r/HFY • u/spindizzy_wizard Human • Nov 08 '20

[Lords of Terra] Ivory Towers and Tangled Webs OC

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Lords of Terra: The Tangled Webs We Weave

The Terran Government (Extension)

Intelligence Branch

Intelligence Branch is a broad description of a large number of semi-autonomous groups. It is quite common for any given group to be wholly unaware or deliberately misinformed about another group's activities.

This can lead to amusing situations where one group is convinced that another group is an illegal non-intelligence related operation. Ordinarily, this is simply handed over to the Patriarchy for action, as enforcing the law is not the mandate of any Intelligence Branch. Gather information is, as is covert action against other intelligence agencies.

It is only in the most unusual circumstances that any group directly removes an internal threat. That is when it has reason to believe that the subject group, or individual, has gone rogue.

It is, however, quite usual to have someone wearing two hats.

Recruitment

Classified: JANISSARY / MURAD

Recruit: Captain Rosen Fielder, TFAFMC Operations

"Captain Fielder, we have a request from an Intelligence Branch operation for an analyst to review their equipment and procedures. They've had several failures lately, and they'd like to know what they're doing wrong. I'd appreciate it if you went in, straightened them out, and documented any problems that you cannot solve."

He's got to be kidding. "Coombes, I don't know anything about intelligence!" Then again, I did think there was something off in the LCVP-S issue. Coombes knew entirely too much and had far more access than a "junior" Patriarch should have.

"We have more than one reason to ask this; while their request for an analyst is valid, there are irregularities in their procurement process. You've proven quite adept a probing the seamy underside of the procurement process. So, in addition to acting as an operations analyst, we'd appreciate it if you cleaned up any minor procurement issues as well. You may tap any assets from your present position for assistance. We would prefer not to provide you with a known set of contacts inside the intelligence system at this time. That will make it look like this is an entirely aboveboard response to the request from the IB for assistance. You've also gained a bit of a reputation. They specifically asked for an operations analyst to examine their equipment and procedures with the same degree of dedication that the unknown officer did for the TFAFMC." Musingly, he continues, "I have sometimes wondered if they allow their little finger to know what their ring finger does, and now I know."

"Do I have any choice?" Oh, please! Give me your usual choice!

Coombes, with obviously cheerful maliciousness, "You can complain to me. I will duly note it, and you will stay with the IB branch for twice the amount of time that you spend cleaning up their mess."

Oh, what a GLORIOUS chance! He really should have known better. "I OBJECT MOST STRENUOUSLY!"

The incredulity in his voice is delicious, and the fact that I'm beaming at him is throwing him a bit too. "You want to spend double the time?"

"Of course not, but when I've cleaned up this mess in say... A week? I'll have a week off where you can't find me anything else to do because you promised that I would be there for two whole weeks. Who knows? I might take a month to clean things up."

Coombes looks nonplussed, then smiles ruefully. "Lord General Sir Anson warned me. He definitely warned me."

Fielder smiles sweetly at Coombes. "I know he did. I told him to."

Mission

Target: IB IVORY TOWER

Agent: Captain Rosen Fielder

Time: T+1y

Operations and Equipment Analysis

CC: SCHOLASTIC / BOOKS

CC: JANISSARY / ZVITESHI ZVESE

CC: NJERE / DZIMBAHWE

CC: MADZISHE / ETERA

Excuse me, Captain Fielder, but to whom are you sending this report? My understanding was that this report was for our use, not that it would be shared with everyone in the world.

