Setting Sun Pt 2. Directions - Possessions
Directions
Black Omega Council Chambers of Sheyla Simon.
Clair Dock, Tjakiri
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Since their last dealings with one another, Sheyla was not amused by the appearance of what she came to call ‘the drone,’ under her breath. Being contracted and paid for by the same council meant she could not deny her either.
There were no cordial greetings as Lilia entered the office. All was business as she placed a tablet on Sheyla’s desk, the clear image of a man looking directly at the source.
‘I know of him, but have had no direct connection. He goes by the name of Tzebra. He has several ships based here. He is considered a friend of Chief Winkler along with being considered a firm ally of the clan. What is your exact interest in him?’
‘Scroll.’ Lilia said with a flat tone.
The next picture showed the deceased officer from the Njikas battle.
‘I knew him well. A good enforcer who had been with the clan for several years. He served as my body security when I was coming through the ranks. How are these two connected?’
‘They are not.’ Lilia stated, and in keeping with her directive. ‘He is a close ally, and the contract requires no less than a thorough investigation. Both of the living and the recently deceased.’
Lila’s body remained immobile as her cybernetic eye fixed on Sheyla
‘This Tzebra has been a known person since the Pegasi pirate wars. Data suggests he had a part in keeping Delaine from obtaining this system and putting your clan under his boot. There has never been direct evidence supporting this, but his role in this sector, during that time, in service of the Imperial Navy, would make him an instant ally.’
Shelya though uncomfortable, leaned forward to look at the picture more closely. Perhaps this could be of benefit towards the future position.
‘I see your point, but we have never had any direct connection, though I was present during those times as well, as an under-boss for the clan. His dealings were with several departed elders of the clan, and a then junior officer of the organization and now leader, Chief Winkler.’
Lilia retrieved the pad and stood. ‘I thank you for your time council member. You have been honest, regarding all of the data obtained- rare for these parts -I will not keep you further.’
Lilia turned on her heel, exiting the councilor's chambers, as Sheyla herself activated the communicator on her wrist bracelet. ‘Have my chief of security meet me this afternoon.’
Chun system
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Tzebra was not present for the latest ship change. Moving from a Krait Mk II to an engineered Orca passenger class ship, was unexpected. Renata noted that no expense had been spared on its design and decor. The polished white and gray colors absorbed the lighting around it, giving way to a pleasant softness.
As told by the one who had rescued her, a packet was waiting in her quarters, along with all of the data from her previous work. Being so close to the Tjakiri territories, she was not allowed near the large viewing windows, or to stroll about the station. Her current entourage had to have known this would be the situation, hence her prior research data was present, along with an outline of future activities.
He had not been wrong in stating her future assignments would be that of dreams, for those in her profession. Her new employer's prior bio-organic chemistry works provided for a sound foundation to build upon. One of her tasks would be to apply for her works in known heredity with living samples of Guardian fungal samples recovered. A location had been established, mimicking the environment from which the samples were recovered. Its location was not divulged in the packet.
The second tasking involved nucleic acid and progenitor cellular modifications, with no further elaboration in the packet. The second part had her attention, and her eyes narrowed.
‘Progenitor cells were tailor-made for humans, with no compatibility in other species. Others in her field had already tested several theories, around comparable traits between Guardian and Human biology and physiology. Using modified progenitor cells would not alter the difference of nature.’
There was much that had been left out or had it. Renata thought as she began to read between the lines. ‘What if the two tasks are not related? What purposes could modification provide? Cure for a disease or undesirable trait? There were already vast sources of proven technologies which could cure most known ailments, and repair damaged DNA.’
She kept re-reading the second part, as her mind raced through all of the work she had done, and the works of others she had read in journals. By her fifth reading, her eyes began to open. ‘This isn’t about repairing but designing. Designing for who, or more accurately for what?’
Unexpected
Pratchett’s Disc, Orbis Starport, HIP 74290
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Francis watched the holographic form of Casandra.
