April 6 - Paquin
It has been four months since my meeting with Ardra. With the exception of a few short excursions, that time has been spent here on Paquin.
It was has been to stay in one place for a change. Walking through the same streets every day. Settling into routines. Looking up and seeing the same sky. It couldn't possibly last of course, but it was nice just the same.
-----
Ceasar had to work late again tonight.
Shift work can be hard on a couple. Fortunately, we have an understanding of the demands of each other's job. Also I had a greater flexibility in my hours than he did and could often match my shift to his, or at least overlap things enough that we were not just passing each other in the hallway twice a day.
I actually enjoyed the later hours. They gave me a chance to work uninterrupted.
An empty office. I could dress casually, turn on a little opera and listen to some of my favorite arias while I worked well into the night.
-----
A package had arrived from Section 6. An inscription on an artifact on Araxes needed deciphering.
Since the restoration of the Laandsrat, after the assassination of Jade, the local government of Araxes appeared to be in a weakened state. Militias ruled the desert. Local government officials were either missing or powerless to stop them. The violence culminated with raids on spice mining facilities from a group calling themselves the Ta Seti, and originating from the home system of the Myrmidon Order.
The artifact, located in front of the local Magistrate's keep, was thought to be connected somehow.
I examined the photo and supporting documents. I wrote the sequence of glyphs on my board and stood back to consider them, as the aria began.
Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen,
Tod und Verzweiflung
Tod und Verzweiflung flammet um mich her!
This cluster of symbols would fit the pattern of the name Ta Seti. We will start with that possibility and then match those letters - A E I S T - to the corresponding glyphs in the rest of the inscription.
From there, we can deduce the definite article and that gives us the letter H.
SI is a common reversal and the first T could be missing or damaged. That would mean the first part of the inscription reads: "(T)his is the Ta Seti."
-----
Verstoßen sei auf ewig,
verlassen sei auf ewig,
zertrümmert sei'n auf ewig
alle Bande der Natur
Verstoßen
verlassen
und
zertrümmert
alle Bande der Natur
-----
Now, the two letter words.
One starts with T. It must be followed with O.
Another starts with I. Given that we have assigned S and T that leaves either N or F for its partner. Frequency studies would support letter N.
We now have eight letters.
The sixth and tenth word are the same. They end with E.
I closed my eyes for the second coloratura....
The waves of music washing over me. My blood began to sing.
I opened my eyes. Thrilled by the powerful aria, the letters and glyphs danced for me. Each one stepping forward to reveal their true nature. Each one obediently stepping back as I directed them to a new location.
The double letters in the final word now drew my attention. Frequency again supports FF or LL. Double L would give us "hello". The final W could be a scribal error or a phonetic determinative. If the final word is "hello" then the penultimate word could be "say", giving us the Y.
Hört! Hört! Hört! Rachegötter, hört der Mutter Schwur!
----
The aria was over. Quietness descended upon the room.
I rested for a moment in the silence.
I touched the board erasing the translation, leaving only the original script. Then I read the inscription aloud for no one to hear.
"This is the Ta Seti. We come in peace. We send this out to say hello."
The message light blinked on her screen. Word had quickly spread of her safe
return to Colchester, she still had not ventured back to Londinium. Potential
clients and well-wishers filled her inbox. But one message took her breath
away. It was still too painful. More than a decade since her expulsion by her
father and [...]
"Major, we have an opportunity and a conflict," the Colonel said. "Part of the
deal is to deliver the bodies to the Space Nav Guild. It could be an
opportunity to seize Ardra, but I think it would risk the deal. We need
alternatives."
-----
November 30
Press Release: Inquisition Drops All Charges on Al Raqis Landsraat "Taurean Defendants"
Colonel Aodhfionn MacMoragh of the Union of Allied Planets reached an agreement with the Imperial Inquisitor, His Grace Margrave Princely Count Sardar Kumar Sri Rai Sahib Khanzadeh for the release of the three Al Raqis Landsraat defendants from 34 Tau.
Charges are hereby dropped for Calina Tereschenko of House Shanjian, Zeno Baxton of House Zenobia, and Deren Ireton of House Barca. All travel restrictions and asset controls are hereby lifted effective immediately.
The deal was brokered by the Space Navigator Guild who refused to make comment.
The Imperium expressed appreciation to the Union of Allied Planets and the Space Navigator Guild for their assistance in the pursuit of justice.
The Margrave Inquisitor declined to disclose the nature of the deal other than it was "evidence vital for the furtherance of the pursuit of the Imperium's Justice".
Inquisitor His Grace Margrave Princely Count Sardar Kumar Sri Rai Sahib Khanzadeh commented, "The three Taurean prisoners were very tight-lipped and refused to turn State's Evidence, but they obeyed the forms which is important as per the Great Convention. The forms must be obeyed. Fortunately for them, their home government was resourceful on their behalf and was able to procure their release."
-----
My shuttle sped through the Black.
The space in between. The
neither-neither.
I flipped a switch and spoke into the communicator, on a private channel, "Requesting coordinates."
The reply was immediate. ** 190 190 4040 for lower entry. **
"Confirmed," I replied.
The signal continued to broadcast as my ship approached the structure.
** 190 200 4144 for terminus
entry. **
** 190 190 8640 for auxiliary
entry. **
** Permission for entry is
granted. **
** Proceed and land in the lower
level. **
** Entry to the loading bay is on
the lower west side. **
-----
The shuttle door opened with a hiss.
I was confronted by a cloud of iridescent bubbles, each one roughly a meter or more in diameter. Scintillating colours of red, green, and blue.
"Welcome, Major." It was the voice of Ardra Aurotharius. It was accompanied by an echo:
"You may leave your shuttle," she
added. "The bay is pressurized for your convenience."
I stepped out onto the sloping
deck. The walls arching upward into the gloom.
The bubbles were warm and soft to the touch. The accompanying noise was chaotic and loud, difficult to define.
"Hello Audrey..." I began.
"I will permit it," she said, on my use of the name. "Tell me, Major, does this errand remind you of anything?"
"The bubbles make me think of New Year's," I replied, "why don't you show yourself?"
She did not reply. Instead, the bubbles gradually subsided revealing her familiar form. The claws were tucked in. The wings pulled back. Spice vented from the top of the framework, where the head should be.
"Thank you," I said, "That's better."
"Tell me of your errand today," she said, "An Alliance Officer brings to the Spacing Guild Corpus a body to secure for some purpose of political necessity."
"I have some dead bodies for the Guild," I agreed, "Something Central Government arranged."
"We will accept them for safekeeping as in the past," she declared. "Twenty years ago, such an errand only merited a lieutenant," she added with a hint of mockery.
She referred to the bones of St. Zenobius housed with the Guild during the war. The same relics she had tried to put on the blackmarket. Her attempt to sell those artifacts had led to her file being sent to my desk over two years ago.
We had indeed come full circle.
"Well," I replied, "we have a connection, you and I."
"I might not have come in person for others," she admitted, "Especially after the recent security breach."
I smiled. "So, how is the Guild treating you?" I asked, as if we were old friends, "Are you happy here?"
"To the extent to which I am capable, yes," she replied. "And I have facilities available to me that I would not otherwise."
"Your research is going well then?"
"Yes it is," she replied, "Your assistance has moved things along well. Have you progressed on my request?"
I answered charitably, "Glad to be able to help. You are aware that we take a great interest in your work..."
"That has never changed," she remarked.
I continued, "... and I do have a preliminary medical report on the twins."
"Have they found the Aleph or the Zahir?" she asked.
I did not answer her question. Instead, I said, "Let me ask you, Audrey, what would it take for you to come back to us...to continue your work in 34 Tauri.... for the Alliance?"
