Chapter Seven: Wednesday in the Tunnels

[BackworldTraveller]

Anne
[Sotto Voce and clearly angry] My friend has been shot at, chased, shot at and is in hiding in fear for her life...and the Queen, your ship, and its crew (including you) are currently at the centre of whatever has caused this - but that is a diversion. Whoever is chasing and shooting is doing so because they fear exposure. But just at the moment, no-one (and I mean no-one) is talking.

The intimidation is causing all information about what happened into dark corners - frightened to come out. If Jusu is right and everyone can buy their own star that will be a huge story. Fortunes will be made. But those fortunes look to be made by the very people that are killing and chasing and arresting indiscriminately to suppress their involvement.

I want to comfort my friend.

I want to find out who is turning the greatest discovery of centuries into a bloodbath.

and I want to see what's on that new planet.

If my contacts are right, whoever killed Jusu Saffa killed a "nobody chemistry dropout" for no reason other than they were there. They almost killed my friend "because she was in the way".

Whoever that is is rich, and powerful and connected. Here you are skulking in a cafe telling me not to publish and yet that is exactly what they want. Keep quiet, keep us out of it. Tell no one. Let us steal your heritage and we can then dole out access to our benefit. Well I, for one, will NOT do that.


A slight pause.

You may not like my approach - but I have access to an investigative service that is equal to that of many countries - indeed better than some. And Noor has the influence that can direct that to her benefit. But it has to be her because its her family that hold the purse strings. They will countenance me doing stuff for her that they wouldn't for me or you or Tom, Dick or Harry. And that is why we need to talk.

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor/Sam

Able to hear some of what has been said, Noor gets a slight smile on her face. Good old Anne.

She quickly rattles off some messages.

Tiberius: I trust her, and I'm trusting you. We need to meet. Can we use Tansu's, or do you have other ideas? Agree on a place, but we meet now.

Anne: You've still got it. Let's meet. Discuss with him and agree on where. The time is now. Bring the fritters.

[BackworldTraveller]

Anne
Texts to Noor:I'll follow Tibbs.

To Madeline: Sorry to muck you about, but can you box these to go please...and bring me the bill.

and turning to Tiberius

So...Looks like you get to lead me astray. After you.

She settles up, takes the proffered fritters and makes to follow Tiberius.

I have a planning meeting with the production team in 2 hours...Do I need to move that back do you think?

[Stirling]

edited post and deleted as you posted Anne Kroker response as I was writing.

I will post original in private forum if you prefer to include it in dialog scene

[Stirling]

Tiberius

Arranges to go to the safe house address.

[Stirling]

Tiberius O'Hare

Texts to Noor

"We are taking a cab to your apartment at

Carmelites. No 37/B/4. I have the keys so hang around the street corners waiting for us without advertising yourself. "

He walks, sipping on coffee and snacking as he goes, answering some of the journalist's points.

My friend has been shot at, chased, shot at and is in hiding in fear for her life...and the Queen, your ship, and its crew (including you) are currently at the centre of whatever has caused this

"I shouldn't need to remind you that the shooting, chasing, shooting, hiding all happened before any airlock was unlocked on the Queen. Rather Ameena Sabah opened a sphincter valve in the back passages of governmental internals and received a ton of shit from the bowels of history as a result."

If my contacts are right, whoever killed Jusu Saffa killed a "nobody chemistry dropout" for no reason other than they were there. They almost killed my friend "because she was in the way"

"The coroners report clearly states both Saffa and Angela Hilbert were subject to laser gun wounds but none if those were sufficiently fatal to kill either if them. With no slugs to forensically analyse, just blast burns, there is no way to conclusively prove who pulled any trigger. Except for noting the dearth of such registered weaponry, I assume the police are door knocking relevant owners and checking barrels for discharge riflings. You assume that the chemist was in the wrong place at the wrong time and that the killer of Saffa is also the same miscreant pursuing the En Sabah demise."

I want to comfort my friend.

I want to find out who is turning the greatest discovery of centuries into a bloodbath.

and I want to see what's on that new planet

"I want. Me, me, me." he choffs at the narcissist.

arresting indiscriminately to suppress their involvement.

"Which prompts me to ask about the 17 year old held for the arson. Who is that and were they killed while in police custody or just after being released on bail?"

And Noor has the influence that can direct that to her benefit. But it has to be her because its her family that hold the purse strings. They will countenance me doing stuff for her that they wouldn't for me or you

"And that exposes the crux of your motivation. The En Sabah fortunes to underwrite your expository. Noor's influence to advance your investigations.

the greatest discovery of centuries into a bloodbath ... on that new planet

["Well prove remain unproven theories. Saffa may have constructed a prototype engine and that might be the link with the pirate captain Celisse smuggling spare parts and components though I have confidence the present crew have no such intentions to engage in anything other than legitimate trading.

I would cancel your diary for the foreseeable as many unforeseen events may occur around Ms En Sabah as you have highlighted the concerns for her welfare.

Follow me."

