*Video feed begins.
Celia leans back in her desk-chair, deftly flipping a fine-looking Matari combat knife from hand to hand. She spins the blade with each pass, its highly polished edge catching the light with a brilliant flash.
She stops abruptly, the hilt gripped in her hand as she examines a thin thread of blood on her finger*
So sharp...
*Her gaze shifts to the camera; her eyes flat, her expression neutral*
I was looking forward to the Skyhook relaunch party. The prospect of seeing Milo again, catching up with the Ghosts and meeting new contacts had me quite excited. Things didn't go to that plan though.
*she runs a hand through her hair, looking back to the blade*
Whilst at the party, I was informed of the death of Newt Rex, former PRELI CEO and a man I counted as a friend. An incident in the old Skyhook venue before the move, it seems.
It doesn't feel right, losing one of our own on home turf.
*Celia frowns in concern, chewing her bottom lip*
I don't know if anyone else was involved or responsible, but if they are... well, the Family will no doubt deal with that. Besides, I have too much on my plate right now for a diversion.
*She ponders a few moments, then nods to herself resolutely.
Holding the knife closer to the camera, she continues*
This is his legacy to me. It's rare to find such a well-balanced and sharp blade, even in the Republic. A thing of real beauty.
*Celia pauses as she lights a cigarette and sinks deeper into her chair*
I think I understood Newt. We both struggled with drink, for pretty much the same reasons - to forget. The man had his own demons he was trying to escape from and drink deals with all that, I know for a fact.
*she absently spins the blade on its point across the smooth black-marble desktop as her face darkens, grimacing*
Such a poison. It left my father lying in mud without a windpipe. Weak, spineless layabout... he got what he fucking deserved.
*Her voice grates with undisguised hatred.
She pauses to take a deep draw and exhales*
Newt was a better man than that. He knew the dangers and had tried his best to get himself dried out. The knife-fighting was his escape from the bottle. I was so impressed when he told me he was getting into it and fighting in the league; such adrenalin and excitement, not to mention the prize money!
*Celia smiles wistfully as she looks down at the blade again*
I'll miss you, Newt Rex. I'll honour your beautiful gift by putting it to good use; it won't sit on a desk like an heirloom, I'll carry and use it with pride. I know that's what you would've wanted.
And if all goes to plan, I'll have the ideal opportunity to test it...
*her warm smile twists, setting into a cruel grin as she runs a finger along the edge of the blade. She tilts her head, gazing adoringly at the fine alloy as it glides effortlessly through the top layer of skin*
So beautiful... so deadly...
Which reminds me...
I need to speak to Kimochi.
Camera off.
*Video feed ends.*
2009-08-29
2009-08-19
The Lead (part 2)
*Video feed begins.
Surrounded by the blue-green hue of the PRETA Data Center's myriad of consoles, terminals and monitors, Celia sits bolt upright and alert as her eyes dart rapidly from left to right, digesting the feed coming through on the main monitor. Around her lays the debris of used coffee-cups, cigarette packets and food cartons; a pillow and a hairbrush nearby betray the fact she's been sleeping in the Data Center for several nights now.
After several minutes her eyes stop moving, locking into their familiar glazed stare, her jaw clenched.
There is a long silence, broken only by the omnipresent low rumble of the data-core.
Eventually, Celia lights a cigarette and turns to face the camera drone*
She's alive. And on the run.
*exhales in a sigh*
Mother, why couldn't you have just stayed in one place so I could find you? How do you expect me to find a fugitive in a cluster of billions? A prison-break would've been easy compared to this.
*She turns back to the main monitor, bringing up her list of contacts. A dozen unread messages flash urgently for attention but are ignored as Celia begins to create a new entry*
Governor Brond. It appears mother used him as her ticket out. How brilliantly resourceful of her...
*she allows the corner of her mouth to raise in a sly smile of admiration*
He was present when CONCORD first interviewed her. According to the file, he held a private interview with her just days after.
*Celia purses her lips, drumming her black fingernails on the keypad*
He's obviously the next logical lead. I'll have him traced down, although I'm not doing the detective work this time; there are Family members and associates who are better at this than I am. Must remember to ask about interrogation methods too. I'm no sadist, but I might just allow myself to enjoy this.
*She takes a long draw from a cigarette*
Then there is Judge Olar. No need to waste words on this man. Besides, I don't expect to glean anything remotely useful out of him. It's not even worth asking him why he saw it fit to separate a five-year old child from her mother at a time when she really fucking needed her!
*Celia's voice raises to a near shriek as her fingers claw savagely at the keypad, the plastic creaking under the strain. She takes several deep breaths to regain her composure; her expression now grows weary, the long hours of concentration spent at the console beginning to catch up with her*
So tired... I've lost count of how many days I've spent in here... and my eyes...
