The Warning
(What does it mean?)
Isabella walks into the enclosure of the little park near the naval headquarters, fuming. She pauses by the fountain to splash a bit of water on her face. "Frakking military - frakking officious fraks -"
Crisha Ra laughs softly while sipping her tea from her seat on the right-hand edge of the fountain.
Bella shakes the water from her hands and retrieves her clipboard. Hearing the soft laugh, she glares at the woman in green. "And you - you left at an interesting moment."
Crisha smiles. "Glad you found it interesting."
Bella takes a seat on a bench across from where the woman sits and looks at her notes. She asks, "Did you stay long enough to see that scarlet guardian collapse? Strange, strange timing - but of course they herded us out with no comment. And I've never seen an admiral disappear so fast."
"They don't have any idea what is in store for them..." The woman laughs a bit louder.
"So you have some idea of what's in store?" Bella asks, jumping on what she hopes proves to be an opportunity.
Crisha turns her stern gaze on the reporter. "I must warn you, and don't take this lightly - It be best for you to not become my enemy."
Bella shrugs. "I'm just a reporter, chasing a story. Is there a story here you'd like to share?"
"Just say The apprentice of Empress Hae Ri is not an apprentice anymore."
Bella writes that down. "And who shall I quote as saying that?"
Crisha thinks for a moment "You may say "The Bam'e Dangeon have arrived and it is their message."
Bella taps to bring up the translator function on her padd. "Bam'e Dangeon - how do you spell that?" She glances at the translation line on her padd; its phonological setting has brought up 'ebony knife.'
Crisha: "Surely you have heard of the Bam'e Dangeon... The Black Daggers of Aerok, the most powerful of the Aerok. They controlled over half the country of Aerok. Some say they were the real boss of the Aerok people."
Bella Ingram writes that down. "Black Daggers - that sounds a bit grim. And it goes back to the old planet, you say? Sorry, I'm not from here - but Aerok was on old Shylzan, if I've been reading the right history?" She taps an enquiry into the search line: Shylzan - ethnic groups. The padd corrects it to "Shylzani" and brings up a list of twenty or so. Bella narrows the specification - "Shylzani ethnic groups on Cyhnon."
The woman says, "It's important that you read the correct history. Some try to adjust it to fit their agenda. If you want to read or view great recorded history of the Shylzani go find the Archivist."
"So what you are saying - there's a group of Aerok descendants challenging the leaders of the Cycrim Empire for power?" Bella asks. "What about the other ethnic group on Cyhnon - the Ailartsua? How would they react?" She types in "archivist - context - Shylzan" and frowns when the padd brings up a list of local library archives. "And which archivist do you mean? There are a lot, in a city this size."
"The Ailartsua are mainly military the space force. I expect they follow whoever the leaders are."
Daringly, Bella asks, "The way Admiral Verne has?"
Crisha replies, "Admiral Verne is fine. You may have heard rumors; they are only rumors, I assure you."
"The rumours of her rebelling against the current administration are pretty convincing," Bella says. "And it seems pretty certain that she's sheltering a fugitive."
Crisha sips her tea slowly, then looks over at the red haired lady with a distinctly look of being annoyed.
Bella's seen that look from interview subjects before, usually when she's on a useful track. She waits to see what sort of answer her impertinent question evokes.
Crisha says, "be careful what you write up. I am not to be taken lightly."
Bella shakes her head. "I have no intention of taking you lightly, unnamed source," she says. "But facts have to be checked from all angles, and Verne's an interesting one." She pulls up another set of notes. "Also, the Myeong Gai Order's pretty powerful here - and I understand they started as a reaction against the state of things on old Shylzani. What will they think?"
Coldly, Crisha says, "I must return to my shop. Maybe we will chat later." Quickly she stands and walks towards the gate. She quickly exits the park, opening the gate and letting it close with a thud.
Now that's interesting," Bella muses. "No desire to address the matter of the Myeong Gai, who -" and she glances at her padd - "are drawn almost completely from Aerok stock." She grins, well pleased with the conversation.