‘I have ceased searching, but thought you should be aware. The usual wars and raids withstanding, there have been higher than the norm raids on scientific settlements. While this in itself is not report-worthy, the one I approached was. My landing request was denied and was informed to leave the area or be attacked. Not fined for trespassing but outright attacked. To get their point across, two unmarked Viper Mk IIIs appeared. I noted the Federation accent of the one who spoke.’
Francis nodded. ‘But that was only the beginning.’
Casandra titled her head. ‘Correct. I came back, but low over the terrain, landing 20km from the site. I took an SRV to within 3km. I cut all power except what was required by the turret-mounted camera and image intensifier. The interference in the infrared spectrum made viewing with any reliability impossible. What bandit or brigand runs around with that tech? I had to observe without its use, though the lights of the settlement helped to make an identification on the movement of unmarked containers. There was also a collection of activated escape pods. Their strobe identifiers worked as advertised, allowing clear identification from range. The ships they were loaded onto were unmarked and pristine. The escorts that paired with them, used a one in-close and one-loose Imperial escort formation. Whomever they are, they are not from this sector. Federation accents and Imperial tactics.’
Francis typed on her tablet in silence for a moment.
‘That is not where the story ends.’
‘No, it is not. Once they had departed I entered the settlement. The power was left on, but all of the building's atmospheres had been purged, preserving the remains of those insides, except those not inside. This is a biological research station. What I did not find were those key personnel with grade 3 or higher clearance. The data ports had all been wiped, and key pieces of equipment had been removed.’
Francis examined her pad for a moment, before looking up at the hologram.
‘You mentioned preservation of the remains. How were the occupants neutralized?’
‘High energy plasma impacts. The security personnel was done at range, but those inside the shelters were up close and personal. Many had the look of surprise frozen into their features. The layout of the security outside was one of baiting them into specific kill zones. They knew the security would respond in a specific manner, had studied them prior-to, and used that to set the time and place of their end.’
Francis felt an inner chill as her features remained neutral.
‘I need you to remain in the independent areas for a while. Keep your distance from the clans in the sector, and keep your eyes open, in case this group reappears. We need to switch our communications. Do you remember the Federation theta frequency from the 3302-time frame?’
‘Yes. It was a side channel for logistical coordination. The encryption is old and disused.’
‘That is why we will use it for our next communication. Anyone with interest will be looking for current, or new methods, not the past. After that, we will switch it again. Until then, go deep and keep your eyes open.’
Casandra’s image faded as Francis looked at the image on her tablet. The picture was dark, taken at long range, though the glow of a cybernetic eye could be seen.
Song’s Plantation, Wolf 1415 2b
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The reflection on the mirrored visor showed the approach of a security skimmer. It hovered briefly in examination before flying away. Its programmed responses are neutered by the facility's compromised security systems.
Standing to one side, the lead botanist for the facility stared at the bodies, strewn across the facility.
A feminine voice sounded in the helmet's communication system.
‘If you are prepared, we should begin our departure.’
The stoic expression of the botanist showed through the clear visor on her helmet.
‘A unique adventure awaits.’
Revelations
Pratchett’s Disc, Orbis Starport, HIP 74290
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Francis had taken the image sent by Casandra, of the glowing cybernetic eye, and checked for matches in the intelligence database. It was not until after the evening meal that the most probable match had been found.
During the meal, Francis recounted what Casandra had encountered, showing the image to Emaline and Poppy. To Francis's surprise, Emaline recognized the glow of the cybernetic eye. Having a cybernetic enhancement or required prosthetic was not unusual, the peculiarities of this one sparked a memory. After several minutes, Emaline recalled a name, Lilia Frost.
Francis checked that against the return image search findings, with the name being the same.
‘Who was she.’ Emaline asked as Poppy leaned back in her chair.
‘This one is a peculiar piece of work. Cybernetics are mentioned with no details to what extent, only a notation of some incidents requiring extensive efforts. Her prior history is blank, though he current associations are listed. My current employer is Tal Rai. A particularly dangerous and nasty piece of work Tal is.’