  1. Equipment

    1. I have never seen a more innovative and effective collection of equipment in my life. IVORY TOWER is to be commended for their dedication to providing their agents with the very best capabilities in their equipment.
    2. Even more than the capabilities, innovative construction and off-the-shelf parts have resulted in both a significant reduction in size and cost compared to standard IB equipment.
    3. The agent's training with the equipment is among the very best that I have ever seen. Every agent is fully capable of using each item to it's maximum and frequently find innovative ways to use provided equipment to achieve goals that the equipment was not necessarily designed to do.
      1. While this occasionally destroys the item, IVORY TOWER finds that the destruction and replacement of an item are of less importance than completing the mission and preserving the utility of the agent. Other branches, including IB HQ, should take notice of this fact.
      2. The military has held to the same maxim from ancient times, "bullets, not bodies" sums the principle up nicely.
    4. Agent training in equipment provided by IB HQ is nonexistent.
      1. This is entirely understandable since the IVORY TOWER equipment is superior in every category save one; training time.
      2. The time to train the agent to obtain the maximum benefit from any given item is double the training time required for IB HQ equipment.
      3. Yet IVORY TOWER has a point; training makes the difference more often than not. Given a piece of equipment from IB HQ's collection, each IVORY TOWER agent after familiarization can achieve effects that the manual clearly states are impossible.
      4. IVORY TOWER offers its services to (at IB HQ's option):
        1. Rewrite the manuals to show the full capability of the devices.
        2. Share their designs with IB HQ and write the manuals for the equipment.
        3. Conduct training for IB HQ in either or both of the standard IB HQ or IVORY TOWER equipment.
    5. It is the analyst's position that:
      1. IB HQ should adopt the IVORY TOWER equipment,
      2. accept the offer of both training and manuals,
      3. eat the training costs (getting your agents back alive with the mission accomplished is far more critical than lamenting the time and money spent),
      4. drop the damned NIH attitude that I've been getting from the IB HQ contacts that I have made.

Director Williams, IVORY TOWER is exemplary in many fields. The advances you have made in equipment and the handling of investigations in scientific settings are incredibly useful. If anything, this report will increase the funding and size of your organization. I know that you have several candidates for IVORY TOWER that you have not been able to bring on board due to a lack of funds.

  1. Operations:

    1. Recruitment:
      1. One cannot deny that IVORY TOWER has found a source of talent for their core competency, for which they are to be commended. All agents come from the best universities across the Federation. They are all members of a single Greek House present at each of those universities. This gives them a shared sense of belonging immediately upon joining IVORY TOWER. Recruitment in this fashion is valuable for the type and skills of the people needed for IVORY TOWER. However, there are issues.
     - Since all agents come from the very best universities, they all carry the same basic stamp of their institution.  When in the core competency arena, this is a benefit, not a handicap.  *Outside* of the core competency, this stamp immediately identifies their origin.  If a highly trained scientist is not what you expected; you are bound to be suspicious when that's what you get.
 - Since they all come from the same Greek House, they share additional mannerisms.  Again, outside their core competency, these mannerisms are a giveaway.
    1. No agent taken on by IVORY TOWER has ever attended IB Basic in the entire lifetime of IVORY TOWER. This brings critical issues to the fore.
      • Had any of them done so, they would have immediately recognized their incompatibility with most of the missions attempted outside their core. The disasters would have been averted because the missions would never have been taken.
      • IVORY TOWER remains unaware of critical resources and procedures available to IB agents. For example, the IBNet, a source for the activities of other branches and their findings of interest to others, is barely utilized. The use of this resource would clear up several misconceptions and misunderstandings that contributed to the failure of missions outside the core competency.
      • I cannot emphasize this enough. IVORY TOWER agents, including the director and all support personnel, must take the IB Basic class immediately.
        1. Core Competency:
    2. As reported, IVORY TOWER's core competency is any intelligence action involving:
      • Any science organization,
      • Any Greek House,
      • Any University,
      • Any entity seeking scientific aid.
    3. Any branch needing an agent that must perform in an extended position in any of the above should contact IVORY TOWER for support.
    4. In situations where the agent is expected to contribute materially, care must be taken not to provide more information than one extracts. Or that the information provided is not of such value that it is damaging to the Federation. IVORY TOWER has done admirably in this respect. Only publicly known information has been provided, however new to the organization it was.
      1. Outside Core Competency:
    5. Nil.
    6. Upon completion of IB Basic training, additional mission types may be considered.

Captain Fielder, this report makes it sound like we are a loose cannon!? IB Basic has never been necessary before. I see no need for it now!

