There's a rap at the door of the acolytes' quarters on the palace's ground floor. Kaori opens the door.

"Kaori Jo?" asks the uniformed messenger at the door.

Kaori bows. "Yes. Myeong Mai be with you."

The messenger offers a sealed note, which Kaori takes. On it is a scarlet stamp saying "Urgent." With another bow, she closes the door, sits down at her desk, and opens the envelope.

The note says, "You must attend a meeting in the Northwest Briefing Room on the second floor of the palace at 3PM today." It's unsigned, but the stationery is in the pattern reserved for the Empress. Kaori looks at the clock; it's half-past two. Thoughtfully, she changes from her casual cotton leggings into kimono, slides the note into her obi, and arrives at the meeting room precisely at 3.

The empress is sitting at the head of the table, back to the door and face to the display screen. Choosing the seat furthest from Yun Hee, , Kaori finds herself sitting right across from Admiral Kim. Ikki Touson is also present; three other seats are empty at the moment.

Kaori pours herself a glass of water, wishing it were tea.

Admiral Shae Kim stands. "We can start now." She clicks the screen on. "The crew of the Quazar 3 scout ship has been tracking a very large ship in the Anigisul system. It is believed to be related to the Mystery ship that was first sighted about six months ago. We have determined there are many of these ships but they seem to travel alone. The crew of the Quazar ship have nicknamed the ships Bam'e Baemjali, The Night Serpent or Serpent of the Black."

As she listens, Empress Yun-Hee reads over the notes provided her by the Intel chief.

The Admiral continues. "Quazar 3 is part of Admiral Merc's group. Also her retirement from the CSC is going slow and her situation is unclear. What we do know is she is providing much needed intel on these Mystery ships, the Bam'e Baemjali."

Baroness Touson says, "I like to add a concern about rogue NARI units. We need to determine if this may be related to the NARI that have gone missing."

Another ship appears on the screen, much like the one Kaori saw in the Harvest system months ago. The Admiral says, "This is specific Bam'e Baemjali ship has been tracked all over the Anigisul system. "Sighting 1 picture was taken about 95 days ago. Not much was learned from this encounter. The ship moves silently and leaves very little in its wake." The image changes. "Sighting 2 picture was taken 82 days ago. The same results - not much intel was available to be collected. But it seems the ship is staying close to the planet Bul-Ams."

Empress Yun-Hee looks around for moment then tries to catch Kaori's eyes for a moment. When Kaori looks back, she puts a thought to the front of her mind for Kaori to read if she tries. >>A research team will be sent. Who should we get to lead the research team... maybe Kaori? <<

Kaori is surprised by what she reads, but the surprise doesn't show as she nods thoughtfully.

The Empress shifts her attention. "Admiral ... Admiral one moment"

Admiral Kim pauses.

The Empress says, "I like to make sure all know this meeting is highly classified. Don't reveal anything from this meeting until it is officially released. Should be made public in about 4 weeks. Continue, Admiral."

Admiral Shae Kim changes the image again. "Sighting 3 was taken 68 days ago. This was a different situation. A merchant ship carrying Cyborg workers and advanced NARI tech sent out a distress call. When Quazar 3 arrived the merchant ship was no where to be found. Only was able to take this picture. No evidence that the missing merchant ship and the sighting of Bam'e Baemjali are related. The investigation is ongoing." Another image.

"Sightiing 4. 42 days ago. The Bam'e Baemjali was sighted again around planet Bul-Ams. This time a signature of the engine was attained. This was possible only because the Quazar 3 crew had laid some listening buoys in the area. They also recorded a message that seemed to be in a loop. it repeated the saying in old Aerok dialect "We are Unity". That is all it said."

Kaori sighs. "The message is getting repetitious."

Another image. "Sighting 5, 25 days ago, was also attained because of the listening buoys. The intel collected was not any different than the previous encounter." And another image, but this one with a planet that isn't Bul-Ams. "Sighting 6. 19 days ago. This one was very much a surprise. First time the ship was seen around the Planet Naeya. It was only tracked for about 30 minutes before it vanished."

Admiral Kim turns from the screen to face the table. "This is what we know. The ship or ships we are calling Bam'e Baemjali seem to have an interest in the Anigisul System, We will be sending an Expedition to the planet Naeya to investigate a rumor about one called the Unity Monk. We will be also sending a squadron of a special recon force. This force will be commanded by Admiral Merc from the Shadow Fox Station. This is because of the location; it is to our advantage to coordinate this effort from there. "

Kaori clears her throat in answer to a message that's just arrived in her head. "The High Priestess will be here in a moment."

The Admiral continues."Kaori will be given the responsibility of gathering a team of 6 to go to planet Naeya to investigate the rumors of one Called the Unity monk. More details will be distributed later on this expedition. "

"A team of six?" Kaori asks. "What kinds of qualifications will be needed?" She sends a small smile of thanks Yun-Hee's way - the Empress's thought has at least prepared her not to seem surprised. Then she meets the eyes of Jenai Sung, who has just entered, and takes a seat at the Empress's left hand.