Poppy leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. ‘What makes him so dangerous and nasty?’
Francis leaned back reading the report, raising an eyebrow.
‘I knew of him far back, when he was a young officer with the IDC, Imperial diplomatic corps. His primary work was as a liaison between Senatorial charges and the Intelligence branch. He was active in Operation Davy Jones, the same as your dad was, but at a different level. Tal’s assignment was with the higher echelons, while your dad was more front-line in the dirt between various clans, factions, etc.’
Emaline crossed her legs, looking to Poppy and then to Francis.
‘What about after the war?’
Francis sighed. ‘That is where it takes a turn. Honorable discharge, then he vanishes for a couple of years. He mysteriously re-appears at a diplomatic mixer, hosting Federation and Imperial delegates and ambassadorial staff. In the days following there are several personal meetings with the same, then he vanishes once more, re-appearing in a notation of departing specific corporation headquarters.’
Poppy leaned back once more. ‘The Federation is at its roots a corporatocracy. No state secrets in that. But the question is why are corporate leaders meeting with this person?’
Emaline leaned towards Poppy. ‘Their Constitution allows for freedom of choice, though their laws ban the usual debaucheries, like narcotics, weaponry, slavery, etc.’
Poppy looked to Francis and Emaline. ‘Is he into such things?’
Francis studied the pad. ‘Tal personally, no. He is the bridge, the one who arranges the movement of goods and credits, making everything legal for the banks and inspectors.’
Poppy’s eyes narrowed. ‘I recall lessons in this from the instructors you and dad have provided me with.’
‘Please explain.’ Emaline asked as Francis smiled.
‘Say you are in charge of one of the corporations for the Federation. Everything is about the bottom line. The better your cost to benefit ratio is, the larger the corporation's profit, along with your own. Plus the nice bonuses which come along with making everyone else a bit richer. But how do you undercut the competition legally? You can’t use the stock and funds markets, as they are watched and regulated, so you have to do it on the production side. For that, you need cheap labor, not indentured workers, but those which are disposable commodities versus assets; in case you run afoul of an audit, they can be made to vanish.’
‘You’re talking about slaves.’ Emaline said.
Poppy nodded. ‘That and far more. The Federation Constitution and Laws forbid slaves, as does the Empire. Indentured servitude is one thing, unwilling is quite the other. But how do you move and pay for these commodities? Now there is the trick which makes the banks happy and richer.’
Emaline leaned back slightly in her chair. ‘Continue.’
Poppy looked to Francis who nodded. ‘Let us say you would like a billion credits worth of disposable commodities. You can’t just push that kind of capital through the system, without raising every red flag in the bubble, but you can purchase the same amount in regular commodities. Think of chemicals, minerals, consumer items, machinery, etc. All of that trade is legal, and moves without hindrance throughout the bubble, all the way to Colonia.’
Emaline’s eyes opened wide. ‘That is a lot of trade goods.’
Francis interrupted. ‘Far more than that. Intermixed into this shell game are mislabeled goods that have the disposable commodities you have purchased. Attempt to find that in the middle of four or more times that, of what Poppy has mentioned. You won't. There is no station in or out of the bubble, that has not seen a fair amount of that, moving through it. There is not enough computer or manpower available to hinder it.’
Emaline’s face turned red with anger, at the thought her station had this going through it.
Poppy reached over to hold Emaline’s hand, to calm her inner building rage.
Francis leaned back, giving the two a moment, before continuing.
‘This is more than simple slaves were are talking about. Narcotics, weaponry, artifacts, priceless art, antiques, you name it, it is in motion, and Tal is the bridge it moves over. In a casual side conversation that one single man could make a comment about dissatisfaction or business venture requiring adjusting, and in short order there would be a successor to the source of whatever or whomever that dissatisfaction encompassed.’
With Emaline calming and beginning to think about the nuances of the matter, Poppy released her hand and leaned back. ‘What is Tal and this cyborg’s connection or interest with my dad?’
