A few minutes later, the laughter was mostly gone, and the mood had lightened considerably. Boomer braved the CS gas from the grenade and started up the internal air circulation. It would take some time, but eventually the air would be cleared from the gas. She coughed a bit as she came out of the truck, "Heavy, if there's CS crap all over, you get to clean it up."
"Hell, yeah," was his deep base reply. The big fed smiled, "Totally worth it."
At ten o'clock sharp, Agent Smith connected through the video conference system. All the team was in the conference room, with Spooky in clean, non-CS-covered BDUs. Everyone grew quiet as the face of their boss showed on the screen.
"Good morning, everyone. I understand it was a late night. Let's talk about what happened. Ghost?"
Ghost recounted the events of the previous day. Beginning with the Seelie Court presentation, the leader worked through the events leading up to the attack on the Court and the team. Through it all, Smith gave noncommittal sounds, simply absorbing the story and asking very few questions. Ghost had given enough debriefings to know what information his boss was looking for. When the monster hunter recounted the Queen's judgement, however, Smith seemed to pay more attention.
"Mister Vanhof, what is the final disposition of this Nate Miller?"
Ghost paled slightly, remembering the scene. "Sir, Nate Miller will never bother another human or fae again. His judgement was carried out within minutes of the judgement."
"Were you able to question Miller about his source inside our organization?"
Ghost shrugged. "Some. I was able to ask a few questions during the early part of his...judgement. He told us that he never knew the actual person inside Section Twenty-Eight. Miller said that he had just been sent the burner phone, with instructions on how to dump it. He claimed he got the phone three months ago, right about the time he formed Zero Tolerance."
Agent Smith looked thoughtful and then began to work on the keyboard in front of him. After a few seconds, he looked up, "So, what did happen to Miller? What did the Seelie do?"
Ghost blanched and looked at Boomer. She straightened up and looked at the image of her boss, "I informed the Queen of his history with Hannah and I, and she took compassion on me. The last time I had seen him, I had promised that bastard that I would eat him slowly, causing him unimaginable pain. I was able to keep my promise to him."
Agent Smith blinked. Multiple times. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as the team waited for him to respond. "I see. And how are you this morning, Miss Callahan? You have now eaten three humans in less than twelve hours. Are you still with us?"
Boomer nodded, "I feel fine. In fact, I have more energy today than I've had in a long time. I'd say that eating bad guys agrees with my digestion. I know, you were asking about my geas. Still seems to be there. I don't want to go out and commit murder. I want to do the right thing, but sometimes that right thing is going to be to eat a bad guy."
Smith was nodding along and taking notes. He glanced up, "Mister Vanhof, has she maintained control over her monster?"
"Sure, boss. She was totally in control last night, and I told you that she stopped immediately when we rescued her from the first two. Last night, I watched specifically for any slip in control. She was perfectly aware last night—monster and all. She was brutal, but the guy did torture her. Hell, she probably let him die too quickly, but the Queen was getting impatient."
"Thank you, Mister Vanhof. Miss Callahan, I understand what you did last night, and why you did it. I'd rather not see torture fall into our repertoire, however, last night was an acceptable aberration."
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Captaen O'Beirne, do you have anything else to add to the events from last night?"
The man's Irish accent was thick, "No, Agent Smith. I do believe your Mister Vanhof covered the events well enough. Anything he left out is not worth mentioning."
"And your opinion of the treatment of Miller?"
The Irishman paused and thought. Taking a deep breath, he said, "I just don't know, Agent Smith. I could not tell how Her Majesty reacted to Miss Callahan's feeding. I know some of the attendants fainted, but I also know there were a few who looked on with perhaps a little too much attention.
"Her Majesty was impressed by your team overall, though. The way they acquitted themselves in the firefight only enhanced her feelings toward them from the investigation. As of right now, I'd say your team ranks higher than any other human team she's met. Except, maybe, for your own team."
Agent Smith nodded, "That is good, then. Mister Vanhof, when are you supposed to be meeting with the Seanachaidh?"
