Secunday, Rami 9th 067.M42
I asked Maddy to come with me to the Arbites this evening, but she said she couldn't, said her Mum was sick again and she needed her, and that she'd actually put in for a few days emergency leave to help deal with it. I'm not surprised to hear it. She looked so tired, like she hadn't slept a wink the night before, but I hadn't wanted to be so crude to ask if there was something wrong. I asked if there was anything I could do, if she wanted me to come by and bring her anything or keep her company, but she said that her Mum really didn't like company coming around when she was in a state. It makes me a bit sad to think that she has to handle all of this on her own, but she knows she can always call me if she needs me.
Things were tense at work today too. Though much slower than I expected, the Hadrigan Cartel have formally submitted their claim for mismanagement of the antilium trade routes to the planetary governor, claiming they have evidence of the Kai-Ten Conglomerate being incapable of managing their resources and security properly. The Kai-Tens have yet to respond as the petition was only submitted a couple of days ago, but rumour from the stacks has it that they're not pleased, and there's evidence starting to show up in the feeds that suggests they might have actual evidence that the Hadrigans are behind the attacks on them. At the very least they're acting as if they do. If they're able to provide evidence that the Hadrigans have been colluding with pirates and raiders, then this is likely to just explode in everyone's face. The Arbites will likely have to get involved, as this would constitute a major breach of the Lex and if true then the heads of a dynasty would have to be called to judgement.
I guess we just watch this space and wait and see. Apart from the worry about the new move by the Hadrigans and the subsequent gathering of resources by the Kai-Tens, the rest of the day really passed without major incident. Nothing else really sticks in the mind.
After my shift was done I was able to get away without getting caught by anyone - it's much easier without Malik around, he was really the biggest culprit for grabbing me the moment before I made it out the door, and somehow managing to wrangle me into a conversation that would leave me sprinting to try and get to the magrail on time. But I managed to get out and away, and found my way to the Arbites Precinct House up in Tenth.
Thankfully they were willing to see me immediately. Judge Hooke was very interested in hearing what I had to say when I reported that I was concerned about possible cult activity not just in the lower hive, but extended up to and affecting citizens at this level. I told her everything, shared the files I had and the information I'd managed to gather. She was concerned, and she said that they would look at perhaps sending some patrols down to have a look into it, but… I got the distinct impression from her tone that it was going to be another low priority. Even with my recounting of Arlean's vox call. She seemed almost apologetic, and she said that she'd do what she could, but…
There wasn't much to be said after that, so I left to head home. I don't know what to do now. I tried doing what Maddy said, and taking it to the authorities, but nobody seems to want to take it seriously. If Arlean's really in trouble, I can't just leave things to wait for when the Arbites can happen to send a patrol down that way, who knows if they'd even look in on her. It's not like the do a hab-care service or anything like that. Throne. I need a drink.
Thought for the Day: An enemy cares not who has the authority to stop him, only who has the power to.
