Melinoe Ch. 16-20

Max Intel: Melinoe

Chapter 16 - Trace

Everyone at the table was in shocked silence. Max was the first to process the data. "What do you mean missing?"

Zess, with her jaw set, abruptly stood. She moved out to the living room in a quick jog. "I am calling Nomissa, I need to get ssome proper fucking ansswerss." Zess yelled, she was obviously upset.

Joon stood and went after her and almost everyone else followed her example. Agatha stayed so that she could clear the table, her two Hands being efficient and quiet. She looked across the table and sighed, "Well, at least they liked the pizza."

0o0

The Ambassador slipped down into the pit and hurriedly sat at the com-table where she immediately tapped up a com request. A holo-screen coalesced and Zess immediately began, "Viss!" She hissed at a Dauzakai, "What the hell iss going on!"

The Intendant burst into tears, "I don't know Ambassador Zess! I sswear! Miku wass on her way to the sshuttle..."

Zess demanded, "And?"

Viss was bawling, "A-a-and Miku never sshowed up at the dock!"

Zess glared, "Sso between your office and the dock sshe dissappeared?"

Intendant Viss nodded.

"When did thiss happen?" Zess looked furious.

Viss blinked, "Ssixty-three minutess ago..."

"Miku has been misssing for over an hour!... And NOW you whissper me!?" Zess barked.

Viss sobbed... "M-my ssecurity is invesstigating...We will find Miku... We have to..." Viss's eyes looked pleading.

"Yess... WE will!" Zess nodded and, with hateful, narrowed eyes, she cut the connection. The dinner party slowly and quietly filtered down into the couch pit, the sisters looked dazed.

Zess's sisters sat with her, but out of respect they didn't say a word. Joon saw the look on Zess's face and just sat next to Max.

A new Dauzakai hurriedly jogged in from the foyer.

"Nomissa!" Zess exclaimed.

The Caretaker glanced around, taking note who was there. Nomissa immediately knelt before Zess, "What hass happened, your Excellency?"

"I got a direct whissper messsage from Intendant Viss on Yelenth sstation, Miku went misssing over an hour ago!" The Ambassador's voice cracked as her emotions were starting to fray.

Nomissa nodded, "Pleasse allow me to make ssome inquiriess, your Excellency?"

"Of course Nomissa! Pleasse, anything you can do!" Zess replied, her eyes welling.

The crew of the Deirdre and her sisters started comforting Zess as caretaker Nomissa lay next to the com-table and slipped into cyberspace

Samira got a good look at Nomissa, she was physically smaller than Zess or her sisters, however, the Caretaker obviously had even more cybernetics than the Ambassador...and some were obviously meant for martial applications.

Samira made careful note of the many possible cybernetic weapons systems on display and developed a preliminary assessment of her capabilities.

The emotions in the room were turbulent...

Agatha walked out to the doorway of the living room and gently pushed calm across the couches and Tizzi immediately began crooning softly, her triangular head locked on Agatha. Less stared at her Chazi companion and, following its gaze, she quickly got up and went to Agatha.

"Sshe's never done that before, I didn't even know Chazi could make noisse like that."

Agatha smiled at Less, "That was my fault, I was trying to calm everyone a little."

Tizzi crooned softer as Agatha held her two fingers in a "V" in greeting as was discussed over dinner and Agatha smiled as the Chazi gently 'tasted' her fingers with antennae. However, the Chazi didn't settle down, but instead reached out with two, normally retracted, sharp spiky forelimbs.

"Tizzi, no..." Less's voice sounded fearful.

Agatha calmly held out her arm for Tizzy, sending soft gentle greetings to the Chazi. Tizzi accepted the offer and carefully climbed along Agatha's arm, softy vibrating her body as she did so.. "I don't know why sshe is doing thiss!" Less exclaimed, "I am sso ssorry!"

Agatha shifted her cat-like eyes to Less, sending deliberate calm to the Dauzakai.

"Oh..." Less immediately relaxed, blinking in sudden realization, "...you're not human."

"No... I'm not." Agatha winked at her, then smiled at the Chazi.

Less looked at Agatha in wonder, then looked at her own companion interacting with her. "The Chazi have their own wayss, I don't alwayss undersstand why they do thingss." Less commented softly.

Agatha reassured Less, "It is quite alright, Tizzi and I have been properly and fully introduced now."

The Chazi crawled back over to Less's shoulder and settled down immediately. While quite unique, the quiet exchange was missed by the rest of the living room as they were occupied comforting Zess and discussing Miku.

Zess and Joon were discussing the surprising lack of security surrounding Miku, as everything was monitored digitally. "I never thought ssomeone could 'Go' misssing, it'ss unthinkable." Vess pouted.

