“Oh, the… The Restraints are nothing to be feared. It’s much safer for you to be tethered as we engage. There’s nothing intrinsically physical about this process, but we’ve had some early trials that were a bit chaotic…”
“There’s an Outer Rim moon called Dizon Fray. There was a sentient species there, quite unusual. Extremely hostile to the concept of an Imperial refueling center that was being planned…”
“I say ‘was’ because they created such a stir that the local commanders were granted permission to use any means necessary. And, um, well, what’s important for our purposes here today is that the massacre of the Dizonites was broadcast and recorded as proof of mission…”
“They make a sound as they die. A sort of choral, agonized pleading. It was quite unlike anything anyone has ever heard before…
“There were 3 communications officers monitoring the documentation, and they were found hours later huddled together in various states of emotional distress, in a crawl space beneath the ship’s bridge. We’ve take the recordings and modified them slightly, layering, adjusting…”
“And we’ve found a section of what we believe are primarily children, which has its own particular effect…”
“Doesn’t take long. It won’t feel that way to you inside. But, um… let me know when you’re willing to cooperate. Oh, and if you’re having difficulty speaking, just shake your head from side to side.”
— Doctor Gorst
• • •
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“Aren’t you tired of playing behind the scenes, Luthen?”
“Aren’t you tired of fighting with people who agree with you?”
“You come all this way to scold me? Or did you bring me some toys?”
“Hmm. I did, but they’re not for free.”
“Nothing with you is free.”
“Not every operation is as flush as yours.”
“Tell me what you’ve got.”
“Well, how about a full set of Imperial drive adapters? I’ve also got three sealed Steergard targeting deflectors.”
“Hmm. You have this all here with you? At what cost?”
“Anto Kreegyr. I want you to meet him.”
“Anto Kreegyr?”
“He’s been probing the Imperial power station at Spellhaus. He’s found a weakness in the defenses. It may take some time to work up, but he’s got an angle.”
“I sense something eager in you this morning. Am I mistaken?”
“No, sir. And at risk of repetition, you are correct.”
“Good news, is it?”
“I’m afraid not. I wish to lodge a charge against a fellow supervisor.”
“Proceed.”
“I believe our Sector Protocols, as described in the ISB Code Of Conduct, are being violated by Supervisor Meero, and that this overreach, for which she was previously reprimanded, risks compromising Imperial safety to a degree that silence is no longer possible.”
“You think this forum appropriate?”
“I do.”
“It’s a serious charge.”
“I believe you’ll share my sense of urgency.”
“Supervisor Meero, do you mind having your integrity ventilated in public?”