Attitudes

I've never been a big fan of Bounty Hunters. While it could be argued they provide a valuable service, assisting law enforcement to apprehend dangerous fugitives in situations where they lack resources, the fact of the matter is that Bounty Hunting is, ultimately, trading in Human misery. While some of the folk drawn to the profession are actually of a mindset where they believe they're doing right, many of them are in it strictly for the money and there are some who, well, let's say they have a long way to go before being considered respectable.

The ones I find most annoying, at least on a professional level, are the ones who think they're above the law. Specifically the local law. Yes, a local sheriff doesn't have jurisdiction in a District, or System, case. But they are still the law. And Bounty Hunters, any Bounty Hunters, are operating on the fringe of the law, and some of what they do is downright criminal. Which makes me more than a bit curious when one shows up on Hale's.

Since the Alliance came in and changed things up a bit with their Martial Law edict, our local Sheriff's department hasn't exactly been on top of their game. I don't think any of us have. While having them here is actually beneficial to my "other" job, it's caused a bit of friction in my official capacity as the colony's erstwhile leader.

But a Core-based bounty hunter showing up here, just a few days after letting Max and Jeff off world, just strikes me as being a bit of a strange coincidence. Add too it an attitude of "the Alliance keeps out of my way" and you just know something's going to end poorly for someone. Things being what they are, my bet is it being the guy who doesn't have a Cruiser on station with a Regiment of Marines feeling the pain. But that's just me.

Polite enough, though he seemed rather insistent on blowing off my advice to check in with our Sheriff's office. I suppose it had something to do with the 'out of my way' attitude. After all, if you don't respect the military, why would you respect the local Sheriff? Not like he'd actually know the depths of skill some of the folk out here bring to the table.

I'd keep an eye on him. Whether his bounty was legit or not, we'd worry about later. But I knew the attitudes of both local law enforcement and the Alliance command. Could just imagine Silvermane's reaction to some bounty hunter telling her to stay out of his way, let along Gallagher or Lily's.

Ultimately, though, it wasn't my worry. I'd tell Lionheart about it and let her pass it on up the food chain. They'd made it her job, and I really didn't intend to let her slack at it.

Can't stop the signal

Intelligence boils down to three distinct parts. Gathering information. Analyzing information. And acting on information. It doesn't matter what kind of Intel you're working with, it all comes down to those three fundamental parts.

Now, each of those parts was it's own speciality with its own paradigms, assumptions, techniques, what have you. And each of those specialties had its own sub-specialties. Folk who focused on photo-reconnaissance, for example, had a different set of operating parameters than the Signals Intelligence guys.

Most of my Intel career was spent in the first and last categories. Either gathering Intel or acting on it. Analyzing it was never my speciality, but it wasn't outside the scope of my skills. In the immediate situation, I would be putting all three aspects of Intelligence work into play.

Whoever hired M&J Communications to jack into out communications net was, at the very least, well funded. These guys had probably pulled down more for this job than any of the mining families here would see in a year. That was understating it. Hiring specialists of that caliber wasn't cheap, which meant they were willing to spend a good deal extra to make sure the job was done correctly.

In fact, if it hadn't been for Genni's subtle paranoia, possibly a result of working for me for as long as she has, we'd never have spotted it. Chances are I wouldn't have caught their taps even if I'd looked right at them. Taps. Multiple. Which was where the counter-intelligence operation would be able to start.

I'd allowed the Odokeshibai Twins to finish their work for several reasons, but, ultimately, it came down to two. The first: not wanting to get them killed. The second: wanting to know who'd hired them and why. By waiting 12 hours or so to "find and remove" the first tap, I'd give them a bit of cover in case it got back to their employer that they'd been seen talking to me. They placed multiple taps because they expected at least one of them to fail or be found. By leaving the other taps in place, I'd be able to feed information back up the pipe and see where it popped out.

