Immaculate Deception -- Chapter 2: Hunter, Prey

     The journey to the Mhultaan took twelve solar days. The IAD Team was thoroughly irritated with the tight confines of the transport and each other by the time they docked within the command carrier. Khetyr stepped out first, followed by his three Medical Techs, an Information-Retrieval Tech, the Team's server, and finally their leader, EL-Vashti. No one greeted them, a clear breech of protocol and an insult not only to the Regulator in charge, but the Internal Affairs Directorate as well.
     She could be short-tempered as a rule and had zero-tolerance for disrespect. The trip had done nothing to improve her mood. EL-Vashti tread heavily to the nearest maintenance Tech and started issuing orders.
     "I want our gear off-loaded and placed in our quarters immediately," she began, the non-com snapped to attention obviously recognizing her IAD rank insignia and its significance. "Then I want my Team properly in-processed and their needs seen to. And you can forget about warning your captain of our arrival. His insubordination has been duly noted."
     The last was said as she left the bay for the carrier's command core.



     "If your intention was to get off to a bad start with this investigation, Captain Crais, you've succeeded." She announced striding angrily into the command core. "You were made aware of our arrival and yet you sent no one to meet us in the docking bay. A terrible breech of protocol."
     "You must be leader of the IAD team," Bialar Crais said with an overly charming, if not obsequious smile. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure of your acquaintance, Regulator."
     "Regulator Liliina EL-Vashti." she retorted sharply. "You're rather flippant for a man denches away from my. . .methods, Captain. Breech of protocol is just one more step in your journey to the dock before a Tribunal."
     "EL-Vashti," Crais pondered stroking his beard with a gloved hand. "As in Admiral Neleu EL-Vashti? You're father? Quite a hero. His battle tactics were part of advances studies at the Academy."
     "Save your charm for the females you recreate with, Captain" EL-Vashti snapped. "If my reputation for thoroughness has not preceded me, I can arrange for a demonstration as soon as my Team is settled in."
     "I believe we've gotten off to a poor start, Regulator EL-Vashti," Crais said smoothly, clearly unruffled. "Allow me to make amends."



     "All standard recording devices have been deactivated, sir." The Team's Information-Retrieval Technician said to EL-Vashti.
     "And the non-standard?" she rejoined. "You know that fat thoddo has this suite wired from top to bottom."
     "Yes, sir." He responded. "I anticipated that and have been over every nano-dench. All are disabled."
     "Have all prowlers and marauders been recalled?" she asked before finishing the glass of water handed to her by the team server.
    "Yes, sir. All docked and all pilots and crews accounted for."
     "Command core," she said into her comm.
     "Command. Lt. Teeg, here sir." Came the voice of Crais' second officer.
     "Bring the Mhultaan to a complete stop," ordered EL-Vashti. "This ship is to remain stationary until these proceedings are completed. Also, communication silence begins now. No signals in or out, is that clear, Lieutenant?"
     "Perfectly clear, Regulator," replied Teeg. "Ship to all-stop, communication silence commenced."
     "Activate the sensor shield and block everything coming in and going out of this ship." EL-Vashti ordered her Tech. IAD personnel took no chances. "Insulate our Team comm channels. Wouldn't want them using our signals to ride out one of their own."
     "That should certainly put a lump in his throat," snickered Dr. Khetyr. "As you've always said, it's the not knowing that caves them in every time."
     "Don't underestimate our prey, Doctor." EL-Vashti advised sternly. "He will be a hard one to crack."
     Khetyr smiled but held fast to his original opinion. Crais would crack, probably with the first round of electro-stimulus. EL-Vashti's obvious loathing of him could only help the process. She had no tolerance for disrespect. From the team's first moments aboard the Mhultaan, Crais had set the tone. She would now stop at nothing short of turning the captain a weeping, bloody mess.
     He knew much of EL-Vashti's opinion centered on the fact that Crais was a first-genner, with no House or name. That type of thing repulsed the old Families nearly as much as contamination by aliens. Typical to first-genner form, Crais had fawned on her and made a charming show in a futile attempt to make amends. That got him nowhere, Khetyr knew as a certainty. If anything, it put a deeply rooted, dark desire for his screams of pain into EL-Vashti's heart.
     "Doctor," her stern voice brought him back from his reverie. "Get your equipment into place in the interrogation room provided to us."
     "Shall I deactivate all sensory devices there as well, Regulator?" asked the Information-Retrieval Tech.
     EL-Vashti seemed to consider a microt before finally answering. "No. As a matter of fact, I would like the entire ship to know when their captain crumbles. Leave all their devices in place."
     Khetyr grinned at that pronouncement, lowering his head to hide it. Yes, she was after Crais' blood. The fact that Procurator awaited her if she brought down an officer as powerful as Crais only added gravy to the gautuk hen. This revenge motive case now took on an entirely new dimension. He could feel himself becoming aroused at the very thought of EL-Vashti at her cruel best.