Ghost checked his watch. "In about two hours, boss. We are scheduled to meet at the Gray Court at one."
Smith looked at his computer monitor, "Ok. Let's talk about what's going to happen with the process."
THE SIGN out front read "Gray Arbitration" in small white letters on a black background. Boomer eased the Wunder Buggy into the parking lot and parked off to the north side of the building. Team Knightmare disembarked from the truck as a newer model Bentley Flying Spur sedan pulled into the lot. Already parked in the lot were two Porsche Cayenne SUVs.
Heavy let out a low whistle. The big man's voice barely rumbled, "Lotta money sitting in this parking lot. I'm not sure our truck is the most expensive one on the lot."
Ghost grunted his assent and looked to make sure everyone was present, and presentable. The summons had requested all the members of Knightmare be present, plus Captaen O'Beirne. With the monster hunter leading, the team walked up to the doors and entered the building.
The waiting area was very richly appointed, with expensive-looking leather chairs and rich hardwood flooring. A young woman occupied the receptionist desk in the far corner. Smiling, the woman said, "Welcome to Gray Arbitration. The arbitration specialists will be out to receive you soon. In the meantime, my name is Wendy. Is there anything I can get for you while you wait?"
The DHS team leader returned the woman's smile, "No thank you, Wendy. We'll be fine."
Four minutes later, the thick oak door set in the far wall opened and a very short man entered. Ghost noted that the man's suit was very expensive as it must have been custom tailored for the man's stature, and the large automatic in the shoulder holster under the jacket. A full beard was the only hair on the man's head, and Ghost finally noticed the slightly misshapen ears of a dwarf.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you to Gray Arbitration." The dwarf's voice was almost as deep as Heavy's, with more gravel in the throat and pronunciation. "If you would follow me, I will lead you back to the conference room."
The team followed the creature through the door and down a well-decorated corridor. A door was open at the far end of the corridor, and Tó Coferal stood waiting for the team to enter. The Queen's Knight greeted each of the members warmly, clasping forearms with the men and bowing slightly to Doc, Boomer, and Dancer.
Knightmare entered the large conference room dominated by a huge mahogany table. Already seated at the table were the Queen and her staff, minus her Knight. Standing at the far end of the room and conference table were four dwarves in custom-tailored Armani suits.
Two of the dwarves wore the ceremonial sash of the khozten across their torso. One of the khozten stepped forward and cleared his throat, "Welcome, guests. I am Oracle Telacus Sturmwargh, and my companion is Scholar Eraste Thrughar, who will act as Arbiter and Judge for today's meeting." The woman next to Oracle Sturmwargh bowed slightly and smiled, her bald head showing ritual tattooing.
Next to the Oracle of the Khozten, the other two dwarves had ornamental sword-pins on their lapels. The khoztak directly next to the Oracle stepped forward. The topknot in the middle of her head was the center for the intricate tattoo pattern over her skull. Ghost recognized the Praetorian as she began to talk.
"Welcome honored guests and honored warriors. I am Praetorian Urteghat Dhorjachen, of Clan Frostwind. My companion is Protector Dhaviha Chrechank, also of Clan Frostwin
d. He will be the Protector for this meeting."
Ghost bowed slightly to both, then gave a small bow to the Queen and muttered, "Your Majesty."
Ghost stood and gestured to his team behind him, introducing each member with their title and name. At each introduction, Both the Oracle and the Praetorian bowed slightly and said, "Well met."
As The DHS leader introduced Boomer, there was a sharp intake of breath and a frown from the Praetorian. "Special Agent Vanhof, I must protest. There was no mention of you having a tainted creature on your team. How can we trust you when you harbor such a creature?"
Ghost blinked, trying to comprehend. "Praetorian Dhorjachen, I personally apologize that we did not mention Special Agent Callahan's affliction. She was a valued member of my team before she was infected, and she is an invaluable member now. Her monster is under external controls that you likely know about. As a designated Representative of a Signatory nation, I personally vouch for her here at the Seanachaidh."
