Chapter 10 – Further Executions

Several hours earlier, on Earth…

Detective Liam Rouber sat in his car while the rain poured down outside. Unlike many modern cities on Earth these days, London had managed to hold on to its cab driving tradition. It was like a past time; the people felt pride in supporting. Despite the late hour, the streets were still abuzz for a Tuesday night. Across the street from him was the main entrance to RDA's Research and Development Headquarters.

While he waited for the word, he sipped on a cold coffee and perused the search warrant that he was about to execute. He hoped it would go well, but in his experience all too often the big corporations tended to resist and act as if they were above the law when Scotland Yard called on them. Tonight he figured would be no different; so he came prepared. He watched three unmarked vans pull up opposite his car on the same street. He knew what they were here for.

All he needed now was the call from HQ that his American colleagues on Mars were in position to execute their warrants. Strange, he thought, cops here and there acting at the same time, on two different worlds. Liam came from a long line of cops and he pondered what his great grand father might of thought of this situation. Suddenly, his phone buzzed.

He grabbed the phone from his side as he pulled his badge out and hooked it on his coat. It was just what he'd expected. He exited his car and gestured with his hands to the vans as he crossed the street. He spoke into a small mic attached to his wristwatch, "Night Jack has lead. Follow me in."

Detective Rouber walked up to the entrance and an avatar greeter appeared. "Greetings, sir. Welcome to RDA Headquarters for Research and Development. The building is currently closed to the public, but will reopen tomorrow morning at 6 AM."

The detective pulled out a monocle and placed it over his right eye as he showed the avatar his Scotland Yard badge. He said, "I'm Detective Liam Rouber and I have a warrant to search this building now." The avatar stood silent as if it didn't know how to reply.

Liam glanced over his shoulder and saw his backup closing in from the rear. Over two-dozen heavily armed metro police officers dressed in tactical uniforms cautiously approached and two Police drones flew overhead.

Finally, Detective Rouber continued, "Mates, it looks like we're doing this the hard way, as usual. He walked up to the side of the building, and accessed a small almost hidden access port marked "For Police and Fire Use Only". He placed his badge up to the scanner and inserted a digital version of the warrant. He stated, "Computer this is a Police Action. Open the lobby door and secure all other exits from the building. Provide me a complete list of everyone in the building and their location, downloaded to my monocle." The computer replied, "Yes, Detective I see your warrant is valid. Compliance to warrant is recognized."

The doors opened as the avatar vanished, and the police officers rushed inside the building. Detective Rouber pulled out his phone and hit a speed dial number. "This is Rouber. Yes, I said Rouber. We're in the building and will let you know what we find."

He listened for a moment and said, "Understood. Just try not to bollix up the Mar's raid." He chuckled as he watched through the glass doors while his officers secured the lobby. His last words into the phone were, "I hear you. Do your bloody job and I'll do mine." With an annoyed look on his face he ended the call and proceeded into the building barking orders as he went.

Meanwhile, on Mars…

Tourists and residents alike at the American colony at Valles Marineris stood by and watched the commotion from the safety of their adjacent domes as armed federal agents and soldiers engaged in stunning gun battles both inside and outside the RDA dome.

The Martian media immediately picked up on the event and began streaming live feeds across the planet and solar system. The lead story detailed how U.S. federal agents in coordination with Martian Colonial officials attempted to execute a series of search warrants at the secretive RDA dome on Mars. The event turned violent without warning according to civilian authorities. The story went viral in a matter of hours as virtually every news service picked it up. While the relatively uneventful search of the London based RDA building was only mentioned as a related story.

The next morning, RDA Headquarters in New York City…

Terry Chu sat in his private office reading over official copies of the search warrants issued against RDA. All of them related to the investigation into the death of former CEO Selfridge.

In attendance were his best legal team and the senior VP for Public Relations. As he finished reading the warrants, he laid down his holo tablet and said, "It looks like they're stretching to pull me into this matter. As far as I'm concerned, Ms. Angela Yeager was running a rogue operation under the radar. This sort of corruption isn't new to big corporation bureaucracies and the media knows it. I'm sure your team will find plenty of case material to back up the company's victim status."

