203 - Miss Cai

Plotline: Nine Against Nine

Narrator: Wa Fenya

Author's Note: Two days prior to last chapter

Miss Cai Cha greeted us in her officer's uniform, displeased but not surprised. She bowed as deeply as custom permitted, this time. "Lord Xho, I am extremely sorry that you have had to return to Central Messaging."

"Tell me that we have the ringleader in custody. Alive." Lord Xho insisted.

"So sorry, I cannot do this thing." she replied. "Many people on the day shift did not show up, and we have determined that three of them are sick. Of the remaining eight, only two are in custody, and one of them was slain."

"And what measures have been taken to ensure those who did show up are loyal?" he pressed.

"What measures would his lordship have me take?" she asked. "Each individual, including myself, is scheduled for another loyalty screening."

Lord Xho reared back as if struck. "Those screenings cannot be complete."