June 13, 2361 AIA

P59

Major Tennama sat down at the console the peacekeepers had been willing to loan him. He used his rank to authorize and clear a secure channel, then opened the line.

“Colonel.”

“Major Tennama,” Harlan said. “Did you talk to the witness?”

“Yes. He was certain it was Alix Reyer and Captain Vas.”

“What were they doing there?”

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“Apparently, they were kidnapping a biologist—one Dr. Jane Bonumomnes. Her specialty is in alien life-forms, including cross classifying and finding similarities between species from different planets.”

The video showed Harlan looking thoughtful.

Tennama smirked. “Interesting, isn’t it?”

“Could you learn anything more about her?”

“No. You might want to use your position to assign some inspectors to look into her history.”

“You couldn’t get anything from her computers?”

“Nothing. I was able to get a technology expert to look at the machines in her home, but he says that something happened. All the information’s been stripped or destroyed.”

Harlan shook his head, his lips pressed together.

Tennama went on, “Because it involves the Rising, the local peacekeepers have transferred the case over to us—to the Supremacy military, at any rate. Her bulletin has Dr. Bonumomnes currently marked as a possible victim as well as wanted for questioning. I’m afraid that with my limited—”

“Yes,” Harlan said. “I’ll have it tied back to us on special order.”

“Thank you, sir.”

The edge of Harlan’s lips moved up a fraction. “You’re right, Major. It’s very interesting.”