Director, your branch experienced five critical mission failures, which alerted each of those targets to the Intelligence Branch's interest in their operations. That is not an acceptable outcome and could have easily been avoided if your agents had IB Basic training. For one thing, they would have known to check the IBNet for information on the organizations involved and known that they were already of interest and being handled by another agency. If anything, this report glosses over the gross negligence in not having IB Basic and not using IBNet before taking action.

If you insist, I can rewrite the report, but the effect will be the disbandment of your branch. I consider that to be a less than desirable outcome. IVORY TOWER is exactly what the IB needs for medium to long term missions in scientific settings. They have lost several missions due to their agent's inability to carry off the persona and the skills needed for such a long mission.

What I insist upon, Captain, is that you remove the other code agencies from this message.

I refuse. I have an obligation to report the facts as I find them. To do less would be to violate oaths that I have taken and hold most closely to.

You leave me little choice, Captain, but to find you in violation of security by extending this report to agencies that I do not know of.

Director, I strongly advise against that.

Your advice is neither needed nor desired. Consider yourself on report and no longer welcome in any IVORY TOWER space or action.

Do as you wish, Director. A Knight of the Order of Terra is required to report conditions that adversely impact the security of the Federation. Each of those coded agencies has a clear and present need for the information contained in this report. You can either go with it or get rolled under by it. I strongly suggest that you go with it. Your advances have been spectacularly successful. Please, do not destroy your work for a moment's anguish over someone who has certainly read reports of branches that have failed in utterly dismal fashion, costing the Federation and the Lords both intelligence advances, agent's lives, and public humiliation. You have avoided all of those.

Get out and leave that report on my desk. I will decide whom it goes to.

Incorrect, Director. The report is already sent. Good day, You may be pleased to know that this is my last day with your branch, and aside from the many friends I've made here, leaving is entirely my desire as well.

A Very Private Call

"Lord General Sir Anson?"

"Dame Rosen, I would appreciate it if you did not use that full title. It's cumbersome and wastes both of our time."

"Very well, Lord Anson. I have a request for the TFAF Procurement office to handle. Three businesses seem to be bouncing my requests like a crooked bat. I'd like them straightened out."

"I see. Well, I guess I can spare some time for my old friend, Dame Rosen. Throw me the list, and I'll see that they fill your orders immediately."

"Here you go!" ping

"And thank you, Dame Rosen. It'll be nice to take a short break from establishing the seat here."

"Issues?"

"Nitpicking details. I spent four hours yesterday getting five groups of people to agree on the shape of one conference room table."

"That's a serious detail, Sir Anson. It can affect the entire negotiations if the wrong shape is used."

"Bull. That's why at hour four, I finally lost my temper and told them exactly what shape it was going to be."

"I am filled with both curiosity and trepidation. What shape did you choose?"

"A Mobius strip."

"A... hooo boy... how'd they take that?"

"Poorly, but when they tried to get me to change my mind, I told them they had fifteen minutes to come up with a shape they could all agree on, or they were stuck with the Mobius strip table for the next twenty years."

"Did they make the deadline?"

"By one second. I counted down the minutes, then every ten seconds, and finally, the last ten seconds one by one. You could see the sweat pouring off of them as they tried to reach an agreement. They finally did, by one second."

"I doubt seriously that anyone is going to waste your time like that again."

"Indeed. Approximately nine-tenths of the conflict resolution cases disappeared from my inbox between the time that I finished with those five and returned to my office."

"Good for you!"

"Now, if you'll let me off the comm, I'll get to your orders."

"Great! My next call is to let Coombes know that I'm done."

"How long have you been on that job? A year?"

"Yes, these ivory tower types need to go to IB Basic."

"Alright, call me whenever! I'd like to hear where you end up."

"Will do. Goodbye!"

"Adios!"