Max and Joon exchanged glances, Max nodded to her. Joon nodded, she looked Zess in the eyes "We can be very capable in these matters and we are able and willing to help with anything you need. You understand our role, but that is on hold until we can deal with and move beyond this crisis. Our cards are on the table and we will hold nothing back if you choose to honor our request to be of assistance."

Zess's eyes widened, "Thank you, dear friendss."

Astrid and Samira were talking with Vess and Ness about the standards of security surrounding the Ambassador.

"No one jusst disssappearss on Dau." Vess commented.

Ness nodded, "We can be tracked from orbit."

Zess heard that and turned around, "What did you ssay?"

Ness blinked at her sister, "I ssaid 'We can be tracked from orbit', we are all chipped."

Zess gasped, and covered her mouth with a long fingered hand.

Max understood immediately... Miku had no cybernetics at all... Not a single chip.

Zess explained how even the small risk of cybernetic enhancement was unacceptable to the project. "It wass deemed too dangerouss to allow her any augmentation," Zess cringed. Tears rolled down the Ambassadors snout, She leaned into her sisters arms.

At that moment, Nomissa sat up next to the couch, blinking rapidly as her data jacks began snaking back into her arm. Nomissa took a moment to reorient herself and Samira knelt down next to Nomissa, offering her a glass of water.

Nomissa nodded in thanks as she accepted the water, she also got a good look at the human cyborg. She noticed the very inhuman-like hooves and Slarmian-like arm arrangement. Nomissa drained the glass and cleared her throat. "Your Excellency, I have information..."

Zess was seated with her sisters next to the Caretaker.

"I'm afraid it'ss not very encouraging: there iss no ssign of Miku on Yelenth." The Caretaker addressed the Ambassador softly but clearly. "Ssurveillance showss Miku moving in and around Intendant Viss's officess sseveral timess, then she just vanisshed..."

Zess nodded, her face showing grave concern.

"We have a time sstamp on her last recorded vissual ssighting." Concluded Nomissa.

Samira shared a pained look with Astrid. Joon noticed the exchange, "What is it?"

Zess looked at Joon, then looked at Samira with questions in her eyes.

"Visual media can be manipulated," Samira commented, "When was the last time flesh and blood eyes saw Miku?"

Nomissa shook her head, "I don't know."

Zess clenched her jaw, then looked at the Caretaker. "Nomissa... On my authority, I charge you to open an invesstigation, immediately."

The Caretaker bowed her head, "Yess, your Excellency.

The Ambassador turned to Joon, "I cannot be ssure of anything beyond Nomissa's professionalissm, But I trusst your family."

Joon looked at every one of her wives in turn, each nodded without a word. "We are at your service... Your Excellency." Joon replied to Zess solemnly.

0o0

Joon and Agatha stayed with Zess and her sisters while Vika and Astrid returned to The Deirdre to use the advanced cyber hardware in the Dierdra, modifying programs in anticipation of a deep cyber dive: Astrid was intent on adapting her filtering programs to find digital manipulations in any security footage.

Nomissa departed with Max, Samira, and Agatha to Yelenth Station in the Ambassador's shuttle craft.

The Dauzakai Ambassadorial shuttle was small but of exceptional design, just large enough to transport four with a little room for luggage. While the Ambassador's Shuttle was docking Max leaned over to Agatha. "I want you to stick with Nomissa, guard her like you would Joon." Max whispered quietly.

Agatha nodded and whispered, "Copy that, Captain."

Agatha was in her iconic, deadly schoolgirl uniform. Her normally forgotten purse dangled at her hip, it's strap across her chest, ready for quick deployment.

Nomissa wore a deep blue armored jacket. Upon its left breast was a beautifully embroidered bronze sigil stitched into the fabric signifying her station and commission.

The shuttle craft docked, Nomissa eyed the landing seeing there were seven Dauzakai security at the docks. Nomissa glanced at Max, "Officially, you are under my authority, pleasse don't initiate any violence."

Max nodded, "Of course... this is your investigation, we're here to back you up. We will only return fire if fired upon, and even then we will inflict as few casualties as possible to ensure your safety."

"Thank you, Dame Max." Nomissa nodded then thumbed the airlock open.

As they gathered on the gantry, the Dauzakai on the docks came together and approached them.

"Caretaker Nomissa?" The lead Dauzakai asked.

Nomissa turned to the speaker, "I am."

"I am Caretaker Duri, Intendant Viss's ssecurity advissor." The leading Dauzakai nodded.

Nomissa drew closer as she nodded in respect, "We met briefly in cyber."

They bumped fists in greeting.