Karl Schafer was the senior lawyer present. He said, "Of course we will sir. He glanced up at Mrs. Valerie Scott, Vice President of Public Relations and said, "Your PR expert will have to put in some overtime, but from a legal standpoint, if this is all they have, then I think we can keep you out of the spotlight. According to my sources in the Martian government, Ms. Yeager wasn't taken alive and that will favor our side of the story."

Terry nodded and looked at Valerie. "So what do you think?"

She said, "I'll need at least a 10% increase in my budget, but with some time, we can contain any damage that stems from this incident. The public will be more interested in the trials if they manage to arrest a low level manager or disgruntled employee rather than punish RDA over the long term. We just need to encourage those feelings by taking care of the families affected with sympathy and financial support. We'll also want to work up an advertising campaign aimed at rebuilding goodwill and trust with the community."

Terry replied, "Consider it done. I'll give you 7%."

Valerie nodded, "I can work with that."

Terry grinned as he replied, "I thought so. Sounds like we're in a fairly safe position here. Mr. Schafer, ensure that we cooperate fully with the authorities with regard to Ms. Yeager and her staff. Be sure they see all of the HR files, including the recent ones with the modified complaints against Mr. Yeager's performance."

Mr. Schafer replied, "I understand sir."

Terry said, "You can all go now. Thank you."

The group left the room, and Terry sat in silence for a few minutes. Finally, he accessed the last secure communication that came out of the RDA dome before the feds cut them off. It wasn't what he expected for a final frantic report, no confession of failure or attempt to implicate him. She was loyal to the end but what did she take to the grave? The message simply said, "Vigilance was," and then nothing. There wasn't even any garble, nothing to analysis, not a damned thing.

He sat in silence as the muted screens on the opposite wall showed multiple channels of media outlets talking about RDA and its role in what was already being called the Yeager Conspiracy. Terry's thoughts wondered, because he felt certain Angela knew something she hadn't reported yet and more importantly what was she trying to tell Pandora when the their superluminal system was shutdown. He mumbled to himself, "Vigilance was? What were you trying to tell us Angela?"

He puzzled over it for a while longer, until the computer chimed in, "Sir, your mid-morning appointment is here to see you." Terry rubbed his eyes, cleared his desk, and switched the monitors back to the usual business channels. He said, "Business has to carry on, please send them in."

Pandora orbit, aboard the Black Jack…

Ute stared at Charlie on the screen and repeated for a second time, "Vigilance was.' That's all we got. It only came through once, and we never received any confirmations on our last report. I have a bad vibe about this, Charlie."

Charlie replied, "Perhaps it was finally leaked to the press. Or possibly an investigation, hell I'm only guessing. Still as much as I hate to admit it, I think you're right. We may have to come at this thing from a different point of view."

Ute smiled, "Just for the record, I said before all this started that the politicians were spineless…"

Charlie interrupted, "You don't have to remind me, I know all to well how you feel about government bureaucrats. She grinned from ear to ear as Charlie's facial expression exuded frustration.

Finally, he said, "I didn't want to go into the extreme, but it looks like we have no choice. Go ahead and transmit my pre-recorded "Pro-Earther" message on an open superluminal channel. Since we can't rely on RDA any longer, we'll use Pandora and the New Hope as our bargaining chips to appeal to the masses. I'm sure the Pro-Earth movement will be just as surprised as the government but that's just the right element of chaos we need now. Hopefully, they'll cut a deal, since we control the most important commodity in the known universe."

Ute said, "Or they could call us terrorists." She grinned and said, "Wouldn't be the first time for me." She chuckled.

Charlie said, "Do you see another way?"

Ute replied, "No, so I'll transmit the message but just remember one thing Charlie. Once it's sent we can't back down, winning will be the only outcome we can settle for, you understand that right?"

Charlie replied, "I get you," as the screen went dark.