"Tell me if you found the Aleph or the Zahir," she said, "and I will answer you plainly."
"We might have found the Aleph. We are running tests."
As promised, she answered plainly. "If you have indeed found the Aleph, you may have custody of me on June 3rd of the coming year."
"Surely, you would like to be part
of the testing procedure," I said, "to verify the find."
"I will be able to verify on June 2nd."
"Why that date, Audrey?" I asked.
Ardra explained, "It is when the Aleph will be activated....and I can return home." She then asked a question. "How is Wylder? You keep him off the grid."
I was not done talking about June 2nd. "Is that the date your consciousness transfers into the Audrey clone?"
"It is not like that," she said.
"What is it like?"
"It is like family," said Ardra. "Being together. Eighteen years has been a long time to wait."
I paused, giving her response the respect it deserved, then I answered her earlier question. "Wylder is fine. A charming man indeed. Would you like to see your father? We can arrange that."
"It will traumatize him," she replied, "You would do well not to tell him about the Aleph. We will be reacquainted after the singularity event. It will be like it was. Have you told him of the Audreys?"
I answered with a question. "Would you rather wait until after the Aleph is activated?"
"It would be best," she replied. "It is Wylder you risk by your rash acts. You awakened him too early," she accused, "Tragedy has made him fragile."
"I am glad to see you are protective of him," I answered, "as a daughter should be."
Ardra continued, "He can maybe forget the tragedy like it was a bad dream, a hibernation nightmare."
"We want you back home, Audrey. You can help him forget... once you are restored."
"We will help him forget," she agreed, "and we can all move on." She then asked, "Did you bring the Centavo?"
I pulled a coin out of my belt pouch and held it up, the strange light of the Guild Terminus reflecting off the metal. It was the 1929 Argentinean 20 centavos given to me by Wylder Aurotharius.
Another cryptic noise came from Ardra:
She had activated sensors.
Still holding the coin, I asked, "What precautions should we be taking, prior to the activation of the Aleph, to ensure a smooth transition?"
"Keep the girls' strength up."
I slipped the coin into the breast pocket of my uniform. "Come and inspect our laboratory before the event," I said.
"I might," answered Ardra, "We will discuss again after you get further confirmation."
"We will keep in touch," I said, "You and I."
"We can," she replied.
-----
Project Aurotharius was an Alliance sponsored think tank funded to research and develop the most experimental technologies.
During the time of the project's existence, Audrey Aurotharius, daughter of lead researcher, Professor Wylder Aurotharius, took gravely ill. Her father used all the resources at his disposal to save her life. His efforts proved fruitless.
Audrey died, still connected to the Auto Regressive Development Research Algorithm, an artificial intelligence that was her playmate in life. The result calls itself/herself Ardra Aurotharius.
Whether Ardra was the data ghost of a dead girl lingering in the microtubules of a quantum computer, or an autonomous artificial intelligence yearning to reunite with her friend, it did not matter in the end. Sometimes experiments are stolen. Other times, they get up and walk away on their own. Either way, it part of my job to find them and bring them back.
And if Ardra/Audrey was a monster, she was our monster. We created her. We had the responsibility to take care of her.
Whatever that might mean.
-----
***** Secured Comms *****
From: Colonel Aodhfionn MacMoragh, UAP Special Projects
To: Major Pepper Siamendes, UAP SIU
I am forwarding to you Mu Draconis Terminus Observational Analysis from Doctor Serendipity.
Report is as follows:
From: Doctor Qui Von Wer Foreman Serendipity, PhD
To: Colonel Aodhfionn MacMoragh, UAP Special Projects
Reference: Mu Draconis Terminus
Subject: Observational Analysis
The scheduled arrival of a member of the Space Navigator Corpus to pick up cargo from Major Siamendes created a unique opportunity to get a better scan of the interior of their local terminus which has replaced the High-Liner and perhaps learn more about their operating mechanisms.
The High-Liner moved twice in the previous year to finally be replaced by this new Terminus Station which is now in the same general location as the original High-Liner.
Attached please find two image files for your reference.
The outer image shows the Terminus Station with what bears a resemblance to a Fermitron, an orbital based particle collider reputedly designed by Enrico Fermi in the mid-twentieth century Old Earth-That-Was. These Fermitrons are not permanently attached to the Terminus, they only seem to be active with the arrival and departure of the Navigator Corpus.
From our previous reconnaissance,
we know the approximate dimension of the Fermitron. The two paper thin plasma
antenna extend up over 32 kilometers from the base. The particle tube extends
4.5 kilometers from the base. The Collision platform is about 2 kilometers from
the base with a containment rotor extending up 100 meters above and below. The
Confinement Torus' base is about 400 meters from the base and extends up to 100
meters over the top of the Terminus.
A similar Fermitron extends horizontally 90 degrees from the vertical one. It's dimensions appear the same except that the Confinement Torus is much wider almost a hemisphere 500 meters in diameter.
The Eye of Harmony and the Titan Ignition Matrix is not shown, it is contained within the Terminus itself, we estimate at about 125 meters from the base.
The second image is based on some new imaging technology we are employing which allows us to know some of the gross architecture of the main building.
The Terminus Station is 700 meters
high with an perpendicular conduit extending out 2 kilometers. There is some
sort of particle tube in the center of the conduit which extends 4.5 kilometers
from the Terminus, it appears to function as a beacon of some sort. A similar
vertical particle tube at the center of the Terminus also extends 4.5
kilometers from the Terminus.
Eye of Harmony - 4150 estimated
Titan Ignition Matrix - 4125-4175 estimated
Confinement Torus - 4400-4750
Plasma Antenna - 4150-37,000
Collision Platform - 6150
Containment Rotor - 6050-6250
Particle Tube - 4100-8700
4700m Upper Rim
4650m Upper Entry
4600m Upper Staging
4400m Bottom of Confinement Torus
4350m Unknown Function
4300m Unknown Function
4275m Unknown Function
4250m Unknown Function
4225m Unknown Function
4200m Unknown Function
4150m Conduit Access
4100m Console Room
4075m Staging Area
4050m Loading Area
4025m Entry Area
Some areas still remain unknown to us, further study will be required.
We are still constructing models to theorize about the purpose of the purported Fermitrons. Future reports will follow.
Doctor Qui von wer Foreman Serendipity, PhD
Zenobia Institut Polytechnique
Department of Physics
***** End Secured Comms *****
-----
November 30
Press Release: Inquisition Drops All Charges on Al Raqis Landsraat "Taurean Defendants"
Colonel Aodhfionn MacMoragh of the Union of Allied Planets reached an agreement with the Imperial Inquisitor, His Grace Margrave Princely Count Sardar Kumar Sri Rai Sahib Khanzadeh for the release of the three Al Raqis Landsraat defendants from 34 Tau.
Charges are hereby dropped for Calina Tereschenko of House Shanjian, Zeno Baxton of House Zenobia, and Deren Ireton of House Barca. All travel restrictions and asset controls are hereby lifted effective immediately.
The deal was brokered by the Space Navigator Guild who refused to make comment.
The Imperium expressed appreciation to the Union of Allied Planets and the Space Navigator Guild for their assistance in the pursuit of justice.
The Margrave Inquisitor declined to disclose the nature of the deal other than it was "evidence vital for the furtherance of the pursuit of the Imperium's Justice".
Inquisitor His Grace Margrave Princely Count Sardar Kumar Sri Rai Sahib Khanzadeh commented, "The three Taurean prisoners were very tight-lipped and refused to turn State's Evidence, but they obeyed the forms which is important as per the Great Convention. The forms must be obeyed. Fortunately for them, their home government was resourceful on their behalf and was able to procure their release."