     The interrogation room aboard the Mhultaan was painfully bright. The confinement chair was in the very center, surrounded by rolling tables filled with various devices and syringes of drugs. Tools of the trade.
     EL-Vashti did a final check on their progress. Everything was ready. She wordlessly waved her right hand at the Medical Tech by the door. He released the locking mechanism and called to the officers waiting in the hallway.
    Crais, his second officer Lt. Teeg and third officer Lt. Orn entered quietly and took their places before the communication console. EL-Vashti strode to the console then turned a nod to the Information-Retrieval Tech.
     "Begin recording," she ordered.
     She held up the small, grayish communique chip from IAD for the three Mhultaan officers to see.      She inserted it into the console, then placed her hand into the genetic verifier, thumb on the sensor template. Crais did not hesitate, stepping up and mirroring her movements. Within a microt, the holographic image of Magistrate Pollivar spun and coalesced, casting a red glow on both Crais and EL-Vashti.
     "Captain Bialar Crais, commander of the Mhultaan carrier group," Pollivar pronounced dourly. "You have been charged with treason for the events of twenty-seven through thirty-four Volnuruth, cycle 6891, Peacekeeper Reckoning. Evidence has been produced linking your failure in the Leviathan impregnation project with the actions of the traitor, Velorek. You are duly charged to stand for questioning in this matter by the appointed Regulator and her team. Any failure to comply with this investigation will be seen as a hindrance for which the penalty is slow torture and death. Indicate your understanding of these charges and your compliance to the Regulator-in-charge now."
          The image of Pollivar spun and dissolved, leaving the room in uncomfortable silence. Crais and EL-Vashti removed their hands from the console. She took the communiqué chip out and replaced it in the wrist pocket of her uniform. Turning to Crais, she was disappointed to find him still unperturbed.
     "Regulator," he began, voice soft and filled with respect. "I understand fully the charges that have been leveled against me and I pledge upon my honor as an officer to comply with all methods in your investigation."
     "Very good," she replied. "All non-IAD personnel with the exception of the accused must now leave."
          EL-Vashti noticed the look Crais' second officer, Teeg, gave him and filed it away in the back of her mind. There was a relationship of some sort there and she would be certain to explore and utilize it to her advantage.
          She turned her back on Crais as the two Medical Techs motioned him into the chair and secured him by both wrists and ankles. They placed sensor devices on both temples, to each side of his neck and to the backs of both his hands. They were designed to detect the slightest variations in electromagnetic fields around the body. They were also uncomfortably hot on tender Sebacean skin, a fact their designers took into consideration for their application in the science of interrogation.
     "Secured, sir" the leading Tech informed her before taking his place beside one of the rolling tables.
     "Doctor Khetyr," EL-Vashti said. "Minimal dosage to start."
          Khetyr left his position beside the doorway to measure the appropriate amount of mind probe drug. Satisfied with the level in the syringe, he handed it to his leading Tech who then administered it rather roughly into the side of Crais' neck. To his credit, he did not flinch even though the drug was notorious for the stinging pain it caused as it coursed through the body. The second and third Medical Techs busied themselves lowering the mind probe halo down over Crais' head. Once done, they stepped back to take their places within a few paces of the chair.
          Khetyr took up his position at the monitor console and nodded his readiness to EL-Vashti.
"Engage the probe," she ordered watching Crais' face intently.
          The sound alone was enough to make most people cringe. The piercing whine set the eardrums of all present vibrating and tickling uncomfortably, though the effect was most pronounced to the person in the chair. EL-Vashti watched Crais' face tighten slightly, and then the small muscles around his eyes began to twitch. His mouth became thin and his hands became fists.
          Good. Perhaps Khetyr was right after all. Maybe Crais would cave quickly.