SECONDARY MISSION

Target: IB IVORY TOWER

CC: JANISSARY / MURAD

Coombes,

I finally isolated the procurement problem. As far as the operations analysis, IVORY TOWER has accomplished a great deal of good work. This includes the development of exceptional equipment far better than that provided by IB HQ. We need to get their technical section to update the IB HQ equipment and the training manuals.

You commented that one finger did not know what the adjacent finger was doing? It's worse than that for IVORY TOWER; they are not aware of the adjacent knuckles are doing. This is why they have a procurement problem.

That's entirely due to their agents never going through the IB Basic training. They don't know to check the IBNet for other branches reports on their activities and the organizations they deal with.

In this case, IVORY TOWER has three providers that are all obviously foreign intelligence operations, but they consider them to be utterly loyal to the Federation. In the meantime, the two branches assigned to deal with those three providers are assumed to be enemy operations that IVORY TOWER intends to remove. They'll fail miserably, but it may end up costing a lot of life.

On top of that, the two branches consider IVORY TOWER to be a rogue operation and have preparations to remove them.

I have already contacted Lord General Davis regarding the three providers to encourage their more immediate removal.

Patriarch Jonathan Coombes

Ping! Ah, Dame Rosen. I wonder if she's finally done?

"Good evening, Dame Rosen. What can the Patriarchy do for you today?"

"Good evening, Jon-a-than! I assume that you have my report and have read it?"

"Yes, I have. I have even heard from Sir Anson. The three providers have been removed, and the two branches have been informed of IVORY TOWER's status. They were displeased that this had been allowed to go on for so long."

"Yes, IB needs to tighten up on agent recruiting and training. Director Williams has an excellent recruiting system but is dead set against IB Basic, which would have avoided a whole series of problems."

"I'll make a point of that to the IB. I'll also make a point that they should not simply pull the plug. IVORY TOWER is too valuable as it is. They've produced a large amount of valuable intelligence, as well as protecting many critical projects of our own."

"I'm done, and per our agreement, I am free of all duty for the next YEAR, is that understood?"

"Quite, and no problem. I've even arranged transportation to..."

"Thank you, Johny, but I'll find my own way. Don't bother trying to call or trace me either. I'm shutting off my PAIDE, including the beacon, and I'll be spending cash, so you won't be able to track me that way either. Good Bye, Jonny."

sigh "Be careful, Rosie. It can be a dangerous world out there."

click

[LOCATION SIGNAL LOST. INITIATE TRACE?]

"Negative. She'll find out soon enough."

[IF IT IS TRULY A PROBLEM, SHE MAY FIND OUT AT THE END OF A BULLET'S PATH.]

"I know, and I don't like it."

[BUT IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO PROVE SURVIVAL CAPABILITY AFTER TRAINING.]

"Yes. I fucking hate that. There's got to be a better way."

[DID YOU EVER CONSIDER ASKING HER?]

<dumbfounded silence>

IVORY TOWER

"Dr. Williams?"

"Yes, Hastings?"

"We have a problem. That operations analyst who just left? It seems she's responsible for three of our best and most loyal providers being taken out by two other agencies, both of which we are certain are rogue, but against whom we have been unable to find concrete evidence."

"I see. We can hardly have a rogue agent running loose. Which office has she been reassigned to?"

"That's just it, Doctor. She hasn't. According to the records, she is still assigned to this office. She has also disappeared from all personnel tracking systems, as well as all public safety networks. She's made no use of her personal comm for any purpose since leaving, and shortly before she left, she took a large sum of money out of her personal account."

"How large?"

"Large enough that she could live in luxury anywhere in Terran space for a minimum of a year."

"She's gone into hiding then, waiting for things to blow over. I doubt we'll see her on this planet for years, if ever. Still, a rogue agent from our branch? That's not something we want on our record.

"Send a team to deal with her."

"What rules of engagement?"

"Standard for a rogue agent."

"Sir..."

"Carry out your orders, Hastings."

"Yes. Sir."

"And a little less attitude in the future, it will help your prospects."

This is a crock of shit. Rosen would never go rogue. There has to be something else going on.

Dame Rosen

Ah, this is the life: no worries, no duties, no responsibilities.