There was always a bit of "They know that we know that they know that we think they think we're onto them" in this sort of thing, but that's where carefully crafted information came into play. All of the most important stuff was encrypted anyway, and, contrary to some of the Cortex vids, cracking encryption wasn't as easy as "Try a G cypher" on the data. Given that reality, they were probably more interested in traffic analysis than content: seeing who's talking to who, rather than what they're saying.

Still. For the time being, or until I found out who it was and what they were after, I'd leave at least one of the taps in place. Just have to arrange lunch with x0x0 and gently remind her that it'd really be best to make sure she's encrypting all the important stuff. That, and reroute some of my own classified traffic through another pipe...

No room for Paladins

It's been said that, at some levels, Intel is a small and incestuous community. In some ways, and in some specific circles, it actually is. But overall, the reality is much different. Intel covers such a broad range of skills, in such a broad range of areas, that the community is considerably larger than most people even realize. Even most spooks don't realize how large it is. There are so many different organizations, doing so many different things, there simply aren't enough trained operatives in the 'Verse to do it all. At least not officially.

And therein lies the rub. With the Alliance already hiring contract firms to perform security duties on outlying worlds, is it really any wonder that they fill the gaps in Intel coverage with contractors? Sometimes, in cases where very specialized skills are needed, Contractors are the only viable option. Not to mention their versatility and usefulness in cases where you simply don't want to risk a valuable asset.

M&J Communications was one such specialized asset. Two, really, since they were a two man operation. I'd used their services before years ago, and they were very, very, good at what they did. Two of the best, in fact. There were rumors that the Intelligence Ministry in charge of Signals Intelligence let them run free because they wanted to see what these guys would come up with next. Though, on a personal level, I couldn't help but think they wouldn't have been out of place in some sort of comic 'Buddy show' on the Cortex. Tuesday nights. At 2330. After the interview and faux news shows were over.

Sitting in the back corner of Fook Yoo's near the Starstruck's nook, I had to suppress a bit of amusement at their reactions. While they both traveled armed and were half way decent shots, the chances of them trying to shoot their way out of this situation were slim to none. They were busted. They knew they were busted. They knew they were, more or less, at my mercy both professionally and literally in this situation. But it didn't seem to stop them from keeping a sense of humor about it.

"Chyfrgolla, mae hi dal yn boeth!"

"Mae hi, ond gallai hi ladd ein dau. Felly gadw'n oer."

Now, unlike Uncle Sobi, I was never really fluent in Welsh. But from their inflection it seemed a compliment, though one neither especially wanted to admit to.

"Welsh? I'm a bit rusty. But I'll remember for later." I said amusedly over my coffee at Starstrucks to a reaction of embarrassed admission. "Now, seriously. What brings you to our little slice of Heaven? I know you therefor, I have a fairly good idea already. But, for the record, I'd like to hear it from you."

They looked between each other for a few moments, probably trying to remember the cover story they'd concocted in case they got caught. At this point I wasn't even really interrogating them. I could, even if it wasn't my specialty. But I would learn more from just talking to these two than I would be playing interrogator. In fact, the more force I applied, figuratively or literally, the more likely they were to simply tell me what they thought I wanted to hear rather than the facts I was after.

After another few moments of nervous deliberation, Jeff spoke up. "They asked us to splice into the main trunk. Grab the relay from the colony's feed and Blue Sun's uplink. Standard encrypted piggyback relay. Nothing even really complicated. Just wanted us to be in and out and not get caught."

"And the contract, Jeffrey? Who sent you?"

The two techies looked at each other a moment, but Jeff didn't really hesitate before continuing. "Wish I could tell you. Really do. Contract came through one of our blind drops. Had all the instructions and background. Though they kinda left out the fact that you would be here. Usual pay scale. Had specifics on what communications they wanted. All we've got are the routing ID's and the comms codes they wanted us to use for the uplink."

I raised an eyebrow, starting to speak but Max interrupted.

"Buddha's our witness, Major. Simple relay splice. If we'd actually done our homework and seen this was your world, we'd have bailed on the contract."

Max was a pain in the ass sometimes, to be sure, but I knew them from precious work and it was almost certain they were telling the truth. Given our history, it was likely they were more afraid of what I would do to them for intruding in my space than they were of the anonymous employer.