Francis shrugged. ‘No information regarding that as of yet, but my inquiry did trip someone’s interest with the Imperial Diplomatic Corps.’
Poppy and Emaline’s expressions turned to one of surprise, as they both looked at one another.
Search and rescue office
Minkowski Horizons, Nuen
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The automated cargo handling system moved six occupied escape pods from the bay of the Dolphin-class ship. Often good Samaritans did not want to be identified, and payment was designed to maintain their anonymity. In a none too rare situation, it was requested that the payout be donated or otherwise redistributed. In this case, the requester asks that an account be established, at Clair Dock in the Tjakiri system.
Atuatus system
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The flow of stars outside the Viper Mk IV’s canopy window offered a brief moment of relaxation, as Agent Lilia Frost finished deciphering a message; a picture. The image was done in the dark and at the range, though she knew herself better than anyone. Her lattice formed a smile, as she leaned back in the pilot seat to look at the darkness for a moment longer.
A gentle light illuminated her communications screen, notifying her of a new incoming message. Both of her eyes flared as she read the congratulatory message from Clair Dock, for being a first-time depositor.
54 Draconis 2 d
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The twisted forms of eight suited bodies cooled on the planet’s surface. A distant silhouette of a person vanished, into the illumination cast by the rising sun.
Actuator
Tzebra’s Ship Stowage Area, Clair Dock, Tjakiri
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Agent Lilia Frost admired the collection of ships before her. The data file said Tzebra was a functional minimalist, in regards to personal belongings, with a sizable fleet; a ship engineered for any occasion. More indirect credit value than a Fleet Carrier, without the headaches. It also provides for easier dispersion, allowing for a larger set of options...including liquidation.
Walking through the bay, her first stop was at a Diamondback Explorer class. The data listed a second ship engineered and gifted to a local dredger and scrapper, Keilah Auer. Rescued from an escape pod, nursed back to health, and then funded. No contact listed since. The file did list his preference for the building others’. Always the good Samaritan. Lilia thought. Turning credits into gifted assets, with a charitable tax write-off- clever.
Much like his several properties. Providing natural protein food sources for the market. The Empire, Federation, and Alliance provided funding and tax advantages for such operations. He is also a Patron, without ever having once petitioned the Senator. Lilia’s lattice formed into a smirk. The Senator gets to count these things as a positive while bloviating in front of their ilk. An ego win for them, and a tax shelter for Tzebra.
Lilia walked around the hangar, admiring the ships.
Everything his way inside of the bubble, so why come back out here, to a place of long-ago memory? Was his age catching up to him too fast, and he needs that one last moment amongst the stars before time catches up to him? Why the abductions? Did he think to hurt Tal’s ventures by the removal of a few scientists? Their data and works? He was not so delusional, so what is he truly after?
She came upon the Beluga liner. A massive ship with pristine engineering applied. The cargo compartment was open, with work lighting showing from it. The nearer she approached, the more audible the noise from work within could be heard. The computer did not list him as being present within, but she would not put it beyond him to be someplace the computer was unaware.
Walking up the ramp, she could make out his form, through light misty steam. He was assembling what appeared to be a servant android.
‘You should have announced you would be arriving. I would have prepared something for you.’ He said, without turning from his task.
Lilia appreciated his situational awareness. ‘I had not thanked you properly for opening an account in my name.’
Tzebra paused his work, turning with a curious eye toward Lilia. ‘I am afraid you have me at a disadvantage. I opened no account for you, but if you are in need, it can be arranged.’
Lilia’s cybernetic eye gauged his pulse, breath, and body language. No deception was detected.
‘It appears I have been mistaken then. Perhaps you could inform me of the meaning of your words when parting Chief Winkler’s office. What was it you said; in anticipation.’
Tzebra smiled at that.
‘First, you must promise not to be put out.’
Lilia approached with soft flowing motions, as her lattice smiled. ‘Please, I insist and promise.’