In the palace reception hall, Alice Illios bows respectfully. "Greetings. What's been happening?"
Kaori Jo stands and bows back. "Myeong Mai be with you, Alice. We don't know - but there was a bit of fuss at the naval headquarters. Press conference - something happened, judging by the wave of emotions bleeding out of it, but we don't know exactly what, yet."
"Rebels showed up, caused a problem oor...?" Alice's tail twitches.
High Priestess Sung says, "We need to find someone who was there." She rises and leaves the hall.
Alice places her left arm on her right, gracefully.
The central doors open. Hesitantly, the reporter ventures into the palace, but she hides her hesitation well. Seeing the small group, she approaches. "Excuse me - Isabella Ingram, Central Planets News - I understand that the Myeong Gai Order has a headquarters here?"
Alice blocks the woman from the couch with her sword. "Can we help you?"
Isabella says, "Yes - I just came from the Admiral's press conference, and a really interesting conversation that followed it - I thought I'd get the Order's reaction to a couple of things."
Alice relaxes and steps back just as Ikki Touson comes through the central doors.
Kaori rises and bows in Ms. Ingram's direction. "Myeong Mai be with you - and I am an acolyte of the Order. I don't know if our High Priestess would be able to see you today, but if you tell me your questions, she will hear them." She looks up as Jenai Sung walks back into the room and sits. "High Priestess. This reporter has some questions for you," she says, "connected to the Admiral's press conference." She glances at Baronness Touson, letting her decide whether to introduce herself.
High Priestess Sung listens. "One moment. I need to check on something. Let's go upstairs to talk, Ms. Ingram." She looks at the others. "I will have a meal ready for us. Join us when you are all ready. I think the Empress may be arriving also."
Isabella Ingram follows the priestess to the elevator, keeping delight from her face although it's easy for any empath to read. Kaori chuckles quietly to Ikki and Alice. "There goes one pleased reporter."
Alice turns to the Baronness. "Ikki you know any thing of what's up?"
"I think we're expected on the third floor, in the dining room."
Jenai and Bella are already seated, and already enjoying the first course as Ikki, Alice and Kaori take their places.
Empress Yun-Hee makes the ah hmm sound and pauses for a moment.
Bella takes a spoonful of the soup, which she's certainly not going to turn down - delicious. She's halfway through the bowl when she realizes everyone else is standing. She follows suit - and forces herself not to gulp when she sees who she's about to have dinner with.
Alice Illios bows respectfully as the Empress approaches the table. "Greetings, Empress."
Jenai Sung (JenaiSung Resident): "Myeong Mai be with you" _/||\_
Baroness Touson "Myeong Mai be with you" _/||\_
Hastily, and not quite gracefully, Isabella also bows.
High Priestess Sung says, "Empress, please take your seat. I'm glad you are here. We may have some news you will be interested in."
Empress Yun-Hee smiles. "Thank you High Priestess."
Bella clears her throat and does her professional duty. "An honour, Empress - Isabella Ingram, Central Planets News." She sits when the others do.
Kaori hears, very clearly, in Bella's head: Wow, I should walk boldfaced into palaces more often. She smothers a chuckle and helps herself to a spring egg.
High Priestess Sung: "Now that we are all here, please fill me in on today's events so the Empress can add what she wants to."
Empress Yun-Hee: smiles and gives the High Priestess a nod while she enjoys the fine food produced for the Empress's delight in the Imperial kitchens. She laughs and intentionally lets her thoughts be read by the telepaths present, remembering the training she has been having and what Empress Hae Ri briefly taught her on Synthgai.
Kaori manages not to laugh in response to Yun-Hee's overt thought, and keeps her eyes on the reporter.
Bella clears her throat again. "One of the Scarlet Priestesses collapsed at the press conference."
Baroness Touson nibbles on the meal as she glances around the table.
Bella has retrieved the Baronness's identity from her padd and now turns towards her. "The press was hustled out immediately when the scarlet guardian collapsed - Baronness, what happened after the press had to leave?" She spoons up more of the soup, determined to get at least half of an imperial meal consumed before she's hustled out again.
