Interior report: 7543-VO

Date: [REDACTED]

Location: [REDACTED]

Classification Security: R-5

Author: [REDACTED] Codename Spear

---

“Reports are flooding in from the outskirts of the Empire, there is talk of a failed rebellion, attack by the Roaches, pirate raids and other concerns. Two Navy ships, the Veneration (under command of ex-Commodore Melora) and the Javelin (under command of ex-Captain Henera), and a single Interior ship (under command of Agent Bea’ti) have engaged with a station located in Sector N-7, of the Arachia Quadrant. They report minimal losses and total destruction of the station and the entire asteroid belt. The source of the destruction was not recovered and was not identified, reports state that there are no traces of anything that could have caused it, this means that either it was destroyed or we have possibly stumbled upon a super weapon used by another space-faring civilization, I suggest sending a large detachment of the Navy there to explore the nearby systems and identify the possible threats. ”

---

Interior report: 7557-VO

Date: [REDACTED]

Location: [REDACTED]

Classification Security: R-5

Author: [REDACTED] Codename Flask

---

“Despite our diligent and constant investigation into the explosion of the station, we have found no traces of any chemicals, minerals or anything. The entire space around the station seems to be purged of everything, and unless our reports are wrong, the planets in the system have shifted in their orbits, being pulled closer to the [REDACTED]. We will keep our investigation going for a few more months, but after that we will have to call it off. We have already drawn the attention of the media and our rivals.”

Interior report: 7563-VO

Date: [REDACTED]

Location: [REDACTED]

Classification Security: R-5

Author: [REDACTED] Codename Herb

---

“The survivors show no signs of illness or radiation, the wounds were primarily caused by sharp objects or lasers. The treatments for trauma have already begun, but few of the crew have mentioned something called [REDACTED] , this substance was not found in any of the survivors, but there are also reports of it from the station of Hybras. When I sent a team there to retrieve it they found nothing. The Admiral stated that the files were with Doctor [REDACTED], who was murdered a few weeks before we arrived, the murder is still unsolved, yet the local security forces are not conducting and investigation. After a bit of prodding we have discovered the Interior has taken over the investigation, suggesting asking them.”

Interior report: 7577-VO

Date: [REDACTED]

Location: [REDACTED]

Classification Security: R-5

Author: [REDACTED] Codename Eye

---

“The Interior has no knowledge of any substance known as [REDACTED]. The Interior has no knowledge of the actions of Agent [REDACTED] and states that they were not present during the incident. The Interior has no knowledge of the [REDACTED] or the [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] or the [REDACTED] or any other name which was used to describe the organization which operated from the aforementioned station. The Interior denies any involvement with this incident and any further investigation will be meet with an investigation of our own.”

Interior report: 7595-VO

Date: [REDACTED]

Location: [REDACTED]

Classification Security: R-5

Author: [REDACTED] Codename Pilgrim

---

“Why have you abandoned me lord? Why? Why? Do you despise me now? How have I failed you and is there a way I can redeem myself? Why are you quiet and distant? Do you live? Are you there? The plans are in motion, I can’t stop them now, I beg of you, answer! Your empire requires your guidance, I require your help. Please.”

***

“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” Came out of a small office on Shill, the sound of pacing footsteps following the words. “Breathe, all shall be well. You just need to figure out how to pin this on someone else.” She deleted her report and began to write a new one, far more composed.

The woman, middle aged and already losing colour in her hair, moved over to her terminal and searched the database for any reports she could gather on the recent incident. It had been almost three months since then, the media had already forgotten it, so have many, but she can’t, she was forced to investigate it and this ‘spy’ in the Shil’vati Empire, so her choices were to either fail at her job, or reveal herself as the spy. So she chose the third option, find a scapegoat, bury this whole thing under hundreds of different names, locks and security codes and be done with it. Now just to find someone, they need to be important enough, but not too important, someone who had questionable loyalties in the past.

She opened the files with the names of the crew from the Veneration and the Javelin. She required an officer, preferably not of noble blood, or a bastard. She scrolled through the list. Rixva, head of engineering aboard the Veneration, already cleared of any suspicion. Fera, deceased, but she is a Rakiri, best not to give them something to grumble about. Elinsys, head of security, deceased, not a noble.

She closed the file and opened her desk, on the bottom of the secret drawer rests a case file, printed on paper for extra security. She opened it and reads out what she knows about Elinsys. “She was supposed to be my bargaining chip, but now she is dead and that false god disappeared.” She lost too much already, that station and that cult promised her the crown of this empire, but now there was a sword hanging over her head.

“She will work, yes, already enough people who dislike her back home, finding someone to accuse her should be easy enough. Now who to pin this whole spy thing on, will have to throw few more people under the Turox, best to get rid of those commandos also, send them on some suicide mission, get rid of them one by one. Get rid of that bureaucrat I used to arrange the meeting with...” She stopped, realizing what she had to do. “I will have to purge that entire network, won’t I?” About a few dozen assets and a dozen operatives were part of her plot with the false god, now they all would have to be murdered. “So be it.”