The Praetorian took a moment to look closely at the young demolitions expert, and Boomer was becoming embarrassed at the attention of the stern-looking dwarf. The Praetorian finally nodded. "I do know of those controls, as I helped your Agent Smith originally craft those controls. If she is truly still bound by the geas and you are willing to vouch for her, she will be accepted."
Ghost continued introducing the team, and was once again interrupted when he introduced their junior member, Dancer.
Again the Praetorian's eyes widened, and her voice quivered and softened, "My apologies, Special Agent Sedano. I had not realized that Vellath had chosen someone again. Would you tell him that Urteghat Dhorjachen bids him well?"
22
INQUIRY
GRAY COURT, ROGER B. CHAFFEE MEMORIAL BLVD SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
All eyes turned to Dancer, and the young woman blushed self consciously. The Oracle gazed at her with an intense concentration, and the Queen did likewise. Dancer heard the deep rumble of her companion in her mind, Thank her for me, dear. He sounded pleased.
"Vellath thanks you," the young woman said with hesitation. "I'm sorry, was I not supposed to bring this?" She jerked a thumb at her empty shoulder.
All of her teammates were staring at her, and Boomer was hiding a small smile. She had been there when fion-fhuil had chosen her protégé.
Spooky reached up and clicked a button on his goggle-like glasses, and a series of lenses clicked down over his primary lenses. He saw the ghostly outline of a sword. "Damn," he muttered. "How did I miss that?"
Dancer ignored the electronics specialist and spoke to the Praetorian, "Is it all right if I have him with me? I never even thought about leaving him behind"
The dwarf shook her head, making her topknot fly. "It was perfectly fine for you to bring Uncorruptible. We never laid claim to an unarmed meeting. I apologize for embarrassing you, but I was surprised that the dragon chose another champion, and more so that it was one as young as you. Vellath must see something in you."
Dancer blushed, the pink burning through her normally tan skin.
Praetorian Dhorjachen nodded at Callum O'Beirne. "And we are familiar with Captaen O'Beirne." She turned to Ghost, "Is that your entire party?"
The DHS team leader nodded, and the Praetorian gestured for them to take seats around the conference table. The Oracle then stood and began the meeting.
"Honored guests, we are here to discuss a charge that Her Majesty Lishe ta Merunaré, Queen of the Seelie Court, is bringing against the Unseelie. We are here to determine if there is enough evidence to call a formal Court Inquiry. And if there is enough evidence for the Inquiry, to schedule the Court Inquiry with the Unseelie. Your Majesty?"
The Queen's calm exterior was marred by the anger in her eyes. "Oracle and Arbiter. We come to the Keepers to right a grave injustice. Our people and our property were viciously attacked by members of the Unseelie Court, and they then committed the despicable act of trying to frame another E'Tuatha Accords Signatory to avoid detection and retaliation. Unanswered, this attack will constitute an act of war between the Courts."
The Arbiter was studiously taking notes, and he looked up at the end of her statement. "And you have proof of these accusations? Who is the other Signatory?"
The Queen thoughtfully responded, "The other Signatory is humanity, in this case, specifically represented by Special Agent Vanhof and his team, as well as Captaen O'Beirne. They responded and investigated the attack. It is their findings that direct blame at the Unseelie Court."
The Arbiter looked at Ghost, "Is that true, Special Agent Vanhof?" After receiving a nod from the man, he continued, "And do you have this proof with you today, for this Inquiry?"
Ghost smiled and gestured toward Spooky and Doc, "Yes, Arbiter. We have brought the evidence with us, and the Agents who procured the evidence are present, as well."
The Arbiter wrote more notes and then looked up Ghost. "Call your first witness, please."
Doc stood and walked to the empty head of the table. The Arbiter held up a small yellow cord that had a loop with a slipknot in it. He asked for the priest's right hand, but she held back and asked what it was.
The Arbiter looked offended. "Doctor... Sorenson, is it? This is the Aidmheil. Roughly translated, this is the Confession or Declaration. The Aidmheil will make sure that you tell the truth while you are talking. At least as you perceive it to be. If you tell a falsehood, it will flash or light up, with the brightness correlating to how far from the truth you stray. It does not influence your story, it merely ensures its veracity."