-----
My shuttle sped through the Black.
The space in between. The
neither-neither.I flipped a switch and spoke into the communicator, on a private channel, "Requesting coordinates."
The reply was immediate. ** 190 190 4040 for lower entry. **
"Confirmed," I replied.
The signal continued to broadcast as my ship approached the structure.
** 190 200 4144 for terminus
entry. **
** 190 190 8640 for auxiliary
entry. **
** Permission for entry is
granted. **
** Proceed and land in the lower
level. **
** Entry to the loading bay is on
the lower west side. **
-----The shuttle door opened with a hiss.
I was confronted by a cloud of iridescent bubbles, each one roughly a meter or more in diameter. Scintillating colours of red, green, and blue.
"Welcome, Major." It was the voice of Ardra Aurotharius. It was accompanied by an echo:
"You may leave your shuttle," she
added. "The bay is pressurized for your convenience."
I stepped out onto the sloping
deck. The walls arching upward into the gloom.The bubbles were warm and soft to the touch. The accompanying noise was chaotic and loud, difficult to define.
"Hello Audrey..." I began."I will permit it," she said, on my use of the name. "Tell me, Major, does this errand remind you of anything?"
"The bubbles make me think of New Year's," I replied, "why don't you show yourself?"
She did not reply. Instead, the bubbles gradually subsided revealing her familiar form. The claws were tucked in. The wings pulled back. Spice vented from the top of the framework, where the head should be.
"Thank you," I said, "That's better."
"Tell me of your errand today," she said, "An Alliance Officer brings to the Spacing Guild Corpus a body to secure for some purpose of political necessity."
"I have some dead bodies for the Guild," I agreed, "Something Central Government arranged."
"We will accept them for safekeeping as in the past," she declared. "Twenty years ago, such an errand only merited a lieutenant," she added with a hint of mockery.
She referred to the bones of St. Zenobius housed with the Guild during the war. The same relics she had tried to put on the blackmarket. Her attempt to sell those artifacts had led to her file being sent to my desk over two years ago.
We had indeed come full circle.
"Well," I replied, "we have a connection, you and I."
"I might not have come in person for others," she admitted, "Especially after the recent security breach."
I smiled. "So, how is the Guild treating you?" I asked, as if we were old friends, "Are you happy here?"
"To the extent to which I am capable, yes," she replied. "And I have facilities available to me that I would not otherwise."
"Your research is going well then?"
"Yes it is," she replied, "Your assistance has moved things along well. Have you progressed on my request?"
I answered charitably, "Glad to be able to help. You are aware that we take a great interest in your work..."
"That has never changed," she remarked.
I continued, "... and I do have a preliminary medical report on the twins."
"Have they found the Aleph or the Zahir?" she asked.
I did not answer her question. Instead, I said, "Let me ask you, Audrey, what would it take for you to come back to us...to continue your work in 34 Tauri.... for the Alliance?"
"Tell me if you found the Aleph or the Zahir," she said, "and I will answer you plainly."
"We might have found the Aleph. We are running tests."
As promised, she answered plainly. "If you have indeed found the Aleph, you may have custody of me on June 3rd of the coming year."
"Surely, you would like to be part
of the testing procedure," I said, "to verify the find.""I will be able to verify on June 2nd."
"Why that date, Audrey?" I asked.
Ardra explained, "It is when the Aleph will be activated....and I can return home." She then asked a question. "How is Wylder? You keep him off the grid."
I was not done talking about June 2nd. "Is that the date your consciousness transfers into the Audrey clone?"
"It is not like that," she said.
"What is it like?"
"It is like family," said Ardra. "Being together. Eighteen years has been a long time to wait."
I paused, giving her response the respect it deserved, then I answered her earlier question. "Wylder is fine. A charming man indeed. Would you like to see your father? We can arrange that."
"It will traumatize him," she replied, "You would do well not to tell him about the Aleph. We will be reacquainted after the singularity event. It will be like it was. Have you told him of the Audreys?"
I answered with a question. "Would you rather wait until after the Aleph is activated?"
"It would be best," she replied. "It is Wylder you risk by your rash acts. You awakened him too early," she accused, "Tragedy has made him fragile."
"I am glad to see you are protective of him," I answered, "as a daughter should be."
Ardra continued, "He can maybe forget the tragedy like it was a bad dream, a hibernation nightmare."
"We want you back home, Audrey. You can help him forget... once you are restored."
"We will help him forget," she agreed, "and we can all move on." She then asked, "Did you bring the Centavo?"
I pulled a coin out of my belt pouch and held it up, the strange light of the Guild Terminus reflecting off the metal. It was the 1929 Argentinean 20 centavos given to me by Wylder Aurotharius.
Another cryptic noise came from Ardra:
She had activated sensors.Still holding the coin, I asked, "What precautions should we be taking, prior to the activation of the Aleph, to ensure a smooth transition?"
"Keep the girls' strength up."
I slipped the coin into the breast pocket of my uniform. "Come and inspect our laboratory before the event," I said.
"I might," answered Ardra, "We will discuss again after you get further confirmation."
"We will keep in touch," I said, "You and I."
"We can," she replied.
-----
Project Aurotharius was an Alliance sponsored think tank funded to research and develop the most experimental technologies.
During the time of the project's existence, Audrey Aurotharius, daughter of lead researcher, Professor Wylder Aurotharius, took gravely ill. Her father used all the resources at his disposal to save her life. His efforts proved fruitless.
Audrey died, still connected to the Auto Regressive Development Research Algorithm, an artificial intelligence that was her playmate in life. The result calls itself/herself Ardra Aurotharius.
Whether Ardra was the data ghost of a dead girl lingering in the microtubules of a quantum computer, or an autonomous artificial intelligence yearning to reunite with her friend, it did not matter in the end. Sometimes experiments are stolen. Other times, they get up and walk away on their own. Either way, it part of my job to find them and bring them back.
And if Ardra/Audrey was a monster, she was our monster. We created her. We had the responsibility to take care of her.
Whatever that might mean.
-----
***** Secured Comms *****
From: Colonel Aodhfionn MacMoragh, UAP Special Projects
To: Major Pepper Siamendes, UAP SIU
I am forwarding to you Mu Draconis Terminus Observational Analysis from Doctor Serendipity.
Report is as follows:
From: Doctor Qui Von Wer Foreman Serendipity, PhD
To: Colonel Aodhfionn MacMoragh, UAP Special Projects
Reference: Mu Draconis Terminus
Subject: Observational Analysis
The scheduled arrival of a member of the Space Navigator Corpus to pick up cargo from Major Siamendes created a unique opportunity to get a better scan of the interior of their local terminus which has replaced the High-Liner and perhaps learn more about their operating mechanisms.
The High-Liner moved twice in the previous year to finally be replaced by this new Terminus Station which is now in the same general location as the original High-Liner.
Attached please find two image files for your reference.
The outer image shows the Terminus Station with what bears a resemblance to a Fermitron, an orbital based particle collider reputedly designed by Enrico Fermi in the mid-twentieth century Old Earth-That-Was. These Fermitrons are not permanently attached to the Terminus, they only seem to be active with the arrival and departure of the Navigator Corpus.
From our previous reconnaissance,
we know the approximate dimension of the Fermitron. The two paper thin plasma
antenna extend up over 32 kilometers from the base. The particle tube extends
4.5 kilometers from the base. The Collision platform is about 2 kilometers from
the base with a containment rotor extending up 100 meters above and below. The
Confinement Torus' base is about 400 meters from the base and extends up to 100
meters over the top of the Terminus.A similar Fermitron extends horizontally 90 degrees from the vertical one. It's dimensions appear the same except that the Confinement Torus is much wider almost a hemisphere 500 meters in diameter.
