TA42

==Chapter 42 - The Armada==
Unity City, Terra
Sol Star System
Wolf Empire
3170
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[...In virtual environment...]
"Alaric isn't that stupid...but that doesn't mean he's the only source inside the Wolf Empire....every government has their share of people who style themselves covert operators, pretend to themselves they're clever."  Clarissa-2 noted.
She was on conference link with Spider Moon, the AIs having secured a non-monitored routing from Anchor Point through the HPG network.  "I can think of a half dozen ways they can accomplish the same outcome without risking a civil war."
"but it's twice now-first the crew of the Tranh Truk Ngo, and now Sharon." Li Danh noted.v
"The first time was clearly cultural insensitivity." Clarissa argued, "The Clans involved in the effort to rescue their homeworld cousins have, at least, an understandable desire to have a piece of what many of them consider 'their heroes', didn't Mom say she was in negotiation over that?  How is it going?"
"Most of the Clans have been receptive to the Duchess's offers, and she's inked a few deals for the Commonwealth with the larger Clans."
"There you go. They can be taught, without having to resort to force." Clarissa noted, "At least, without us having to resort to force.  The situation with Cousin Sharon's body is clearly Clan internal politics. The circumstances sure as hell look suspicious.  Outside of an actual riot most random street robberies are personal affairs. One or two people at the most three. Hate crimes can be bigger, but this doesn't smell racial. I really wish the Archon would let me go there with a formal investigation."
Li Danh shrugged, "For now, we're working it quiet with LIC's Terran Bureau.  You're related to the victim and prominent enough in your own right to draw too much attention of the wrong kind."
''
"Is the Case Officer any good though?" she asked
"Ours is, he's someone you've worked with before on that sex-murder cult case you were on a few years ago." he said, "Plus one of the best damn forensic accountants I've seen, remember a Slicer who called himself 'skynet' and was out to prove the secure banking systems weren't?"
"Can Karen make it through that meat-grinder you've decided to use as cover?" Clarissa challenged.
"Your second-cousin is remarkably resilient. She's had the best training and conditioning we could drum up at the special warfare center.  As long as she doesn't die, there's not a lot they can do to her we can't fix."
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