She begins to compile the reports, accusations of treason against the Empire, she would have them hang for the crimes she paid them to commit. Alr’ri Beridi, blackmail of bureaucrats to gain permits for military grade armament. Deri Maf, bribery of merchants to smuggle slaves into the Consortium. Emes Fedi, murder of an Interior agent. And so on went the list, within the hour it was done and ready, she couldn’t allow these arrests to actually happen, of course. Many of them would squeal and reveal her involvement, so she would make sure they die while refusing to cooperate with the authorities. A shootout ends with many unplanned deaths sadly, but to protect herself? Any price is worth it.

She rings her secretary, a young male Shil who quickly walks into her office. “How can I help you, Lady Glynd’a?” He was handsome, a shame.

“Take this to the Interior office, immediately, do not read it or you will be charged with treason, do you understand?” She extended Elinsys’ case file to him. “If someone tries to stop you, run.”

With shaking hands he took the file. “Yes, Lady. Right away.” He dashes out of the room. Such a shame.

Glynd’a already sent the Interior a message, warrants for each and every single one of her accomplices, including the young secretary. She warned them he was carrying a suspicious package, stolen Interior files and that their retrieval is more important than his life. She would feel something after doing this, she had to, but she didn’t. She got used to the intrigue and politics, ready to strike down anyone who threatened her. After this is over, she will feel calm, yes, that was it.

***

Melora, Kar and Bea’ti were sitting in a bar on Shil, drinking away while waiting for their next questioning session. “We are being led around.” Bea’ti said, drinking her woes away, unlike Melora she kept her job, but lost the promotion she was working for.

Melora, ex-commodore, nodded. “Yes, but I don’t mind, finally I get to rest and spend some time with Kar here.” She took a sip. “And our expenses are fully paid. Look at the silver lining, it is there.” She rested her hand on Kar’s shoulder, hugging him close to her, he didn’t mind.

“Yes, three months of seeming my Mely? I love every moment of it.” He smiled, moving even closer to Melora.

“Unlike you, my husband is stuck elsewhere back home and he has no intention of coming here to see me.” Bea’ti said.

“That is what you get for marrying for power rather than love.” Melora responded. Kar looked at her. “It is the truth, isn’t it?”

“No, he is worried about the scandal my arrest might cause, trying to protect his family name, unlike you.” Bea’ti responded.

“What family name? I have been kicked out, might as well change it now.” Melora laughed to herself, looking better than ever. “I don’t care that much, I doubt Kar here will divorce me.”

“Not in a thousand years. Not even if my family threatens to disown me.” Kar responded, he too looked much better, wounds healed up and covered. His fur had finally returned to the usual length.

“So what will you do now?” Bea’ti asked, looking around.

“I do not know, I doubt the military wants me back, can’t cozy up to my family anymore, I suppose the private sector is where I will go.” Melora answered, she was living off the government for now, but at some point they will cut her support.

“We do need to find out what your current balance of credits is, and how much they will pay you when they fire you. Sadly those are locked to us, but not the Interior.” Kar looked at Bea’ti.

“No.” Bea’ti responded.

“Please? Pretty please?” Kar asked, his eyes seemed bigger than usual.

Bea’ti sighed. “Fine, fine. I will ask around, but you guys can crash over with me after your support is cut.” She took another sip. “After that, perhaps you could work as a trader or something.”

“Write a memoir on your life. That will surely sell.” Kar said.

“I think they might hang me if I write about this incident.” Melora said.

“They already swept it under the rug, I don’t think they will be happy-”

The door swung open and four Interior agents, covered in armor and armed, walked into the bar. Melora, Kar and Bea’ti all looked at them, trying their best to remain calm, as did everyone else in the bar.

One of them, who supposedly was of the highest rank, walked up further into the bar. “Citizens, remain calm. We are here to arrest Emes Fedi for a murder of an Interior agent, remain seated for now.”

Everyone looked around, as if they knew who they were searching for, nobody stood up or came up to them. “All the exits are covered, if you aren’t Emes Fedi please leave the bar right now.”

Everyone, including Melora, Henera and Kar walked out, only one small man stayed sitting.The trio stopped on the other side of the street, more Interior agents were waiting outside for Emes.

“This seems unusual.” Kar said. “Why would they have us leave?”

“He could potentially be armed?” Melora asked.

“No, I think they want to have a chat with him before they take him in.”

“Beat him up a bit? Revenge for their friend?” Melora asked.

“Or worse, depends how much they liked the dead agent.” Bea’ti answered, looking towards the bar door.

“Were you ever involved with such things?” Melora asked.

“Few times, usually for the really terrible criminals. Sometimes you just want some revenge.” Bea’ti answered. “There was this little-”

A gunshot rang out, silencing any further discussion. “Have you ever murdered anyone in one of these chats?” Melora asked, moving towards the bar, but Bea’ti stopped her.