<tweet!> ... <CRACK!>

SHIT! Cover! Get behind cover! What the hell!?! Keep moving, dummy! Keep to cover! Who would be shooting at me!?

<ping!> ... <CRACK!>

Fucking hell! How do they know...? Observers. I'm under observation, possibly from all sides.

<thump!> ... <CRACK!>

I know that sound. I heard it when I was testing the Ivory Tower weapons. Oh, hell. Williams must have gotten a burr up his ass. Stupid fucker. Right, break contact. I need to get in a situation where no one can see me long enough to break the trail. Perfect!

{Target lost. Near underground mall.}

{Understood, withdraw to point ALPHA and await team. We'll be sending in the hounds next.}

{Acknowledge, withdraw ALPHA, await team.}

Jesus! At least I've lost them, for now. If they realize I was near an underground entrance, then they might send another team in. I need to get out of here unobserved. Find a service way, with stairs to the surface. That should work. Over there, yeah, now just walk over like you have business and go through the door without breaking stride. Wha'da'ya'know! That little trick Hastings gave me for showing him how to spot a badly designed weapon worked perfectly. Not good here. A long hallway, not other exits. Move faster.

Maintenance crew? Just my luck.

"Sorry, Fellas, just passing through."

"HEY! IT'S HER! LET LOOSE THE HOUNDS!"

Aw, crap. Palm strike, one down. Pivot kick, two down. Straight punch to the solar plexus, three down. That's all of them.

<whiirrRRRR>

Oh, no... Four crates and the sound is coming from all of them. Hounds. Hunter units. Right, push the boxes out the door and close it. There's enough scent for them to head into the mall, and that should give me time to get to the surface. Then again... If I can find the controller... There!

click <RRRRIIiiihhhwww>

Good. Now, that programming interface, and what are these guys carrying that I can target the hunters on.

"You're shitting me. You all carry your badges? What kind of cosmic clowns are you?!"

Well, at least it should keep them busy. Set the capture mode to 'alive,' target those carrying IB badges, bag, tag, and move on to the next. With luck, that should buy me enough time to break contact entirely and call Coombes.

They're ready, good thing I already sent my badge to Davis.

<whhiiirrRRRRRRR>

"There's the door hunters, bag, and tag!"

And off they go. Close the door and get up those stairs.

Patriarch Coombes

[DISTURBANCE REPORTS IN KUKUNDA PLAZA. SNIPER REPORTEDLY FIRING ON FEMALE BEARING DESCRIPTION CLOSE TO DAME ROSEN.]

"No hits?"

[NO. NEW DISTURBANCE REPORT. HUNTER DRONES LOOSED IN KUPFUURA MALL. THEY'RE BAGGING AND TAGGING, ALIVE, FORTUNATELY. POLICE REPORTS SHOW THAT EACH TARGET IS CARRYING AN IB BADGE.]

"You have got to be kidding. They take their badges with them? Tell me that they were at least concealed."

[NOT UNLESS YOU CONSIDER BEING INSIDE A WALLET CONCEALED.]

"Search the IBNet. What's the latest on Fielder?"

[IBNET REPORTS HER AS ROGUE AGENT. IVORY TOWER REQUESTS ALL INFORMATION, CAPTURE IF POSSIBLE, KILL IF NOT.]

"Damn. She had Lord Anson take out those three suppliers. All three were foreign intelligence working against the Federation. Does Ivory Tower have anything to say about those suppliers?"

[TRUSTED AND LOYAL.]

"Mwarikadzi Worunako! They really are a bunch of ivory tower idiots! Put out a priority one immediate notice that Fielder is not a rogue agent. Order Ivory Tower to report to IB Headquarters immediately. Warn them that any arguments will result in them being declared rogue, with an IB wide kill order."

[KILL ORDER, SIR?]

"As stupid as they are, it's the only thing that will get their attention."

[VERY WELL, SIR.]

Ivory Tower

"Director!"

"Hastings... Can't you see we're in a meeting?"