[BackworldTraveller]

I would cancel your diary for the foreseeable as many unforeseen events may occur around Ms En Sabah as you have highlighted the concerns for her welfare.

I am committed to some things...If I have to abandon my life for this, so be it, but for now that isn't necessary - and would be counter-production.

You are a hard man to read...A driving licence; a flyers licence and a citation for actions "Above and Beyond" the call of duty. No real property, few ties. I could spend longer looking but I'm not convinced I'd find much to catch you with. Nothing to lose.

I want. Me, me, me.

I guess you are helping from altruism - after all you've known Noor for ---how long? Noor and I go back a long time.

And that exposes the crux of your motivation. The En Sabah fortunes to underwrite your expository. Noor's influence to advance your investigations.

What do you think Noors fortune is based on? Its a symbiotic relationship. You say that you are advancing Noors cause - what are your motivations? What have you achieved so far?

Look - we are arguing over the same thing. It seems we both want to help Noor. Lets ask her what help she needs rather than defining a solution and showing how her problems can be made to fit it. Hmmm... Is that your safe house? That looks like a lot of police cars. Shall we warn Noor?

[Stirling]

Tiberius O'Hare

Sorry, but I don't think we've met.

You are a hard man to read...A driving licence; a flyers licence and a citation for actions "Above and Beyond" the call of duty. No real property, few ties ...

"See these are all areas you give yourself away. I don't think we have been properly introduced. I am Tiberius O'Hare but you know that already. Deduced from mentioning the Queen. It seems quite vogue for young ladies to be researching backgrounds on present crew and shareholders. Maybe you can all get together and play 'top trumps', comparing who has been smuggling most or has better pilot skills. Not sure I would rate high in the charm stakes, much too low social for that. What do you have on the Captain?" he comments on her review which reminded him of something Ngora said earlier.

"I was able to pass my consolations to Noor only a couple of days ago. We met briefly some years ago during a diplomatic mission. I understand some of her current motivations regarding getting justice for her mother and wanting to continue her mother's work, Though how this affects the Queen is still unclear and that is my focus, as well as keeping her safe from harm of course."

When the police are pointed out he will check the cars for faces he might recognise such as Jensen from the embassy or officers previously at the hotel.

[BackworldTraveller]

Anne
Anne sends a message to Noor...Police at meeting house. Heading to Gallery 12, in Block 18. and directs the cab to the same address.

She also sends a message to her research team...What are the police up to in Carmelites? Block 37.

By the time the vehicle arrives at the new place, she's had a reply. Your address had been tipped off as a drugs factory. Anonymous call. Waste of time apparently.

Lets head up - these fritter wont be edible if we have to muck about much longer. She rings the bell, says "Its Anne and guests - I need to borrow your studio" into the entry phone and holds the door when it buzzes open.

[Stirling]

Tiberius O'Hare

Against his better judgement to enter a secondary apartment with unknown persons present, the over cautious and oft reckless Tibbs enters.

"After you." he says, holding the door. In a galaxy far far away, still gentlemen about.

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor

She receives the text from Tiberius and waits for them to depart, leaving shortly after. Noor finds a ride and is almost at the destination when she gets Anne's message. "Sorry. Change of plans, go to Gallery 12, Block 18."

What the hell was that!? Noor thinks to herself as she sees the police in the distance. Not a coincidence.

If she manages to get there, she'll pay cash and knock on the door, trying to appear more casual than she feels.

[BackworldTraveller]

Anne
Noor, Thank god you are here.

Lets go upstairs and into the studio control room...that's sound-proof and will keep eavesdroppers at bay.

So tell, how can I help? Other than Fritters.

Those police thought they were making a drugs bust. Anonymous tip. The only person who knew we were headed to that address was Tiberius here - and I'd vouch that he didn't tell anyone - so someone's fishing.

Turns to Tiberius

Any ideas? What made you decide on that address anyway?

She opens the fritters box - They aren't quite as good as they were in the shop, but still smell gooood!

And Noor, How did you get off New Earth? - That must have been an adventure.

Anne collects herself...too many questions at once...listen, don't talk!

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor/Sam

She greets Anne with a hug. "It's been too long and seems like even longer." She follows Anne into the studio. "My ID says that I'm Sam right now. I had some help from an old friend getting off-planet."

She frowns and continues. "He had a visit and problems with authorities soon after. I'm being tracked and hunted by powerful people, Anne. This most recent non-coincidence just supports it." She turns to Tiberius. "My best guess is that your comm is being monitored. Easily tested."

Noor/Sam smells the fritters. "Excellent. Thank you. An unconventional means of take-out, but I appreciate it."

Noor recounts her ordeal at the house, her escape, and a few more close calls since then.

[Stirling]

Tiberius O'Hare

A varied diet today. Red wine and shrimp canapés, coffee and fritters. He looks at his expanding waistline and adjusts his belt a notch.

"Interesting you say police doing a drug bust. They actually own the place. It was recommended to me by Inspector Jai Madhri in the light of the hotel proceedings. Perhaps they anticipated Noor being present. Law enforcement, who can you trust these days?"