Baroness Touson: sets down her fork. "The scarlet guardian was removed to the medical center where she is being properly attended."
"Do we know why she collapsed?" Bella asks.
Baroness Touson sips a little wine. "That is yet to be determined."
Empress Yun-Hee laughs again. "I think that must of been so amusing to see the Scarlet knight fall. Empress Hae Ri told me how she loved to make them scared to read someone's mind."
Alice grins. "She also liked scaring shit out of Companion students on their first visit to court."
Yun-Hee's voice becomes more wistful. "I do not know much about the early days of Empress Hae Ri. She is my Mase Nasue but we spent more time in training than discussing the past."
Bella blinks - insight into Hae Ri's character is another thing she hadn't expected today.
High Priestess Sung says, "The Scarlet Priestess will be fine. If it is what the Empress says, it only lasts maybe 30 minutes. Just a lingering headache that fades."
Reluctantly, Bella sets down her soup spoon and gets on with business. "Well - I had a very interesting conversation after the press conference, with a woman who was there but left quickly at about the same time as the collapse." She holds up the padd, showing the photo she'd managed to sneak in of the woman in the green dress. Unobtrusively, a server takes her soup bowl and replaces it with a seafood course.
Alice Illios looks to Kaori...
Kaori leans forward to see the image. "That's Crisha Ra." She looks at the High Priestess. <<Could the Scarlet Guardian have been trying too hard to probe her?>> she asks silently.
<<Sure, it is their job,>> Jenai Sung confirms.
Isabella repeats, "Crisha Ra. She didn't give me a name - is that Crisha with a c or a k?"
High Priestess Sung says, "Before Sunhi Kim became the Apprentice to Empress Hae Ri, she was a master of disguise working special ops with our Regent in his early days."
"What she said is that she's connected with something called the Bam e'Dangeon - " Bella flips through her notes - "and I thought you might like to share your reactions to some of the comments she shared with me." She hits "play," letting the others hear most of the audio recording of the unplanned meeting in the park.
"As you can hear, she seemed to want her words to be reported," Isabella says when the playback ends, "and I thought it might be useful to report them to you first." Useful - both to the empress and to Central Planets News, Bella thinks but doesn't say, though Kaori and Jenai naturally catch the drift.
Empress Yun-Hee says, "I have heard some about the Bam'e Dangeon and none of it was good. Sounded like most wanted to not remember those days"
Isabella starts on the lemon-seasoned scallops as she waits for some sort of quotable response.
Security-conscious Alice asks, "Is that the only copy of the recording you have?"
Bella shrugs. "I sent it to my corporate account at Central Planets," she says. "My editor has access when necessary."
High Priestess Sung stands, leaving her own seafood course unfinished. "I believe we have said enough for now. I must be getting some rest. Goodnight, Empress."
"Good night High priestess Sung," Yun-Hee replies.
"I had hoped to find out what the Myeong Gai position on the Bam'e Dangeon might be," Bella says, not quite able to hide disappointment. "Since this Crisha Ra didn't seem interested in telling me that."
"May you find unity in the chaos," is Jenai Sung's only response.
Bella sighs. "Thank you, Priestess. I hope we have another chance to talk, after you've been able to consider this piece of news." She finishes her soup, thinking that the High Priestess is more polite than Crisha Ra, but equally as determined not to answer.
Kaori catches the thought and smiles gently at the reporter. "There is a lot to think about," she says. "Please understand her reticence."
Empress Yun-Hee says, "Maybe I can provide you more information, Bella. Just schedule a meeting with me with my staff."
Isabella brightens slightly. "Empress, I would be grateful. Who do I contact to do that?"
Alice mutters darkly, "Should have her sign a Secrecy agreement for anything going further..."
"If I could even get a quick statement now - even if it's just "under investigation" - My editor will want this to go to press soon."
The Empress says, "Contact either the Regent or the Baroness, Also Alice may be able to help. make sure you are informed of the proper protocol."
