The Aquaria Incident by Niall Teasdale

Author:Niall Teasdale [Teasdale, Niall]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-03-10T05:00:00+00:00

Pride of Shinden, Aquaria Orbit, 237/8/20.

‘We’ve secured the espionage data,’ Fawn said, ‘but not Jolanthe Berg. She’s in the wind, though we have the planet basically locked down, so she’s not going anywhere.’

‘The important thing is that Department twenty-three’s data can be analysed,’ Nava replied, ‘though I have less confidence in the ASF’s ability to locate the group’s leader. There is a lot of ocean down there.’

‘It’s a valid point.’ Fawn was basically debriefing Nava, Mitsuko, and Melissa, separately. Depositions were needed, but she also wanted to update Nava on the current course of the operation. That was after a night’s sleep aboard the Pride of Shinden, the first Nava had had in a while. ‘You were right to warn us about Hugo Berg. He tried to mind control one of his guards on the way up here. We have him in a suppression field and they’ll use Down for his interrogation.’

‘Torture is out of the question, First Lieutenant, but the ASF will use a drug which alters someone’s mental state while suppressing their ability to work magic?’

‘Torture is illegal.’

‘Would you be allowed to use, say, sodium pentothal on a non-magician?’

Fawn’s eyes dipped away from Nava’s. ‘The primary purpose of Down is to make it safe for the interrogators. Look, I know, but it’s what we have and it’s legal.’ She looked up again. ‘Are you saying that Hugo Berg doesn’t deserve it? Considering what he’s involved in.’

Nava gave a shrug. ‘If he were not a magician, the use of drugs to weaken his concentration would not be allowed, no matter what he had done. He’s a sorcerer, so he’s fair game. I find the double standard… interesting. You don’t actually agree with the use of Down either. Why are you bothering to defend it?’

‘Loyalty to the ASF?’

‘Perhaps we should move on.’

‘Right. Yes.’ Fawn sighed. ‘Okay, let’s go through precisely what you did and what you found.’

‘This is going to take some time.’

‘I know, but it’s part of the job. Paperwork.’

‘I’m the captain of the SSF. I know all about paperwork.’

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