Chapter 2

“Big question is, what the hell is a disguised Raffagee male doing on Vreekoos?” I asked as the various Guardians followed Baltus’ instructions to clear the site.

“It’s the disguised part that intrigues me,” Herrick replied. “Take off the mask and he didn’t look Raffagee or human.”

“No AI traces on him either. It’s unusual for them not to pick up on something like this,” Vilgra added.

“He did successfully block AI surveillance,” I noted. “Though not the high Imperial band that Amanda uses.”

“Most people don’t know it’s there,” Herrick shrugged. “Means they’re unlikely to block it.”

“We’re not picking up any jammers on him,” Baltus informed us.

“AI?” Herrick asked out loud.

“Yes Herrick?”

“Source of the area jamming used here, please?”

“Jamming ceased when Trusha disabled the Raffagee male.”

“Immediately?”

“Yes.”

“Wouldn’t be mentally driven?” Amanda queried.

“Raffagee aren’t known for any unusual mental abilities,” Vilgra replied.

“I’ve done a DNA scan,” Morano informed us. “The AIs are checking Coriola records as we speak.”

“AI, expedite Healer Morano’s request. Override medical seal if necessary,” Herrick requested.

“Complying.”

“If there are no records, we’ll need to get him to start talking,” Vilgra stated.

“Yes,” Herrick nodded.

“Record found,” the AI interrupted the silence caused by the thought of having to use coercion on a prisoner.

“Good,” Herrick replied. “Please go on.”

“Male is registered as Tallaksroon. He is currently wanted for murder, violent conduct, petty theft and drug abuse by the Coriola Protection Agency. He was missing, presumed dead.”

“Wonder how he did that?” I mused.

“Will be interesting to find out,” Vilgra commented.

As we were no longer needed by the official investigation, Amanda, and Trusha, returned to her home as I did to mine. I was greeted by my three younger siblings who were currently building some sort of scale model of the Imperial Tower with courot sticks as part of a school project.

“Looking good,” I complimented them as they cut and glued the various hard sticks to form the framework.

“Thanks,” Hilli grinned. “It’s not easy, we aren’t allowed to use any grav aids.”

“It’s to teach us how real-world projects in history were built,” Truna added.

“Yep, I helped Amanda, Vicki and Plenna to construct the Starport. Took us nearly a binary cycle.”

“Looking at the same time frame,” Galh put in.

“Yes, can’t do it at school, or full time either,” I chuckled.

“So, what have you been up to?” Hilli asked.

“Out and about with Amanda.”

“Not studying?”

“That was part of it, though we’ve both got good memories for data retrieval.”

“That was the hard part for me,” Hilli admitted. “The knowledge was there; I just didn’t have the knack at first for getting it out.”

“Different for everyone. Kiria struggled a little at first too, though that was more down to her mind flitting too rapidly from one idea to the next,” I chuckled. “She did get damned good at it, once she knew how, though.”

“Yes. She helped me, when she found out I was having issues,” Hilli nodded.

“I’d have helped as well, if you’d just tell me these things,” I replied with a wry smile.

“I find it easier to talk to Kiria or Torun,” he shrugged.

“Well, they’re both prettier than me, I guess,” I laughed as he went very red.

“I didn’t mean it that way!” he replied, the blush continuing as Truna and Galh giggled away in the background.

“I know, but I couldn’t resist,” I chuckled.

“Oh, Kirim wants a word with you,” Truna informed me.

“Wonder if I’m going to get told off? She normally gets the AIs to let me know.”

“She just let me know when she set off for some sort of meeting with Aunt Manny.”

“Ah, I suspect I know what’s heading my way,” I replied with a wry smile.

“Pictures?”

“Probably,” I temporised as I wasn’t allowed to involve the kids in my adventures, as yet.

I checked my open com channel to see where Mum was and was informed that she was heading back, so decided to wait. Five rotations later the lift opened and Mum breezed into the apartment and greeted the kids enthusiastically, before turning her attention to me.

“Manny wants me to have a word with you,” she began.

“Sure, Mum. Here?”

“It involves Amanda, so probably not here.”

“OK, my room then,” I smiled.

I led the way to my room and ensured it was privacy sealed ... against the kids mostly. I doubted they’d eavesdrop, but I’d learned to be careful as they were all pretty much sponges to anything going on around them, occasionally to Mum’s embarrassment when she would wander through, often undressed, to ask Dad’s opinion on an outfit. The kids found it hilarious, but it reinforced in me that what I did for Vilgra mostly wasn’t to be known to them, as yet.

“Manny is planning to send Amanda to do a Royal visit to Coriola. She specifically requested that you go along,” Mum explained.

“I suspect I know why, though I can see an issue as we’re both underage and you won’t be along as my chaperone,” I chuckled.

“Trusha will chaperone Amanda ... probably. But you’re right, technically as a minor you need supervision.”

