{"id":378,"date":"2013-06-16T00:00:06","date_gmt":"2013-06-16T04:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/?p=378"},"modified":"2013-06-15T22:57:44","modified_gmt":"2013-06-16T02:57:44","slug":"twenty-two","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/?p=378","title":{"rendered":"Twenty-two"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Pray that your secrets don\u2019t someday doom your children, old friend.\u00a0 Gods know that they\u2019ll have every right to hate you if they do.<\/h3>\n

— Attributed to Erich Quizibian, c. <\/i>5065 PD<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

14 Decem, 5249 PD<\/strong><\/p>\n

Brendan drew up behind the inspector, shaking his head slightly.\u00a0 \u201cNone of them are going to ask, Inspector,\u201d he said as he nodded toward the Marshals and Rachel, \u201cso I will.\u00a0 What are you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe chip,\u201d Frederick said.\u00a0 \u201cMy research\u2014everything.\u00a0 I always left a copy of everything I was working on behind whenever I was heading out, just in case.\u00a0 It may have been a paranoid thing to do, but something tells me that perhaps I should have been more<\/i> paranoid in this instance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daci laced her fingers through his and squeezed his hand.\u00a0 Brendan gave her a tight smile as she rested her cheek against her husband\u2019s sleeve.<\/p>\n

She certainly agrees.<\/i><\/p>\n

Winston\u2019s brows knit.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve got no idea what you\u2019re talking about, Inspector.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frederick exhaled a frustrated, annoyed sigh and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe she did and she didn\u2019t say.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel frowned.\u00a0 \u201cFreder, you can\u2019t possibly expect\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind,\u201d Frederick said.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get inside.\u00a0 Inspector Winston can tell us what he thinks he knows and we can show him what we think we<\/i> know\u2026and then maybe we\u2019ll get to the bottom of whatever conspiracies haven\u2019t died since Mimir.\u201d<\/p>\n

A shiver shot down Brendan\u2019s spine at the former Commonwealth inspector\u2019s words, but at the same time, he found himself unsurprised at them.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lot in the Commonwealth that doesn\u2019t surprise me anymore\u2014a lot that I didn\u2019t know before that makes sense now.<\/i>\u00a0 He glanced at Winston and almost felt sorry for him.\u00a0 He\u2019s going to be getting a fairly rude awakening, I think.<\/i><\/p>\n

He caught the feather-light brush of Lindsay\u2019s mind against his.\u00a0 She was getting impatient, wondering what was taking them so long.\u00a0 She was inside the house with Ezra and Kara, waiting for them.\u00a0 About half the Council had wanted to be at Halo Ridge for this, but Rachel had put her foot down.\u00a0 Winston would experience the full Council soon enough\u2014the first meeting needed to be smaller.<\/p>\n

Amelda had suggested that Lindsay and Kara be in attendance, along with perhaps one other.\u00a0 Mugabe Zenak had volunteered, but then pled illness earlier that morning.\u00a0 Brendan wasn\u2019t sure if it was a ruse or not.\u00a0 Mugabe was smart enough to plan something like that and moreover, he trusted the Marshals and Rachel with whatever they wanted to do.<\/p>\n

I wouldn\u2019t put it past him to be faking his illness.<\/i>\u00a0 Brendan killed a smile before it fully bloomed.\u00a0 Rachel\u2019s got more allies on the Council than she ever imagined that she had.<\/i><\/p>\n

He nudged the young inspector in the shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cCome on.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure they\u2019ve got something to eat laid out, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Winston twisted toward him, brows knitting.\u00a0 \u201cThe Speaker said you were at the Whispers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Brendan nodded slightly.\u00a0 \u201cI was, but I was unconscious.\u00a0 You\u2019ll want to talk to Ezra Grace.\u00a0 He saw everything there was to see.\u201d<\/p>\n

Winston frowned and looked like he was going to ask another question but shut his mouth when Adam cleared his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you gentlemen coming?\u201d the marshal asked mildly.\u00a0 Brendan had to kill another smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d he said, then gave Winston another gentle push toward the door.\u00a0 This time, the young inspector got moving.<\/p>\n

So Frederick Rose hid his research\u2014his findings\u2014on a chip somewhere back on New Earth.\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t the conspiracy that almost killed him just <\/i>love that?<\/i>\u00a0 The idea that it was al connected made him shiver.\u00a0 What if it was<\/i> all connected?\u00a0 What then?<\/p>\n

Could a conspiracy really survive that long?<\/p>\n

Without a bloody doubt.<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The place was halfway to a dive, dimly lit and smelling like fry oil and beer, but was quiet and the patrons seemed content to keep to themselves.\u00a0 Sephora frowned slightly, half wondering why Padraig would have asked to meet her here, of all places.<\/p>\n

Maybe the food\u2019s good.\u00a0 Who knows?\u00a0 Paranoid, maybe?<\/i>\u00a0 She shook her head at herself and scanned the population, seeking her friend\u2019s familiar face.<\/p>\n

He was nowhere to be seen.<\/p>\n

Do I even have the right place?<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cInspector Damerian?\u201d<\/p>\n

She jumped at the sound of a woman\u2019s voice at her elbow, blinking rapidly at the dark-haired twenty-something standing next to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Sephora said out of reflex.\u00a0 \u201cCan I help you?\u201d
\n\u201cNo,\u201d the woman said.\u00a0 \u201cBut I can help you.\u00a0 Padraig\u2019s this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sephora sucked in a sharp breath but let the young woman lead her on and into a private room Sephora hadn\u2019t expected the place to have.<\/p>\n