“Where are you going? Stay out of it.” Bea’ti said, pulling her and Kar away from the bar. “You aren’t even a private anymore, you are worse off than a normal civilian.”

Before they could leave, they saw the bar door open and Emes walked out, wounded, before he could even clear the sidewalk, he was gunned down by the other Interior agents. His corpse quickly covered up by a sheet and the street and the bar barricaded.

***

Fera moved through the old hallways, observing the paintings on the wall, portraits of such fine details. She enjoyed them, despite their particularities and certain missing features of those painted in them.

She enjoyed her time here, hunting, fighting and drinking, what more could she want? Not that it would be all that, there were duties to attend to, but first she would have to be trained and taught how to survive in the Void, before she will even leave this castle.

The old wooden door opened behind her, the soft glow inviting her in. And she accepted the invite, walking into the old office, built upon a creaking floor. “I like the decor, rather foreboding.”

The figure sitting in the chair, behind the desk, laughed merrily. “Yes, easy on my eyes. The white and bright makes them hurt. Don’t worry, you can decorate your room however you see fit.”

Fera clasped her claws together. “About that, I noticed that the room next to me is empty, I have a friend who could-”

“I am afraid Major Elinsys will have to stay dead.” The figure responded.

“We all are dead, so why can’t she be dead here with us?” Fera asked, she really wanted to see her again, not that she didn’t enjoy the company of the Voidborn, the most rowdy and interesting bunch of people, creatures, she wasn’t sure really, but meeting them was very impressive. How powerful they were, how great and strong each one of them. She was supposed to be like them one day.

“There are rules, a hundred Voidborn, no more no less. I take what is offered.” The figure responds.

“What about my life for hers?” Fera asked.

“She made the same trade, you know? And I do not go back on deals.” It answered. “And that room belongs to Leferia, she is busy for now.”

“Will I ever see her again?” Fera asked.

“Leferia? Soon, relatively speaking, of course. Soon to you is much longer than it is to me. A lifetime or two.”

“Elinsys.”

“No.”

***

Melora, Kar and Bea’ti were sitting in Melora’s and Kar’s hotel room. “So, something is happening.” Bea’ti broke the deafening silence which took over the room. “A traitor is not killed unless there is no other choice. The nobles like to parade them around. And Emes didn’t seem like a fight back type. Second, there have already been five other shootings, which is a brand new record.”

“What do you think it is?” Kar asked.

“Someone is cleaning the house. Getting rid of evidence.” Bea’ti responded, looking out of the window towards the Interior building. “I fear we could be on that list or we will soon follow.”

“So we should leave Shil, like Gelln and Rixva? Perhaps Henera could smuggle us out of here aboard the Veneration?” Melora asked.

“No, that will be only make things worse.” Kar said, the other two looked at him. “It is best we stay put, this must be the work of the spy in the government. Perhaps they found out who it was and they are trying to cover up their own failures? If we stay quiet and keep low, we will be fine.”

“How? Nobody knew about the spy except us. I already warned my Interior friends.” Bea’ti looked out of the window again, looking towards the news hologram. “Turn on the television, now!” She shouted.

Kar quickly turned it on, surprised by Bea’ti’s shouting. “Why such a rush-” The screen came to life, showing a picture of Elinsys. “What the-”

“The Interior has undercovered a network of traitors linked to now deceased Major Elinsys, it is believed she is connected to the many disappearances in the past few years. Her rise in the military has also been brought to life, it is believed she amassed money from the Five Countess Rebellion. She then used it to bribe her way from a militia woman to a major overnight. This is as of now yet to be confirmed, but the Interior has begun to round up known associates from that time period for questioning and investigation. More information will be released at a later date. In other news-”

Kar turned off the screen. “What the hell was that?”

“A pile of Turoxshit.” Melora said. “Elinsys wouldn’t do that.”

“She couldn’t do that. She wasn’t important enough for that.” Bea’ti corrected Melora. “Seems the spy is a bit more powerful than we thought. Higher rank than expected.”

“That is very bad, isn’t it?” Kar asked, sitting down.

“Yes, it means the military can’t do anything, the Interior won’t do anything, any life keeps moving forward.” Bea’ti answers.

“And the spy, the traitor, keeps their head on their wicked shoulders. They must pay for what they did, to our crew, to the innocents, to Elinsys.” Melora said, a rage burned within her.

“I suppose it falls to me.” Bea’ti said, making Melora and Kar turn to her.

“To you?” Kar asked.

“You are not skilled in intrigue Kar, maybe seduction, but that is beyond the point. And you Melora are still under investigation and even if you weren’t you are a civilian now, and not even a noble anymore. It falls to me.” Bea’ti explained.

Melora sat down. “Damn it, just...” She lowered her head. “There has to be something I-” She looked at Kar. “We can help.”

“Perhaps, but nothing yet, for now we stay low and hope we live, then once we are in the clear, we find this spy and we strike.” Bea’ti answered

“Alright, we do this for Elinsys.” Melor said.

“For the innocents they murdered.” Kar said..

“For the Empire.” Bea’ti said.