Gateway: The Shaula Intervention

PROLOGUE

The explosion’s violent concussion hurled Dlycrysyl a hundred feet across the cavern, slamming him against a jagged wall. The big Aurigan lay against the cold stone, stunned more from surprise than the blast itself. As his head cleared, his first thought was that he was going to be sucked into another pointless Coalition investigation. As the team leader, he should have been thinking about the safety of his men. However, Aurigans are a self-centered race and rarely show much interest in those around them, even in their own species.

He had been on his way back to the base camp after another unproductive day of exploring the dreary caverns deep below the planet’s surface. Dlycrysyl became bored quickly, another characteristic common to his kind but even more pronounced in him. His face, a combination of bony structures and hideous features, prevented any blatant sign of emotion. Only his large tri-pupiled eyes displayed even a rare emotion.

His men suffered more than a few of his brutal outbursts before learning to read the few nuances of emotion that could be gleaned from his hideous expression. If they could see him now they would know to keep their distance lest he lose control and display his disgust in a manner that could risk their lives. What he was feeling now was that it had been a terrible mistake to continue the exploration of the worthless piece of rock; someone had sarcastically designated Haven 4.

The long-range scans, taken from the exploration ship several days earlier, had shown there might be something worth mining on Haven 4. Unfortunately, Dlycrysyl and his team found no ore deposits, in reasonably large concentrations that were of any value. What they did find was a wealth of strange artifacts from some long dead race.

He reported their findings to the Coalition, as required by the standing orders, and a group of anthropologists arrived almost immediately. They went directly to work studying some of the artifacts near the entrance to the caverns, ignoring the miners. Meanwhile, Dlycrysyl and his men began hunting for any artifacts of value they could smuggle off the planet, before the anthropologists got to them. He knew of many black markets for such items that could allow him to turn a handsome profit. They weren’t using any explosives and so he had no idea what could have caused the blast.

Lifting his massive body from the cavern floor, the Aurigan brushed away the globs of orange blood that clung around his left eye socket. He had hit the wall with his head and, although his thick skull protected his brain, several gashes opened on his forehead, blood oozing from between the bony scales. He stood and shook the red dust, always getting into everything, from his coverall. When the last speck of powder was gone, he realized he should get back to the main cavern and see if any of his men needed medical attention.

The Aurigan’s four hundred plus pounds pushed down on the anti-grav unit and its motor shrieked from the unusual pressure. The device finally overcame the strain and lifted a few inches above the ground, raising another cloud of the gritty red dust. Directing the vehicle back down the cavern, he came to the large open area where he had last seen his men. There were bodies or rather pieces of bodies scattered everywhere. He counted five corpses in the chamber and went looking for the last two members of his team.

Tabor, another Aurigan, lay a shattered wreck near a demolished alien machine. There was a mixture of Human and Aurigan blood and bone fragments splattered all around the area. Dlycrysyl stepped gingerly over the pools of orange and red gore toward the last team member, Carmen. From the shallow rise and fall of his chest, it was clear he was just barely alive. Strange, he thought, how only a comparatively frail earthling survived the blast.

He took out his com-unit and told the radio operator to have a medic sent down from the ship. Interference from the worthless iron deposits had been scrambling communications and he had to repeat his request three times. Picking up his co-worker, he almost slipped on several small metallic balls that he hadn’t noticed before. The blast had obviously thrown them all over the cavern floor and he picked one up to study. Carmen let out a painful moan interrupting Dlycrysyl’s examination. He scooped up a few of the strange objects, tucked them into a pocket and forgot all about the odd artifacts.

Lifting the semi-conscious body to his already strained anti-grav unit, Dlycrysyl headed back to the base camp. He brought Carmen to the waiting medic and stood by in silence, watching the fellow work. After a quick inspection of the semi-conscious man, the medic arranged for him to be brought up to the ship.

