Chapter 20-1 Interrogations

Chapter 20-1 Interrogations

+We don't have a census for how many people are living in the refugee sanctuaries.

You want to know why? It's not because we don't have the logistical means to count them. No.

The Guilds, if anything, are more than competent logistically. All it takes is a few divisions of dedicated Necros and a little bit of time and they will have every true living person surrounding New Vultun counted and catalogued.

That is not the issue.

The issue is if they are listed, if they are counted, then the weight of what we're doing settles in. Make no mistake, we are ignoring people dying on our doorstep. We are ignoring them because it's easier to turn away when theyre smuggled in as refugees as death fuel for the city.

They knew what they were getting into.

Risk is the name of the game.

Bullshit. Its just easier for us to swallow them not being actual people. Just fools who wandered into the gutters looking for death. Fools for selling their agency and handing themselves over to the Syndicates.

They must be because anything else is too unpalatable.

You think about that the next time you watch a vicarity starring these fools. You think about what kind of life they were leading to force them to risk the Maw, the smugglers, the Crucibles and the Syndicates to get into the city. You think about that the next time you enjoy another snuff stream.

Or maybe just apply for a border pass. Take an ex-route shuttle and tour the sanctuaries. Look down at them from the skies,

You think about that the next time you enjoy another snuff stream.+

-Cala Marlowe, The FATELESS Thoughtcast

20-1

Interrogations

All children born under Highflames banner learn early that there are some beatings you just have to take. It was this understanding that filled Abrels spine with steel and turned her nerves into titanium.

Shame coursed through her person, but in her existed a draught of fear or sadness, for the lesson of the beatings came paired with another of the High Seraphs teachings.

Pride.

Pride in one's wounds for the scars to show what they survived and an understanding that there was worthiness to be regained when one rose to redemptions call.

Uthred took a moment to gather his thoughts before he spoke, the shape of his face finally stabilizing. Circles of discoloration ran below his eyes and his optical implants gleamed with an intense glow. Beside him, Vator smiled deeply at his sister with open affection, his hair flowing as waves of silken gold, his left eye purple while the right remained blue. He stood a few inches taller than their father and was dressed in a fine suit of ash white.

Upon closer inspection, she could see movement under the suit. Flicking legs and brushing palps. Abrel did her best not to roll her eyes. Of course, this being Vator, he probably had his pet spiders weave the suit around him on the way over. Always with his artistryconstantly trying to get her to keep one of his pets for the sake of fashion accessibility from biodegradable resources.

I will keep this direct, Uthred said, an unexpected softness just beyond his glare. Effective as of two days ago, House Greatling was dissolved, and my position as Authority was resigned.

Both admissions hit Abrel like flechettes to the gut. The consequences of her actions were beyond extreme. But how? Though dangerous, she didnt see how this action could force his hand so severely. There were other factors to consider, such as the provocation behind the matter, and the details of the case.

Uthred Greatling wasnt a man to avoid responsibility, but he wouldnt just bear punishments bestowed without ensuring the sentences were deserved.

Was resigned was dissolved. Seriously, father, its like someone else did these things for you. Vator tutted, unaffected by Uthreds side glare as usual. I told you I could have applied for the Writ if it bothered you that much. There was no need for you to be in such

Enough. The duty was mine. Do not interrupt. Uthred shot his youngest a final look before turning back to Abrel. Vator simply sighed, surrendering to his fathers will but completely unshaken by the chastisement. Turning his gaze back to Abrel, Uthred continued. The severity of your actionsthe recklessness with how you pursued your target. And how you deviated from the dispatched task.

Oh, wow, thanks, Vat, Abrel deadpanned. The knowledge that the half-strand who murdered my brother has a huge cock is super useful.

Youre welcome, sister dearest. Would it benefit you to know that he is a Godclad?

This she already knew, though it came as a surprise when she first engaged him at Lights End. Just another one of Avos many impossible tricks. Almost all the Souls he burned into his companions that day were taken from her cadre. A pang of disgust followed, and her hatred boiled, but she continued the rusethe sequencing of her mind at Avos hands demanded it. No. How? Wait, how do you know this?