The Eye of Harmony and the Titan Ignition Matrix is not shown, it is contained within the Terminus itself, we estimate at about 125 meters from the base.
The second image is based on some new imaging technology we are employing which allows us to know some of the gross architecture of the main building.
The Terminus Station is 700 meters
high with an perpendicular conduit extending out 2 kilometers. There is some
sort of particle tube in the center of the conduit which extends 4.5 kilometers
from the Terminus, it appears to function as a beacon of some sort. A similar
vertical particle tube at the center of the Terminus also extends 4.5
kilometers from the Terminus.Eye of Harmony - 4150 estimated
Titan Ignition Matrix - 4125-4175 estimated
Confinement Torus - 4400-4750
Plasma Antenna - 4150-37,000
Collision Platform - 6150
Containment Rotor - 6050-6250
Particle Tube - 4100-8700
4700m Upper Rim
4650m Upper Entry
4600m Upper Staging
4400m Bottom of Confinement Torus
4350m Unknown Function
4300m Unknown Function
4275m Unknown Function
4250m Unknown Function
4225m Unknown Function
4200m Unknown Function
4150m Conduit Access
4100m Console Room
4075m Staging Area
4050m Loading Area
4025m Entry Area
Some areas still remain unknown to us, further study will be required.
We are still constructing models to theorize about the purpose of the purported Fermitrons. Future reports will follow.
Doctor Qui von wer Foreman Serendipity, PhD
Zenobia Institut Polytechnique
Department of Physics
***** End Secured Comms *****
Timeline: Over a year ago Location: Persephone “Bao bei – you aren’t returning
my waves,” he said, with a chagrined look on his face. He was
right. Calina had been ignoring his messages for a couple of weeks.
Other, more pressing matters had taken over. It had been a busy season.
“Braxton, dear, I am [...]
Trade has resumed to normalish levels since the pox plague crisis has passed. In order to expand trade further, the Consolidated Associated Traders of Zenobia (C.A.T.Z.) is jobbing out to independent traders. DaveDorm Gaffer, Seren Undercroft, Svetlana Pleiades, Stacy Leakey, Cody Winterwolf and Ziggy London have stepped up so far. We have been working with Dave, Svet, Tillery and Albert on setup for some time.
Araxes to Dragon's Egg Moon to Washtown to Colchester to Zenobia to Paquin and back seems to be a popular route. We are trying to get trade missions going to Botany Bay, Necronom IV, Deshima Station and Talmont. I am going to have to ask around about Strega, Blackburne Smuggler's Den and Moonshel. We have a current limited consignment from some trade with Cargo Express and am negotiating with Umbrella Corporation for a consignment to expand medical trade
I was checking the settings on the embassy guesthouse autoshuttle when I saw Seren Undercroft who rents one of the landing pads nearby. I waved her up and showed her some of the inventory we have available for consignment.
I originally thought Seren Undercroft was from 34 Tauri, then I thought she was from Deshima Station, then I found (when I asked her) that she was from some place called the seven sun. We discussed where that was, but I don't remember. I really need to keep better notes.
I showed Seren some of the very fine products from the Dharma Initiative and the Alferd Packer Meat Packing Company of Packard, Albion. Zenobia produces some very fine livestock, clover fed beef and fodder crop hogs, etc, but most of what I have in inventory was spacer and prison provisioning.
Tripe, Haggis, Headcheese, MRMs, Chum, Fish Heads. Synthetic Protein Artificially Manufactured (S.P.A.M., crueltly free meat substitute), not to be confused with the 13 varieties of real meat Spam (Shoulder Pork And Meat), Smeat (Spreadable Meat, convenient and fun) and Soylent Green. Ultimate Beef is their biggest export, only a lifetime of force feeding and the best growth-hormones and steroids can make.
Seren was expecting to be heading to Dragon's Egg Moon, so I didn't expect her to take any Blue Sun products. But who can refuse the fruity oaty goodness of fruity oaty bars? I try to explain to people the practical aspects of hibernation and cryogenic labor transport, Gruntsicles. But for some reason, no one seems excited about the opportunity.
Shortly thereafter, Seren got elected to the Beit Dawla Council in Al Raqis. I see her every week now. Willard Deerhunter and Dave Gaffer were also elected, I am used to seeing them often. Willard works at the Clan Misrim trading post in the Deep Desert and Dave Gaffer runs Vulture Shipping. I see them both regularly. I didn't have much dealings with Arnold Gustav before his election to the Beit Dawla, he and Sisko were the only military types who won seats in the election. Captain Sisko Aries of the STC (Starfleet Torchwood Command) has not yet taken the oath of office and his term is a third over. Trade types dominate the current council.
Meanwhile, back in Zenobia, Svetlana Pleides arrives with a phosphorus that she got in trade in Caliban. She is anxious to get to Dragon's Egg and then to Paquin, a circuitous route. Svet travels with her first mate and her children in their very comfortably appointed ship.
Svet is still trying to figure out what to trade for to get the maximum return for her trade.
I took Svet up to the C.A.T.Z. Longbow Frigate that we keep moored for orbital loading and unloading. I showed her the new reconditioned mule for moving cargo and some of the lifesupport cargo among other things.
I ran across Ziggy London recently. I don't know where he has been all these months, hopefully not prison. He bought me this great new clipboard.
Bug hunting in Araxes has been brisk, I have almost 100 tons of the critter carcasses boxed up for export. I consigned out 15 boxes to Ziggy.
That and some Mudder's Milk, regular and chocolate flavored. Protein and vitamins and 15% alcohol. Mm-mm gross. Big mover along with Fruity Oaty Bars, people can't say no.
We have four master bug hunters so far in Araxes. Those are folks who have collected all 20 meat beetles, both landlobsters and 12 steak spiders. Saygar, Ito, Stacy and Ferris. Ferris is a kid and did it with just a slingshot. But shouldn't he be in school?
We traded them each 8 literpaks of the highly coveted Literpaks with specially processed micro-cluster Dihydrogen oxide specially manufactured with some somnoluminesence process to make it more effective for the desert. Or so the literature says although the legal disclaimers says that they cannot claim that.
I try to clue traders in that there is good radionuclide ores in Dragon's Egg Moon. I direct them to Natirra for medical supplies and Miya Wingtips for colony supplies and then to Cody to trade for the ore mined in the colony.
Luckily, they are nice enough to crate them with protective shielding.
Sources of Thorium, Uranium and Duranium (depleted uranium). Very few fission reactors in this day and age. But Fission Fired Fusion Reactors are simpler than a lot of fancy engines. Fission salt rockets are used in deep space missions. The simplest engines ever, even a plumber can fix them.
The UAP has had a modest military presence in Araxes for years, a very low profile. A barracks, a few missions, some meetings, some negotiations. But recently they made an installation, the Watchtower overlooking the Al Raqis Highport.
They had threats in the area, the Guild Navigator who was involved in theft of Zenobian antiquities, the criminal Commander Faith and his father, the AR_Pharma debacle, the negotiations for the release of Zeno and Calina.
A lot of indies come to Araxes. Lori Schulman is from Araxes but grew up in 34 Tau, joined the independents in the last part of the war. She has a small village in the area. A known hangout for smugglers.
It is difficult to maneuver a full sized Firefly into the village, but with some luck and determination I was able to get it done. I spoke with the Sheika of Azaadi for a while. I think she views me as Alliance and did not want to talk about trade, saying none was done in the area.
Of course, earlier I found the village stash. No worries.
Zeno went to Azaadi along with some friends. She had hired someone for Kaden Security but they have frequent scheduling conflicts.
