The first phase of Initiative Sunburn has concluded within predicted bounds, and all field commanders have been instructed to proceed to the second phase under plan variant 30-C-Moderate. Auspex analysis has identified the following primary complicating factors:
The Safid naval forces have not retreated to a more secure position, opting instead to continue a largely-nonviolent blockade of Leik. Material impacts will occur if the fleets position has not changed when phase three begins, at which point the public opinion managent burden following the operation begins to increase exponentially. More resources should be preemptively allocated to those teams in that event.Supplies of both n and materiel are limited in the Leiko hinterlands, partially due to Daressan sabotage efforts and largely due to Severs deviation from his assigned role. Managent of Sever and any nearby Swordsn may require additional effort to bring associated project pieces back into ideal bounds.A non-identifiable Category 4 probabilistic anomaly has prevented all auspex investigation of twenty-seven minor municipal regions adjacent to Leik and its territories. A map and a list of known souls capable of a Category 4 obfuscation is attached in the first appendix of this circular. Given the difficulty of identifying the source of probabilistic anomalies and the unstable nature of this particular instance, units in the affected areas should prepare for the eventuality of a shift to plan variant 30-C-Defensive or 30-D-Moderate.
Although the appearance of a Category 4 anomaly presents a complication to project planning, the benefits to operational security during the latter phases of Sunburn are significant and should not be overlooked. The current recomndation is that the phenonon be monitored for signs of expansion but not reduced below its current levels until after phase three is complete.
- Institute Circular #3409, 7 Bounty 693.
Michael slept - or, rather, he lay face-up on the bare concrete floor of the cell and thought tired thoughts. In the quiet of the cell the building sounded incredibly busy, with shouts and hurried footsteps sounding in muffled cacophony from outside the door.
He had hoped his confinent might co with a al, but none ca. Whatever strange alteration Stefans soul had wrought on his stomach left him feeling hungry much faster than he thought was normal, although he had to concede that this was his first real experience with starvation of any sort - Jeorg had fed him well, and Helene had considered hunger in the Baumgart household to be a personal nesis.
When the slot in the door did open it was not food that ca through, but Eliass tag. The tal bounced and skittered over the floor before it ca to a rest at Michaels feet; the person who had tossed it in left without saying anything. Michael picked it up and stared at it for a mont before putting the tal slip in his pocket once more.
That isnt yours, is it? a voice said from behind him.
Michael rose to his feet in a panicked half-scramble, his back slamming against the door as he jumped up and away from the speaker. When he looked at the far wall he saw - nothing.
Not an empty cell, or the blank expanse of the wall, but nothing. A patch in the center of his vision was blind, bordered by a crawling, scintillating border of light and sparkling chaos that he couldnt bring into focus - spectors sight notwithstanding. The effect was nauseating; Michael wrenched his vision away and looked down at the floor.
The distortion hovered unabated at the far wall of the cell, shimring in place. The voice ca from it again, a scratchy and distorted noise that betrayed no hint of age, sex or accent. Please dont be alard, it said. I just thought we should speak.
Oh, Michael said, feeling mildly absurd as he edged his sight back towards the blurry void. Thats fine, I had no other plans.
A short, grating laugh ca from the blur, and Michael winced. Who are you? he asked. Is there any way you could stop - whatever that is that youre doing?
The blur laughed again. I normally dont give information out for free, it said. But you seem polite, and as it happens the answer to each of your questions is the sa. Who am I? What am I doing, and will I stop doing it? The blur shifted. The answer to all three: I am Sobriquet.
Michael nodded absently, his mind shooting in several directions at once. Sobriquet, counterpart to Sibyl; a soul dealing with obfuscation and secrets. He had never heard anything about the souls current holder save that they were unknown.
And here they were in his cell. He nearly laughed at the absurdity of it all, but didnt trust himself not to vomit.
So, Sobriquet said, making a motion and a noise that resembled a clap of its hands; another wave of vertigo pulled at Michaels gut. I have given you a little secret, and now I should like one of my own. Did you witness the shelling of Leik? One of my associates overheard sothing to that effect at your arrest.
Your associates? Michael asked. The three that disappeared. That was you?
Sobriquet shifted position. Out of order, it chided him. Your turn is to answer, not to ask.
I need to ask at least one more, Michael said. Why do you want to know?
The blur went very still for a mont, then shifted slowly away from Michael. Because a great many people died in Leik that night, Sobriquet said. Not Ardans or Safid. Daressans. Noncombatants. And when I began lifting stones to see what lay underneath, I found only secrets. Explosions, not where they should be. Bodies, not where they should be.
It leaned in closer to Michael; even through the spectors sight the strain was beginning to draw tears. I have an eye for secrets, it said. Great truths sequestered in but a few minds, they have a scent, a flavor, a shine to them that I can follow. I found nothing but secrets around the bodies of the fallen, and then my associates tell of a strange thing, an Ardan who is likewise not where he should be. An Ardan who lies to Ardans.
It leaned closer still. And so many secrets, this Ardan has. Positively overflowing with them. So now I find that I am very much interested in what you saw that night.
Michael felt a small chill. I had nothing to do with the shelling, he said. I saw it from a distance, and passed beyond sight of it before it ended.
And that has the sound of a truth once hidden, now disclosed, Sobriquet said, sounding mildly surprised even through the distortion. It stepped back and appeared to regard him for a mont. Well, thats unfortunate. I suppose I should apologize for my earlier - manner.
I dont suppose the apology could co in the form of breaking free from this cell? Michael asked. You dont seem to be associated with the Ardan military, and at the mont Im rather more associated than Id prefer.
Sobriquet shifted. Possibly, it said. Didnt you have a plan to escape? You seed rather sanguine about your confinent earlier.
I had an idea or two, Michael said, wincing again as he looked too long at the blur. But now I just have a headache. Besides, you seem like youve done this before.
You really did have a plan? Sobriquet murmured, moving dizzyingly close to Michaels face. Oh, now that - that touches close to sothing grand. I can feel it around you. You know a thing or two of great importance, and at least one There was a muffled noise, like an intake of breath.
There is one secret bound within you that has never before been known in this world, it said. And it is vast, vast like I have never seen, yet only exists within your mind. Sobriquet stepped back and cocked its head to the side. I would very much like to know who you are.
The words had evoked a shiver from Michael, and he turned his sight away from the blur. Sobriquets words were vague, but troublingly incisive. I might have so things to share, he said. Help get where Im going, and we can talk about a trade.
And where do your plans take you? Sobriquet asked.
Michael shook his head. Youll have to earn that one, he said. Get out, then we can talk.
Sobriquet laughed once more. A fast learner, it said. I could grow to like you, secret-keeper.
And then the blur was gone. Michael wiped tears from his eyes and lowered himself back down to the floor, reveling in the sudden clarity of his sight. His head was pounding from the strain of looking at Sobriquets bizarre apparition.
With a grunt of weary effort, Michael lay down on the floor and abandoned all hope of sleep.
Reviews
All reviews (0)