Oh, I did a little research, Vator said. Our mutual nuisance resurfaced a few days ago at Vengs Stand. Also in the Warrens. He had an lets say interesting encounter with one Seeker Shotin Kazahara whereupon he triggered a wombrash outbreak to cover his escape when the Paladins arrived. I did some more investigation into his past as well. The media he consumes is so delectably degenerate. The youngest Greatling threw his head back and cackled. The Soft Master Collection. Ah. Priceless.

I Uthred trailed off with a scoff. The head of what once was House Greatling shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. Abrel. Tell me everything. In detail. Leave nothing out about your encounter. Vator. You will inform the both of us on what you know about this Chambers. Once that is done, I speak on the duty I have been entrusted with, and the potential for our family to be atoned. He leaned in close. I fear that Jhred might have been in contact with something of greater worth than even he knew.

What?

Uthred shook his head. That is not for you to know. Nor is it your task. You need simply tell us of your encounter. Nothing more.

Abrel understood, and so she continued painting a disfigured truth.

So, the city was determined to make a target of Aedon Chambers. She could use that. Use him to pull attention away from Avo, but still give her father, brother, and Guild someone to go after.

The wrong person.

***

+First. There is a problem. You need to come down now. To the Circuits.+

Bright-Wealths harried message came with a splash of heavy anxiety. The ghosts leaked from Green Rivers active session in a constant flow as a progress bar filled her cog-feed, memories being transferred. The time was just before dawn. She wondered what matter so important to do demand her attention now.

Yawning slightly, she slithered through the darkness and reattached herself to the rest of her body, feeling the human component of herself draw a sharp breath of surprise as the memories loaded in the same instant the vessel activated.

She wasted no time thereafter and took flight down her penthouse, glad she kept her dress on tonight instead of cleaning the body and putting it to bed.

Regardless, her mind cleared more with each step. She should have known things were awry considering all the dread in Bright-Wealths mind. The younger Sang wasnt someone she would describe as anxious or easily terrified, but considering the situation, she was holding together rather well.

The Second Fortune ostensibly had its doors open to any and all guests, but the presence of a certain few was as if a silver bullet for businesses, and a bad omen for their continued operation.

She found him reclined at the very edge of the audience seats overlooking the Circuit area below. As the sounds of a fight continued, she noted that three entire rows had cleared out behind him, with guests fleeing up the walkways, making for the doors. Layers of intersection perception left him bathed in the notice of countless minds, but none dared to offer a single utterance related to his presence.

Her heels clicked with every step and she readied herself, pulling her lips in a wide smile while casting emergency orders to the rest of her sisterhood running the establishment. +Wealth. Have Lucille temporarily lock the doors leading to the upper wings overlooking the arena. Thank you.+

She didnt bother turning around to watch hallways swell and close themselves off. All her focus was needed for a single task, a single conversation.

As she came to a stop at the very final row of seats, she briefly glanced at the two bioforms fighting below. One was a large simian creaturea gorilliod incarnatefacing one of Ruvecas new snake-centipede designs. Dragging her attention away, she greeted the unwatched guest with a bemused smile, though her thoughts were tense with uncertainty.

Blood was pouring down from his eyes, his nose, his ears, and his mouth. But he sat there, blinking, eating roasted meatballs in a bag using a toothpick, and shaking his head every time an impact sounded from below.

Chief Naeko, Green River said, greeting the highest-ranked Paladin in New Vultun with a slight bow. I would have never expected one of your stature to visit our humble establishment. You do us a great honor.

Languidly, the man turned his eyes away from the fight and over to her. He returned her false modesty with his own lazy smile. Nah. Im just being trouble. I know that. He patted the seat next to him, the size of his hand enough to close around her skull. She needed to be careful. She needed to be prepared to lose her expendable vessel and dive for the shadows. Come on. Sit down. Lets talk. Dont worry, Im not busting you up or shutting you down or anything. The paperwork would kill me. I just have some questions.

She didnt sit down. Not immediately. Will these questions you ask see me killed then, perchance? Something that my superiors will not want answered.

Naeko ran his fingers through his short crop of black hair and shrugged. He smeared the blood constantly pouring down from his face and snorted. Well. Suppose were about to figure that out from whether you say anything to my question or not.

Green River nodded. The question, then?

Have you had someone under your employ conduct a the Paladin paused as his halo spun, ghosts pulling mem-data across the accretion. ...a Bone Demon graft for a customer? Should be a sheath from the details I got.