Chapter 16

Tulek despised Weia. Tulek sought to possess the winds, but knew he could never beat Weia. Tulek hated the Ostogot. They were the chosen children of Weia, and rode the winds. Tulek changed the winds. He made the winds go soft and weak, trying to make the Ostogot fall from their heights. Tulek created chaos.

- The Song of Wind, Tale of Weia

Asuun did head back to his office after talking to the researcher, Liuani. She hadn’t given him much to work with, but he hadn’t expected much to begin with. He couldn’t shake the thought about ‘copycat’ killers though. In many ways the repeat strings of murders all follow a similar style.

He had focused on the fact that none of the murderers ever use a sophisticated or complicated weapon. That is one theme that runs constant through all of them, they always use simple melee attacks. Remembering what he had seen some of the previous killers do on the recordings, maybe that is all they are capable of when they are in that state of mind?

Asuun did not get much sleep that night. He had never worked a case like this, and the pressure to find the killer had never been higher. He was only about half way through his short list, and he could feel time running out.

When he woke up the next morning, he barely had time to dislodge a few stubborn beads of sand before his AI notified him that several things needed his attention. He rushed his waking-meal, sticking to simple protein cubes...and a couple mugs of a hot stim.

His AI had three notifications for him. First, all the individuals he had already had interviewed, and flagged as conditionally cleared, had been ordered picked up for detention. Second, the names that remained from his short list, had been added to the security watch list. This meant they were not allowed to leave their place of residence, all passes and forms of identification were disabled. Third, Senior Advocate Nethyn had left a message for Asuun to come to his office first thing in the morning.

Asuun ignored the request to head to the Senior Advocate’s office. This was ridiculous, either he was the investigator on this case or he wasn’t. Somehow the Senior Advocate had gotten access to his files, so his first action had to be to cut that off.

Asuun instructed his AI to immediately isolate all files associate with the case into a separate encrypted node, instructing it to put a personal cipher on the data. He also instructed his AI to ignore all attempts at contact from the Senior Advocate. He instructed his AI to send a priority contact request to his immediate supervisor.

His AI informed him that it was not possible to put a personal cipher on the data. It was being blocked from making any substantial changes. It informed him that his access had also been restricted.

Asuun was at a loss, he had never heard of this happening to an active investigation. In many ways what surprised him the most was the fact that the Senior Advocate had been able to access the files at all. Asuun had always been under the impression that the files were restricted to the active investigator. He knew that his security credentials would allow him to bypass locks and other security features, he hadn’t considered that it might also allow for bypassing the restrictions.

But now was not the time to dig into this. The Senior Advocate’s intrusion to his investigation was definitely going to slow him down. The Senior Advocate had only locked down the names on the short list, granted that was quite enough individuals as is. Asuun did not think this could last long, the Orders of Citizenship were quite specific about restrictions to freedom. Seeing as how no one on that list could be charged with anything, the most they could remain locked down was only a single week.

Fortunately none of the individuals on the short list were security technicians, otherwise they might be able to override the lock-down regardless. Wait a minute, Asuun had a very disturbing thought, but it would explain a few things. A number of these murders made no sense, several took place inside buildings which were locked. In order to kill the victim, someone had to come in.

Asuun told his AI to go over the list of suspects, as far back as any suspect that matched 50%. He instructed it to identify any of them that were current or previous security technicians. His AI replied almost immediately with four names. Asuun immediately had his AI check those names against the access logs from all facilities where the murders had occurred, specifying the AI search the secure logs first.

After a few seconds, the AI came back identifying one of the individuals as not being listed in any logs. It was able to identify two of the names from three of the locations. But it only identified one name present in the logs of all locations.

Security Technician Hluwynor had been present at all the sites.

Asuun remembered the park murder, and had his AI check the logs of all the transporters in the park, for the same name present, on the night of the murder. The AI was able to confirm almost immediately that the name was present. Asuun had his AI also confirm the time that that individual made use of the transport, as well as identify which transport he used. The platform that the AI identified, was the closest one to the scene of the murder.

Asuun could not believe he had not seen, or suspected anyone like this up to this point. Looking back at it, he could see it made sense. Who was most likely to be around when the previous killer died, but another Security Tech. Asuun immediately had his AI disable the suspect’s security technicians access rights. Almost instantly, his AI reported that it was unable to do that.

The AI reported that its access had been blocked. The central system informed it, that it did not have the clearance to shut down any security technician’s access. Almost as an afterthought, it reported to him that he was no longer listed as the chief investigator on this case.

Asuun tried to contact his supervisor, but was informed by her AI that she was currently unavailable. Without the clearance he’d had as the chief investigator, he could not force a connection.

Asuun sat down, to go over what must have happened. The Senior Advocate must have removed him as the chief investigator and , restricted his access to resources regarding the case. Asuun had his AI check the record for who was listed as the chief investigator for this case now. He was surprised to see Senior Advocate Nethyn’s name listed.

He couldn’t worry about that now. He likely had identified the murderer, but if Assun couldn’t disable his security access, he could succeed in murdering his next victim. The recordings had all shown that the previous killers, while capable of simple and frequently used actions, could not adapt to some obstacles.

It seemed unlikely that the senior advocate would listen to his suggestions, but this point he had to try. Asuun had to hope that the senior advocate would at least listen, to his recommendation.

Asuun ran to the nearest transmat station. He gave his destination as the office of the senior advocate. Thankfully that office was located in a building that had a transmat receiving station installed near the main entrance.

