Most esteemed Tensor Yesai:
Greetings, and may the threads of fortune bring you blessings. No doubt you are aware of who I am, being that I have taken charge of the investigation into the Rewar Teng incident.
First of all, I must commend you on your excellent report. It is thanks to your foresight and your fortitude that we have so much valuable information to begin our investigations with. For that I can only offer you my deepest gratitude.
Knowing what you have endured in your foray to the institute, I must humbly beg for your further assistance. There are questions about what happened in the caverns beneath the institute, questions which are crucial to our understanding of the sequence of events, questions which have not been answered by the information I have been given so far. I suspect you could help me immensely with answering these questions. After all, you were at the institute in person, and you witnessed its state with your own two eyes. There is no one else who knows the situation like you do. Tensor Yesai, I would like to interview you in person, at your earliest convenience. Please let me know when this can be arranged.
Tensor Chuwan Sariman
* * *
Tensor Sariman:
I appreciate the letter you have sent to me. Unfortunately, I am not authorized to speak directly to someone of your seniority. I must ask that you send your questions to my superior in this matter, High Tensor Fang Bing.
Tensor Yesai
* * *
Tensor Sariman:
It has come to my attention that you have questions about certain omissions that were made in the report submitted by Tensor Yesai to your investigation. Yes, indeed there were omissions made. Yes, we are aware of such omissions. I assure you that they were made deliberately, with the full knowledge of the relevant authorities. There is far more at stake here than your petty investigation into an industrial accident. Information has been withheld for the sake of the safety and security of the Protectorate.
If you understand the import of this, then I hope you will trouble yourself no further by continuing to chase smoke down dead men’s intestines.
High Tensor Fang Bing
* * *
Most esteemed High Tensor:
I have received your letter and I understand the meaning contained therein, although I confess that I do not understand its purpose. Perhaps I am not meant to; after all, I am only a lowly insect doing the bidding of the Protectorate.
Allow me to ask, however—by whose authorization were these facts withheld?
Your most humble servant,
Chuwan Sariman
* * *
MEMO FROM CHUWAN’S NOTEBOOK
Well, fuck. Looks like they’re making this as difficult for me as possible. Cheebye.
They’re mistaken if they think this will stop me.