Alex frowned before replying, and grabbed a glass of water, chucking some sort of tablet into it. The liquid begun to hiss and bubble.
'Let just say' he said, taking a sip 'that I have small pile of good news, and a huge mountain of bad ones... The good ones are connected to your flawless victory. Two hours ago, I received a report that our air forces three hundreds clicks to the east intercepted and eliminated a migou flight bearing our way- given that it had an empty transporter among them, it seems logical that they were trying to pick up the machines you have busted, so it looks like it was a deep reconnaissance op after all, and we do not have to fear being attacked any time soon... Furthermore, migou are withdrawing in Easter Europe, even giving up ground. Intel says that they trying to hold back Rapine Storm from wrecking them in Asia, and transfer some forces from less prolific fronts, giving us more space to breathe. So, the outpost, the region, and, by extension, we, are safe. For now, at least.'
'As for the bad news... Well. First of all, we had another civvie from hospital personnel disappear during the leave in the city. Secondly, there are more and more reports of shoot-outs in the city at night, but again, despite the fact that we have no idea how is wasting who, this is not really our problem.'
He stood up from behind the desk, and gestured towards you.
'Follow me, you gotta see something.'
He led you outside the office, to the main control and security building, and then, taking a stairs down, to the underground section of the base. He remained silent on his way there.
Finally, you arrived at small door. Alex entered a long code on the keypad, and the door swung open, revealing what appeared to be an interrogation room of some sorts. You had no idea it was even there. From what you could see through the window (two-way mirror, without a doubt), there were three people inside. Two of them were probably grunts, clad in combat armour and armed with assault rifles... The third, sitting on a lone chair, with her hand and legs shackled, was a Nazzadi women. She seemed somehow familiar... Then, she raised her head, and you instantly recognized her. She was a fellow mecha pilot, from the other mecha squad in the outpost. You could not quite remember her name, though... As far as you could remember, she joined the forces not long ago... month maybe?Or two? Anyway, from what you have she was really well liked by her squad.
Alex sighed.
'I had her arrested this morning, after routine search in her quarters turned out that she was in possession of uncensored copies of "Book of Five Shadows" and "Breath of R'lyeh".'
He sighed again.
'This alone would a very bad sign, and good reason for entire outpost to become nervous- finding an unregistered, illegal sorcerer among the pilots is never a good sign, right? But it is far worse, this whole case really stinks... You see, yesterday, I have received an anonymous denunciation that this Kiy here is harbouring illegal tomes and dabbling in forbidden arts. And someone really did his best to make this information remain anonymous, there is no way to track it to it's source. Suspicious, right? But I had to conduct a search, just in case. Furthermore, Kiy is claiming that she has never seen this books before. Of course, I know that every single sorcerer would do the same in her situation, but somehow I find it hard to believe that a pilot fresh out of academy is also an adept of forbidden art skilled enough to actually utilize contents of this books. The tomes we found are really advanced, containing a knowledge which mere comprehending would require and iron mind and iron will. And it does not appear that the girls has any of above. But again, we have found them in her quarters, and this means that we should hand her over to OIS, to determine if she is even mortal any more...'
He paused, and took a long look at the girl. She was literally shaking and sobbing, and you could not say if it was fear, anger or both.
'I served in OIS for a good few years. And I know that if she will be taken into one of their facilities, it will mean a great, great suffering for her, even if she is actually innocent. And even if they prove it... Her career in the Army will be wasted, and I am afraid that her entire life will get ruined as well. I have seen such situations before, a few times too many, if you ask me. And if she really is innocent, someone must have framed her, right? And that would mean that we have someone pursuing his own agenda here, and God knows what will it bring.'
He turned towards you.
'Tell me, would you do an old man a final favour?'