"Very well. Though it leaves me with a bit of a conundrum. However, I do see a solution to our mutual problem. So, if you two would like to continue along the path to a long and healthy life, here's what we're going to do. . . "

Oh yes. A solution does seem quite vivid here . . .

Radio Chaos

Covert operations covers a broad range of endeavors, with an equally broad range of techniques used to maintain the covert nature of said operation. While some people would maintain that covert ops usually involved sneaking around in the dark, they would only be seeing part of the picture. Which, of course, was the entire point.

Sometimes covert meant hiding in plain sight. An operative who looks like they belong where they are, doing what they're doing, is usually going to be over-looked. Usually. Sometimes though, an observant local sees through the disguise. In which case an operative may need to scramble to either hold onto their cover, back out gracefully, or, in extreme cases, eliminate the unfortunate observer.

When Genni Foxtrot called and said "Hey, Boss, I thought we handled all the local comms infrastructure ourselves. Did you call someone at VerseTel to work on the relays?" I knew something had to be up. While it was entirely possible that our "Benevolent overlords" had done exactly that, it was much more likely that someone was messing about where they shouldn't. Over the time I'd been here, I'd overseen quite a bit of the comms system myself. It was hardened to a standard that was, honestly, far beyond the needs of a Rim colony. Which was how I liked it.

There were several communications trunks that ran through the colony. Much of it was wireless, in one form or another, but the main infrastructure and relays ran over fiber optic lines that laced through lined tunnels bored through the rock. The official reason was the difference in bandwidth we got from the fiber, where the other, not openly admitted, official reason was that fiber was a lot more secure.

Most places, if you saw a skiff landed next to a comms junction pit with "VerseTel" markings on it, you wouldn't bat an eye. Especially if the two guys working in the pit were dressed the part and looked like they knew what they were doing. Even on Hale's, where we didn't get a lot of outsiders doing work, it didn't look out of place. So seeing a skiff with "M&J Communications - Contract services to VerseTel Cortex Services" over near our main comms junction didn't raise suspicion until Genni spotted it and called me. And for me, it was suspicious.

I watched the pair of techs working out of the skiff for a full ten minutes before I wandered over. They looked the part. Right tools. Right stance. Right attitude. Everything fit neatly into place. "Good eve, gentlemen. Doing a bit of maintenance, are we?" I said sweetly from a carefully judged distance.

"Evenin', Ma'am, we're just taking care of some . . ." he started before looking up, letting the words trail off as the color drained from his features. He recognized me, giving his partner in the pit a firm nudge, who also looked up to let out a soft "Zaogao" under his breath.

"Max, Jeffrey, what brings you to my little slice of heaven?"

The answer, I was sure, would be entertaining.

Contact

AuroraBlue is awake. But she is not "better." At least not fully. She's awake, responsive, but not speaking. Taking her back to Hale's she sat on my lap the whole way, not saying a word but at least relaxed. I'm so far out of my element here that I don't even know what to think. Is she withdrawn because of some trauma? Or is this something deeper? Or even something metaphysical completely outside my areas of expertise?

I just don't know. Even keeping her with me on the orbital for a couple days before letting her go back to Lily and Cody, she doesn't speak. She's not acting like a normal child, but that's no surprise as she's not a normal child. Even if she hadn't gone through rapid physical development, or been somehow pre-conditioned to develop intellectually, she wouldn't have been like the other children in the creche or the kids who're raised with their families.

I know, somehow, that she was created with a purpose. I just have no idea what that purpose is. Or, really, who even set it in motion. Was it Mindo? Or was he being manipulated himself? Blue, perhaps? The big AI has his own agenda, of which I know but a fraction. I consider him a friend, in a hard to define, "I don't pretend to understand this relationship," sort of way. Blue was integral to Mindo's plans with Lily and later Aura. But was it Mindo's plan, or Blue's? x0x0, maybe? She was more deeply involved in this than she let on. Blue was hers, after all. As Nora had been my project, Blue Man was her creation. If AuroraBlue was somehow the result of Blue's agenda, it followed that x0x0's influence was in there somewhere.