"By directive of Ambassador Zess, I have been given authority to invesstigate, your asssistance would be appreciated, but it issn't neccisssary." Nomissa announced softly.

Caretaker Duri bowed, "You will have the full cooperation of the Intendant'ss office. We have been advised of your authority in this matter and any assistance you require from my department will be met." Caretaker Duri leaned closer, "Privately, Intendant Viss is beside herself with worry and embarrassment. If this investigation could be kept need to know it would be much appreciated."

Nomissa nodded and whispered, "We would also prefer this situation stay contained."

Duri smiled her appreciation and eyed the Terrans, "I wassn't aware the Ambasssador had humanss on her ssecurity detail."

"Their participation is officially ssanctioned as impartial investigatorss. They are to be resspected and trussted as if they sspeak for me." Nomissa replied and she started walking through the small group, Agatha stayed with her. Her role immediately made clear to all who were present.

Max and Samira exchanged looks, then followed behind Nomissa. Several Dauzakai gawked openly at Samira as they traveled through the station. She didn't mind as her exotic limbs and elegant ecru blouse and skirt made her feel confident and she moved with the grace of an experienced hunter.

Agatha noticed Caretaker Duri's group walking closely with them but she felt their emotions were those of attendant security and not hostile. Nomissa glanced at Agatha and, seeing her evaluating the detail, said, "There won't be any political pussh-back from your pressence here."

"This is good, yes?" Agatha asked softly.

The Dauzakai Ambassador's security advisor peered into Agatha's eyes. Nomissa nodded her head, "Thiss iss ssetting precidence... I ssee it as a possitive."

Agatha smiled at the compliment and bowed slightly. They arrived at the security offices for Intendant Viss and Duri's group went in various directions, resuming their normal duties.

Duri nodded to Nomissa, "I have already shown you the ssurveillance, what else can I do to assist in your invesstigation, Caretaker Nomissa?"

Nomissa glanced at Samira, "My associate, Ssam and I will need comss with full accesss."

Duri immediately led them to her own office, "Thiss com-dessk hass full holo and cyber access."

Nomissa locked eyes with Duri, "Thank you, your professionalissm and asssisstance will be well remembered in my report.

Duri bowed with respect, "Anything I can do, Caretaker."

Max watched Duri leave her own office and close the door. Nomissa faced Max and Agatha, "Pleasse keep uss ssafe, while we work."

Samira, lifted the hem of her fashionable ecru skirt with one of her left hands. Her thigh plate cycled open softly. With her other left hand she pulled a Kaimau Hurricane, handing it butt first to Max. Max smiled, accepting the heavy pistol. The exchange was not missed by Nomissa, she nodded in approval.

Nomissa and Samira sat on either side of the com desk, their data jacks snaking out as Samira winked at Max, "Showtime."

Max quietly said, "Protocol Level One-Alpha."

Samiria nodded acknowledgement as they immediately fell unconscious, the sign of a full dive into cyberspace.

Max peered at Agatha, "Can you join them?"

"Yes, Captain... I already have." Agatha smiled softly.

0o0

Sami-Faun coalesced in front of what looked like a fountain. There was an interesting digital effervescence, bits of data frozen in mid-fall in and around the construct.

Nomissa's Avatar coalesced next to Sami-Faun. The tall golden Dauzakai surveyed her surroundings before stepping up to the fountain where Nomissa's Avatar laid both hands on the edge. The fountain flowed, hundreds of small frames of surveillance rolled by.

"I fear thiss iss going to take hourss." Nomissa stated.

Sami-Faun looked at the rest of the surroundings. The fountain was at the center of a beautifully ornate and manicured garden. Tall hedgerows lined the area, Sami-Faun looked up and saw layers of duplicate gardens stretched out above her.

Samira's current perception couldn't quite penetrate far enough to see an end to them. "What are we looking for?" Samira asked, as Sami-Faun completed the turn.

Sami-Faun faced Nomissa's Avatar.

Nomissa responded, "I'm collecting ssome of the imagess we have here to be analyzed further."

Samira thought about that, "What about collecting all of them?"

Nomissa's Avatar shook its head negative, "We don't have the bandwidth, it'ss far too much data."

"Well, If you can keep a secret... I think I know someone who can help." Samira responded.

The Caretaker's Avatar nodded, "Her Excellency trusstss you, then sso do I."

"Agatha?" Samira asked.

*Yes, Samira?*

"Do you have some bandwidth to spare?" Samira knew the answer.

A dozen ethereal felines shimmered into existence and jumped up onto the rim of the fountain.

Samira swayed mentally at the wave crashing through her.