November 26
To: Colonel M__________, Special Projects
From: Major Pepper Siamendes, Special Investigations Unit
Concerning the Activities of AR-Pharma on Araxes following the Saf Virus Outbreak
I. Background:
The Saf Virus, commonly called the "Black Pox", was first identified on the planet Araxes by Dr. Eliza Demanjrick of Hoto Nagi. Symptoms include dark pustules and stains to the surrounding tissue. Transmission and fatality rates are high.
Al Raqis council chamber transcripts indicate preliminary research into a cure was seized by the local government at the October 18 session of the Laandsrat. Soon after, AR-Pharma established a production facility in the region.
According to public records, a key ingredient of this early version of the cure is derived from the blood of members of the native born population. This form of the cure, later known as the "Blood Cure", remains controversial in the medical community to this day.
However, with the only proven cure to that point under local government control, a rush began to provide alternatives. Subsequent versions began to appear from recognized pharmaceutical sources and unregulated markets.
Nevertheless, despite the marketing of 'blood-free' products from other sources and the attempt by a number of governments to subsidize the manufacturing and distribution of alternatives, AR-Pharma continued to post healthy profits from the sale of its medicine.
-----
II. The Facility:
The AR Pharma production facility
was located at the edge of the desert to the East of the Al Raqis
settlement.
The one large, main door to the
structure opened to the only landing pad and was heavily reinforced. No other
exits were apparent. An automated sentry gun, placed on standby, was clearly
visible on the eastern side of the landing pad. Large vats were stored both
inside and outside of the building, waiting for transportation off world.
Lower interior levels contained
open warehouse space, enclosed control terminals and processing tanks.
The second floor contained an
office or packaging area.
The third floor contained an array
of blood draining equipment, similar in design to equipment we found on the
derelict ship 'Persephone'.
A crematorium was located in a
side chamber on the second floor for the disposal of human remains.
A later upgrade to the facility
included advanced harvesting equipment.
-----
Sealed Appendix to Report Concerning the Activities of AR-Pharma on Araxes
A total of three assaults took place against the AR-Pharma facility during the week of November 12 to 19. Our operations in the region have allowed us to construct the following timeline:
On November 12, elements of the UNSC 405th arrived at the AR-Pharma facility.
Quasi-human in appearance, these
marines were seen entering the building and destroying storage vats.
These troops were joined by a
black assault craft bearing the Registration No. 20341 and the call sign
“Intruder”.
Persons disembarking included a
woman in a Hoto Nagi uniform who appeared to take command of the operation. The
group was accompanied by one Myrmidon. It was unclear in what capacity the
Myrmidon was present.
The principals were followed back
to the Al Raqis Medical Centre. The large windows of the medical centre
permitted easy viewing of the activity within.
The principals gathered on the
second floor. The group sat at a conference table and reviewed footage take in
the AR-Pharma facility.
It was after this event that AR-Pharma announced an increase in security. Information on the type of sentry gun was forwarded to [the United Systems Directorate] as per our information sharing arrangement.
-----
On November 14, our listening post intercepted this transmission:
"Sentry down at coordinates 168/201/63"
This was followed a short time later by:
"Sentry down at coordinates 167/210/73"
Analysis indicates that these coordinates fall within the AR Pharma facility.
We have concluded that this marks the continuation of the Hoto Nagi operation to shut down AR-Pharma activities. It was after this event that AR-Pharma announced its first interruption in production.
-----
On November 19, there were reports of a further explosion heard across the settlement.
This final attack reduced the
facility to rubble. Acrid, black smoke drifted across the settlement. Residents
complained of difficulty breathing and nausea. Our agents in the area observed
that the fire burned for days.
Timing indicates that this attack followed AR-Pharma final attempts at repair and equipment upgrading. It is unknown who was responsible for this explosion.
To: Colonel M__________, Special Projects
From: Major Pepper Siamendes, Special Investigations Unit
Concerning the Activities of AR-Pharma on Araxes following the Saf Virus Outbreak
I. Background:
The Saf Virus, commonly called the "Black Pox", was first identified on the planet Araxes by Dr. Eliza Demanjrick of Hoto Nagi. Symptoms include dark pustules and stains to the surrounding tissue. Transmission and fatality rates are high.
Al Raqis council chamber transcripts indicate preliminary research into a cure was seized by the local government at the October 18 session of the Laandsrat. Soon after, AR-Pharma established a production facility in the region.
According to public records, a key ingredient of this early version of the cure is derived from the blood of members of the native born population. This form of the cure, later known as the "Blood Cure", remains controversial in the medical community to this day.
However, with the only proven cure to that point under local government control, a rush began to provide alternatives. Subsequent versions began to appear from recognized pharmaceutical sources and unregulated markets.
Nevertheless, despite the marketing of 'blood-free' products from other sources and the attempt by a number of governments to subsidize the manufacturing and distribution of alternatives, AR-Pharma continued to post healthy profits from the sale of its medicine.
-----
II. The Facility:
The AR Pharma production facility
was located at the edge of the desert to the East of the Al Raqis
settlement.
The one large, main door to the
structure opened to the only landing pad and was heavily reinforced. No other
exits were apparent. An automated sentry gun, placed on standby, was clearly
visible on the eastern side of the landing pad. Large vats were stored both
inside and outside of the building, waiting for transportation off world.
Lower interior levels contained
open warehouse space, enclosed control terminals and processing tanks.
The second floor contained an
office or packaging area.
The third floor contained an array
of blood draining equipment, similar in design to equipment we found on the
derelict ship 'Persephone'.
A crematorium was located in a
side chamber on the second floor for the disposal of human remains.
A later upgrade to the facility
included advanced harvesting equipment.-----
Sealed Appendix to Report Concerning the Activities of AR-Pharma on Araxes
A total of three assaults took place against the AR-Pharma facility during the week of November 12 to 19. Our operations in the region have allowed us to construct the following timeline:
On November 12, elements of the UNSC 405th arrived at the AR-Pharma facility.
Quasi-human in appearance, these
marines were seen entering the building and destroying storage vats.
These troops were joined by a
black assault craft bearing the Registration No. 20341 and the call sign
“Intruder”.
Persons disembarking included a
woman in a Hoto Nagi uniform who appeared to take command of the operation. The
group was accompanied by one Myrmidon. It was unclear in what capacity the
Myrmidon was present.
The principals were followed back
to the Al Raqis Medical Centre. The large windows of the medical centre
permitted easy viewing of the activity within.
The principals gathered on the
second floor. The group sat at a conference table and reviewed footage take in
the AR-Pharma facility.It was after this event that AR-Pharma announced an increase in security. Information on the type of sentry gun was forwarded to [the United Systems Directorate] as per our information sharing arrangement.
-----
On November 14, our listening post intercepted this transmission:
"Sentry down at coordinates 168/201/63"
This was followed a short time later by:
"Sentry down at coordinates 167/210/73"
Analysis indicates that these coordinates fall within the AR Pharma facility.
We have concluded that this marks the continuation of the Hoto Nagi operation to shut down AR-Pharma activities. It was after this event that AR-Pharma announced its first interruption in production.
-----
On November 19, there were reports of a further explosion heard across the settlement.
This final attack reduced the
facility to rubble. Acrid, black smoke drifted across the settlement. Residents
complained of difficulty breathing and nausea. Our agents in the area observed
that the fire burned for days.Timing indicates that this attack followed AR-Pharma final attempts at repair and equipment upgrading. It is unknown who was responsible for this explosion.