          Crais rose from the swirling water in the whirlpool bath, stepping carefully over the edge of the tub. He stood, legs spread wide apart as his server toweled the rivulets of water from his body. He climbed onto the waiting massage table, face down, resting his chin on his crossed forearms. He closed his eyes as the server carefully ran a comb through the long, wet curls. When he was done, the server handed Crais a cold mug of fellip nectar from which he drank deeply, gratefully. He sighed as the server's hands gently kneaded the effects of the day from his body.
          All his muscles were sore from the strain of retaining his composure. The areas of skin where the sensor probes had been attached felt blistered, bearing angry red outlines in the shape of the sensor pads. His ears were ringing from the horrible sound of the mind probe halo and his head ached from the drugs. None of this could be seen on his face however as he relaxed under the tender ministrations of his server. He smiled ironically as he considered his predicament.
          Serious to be sure, but he knew there were ways around every situation no matter how dire. The Regulator, EL-Vashti, was extremely dangerous. Flouting her authority by not greeting her team in the docking bay had been a bad call on his part. He had not counted on her being a member of the Founding Four Families. They were the Peacekeeper elite and had no tolerance for those, like him, with no name. It was a misstep, but he knew he could correct it.
          He would now have to turn all his energies to defeating the Regulator and her team. Her obvious disdain for him would be a stumbling block, certainly. He quickly realized that charm alone would not cut it with her. She was a frigid, unbending professional.
          Everyone had weaknesses. He would simply have to be patient and thorough in finding hers.
          Crais knew he would never have made it this far in the Peacekeeper ranks without an innate survival instinct. He was the youngest first-genner to receive a command posting and the only one to be given the prestigious position of command carrier group captain. High Command thought highly of him and he intended to keep it that way, not only as a matter of survival, but also of pride. Saving face was his top priority.
          The server finished his massage, helping him into his off-duty clothing before silently bowing and leaving.
          Lieutenant Teeg had been awaiting his orders on the lower level of his quarters since before his bath. He pulled his hair away from his face, tucking it behind his ears as he took in her lithe, ramrod straight stance and elegant features. She would prove a most useful tool, he mused. He would aim her at the team physician, Khetyr. Crais figured him for the weak link. The non-com personnel would be too frightened of or too loyal to EL-Vashti to be counted upon. Khetyr on the other hand did not seem as arrogant or cold as his Regulator and may well be easily manipulated.
     "Lieutenant," he said coming down the steps to the lower level. "Any progress on surveillance in the IAD suite?"
     "No, sir." She said crisply. "All our probes and by-passes have failed."
     "Then we must take another route." He said sitting down behind his desk. "I want you to get close to their physician, Khetyr. Recreate with him. Use whatever means you see fit to get information out of him. Report everything, no matter how seemingly insignificant."
     "Yes, sir," she agreed with her usual calm, blank face.
     "We must have a lever if we are to move this mountain," he mused almost under his breath.
     "Sir?"
     "You know, of course that the accusations are entirely false," he stated, staring at her intensely.
     "Of course, sir." She replied.
     "And you will do whatever it takes to thwart this erroneous investigation of me?" he pressed, face as dangerous as his eyes.
     "Yes, sir." She affirmed. "My loyalties always lie with you."
          Crais considered her for a microt as she gazed back at him. She adored him. That much was obvious. He recreated with her only once, testing the waters when she was first assigned as his second officer. She was insipid, inexperienced and utterly failed to please him. He did not tell her this, not wishing to turn her loyalties elsewhere. Then again, he didn't need to tell her. His lack of further interest in recreating with her spoke volumes. Still, her emotions regarding him were clear. They were also useful.
     "Excellent," he said as he rose and came to stand behind her.
          He let his breath fall softly on the nape of her neck just above her uniform collar. The soft fabric of his briefs brushed her hands, clasped tightly behind her back and he could sense her quivering inside. Excellent, indeed.
      "Begin immediately," he ordered before turning to ascend the steps to the upper level of his quarters.
     "Yes, sir." Teeg said, head bowed and breathing shallow. "Immediately."



      "Nothing. Arns in the chair and nothing of any consequence," EL-Vashti sighed, lying face down on her bed.
     "Maybe he really is innocent," Khetyr observed, his head resting on the small of her back. "Maybe it's the revenge motive case we thought it was and we should pack it in while we're ahead."
          She shifted angrily from under him causing the back of his head to hit the bed with a thud. The look on her face was alarming. He loved her cruel side, the one that terrified most and earned her the well-deserved moniker of mivonks cracker. Watching her go after Crais had aroused him beyond the endurance of a rock.
          Upon their return to her quarters in the IAD suite, they promptly shed their clothes, making love fast and rough on the floor. He knew it was careless of them, considering the volatile nature of this case. They both needed an outlet, however. Twelve days on the transport without each other had been a strain. The ineffectual first interrogation of Crais only added to the stress.
     "If he was innocent," she asked sharply. "Why didn't he greet us upon our arrival?"
     "Maybe--just maybe--he's furious at his good name being smeared," Khetyr observed. "Lil, wouldn't you be just a bit perturbed if someone brought similar charges against you?"
     "Do not lump me into his category!" she snapped. "A first-genner doesn't have the right to be disrespectful to anyone, most especially to me."
     "Just making an observation," Khetyr said rolling onto his stomach, chin on his crossed arms as he watched her pace the room. "Remember, you were the one who said you thought Scorpius invented the entire thing just to ruin Crais."
     "I remember," she retorted angrily turning to face him.
          Khetyr smiled nefariously at the motion her bare breasts made with her sudden turn. She looked at him coldly, shaking her head. He laughed and closed his eyes.
     "We begin round two first thing in the morning." She said picking up the pieces of her uniform scattered around the floor. "I'm going to have a bite to eat and then turn in. You should return to your quarters now before we draw suspicion to ourselves here."
     "Yes, sir." He sighed getting up to dress.