Your friend is pretty beaten-up. He’s suffering from a bad concussion and some serious internal injuries. I don’t know how long he’ll last. What happened?

Haven’t a clue doc, I was on my way back here when an explosion threw me off my anti-grav unit, Dlycrysyl responded, showing no emotion for his injured co-worker.

Noticing the bruises on the Aurigan’s head, the medic began tending Dlycrysyl’s wounds. As the last sterile wrap and cement-like salve were applied, the shuttle pilot came over to lend a hand moving Carmen aboard. Dlycrysyl walked passed, ignoring his co-worker’s shallow moans. The pilot secured the hatch and then guided the small craft up to the Green Empress. Once on board, Dlycrysyl reluctantly helped the medic take his teammate to the ship’s infirmary.

There’s no need for you to hang around here. Your friend is going to be out of action for a while. I’m not sure how soon he’ll regain consciousness but I’ll let you know when you can see him.

Dlycrysyl went back to the ship’s lounge to wait for word about his remaining team member. He knew he’d have to make a full report to his boss, Quadrant vice-president Banyon, and started to think about what he would include. Since he was not in the chamber when the explosion occurred, he hoped Carmen would live long enough to provide some details of the accident. United Mines was a demanding employer and Banyon would not accept anything less than the whole truth, or at least a believable truth.

Banyon held a very high place in the company, reporting directly to the Central Council. He was three steps removed from Dlycrysyl’s own boss and usually did not get involved in accident investigations. However, this accident was not simply the result of a poorly planned mining operation. It resulted from the discovery of alien artifacts. Finds from ancient civilizations always stirred interest at high levels and Banyon would jump at the chance to take credit for the finding.

His responsibility covered nearly an eighth of what was considered Coalition space. An area not historically inhabited and therefore providing little in the way of kickbacks from the sale of minerals. On the other hand, it was also the least explored area of the Coalition and that meant the opportunity for the discovery lost civilizations was very great. In addition, lost civilizations meant the possibility of alien artifacts, Banyon’s greatest source of ill-gotten wealth.

Dlycrysyl knew he already had too many black marks on his record, and this failed exploration might be the one that would force the company to fire him. He needed to come up with a good story or he’d be in a worse position than a Feldorian snow beast in a Barillian swamp.

The explosion not only created problems for him with his employer, he was sure there would be an Investigator General Branch inquiry of the accident. Mining accidents were common, but it was rare that so many lives were lost. Dlycrysyl realized the IGB would use this as an excuse to begin their own investigation. As much as he disliked his employer, he hated the meddling IGB even more.

Coalition law was not clear on setting responsibility for investigating incidents of multiple deaths and the IGB took advantage of this fact. Many in the Coalition disliked United Mines, but the feeling seemed most intense in the IGB. Investigators were always looking for ways to gain the advantage in the constant battle for power. An investigation would delay Dlycrysyl from being given a new assignment and might uncover his team’s attempt to locate and steal artifacts.

Banyon would simply steal whatever Dlycrysyl and his team found, the IGB, on the other hand, would press a criminal investigation that could land him in jail. What started as a simple assignment was turning into a nightmare. He racked his brain for a means to get out from under the difficult situation. Dlycrysyl’s thoughts were interrupted by the shuttle pilot, who had silently entered the lounge.

We’ve got visitors coming. Banyon is on a company ship that will be joining us in orbit in a few minutes and a Coalition ship is also on its way, the human pilot reported. I understand its carrying Chief Inspector Brodsky of the IGB. I guess they’ll want to know what’s been going on and what caused the ... ah ... the accident, he concluded.

So quickly?

Yeah, it is kinda strange that they’re both in the neighborhood. Too bad for you; having the top brass involved so going to be tough.

Yeah, I know, answered Dlycrysyl, rising to tower over the pilot. Furious with the mess he was in, Dlycrysyl bent toward the pilot, his face filling the human’s field of view, anger stretching his gruesome features into a demonic stare.