**Begin Encrypted Transmission**
November 23
Medical Examination Report
To: Major Pepper Siamendes, UAP Special Investigations Unit (SIU)
From: Captain Manda Soldi Westminster, UAP Special Projects seconded to SIU
Reference: Audrey Aurotharius and Audrey Aurotharius
Subject: Nanoprobe Medical Examination
Traditional methods of medical examination detailed in previous reports were interesting but created more questions than answered. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the showed signs of both microgravity and gravitic shearing stress with a differential gradient varying from 10Gs to 4Gs over a 2 meter length. I received the authorization to send the reports for a consult at the Polytechnique.
Doctor Moira Aristocrat, a
doctor attached to the Zenobian Medical Center, proposed a virtual nanoprobe
imaging procedure that might be more illuminating. After a tour of the facility
and a thorough orientation was given to Ms. Zdychava, she gave the
authorization for the procedure. Dr. A was very patient and also gave the full
tour of the facility to the twins.
The procedure involved injecting self-propelled nanoprobes, about the size of a bacterium, that would transmit images to a virtual imaging suite. We also had control of the probes and were able to actually collect samples that we could later extract when we withdrew the probes from the bloodstream, assuming that the probes were not destroyed by the body’s internal defenses.
We managed to take samples
of several bacteria and a couple of viruses for later analysis. Bacteria and
white blood cells destroyed three of our probes while we attempted to collect
cell samples of a bloodclot and an amyloid plaque tumor we located. We were
finally successful on both counts.
Thru trial and error we
managed to learn where the greater dangers were located and were able to
adeptly collect pathogen and cell samples with minimal risk.
Finally, we located what we think might be the item of interest in one of the two girls. A very sophisticated self-replicating nanobot which is constructed in parts by the girl’s own cells. It is a sophisticated nanobot with robust defenses. After several attempts, we were finally able to obtain a usable sample. We suspect that this is the Aleph that the A.R.D.R.A. unit was looking for.
Preliminary analysis
indicates that it is constructed in part with neural microtubules and appears
to have some structures similar to the quantum circuits found in the Arudra
unit that we captured with the assistance of Dr. Serendipity. We will do what
non-destructive tests that we can and then call him in for a
consult.
Reports to follow.
Captain Manda Soldi Westminster,
UAP Special Projects seconded to SIU
Cc: Colonel Aodhfionn MacMoragh
**End Encrypted Transmission**
November 23
Medical Examination Report
To: Major Pepper Siamendes, UAP Special Investigations Unit (SIU)
From: Captain Manda Soldi Westminster, UAP Special Projects seconded to SIU
Reference: Audrey Aurotharius and Audrey Aurotharius
Subject: Nanoprobe Medical Examination
Traditional methods of medical examination detailed in previous reports were interesting but created more questions than answered. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the showed signs of both microgravity and gravitic shearing stress with a differential gradient varying from 10Gs to 4Gs over a 2 meter length. I received the authorization to send the reports for a consult at the Polytechnique.
Doctor Moira Aristocrat, a
doctor attached to the Zenobian Medical Center, proposed a virtual nanoprobe
imaging procedure that might be more illuminating. After a tour of the facility
and a thorough orientation was given to Ms. Zdychava, she gave the
authorization for the procedure. Dr. A was very patient and also gave the full
tour of the facility to the twins.The procedure involved injecting self-propelled nanoprobes, about the size of a bacterium, that would transmit images to a virtual imaging suite. We also had control of the probes and were able to actually collect samples that we could later extract when we withdrew the probes from the bloodstream, assuming that the probes were not destroyed by the body’s internal defenses.
We managed to take samples
of several bacteria and a couple of viruses for later analysis. Bacteria and
white blood cells destroyed three of our probes while we attempted to collect
cell samples of a bloodclot and an amyloid plaque tumor we located. We were
finally successful on both counts.
Thru trial and error we
managed to learn where the greater dangers were located and were able to
adeptly collect pathogen and cell samples with minimal risk.Finally, we located what we think might be the item of interest in one of the two girls. A very sophisticated self-replicating nanobot which is constructed in parts by the girl’s own cells. It is a sophisticated nanobot with robust defenses. After several attempts, we were finally able to obtain a usable sample. We suspect that this is the Aleph that the A.R.D.R.A. unit was looking for.
Preliminary analysis
indicates that it is constructed in part with neural microtubules and appears
to have some structures similar to the quantum circuits found in the Arudra
unit that we captured with the assistance of Dr. Serendipity. We will do what
non-destructive tests that we can and then call him in for a
consult.Reports to follow.
Captain Manda Soldi Westminster,
UAP Special Projects seconded to SIU
Cc: Colonel Aodhfionn MacMoragh
**End Encrypted Transmission**
"None but the dead are permitted to tell the truth." - Mark Twain
-----
November 23
Office of the District Medical Examiner
Imperial Coordinates: Al Raqis, Araxes, Mu Draconis System, Arsenal-Denobula Wormhole Nexus, Solomani-Geminga Sphere, Orion–Cygnus Arm - Oa Sector 2814.
Report of Investigation By District Medical Examiner
Decedent: Jade Moonkill
Species: Human
Gender: Female
Age: Late teens, early 20s
Notification by: Al Raqis Constabulary
Type of Death: Violent Death reported as an accident.
Disposition of Body: Clothed, unmolested and undisturbed. Found dead in rigor mortis, no attempt to revive was made. Constabulary moved the body prematurely and disturbed the crime scene destroying possible contributory evidence.
Items found on the Body: Backpack, helmet with rabbit ears, spice prospecting equipment, hydrolic calipers, various mechanics tools, literpak canteen.
Eye Coloration: Green
Hair Coloration: White
Skin Coloration: White
Facial Hair: None
Height: Approx. 1.6 meters
Weight: Approx. 45 kilograms
Body Temperature: Ambient
Rigor Mortis: Yes
Wounds and
Marks: Facial soft tissue destroyed. Mandible, tooth structures and facial
bones destroyed by wounds consistent with several high caliber pistol rounds at
close range, possibly caseless ammunition. No bullets were in the body nor
found on the scene. There were no defensive wounds or signs of struggle. Healed
scars consistent with organ harvesting present. Internal signs of multiple
organogenesis harvest sites present.
Medical Conditions: Decedent suffered from a relatively rare mining-related congenital condition colloquially referred to as being a "moon-baby" in response to overexposure to certain chemicals such as tetra-calcium phosphonates and other mined food preservatives at unregulated mining sites and ore processing facilities. Notable signs are albinism and certain sensory, immune system and cognitive side effects.
Toxicity Screen: Hair, blood, bodily fluids and tissue samples were collected. Negative for any bacterial/viral agents, recreational pharmaceuticals nor alcohol present in the blood or tissues. Traces of the prescription medicine, Solproperal, was present in the bloodstream. Solproperal is used in the treatment of Tetra-calcium phosphonates related congenital defects. Residue of Araxes Desert-Spice cinnamaldehydes in bloodstream consistent with Araxes Desert-Spice prospecting condition exposure and consuming foods in Araxes for several months to almost a year. Varieties of chordopoxvirinae variola virus antibodies in bloodstream is consistent with a resident who had been exposed to the various epidemics that manifested Araxes in the past months.
Notes: Decedent was in good general health at time of death. Occupational indicators consistent with mining work prior to adolescence. Hand bone development and scarring indicates frequent mechanical work.
Probably Cause of Death: Multiple gunshot wounds to the head at close range.
Disposition: Body was bagged and sealed in morgue coldbox consistent with regulations for the interstellar transportation. Union of Allied Planets consulate officer took possession of body after autopsy was complete. Cleared for interstellar transport.
