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Gravitas
Interlude B

Interlude B

Permitted Packet from: Corporation Airship ‘Free Enterprise’ to: Jeckon to Malvo Station Corporation Packet Shuttle ‘Greased Lightning’.

Type Encrypted Message

Type: Family Communique

From: Special Agent Vilgen Smath

To: Functionary Jem Smath

Dear Uncle,

Greetings from Jeckon. It is surprisingly mild for the time of year here … Private Code found …

… Transferring …

… Head of Security Malvo Station … Security Clearance Insufficient …

… Forwarding to … Sector Administrator …

… Secondary code found … Security check … PASSED

ENTER PASSWORD

B055man69

PASSWORD CORRECT … Decoding …

***TOP SECRET***

Your Excellency

1. As you suspected, there has been a limited containment failure at Location A. Fortunately only 10 assets have been affected and 7 of these were recovered shortly after making planetfall. Current identities, location and status unknown.

***

2. The final containment failure possibly caused power fluctuations at Location. Permitted on-location investigations reveal enough deterioration for repairs to be a realistic request. The Ambassador is optimistic permanent access is possible.

***

3. The Ambassador has given me carte blanche to deal with latest containment failure and intelligence to make early apprehension likely. If all goes to plan I should pick up VVD en route and that will leave only KT at liberty. That is the good news.

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

***

4. The bad news is the latest containment failure, BH, is a known associate of both VVD and KT. This makes it extremely likely Location A has been compromised and total containment failure is a possibility. It also lends credence to the wilder theories about the rise of the Theocracy having something to do with Location A.

***

5. There remains no leads on KT or either of the possible AI Minds. Given KT’s specialty this is a serious concern. I request further resources ASAP.

***

6. I have serious concerns about the competence and loyalty of the commander and crew of this airship. Given they are the only Corporation assets able to pilot an airship I suggest rejuvenation and re-education are required if we are to maintain a presence on the surface.

***

Glory and Profits to the Corporation

***

Permitted Packet from: Jeckon to Malvo Station Corporation Packet Shuttle ‘Greased Lightning’ to: Corporation Airship ‘Free Enterprise’

Type Encrypted Message

Type: Family Communique

From: Functionary Jem Smath

To: Special Agent Vilgen Smath

Dear Nephew

I remember Jeckon well, the midwinter snowball fights when everyone comes to the surface … Private Code found …

… Secondary code found … Security check … PASSED

ENTER PASSWORD

Iamgettingreallyf*cked0ffhav1ng2changemypisswrd!

PASSWORD CORRECT … Decoding …

***TOP SECRET***

Continue with mission with additional parameters

***

Priority A

Find identities, location and status of all 7 assets

***

Priority AAA

Bring BH & VVD into custody. Do not allow them to find out about each others existence. Recommend all non corporation assets to be disposed of with extreme prejudice. Further instructions to follow.

***

Your existing mission has been upgraded to Priority AAA+

***

No additional planetary resources are possible. We are sending a heavy carrier to Jeckon in case emergency support is required but we require you to achieve your mission goals discreetly.

***

Your comments about the lack of cooperation have been noted. The benefits we get from the airship would not make Rejuvenation cost effective. Recommend the crew are sent for re-education at their own expense. As an interim measure, consider sourcing a new crew from motivated natives.

***

Glory and Profits to the Corporation

***

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