No one could do forlorn like Pak. Then, Ferris decided, it was hardly out of place and the long rows of cells he walked past to reach him were full of equally distressed inmates. He watched his brother as he sat in the corner of the cell, knees drawn up to his chest, his slender arms wrapped around his knees.  The doleful expression completed the look.

“Half-brother,” Ferris was reminded, “With no permits.”

He could have smelled the man coming a Kn’ away but then, he insisted on wearing the oil cloth uniform. Ferris folded his arms across his chest. He was taller and thicker set than the man who stood beside him. That would not make any difference and he was well aware of the security sphere hovering over the smaller man. That was new. Then, Ferris mused, he had always had delusions of grandeur. Somewhere in his past, a Canie had held a blade and that seemed to give him the right to assume he could too. Ferris glared at him but he did not waver.

He tried a different approach.

“Come on,396! No one cares about that stuff here! Look at him! He’ll die in there! We go way back, you and I.”

On reflection, the reminder may have been less welcome than he imagined.

“Yes, Ferris, we do. Which is why your ship is impounded and he is in here! Things have changed and you need to understand that.”

It had never been a problem before. Certainly the quarantine officials were troublesome unless bribed but Ferris was used to dealing with that. Ferris was used to circumventing the law whenever it suited him. Usually 396 ignored their exploits.  He was not used to 396 actually doing his job. Things had certainly changed whilst they had been in the Fringes and, he decided, not for the better. He had not expected 396 to enforce the rules and it left him wondering what else was being enforced. If Dimnai could not be relied on to meet their particular clientele requirements then it left him with little options.

“I need a drink! You do still allow that here? Oh and 396, make sure you treat him well!”

His reassurances were hollow and Ferris felt a brief pang at having to leave him. They were vulnerable and he was not in control. Neither of those things sat well with Ferris and he determined to change his situation as soon as possible.

The walkways from the Quarantine level were crowded and guarded. He was scanned at every and any opportunity and by the time he reached the exit, nothing was left of his old life. They had even seen fit to force him to wear a Citizen Suit. Why his clothing was considered threatening he could not say but the last scanner had decided it was, dissolving the fabric before he had any chance to protest.

Ferris plucked at the beige nondescript jumpsuit and blinked in the light as he was thrust without ceremony onto the Plaza.

“Great!”

The area was framed by the tall spires of buildings but that did not interest him much. Neither was he particularly taken with the busy citizens each going about their careful, productive lives with a serene smile. He had learned that most colonies had such a facade of respectability and the harder it was maintained, the more vehemently some would oppose it. What he needed would not be found on the quiet, well surveyed streets.

He scanned the Plaza, allowing his gaze to capture life in fragmented still frames.

The young woman walking briskly using the Link, engrossed in her conversation but avoiding colliding with her fellow citizens...the group of grey clad children under the watchful eye of their tutor...the friends meeting near the central fountain, chatting happily...Then he saw him. Somewhere in it all, there would always be one.

Ferris made his way carefully towards the fountain where a nondescript man was sitting on a low bench. The pale grey suit was supposed to allow him to blend in to his surroundings but Ferris knew that was what he was trying to do. Even the slicked back hair was exactly as it should be, giving the impression he was another Primol simply resting and contemplating his next project. It was the fact that he was trying too hard which made him stand out. He was watching the throng as keenly as Ferris and anyone doing that was worth his attention. The man looked up when Ferris’ imposing shadow fell over him.

“So, Friend...”

The standard greeting was met with a patient smile after the man looked up, shielding his eyes from the Defence Shield glare.

“Friend...”

He nodded once and his eyes fell onto the vacant seat beside him. Ferris sat down, looking straight ahead.

He did not waste time, “My ship has been impounded and my brother is in quarantine.”

The man continued to stare ahead, “That is very unfortunate. However, why would you think I can assist you?”

“You’re Agency, right? Don’t bother to deny it. I can tell. I grew up around you guys...taught me everything I know. Then, my dad was too busy being Commissioner Alton to teach me anything-,” Ferris began.

The man interrupted, “I believe I will be unable to assist you. You see, your father finds himself growing tired of your antics. I believe his exact words, when he heard of your arrival, were ’tell him to grow up!’”

Ferris smiled to himself. He had not changed and he had not expected it. There was always the assumption that Ferris would need him, would come to him on his knees and repentant. That, he decided, was a long way off. Clearly his reluctant companion was surprised by Ferris far from contrite tone.

“I believe I have given you the wrong idea. I’m not asking for your help. I’m laying the Charge. You have imprisoned a Ouiladet-she citizen...who has dual citizenship and impounded an ambassadorial vessel. Unless you really want to get me riled, stay away from me! There’s a lot of Canie in my line and Pak...Who knows  what he’ll do once he’s out and I will get him out! Give the Commissioner my regards...Friend.”

With that, he got up and strode off with all the confidence of a man who did not care where he was going but was determined to get there. If that did not get the Commissioner’s attention, nothing would.