Bella nods. "Yes, Empress. I must express my gratitude for this encounter; I wasn't expecting anything more than a few words in the entry hall, and not from you."
Empress Yun-Hee, pushing back from the table, leaving a few bites left on her plate, stands and begins walking to the other side of the building which houses the throne room.
Baroness Touson stands slowly to follow the empress.
"Here is the contact information for the Baronness," Kaori says, passing her padd to Isabella. "Guardian Illios, could you show Ms. Ingram out, please?" She rises.
Alice stands over the reporter. "Miss... Don't worry tooo much about Crisha...worry about me...I will stay by the empress's side... for now."
Isabella uploads the contact from Kaori's padd and rises to follow the tiger-tailed guardian. Alice walks her to the elevator. She points at the elevator door; Isabella takes the hint, returns on her own to the ground floor, and leaves the building.
Alice stalks down the corridor to the throne room, where Yun-Hee and Ikki are already seated. Kaori is just a step behind her.
Empress Yun-Hee: "Nice to see you, Alice. Hope you been practicing your self defense skills."
Alice takes up her position. "Why does this smell like Merc and khan? And um ... Chrome's expensive buuutttt oooh sooo enjoyable..." She shows off a recent upgrade.
Kaori's mind is working. "I think it's more likely that Crisha Ra sees herself as Hae Ri's natural successor than that she's partnering with Merc, or Kahn - that emphasis she placed on no longer being the apprentice - "
O.o hmmm?" Alice says. "Two fronts are more of a pain but Ra having armed backers would be...less ideal."
Empress Yun-Hee finishes surveying Alice's upgrade. "Looks impresive Alice. Kaori, you may be right so we must be vigilant watching out for what she may be planning."
Alice asks, "If i should be the one to find her?"
Kaori quotes from the interview. "She said, "The apprentice of Empress Hae Ri is not an apprentice anymore." It sounds as though she thinks of herself as Hae Ri's natural successor. And would Admiral Merc accept any empress? Any empress at all?"
Empress Yun-Hee: "I am not able to answer your questions at this time Kaori. But take this bit of nice to know info. Who was the last Ruler of the Cyhnon Federation? Answer that and it may answer some of your questions."
Alice shrugs. "I never really thought much about the Federation? But as we suspect her of acts of aggression, should I come across her...is she a threat?"
"I believe she is," Kaori says. "And I've wondered about the Federation's leadership. It was difficult to tell who was in charge or how they got put there. Admiral Verne had power - Irissa Lee had power - Jenai Sung had a different kind of power - but Hae Ri kept popping up. It was a while before I realized that the Federation wasn't part of the Empire. The Federation seemed to have some public governance structures, but they didn't seem very significant. And unification seems to have taken place with no reference to the people at all - other than polls."
Empress Yun-Hee says, "Before the Unification the ruling parties of the Federation were the Verne and Lee families. I expect Admiral Verne was expecting to get the next rank that would have made her the Admiral in full charge of the Cyhnon Space Corps. She would have ruled with whoever became the successor of Dr Irissa Lee, the CEO of XMC. I had not considered that until now."
Kaori shakes her head. "So my impressions were right. I'm sorry, Empress - I'm from the Democratic Commonwealth of Genji - small but stubbornly and democratically consensual. All of this power politics has been uncomfortable for me. And if the Verne family had half the Federation's power - how in the worlds did unification happen, when Mercedes Verne was so opposed to losing any power of her own?"
Alice: "Hmmm..."
Empress Yun-Hee says, "It is believed many of the unexplained events can be traced back to three individuals. Dr Irissa Lee, Baroness Ling and Shadow Hawk."
"So Unification is an unexplained event, too?" Kaori asks.
Empress Yun-Hee rises. "I must say good night. Let's continue this discussion another time."
"I'd appreciate that, Empress," Kaori says, and grins. "So would that reporter, of course! May you find unity in the chaos."
Empress Yun-Hee nods and waves off her guests.