Against all the odds, Marcus completed the algorithm for converting the Mandrake's ledger into a map of ship movements, and passed it to the Admiral. To his disappointment, Allison made no comment, and instead he had just thanked him for his work and promised more to come. That meant Marcus was none the wiser about what Allison wanted the information for.

That had been days ago now.

On the surface, it had been back to the monotony of life on the Mandrake; confined to quarters with limited access to the net, sleeping and trying in vain to exercise once in a while. Inside, though, the work had lit a fire inside Marcus. What Allison was up to? And what did these twenty-three ships had to do with it. He had memorised the list by now--names such as the Time and Realisation, the Edinburgh, La Pleine Lune, and Bountiful Delight. The database Marcus had access to didn't go into detail about these ships, but that didn't stop him reciting the list as liturgy.

He was halfway through his list, trying to do press-ups, when the door chimed. It's late for a visitor. Moping the sweat off his brow, he keyed it open and was met by an ensign he didn't recognise. "Can I help you, Ensign...."

"Kassem, I work under Captain Chi-Young on the bridge crew. He... uh... told me about the work you did for him and the Admiral."

Not the most subtle message, but Marcus understood. "I understand. It's late, is there something you needed to tell me?"

"Yes, it needed to be done in person. The Phoenix Rises has arrived at Sorrel Bank to assist our investigation into the attack. We can't risk you being seen by Mediator Silas." She tried to appear reassuring, but it didn't work.

Marcus certainly remembered the last visit. "Yeah, I know. How is he here long for?"

"I'm not sure, sorry. It depends on what Silas does, but it won't be quick. Admiral Allison and Captain Chi-Young are on their way back from the station now, and they're being accompanied by a delegation from the Phoenix Rises. He sent a message ahead."

"I recognise that ship from somewhere." He couldn't place it, nor think why.

"You should, it's the ship sent to negotiate with the Caxian government after they declared independence."

Now he remembered. He hadn't been in-system at the time but he had seen the news, the Alliance rolling through the gate into orbit around his home, trying to stop the split. "Admiral Jansen?"

"That's right." Kassem nodded. "She has a reputation, so it's not just Silas you need to worry about."

"She didn't succeed though, she didn't stop Caxis."

Kassem raised an eyebrow. "Caxis showed her up, publicly humiliated her. Jansen has never been more dangerous. Watch yourself, Fenig." She turned and left him alone to his growing anxiety.

#

It wasn't Mediator Silas or even Admiral Jansen that Marcus needed to worry about. He was asleep when the door to his cabin slid open. The light burst on, blinding Marcus.

"It's you," a voice growled out. Marcus' heart sank, he recognised that voice - Garrick Karn, the man who had stopped him on the Compound Interest.

Marcus struggled to sit up. Why was he here? Was he looking for me?

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"Oh no, don't get up, don't let me disturb your comfort. I should have spaced when we first stopped your ship. What was the name of that decrepit vessel again? The Depreciation or something?"

"The--the Compound Interest," he said, shielding his eyes and backing away from the silhouette advancing on him..

"When I heard you were captured by the Admiral for running the blockade to get back to Caxis I couldn't believe it." He shook his head. "You, of all people, running the blockade. You must have had the package when we stopped your ship." Garrick kicked the cupboard door in. "I had it in my grasp, and I let it slip away!"

"I don't know what you mean." He was at serious risk of being thrown out of an air lock if Karn didn't like the answer.

"Don't you dare lie to me." He jabbed his finger in Marcus' direction. "How did you do it? Hmm? How did you keep something so sensitive hidden while we searched your ship?"

He's deranged. "There was no package, the Admiral--he searched my ship."

"Did he." It wasn't a question. "I need to have a word with the Admiral."

Marcus didn't know what to say. He didn't like the implications of that statement--someone needs to warn Admiral Allison.

"Know this, Marcus Fenig," Karn continued. "If I have my way, they will execute you as a traitor, and I will do everything in my power to have my way." He stalked off without another word.

Marcus shivered. There's something about that man.

He checked the clock--5am--no point in trying to get back to sleep. Instead, he logged onto the terminal and tried to reach Admiral Allison, but he had no obvious way to contact him. He had never needed to call out of his room before. Marcus tried the door to see if there was a guard outside, but it was locked. After more time spent searching on his console, he found they had set Ensign Kassem up as an emergency contact. He requested an audio connection.

"Marcus, I hope this is an emergency." She didn't sound happy at being woken up.

He told her what had happened. A glimmer of doubt entered his mind and made Marcus wonder if he had overreacted.

Kassem sighed audibly down the line. "I'll speak to the Admiral. Kassem out."

It was a nervous wait, made worse by the fact Marcus was second guessing himself even more. By the time the door to the cabin chimed, he was convinced he had imagined the entire thing.

"Can I help you?" Chi-Young peered around the doorway after Marcus opened it. "Ensign Kassem said it was urgent."

"I... yes, please come in. Sorry--I was just expecting Admiral Allison. Please come in." Marcus stepped aside to let Chi-Young in.

He meandered around Marcus' quarters with his hands clasped behind his back as if he was inspecting it. It made Marcus even more uncomfortable. "Yes the Admiral is occupied at present, but I think I can be an able substitute. What did you want to speak to him about?" Chi-Young turned to face him. "The Ensign didn't say".

"Yes," Marcus said, but he stopped there, unsure of where to begin.

"Now, what couldn't wait until morning?" He clasped his hands on the table. To his credit, he didn't seem tired.

"A... member of your crew." Marcus held his breath, waiting for Chi-Young to react.

"I see. What is the issue?" The Captain looked at him intently.

"I had a visit from Commander Karn. I'm sorry Captain, I should have waited, I--"

"Garrick Karn?" Any hint of a smile vanished from Chi-Young's face. "He came to see you in here?"

"He burst in while we were sleeping and accused me of having a package for Caxis aboard the Compound Interest." Marcus was surprised to see that he looked troubled. "Is everything all right, Captain?"

He sighed and looked like he was trying to compose himself. "I must admit, I have concerns over the conduct of Commander Karn. I appreciate you coming to me with this, and I'll speak to the Admiral. I'll see about whether Garrick can stay on the Phoenix Rises. Believe me--I don't want him here any more than you do."

"I don't much like the thought of him breathing down our necks," Marcus said.

"Nor me," Chi-Young said. "He is an exceptional investigator, and very single-minded. I raised this with the Admiral, but he viewed Karn's appointment on this investigation as a positive thing."

"I can't see how."

"The Admiral places significant stock in the value of personal loyalty, and given his history with Commander Karn, the Admiral believes there should be a debt of gratitude. But as we've seen, Karn's loyalty lies with the Alliance, not the Admiral.

"I've said too much." Chi-Young glanced around the room. "At the very least, I will make sure the Admiral speaks to Karn about his conduct. It is not appropriate for officers to burst in on sleeping guests. I'll keep my eye out, but as you know with Mediator Silas here we have limited authority here. Thank you again." With that, the Captain left Marcus in his cabin.