High Priestess Sung says, as though she's been present all along, "The details of this mission will be provided later. Some will only be learned during the journey to Naeya."

The Empress says, "The team will need the NARI scanner but it must be kept hidden. This will cover the concerns that Baroness Touson brought up."

"This concludes the briefing, Thank you for your attention." The Admiral resumes her seat.

Kaori blinks. "I have a good many questions."

Empress Yun-Hee: "Kaori we have time for a few. we will see if we can answer them. go ahead and ask"

Kaori pauses a moment to organize her thoughts. "You speak of Admiral Merc as though she is performing a useful service. Is she in rebellion or not? And what about the pirate she is supposed to be sheltering?"

Empress Yun-Hee: "None of that has been confirmed. The intel we received here is from Admiral Merc. So for now she is very much needed."

Kaori nods. "And the person you call the Unity Monk. Evidently we know very little - but what is he suspected to be, and how do we know about him? And what planetary conditions should we be prepared for, on Naeya?"

Empress Yun-Hee: "You will be given a data crystal with all the information you will need. It may be a week or two before it is ready"

Kaori bows her head slightly. "I will look forward to receiving it as soon as possible. It is never too early to start studying the conditions to be expected on an unfamiliar world." She pauses. "And it may take time to find the right people, once I have the necessary information."

Admiral Shae Kim: "Presently it is classified and will be addressed at a later briefing."

Kaori Jo looks a little sharply at the Admiral as she's just caught an unspoken thought about some key planetary conditions. "We will need linguistic information," she says. "Perhaps Admiral Merc would be willing to drop a disguised microphone, in some location where people gather and speak. Clothing and so forth is easy to gather data on, and relatively easy to prepare. Language requires more depth, if we are to pass as locals rather than relying purely on translators."

A quick message arrives in her head from Jenai Sung. >> Keep this private. Expect to find that they speak an old Aerok language on Naeya. We are uncertain why at this time <<

Kaori keeps her expression smooth as she answers the high priestess. >>Then I had better train intensively in old Aerok. And so had anyone who comes with me. Translators are fine...but am I right in thinking we are not to be noticed as offworlders? If so, our mouths need to match our sounds.<<

Jenai answers, >>Yes that is correct.<<

Admiral Shae Kim is answering Kaori's spoken comments. "As it becomes available you will be provided the information you need."

High Priestess Sung says, "One more thing I forgot we need to mention. We will be looking for a Correspondent to go to the Shadow Fox station to document the story of this mission."

"Also someone who can pass as local on the planet?" Kaori asks. "If not, that reporter who strolled into the palace after the press briefing might be convinced. Although she's become very, very interested in Crisha Ra. It may be hard to separate her from Crisha's developing story.." Kaori looks at the Admiral as she says Crisha's name.

Empress Yun-Hee: stands and pauses to look around for a moment.

Abruptly, the Empress's mental trace is gone from the room. Startled, Kaori forgets her question about the Admiral and Crisha, and stares at the end of the table. The Empress's body is gone, too.

High Priestess Sung says casually, "I believe the Empress had enough of the meeting."

Baroness Touson replies, "Seems the Empress is showing off the blink step she has mastered."

Kaori blinks in the more usual way. "I didn't realize she'd proceeded so far."

The High Priestess says, "Yes. I was a bit shocked when I first saw Empress Hae Ri vanish like that. Just now I thought, Yes she is Empress Hae Ri's daughter"

"Well, it's good," Kaori says. "It makes her safer." She looks at Ikki. "How is your own talent coming?"

Concisely, Baroness Touson says, "Progressing slowly."

Kaori nods, then looks back at the Admiral. "Crisha Ra," she says pointedly. "Admiral, have you heard much about her?" Kaori knows she's overstepping, but the question is important.

Admiral Shae Kim is careful not to say too much. "Very little."

"Have you heard John's suspicion about who she is?" Kaori asks.

High Priestess Sung stands. "Time to adjourn this meeting." The words are bland, but clearly it's an admonishment.

Kaori rises and bows to her teacher. She also opens her mind to get a hint of the answer, as she knows there won't be a spoken one, but she catches no clear hint before she follows Jenai Sung out of the room.

There's a tap on her shoulder.

Kaori pauses. She knows the tap is from Yun Hee, but when she turns, the Empress is gone again. Her trace is still nearby, though. Kaori steps out of the High Priestess's wake and looks around. "Empress?" she calls softly, scanning for a location.

The trace shouts out from one of the small side-rooms. Kaori opens its door. And it's gone. Kaori starts laughing. She walks towards the large open area at the end of the corridor. The trace is stronger - but Yun-Hee still isn't in sight. Kaori tries seeing through her eyes. The empress is open enough that Kaori catches a strong impression of black, purple, gold, and leopards..."The throne room," she says, satisfied.

And the trace is gone again. Yun Hee's having fun.