Efforts to locate Stellar are ongoing, with any remaining assets in western Daressa and Qalo retasked to support this effort. No direct sightings have been reported, but agents have established that BAZ personnel have infiltrated and set up wireless monitoring stations within Daressan territory and along the coast. Our agents have been instructed to monitor ndiko activity silently, and to set up similar stations in the interior where possible. As there is now confirmation of BAZ involvent, this initiative is now formally under Director Kemper as Initiative Starfall, coded MS-PRIV-SF. Please route any requests for source-linked intelligence through the Directors office.
While the identity of the bearer is not known with complete certainty, several indicators point to Luc Flant, forrly of the Baumgart party. Our dossier on Flant is attached in Appendix A of this circular, along with an assessnt on possible avenues of approach given the extensive personality profiles recovered from Braun Island.
At this ti all initiatives are suspended save for two; foreign assets are wholly tasked under Initiative Starfall, while dostic assets are to observe their prior orders under Initiative Redoubt as we approach the final stages prior to plan comncent. In the event of resource conflicts, prioritize Redoubt unless specifically ordered otherwise.
- Institute Circular #3560, 45 Gleaning 693.
They proceeded west down the road, albeit at a slower pace than the previous day; the road had seen better seasons, and had been humble in the best of them. Michael winced as Zabala drove the truck at speed into a thick branch that had fallen across the path. There was a sharp shock as they hit it, but the branch broke into splinters with no damage to the truck.
You know, I could have moved that another way, Michael said, gripping the seat to steady himself. Its not strictly necessary for you to ram your way through every obstacle we encounter.
Zabala grunted. This is standard procedure for convoys. Lead driver is always a fortins, to serve as the icebreaker. Debris, animals, soldiers - we could handle much larger than that, if we need to.
Good to know, Michael muttered, but I think youre going to make the n sick. He sent his sight into the rear compartnt of the truck, stuffed full of queasy-looking Ardans on bench seats; indeed, one was holding his helt upturned while staring into the middle distance, his face pale and sweaty. Maybe let clear away the next big one?
If you make it an order, sure, Zabala drawled. The n could use so discomfort. Indolent, undisciplined dregs - theyre basically conscripts. Conscripts! He threw one hand up in the air disgustedly. They are a net loss, jauna. Youd be better-served leaving them all at the next town, including that drunken cockerel of a captain.
Michael sighed. Its possible, he said. Probable, even. But its not as though I can ask Antolin for a squad of ndiko soldiers, is it?
Zabala grimaced. No. But you dont necessarily need this many n. A small team would be nimble, easy to supply. The n are no threat to any ensouled opponent, just as any enemy they could handle would be no threat to us. Youre a spector, so theyre of no help in a search or cordon. Theyre just - weight, and mouths.
I cant disagree on any particular, Michael said. But theyre more than just that. Theyre- He paused; Zabala let Michael order his words in peace.
When I was coming north to ndian, I t Sever, Michael said. We fought; I incapacitated him. For - various reasons, Sobriquet and I left him alive.
Zabala snorted, but said nothing more.
Michael made a face. I know, I know. It seed right at the ti. But when I ntioned it to Amira - Sustain, that is - she said that I should have killed him. That letting him live created a tether between us, one that would permit neither of us peace until the conflict was finished.
You believe that? Zabala asked, glancing over. Not the first part; you definitely should have killed him. The rest sounds like Safid rambling to .
It very well could be; I dont credit Amira with an abundance of sanity. But Ive been thinking about it since we first t Lars and his n. He said that they first began paying attention to because of Severs injury, and that it naturally led to the rest - using my na to taunt the Safid, half-jokingly pledging their soul to the One. Michael made a face. I look at them and I hear Amiras warning.
Zabala lifted a hand from the wheel to scratch at his jaw, then shrugged. Might be, he said. Might be that youd have even more of the idiots marching around if youd have killed Sever outright. Theres no mystery in power drawing attention.
Michael nodded; he leaned back in his seat. Its true. But affinity exists, and that bond ties more strongly than most. The ones that didnt join, and the ones that will likely still leave - I dont worry about them. But the ones who follow despite everything
He trailed off, staring out the window. I dont know. I dont have a na I can put on my fears, so concrete harm that will co from leaving them out in the world. I only know that affinity is real, and that those who have that tie with seem to cross my path more than chance would dictate.
Co on, Zabala scoffed. Affinity is one thing, but all this business of crossing paths and fated encounters is straight out of the Safid Book.
Michael raised an eyebrow. They had a na for , he said. Not a nice na, Ill grant you, but Ardalt and ndian thought what I am was impossible; to Saf it was inevitable. He shook his head. I dont think its all true, but there are - pieces. Pieces that rhy with the truth, at least.
Never took you for a religious man, Zabala said.
I dont think I am, Michael laughed. But I have eyes, and Im paying attention.
Zabala grunted, sounding unconvinced. Seems like coincidence to , he said. Or n scrambling after your soul. Theres enough chaos in this world without adding false aning to its whims.
I suppose well see, Michael said. The next month or so will be a good test of the theory.
You think your n will do sothing odd? Zabala asked.
Michael shrugged. Perhaps, but I didnt an them. He turned to stare out the window, letting his sight float high above the dust kicked up by the trucks. When I fled Sparks island, I crossed half an ocean to arrive at the continent. I found Sobriquet, agreed to help her cause in exchange for passage to ndian. She took to Leik, and from there towards Is.
He reeled his sight back in to look at Zabala. Thats where I found Luc - the man bound to by affinity so strong that my soul seems to touch him. I left him half an ocean away, and two weeks later our paths crossed by seeming happenstance. He flexed his left hand, curling it into a fist. I wonder how long it will take this ti.
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