Declaration: I hereby attest that after receiving notice of the death described herein, that I took charge of the body and made all of the required inquiries and testing regarding the cause of death in accordance with the applicable regulations, statutes and establish procedures/protocols established for the jurisdiction and that the information contained herein regarding said death is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Doctor Manda Soldi Westminster, Medical Examiner
Doctor Moira Aristocrat, Witness to the Autopsy Procedure
-----
November 23
Office of the District Medical Examiner
Imperial Coordinates: Al Raqis, Araxes, Mu Draconis System, Arsenal-Denobula Wormhole Nexus, Solomani-Geminga Sphere, Orion–Cygnus Arm - Oa Sector 2814.
Report of Investigation By District Medical Examiner
Decedent: Jade Moonkill
Species: Human
Gender: Female
Age: Late teens, early 20s
Notification by: Al Raqis Constabulary
Type of Death: Violent Death reported as an accident.
Disposition of Body: Clothed, unmolested and undisturbed. Found dead in rigor mortis, no attempt to revive was made. Constabulary moved the body prematurely and disturbed the crime scene destroying possible contributory evidence.
Items found on the Body: Backpack, helmet with rabbit ears, spice prospecting equipment, hydrolic calipers, various mechanics tools, literpak canteen.
Eye Coloration: Green
Hair Coloration: White
Skin Coloration: White
Facial Hair: None
Height: Approx. 1.6 meters
Weight: Approx. 45 kilograms
Body Temperature: Ambient
Rigor Mortis: Yes
Wounds and
Marks: Facial soft tissue destroyed. Mandible, tooth structures and facial
bones destroyed by wounds consistent with several high caliber pistol rounds at
close range, possibly caseless ammunition. No bullets were in the body nor
found on the scene. There were no defensive wounds or signs of struggle. Healed
scars consistent with organ harvesting present. Internal signs of multiple
organogenesis harvest sites present.Medical Conditions: Decedent suffered from a relatively rare mining-related congenital condition colloquially referred to as being a "moon-baby" in response to overexposure to certain chemicals such as tetra-calcium phosphonates and other mined food preservatives at unregulated mining sites and ore processing facilities. Notable signs are albinism and certain sensory, immune system and cognitive side effects.
Toxicity Screen: Hair, blood, bodily fluids and tissue samples were collected. Negative for any bacterial/viral agents, recreational pharmaceuticals nor alcohol present in the blood or tissues. Traces of the prescription medicine, Solproperal, was present in the bloodstream. Solproperal is used in the treatment of Tetra-calcium phosphonates related congenital defects. Residue of Araxes Desert-Spice cinnamaldehydes in bloodstream consistent with Araxes Desert-Spice prospecting condition exposure and consuming foods in Araxes for several months to almost a year. Varieties of chordopoxvirinae variola virus antibodies in bloodstream is consistent with a resident who had been exposed to the various epidemics that manifested Araxes in the past months.
Notes: Decedent was in good general health at time of death. Occupational indicators consistent with mining work prior to adolescence. Hand bone development and scarring indicates frequent mechanical work.
Probably Cause of Death: Multiple gunshot wounds to the head at close range.
Disposition: Body was bagged and sealed in morgue coldbox consistent with regulations for the interstellar transportation. Union of Allied Planets consulate officer took possession of body after autopsy was complete. Cleared for interstellar transport.
Declaration: I hereby attest that after receiving notice of the death described herein, that I took charge of the body and made all of the required inquiries and testing regarding the cause of death in accordance with the applicable regulations, statutes and establish procedures/protocols established for the jurisdiction and that the information contained herein regarding said death is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Doctor Manda Soldi Westminster, Medical Examiner
Doctor Moira Aristocrat, Witness to the Autopsy Procedure
"A great man should die as shattered jade (gyokusai) rather than live as an
intact tile." - The Book of Northern Qi
-----
November 9 - Araxes
Two days after our meeting in the mountains of the Hoto Nagi moon, Dr. Demanjrick found her holographic protection redirected to the Magistrate's Keep. There she was pressured to make her deposition before the Imperial Prosecutor, and in the presence of a Third Stage Guild Navigator.
This marked the first of the legal proceedings against the members of the Laandsrat.
As part of the conditions placed
upon her, the doctor was required to make a public apology for her part in the
crimes of the local administration. As the newest member of the Laandsrat at
that time, the penalty was suitably minor.
It was the accompanying picture that caught my interest. It's value could not be overstated. It seems that at the moment the picture was captured, a draft in the Magistrate's Keep had blown aside the cloud of spice that perpetually surrounded the Navigator's tank, providing a glimpse of the enigmatic creature. Rumours were that they were human once, deformed by the steady consumption of psychotropic substances. Whatever this being was, it did not resemble anything human.
-----
During this time, our assets in the city of Al Raqis had begun assembling the resources necessary for any subsequent action. This included a survey of the archaic tunnel system beneath the _________________ , scans of the nearby ___________ base and reconnaissance of the AR Pharma factory.
On November 12, a series of
devastating assaults began on the AR Pharma facilities. Our forces in the area
were well placed to monitor the action. Analysis indicated initial attacks came
from UNSC forces under Hoto Nagi leadership.
Once the assaults had begun, Hoto Nagi launched an information campaign decrying the AR Pharma cure, calling it ineffective and citing dangerous side effects. It was a well timed announcement designed, I am sure, to erode public confidence in the company as military forces pounded the facility.
Production limped along but the powers behind AR Pharma could not effect repairs or upgrade security fast enough to withstand the steady attacks. Within seven days, the facility lay in ruins. Who struck the final blow is a matter of debate among our analysts.
-----
November 16
The sad news arrived: Jade Moonkill had been assassinated.
It was no surprise really. She had refused to take the necessary precautions to protect herself. Records show her refusing bodyguards as she left the council chambers. And she had succeeded making some serious people very cross.
The body showed several gunshot wounds to the face. Such anger, such vitriol. This was a murder charged with emotion. Someone wanted Jade erased.
-----
November 19
From the Office of the Imperial Prosecutor:
Week long negotiations with Colonel Aodhfionn MacMoragh from the Union of Allied Planets Special Projects Division has resulted in evidence being provided which will advance the prosecution of the Landsraat Defendants in the Matter of the Imperium v. Al Raqis Landsraat Council.
Several official and unofficial pleas were made for the bailment of Landsraat Council Advisor Lady Calina Tereschenko so that they could deliver the remains of the recently murdered Beit Dawla Delegate Jade Moonkill and to attend the funeral service.
Bailment is hereby granted for Lady Calina Tereschenko.
-----
On November 20, four days after Jade's murder, the Magistrate reclaimed her seat in the local government, forcing an oath of allegiance and adherence to procedures on those in attendance. The head of House Zenobia elected to remain in prison until the outcome of UAP negotiations, distancing herself from the events in council.
The revolution was over.
Our people had remained active. Captain Westminster had managed to collect samples of all significant cures to the Saf virus. Some wholesome and effective, others foul and harmful:
These samples, along with the research provided by Dr. Demanjrick, would keep our scientists busy for months, if not years.
My commanding office, Colonel M_________, played host to the Imperial Prosecutor at our facility in the D_______ province, showing evidence our people had removed from the AR Pharma facility before its destruction.
On November 21, I received this
message from him: "We have reached an agreement with the Imperium Inquisitor. A
copy of your recon report is required to seal the deal."
-----
November 9 - Araxes
Two days after our meeting in the mountains of the Hoto Nagi moon, Dr. Demanjrick found her holographic protection redirected to the Magistrate's Keep. There she was pressured to make her deposition before the Imperial Prosecutor, and in the presence of a Third Stage Guild Navigator.
This marked the first of the legal proceedings against the members of the Laandsrat.