The Aurigan’s glowering gaze frightened the pilot into a quick retreat. Half an hour later, a well-dressed human he recognized as Banyon, walked into the lounge. The short, stocky man came directly to the Aurigan and, ignoring the obvious wounds, demanded an explanation of what had occurred. By the time Dlycrysyl finished his quickly invented story, the Coalition ship had gone into orbit around the planet.

Chief Brodsky was made aware of what had taken place and decided to launch a full investigation of the mishap. He arranged for everyone to leave the planet and sent to Outpost 34 for temporary assignment so the accident scene could be left intact. He told everyone to remain available for interviewing by his investigator, Kiel Tarragot.

Chapter 1

Kiel recoiled from the blast of chill air rushing into his stasis pod as the cover slid open. Cold fingers pried apart his eyelids and a blinding light made him squint. Three drops of a viscous fluid in each eye burned and made him blink uncontrollably.

Hold still Inspector Tarragot. I’m almost finished with my examination.

I'm fine Doc, Kiel replied, pulling himself to a sitting position with one hand as he wiped the fluid dripping down his cheek with the other. Have we arrived?

Before the attractive young medical technician could answer, a gentle shudder signaled the ship had come to rest in its docking cradle.

We have now. Welcome to United Mines Station thirty-four. Ever been here?

Only once, it’s a very impressive place, Kiel replied as he squeezed his eyes shut to clear his vision from the long lack of use.

The standard arrangement for a United Mines depot, docking facilities for thirty-six ships, equipment for gas, fluid, and solid transfer, central hub containing sleeping facilities, lounge, cafeteria, ... droned the technician, as if reading from a script.

Sounds like you’re not very happy being here, Kiel interrupted.

Yeah, It’s my fourth rotation. It gets tedious after a while.

Fourth? You don’t look old enough, Kiel exclaimed. His eyes finally adjusting to the room light, he studied the young woman that stood before him. Her raven black hair hung loosely down to her shoulders, surrounding her face in stark contrast to the pale white skin. The bland lab coat did little to enhance her figure but a short skirt exposed legs that displayed a muscle structure suggesting either youth or a continuing regiment of physical exercise. When he looked up again, Kiel found her piercing brown eyes returning his examining observation.

You’ve been out of touch, Inspector. Coalition medicine has been making great advances these last few years. As if in answer to his stare, she pulled her jacket more tightly to her body, allowing him a better view of her well-proportioned figure.

I didn’t know this station was identified as one of United Mines, Kiel mumbled, feeling suddenly uncomfortable with the woman.

Oh, I know the Coalition is supposed to be in control, but United Mines owns the place, she responded as if the ownership were partly hers.

You mean we have to provide the support while they make all the money?

I don’t think you really do understand Inspector, this ship is owned by United Mines and I work for the company, she finished tartly.

I see ... sorry, my mistake, he answered, regretting he had said anything to her.

Yeah, right. You’re just like everyone I’ve ever met that works for the Coalition of Planets. The company is not evil. We’ve just been in the right place at the right time. Nothing the Company has done is against the law. In fact, it’s the Coalition that legislated all of UM’s power, she finished as if she had just gone through a company indoctrination class.

Look, I know all about United Mines, there’s no need to lecture me, Kiel responded, desperately trying to figure out a way to disengage himself from the conversation.

Oh, forget about it, the young woman answered with a huff, as if she would have relished an argument about the positive influence her employer had on just about everything.

No, you don’t understand. I’m not opposed to United Mines just because I work for the IGB. My father ...

You don’t have to explain, she interrupted harshly, as if not wishing to hear yet another story about how the company had supposedly destroyed a person’s life.

Seeing the hurt look in Kiel’s eyes, the technician attempted to soften her voice, looks like you’re okay but remember to go slow for a while until the stasis drug completely wears off. If you plan to eat anything, make it something light. By the way, your partner, whatever he is, said to meet him in the access area as soon as you’re ready.