"Remarkable." Nomissa reacted, awe tinged her voice, "When I saw Agatha'ss eyess, I had my ssusspicionss."

Samira felt a swell of power through Sami-Faun...

"Where do we want this data?" Samira asked.

Nomissa responded, "Your engineer ssaid sshe would have a filter casscade for it."

Sami-Faun nodded, "To Astrid then..."

Samira sent the huge data stream to her platinum-blonde wife on the Deirdre.

*Samira?*

"Yes, Ag's?" Samira responded.

*I would like to suggest we upload all the surveillance of the station for the timeframe in question.*

"I am not ssure I can get authorization for that." Nomissa stated.

*I don't believe that will be an issue... Caretaker.*

Nomissa's Avatar turned its golden head and looked at Sami-Faun.

Sami-Faun shrugged, Samira responded, "Agatha is very talented."

Caretaker Nomissa quietly said, "Mythically sso."

More shimmers appeared and an additional dozen ghostly cats started running full tilt all over the multiple garden nodes of Yelenth station.

Samira felt another powerful increase as additional streams of data flowed through Sami-Faun.

The pinprick tingles from the power coursing through her neural network was nice. It felt different than anything she had ever experienced. It was stimulating, intoxicating even.

Nomissa had stopped parsing the small screens, her golden avatar turned to observe Sami-Faun. The Maliri User Construct Samira called Sami-Faun was covered in a nimbus of opalescent energy.

Nomissa would only ever report this to the Ambassador; she was witnessing events she could not explain or even fully define...things that should not be able to happen.

0o0

Astrid had converted a copy of the four layered HD filtering program she had written into something very different.

Instead of blending and softening, it was now used to enhance and refine.

Agatha had helped her convert the program and gave her a warning when the massive download hit the Deirdre.

"Holy shit!" Astrid muttered, watching the sheer volume come in. Astrid, again with Agatha's help, started sifting through the various streams.

"I think this is going to end up being mostly you." Astrid said after finishing her first stream while Agatha was sifting through her ninth.

"What we have here is a giant loaf of bread, and we are slicing it up a little at a time looking for raisins." Astrid explained.

Agatha giggled, "Should I bake you some cinnamon raisin bread?"

Astrid beamed a smile, "That does sound pretty good."

"Ah!" Agatha blinked, she turned to Astrid, "I think I found a raisin!"

0o0

Max listened to Agatha explaining the "Raisin Bread" analogy Astrid had coined.

"So you found a raisin?" Max smiled crookedly.

Agatha beamed, "I sure did, stray pixels left from 'Quick and Dirty' manipulated digital media."

Max smirked, "I'm going to guess Astrid called it that?

"Yes... She said 'Most people do everything that way.'" Agatha responded.

Max agreed, "Astrid is a perfectionist, and I couldn't be happier."

Agatha giggled, "A good quality for an engineer."

Max nodded, "So... now you're looking to find another raisin?"

Max glanced over at the two unconscious members of the team.

"Not looking for... found!" Agatha smiled again.

0o0

Samira and Nomissa were also getting an explanation of "Raisin hunting."

Samira laughed, "Sounds like Tracing to me, well done!"

Nomissa asked if Cinnamon Raisin Bread was sweet or savory.

"Sweet, definitely sweet." Samira responded.

"I would like to try it, if there iss going to be ssome made." Nomissa requested.

Agatha giggled, *I will definitely make some.*

The giggle from Agatha was haunting.

Sami-Faun looked at the ghostly felines... they shimmered in opalescence.

0o0

Astrid's eyes grew large... her fingers were a blur. "Oh, yea!" Astrid said excitedly, "I am following a faint trail of pixels, they are leading to the 'other' docks."

Agatha nodded, "According to Nomissa, those are the trade docks."

"Okay, looking up ship's in and out of the trade docks during the time frame." Astrid blinked.

"None?" Astrid's lips thinned... "Fuckmuffins"

Agatha narrowed her eyes looking at the data.

"Expand your search to 'Freight' or 'Transport' Drones." Suggested Agatha.

Astrid updated her search.

"Three possibles..." Astrid nodded, "All of them went down to the surface of Dau."

"Freight Droness?" Nomissa said with shock, "Ssequestering a ssubdued Miku into a sshipping crate? What a callouss act!"

Samira agreed, "At least we know she is still alive."

"How are you sso ssure?" Nomissa asked.

"If they just wanted her dead, they would have left a corpse." Samira postulated further, "This was a complicated operation, if it wasn't so rushed we wouldn't have found any trace."

"Can we tap into shipping data?" Samira asked.

Nomissa responded, "I will assk for accesss..."

*Done...*  Agatha interrupted her, *I do not believe we have the luxury of time.*