Conversation · Alice

"Does that seem relevant to your investigation?"

"No, but thank you for looking into it."

"Just doing my job, officer. Was there anything else?"

We're still glad you did it, my liege. This was good training. For when you need to lie to save your life maybe?

"Yes, absolutely! This is exactly what I wanted."

"Great. Anything else I could do for you?"

"They couldn't find anything on the full code you gave me. However, the first eight characters were match for a series of paintings by Tobias Pren -- you know, that artist who recently hanged himself?"

"This doesn't seem relevant to my investigation." (Conclude the conversation.)

"It's all I could learn, I'm afraid. That's the serial number you gave me. Anything else I can do for you?"

I don't know about you, but I really, really enjoyed it. Worked out really well in the end.

I knew this would lead to something good!

"No, what were his paintings like?"

"Very pretty pictures of assorted wildlife meant to inspire viewers and look good over couches in office building lobbies." She hesitates. "I've always sort of thought they were trash."

"Art is extremely relevant to my investigation. Thank you." (Conclude the conversation.)

"Great. Anything else I can do for you?"

"I'm not sure how this relates to my investigation yet, but I'm sure it does." (Conclude the conversation.)

"I hope so. Anything else I can do for you?"

"No, why did he hang himself?"

"Celebrity problems."

She means pills and alcohol. See, pills and alcohol make you a celebrity. Hasn't it been a while since you've had any?

"No, and I doubt they'll get back to me before tomorrow morning. Anything else?"

"Sure, officer. What's the number? And the make of the armour, if you know it?"

"E50.100.1000. The make and model of the armour is Fairweather T-500 / VE."

"Got it. I'll contact the ICP database immediately. Call back tomorrow. Hopefully they'll have dug up something useful by then."

The International Collaboration Police (ICP) is an interisolary law enforcement service, the crown jewel in the Moralintern diadem alongside EPIS and the Coalition Government.

"Wait, what's ICP?"

"The International Collaboration Police? Uhm..." She seems confused for a second. "They keep detailed records of all military technology produced by licensed manufacturers. That's one of the reasons the Moralintern spearheaded the creation of the ICP in the first place."

"Cool... and what's the Moralintern?"

"Officer, as much as I appreciate your efforts to lighten the mood, we both have important work to get back to. Did you have any other serious questions?"

"Okay."

"Was there anything else?"

"X54156745678222. The make and model of the armour is Fairweather T-500 / VE."

"Are you sure that's the right number? Doesn't sound like a serial."

There's a slightly weary, condescending note in her voice. She doesn't trust your professionalism following your rather tasteless come-ons.

"You're right. I meant to say E50.100.1000. Sorry for the confusion."

"No problem, officer. Just glad we got it straightened out. I'll contact the ICP database immediately. Call back tomorrow. Hopefully they'll have dug up something useful to your investigation by then."

"That's definitely the right number."

"Well, I'll contact the ICP database immediately. Call back tomorrow. Hopefully they'll have dug up something useful to your investigation by then."

There's just a hint of weariness in her voice. It's not that she doesn't trust you -- she just wants to be thorough so as not to create extra work for both of you.

"AO5577789RHG9999. The make and model of the armour is Fairweather T-500 / VE."