Session seventeen - "The interview panel will see you now..."

Hasimir returns to the ship. He is escorted by Keats who then excuses himself and heads back to the city on a "personal errand."

Striking while the iron is hot" Hasimir finds Arcadia in the gym on board and tells her the current fate of her parents.  She flies into one of her rages and declares that her mother must be rescued. Hasimir stands up to her and explains the foolishness of such action.  She says she will not yet attempt a rescue but will not be inactive.

Above: Hasimir with his new Oath Bound furry friend, Koelang the Vorox

The following day Lawrence and Hasimir welcome aboard Koehlang, their new Vorox Bo'sun and "security chief" and start interviews for the role of pilot. A variety of candidates have been sent by the Muster and include:

• Boris - a surly and monosyllabic figure who hails from Decados space and insists he brings his own navigator, Igor.
• Alfred - an old man with a thick white beard and bowed legs.  Obviously experienced (and had flown Al Malik ships in the past) but has a tendency to go on about his old anecdotes
• "Flash" - a "frat boy" who obviously thinks a lot of himself but is straight out of the Academy
• Biggs - Well turned out, competent flyer.  Flew fighters for the Hawkwoods during the Emperor War but has been doing freighter runs since.

Meanwhile De Havilland is attending Baron Christopher's commission ceremony to celebrate his entitlement as Baron and appointment as Duke Cassius' "Lord Protector" of the Midden Barony.  The congregation in the cathedral is a veritable who's who of Ravenna and De Havilland sees not only his mother but also Count Innocence Decados and his daughter, Count Otto and Countess Cassandra of the warring Austrum isles and the leading Justinians Earl Kiruda (highest ranking of the Justinians on the world) and Baron Tochiro (who has been advocating strong action against the "rebellious elements" of his own House to the Hawkwood rulership).
 

At the reception afterwards the Marquis speaks with his elder brother (and original liege lord) Count Otto.  Otto berates his brother and asks when he'll be coming back to "do his duty"; he could do with an officer of his calibre on the front lines of the war.  De Havilland respectfully declines; his sword is the Emperor's now. The Marquis is handed a note, someone wishes to meet with him...He soon discovers it is Arcadia, she has slipped into the reception to see her "enemies" at first hand. She thanks De Havilland for not hindering her so far and warns him not to interfere with her vengeance.  She also explains to him why she tried to kill the Duke originally (his adherence to a conservative and traditional stance was, in her opinion, holding back the progress of House Justinian) and why she realises now that that wasn't the best method forward, but that doesn't mean she won't have her revenge.
 

Back at the ship the cadre receive a visitor; a local Orthodox Priest, Father Konrad and his young novitiate assistant.  He has been asked to come and inquire about what the crew know of the fate of the village where they recovered the ship.  Hasimir tells him about the events there (the Husks and the Antimonist) and signs a sworn testimony to that effect.  He also gives the priest a generous donation to "help with the rebuilding effort".  It then appears that the priest knows more than he originally let on.  He asks Hasimir increasing probing questions about: 

• Arcadia, the "Justinian Traitor", her fate and Hasimir's connections to her, to the Baroness and whether he is actually now legally in the employ of Baron Christopher
• Beorn - He was seen in the company of Hasimir in Deep core 104 and handed in the body of Arcadia but he also fit the description of the man who murdered the Inquisitor sent to apprehend the heretic priest who was previously an associate of both Arcadia and Hasimir (Brother Josay)
• The events in Deepcore 104 surrounding the psychic peasant girl, Carrie.

All of which he uses to reinforce the common perception that Dame Arcadia was a heretic and deviant with very questionable practises and therefore by association there are implications on Hasimir's character. He concludes by stating that he knows Hasimir is a psychic...