“I know. The newsies are a major pain in looking for any hint of impropriety,” I nodded.

“That’s why Kiria and Tillan will be joining you.”

“Tillan I can understand, but Kiria? Won’t she be busy with work?”

“She works as a part time Troubleshooter as well. She just wasn’t allowed to know about you.”

“Seems like this Raffagee case has opened a can of worms.” I mused.

“There are all sorts of questions being asked, particularly as to how he got here. Vilgra will fill you in with the details later, but Manny wants you to assist Tillan in gaining a feel for any undercurrents going on in the Raffagee ruled zone of Coriola,” Mum explained at length.

“OK, though why are you telling me this?” I asked out of curiosity.

“Because Amanda will hit seven when she’s out there.”

“Ah...”

“Manny’s fully aware that Amanda is keen to ... enjoy ... another aspect of your relationship. But, you are not to indulge on Coriola. Wait till you get back here and your privacy can be assured ... please.”

“Got it,” I nodded. “I take it the restriction did not go down too well with Amanda?”

“To put it mildly, yes.” Mum chuckled. “She’s agreed, but we want your word to behave, as well.”

“You have it. I’ll wait,” I laughed.

“You’re a good boy and we’re so proud of you, son,” she smiled.

“Best Mum ever,” I replied as we hugged before going back through to the kids.

The following work period I was in Vilgra’s non-descript office before a study session with my class. I wasn’t too surprised to see Herrick there as he had been involved yesterday.

“Well done on flushing this Renso character out,” Vilgra began.

“Yes, though it adds a complication to the situation,” Herrick added. “The AIs cannot find out how he reached Vreekoos, nor trace his whereabouts whilst on the planet.”

“Nor currently is he being co-operative,” Vilgra finished.

“Have the AIs tracked how he did it ... kept off the grid that is?” I asked.

“Yes, he used a medical seal mimic device implanted in his thigh bone,” Herrick replied.

“Oh yes. I’ve heard of them. My sister had an issue with them on Chonot station before she started her advanced training,” I nodded.

“Yes. We thought we’d traced and removed that particular loophole, but apparently it’s resurfaced,” Vilgra replied.

“Can the AIs not come up with a change of protocols?”

“Yes. They’re implementing it now, but leaving the old one in place so we can see just how widespread this issue is,” Herrick replied.

“The real issue we want to talk to you about though, is the soon to be announced Royal visit by Amanda to Coriola,” Vilgra added, changing the subject.

“Yes, my Mum mentioned it during my last rest period.”

“Good, means I don’t have to give the Father-type warning,” Herrick chuckled, making me smile.

“I know you want me to assist Tillan in investigating Renso’s roots. I take it that’s where you suspect the medical seal devices are being produced or routed?”

“Yes. We just need you to nose around, taking the opportunity to get a feeling for levels of satisfaction amongst the Raffagee there,” Vilgra replied. “Tillan will be doing the actual investigation.”

“Amanda to be involved?” I asked.

“I don’t think she’ll have time.” Herrick chuckled. “She’ll be busy on all three of the linked settlements as well as opening the new shipyard extension in the asteroid belt.”

“Linked settlements?” I asked as it didn’t quite fit in with my Imperial knowledge base, though I knew the Raffagee had their own zone.

“Coriola’s special as, after Cillort’s genocidal atrocity there on the original colony, we allowed Raffagee asylum seekers to settle on one of the three continents. There’s a human settlement on the second and a joint venture colony on the third,” Vilgra explained.

“Ah, I did wonder why we separated the Raffagee zone there; just never went into the details,” I nodded.

“The colony as a whole is very successful,” Herrick added. “Humanity and Raffagee generally get on very well indeed and those who can’t, stick to their own specific colony.”

“As opposed to their Oikumene on the other side of Vraik space?”

“They’re still in the process of colonising there,” Herrick shrugged. “We keep an eye on them, but so far they’ve shown little or no interest beyond their borders and only patrol within them.”

“No problems with their other neighbours?”

“Not that we know of, probably because they still run battlespheres and don’t aggressively patrol beyond their claimed territory,” Vilgra replied.

“Big change from the war records I had to study in current history,” I commented.

“I don’t think they’ve changed that much,” Vilgra answered. “But they did learn not to mess with the Empire at least and stay out of other Realms’ business.”

“For which we should be grateful,” Herrick added. “We would have won, but the casualty count would have been massive ... for both sides.”

“So, my orders are to act as Amanda’s escort, where needed, and take the opportunity to sketch scenes of Imperial Raffagee civilisation and mores, when free?”

“Yes. The rest is fluid and dependent on what you find and Tillan comes up with. Kiria will also assist in dealing with any issues of intimidation whilst you do your thing.”

“Well, at least we can expect survivors then.” I chuckled.

“Yes. I doubt she’ll go full Trusha on them.”