Tzebra bowed towards her and made a popping sound by clicking his tongue off the roof of his mouth.
Lila dropped to her knees, as her arms locked to her sides. She tried in vain to lift her head but could not.
Kneeling next to her, Tzebra ran a finger down the side of her latticed face.
‘It would not be without a broken heart, should you come to discomfort. The answer to the question you cannot say is yes. You were expected. The moment you entered the hangar I knew you would find me here. That mist you walked through was filled with a team of nanobots. Originally programmed for controlling personalized voice-activated actuators, but they work wonders on cybernetics as well.’
Tzebra walked over to a bay locker, retrieving a hand analyzer.
‘You need to learn how to relax. Struggling against it will only make it worse.’
Moving back towards Lilia, he took a knee next to her, activating the device and scanning her several times.
‘We should have an initial understanding. My presence in these parts is not due to a requirement to see this side of space once more. That which dictates my presence is a future, which has yet to present itself.’
Lilia made a grunting noise, as she struggled against the microscopic horde controlling her.
‘I apologize for this requirement, but the chance of you being forthcoming as to the completeness of your design would be in serious question. Better to know for certain, before moving forward.’
Tzebra read the results of the scans, before walking back to the bay locker, and securing the device. ‘Now that I know what is needed, we can begin again in a proper context.’
Tzebra looked over his shoulder, as two sets of eyes glowed from the shadows. Lilia could see them from the top of her eyes as well.
‘You will be released, and it is asked you remain civil. If you can achieve this, then we can have a normal discourse, otherwise, you should exit without malice.’
Tzebra made a double popping sound, As Lilia slumped forward. Her hands bracing herself against the deck plating, as she breathed heavily.
‘Relaxing was the recommendation.’ He said, as he walked back to the workbench and began tinkering once more with the android. ‘No I did not open an account in your name, nor do I know who did, but it does intrigue me. There may be perhaps a touch of jealousy.’
Turning her head towards Tzebra, her lattice moved into a grin. ‘That was a first. I like you.’
Tzebra smiled without looking away from his work.
‘And I, you. You should be aware that my pleasantness should not be taken as a sign of not having experience in how to be the opposite of, but the data file you possess states as much.’
Standing up, she made the motions of brushing herself off...even though the deck was clean and pristine. Her cybernetic eye studied the shadows of the bay for the source of the lighted eyes, but nothing could be seen.
‘What would you do if I choose not to be civil?’
Tzebra continued tinkering. ‘One of these days I will find an actual actuator that fits without modification.’ Tzebra looked around the bay, before resting his smiling eyes on Lilia. ‘Care to donate?’
Lilia laughed. ‘Now that you know what is and is not flesh, what are your intentions?’
Tzebra tilted his head slightly, as he connected a neural wiring harness.
‘Right to it, I like that. Well, I should speak with Tal before answering.’
That caught Lilia off guard, as Tzebra secured the harness connection.
‘Do not get distracted. My hormones are not guiding me, as your sensors can detect. Your human side can sense my honesty in that statement as well. What my intents are, in the plural, needs to be passed through your employer before I proceed. As to my knowledge of Tal. We know each other. I am certain his business connections have assembled a healthy dossier on me, which you have stored as well. Search your data circuit. We were both in Imperial service, during interesting times. We are not chummy like Chief Winkler here but have crossed paths a few times. The file he has provided you has notations from his knowledge as well. You would be prudent to assume I know an equal amount of him, and now of you as well.’
It was easier to pass through a black hole in one piece than to make Lilia uncomfortable, but she had to concede that Tzebra had managed the feat without ceasing his work on an android.
Lilia walked up to the table, inspecting the work he was performing.
‘You did not answer the first question. Should I choose not to have been civil, what would you do?’
Tzebra smirked as he adjusted a power connection, securing it in place. Lilia adjusted her sight on the connection, as the optical wire turned into a view of the cargo-bay ceiling.
Tzebra sat back down, returning to his work.