Sometimes I wondered if I was being played here. Maternal instincts I, admittedly, didn't know I'd had, being manipulated? Possible. When it came to my girls, all of them, 'Brina included, my judgement was biased. I could see the possibility of being manipulated, but tended to de-emphasize it in my situational analysis.

Bad habit. One I'd need to moderate.

Having Cody bound by law, on a warrant issued off-world, didn't help either. He'd left me a note, trying to explain, but I'd have to pull some strings behind the scenes to cut him loose. There wasn't a lot of risk in doing it. Far as I knew, the warrant was for shooting a deputy. Hadn't even killed him. Would probably generate a bit of mukappara on the part of the locals, but that's the price of doing business sometimes.

At least pulling strings behind the scenes was a world I knew. Not as comfortable as doing an extraction myself, but it was much more my forte than parenthood. I suppose that's one of the reasons so few spooks have families.

We're not very good at relationships.

Darkness

Leaving the the orbital, the signal of several Reaver boats inbound, I don't know if what I am going to attempt will work. It is, admittedly, a long shot. I can't logically or rationally explain why AuroraBlue is comatose. The station can take care of itself though, that I'm sure of. They're well armed and the Sinkov is already aware of the situation. The frigate will be there before the Reavers can do much damage. Even if they get aboard, the station personnel know what to do. I just won't be there to see them do it.

The Reaver boats won't see us on the way out. Their own drive flares are hot enough to overwhelm Wave Equation's signature, even if the hull hadn't been blacked out with the drives damped. She's an ELINT boat and I know the game better than they do. But right now, the Reavers are the last of my worries.

I can't use full burn because of the damping, so it takes a longer than I'd like to move my boat a couple light seconds from Hale's Moon into the greater Lagrange point trailing Penglai. Beetle's Baily is on the other side of the formation, ahead of Hale's in the large gravitationally stable region that makes up the L5 point. It's quiet here. As quiet as we're going to get without spending a week burning out the Deep Black. Out between the stars. Hopefully, it'll be quiet enough.

With the boat holding steady, roughly co-orbital with a hunk of rock half a kilometer wide 5 clicks off, we go silent. It's why we came out here. Wave Equation's hull can passively damp out all the RF and signal noise. But the distance serves another purpose. It isolates us from any people who might be loud enough to cause a problem.

I can't hear them, of course. I'm not a Reader. Whether I understand, or even really believe, doesn't matter. Lily's said the Cub needs quiet. Real quiet. And that is something I know how to give her.

With Wave Equation set to dead silence, I set up the program. Even Blue's not here with us now. He'd need my boat's small high-performance Frame to be with us, and the Frame is powered down. Everything is powered down except auxiliary life support running from emergency power and a couple of tiny E-Lights providing barely enough light for me to not trip over anything in the dark.

She'll need hot, then cold, and silence. It takes a bit of work to program aux life support to run the thermal control program I need, but it's the kind of challenge I'm well equipped for. With everything set, I make sure AuroraBlue is comfortably resting on the bed then settle in to meditate and wait.

It's the kind of deep meditation most people never achieve. It's hard for a person, even a trained and naturally calm one, to completely quiet their mind. But it's what I have to do. Absolutely blank my mind. Silence. Ignoring any sensation as the cabin first heats up to what would be considered "uncomfortably hot" then, after a time, cycles back through "almost painfully cold." I've set the temperature range carefully to be stressful, but not threatening for the duration we'll be exposed.

All the while my mind . . . blank.

For a moment, a fleeting moment, I know what it is to be the Buddha. My mind at peace. One with the 'Verse around me. Before I can fix it in my mind, it's gone. My awareness picks up movement in the cabin and my eyes open to see AuroraBlue stepping towards me in the darkness then settling to the deck in front of me. She doesn't speak or look to either side. She just stares ahead, wide eyed and frightened.