Realizing she had effectively terminated the conversation, he reluctantly allowed the young woman to help him out of the stasis pod. As she turned to leave, Kiel took note of the nametag attached to her jacket. Sara Fields. He filed the name away in his memory. More a habit than a need to know the identity of the med tech.

Taking a few steps to the wall, he opened a locker and took out his uniform. After balancing from one foot to the other, he managed to pull on the light blue jumpsuit. Sitting down, he slipped his feet into his black boots. Before leaving, he went to another small locker, keyed in his identity code and retrieved his weapon and other personal items. After a quick look around, to make sure he had not forgotten anything, he walked stiffly to the ship’s galley, feeling his muscles slowly return to normal.

It took him a few minutes to find the access area where he had stowed his vacuum suit. Another secure locker contained his silver space suit, along with a helmet, com unit and air supply. It took him several minutes to pull on the outfit and, still a little shaky from stasis, he almost fell off the bench twice. After checking his equipment, he walked over to look outside. The sound of Kiel’s helmet striking the frame of the view-port went unnoticed as he peered through the triple-thick plastiglass. Awed by the massive metal skeleton of the space station, he hardly noticed his companion, hovering nearby.

This place is amazing. I wish you could see it, Varlon.

My perception is satisfactory. However, if you will permit a level three intrusion, I will utilize your ocular system to obtain a low wavelength image of the station, his colleague responded telepathically.

Varlon, a Maldarian, lacked anything like the human ability to communicate. In fact, the being lacked any resemblance to the human form. The environment and transportation unit, ETU he lived inside contained no apparent openings. Although the device was constructed to represent what had come to be accepted as the normal biped form, Kiel knew his partner was anything but humanoid. There was no hint of the nature of the suit’s instrumentality; its exterior was devoid of even a simple latch with which it could be opened.

Tiny maneuvering jets were unobtrusively placed around the perimeter and other appropriate locations to allow motion either in the atmosphere or the vacuum of space. Varlon explained to Kiel that the device contained an environment that duplicated that of his homeworld. The arms and legs contained power cells and a miniature laboratory that supplied nourishment and filtering units for maintaining his environment. The inhabitant of the ETU did not need additional physical appliances. Only one feature had been added, at Kiel’s insistence. Although not obvious, a small electronics package fitted with a speaker allowed Varlon to create a reasonable vocalization of his thoughts. He disliked the device but agreed that, under certain conditions, it did prove useful to use an audible synthetic voice.

An early human probe ship located his home planet, Maldaria. Little was learned of the world at that time except that its mass was approximately that of Earth and its orbit averaged 98,500,000 miles from its sun. A third-generation probe ship, fifty years later, again gathered data on the planet. Long-range scans sent back a picture that showed a thick cloud cover, obscuring the surface. As the probe traveled closer, no land masses were discernable but patterns of lights clearly indicated the existence of an advanced technology. This was the beginning of the Earth’s great colonization period and there was little interest in meeting new civilizations who might compete. Again, the location of Maldaria was noted and put aside.

It would be another two hundred years before a small scientific team was sent to investigate the strange world. A liquid amalgamation of complex compounds, rich in nitrogen and methane, covered ninety percent of the planet. It spawned an aquatic life form foreign to any other species man had yet met. Although Maldarians had little to show in the way of extensive physical structures, they were found to be extremely intelligent. They had been following humankind’s exploration through space almost since the first visit to the moon. Maldaria was eager to join the Coalition and more than willing to share their advanced scientific knowledge.

Kiel’s one brief glimpse of his partner had left him dumbfounded and more than a little queasy. He could not understand how the mass of quivering purple flesh and long delicate tentacles could contain intelligence. Varlon, the only Maldarian agreeing to join the IGB, quickly explained that all his senses were intact and that he had a similar reaction upon meeting Kiel. In fact, the revulsion he felt came through with such force that Kiel was almost knocked off his feet.