‘You have speed, and in the right proportions you have enhanced reactions, but as with all things, gravity and the laws of physics are functional.’
Lilia recovered into a defensive posture, as her human mind wondered what had just happened, as the cybernetic implants replayed each millisecond.
Tzebra paused to look sideways at her. ‘I am not going to pay for the repairs if you burn out a circuit trying to figure it out. Enhancements do not negate the effects of not paying attention. Like your investigation for Black Omega. You focus on the narrow view, not the larger picture. You would have caught the dipping of a shoulder, and the tensing of neck and chest muscles, and responded in kind. What you could not see was my leg hinging behind your own, until I pulled it back with the correct amount of force to compromise your center of gravity, allowing the laws of physics to do the remainder.’
Lilia could not recall the last time a flesh and blood person had bested her, yet there he sat, tinkering with his android. She could not understand why her human emotions remained calm, then the mist came to mind. ‘Normally I would have been very upset by that, but your microscopic minions appear to be countering it.’
Tzebra paused once more. This time he stood up and turned to face Lilia. ‘They are not programmed for that, only for starting and stopping actuator functions. Do not forget that you were expected, and seeing the light from the open bay, you were expecting me as well. Perhaps the correct question would be, what are your intentions?’
Lilia's mind raced. That is the third time he had surprised her in as many minutes. She did not know how to respond to the question but registered an increase in pheromones and endorphins. Her pulse quickened, as Tzebra smiled and nodded. ‘Your answer has been provided.’
Hostile Intent
Clair Dock, Tjakiri
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Since her last encounter with Agent Frost, or what Councilor Sheyla Simon called ‘the drone,’ the person is known as Tzebra, and close ally of Chief Winkler was firmly in her mind. Her chief of security was tasked with finding all they could about his recent actions. The data he came across was enough to convince the council that Tzebra’s current fleet of stored ships is placed into lock-down status, pending review. Chief Winkler had to agree with the council's decision but managed to steer the council into one of discovery versus the clan’s old ways of a shoot on sight.
The contracted help was being relieved of her position as well, due to a provocative video of her with Tzebra, inside the hangar bay. Sheyla felt a sense of intense satisfaction in having ‘the drone’ removed. She had sought a way to exact revenge for the evening of their first meeting, in her quarters, and now she would have it. With one stroke she could remove all that annoyed her, including the station security chief; whose potential replacement was being considered.
The dejected look on Chief Winkler’s face and that the head of the council was enough to give Sheyla a broad smile, as she strutted from the council chambers, during recess.
Njikas System
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Tzebra walked around the complex, scanning each of the bodies for any bounties they might have when a series of messages appeared on his helmet's communications panel. The first was from Chief Winkler, on the current events, the disposition of his assets stored at their station, and the accusations placed against him, by the Black Omega council. A second message was from Lilia Frost, outlining her recall, and accusations placed against both her and him. A third message was from the Black Omega faction, outlining his reduction in status to that of hostile.
He paused for a moment to stare at the stars above, before walking back to his Scarab reconnaissance vehicle. The first task was to download all of the information obtained, followed by a reply to Chief Winkler, with Lilia Frost added as an additional recipient. He would be returning shortly to Clair dock and would like to present his evidence in front of the council himself, with the request that agent Lilia Frost is allowed to be present as well.
Tzebra sent one picture in the message. The reply was fast in coming as Chief Winkler replied.
‘You need to get here asap. A security team will meet you when you land, and bring you directly to the chambers.’
Possession
Clair Dock, Tjakiri
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Tzebra stood before the council, flanked by several black-armored clad enforcers. Lilia sat at the back of the chambers, her lattice remained neutral but the hint of a smile could be seen in the corner of her human eye.
Chief Winkler was the first to speak. ‘Do you deny the charges councilor Simon has presented before the council, of your attacks on our assets abroad?’
Tzebra looked at each of those seated. ‘I deny attacking the clan itself, but your assets I have attacked, and the data chip your security personnel has taken from me, have evidence you all need to see before we continue further.’