Upon entering the building, Asuun looked for the security kiosk. The security technician there was able to confirm that the senior advocate was in his office. The security technician had requested Asuun’s identification when Asuun first requested information on the senior Advocate, so he informed Asuun that the senior advocate had been notified he was on his way up.

Asuun barely acknowledged this information, moving quickly to the lifts for the upper levels. This building only had 17 floors, the senior advocate’s office was on the 11th. Exiting the lift, Asuun already knew the way so he ignored the helpful signs that recognized his identification, and were indicating the path to the senior advocate’s office.

On reaching the outer office, Asuun was stopped by a harried looking receptionist. He looks to be in his young adult stage, probably no more than 60 or 70 cycles, but he seemed to be competently handling a barrage of contact requests. He certainly seemed to recognize Asuun as soon as he stepped through the doorway.

“The senior advocate will be with you shortly, he’s in the middle of an important meeting at this time. Please be patient, I’m sure he will not be long.”

Asuun found himself quickly ignored as the receptionist almost immediately started dealing with another communication. He felt the pressure of time now, with such a strong lead to the likely murderer, any delay could be fatal. He found it difficult to just sit and wait, but he needed the resources that the senior advocate now controlled, to find the suspect.

He had set his AI to notify him at 5 minute intervals while he was waiting. After 20 minutes, Asuun was debating trying to force his way into the senior advocate’s office. He didn’t think he would be able to, but it was a good possibility it would at least get the senior advocates attention. Then he noticed the receptionist was motioning him toward the office.

Upon entering the office, he saw the senior advocate sitting behind his desk, obviously reviewing some document. Asuun quickly moved up to the desk, ignoring the recumbent seats set up in front. He fought the urge to lash out at the senior advocate, now was not the time for that confrontation.

"I asked you politely the first time, now I’m ordering you to provide me with all the information you’ve discovered about this case, with any leads you are currently working on, suspects you are monitoring, or any other activity you have undertaken regarding this case."

The senior advocate had spoken before Asuun could open his mouth, not even looking at Asuun as he spoke.

"I’ve already reviewed the data that you had on the system and it struck me that you seem to be going about this in a very relaxed fashion. I’m not going to ask why you did not immediately restrict the movements of everyone on your primary suspects list. I have already taken care of that oversight."

Asuun was at a loss for words, at the tone from the senior advocate. He’d been expecting more of a dialog, not to come in here, and be quickly told what to do.

"No senior advocate, I will not be doing that. Before this day is over, I will be submitting a formal complaint regarding your inappropriate conduct on this case. I will be requesting that your actions be reviewed by a judicial panel."

Asuun forced his tail to be still, and stood up straight, presenting a relaxed and nonthreatening pose. He paused for a few seconds, waiting for the senior advocate to look in his direction. Once the senior advocate’s eyes were on his, Asuun relaxed control on his Middle eye, and let it open fully.

He could see the surprise on the senior advocates face at having his authority so blatantly challenged.

"I don’t know what you were thinking in trying to take over control of this investigation, but I will make sure that if there’s another murder, the blame for it falls squarely on your shoulders." stated Asuun.

Nethyn did not appear particularly worried. His own middle eye was still closed, and there were no signs of tension in his face. Asuun was not sure what to make of his lack of reaction.

"Do you believe you are better qualified to run this investigation than I am? I caught the last murderer. I had been waiting for this to begin again ever since I heard that the last one had died. I know how it has worked in the past, so I knew this was gonna happen again." Nethyn stated calmly.

"I am familiar with the nuances of this case, I know how the murderer will work. Granted your speculation about the isolation factor in their personality profiles, was very insightful. Based on the profile parameters you laid out, I believe it is most likely the murderer is in one of the groups that you have identified."

Asuun could not disagree with the argument, but that was irrelevant. There was no way he was going to allow the senior advocate to remove him from this investigation.

"Aside from the fact that you have not been involved in an active investigation for a number of cycles. Aside from the fact that it is irrelevant that you were the investigator who caught the previous murderer. This case had been assigned to me by the minister, it is my responsibility, and honor, to solve this investigation, and capture this murderer."

"Your recent actions have meant that I am unable to secure the individual that I believe most likely to be the current murderer. The sooner you step aside and let me finish the task that I had been assigned, the sooner this will be over."

As Asuun spoke he watched the middle eye on the senior advocate, slowly open, a definite sign that he was becoming angry. There was nothing he could do about that, he would just focus on the point he was trying to make.

"I don’t know what motivated you to act now, and I don’t care. I am just here to ask you, the only time I will ask you, to give me back control over this case."

Asuun could see the anger building up in Nethyn at the request. He realized this was a waste of time, there was no way the senior advocate was going to give up on this. For whatever reason, he was determined to be the one to resolve this.

Asuun stepped away from his desk, not waiting for Nethyn’s reply.

"If you do nothing else, please put out an immediate request for the apprehension of Security Technician Hluwynor."

Asuun was not sure if the senior advocate even recognized what he just asked for. It was obvious that he was restraining himself, trying to keep from responding to Asuun’s challenge.

Asuun walked out of the office.

He did not acknowledge or react to anything said to him as he exited the building, moving directly to the closest transmat station. Within minutes, he was back in his office. As he had been moving, Asuun had been instructing his AI to contact the Minister, as well as to keep trying to connect to his supervisor.

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