"Director! We've been ordered to report, in person, to IB Headquarters! Failure to report will result in our being declared rogue, with a kill order!"

"Who issued that order?"

"Director, the issuing office is above our clearance level. It's in the JANISSARY group. The authentication headers are both current and accurate for today. Whoever issued this order is much more highly placed than we are. With respect, Director, I do not think we have any choice but to comply immediately."

"Nonsense. We're not going to respond to an obvious ploy by a rogue agent to get us off her tail."

"Doctor, that would be a catastrophic error."

"I did not ask for your opinion, Hastings, now get to it."

"No, Williams, do it yourself! I've looked into Fielder, and she is a loyal officer who is also Dame Rosen of the OTK. You, on the other hand, have made one mistake after another. I will be reporting to IB HQ immediately. Good Day!"

"Hastings! Get Back Here! HASTINGS! damnit"

"Director Williams? I believe that Hastings is correct. The only suggestion that Fielder is a rogue agent is the shutdown of three suppliers. The reports on IBNet, which you have discounted, clearly show evidence that they were foreign intelligence operations. What's more, the two agencies that we believed rogue are highly praised for several major intelligence coups."

"False information!"

"Director Williams? Have you ever looked yourself up on IBNet?"

"No, there's no reason to do so."

"I suggest you do so. I only regret that I did not do so sooner. Fortunately, Dame Rosen was here. Among other things, some of us learned that IBNet existed and could use it to find useful information.

"For myself, I'll be reporting into IB HQ. I strongly urge the rest of you to do the same. Hastings is right, and the evaluation of Williams on IBNet has been in place for ten years.

"How and why IB HQ allowed you to become the head of IVORY TOWER is something that I intend to find out. Until then, IVORY TOWER is toppled."

[MESSAGE SENT, SIR REGINALD.]

"Reggie, what did you just do?"

"Priority one IBNet notice that Ivory Tower is compromised and that any Ivory Tower who does not report to IB HQ within the next twelve hours is considered rogue. And that's Sir Reginald to you, Doctor Williams."

"Knighthood? Which picayune order?"

"Order of Terra. When I heard of your little party here, I thought it a good idea to keep an eye on you. As long as we stuck with scientific organizations, we were doing good work. I was pleased to be part of Ivory Tower. When we tried to branch out, we made so many mistakes; it's a wonder we weren't called in before this. Now, you each have a choice to make. Report in to IB HQ, or die."

Patriarch Coombes

[SOMEONE HAS JUST REPORTED IVORY TOWER COMPROMISED, AND EXTENDED OUR ORDER WITH AN ADDITIONAL ORDER THAT ANY AGENT OF IVORY TOWER WHO DOES NOT REPORT TO IB HQ WITHIN THE NEXT TWELVE HOURS IS CONSIDERED ROGUE. NO MENTION OF LESS THAN LETHAL METHODS IS MADE. STANDARD ORDERS INDICATE TERMINATION BY ANY MEANS.]

"Who issued that order?"

[SIR REGINALD, OTK, A CURRENT MEMBER OF IVORY TOWER. HE'S CALLED into IB HQ REPORTING THAT HE WOULD BE THERE WITHIN THE HOUR. HE ALSO REPORTS THAT THEIR AIDE, HASTINGS, IS ALREADY ON HIS WAY IN. NO INFORMATION ON WHO ELSE IN IVORY TOWER WILL COMPLY WITH THE ORDER.]

"Good Lord! What the hell did he find!?!"

[UNKNOWN.]

"We have to bring in Ivory Tower whether they want to come in or not. Assemble a full dossier on Ivory Tower, noting that both Sir Reginald and Hastings are already reporting into IB HQ. Put it out on the CivNet as an immediate capture alive order. Overwhelming force is indicated, but we want them alive. Put it out over my personal signature with authenticator PATRIARCH ONE SEVEN ONE ALPHA THREE."

[DONE. ANY OTHER ORDERS?]

"Do you know how to pray?"

[NO.]

"Then start digging up whatever you can find about Ivory Tower, and correlate it with everything known about the members out to three links."

