After I leaked these messages between the Varati Ring’s Ursula Le Clarke and a mystery third party, CSO Nelson De Rosa set out with a team of hunters to track down any leaked information that could be traced back to Forsskal Hub and the traitor, Socha Korbemile.

He spoke to me earlier about the results of the mission, here’s a transcript of the interview.

I know you asked me to get rid of the first bit Nelson but, sorry, I forgot.  What an airhead I am!

Nelson:

Well, Verity, what can I say? You keep leaking bombshells like this then you’ll have to come to dinner!

Me:

Really?

Nelson:

Yeah how does Satur…

Oh I see.

What?  Why are you looking at me like that?  Can’t blame a guy for trying.

Me:

Stick to the interview please, Nelson.

Nelson:

Yes, well, er – like I say – because of those messages you captured, we were able to station various wings throughout IX-T D3-43 on the lookout for any suspicious convoys.

We managed to identify a couple, but one in particular proved to be very juicy – provided details of an attack that was planned on Thompson Dock, and a backup of some communications between the VIU bigwigs and other factions.

We brought all the surviving – ahem – sorry, the pilot who survived in for questioning and he’s now cooperating quite enthusiastically, thanks to our well-honed motivational techniques.

Me:

And what’s he been saying?

Nelson:

Well he’s an independent courier originally from Ngundjedes.  The ship he was piloting wasn’t his – it was loaned by the Labour of Varati.  And, although his contract was issued by the VIU, he said that payment was apparently going to be made by a representative of an organisation called the ‘Penitents of Remor Veld’.

Before you ask, we’re already carrying out searches to see if we can track this lot down.  With a name like that they should be easy to find.

We’re pretty sure this guy hasn’t got a clue who they are – although I admit it’s been difficult to understand through all the blubbing at times.

Me:

You must be thinking this is the third party that’s been in touch with Ursula and who was handling Socha Korbemile?

Nelson:

Yeah, exactly.

Me:

And what about the information you recovered from this pilot’s ship?

Nelson:

Not much yet.  As you know, the data from Forsskal was broken up between multiple convoys.  We think what we’re looking at here is a partial archive, possibly relating to Dr Arc, or possibly to the group comprising this local conspiracy.  There’s some encryption on a large part of it, so I’ve got the labcoats working on that right now.

Me:

Any word on what’s next in your investigation?

Nelson:

Well, obviously the whole of the Canonn is casting its collective eye toward IX-T D3-43 – but also to our neighbouring factions – who’ve been a bit quiet with me recently.

One thing that was very interesting is that we got word yesterday of a short-lived Civil War between the Labour of Varati and the Varati Ring – no idea why they were fighting, but I’m certain we’re the cause of it.

I might be making a few house-calls down to a few planet surfaces in the next few days with a team or two…

Me:

When you took Forsskal, you were hoping to track down the target for Korbemile’s leaks – any luck there?

Nelson:

Looks like the VIU did a full ‘rubber gloves job’ before they left – we can’t find anything there offering any clue as to who or what Korbemile was sending to.  We’re gonna keep looking though – it’s a big station.

Only problem is, with the lockdown at the moment, we’ve got tonnes criminals and bounty hunters passing through all the time.  Someone could’ve snuck away quite easily posing as a crew mate and we probably wouldn’t have noticed.

Me:

Thanks for your time, CSO Nelson.

Nelson:

No problem Verity.

 

Definitely a ‘no’ on the dinner?

Me:

…

Nelson:

Yeah, okay, see you around.

Oh bless him – ever since I mentioned the skin-tight suit he just won’t stop.

He did also ask me to thank all the commanders who took part in the interceptions – he posted a full debriefing on the mission board for faction members to read over.

Finally, he was also very kind to forward me a picture (no – before you ask!) showing the materials that were recovered from the successful raid:

Well done commanders!

Clearly, we must hope that we’re able to crack the encryption on the rebel transmissions soon – I’m going to see if I can find out more about this flash conflict between the Ring and LoV – I smell a story there!

Verity Gavroche