*Celia rubs her eyes and pinches the bridge of her nose, sighing heavily. She grabs her pillow from a nearby unit and hugs it to her chest, resting her head into it and talking softly under her breath*
Where's Milo when I need him? He's been gone for weeks and I miss him. I really miss him.
*Her voice cracks on the last few words as her eyelids become heavier. Within seconds she is asleep, hugging her pillow, her face relaxed and serene. The camera records for another hour before going into auto-standby.
Video feed ends*
Surrounded by the blue-green hue of the PRETA Data Center's myriad of consoles, terminals and monitors, Celia sits bolt upright and alert as her eyes dart rapidly from left to right, digesting the feed coming through on the main monitor. Around her lays the debris of used coffee-cups, cigarette packets and food cartons; a pillow and a hairbrush nearby betray the fact she's been sleeping in the Data Center for several nights now.
After several minutes her eyes stop moving, locking into their familiar glazed stare, her jaw clenched.
There is a long silence, broken only by the omnipresent low rumble of the data-core.
Eventually, Celia lights a cigarette and turns to face the camera drone*
She's alive. And on the run.
*exhales in a sigh*
Mother, why couldn't you have just stayed in one place so I could find you? How do you expect me to find a fugitive in a cluster of billions? A prison-break would've been easy compared to this.
*She turns back to the main monitor, bringing up her list of contacts. A dozen unread messages flash urgently for attention but are ignored as Celia begins to create a new entry*
Governor Brond. It appears mother used him as her ticket out. How brilliantly resourceful of her...
*she allows the corner of her mouth to raise in a sly smile of admiration*
He was present when CONCORD first interviewed her. According to the file, he held a private interview with her just days after.
*Celia purses her lips, drumming her black fingernails on the keypad*
He's obviously the next logical lead. I'll have him traced down, although I'm not doing the detective work this time; there are Family members and associates who are better at this than I am. Must remember to ask about interrogation methods too. I'm no sadist, but I might just allow myself to enjoy this.
*She takes a long draw from a cigarette*
Then there is Judge Olar. No need to waste words on this man. Besides, I don't expect to glean anything remotely useful out of him. It's not even worth asking him why he saw it fit to separate a five-year old child from her mother at a time when she really fucking needed her!
*Celia's voice raises to a near shriek as her fingers claw savagely at the keypad, the plastic creaking under the strain. She takes several deep breaths to regain her composure; her expression now grows weary, the long hours of concentration spent at the console beginning to catch up with her*
So tired... I've lost count of how many days I've spent in here... and my eyes...
*Celia rubs her eyes and pinches the bridge of her nose, sighing heavily. She grabs her pillow from a nearby unit and hugs it to her chest, resting her head into it and talking softly under her breath*
Where's Milo when I need him? He's been gone for weeks and I miss him. I really miss him.
*Her voice cracks on the last few words as her eyelids become heavier. Within seconds she is asleep, hugging her pillow, her face relaxed and serene. The camera records for another hour before going into auto-standby.
Video feed ends*
2009-08-18
The Lead (part 1)
*Data transfer begins - file CCR055001KATANM
From: CONCORD Criminal Records Database (RESTRICTED)
To: PRETA Secure User
Bypassing Firewall... Complete
Downloading... Complete*
Subject: Katan, Matila
File No: CCR055001KATANM
Status: Fugitive
Summary:
91.11.14 - Sentenced by Brutor Tribal Court (Judge Andril Olar presiding) to life imprisonment for the murder of Habikuk Louga Katan of North Reach Mining Outpost. Sentence to be served at North Reach Penal Facility. 1 dependant, Celia Katan, to be taken into care of the Tribe as in accordance with Tribal Law.
92.02.07 - Escape attempt - prisoner caught attempting to smuggle herself out in a supply crate.
92.09.12 - Escape attempt - prisoner took a dental technician hostage with a drill-bit. Prisoner apprehended and placed in solitary confinement for two months.
93.04.26 - Escape attempt - prisoner instigated a fight between fellow inmates and attempted to escape during the melee.
93.05.01 - Transfered to RSS Kulheim Maximum Security Penal Facility
105.01.23 - Pending review for good behaviour.
105.02.10 - Transfered to Medical Wing Delta, Kulheim Facility.
111.02.23 - File submitted to CONCORD on request.
111.02.25 - Prisoner interviewed by CONCORD (under supervision of Prison Governor Alus Brond) regarding the current status of her daughter, Ms Celia DeKline, formerly Celia Katan.
111.03.03 - Prisoner privately interviewed by Governor Brond.
111.04.11 - Prisoner escaped and placed on Fugitives bulletin. Governor Brond dismissed from his post following a confession to having an illicit affair with the prisoner.
*Deleting trace files... Complete
Data transfer ends*
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