Maldarian mental abilities evolved to a much greater extent than simply mimicking the equivalent of human sensory organs. Kiel found that their reasoning ability, although far superior, followed the same general patterns as his own. Varlon could assess a situation and communicate an action necessary for Kiel to perform long before the human became aware of any danger. The pair quickly learned to work together; to the amazement of everyone they met.

Prior to their first meeting, The IGB allowed Coalition surgeons to install a small implant near the base of Kiel’s brain stem. The device, of Maldarian design, allowed the two, otherwise incompatible, brains to exchange data. In Kiel’s case, much practice was needed to both sort out the messages he was receiving and to transmit his own thoughts.

He found that speaking his thoughts allowed them to be more easily converted into thought patterns the device could then transmit to Varlon. During the months of training together, the pair learned to communicate telepathically and Kiel found he could carry on an intelligent conversation with his partner without being aware of the multiple steps necessary to complete the process. However, it did make him feel uncomfortable communicating in this manner and usually spoke out loud when they were alone, reserving his use of telepathy only in the presence of others or when the mission they were on required the secrecy of silence.

Of course, you can use my eyes. I really want to share this with you.

Varlon suppressed the urge to correct his friend. He would, in no way, obtain data directly from Kiel's eyes. It was easier for him to simply monitor Kiel’s own interpretation of the data, provided through his optic nerves to that part of his brain used to interpret sight, through the implant. When they first met, nearly six years ago, Varlon explained the five levels of telepathy at his disposal. Kiel had never witnessed the full extent of his friend’s powers. Varlon's abilities were not limited to telepathy. Kiel found him to be very intuitive. His facility to view a situation from a different perspective quickly became an invaluable tool the pair took advantage of in solving many of the cases to which they were assigned. Kiel hoped his partner could gain some unique insight into this case with the information the Chief gave them.

I perceive the structure and the activity. What is it that intrigues you?

A childlike feeling of amazement filled Kiel as he searched for a way to express himself. Having been brought up on a relatively simple world, technology of any advanced variety always impressed him.

Just the size of the place and the amount of activity.

That is noted.

Varlon made a practice of not using many words except when it came to his almost continual chiding of Kiel's lack of maturity and inability to deal with his relationship with Susan Merniehm. This woman, Varlon was certain, would eventually become his partner’s life-mate. During a long period of isolation throughout a tedious investigation, Varlon explained the social structure of his own race to Kiel. The beings became aware of each other long before they were near one another. The idea of physical attraction simply did not exist in his race.

When two Maldarians chose to mate, it was the result of the way their thought patterns interacted. The physical attraction to Susan that Varlon witnessed in Kiel’s mind was unknown to him. He found it incomprehensible that a life form could contemplate matting without any awareness of the other’s inner thoughts. Kiel, however, hated talking about it, or Susan.

Kiel continued to view the almost mesmerizing activity of men and equipment until his head began to throb. He was forced to use all his energy to contain the nausea that welled up in him. Ships and space-suited figures moved freely through the skeleton of the base in every imaginable direction. Closing his eyes, he realized that he was exhausted and not completely recovered from stasis. The complexity of the movement within the station was creating a dizzying effect on his senses. Having recently completed a draining investigation, he was looking forward to a much-needed rest. They were both surprised when orders arrived directing them to this isolated space depot. At first, they did not comprehend the instructions and Kiel reread the coded message several times.

I don't understand why the IGB is getting involved in a simple mining accident.

I agree, replied Varlon. The Chief should not be sending us on another investigation so soon after having completed one. Brodsky’s directive omits any justification for our orders. Our senior officer's propensity toward making everything a mystery is not the least bit welcome.

Maybe it's not really the accident the IGB is interested in investigating, Kiel suggested.

Ah yes, United Mines. Perhaps our superior does have an alternative objective. He is so often preoccupied with the goal of doing harm to the company.