I don't know if she understands where we are or what we're doing, but she's awake and I take her gently into my arms to hold her close.

"Welcome back, Tiny Dragon. Mother is here for you."

Tiny Dragon, wakes.

Stares into silent darkness.

Finds mother's embrace.

Silence

I've said it before and I will, inevitably, say it again. No mother in history has gone through the trials I have gone through with my little girls. Humanity has had thousands of generations to get a good handle on what parenting should be like, but neither of my little girls are an accurate reflection of the rest of Humanity. They both just . . . are.

Things have been very unpredictable with them both recently. AuroraBlue, Anna, rather, has gone through another phase of rapid growth. I can't help but worry that that kind of strain, even on an engineered metabolism, can't be good for her long term survivability.

Of course, having her fall from a roof doesn't help that survivability factor much. Or get pushed, if that was the case. I don't really know. I just know they took her to the Infirmary and got her stabilized while I was stuck elsewhere. When I finally got there, Cody had been sitting vigil with her for some hours. I could see the effect it was having on him. Poor kid. I couldn't let him, or anyone else really, see the effect it was having on me. Seeing any youngun hurt like this pulled at your heartstrings. When it was your own kin?

I'm calm. Outwardly, I'm always calm.

From a purely medical position, we need to find a better place to treat her than the Infirmary here on Hale's Moon. We're very well equipped, at least for a small town frontier clinic, but Tiny Dragon's injuries are beyond what we can practically deal with here. She's stable, but she needs a real MedLab with doctors who can deal with the kind of traumatic injury she's suffered.

Our nearest option is the Sun Tzu. It would take calling in a favor and revealing cards I would rather keep hidden, but it's the fast option. Our best option, from a security for our injured standpoint, would be the medical center at the Family shipyard over Ariel. I trust my doctor. But it's a long flight even at full burn.

Then there are the other options.

Lily's behavior is as erratic as I've ever seen it. More so, really. At some moments she's acting like an Expert System that's not quite ready to take on a Turning test. Another moment, and she's a skittish not-cat. Give it a moment, she's an over-protective mother willing to kill to protect her cub. All within the span of a few moments. And poor Cody catching the brunt of her over-protective streak. Was all I could to to keep him from getting shot.

It almost seemed poetic that Blue would chose then to make an appearance. Or at least talk to us. He knows what is happening. He understands, either from analysis or from planning it from the start. But that doesn't make sense. No. Not planned from the start. But I suspect he identified the direction this whole saga was going and was able to predict the outcomes. At each critical point, there was a chance Chaos would interfere with his carefully predicted outcomes. But I was certain he'd calculated each break point. Every possible fork.

But the answers come in riddles. Silence. Heat. Cold. Somehow Anna needs environmental ques to come out of the coma she's in - as well as the basic medical treatment. There's an anechoic chamber in the Blue Sun lab here on Hale's Moon. x0x0 has taken herself off world and left Lily with the key. She knew I would need it. But that leads me to another form of "quiet." Metaphysics and parapsychological effects I'm not comfortable exploring.

There are at least two kinds of quiet in this context and I'm not sure x0x0's lab can provide what we need. I can recreate most of the anechoic chamber effects aboard Wave Equation using the dampers and some extra sound insulation. The other kind of quiet though is an entirely different animal. Without leaving her absolutely alone, it will take someone who can be silent. Someone who can silence their own inner turmoil. Their own thoughts as well as their body. It'll take a Ninja.

Or a Dragon.

I can't help but think I've missed some part of this riddle. Some key piece to the puzzle. But I know how to proceed at least. While Cody's coming to grips with letting be take Anna off the Orbital into the deep Black. I still don't know where the 'Hot and Cold' are physical conditions or emotional ones. Maybe the difference between the Machines she is so in tune with, and her Human family. I don't know. But I can give her the silence, both acoustic and empathic, I suspect she needs, and the thermal range. So that is what I prepare to do. To take my little girl away from the noise here, onto my boat deep in the black, running silent.

But not alone.

Tiny Dragon sleeps
Seeking a peaceful silence
Answer in riddles