     "Lights up, half illumination." Khetyr commanded as he entered his assigned quarters.
          He wasn't prepared for what awaited him. As the lights came up he could see the outline of a woman's naked body on his bed. She was lean, blonde and cool looking. After a microt, he recognized the face of Lieutenant Teeg and his gut tightened. Crais' little minion come to seduce information or mercy out of the IAD physician. Cheap move, but he should have expected it from a first-genner.
     "What in the name of Cholok are you doing in here?" he demanded unfastening his jacket.
     "I thought you might need a little recreation after the long trip to meet us here," she replied, stretching languorously and smiling. "I've been waiting for you for arns. I hope someone else hasn't. . .beaten me to it."
          She rose from the bed coming slowly toward him. Before he could speak she was pulling his jacket off and reaching for the fasteners of his trousers. He grabbed her hands and pushed them away.
     "Look," he said angrily. "Go play somewhere else little girl. I don't have time for you."
     "Oh," she replied with a pout, hands reaching for him again. "So someone else did get to you first. Who was it, then?"
     "I'm tired," he said pulling her hands away from his groin. "I simply want to shower and go to bed."
     "Sounds like a good plan to me," she smiled pulling his suspenders off his shoulders.
     "Stop it now," Khetyr barked and roughly pushed her away.
     "What's the matter?" Teeg asked feigning jealousy. "Are you not a fancier of women?"
     "When they come full grown, yes." He snapped back. "Let's get this perfectly clear. You run along back to your master and tell him if he attempts to frell with our investigation again. . .in any manner whatsoever, he and all other persons involved will pay the price. Do you get all that?"
     "Don't be such a cold skivulk," she smiled trying to tug his undershirt out of his trousers. "I find you attractive and that's all there is to it. Now, let me help you relax."
          Khetyr had had enough of this. He shoved her away hard, causing her to lose her footing and hit the floor in an ungraceful heap. He grabbed her uniform off the side table, tossing it onto her sprawled form. The coy façade was gone for an instant and he saw the fury in her cold eyes, an ice-covered razor blade. She was now his enemy, more than just her captain's loyal minion. He would have to warn EL-Vashti and they would both need to watch their step.
          One of the reasons he had tried to keep Teeg at a distance was he feared she would smell EL-Vashti on him, or find her hair on his clothing. That in itself might not be a problem, but the long-term nature of their relationship would be.
     "Go deliver my message to Captain Crais," Khetyr ordered her.
          She hurriedly donned her clothes and slipped out of his quarters without another word.
     "Frell!" he swore under his breath.



     "I was too late," Teeg admitted, embarrassed as she stood before Crais.
          He did not look up at her. His attention was fixed on his meal of raw trelkez brains and sour noodle salad. With the last bite he took a long drink of fellip nectar. He blotted delicately at his mouth with the napkin then sat with eyes closed as the table sank back into the floor. He sighed deeply then looked at his first officer, chin down and head cocked to the side. His eyes were very hard.
     "Perhaps you simply did not try hard enough," he observed coldly.
     "He had already been with someone else," she replied, eyes fixed straight ahead and above him. "I suspect it was the Regulator. He reeked of her fragrance and I saw several long, dark hairs on his uniform jacket as I attempted to undress him."
     "Well, that was not entirely unexpected," Crais chuckled wickedly.
     "He was very uncomfortable with my presence and seemed in a great hurry to be rid of me." She added. "I doubt there was anything I could have done to coax him into recreating with me."
     "Hmm," Crais pondered, stroking his beard. "That could be important. If he were simply too tired, he would perhaps have put you off until later. . .not shun you entirely. I would like for you to try again."
     "Sir, he gave me a message to convey to you regarding that," Teeg interrupted. "He said that any further attempt to hinder the investigation would result in all parties 'paying the price.'"
     "Well," Crais smiled again. "This is a strange turn of events. Why would he make a threat such as that unless he had something to hide himself?"
     "IAD Agents are notorious. . ." Teeg began.
     "This is more than a simple threat, Lieutenant." Crais corrected her.
     "Yes, sir."

     "No, there is something else going on here. Something on a deeper level. Something being hidden." He said more to himself than to Teeg. "Now the task is to discover what that something is."