REVELATIONS
FOUR
The Assistant Director was standing at a desk, reviewing the latest field reports.
Of particular interest were the bulletins concerning their suspect in the disappearance of the off-world colonists.
It was an unusual case if not bizarre. And particularly surprising there was such scant intelligence on this being, which seemed to travel so freely across the galaxy and appear openly in so many different places. None of the other planetary security agencies in the Galactic Defense Network had additional information beyond what was already known. No one had managed to identify where it was from, what its motives were or what forces, if any, influenced it. And many of those other agencies had questions of their own they were anxious to raise.
A puzzling and possibly murderous enigma, shrouded in mystery; that was their suspect.
The pressure to get to the bottom of what had happened to the colony was considerable. Having the time for simple surveillance would soon be a past luxury. The suspect must eventually be brought in alive for questioning, if that was possible. The Assistant Director wasn't certain it was: the being seemed incredibly powerful and wily as well – a very challenging combination, even for the best of Agency operatives.
There was no question careful planning, hard work and good organization would be required to capture the suspect. And although the idea wasn't thrilling, and it had been a very long time since it had last been mandated, there was also little doubt the Assistant Director would have to take to the field in order to properly lead the investigation and assure the suspect's apprehension.
In the meantime years of experience had proven all sentient beings followed identifiable patterns in their short- and long-term activities. No matter how obscure or difficult to perceive, such a pattern would be found in this instance. Hopefully sooner rather than later…