He checks the current abode admiring some wall art and plush chairs. Entering the sound proof room he makes himself at home behind a recording desk and fiddles with headsets and earphones.

"So you want to conduct an interview. Play '20 questions' with Noor?"


Tiberius uses Electronics Comms [2d6+1]=6+1=7

[BackworldTraveller]

Anne
Really! Not now, this is serious. And stop fiddling...we probably don't want this accidentally recorded for posterity.

Sam, you said you had information, or at least facts. What are they and what do you think should be done with them all?

Whoever's coming after you clearly wants them hushed up. Why? Who does it implicate? Do they know what you have and fear it, or just fear it because they don't know? Whatever "It" is has got a politician killed, a journalist killed, another politicians family attacked. It has revealed that the security team is thoroughly compromised and that this inspector isn't trustworthy - either because he's playing a double game or he's told the wrong person (although that could just be bad luck).

As far as I can see, the whole thing - from their perspective - is going totally pear-shaped and the patch has gone pear shaped and the patches on the patches are a mess too. And all it's done is highlight that there is something (which everyone is assuming is an FTL drive) that's worth protecting. Their links here are exposed.

[Stirling]

Tiberius O'Hare

Ignores Anne's plea to stop fiddling as he lights up the studio in flashes of pastel spotlights and after a screech or two of feedback, arranges some microphonics.

As the women decide on what narrative to share he taps out the barrel of his revolver and loads a few cross-cut rounds into the barrel chamber, spinning it to a satisfying click.

"Oh. Well if my phone is monitored we might be in shit street because I sent a message that we had moved to this new address before you warned me folk might be snooping.

So with that in mind, I am going to blast the first people busting through the door. Don't worry, in space and sound rooms, no one hears gunfire or you scream.

Now maybe you have 10 to 15 mins before anything kicks off. Maybe for security and posterity we can get a 'live feed' of this interview going to Sabah Media. Ladies, the floor is yours."

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor

"You sent the address...to who? Not me. Who else needed to know where you were?" Noor looks exasperated with the former agent. "And stop playing with things. Honestly."

She goes around and unplugs the equipment, not bothering to hide her intent. "No mistakes, no accidents. If we want to get a story out, we need control of it."

Finally, she sits and addresses Anne. "Maybe they, and I use that term in the most conspiratorial sense, have the information and are covering things up. I suspect that they don't have all the information, and are racing to get it first, doing what they can to remove competition." She rubs her eyes. "There's only a small list that I can think of, none of which are good. I'm talking council members and their organizations, or other groups similar in stature."

"I need to expose them for the entire affair. Right now I feel like I'm behind in the race but being chased. Maybe they have what I have, or maybe they don't. There have been too many irregularities around it that I suspect the latter."

"I don't know who to trust, certainly not the local police or other authorities. This has certainly gone pear-shaped. Even if I released a vid recounting my experience, what would that get me? I need leverage."

[BackworldTraveller]

Anne
So - Research. What do you have? What does your friend there have? What is special about this "Queen of the Belt"?

And who are the suspected players?

• Sonny Here
  • and his friend with the raided house.
• Me
• You
• Your Mum
• The dead journalist: Yonni Aomori
• Your Dad
  • The professor he was with when he found the stuff he sent you
• Whoever is trying to kill you
• Jusu (From beyond the grave?)
• Whoever killed Jusu?
• anyone else?
  • Everyone on the list from your dad?
  • these council members
  • that guy that just put up that huge reward (nice if he's genuine!)
  • the Queen's crew (Current and/or former)
  • and everyone else who'd like to be famous for bringing FTL to Humanity

What did your Mum leave behind? Or Yonni? I can't believe they had everything so tightly held that they didn't have some form of insurance.

And I think we should arrange something along those lines too. Might make us safer?

[BackworldTraveller]

Anne (Again)
Tiberius - What do you think would be the most profitable area of enquiry for you and Noor/Sam and which do you think would en Sabah resources do better at?

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor

"The Queen seems to have been involved in the research and possible construction of Jusu's work. I have notes from him that list multiple refineries, logistical companies, shipyards, printers, etc. They outline research and construction, referencing the Queen as a transport. And he was found on it." She raises her brow at the last comment.

"Part of the reason I suspect that this isn't just trying to cover tracks is that some people who know about it are still alive. Not just the three of us, mind. My dad sent the notes, a few friends helped me during this, and they are all still fine. Ish. To me, that suggests that all of this chaos is the result of wanting something." She sighs and continues. "I'm not convinced that an insurance policy of broadcasting information is the best idea. It may make us safer, but if they want the information out, then a death-switch would be fine with them."

"I want to dig deeper on a few things first. The Professor my dad was with. A captain named Ulysses. A hacker named bitz and pieces. Finally, KK Masai keeps popping up everywhere I look."

"As for who is behind all this, I suspect the councillor of the belt or the council of the pure. So we tread very carefully."