The Chief Scienseer flipped through the report without really reading it. His own sources and his own eyes had already provided him with the same information. He was here for what was under the black redaction marks. The report has as much information about the incident in the Conduit Plant as the pattern of cracks in his morning shit.
He had already toured the Air Modulation Facility, known in the plant as Mod II, and had never seen anything like it. Anyone and everyone knew this was an attack. The bodies of all but one of the trained and experienced technicians were found cut to pieces and all anyone would tell him was that it was an accident. He had no direct authority over the Census Office, but when it came to the Conduit Plant, his word was at least equal to the High General's.
Tossing the worthless report on the table, Dr. Baird Silver raised his hands in mock helplessness and surveyed the various officers around the table.
"Anyone wanna unfuck this for me?" -or- "I don't need much sugar in my coffee, but this is fucking ridiculous." then "The pattern of cracks in my morning shit had more information about the incident."
The two lower ranking officers remained silent in the presence their superiors. Baird had seen the man before, a Sweep Team Commander according to his smoke grey cloak and subtle rank insignia on the fringe, but could not recall his name and had never met him. He was in full armor and Baird could smell the faint cinder of a charged weapon in its sheathe. The man must be on duty and was pulled from it for this meeting. He looked uncomfortable at this breach of protocol. The other was a woman, a Scienseer by the purple stripe on her shoulder. Baird had no idea what she was doing here.
The Spymaster, or just "the Colonel," said nothing of course. He only spoke when forced and then as little as possible. It was Baird's counterpart on the city council, High General Talmand, who broke the silence.
"Yes, Chief Scienseer, Commander Rylan here led the Sweep Team who responded. He is also the one who," Talmand paused here for a moment, "dealt with the situation." Baird turned to Commander Rylan and raised his hands as if to say, "Well?"
Rylan looked to the High General, who motioned with his hand and said quietly, "Tell him."
"Chief Scienseer," Rylan began, but Baird cut him off.
"Please, Commander. Dr. Silver, Baird, Doctor, anything but that mouthful of a title. I love the job, hate the name."
TK: Rylan's story.
Note: How can I craft the dialogue to allow Baird to catch them in the lie that there were no survivors? Rylan tells his story, all of it true, but omitting Telam's interrogation and incarceration.
Baird's face became more shocked as Rylan went on. Finally, when the Commander described the result of the charged weapon, he looked from the High General to the Colonel as if expecting a horn to go off and confetti to fall from the ceiling, revealing the joke. Their faces were made of stone.
Rylan finished speaking and Baird broke the silence after several moments. "What the hell did you just tell me? I heard you say that you were attacked by raw Air element. Implying intent on its part. This can't be serious."
Rylan opened his mouth, but the High General raised his hand to stop him, replying to Baird himself. "We believe it is a new weapon. An attack most likely from the Ergon, but possibly from an Element Cult."
Baird leaned back in his chair. "That's impossible. How would they control the element? The way you describe it, Commander, is as a reactive and aware entity. It would require a puppeteer. And without tralaticon? Gentlemen, what you are talking about is ridiculous."
Rylan's face darkened. "'Ridiculous' and 'impossible' did not nearly wipe out my team. Whatever I hit with my dagger," he paused, searching for the proper term, "died." The horror of its death scream was still fresh.
The Chief Scienseer looked back at Rylan. "I am not questioning you or your team, Commander, only the implausibility of a conclusion."
There was silence at this. No one wanted to speak. Baird finally did. "Well, what now? If what you say is true and these entities, weapons, or whatever they are can only be harmed by charged weapons, what do you need from me? Aside, of course, from my due diligence in investigating the matter myself."
The High General turned at last the Scienseer, "Lieutenant Davoust will be spearheading our own investigation. Any findings of course will be shared with your team immediately. All we ask for now is discretion and cooperation. Outside of that, we have doubled the watches until we can go after the source of these attacks. The public reason is intelligence on increased Incursion threat," He laughed softly at this, "which may actually be true."
Baird looked unhappy. "This is troubling. I will, discreetly, inquire about this subject with my counterparts in the other two cities. Peace seems to be the order of the day. Perhaps we are not alone."
When the Colonel spoke Baird nearly flinched. The man was so still and quiet he had forgotten he was there. "They will be amenable."
Baird waited for more to be said, then nodded gravely to the strange man. He spoke as an oracle, in riddles and half truths. What did that even mean? That they were at peace? That they liked Baird? That they had the same problem? That he had bribed, intimidated, or blackmailed them? He always wondered if the Colonel bought and sold information about him for advantage. Part of Baird wanted the answer to be yes, which would prove his own station and its importance. The wiser part of him wished the Colonel didn't even know he existed.
Baird looked around with his hands spread, asking without words if there was anything more. The High General shook his head no.
"Well then," said Baird, gathering up his papers, "it has been an enlightening meeting. We'll be in touch." Without fanfare he exited the room.
"That went better than I thought." Turning to the Colonel, he continued, "He took it well. Did not question the casualties."
The Colonel answered at length, by his own standards. "The doctor is no intriguer, but neither is he a fool. His position requires a certain cunning to acquire and keep. All we know is that he didn't ask. Perhaps he doesn't want to know. If so, he is wise."
The High General considered this. "It changes nothing. Commander, Scienseer, here are your orders: Begin work on Infusion for our soldiers."
Both the subordinates eyes widened at this. Rylan's in shock, Davoust's with eagerness.
The High General continued, allowing no room for questions. "Commander, your team is below strength and needs rest now anyway. As of now your team is removed from the watch rotation. You will support Lieutenant Davoust in her efforts and when she is ready, your team will be the first to be Infused. Lieutenant, you are in overall command of this endeavor, but will defer to Commander Rylan's judgement if you are in the field or a tactical situation."
Rylan's mouth worked for a moment before speaking. "Sir, this is against everything we fight for."
"Fought for, Commander. We are under attack and must evolve our strategies. I do not know how, but we have been lax and our foes have struck."
Note: Think Pearl Harbor here
With this the High General dismissed his subordinates and they went about their various duties. TK- Good Writing :)