Greater Good
09 Aug 2023Ryuko Ntsikana
Greater Good.
Sacaqawea Space Port, Planetary Outpost.
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Monty studied the last reported region of Xochitl’s carrier. This, however, didn't necessarily mean they were there, or even if the carrier still occupied that area. The majority of new discovery reports were from smaller ships that were further ahead of her capital ship. By correlating these discoveries with known positions, it appeared to Monty that Xochitl was pathfinding ahead of the group. Each new system update sent to the cartographers contained a ringed planet with Tritium ore present.
Monty nodded, understanding her strategy. She was scanning ahead and moving from one fuel source to another. After some quick calculations, Monty estimated that she was about a week away from being near his position. This gave him enough time to ensure that the Diamondback Explorer ship, provided by the entity, was fully stocked in case he needed to make a quick escape. The Collection of Wonders system, located in the Skaude AA-A h294 system, was nearby and could serve as a good hiding spot if he survived the initial encounter and needed to flee.
In this system, there were two black holes, a ringed white dwarf, and a ringed neutron star. These celestial bodies could be used to supercharge his hyperdrive for a single double-ranged jump, albeit at the cost of damaging his frame-shift jump drive. Fortunately, the Diamondback Explorer was equipped with an auto-field maintenance module that could fix some internal damages, suggesting that the entity had anticipated possible damage.
However, tracking Xochitl’s carrier or ships proved to be challenging. Apart from the waypoints along the highway, there were no navigation beacons to help Monty trace her movements. It was akin to observing blips on an old radar screen – contact would appear and disappear intermittently.
Engrossed in his thoughts, Monty delved into the life of a historian undercover. He was surprised by the volume of traffic along the Colonia highway and the prevalence of banditry along its length. The flourishing black market and instances of price gouging were also revelations. Though he hadn’t encountered any pirates yet, that didn't necessarily mean they didn't exist. Reports from various sources indicated a consistent pattern of such activities.
Trapped in the cycle of evidence-based facts, Monty's former career didn't allow for much daydreaming. Yet, the current situation had opened his mind to new possibilities. He contemplated the potential profitability of a private protection, loss prevention, and investigations company. The movement of goods translated into increased fuel needs, and any loss outside of legal transactions was keenly felt, especially beyond the bubble. People had the credits not only to transport goods but also to pay for their protection.
Monty's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the appearance of two members of the outpost security services. Their arrival snapped him back to the present.
‘Federal Inspector Monty Gladsen,’ the closer one stated, their tone professional.
‘Please come with us. The head of security wants a word with you,’ the other added.
As Monty stood up, he heard the entity's voice advising him to comply. As he looked at the two security personnel, he couldn't help but wonder why they needed him.
‘Why do they want me?’ Monty inquired, more directed at the entity than the guards.
‘Our orders were to escort you to them, not to explain why,’ one responded, unaware of the entity's presence or Monty's true intention behind the question.
As they led him, Monty observed their path and the environment. The security services department was strategically placed on the main hangar level, ensuring a prompt response regardless of the direction of the threat.
‘Where are you taking me, and who am I meeting?’ Monty directed his question to the security personnel.
They remained silent, guiding him to the hangar where his ship was docked. In the hangar stood a tall man in an environmental services suit, easily recognizable as Chief Alexander Wolfe, chief of system security for the Brewster Corporation.
Without extending a hand for a handshake, Chief Alexander began, ‘Inspector Gladsen, I am Alexander Wolfe, Chief of System Security for the Brewster Corporation.’
Monty sized up Chief Alexander instinctively, his training as an inspector kicking in.
‘Have I violated any regulations?’ Monty's asked noticing that Chief Alexander didn't offer a handshake, likely mirroring Monty's own inclination.
Chief Alexander met Monty's gaze, his scrutinizing stare almost challenging. ‘We don’t have much time for pleasantries, so I'll be direct. I received a message from the Federation Inspector General's office, outlining your identity and purpose here. They asked for my cooperation.’
‘Listen to him,’ the entity interjected, guiding Monty to pay attention.
‘I believe in maintaining productive relations with other departments. I've agreed to assist you in your search for Federal fugitives heading to Colonia,’ Chief Alexander's pause seemed calculated, as he studied Monty's composed expression.
‘None of my personnel know your real identity; only myself and my second are aware of it,’ Chief Alexander revealed.
Instinctively, Monty nodded in agreement, concealing his deeper thoughts. He understood that the entity had brought him here for a reason, so he decided to play along.
‘If there’s a way I can help you achieve your mission, please let me know,’ Monty responded, his tone level.
Chief Alexander seemed to reevaluate Monty, then finally smiled, extending his hand.
Monty stayed in the hangar with his ship, waiting for Chief Alexander's departure.
'Alright, what was this all about,' Monty asked.
'A solution to your problem,' the entity replied, telling Monty everything it had done in preparation.
'So, we are trading one life for another. I thought we agreed there wouldn't be any innocents involved in this?'
'They are not innocent,' the entity corrected. 'I have chosen the worst of the selection. For once, in their existence, they will be useful for something larger and positive. If they are lost, it will be for a noble cause, and not a hindrance.'
Monty shook his head in disbelief. 'Justifying this through the lens of "for the greater good" is disturbing.'
'The exchange is balanced. A life of wrongdoing exchanged for a good man with the chance at a new life. Your morality is incorrect. If these individuals were to harm others, they would face consequences according to humanity's own laws. This way, they contribute something necessary for the greater good before facing those consequences.'
Monty shook his head again, trapped by the entity's utilitarian logic. To deny it would make him a hypocrite, regardless of how it made him feel inside.
'Did you shed a tear for Jason, when Xochitl's battle droids detonated against him, reducing him to atoms? Where was your morality regarding Xochitl after those events? What about the executive and financier, you were moving to apprehend at the same time? No, inspector, you did not.'
Monty cursed under his breath. 'Fine, my morality may be askew, but that does not mean I want even the guilty to face their just fates before a proper trial and conviction.'
'The one we have chosen is fleeing from justice and has already been convicted.'
Monty knew there would be no winning this argument. The best he could do would be to play along and see who this individual the entity had chosen was.
'When do they arrive?'
'Tomorrow evening. They will be released to your custody, and you are to bring them to our ship. I will take care of the remainder, and by the time Xochitl is in range, they will be ready.'
Monty felt a pit in his stomach but knew there was nothing he could do, not yet anyway.