I don't think harm is quite the right word and I don't find it an inappropriate objective, Kiel replied.

You would not. I understand your motivation, although it is more personal than lawful. However, Chief Brodsky cannot legally commit IGB resources to aid your joint ambition of destroying United Mines without ample justification. The company has a legitimate claim to the planet. The only justification for this investigation is that multiple deaths occurred.

Holding his response, Kiel waited as Varlon maneuvered his ETU through the ship’s airlock. After clearing the docking area, both investigators used small steering jets to set them on a course for the large entry port at the base’s core. Kiel continued to take in the enormous enclosed space as they settled into the superstructure area of the central core of the station. A thought suddenly entered his mind.

Maybe that's what we're here for, to see if there's enough evidence to take some real action against the company, Kiel suggested, warming to the idea of finally discovering a means of limiting the power of the company or perhaps even having a hand in dismantling its invasive control.

You know that will not be the case. Experience indicates officers of the company are too clever to relinquish evidence of unlawful activity. The best we can hope to accomplish is to obtain evidence of some rogue company official committing a criminal act.

Well that may be enough to open a wider investigation, Kiel hypothesized.

A desire not worthy of our efforts in view of the workload of genuine cases the IGB has been provided with, Varlon answered in an attempt to steer the conversation back to reality.

Kiel was about to respond when a group of people came rushing passed. They smiled at him until they noticed the identification patch attached to his suit and the strange form hovering at his side. Once recognized, the older people attempted to avoid eye contact with him. Only a young girl continued to stare. Her bright blue eyes squeezed an innocent wink through the crystal globe of her helmet, until another in her group pulled her along. Kiel watched as the woman, apparently the youth's mother, looked down at the girl and waved a heavily gloved hand in front of her face as if scolding the child. Just before they disappeared, the girl turned and gave him a defiant wave. Kiel realized they must be the family of some United Mines executive and his smile dissolved into a frown.

I will never understand why people react the way they do to the IGB.

I have noted that many have ambivalent thoughts regarding those in our profession. Perhaps, in this case, it is to your personage they are responding.

Me? Kiel’s sneer was wasted on Varlon.

You are the same species as that female. Many of your race fear those such as myself. In seeing us together, perhaps she was simply transferring her uncontrolled emotional response of me to you. Or perhaps she simply was surprised to see one so young with an investigators identification.

Kiel knew his appearance often elicited the reaction that he was very young and therefore not qualified for the position he held. However, he had been involved in many more cases than he cared to remember. The long periods spent in stasis coupled with a strict regimen of physical exercise and careful diet, allowed his body to remain fresh and energetic. He possessed a wealth of knowledge and experience but approached each new case as if it were his first, another reason he did not garner the respect he deserved. He knew Varlon was wrong. The woman’s reaction had nothing to do with the way he looked. United Mines people simply hated the IGB and that’s all there was to it.

I’m sure their reaction had nothing to do with you or me exactly. It was only after the girl’s mother saw my IGB identification that she reacted. She’s probably some UM executive and naturally dislikes anything to do with the Coalition.

Dismissing the encounter, Kiel began thinking about their present situation. Having so little knowledge about their new assignment made him feel nervous and uneasy. At the same time, he was eager to begin the case. Feeling elated with the prospect of solving another complex puzzle, his fatigue was quickly forgotten. It was not only the mystery of a case that attracted him but also the degree to which it allowed him to hide from the real world. His greatest fear was direct exposure to people, especially people of the opposite sex.

Kiel, your mind is wandering. Let us proceed to the station proper so that we can begin our investigation.

Nodding in agreement, Kiel attempted to clear his head as he looked around the interior of the station. The rigid blue metal of the frame absorbed most of the harsh light emanating from the many beacons throughout the interior but enough was reflected to create a kaleidoscope of color. The spherical construction was only about 8,000 feet in diameter yet seemed to go on forever. Covering the vast globe was only the thinnest layer of pure mendiurium metal.