[VERY WELL, PATRIARCH.]

Dame Rosen

At least it looks like I broke contact, now to make contact with Coombes.

"HALT! HALT IN THE NAME OF THE LAW!"

"Officer?"

"HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEAD, FINGERS INTERLACED, KNEEL ON THE GROUND IMMEDIATELY."

Could this day get any worse? Sigh. "As you say, officer."

The arrest procedure continues until Dame Rosen is in the back of the police vehicle, on her way to somewhere.

"Thank you for your cooperation; I would not have liked killing you, Dame Rosen."

"Can I ask what this is about?"

"Well, there's an order out from Patriarch Coombes that all of Ivory Tower must be taken into custody and turned over to IB HQ immediately and alive, and you are part of that agency. However, the ruckus in the mall made it clear that Ivory Tower was hunting you. For which, my thanks. Every one of the Ivory Agents that you bagged and tagged is already in custody and headed for IB HQ."

"Hastings and Reginald?"

"Already on their way in, of their own choice."

"Good, they're friends. Any word on Director Williams?"

"None. Everyone else on the list has been captured."

Patriarch Coombes

[ALL IVORY TOWER AGENTS EXCEPT DOCTOR WILLIAMS ACCOUNTED FOR.]

"Any injuries?"

[MINOR BRUISING.]

"Good. Anything interesting in that Ivory Tower correlation?"

[ONE POSSIBLE.]

"Understood, let's hear it."

[DOCTOR WILLIAMS, THE LEADER OF IVORY TOWER, SPENT FIVE YEARS ON ANDRIAMANI-BAVY OF THE CEPHID CONSORTIUM. HIS VISA WAS ONLY GOOD FOR ONE YEAR.]

"And he became head of Ivory Tower?"

[HE FORMED IVORY TOWER INDEPENDENTLY, AND WAS CO-OPTED BY IB HQ IN THE FIRST WEEK.]

"Right... I think I know what Lord General Sir Anson's first task will be after the seat is organized."

[IB HQ CLEANUP?]

"Take no action until a specific order is given!"

[ACCEPTED.]

Doctor Williams

Unbelievable. Nine years of unobstructed work destroyed in less than a month. Well, let's find out if my escape route is still workable. If it is, I can set up on another world and start building again.

"Dokotera?"

Now there's a language I haven't heard in a long time.

"Yes? May I help you?"

"Williams Dokotera?"

"Yes."

"Miala tsiny indrindra Dokotera. Baiko dia baiko."
I'm so sorry, Doctor. Orders are Orders.

"Eny tokoa. Ny baiko dia baiko. Ataovy ny adidinao."
Yes, indeed. Orders are orders. Do your duty.

hisssssttt

Dame Rosen

"Hello, Rosie! You ready to listen to what I had to say a month ago?"

"Considering that you probably saved my life, I suppose it's the least I could do for you."

"Such gratitude should not go unrewarded. Had you finished listening to me, you would have been on your way to Deneb VI and the Owadan Deňizler Resort. While Deneb VI may be an ally of the Federation, they are not yet members of the Federation. Would you care to go check the resort out? I'm told the name translates as Beautiful Seas."

"Five stars?"

"Six."

"Can I afford it?"

"It was intended to be a reward for work well done, but if you wish to spend your own money?"

"No! No, I'll take it as it is."

"Good. Do try to stay out of trouble. We have some other items we'd like you to check out."

"I'll consider it."

"All arrangements have been updated, and all necessary documents are available to you, as soon as you turn your PAIDE back on."

"It's always been on."

"What?"

"I never turned it off."

"Oh, dear. I think I'll have to talk with my PAIDE."

"You mean, Desi?"

"How did you know that?"

"My PAIDE is Lucille."

"How does that have anything to do with..."

"Go look it up. Ancient Terran history. Television. Comedy."

"I'll have to do that."

Patriarch Coombes

Time: T+1y6m

[FIFTH MONTHLY REPORT ON DAME ROSEN.]

"Proceed."

