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“Is it three or four known attacks?” the director of the Cosmic Security Agency, Ojin Mayfend, asked.
“Three for certain,” Hectir replied. “The fourth is more recent and still speculation.”
“Do we have any idea who these attackers are?” Director Mayfend questioned.
“No,” Hectir replied. “No known survivors, no evidence left behind, and all three governments have done what they can to cover this up.”
“My people aren’t even certain of where, exactly, these attacks happened,” added Deputy Director of Operations Lo-win Smath. “Our attempts to investigate further have been to no avail thus far.”
“This is somewhat concerning,” Director Mayfend continued. “The information we’ve received suggests weapons are being employed that are far more powerful than anything we’re aware of being out there.”
“We have four conclusions,” Hectir stated. “One, there have been no attacks, which is why we’re finding no evidence. Two, the governments know precisely who the attackers are, but they don’t want it getting out, so they have covered that evidence as well. Three, the unknown attackers are collecting debris before leaving the scene. Four, the unknown attackers are employing heretofore unfamiliar technology and obliterating everything.”
“That implies an energy weapon that would require one hell of a power source,” DDO Smath stated.
“What about the Gaeitsu-aqin?” questioned Director Mayfend. “They are composed mostly of energy, as far as we know. Is it possible this is them?”
“No, Director,” Hectir replied. “They do not build war machines. Part of why Humans do not encounter them is because neither do most other races. Apart from supplying some Universal Source Energy devices, they keep to themselves.”
“And you are certain that is still the case?” pushed Director Mayfend.
“Yes,” Hectir replied. “The Gaeitsu-aqin are a completely peaceful species. They don’t bother with us.”
“No Human has ever seen them,” DDO Smath added. “More than half of the other known races haven’t seen them, either. DDI Hectir is correct; they haven’t become unexpected aggressors.”
The director nodded and then was silent as she was clearly checking datapads and screens before her.
Hectir and DDO Smath were in a conference room at Cosmic Security Agency Central. Director Mayfend was present as a hologram, traveling somewhere on CSA business. Deputy Director of Logistics DDG Ama Geln was also away and was unavailable for their weekly meeting.
“Is there anything further, gentlemen?” Director Mayfend asked.
“No, sir,” DDO Smath replied.
“No, sir,” Hectir added.
“Very good,” Director Mayfend said. “I will be back at headquarters before our next meeting. Thank you, Hectir. Thank you, Lo-win.”
The director’s hologram winked out.
Hectir and DDO Smath both gathered their datapads and such.
DDO Smath looked to Hectir. “Do you have any idea where Ama is?”
Hectir shook his head. “No. Her itinerary put her at B’bornatt this week. Maybe she’s meeting with the prime minister.”
DDO Smath chuckled. “That whole business with that pirate band? What a mess. My people are still running down how broad a network that is.”
“My analysts are still looking over the data in regard to independents being pushed out by this union,” Hectir added. “I am also still working out how this went unnoticed for so long.”
“I am trying to get someone inside,” DDO Smath admitted. “I have a couple operatives I think I can wedge into there.”
“If I can provide you any useful information, I shall,” Hectir said.
DDO Smath nodded his head in appreciation, then left the conference room.
Hectir made his way towards his office.
Awaiting him at his door was Agent Amdull.
“Sera,” he greeted her.
“Deputy Director,” she replied. “Have you a moment?”
“Certainly.”
Both entered Hectir’s office. Agent Amdull allowed him a moment to make his way to the other side of his desk and set his stuff down.
“Sir,” Agent Amdull began as Hectir sat. “Detective Partaba and I have made a few discoveries in regard to the Shardaelian/Protelna matter.”
Hectir had set that aside for a couple months, working on other matters. “Go on,” he encouraged.
Agent Amdull sat and presented a datapad to Hectir. “Detective Partaba first visited Aesharda and noted a few curious things about how the new government is doing business. He managed to uncover some well-hidden, high-level communiques between Shardaelian and Protelnan officials. He didn’t get details, but it was nothing like what had gone before.”
Hectir looked over the data. Nothing was solid - it was all conjecture and speculation. But there was a lot of circumstantial information that could have multiple meanings.
“Currently, Detective Partaba is at Protel Citadel,” Agent Amdull continued. “He’s uncovered two very interesting pieces of information. First, the Raj has imposed some pretty heavy searches of cargo, freight, and transport ships going off-world. Specifically, they are looking for unregistered and illegal passengers. They’ve claimed a health and safety thing, but it’s still rather suspicious.”
Hectir tapped the datapad and scrolled to a new screen. “Only commercial ports? They aren’t doing the same with passenger liners?”
“Not as such,” Agent Amdull remarked. “But they are scrutinizing people boarding flights off-world more closely. Nothing like how they are treating the non-passenger off-world transports.”
“You’ve got a theory?” questioned Hectir.
“Largely due to the other data Randock has uncovered,” Agent Amdull answered.
Hectir scrolled to the next screen while she narrated. “Though they tried to keep it under wraps, rumor got out of the Royal Citadel that they experienced a major data breach. No idea what happened, but they are enacting all kinds of heavy security protocols for anyone entering or leaving the Citadel and for internal access. Whatever happened, some lesser officers were fired, but Lady Akharn Shi remains chief of Internal Security for the Raj, while Lord Ftann has been fired and told to make himself scarce.”
“What conclusion does that lead you to?” questioned Hectir. He could hazard a guess, but he wanted to hear it from his agent.
“One of the queens of Shardaelia is still alive,” Agent Amdull said. “Based on their known skillsets, and the rumor of a data breach, we think it’s Ashira Aeshar.”