The priest nodded and held out her arm. The Arbiter gently looped the cord over her wrist and tightened it to a light contact. She looked at the cord and then began her presentation.
Doc worked her way through the evidence from start to finish as she had in front of the Queen. Covering her initial impressions of the scene, then presenting the physical evidence. Shell casings, photos of boot prints, and recovered bullets were all presented, and she offered explanations for her conclusions.
When she was finished, she looked at the Arbiter and the Oracle, "Do you have any questions for me?"
The Arbiter looked at her notes, conferred with the Oracle, and asked one question, "Have you been able to determine the manufacture of the weapons used in the attack?"
Doc looked at Ghost, and he nodded. She answered, "We have. Part of the weapons used were human in origin, including a nine millimeter semi-automatic or automatic, and a thirty-eight caliber revolver. Part of the shells collected were not of human origin. I believe they were identified by Tar Katel, as khoztak manufacture. I believe one was identified as a Forge Warblade Mark Two. The other one is of similar manufacture."
The priest took a breath and continued, "This is one of the reasons we believe that the perpetrators had to be of fae origin. Only the fae, and their close allies have access to those weapons. "
The Arbiter nodded, made a few more notes, and asked, "Is there anything else you want to tell us, Doctor Sorenson? No? Then will the next witness present their evidence?"
Doc sat down as Spooky stood and approached the end of the table. He placed his laptop on the table in front of him and connected it to the provided display wires. Once it was powered up and ready, he looked up at the rest of the room.
The Arbiter motioned for Spooky to come closer, and the dwarf placed the Aidmheil around his wrist. The analyst looked apprehensive, but he did not shrink away. Consciously leaving the cord alone, he looked at the Arbiter for permission to begin. The dwarf nodded at him, and Spooky recounted his evidence.
It took the former NSA analyst about forty minutes to walk the Gray Court through his findings. He first showed the damning video showing a human police unit brutally slaughtering the fae in the club. Spooky then described his search for exterior video, and the results of his search. He then showed the recovered, actual video from the attack that night. It clearly showed the fae attacking the club. Like Doc, Spooky ended his presentation and asked
the Arbiter if he had questions.
The Arbiter looked at the khoztak dwarves. "Praetorian Dhorjachen, is it possible to identify the fae in the second video? Are they truly from the Unseelie, or are they unaffiliated?"
The Praetorian asked Spooky to replay the video, pausing it several times. At the end she nodded, more to herself, than to anyone else. "Yes, I can identify at least five that are directly connected to the Unseelie Court. Three of the others are usually peripherally connected to the Court, and then there is Oude Rode Ogen. His presence is an ominous sign. If he has truly signed with the Unseelie...." The Praetorian shook her head as she trailed away.
"Special Agent Smith," the Arbiter shifted her focus to the analyst. "Are you convinced that the video you recovered is the true narrative, and that it was not planted by any other parties?"
Spooky thoughtfully considered for a moment, and then answered, "I am firmly convinced that this video that identifies the Unseelie Court is the correct video from that night."
"Thank you, Agent Smith. I believe that is all the information I will require." She looked around the room. "Is there any other relevant information regarding the initial charge? Does anyone have anything to add?" Heads shaking negatively all around the table met her questioning gaze.
"Then I will take a moment and confer with the Oracle and the Praetorian. I will be back with my decision momentarily." The Arbiter stood and walked out the door, followed closely by the Oracle and the Praetorian. The Protector folded his arms and blocked the door after them.
Spooky packed away his laptop and other electronics while they waited. Ghost talked to the Queen about her cleanup efforts from the previous night's attack, assuring Her Majesty that Section 28 would help with the matters outside the Seelie compound. They were discussing logistics with Tó Coferal, the Queen's Knight when someone knocked twice on the door into the conference room.
INCURSION: Faeblade (Knight's Bane Trilogy Book 2) Page 18