As part of the conditions placed
upon her, the doctor was required to make a public apology for her part in the
crimes of the local administration. As the newest member of the Laandsrat at
that time, the penalty was suitably minor.It was the accompanying picture that caught my interest. It's value could not be overstated. It seems that at the moment the picture was captured, a draft in the Magistrate's Keep had blown aside the cloud of spice that perpetually surrounded the Navigator's tank, providing a glimpse of the enigmatic creature. Rumours were that they were human once, deformed by the steady consumption of psychotropic substances. Whatever this being was, it did not resemble anything human.
-----
During this time, our assets in the city of Al Raqis had begun assembling the resources necessary for any subsequent action. This included a survey of the archaic tunnel system beneath the _________________ , scans of the nearby ___________ base and reconnaissance of the AR Pharma factory.
On November 12, a series of
devastating assaults began on the AR Pharma facilities. Our forces in the area
were well placed to monitor the action. Analysis indicated initial attacks came
from UNSC forces under Hoto Nagi leadership.Once the assaults had begun, Hoto Nagi launched an information campaign decrying the AR Pharma cure, calling it ineffective and citing dangerous side effects. It was a well timed announcement designed, I am sure, to erode public confidence in the company as military forces pounded the facility.
Production limped along but the powers behind AR Pharma could not effect repairs or upgrade security fast enough to withstand the steady attacks. Within seven days, the facility lay in ruins. Who struck the final blow is a matter of debate among our analysts.
-----
November 16
The sad news arrived: Jade Moonkill had been assassinated.
It was no surprise really. She had refused to take the necessary precautions to protect herself. Records show her refusing bodyguards as she left the council chambers. And she had succeeded making some serious people very cross.
The body showed several gunshot wounds to the face. Such anger, such vitriol. This was a murder charged with emotion. Someone wanted Jade erased.
-----
November 19
From the Office of the Imperial Prosecutor:
Week long negotiations with Colonel Aodhfionn MacMoragh from the Union of Allied Planets Special Projects Division has resulted in evidence being provided which will advance the prosecution of the Landsraat Defendants in the Matter of the Imperium v. Al Raqis Landsraat Council.
Several official and unofficial pleas were made for the bailment of Landsraat Council Advisor Lady Calina Tereschenko so that they could deliver the remains of the recently murdered Beit Dawla Delegate Jade Moonkill and to attend the funeral service.
Bailment is hereby granted for Lady Calina Tereschenko.
-----
On November 20, four days after Jade's murder, the Magistrate reclaimed her seat in the local government, forcing an oath of allegiance and adherence to procedures on those in attendance. The head of House Zenobia elected to remain in prison until the outcome of UAP negotiations, distancing herself from the events in council.
The revolution was over.
Our people had remained active. Captain Westminster had managed to collect samples of all significant cures to the Saf virus. Some wholesome and effective, others foul and harmful:
- the Blue Sun caplet,
- the Clan Misrim blood-free cure,
- the suspect vaccine sold by the criminal Niska,
- the AR-Pharma cure with its sinister ingredients,
- the herbal cure developed by the Companions of Paquin,
- and the nanotech assisted cure developed by Dr. Natirra Danick of Osiris.
These samples, along with the research provided by Dr. Demanjrick, would keep our scientists busy for months, if not years.
My commanding office, Colonel M_________, played host to the Imperial Prosecutor at our facility in the D_______ province, showing evidence our people had removed from the AR Pharma facility before its destruction.
On November 21, I received this
message from him: "We have reached an agreement with the Imperium Inquisitor. A
copy of your recon report is required to seal the deal."
November 9
"The infectiousness of crime is like that of the plague."
- Napoleon Bonaparte
-----
On my way back from the Hoto Nagi moon, another report arrived from Gage. This one concerned an explosion at a Blue Sun facility. His initial findings suggest the involvement of organized crime.
-----
To: Major P. Siamendes, SIU
Report - Blue Sun Investigation
This investigation resulted from a call from a concerned citizen who stated the location in question was on fire secondary to an explosion. One individual was injured, the CEO of Blue Sun Corporation, x0x0 Zhangsun. I received clearance to go down to the surface to begin the investigation of the site for clues.
Arriving at the facility was uneventful. No one was near the underground facility. The exterior on approach appeared untouched by the explosion.
Inside, severe smoke damage
was noted, some scorch damage due to the fire, and broken objects caused by the
heat and explosive forces. Containers and boxes are a total loss due to the
damage, and subsequent fire suppressants used. Moving further into the
facility, I was able to gain entry into the lab. The place was clear of debris
but did suffer smoke damage.
Making my way to the upper
level, I noted severe smoke and explosive damage. A number of objects were
destroyed and scattered away from the blast area. The center of the blast is a
large crate. Mostly intact. I noted that it was a solid piece of wood made to
look like a crate. Probably to maximize fire and wood shrapnel damage. The fire
suppressants stopped the fires and may have kept the crate from being
completely lost. Moving around the crate, I did spot an unexploded trip mine.
It was disarmed and is being sent on to the lab with the other samples from the
lab and upper level to be analyzed.
Moving to the other side of
the wood crate I found a knife stuck into what looked like a burned piece of
paper. Using a small brush, I was able to uncover the wording on it. Both the
knife and note have been bagged and tagged as evidence with the rest of the
samples.
Noted: x0x0 Zhangsun was the
only person injured in the explosion. Some of the crates which looked like the
viral cure were also damaged. The lab was untouched beyond smoke damage. One
undetonated trip mine. A note and a knife. I'm not sure but the name on the
note looked like Niska. The note was typed, rather then being
written.
When the results of the samples are in, they will be sent to you directly.
Sgt. G. MacArthur, Temporary assignment on Sun Tzu II.
"The infectiousness of crime is like that of the plague."
- Napoleon Bonaparte
-----
On my way back from the Hoto Nagi moon, another report arrived from Gage. This one concerned an explosion at a Blue Sun facility. His initial findings suggest the involvement of organized crime.
-----
To: Major P. Siamendes, SIU
Report - Blue Sun Investigation
This investigation resulted from a call from a concerned citizen who stated the location in question was on fire secondary to an explosion. One individual was injured, the CEO of Blue Sun Corporation, x0x0 Zhangsun. I received clearance to go down to the surface to begin the investigation of the site for clues.
Arriving at the facility was uneventful. No one was near the underground facility. The exterior on approach appeared untouched by the explosion.
Inside, severe smoke damage
was noted, some scorch damage due to the fire, and broken objects caused by the
heat and explosive forces. Containers and boxes are a total loss due to the
damage, and subsequent fire suppressants used. Moving further into the
facility, I was able to gain entry into the lab. The place was clear of debris
but did suffer smoke damage.
Making my way to the upper
level, I noted severe smoke and explosive damage. A number of objects were
destroyed and scattered away from the blast area. The center of the blast is a
large crate. Mostly intact. I noted that it was a solid piece of wood made to
look like a crate. Probably to maximize fire and wood shrapnel damage. The fire
suppressants stopped the fires and may have kept the crate from being
completely lost. Moving around the crate, I did spot an unexploded trip mine.
It was disarmed and is being sent on to the lab with the other samples from the
lab and upper level to be analyzed.
Moving to the other side of
the wood crate I found a knife stuck into what looked like a burned piece of
paper. Using a small brush, I was able to uncover the wording on it. Both the
knife and note have been bagged and tagged as evidence with the rest of the
samples.
Noted: x0x0 Zhangsun was the
only person injured in the explosion. Some of the crates which looked like the
viral cure were also damaged. The lab was untouched beyond smoke damage. One
undetonated trip mine. A note and a knife. I'm not sure but the name on the
note looked like Niska. The note was typed, rather then being
written.When the results of the samples are in, they will be sent to you directly.
Sgt. G. MacArthur, Temporary assignment on Sun Tzu II.
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