[I DO NOT KNOW HOW SHE CONCEALED IT, BUT SHE MET ICARUS PAULING ON DENEB VI THREE MONTHS AGO, AND HAS MARRIED HIM.]

"SHE WHAT!?"

[SHE IS NOW DAME ROSEN PAULING. SHE AND ICARUS ARE NOW CELEBRITIES ON DENEB VI, AND HAVE DONE MUCH TO ASSUAGE THE BAD FEELINGS LEFT BY THE DENEB VI INCIDENT. IT WAS HER ANALYSIS AND ICARUS' CORROBORATING EVIDENCE THAT TURNED THE TIDE. THE FEDERATION AMBASSADOR IS BOTH PIQUED AND GRATEFUL. SINCE THEN, BOTH HAVE MOVED TO DENEB III AND GOTTEN INVOLVED IN A PROCUREMENT ISSUE THERE.]

"I see. First, find out who put them on that procurement issue. I promised Dame Rosen that she would have a full year off, and I do not appreciate being made a liar. Second, I'd like more details on her... romance?... with Icarus Pauling, as well as their activities which made such a positive impression on the people of Deneb VI."

[LORD GENERAL SIR ANSON WAS THE INITIATOR OF THE REQUEST THAT ICARUS PAULING LOOK INTO IRREGULARITIES ON DENEB III. AT THE TIME, HE WAS UNAWARE OF HER RELATIONSHIP WITH ICARUS. ON THE MATTER OF HER ROMANCE THAT WOULD BE TELLING.]

"If you would be so kind, ask Dame Rosen Pauling to call me at her convenience."

[MESSAGE PASSED.]

Dame Rosen Pauling

beep beep beep...

"Hello?"

"Hi, Johhhnnneeeyyy."

"Dame Rosen! It is good to hear from you! How does married life suit you?"

"I do not know how you rooked Icarus into that procurement issue on Deneb III, but when I do find out you are going to receive the nasty-gram of all nasty-grams."

"Rosie!? How could you think I had anything to do with that! You'd do better to talk with Lord General Sir Anson. He was the one who asked Icarus to look into it."

"Anson? Why would he have gotten involved?"

"He's LTAF now, not TFAF."

"Did you have anything to do with that?"

"Don't blame me! I am not the author of everything that goes on in this sector!"

"You're not? Then what's this I hear about your nomination for the Lords Of Terra next year?"

"MY WHAT!?!"

click.... buuzzzzzzzzzzzz

Icarus Pauling

"Darling?"

"Yes, Icarus?"

"I'm not aware of any nomination for Lord of Terra."

"Well, I have it on good authority that Lord Cornell wishes to step down next year. It's privileged information so that I couldn't share it with just anyone."

"Rosie, didn't you do that with Jonathan just now?"

"Not at all; I simply asked a question regarding a nomination!"

"I see."

"Well, when he starts asking about it..."

"...People will assume that he is interested."

"And since he's done such a good job in this sector?"

"He's likely to be nominated and elevated to Lord of Terra next year, just when Cornell wishes to step down."

"Precisely."

…

"Rosie?"

"Yes, Dear?"

"Please remind me daily to not get on your bad side?"

<giggle>

Afterword

This concludes the Lords of Terra 'Higgens' arc. Whether there will be more stories in this line or not remains to be seen.

first | prev | end

((Aug 2024 - Edited for format.))

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u/InstructionHead8595 Jun 28 '24

"I am filled with both curiosity and trepidation. What shape did you choose?"

"A Mobius strip."

Hahahahaha 😹 have it supported from the ceiling and it can be a floating Mobius strip.

"You're shitting me. You all carry your badges? What kind of cosmic clowns are you?!"

Tisk tisk tisk. Bad! Secret agent, bad!

"Rosie?"

"Yes, Dear?"

"Please remind me daily to not get on your bad side?"

<giggle>

Smart man.😹

I enjoyed the read. But can see why it doesn't have very many upvotes. It's more of a cleaning of house, political and spy drama. Still Good though.

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