Sheyla pointed an angry finger at him, from across the table.
‘Let’s see if you can maintain your arrogance at your execution.’
Chief Winkler held up a hand and nodded toward the security personnel. The one holding the data chip placed it into the viewer. The first series was a set of pictures, showing the pillaged remains of one of their settlements. Several suited bodies littered the grounds of the lighted facility.
Tzebra looked to each of the councilors.
‘The first settlement I came to was without power. The site appeared abandoned, though something was out of place. That was the appearance of ballistic hits on the habitat building. There were no bodies present. Due to your current financial status in the system, it could be surmised that it was shut down as a cost-saving measure, except for the ballistic marks. Wanting to test my theory I visited a second settlement on the same planet, and ran across this.’
The scene changes to that of scattered bodies, in a mixture of color textures.
‘This was taken after neutralizing the bandits. The lights are on due to the stolen power regulator being placed back into the reactor. Each of the bodies you see presented contains a bounty, which the sitting member of Interstellar Factors can attest.’
Councilor Simon’s huffed in disgust. ‘Who is to say they were not part of your group, and you killed them to make yourself look like the hero?’
Tzebra’s face remained neutral as turned towards the viewing panel.
‘Here is a video of their surviving member attempting to flee in one of your ships. A Keelback, which I chased after, disabling its engines with focused burst lasers before it could jump out. You will see it fall to its demise on the planet below.’
Turning back to the council, Tzebra looked at each of their faces.
‘Yes, I attacked your asset. An asset being used by a fleeing bandit, and a party to the neutralization of your personnel and settlement.’
Tzebra turned back to the viewing panel.
‘Upon returning to the facility I was able to find their hidden ship, and downloaded its data banks, before taking its power regulator, and a host of other assorted items required for it to be operational. Before my returning here I overflew it, ensuring it was still present. Your own team can find it where it was left, 2km at 165dg from your settlement.’
‘It could have easily been one of your own that you planted.’ Sheyla spat. ‘You have enough ships to equip a squadron.’
Tzebra nodded. ‘You are correct, I do possess a few ships.’
Tzebra motioned toward the viewer.
‘Their cargo, which I left in their ship, generated an immediate need for me to track them down. Fortunate for all present here, their navigation system was full of useful information, including their last departure point. An isolated area, at 66.2191 by 68.6028 on planet D 3. Here you can see their storage area, for the product they were stockpiling- a synthetic pathogen.’
The image changed to that of the deceased diseased faces.
‘You will also note the shown personnel. They are wearing Black Omega technician uniforms, and are most likely those missing from the first settlement. They remain where they were found.’
‘Why did you not inform us immediately of this!’ Sheyla spat.
Tzebra turned to face the council once more.
‘I was obtaining this footage, and at the same time, the notification of my status change appeared on my communications screen. I contacted Chief Winkler immediately, sending him this picture.’
Chief Winkler looked to the council. ‘It is true. I told him he needed to get here asap, and here he stands.’
‘What of your affair with our contractor? You may have saved the day there, but have tainted a larger investigation elsewhere.’
‘A point.’ Tzebra said as he studied each face, before focusing on Sheyla.
‘Perhaps the answer to that question is closer than others think.’
This produced curious looks on those seated at the council table, as Tzebra looked up to Lilia.
‘As for any tainting of your contractor, that would be a false statement. That logic would have your own Chief Winkler being tainted, by us stacking bottles a few nights prior. Perhaps sharing a meal or moment taints those present, or could it be the real stain is on the one who lusts for power and position, beyond their ability to possess.’
Sheyla threw her cup from the table at Tzebra, as the dodged it, the guards grabbed him.
‘Release him.’ Chief Winkler growled.
Tzebra’s eyes narrowed as he stared at councilor Simons.
‘What would a person such as that be capable of? Whom would they be willing to harm, to grasp for those stars which are just outside of their reach?’
Heads began turning towards Sheyla, as Chief Winkler looked to Tzebra, who was looking towards a stoic Lilia.