Fallon gets a new case on his home planet - Macedon.
The victim died recently in an expensive penthouse in the commercial district of the city of Archelaus (in one of the vast commercial nexus pyramids – the Starr Building). There are no records - his identity only goes back 10 years - very suspicious in a society where identity records are considered state property (protected but can be requested by the authorities after providing a warrant)… Bryce flagged the investigation for Fallon’s attention when she sees the date when the Penthouse was purchased… There is a possibility that he was linked to the events that led to the fall of Maximilian de Janer and the notorious regime that started the last Galactic War…
Fallon investigates the victim’s financial data. A trust provides income and his expenditure is surprisingly low. No vehicle is registered to the owner of the penthouse. According to the security cameras, he used to take taxis…
The body was slumped on floor next to table – it appears that he was staggering towards some valuable paintings. There is an oriental meal on table – recently prepared in the kitchen.
Fallon calls in forensics team to process the scene. Diagnosis – failure of nervous system. No poison is detected…
A room safe is discovered – the activation panel is behind one of the paintings…
Fallon calls the party. The team gathers and fly’s out to landing pad on Starr Building.
The building security computer downloads all security files and feeds into Aphrodite.
Zeph investigates the dumb waiter and the robots who handle the internal logistics system.
Internal security system was set up by Mr Smith. Palmer requests manufacturer access codes to the computer.
Zeph finds three sets of keys: runabout, ship and air car…
A link to a notorious nightclub, ‘The Dark Crystal’, is found in Mr Smith’s suit pocket.
MaiTai discovers Smith cooked a meal for 2. Evidence of the 2nd person has been cleaned away - forensics confirms this…
The shaft above the dumb waiter could be accessed from the roof. Rossi identifies a camera on a nearby building that may have observed movement on the roof. The security film shows a person in a winged stealth suit gained access to building (male - limping) then shows them leaving an hour later…
Palmer and Aphrodite gain access to the room safe full of ‘kit’. Guns and medical equipment (Imperial) and some Republican military kit… Winged stealth suit… Smith is possibly a Spook… Alternate Ids and Money…
Checks of the account had no car or ship storage payments…
Taxi firm (That transported Mr Smith) gives travel locations…
Records indicate Mr Smith - Spent a week away during the 118:03 Coup…
The team breaks into Computer. Internal cameras switched off during visit.
The body has old torture and gunshot wounds…
There is a book out of place in the library, Kipling’s ‘Kim’…. The page is the one where the boy is taught to recognise which objects are missing…
MaiTai attends the Full Autopsy. Mr Smith is literally taken apart – layer by layer and cell by cell…
Evidence derived from the autopsy: Visited planet Adler for a week (known for its famous view of a nearby nebula). Close to Concordium border... Material analysis suggests that his birth planet was Teuton II…
Autopsy confirms that poison was used…
Fallon, Zeph and Aphrodite visit the Black Crystal (incognito). A huge multilayered and multi-environment nightclub designed to cater for ALL tastes. Mr Smith wore 1920s suits when attending the club. Rossi discovers a safety deposit vault deep below the club. Zeph makes useful underworld contacts. Fallon discovers from a jaded barman that Mr Smith regularly met a man and a woman in the club (never together). Aphrodite questions the Club’s highly sophisticated AI – it enjoys spying on its more intriguing guests (it provides film of Mr Smith’s recent ‘guests’)…
Mr Smith was also known as Mr Blue and had a safe deposit box.
Palmer searches for the ships and cars…
Ship located in yard. Palmer breaks in and records the logs. Data suggests landing point in the snow (Longitude)…
Party reconvene…
Fallon identifies a body that may have been the limping man (intriguingly he was dead before the murder of Mr Smith). Body was examined before and police files are accessible. Name: Caesare Parker ex SF. (retired SF Ops)… Boss pre war still in service... Did a lot of work in Republic…
The woman (Liara Dezba) works for Republican Embassy (the system identifies her as a probable Intel Operative)…
Parker is almost certainly ex imperial Secret Intelligence Executive. Did he go criminal?
Mr Blue/Mr Smith can be linked to various Jobs (for Mr Parker) – freelance assassin. So possibly an operative for a government agency who became freelance to build up funds so he could vanish (without accessing any of his penthouse savings)…
Adler has a disused base (castle) in correct location... HQ for Intelligence services on Adler… Dormant MOD staff… 12 person staff… 4 hours on base then moved on to other location on Adler or in-system…
4th man - the assassin (knows nothing)
Zeph tries to seduce the Republican courier… She shows him how to repair his car (first meeting of blades)!
Base was an Intel base 30 years ago... Covert operation ran “Operation Dashwood”… The Adler base is now more important as a listening post…
All other bases are “supposedly” shut down. Rossi acquires the system’s orbital scan data. Palmer uses the data to identify Mr Smith’s second landing spot.
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