Sool nodded. Run your tests, though I dont expect youll find anything. Short is a burnout, simple as that. She always was. I nearly had her before, but this time its cut and dried.
Foaly knew he should bite his tongue, but he had to defend his friend. Isnt this all a bit convenient? First we lose sound, so we dont know what was said. Then theres this fuzzy patch that could be anything, and now were expected to believe that a decorated officer just up and shot her commander, an elf who was like a father to her.
Yes, I see your point, Foaly, said Sool silkily. Very good. Nice to know youre thinking on some level. But lets stick to our respective jobs, eh? You build the machinery and I operate it. For example, these new Neutrinos that our field personnel are armed with?
Yes, what about them? said Foaly suspiciously.
They are personalized to each officer, am I right? Nobody else can fire them. And each shot is registered?
That is correct, admitted Foaly, all too aware where this was leading.
Sool waved his cane like an orchestra conductor. Well then, surely all we have to do is check Captain Shorts weapons log to see if she fired a shot at the precise time indicated on the video. If she did, then the film is authentic, and Holly Short did indeed murder her commander, regardless of what we can or cannot hear.
Foaly ground his horsy teeth. Of course it made perfect sense. He had thought of it half an hour ago, and he already knew what the cross-referencing would reveal. He pulled up Hollys weapons log, reading out the relevant passage.
Weapon registered at zero nine forty, HMT. Six pulses at zero nine fifty-six, and then one level-two pulse fired at zero nine fifty-eight.
Sool slapped the cane into his palm in triumph. One level-two pulse fired at zero nine fifty-eight. Exactly right. Whatever else happened in that chute, Short fired on her commander.
Foaly leaped out of his specially tailored office chair. But a level-two pulse couldnt cause such a big explosion. It practically caved in the entire access tunnel.
Which is why Short isnt in custody right now, said Sool. It will take weeks to clear out that tunnel. Ive had to send a Retrieval team through El, in Tar a. They will have to travel overground to Paris and pick up her trail from there.
But what about the explosion itself?
Sool grimaced, as though Foalys question was a bitter nugget in an otherwise delicious meal. Oh, Im sure theres an explanation, centaur. Combustible gas, or malfunction or just bad luck. Well figure that out. For now, my priority, and jours, is to bring Captain Short back here for trial. I want you to liaise with the Retrieval team. Feed them constant updates on Shorts position.
Foaly nodded without enthusiasm. Holly was still wearing her helmet. And the LEP helmet could verify her identity and relay a constant stream of diagnostic information back to Foalys computers. They had no sound or video, but there was plenty of information to track Holly, wherever she might go in the world, or under it. At the moment, Holly was in Germany. Her heart rate was elevated, but otherwise she was OK.
Why did you run, Holly? Foaly asked his absent friend silently. If youre innocent, why did you run?
Tell me where Captain Short is now, demanded Sool.
The centaur maximized the live feed from Hollys helmet on the plasma screen.
Shes still in Germany Munich, to be precise. Shes stopped moving now. Maybe she will decide to come home.
Sool frowned. I seriously doubt it, centaur. Shes a bad egg, through and through.
Foaly ground his teeth. Good manners dictated that only a friend referred to another fairy by species, and Sool was no friend of his. Or anyones.
We cant say that for sure, said Foaly through his clenched teeth.
Sool leaned even closer to the plasma screen, a slow smile stretching his tight skin.
Actually, centaur, youre wrong there. I think we can safely say for sure that Captain Short wont be coming back. Recall the Retrieval team immediately.
Foaly checked Hollys screen. The life signs from her helmet were all flatlining. One second she was stressed but alive, and the next she was gone. No heartbeat, no brain activity, no temperature reading. She couldnt have simply taken off the helmet, as there was an infrared connection between each LEP officer and helmet. No, Holly was dead, and it hadnt been natural causes.
Foaly felt the tears brimming on his eyelids. Not Holly too.
Recall the Retrieval team? Are you insane, Sool? We have to find Holly. Find out what happened.
Sool was unaffected by Foalys outburst. If anything, he appeared to enjoy it.
Short was a traitor and she was obviously in collusion with the goblins. Somehow her nefarious plan backfired and she has been killed. I want you to activate the remote incinerator in her helmet immediately, and well close the book on a rogue officer.
Foaly was aghast. Activate the remote incinerator! I cant do that.
Sool rolled his eyes. Again with the opinions. You dont have authority here, you just obey it.