It was a small room, only four tables, and Padraig Danson occupied one of them, a glass of amber liquid in front of him that looked untouched.\u00a0 Sephora\u2019s companion cleared her throat slightly and Padraig\u2019s head snapped up.\u00a0 A light flickered to life in his eyes, then died away as he stood.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeph,\u201d Padraig said, opening his arms to her, \u201cI\u2019m glad you\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stepped into her longtime friend\u2019s arms and hugged him tightly.\u00a0 \u201cWith a message like that, how could I not come?\u00a0 What\u2019s wrong?\u00a0 You were damned vague on the comms.\u201d<\/p>\n

He shook his head slightly.\u00a0 \u201cI had to be.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure how deep this all goes.\u00a0 I\u2019m being watched, for all I know.\u201d\u00a0 Padraig exhaled a sigh.\u00a0 \u201cI may have even put you in danger.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m the Chief Inspector for the Commonwealth,\u201d Sephora said.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019ll have to kill me to stop me from righting any wrong that you\u2019ve uncovered, old friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid that they might,\u201d Padraig said as he slumped back into his chair.\u00a0 Sephora slid into the chair across from him and leaned forward. \u00a0The girl who\u2019d brought her here drifted back toward the doorway and closed the door, leaning against the jamb.\u00a0 Sephora glanced at her, then put her out of her mind.\u00a0 She was one of Padraig\u2019s–she had to be–from the Colonial Office.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d\u00a0 Sephora asked softly.\u00a0 \u201cMake sense, Padraig.\u201d\u00a0 Because right now, you\u2019re not.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to be rocking the boat, Seph,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cHard.\u00a0 How many psychics do you have in the Inspector General\u2019s office?\u201d<\/p>\n

Where the hell is he going with this?<\/i>\u00a0 \u201cFive,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cTwo analysts, one field agent, and two specialists.\u00a0 Why are you asking?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFind out if any of them want to get off-world before the shit hits the fan,\u201d Padraig said.\u00a0 \u201cI can make arrangements.\u201d\u00a0 He started to lift his glass, then set it back down again, exhaling.\u00a0 \u201cI haven\u2019t drank a drop in five years, Seph.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u201d\u00a0 She reached across the table and covered both of his hands with hers.\u00a0 \u201cTell me what\u2019s going on, Padraig.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe conspiracy,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cI don\u2019t know who\u2019s responsible, but they\u2019re moving against the Foundation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sephora straightened, blinking.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a little alarmist, Padraig.\u201d\u00a0 Her stomach was somewhere in the vicinity of her knees, though, as she thought of Frederick\u2019s last message for her, his warning.\u00a0 What if it\u2019s all even more connected than I\u2019m afraid of?<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve been filing claims on the Eridani Trelasia system,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cClaims that are getting past my paygrade and moving up\u2014claims I can try to bury and delay but I can\u2019t stop.\u201d<\/p>\n

She sucked in a sharp breath and leaned back in her chair.\u00a0 Then it\u2019s worse than we\u2019ve ever had reason to fear. Frederick saw it after Mimir.\u00a0 How did I lose sight of it?<\/i>\u00a0 \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIdesalli, the Compact, Chinasia\u2026name them and it\u2019s likely they\u2019re staking claims.\u201d\u00a0 Padraig\u2019s lips thinned.\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened at the Whispers was no accident, Seph.\u00a0\u00a0 Someone\u2019s got a plan and they\u2019re putting it in motion.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s one or all or what, but it\u2019s something\u2014someone\u2014and they\u2019ve got the Commonwealth wrapped around their finger.\u00a0 No one\u2019s going to stop them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d Sephora said firmly.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s my job<\/i>, Padraig.\u00a0 To stop shit like this.\u201d\u00a0 Her fingers tightened.\u00a0 \u201cI promised Frederick.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pain flickered across Padraig\u2019s features.\u00a0 \u201cYou miss him. Still.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe taught me everything I know,\u201d Sephora said.\u00a0 Everything that was worth knowing, anyway.<\/i>\u00a0 \u201cI feel like I betrayed him, not having figured out Mimir after he was gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t keep blaming yourself for that,\u201d Padraig said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cYou paid a high enough price for that investigation\u2014Frederick\u2019s life, your marriage, almost your bloody sanity.\u00a0 Let it go and let this be your redemption.\u00a0 You can help me stop what\u2019s happening now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t even know what\u2019s happening right now.\u201d\u00a0 Sephora\u2019s stomach had sunk even lower and kept on sinking.\u00a0 Oh, Frederick.\u00a0 This is what you were trying to warn me about, isn\u2019t it?<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll figure it out,\u201d Padraig said, sounding more confident than he looked.\u00a0 \u201cGet your psychics clear of New Earth if they\u2019re willing.\u00a0 I\u2019m already getting mine away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think they\u2019re in danger?\u201d<\/p>\n

Padraig\u2019s jaw firmed and his expression turned grim.\u00a0 \u201cSeph, I know<\/i> they are.\u00a0 I know they are.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pray that your secrets don\u2019t someday doom your children, old friend.\u00a0 Gods know that they\u2019ll have every right to hate you if they do. — Attributed to Erich Quizibian, c. 5065 PD 14 Decem, 5249 PD Brendan drew up behind … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-378","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-two-ashes-to-ashes"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p25yjF-66","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/378","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=378"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/378\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":379,"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/378\/revisions\/379"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=378"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=378"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=378"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}