The fragile wrapper of the super strong material was more than sufficient to shield the interior from most small meteorites and other space debris. Large particle beam arrays surrounded the station, providing protection against more dangerous objects. He marveled at the amazing construction for both its size and its apparent fragility. Having very little technological background, Kiel had no idea why stations were always built as spheres. Perhaps this form added strength to the structure, he speculated.

I believe you are correct, but we are wasting valuable time, Varlon interrupted.

Kiel reached for a guy wire to help stop his forward motion. A last puff from Varlon’s thruster caused his ETU to stop its forward movement. As Kiel's fiber and plastic suit struck against a section of the metal skeleton, he grabbed a handhold and easily pulled himself to the station’s central core main airlock. The attendant inside signaled he would cycle open the lock in a moment. The great outer hatch disappeared into a recess in the wall and a group of space miners burst forth, separating the two investigators.

Kiel found himself surrounded by the men, whose momentum pulled him along with them. Their long duration suits moved with practiced grace and Kiel was helpless and quickly forced toward a ship docked nearby. Having completed their mission, the more agile men quickly dispersed, leaving Kiel alone in the airlock of what was obviously a United Mines ship.

A perceptible shudder told him the space had been pressurized and a man dressed only in an unmarked gray coverall was suddenly floating beside him. He was roughly helped out of his suit, disarmed of his weapon and led through a narrow passage, all the way menaced by a large hand-held weapon.

What's going on here?

The fellow ignored Kiel’s question, allowing his weapon to speak for him as he directed his hostage along the passageway. Another hatch opened and Kiel was directed into a small cubical. Before he could reiterate his question, the hatch clanged shut leaving him alone to wonder what was happening. Five minutes passed before another man entered the room.

Why is the IGB investigating the accident? The man asked tersely.

Who wants to know?

I'll ask the questions. Now tell me why you were assigned to look into something that is none of your business?

Putting aside the crime of his abduction, Kiel found it laughable that someone else wanted an answer to the question he and Varlon were just attempting to puzzle out. He guessed that the Chief must have a very good reason for assigning them to the case. Someone in United Mines was obviously afraid of what an investigation might uncover and the Chief wanted to know what that could be. Unfortunately, without more information, he had no answer for his captor or himself.

Obviously it's not a private matter or we wouldn’t have been directed to investigate the accident. Your boss must be very worried or he would not have ordered an IGB investigator to be kidnapped.

You haven't been kidnapped. We simply want to know what your interest is in a private company matter. When you tell me what I want to know you will be released.

You know very well that the IGB is responsible for investigating accidents involving multiple deaths, Kiel calmly replied.

The man was evidently not comfortable being thrust into the position of an interrogator and Kiel’s mind raced for some rationale for this overt act. If only Chief Brodsky had provided more information, Kiel would have a better understanding of how to deal with this situation. Prior experiences with officers of United Mines never hinted that they were capable of taking such steps to protect themselves. While not above subterfuge and misdirection, this overt act came as something of a surprise to Kiel.

The accident itself could not be the event they were seeking to hide. Accidents causing death were not that uncommon for the mining company. Some other illegal activity either had caused or was the result of the unfortunate mishap. Brodsky must have some knowledge of that event and used the multiple deaths as grounds for an IGB investigation. Kiel wondered if his interrogator knew what was going on or was simply sent to find out what the IGB knew.

All I know is that there was an accident out at some remote mining site.

You don’t know anything about the missing artifacts or the equipment that was discovered?

No, nothing at all, Kiel answered, smiling to himself.

Without realizing what he had done, the fellow from United Mines had given Kiel more information about this new investigation than his own boss. He now knew that someone in the company had broken the law by stealing artifacts from a mining site. Long ago, legislation had been written to protect the unknowing purchaser of stolen artifacts from the harm that an alien device might cause. Could his old enemy be involved in the theft, Kiel wondered?

Kiel’s thoughtful look clearly