, I will be able to sit at my desk and see if Lynx is eating his breakfast.

He nodded, "I've been checking when some of the troop transports would come in."

Ah, I thought, it works two ways.

"So ..." I began, "your earlier remark....Lynx, whatever you find out, if your memories return, they will be of a remarkable young man, an honourable young man, because that is what you are. Nothing can change that."

Lynx looked at the floor then back up, "I hope not.... When I first woke up in that cargo container.....I thought it was the only place I had. I had to run through alleys to steal some clothing...... Then I was stealing liquor bottles and selling them."

"That is understandable," I interjected.

He put his hand up to his forehead. "But that wasn't all.... " He started to look anxious, worried perhaps that his actions would reflect badly upon him.

"I stole expensive gems....and information." He grew silent and looked at the floor as if awaiting a verdict.

I hesitated. With an almost painful, physical effort, I stopped myself from asking what information. Instead I said, "Lynx... we all do things we may not be proud of. Are you proud to have done these things?"

Lynx shook his head, "No Major..."

"No. Of course not," I responded. "Failure is a prerequisite for leadership. Learn from your mistakes. And make good for the things you have done wrong."

I could hear my father's words. My mother's voice.

Lynx looked up slowly, "I've been trying too. The money I gained went to a house and food. Partly to help Cindal. She needed a safe place."

"Good," I nodded, "Good that you can help."

"The rest of the money's in an account," he continued, resting his hands on his thighs.

I took a breath then asked, "Would you rather not know about your past? It is your choice."

"I do and I don't," he sighed, "I do because it would give me a name... I don't because if I'm some underworld crime bosses kid.... I don't know."

I twisted my mouth and raised my eyebrows as I considered the point. Fair analysis on his part. His theory fit the facts as we know them so far.

Scion of a powerful crime family. Parties unknown abduct him. Keep him on ice. Ship him to the Rim, out of the way. Hold him for ransom. Use him as leverage. It was unlikely that there would be a report.

"Hmm, well... then I guess your father will be surprised when you bring home your SIU investigator guardian for Sunday dinner, " I laughed gently, trying to may light of the possibility.

He smiled a little, "That would be something."

"Seriously though," I said firmly, "we will face it together, whatever it is...."

Lynx nodded seriously, "Okay."

"...and you know Tillery will support you in any situation," I added.

"Yes," he replied.