Chapter 3.6 - Criminals
Galaxy Federation Police Station, Briefing Room
Jan: …Has anyone seen the Chief?
Erich: Not since our conference with him the other day… He’s gone?
Jan: No, and he hasn’t been in contact with the station.
Erich: Maybe some trouble with the Director? With the situation as it is, it’s possible he felt the need for discretion… Are you afraid the information we gave him has leaked out?
Jan: …You could say that.
Luis: Which one of you is the detachment commander Jan Sauer?
Mikhail: …Who wants to know? Isn’t it rude to ask questions without introducing yourself first?
Luis: That so? Guess I’ll just have to be rude then.
Luis steps forward and shoves Mikhail aside.
Mikhail: What the- !?
Lactis: !!
Jan: I’m Sauer.
Luis: So you’re McCallum’s little prodigy.
Jan: Where’s the Chief!?
Luis: My name is Ernest Luis. As of today, I’ve been appointed Chief of special-ops unit #1875.
Jan: Chief? What happened to Chief McCallum!?
Luis: McCallum is currently under arrest by authorization of the Director.
Jan: What!? Why!
Luis: For acts of terrorism against the sixth division - the department of telecommunications. ...McCallum’s not the only one. Melisse Ortus, Mikhail Ortmann, Erich Weber… I have a warrant for your arrest.
Erich: On what grounds?
Luis: Erich Weber. Charged with the possession of an illegal narcotic and the corresponding virtual drug program.
Erich: …
Luis: Mikhail Ortmann! Charges of illegal access to the U.M.N. ...Melisse Ortus, violation of codes of engagement during the Goodwill Ambassador kidnapping incident. And additionally, contacting and accepting information from a known U.M.N. terrorist. You really are just a bunch of criminals, aren’t you? What kind of training is that from your superior officer… Take them into custody!
Jan: You can’t arrest us without evidence…
Luis: Evidence? You can’t see the arrest warrant addressed to you? Conspiring with McCallum, threatening the Director… Restrain them now.
Jan: Dammit!
Jan and the others are taken away by Archon police officers.
The operators under Mikhail’s supervision approach them.
Dewey: Mikhail… please take this. It’s a copy of a strange access log we found in the U.M.N. records.
Mikhail: What am I supposed to do with this? They’re taking us away!
Dewey: You guys will think of something! Hurry, before the new Chief sees!
Mikhail: You didn’t tell him!? Hey, I knew I taught you guys something after all!
Dewey: Quiet…
Luis: Mikhail Ortmann! What’s the holdup!?
Lactis: Wait!
Luis: Lactis? The intelligence gathering realian… there are no charges against you. Believe in your friends’ innocence… while you can.
Vector Industries, Wilhelm’s Office
A realian is kneeling reverently behind Wilhelm.
Kayla: There are new developments regarding Dmitri Yuriev…
Wilhelm: Yes, he’s rather impatient, isn’t he?
Kayla: I wonder if we should intervene…
Wilhelm: No, there’s no need to worry. I know what Dmitri is after. After all, he is the only survivor of “the horror.” Besides, Lactis is with the investigator. I’m sure he’ll choose to go rescue them on his own.
Kayla: So the police are acting in accordance with the Compass of Order?
Wilhelm: Indeed. Well, there is one unforeseen difficulty.
Kayla: Difficulty?
Wilhelm: Actually, it’s an interesting story…
Kayla: Is that a good thing?
Wilhelm: It’s not a problem. Certainly the investigator’s soul burns with a radiance beyond compare. However, he is not the only one to burn so brightly…
Kayla: I see. You intend to deploy the realian carrying our “Canaan” to the star system and have him search for humans with the “factor”…
Wilhelm: …Yes. They are of utmost necessary in order to weave the threads of Zarathustra. For that reason, we’ll wait a bit longer before getting “Canaan”… no, Lactis, involved…
Kayla: Then I shall resume monitoring the “Canaan” model realian.
Wilhelm: Please do. …Now, there are some things I must attend to. Would you leave me alone for a little while?
Kayla: Yes, sir.
Wilhelm: …Yeshua. Going so far as to get help from others to obstruct me isn’t like you… Still, if that’s what you intend to do, I too have something in mind… While you hide in the shadows, I will see to it that things get done my way. ...But I am content to wait... for the day when you will once again return to the stage…